George James

Chalk Art Contest Underway at Blue Water Festival

There’s truly something for everyone at the Blue Water Festival in Downtown Port Huron. If chalk art is your passion or just something you’d like to try, the festival has just the thing for you to show off your talent.

The annual Chalk Art Contest is underway on July 14th and 15th in front of A Little Something, a store in Downtown Port Huron.

Artists will need to register and spectators will vote on their favorite chalk art. The art spaces are free to artists and they can be solo pieces or can be the work of up to four artists.

The top prize is $100 for the Best in Show. The People’s Choice Award winner will get a cash prize as well, with the Best Original Piece and the Best 3-D piece each winning $50. The Best Use of Color artwork will get $50 also.

There are prizes of ice cream coupons for the Best Youth Piece for ages 12 to 16 and the Best Child Piece for ages under 12.

Judging is at 5:30 p.m. with the winners announced at 7:00 p.m. in front of A Little Something on Friday, July15th.

For more information, please contact the chalk art coordinator Lucie De Line 810.531.5410.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Backpack Giveaways Planned for “Back to School 2022”

While kids definitely think it is way too soon to be thinking about going back to school, parents might be starting to think about how to get all those school supplies.

Parents who need a hand gathering supplies should mark their calendars. Back to School 2022 is held throughout the county to help kids from low-income families get what they need to start the school year off right.

The Port Huron event will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon on August 10th at Blue Water Community Action on Lapeer Road in Port Huron. The Capac event is also on August 10th at Capac Elementary School from 10:00-11:30 a.m.

The Yale event will be coordinated with back-to-school open houses and the East China event is planned for August 18th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the East China District Stadium.

Elementary and Middle School students will get a backpack filled with school supplies. Preschoolers will get a backpack with a reading book, coloring book, and crayons.

The drive-through event will be first-come, first-serve. Proof of St. Clair County residency is required and children must be present.

https://www.bwcaa.org/news-and-events/calendar/55-community-events/70790-2022-capac-back-to-school-backpack-giveaway

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

New Law Allows Bar Customers to Serve Themselves at Some Establishments

The Michigan legislature has made a priority of increasing access to alcohol sales for businesses this year. Swim-up bars are now legal. The age of a restaurant or bar server who can sell alcohol has been lowered, and now, bar and restaurant patrons can serve themselves from table-top and wall-mounted taps using pre-paid key cards.

The new law, sponsored by Senator Jim Runestad, a White Lake Republican, amends the Michigan Liquor Control Code to allow for the new technology.

Runestad said, “Michigan has one of the largest craft beer industries in the country and this bill will improve safety for Michigan consumers and our hospitality industry.”

Runestad continued, “Michigan can now join 45 other states that currently allow said self-dispensing technology as an option for busy establishments. The technology adds additional safety measures to limit and track the amount each individual consumes and reduces the touches on each individual glass.

Penalties are in place for serving minors or those visibly intoxicated, as stipulated in the Liquor Control Code.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

No Extra Fee for Veteran-Designated License Plates

There is no longer a service fee for Michigan veterans who seek to get a veteran-designated license plate.

House Bill 5678 was signed into law this week. The bill was introduced by State Representative Bradley Slagh, a Republican lawmaker from Zeeland.

Those honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces, medal awardees, prisoners of war, and spouses, are eligible for the military license plates.

Veterans can choose to note their branch of service or the name of the conflict in which they served. Gold Star families can also get a special license plate.

According to the Senate Fiscal Agency, the bill would decrease restricted revenue for the Department of State by an estimated $75,000 annually. Around 15,000 veteran’s specialty plates were issued in 2020-21. The most popular plate is the Foreign Wars Service Plate, followed by the Disabled Veteran plate and the Vietnam Veteran Plate.

More information can be found at the link below.

https://www.michigan.gov/sos/vehicle/license-plates/military-and-veteran-plate-options

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Big Reds to Battle At the Big House August 26th

The 2022 season will start off in a big way for the Port Huron High School Big Reds football team, cheerleading squad, Thunderbirds dance team, and Big Red Marching Machine. The season opens with the first game at “The Big House” in Ann Arbor. The stadium, used by the University of Michigan, seats over 107,000 fans.

The Big Reds will take on Grand Rapids Catholic Central, who happen to be the 2021 Division 5 State Champions, at the August 26th afternoon game. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m.

Port Huron High principal Mike Palmer said, “This opportunity for our students is once-in-a-lifetime. To visit this type of venue is tremendous, but to be able to play on the field and be in that setting is just fantastic. We are so proud to be representing Port Huron High and the Port Huron Area School district at this prestigious event.”

Supporters and fans can attend the game and tickets are available now for $10. A ticket and t-shirt combination is available for $25.

Order form: https://forms.gle/xSjzKSJMmW5EX5e1A

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Quay Docks, Marine City Get Grants for Community Development

The Blue Water Area is well-represented in a new revitalization investment sponsored by the Michigan Strategic Fund and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The projects are intended to bring housing, economic growth, and vibrancy to the neighborhoods.

The projects are the Quay Docks Project in Port Huron and the Marine City Apartments project in Marine City.

The Quay Docks project is expected to create 30 full-time jobs after the renovation of the vacant building on Quay Street is complete. The mixed-use development will have two commercial spaces and five apartments. The building will have a green roof along with energy and lighting upgrades to modernize the Quay Street property. 

The Marine City Apartments Project will renovate the Geck Building to include six apartments and six garages. The project will bring more people downtown and contribute to Marine City’s continued economic development.

Funding for both projects comes from grants from the Michigan Community Revitalization Program and special tax programs in both municipalities.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland