George James

Chuck Gaidica To Judge MI Favorite Snack Competition

The MI Favorite Snack Competition will feature legendary Detroit broadcaster Chuck Gaidica as the emcee and judge for the competition.

The contest will feature snack food creators from across Michigan. Port Huron’s All Star Services, a sponsor of the contest, will narrow down the entrants to a group of finalists. The finalists will present their snacks on September 17th in the hopes of being named “MI New Favorite Snack” and winning a cash prize.

Having Gaidica as the judge adds a new level of excitement. Blue Water Area Chamber CEO/President Thelma Castillo said, “Having someone of Chuck Gaidica’s stature involved in this event is really special. He is such a familiar and beloved person in our state. As a state wide competition, it was important to have a celebrity participating who truly represents Michiganders.”

Gaidica was the weatherman on Channel 4, WDIV, in Detroit for 27 years. He is considered “one of the most trusted figures in Michigan” after decades of issuing “cuddle alerts” and tornado warnings and keeping an eye on the sky.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Whitmer Celebrates Preliminary Injunction of 1931 Abortion Law

Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who has consistently aligned herself with the abortion industry giant, Planned Parenthood, which operates 19 Michigan health centers, and vowed to “fight like hell” to maintain unrestricted abortion access in Michigan, celebrated a victory this week, with a preliminary injunction against Michigan’s 1931 law that criminalizes abortion.

Whitmer said, “The opinion from the Michigan Court of Claims is clear and sends the message that Michigan’s 1931 law banning abortion, even in cases of rape or incest, should not go into effect even if Roe is overturned. It will help ensure that Michigan remains a place where women have freedom and control over their own bodies.”

Pro-abortion activists, industry lobbyists, and elected officials like Whitmer have been in panic mode since the leaked Supreme Court draft surfaced and have quickly initiated pre-emptive legal processes. 

While some look at the possibility of Roe v. Wade being overturned as an opportunity to start a new conversation about abortion at the state level, a press release issued by Whitmer referred to the issue as “beyond settled” and cited statistics saying that 65.7% of Michiganders are in favor of the repeal of the 1931 law. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClellan

Updated 5/23/2022 – An earlier version of this story referred to Planned Parenthood centers as “abortion clinics”. According to Planned Parenthood Michigan’s website, they “provide the abortion pill at all of our health centers in Michigan” and they “provide in-clinic abortion procedures at our Ann Arbor East, Flint, and Kalamazoo health centers.” The story was updated to refer to Planned Parenthood clinics as “health centers” to align with the term they use to describe themselves.

McLaren, Port Huron Schools Partner with STEAM Project

A new partnership is blossoming between McLaren Port Huron and Port Huron Schools. Two students in the Biomedical STEAM Project Lead the Way have been hired by McLaren Port Huron after completing a paid internship over the past semester.

The program is offered at both Port Huron Northern and Port Huron High Schools. McLaren sponsors the Biomedical STEAM programs at the schools with plans to expand to twelve internships per semester. Jobs include physical therapy, medical imaging, inpatient nursing, laboratory work, and facilities and clerical positions.

Eric Cecava, President and CEO at McLaren Port Huron said that the hospital is “excited to partner with Port Huron Schools to not only expose students to the variety of health care careers that exist, but also to give them real opportunities to find a career in a thriving organization right here at home.”

The program is exclusive to Port Huron Schools. Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services Catherine Woolman said, “To develop local talent is a high level and unique advantage our district has due to our partnership with McLaren.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Click-It-Or-Ticket and Commercial Vehicle Checks Underway

Local law enforcement is increasing patrols for both seatbelt use and commercial vehicle enforcement. The Click-it-or-Ticket campaign is underway, as is the Commercial Vehicle Alliance International Roadcheck.

Click-it-or-Ticket is an enhanced effort to catch those who choose to drive without wearing a seatbelt. The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office will have patrols dedicated to seatbelt enforcement from May 16th to June 5th.

Sheriff Mat King said, “We can’t overstate the importance of wearing your seatbelt. It’s the law, but more than that, it is the simplest thing you can do to help save yourself from injury or death in the event of a crash.”

The Michigan State Police have been utilizing weigh stations and rest areas to inspect commercial vehicles, focusing on finding defective equipment and checking driver hours of service. More than 65,000 drivers of big rigs and buses are expected to go through the checkpoints.

Commercial drivers should be prepared to show their operating credentials and hours of service. Officers will be looking for anyone operating under the influence of substances as well.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

I-94 From Detroit to Port Huron Slated as Alternative Fuel Corridor

Interstate 94 from Detroit to the Blue Water Bridge is one of the seven nominations for the new Alternative Fuel Corridors, or AFCs. The AFCs are routes that will eventually be part of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure in a multi-state network, taking advantage of funds from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The Michigan Department of Transportation will be in charge of implementing the AFCs, working with the Michigan Infrastructure Office. The goal is to use the funds on the routes that centered on the support of Electric Vehicle adoption and to relieve “range anxiety” for those who have invested in electric vehicles.

The I-94 corridor is on the list, along with I-275, I-696, and several northern Michigan corridors.

Chief Infrastructure Officer & Director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office, Zachary Kolodin, said, “This is an essential part of our future, and these nominations that have been submitted for the new AFCs are just another step we’re taking to make sure Michigan remains at the forefront of the mobility industry.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

CityFlatsHotel Boutique Hotel to Open in June

The CityFlatsHotel is gearing up for a mid-June opening of the 18-room boutique hotel. 

Cathy Mills, Managing Director of CityFlatsHotel, says, “It’s so exciting to see the progress that is taking place every day and to compare the uniqueness of each room. The colors and décor are very contemporary, and our amazing interior design team made sure that each room looks different from the others. With custom-made furnishings and bedding, guests who stay with us, again and again, will have a different experience in every room.”

Mills said that the unique rooms and modern décor are one of the reasons for their “Stay Different” motto. Rooms have views of downtown Port Huron or the Black River.

Port Huron’s Martin Construction completed renovations on the former Michigan National Bank building, built in 1927. The furnishings are designed by Charter House.

The building is also home to restaurants and a ballroom that seats 300 guests. It is located at 405 Water Street in downtown Port Huron.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland