George James

A Bad Axe funeral home director who stole more than one million dollars from local families has been sent to prison. Seventy-two-year-old Terry Alvin Kaufman was sentenced Monday in Huron County Circuit Court to seven to twenty years behind bars. He pleaded no contest to multiple embezzlement and fraud charges after taking pre-paid funeral money from more than two hundred victims instead of placing it in trust. Kaufman used the funds for his own salary and personal expenses over ten years. He must repay the money.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

St. Clair County families are invited to Celebrate Your Child Literacy Day. The free event happens Saturday, June 6, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Pine River Nature Center in Goodells. Kids up to 8 can explore trails, visit the treehouse for stories, meet Bluey for photos and a book, tour the library bookmobile, enjoy crafts, and play in a nature obstacle course. The first 100 families to register and attend receive a free literacy bag with a book and activities. Register in advance.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A Burtchville Township woman will serve at least four years in prison for stabbing her ex-boyfriend. On Monday, Judge Michael West sentenced 28-year-old Taylor Spigner to four to 15 years for the main charge, plus concurrent terms for assault. West cited a pattern of impulsive behavior, noting Spigner stabbed the victim twice and had threatened others with knives before. Spigner apologized in court and blamed stress after her ex returned home but failed to help care for the kids.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A 23-year-old Huron County man is behind bars after shooting his 48-year-old relative in the chest during a Mother’s Day family dispute. Deputies rushed to Purdy Road in Paris Township Sunday night just after 8:40. The victim from Ruth was hit with a .22-caliber handgun. He was rushed to Harbor Beach Community Hospital, stabilized, and flown to a larger hospital. The suspect fled but was spotted and arrested in Roseville around 11 p.m. He remains in the county jail. The investigation continues.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Frankenmuth firefighters quickly stopped a garage fire from destroying a nearby home Saturday evening. Crews were called to the 500 block of Geyer Street around 8:33 p.m. after flames and heavy smoke poured from a detached garage and began catching the house siding on fire. Alert homeowners spotted the smoke, got out safely, and no one was hurt. Firefighters kept the blaze contained to the garage, which was heavily damaged, while the house had only minor damage. The cause is still under investigation.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Port Huron’s long-awaited Huron Avenue rebuild has been delayed again. The Michigan Department of Transportation now plans the full reconstruction for ’28. Next year, crews will first install a road diet from Vandenberg Place to Lincoln Avenue, dropping the road from four lanes to three and adding a two-way bike lane. The major ’28 project will replace pavement, curbs, sewers, water mains, lights, and signals while fixing the Black River bridge. City officials say the extra time will help downtown businesses prepare for construction impacts.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet