George James

November means turkey, Thanksgiving, the first snow-fall and, of course, No-Shave November. According to the official website for the notable observance, “No-Shave November is a month-long journey during which participants forgo shaving and grooming in order to evoke conversation and raise cancer awareness.” A few local police departments are joining the cause with their own twists. 

Sanilac County Sheriff Gary Biniecki recently sent out a warning to the public they may see some “unshaven Sheriff’s Office staff during the month of November.”  The Sheriff’s Office is participating in “No-Shave November” for another year as a fun way to raise funds to donate to a local charity, “P-CUPS” to further health awareness. 

The Port Huron Police Department will also be joining in on the cause. According to Chief Joseph Platzer, the department is dedicating the month of November to prostate cancer awareness. To show support for individuals and families battling the disease, every Port Huron Police officer who wishes to participate in the event must donate $75 towards prostate cancer charity. When officers make the donation, they will be allowed to grow a neatly trimmed beard or goatee during the month of November and as an added incentive, until April. Officers are not typically allowed to have facial hair other than a mustache as per department policy. Monies raised will be donated to the American Cancer Society to be used directly for prostate cancer research.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley

On Tuesday this week, some in St. Clair County will be heading to the poles. There are some tips to make sure your voting experience is as pleasant and efficient as possible. Remember to visit the Michigan voter website to view a sample ballot, locate your polling place, or track your absentee ballot. 

Obviously, certain times are better than others to cast a ballot. The peak hours that most people vote are from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and then from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The busiest times in the polling place tend to overlap in the morning and evening rush hours. Voters are less likely to encounter long lines if they are able to visit the polling place between the hours of 9 and 4. No matter when you vote, though, remember that all voters who are standing in line at 8 p.m. when the polls close, are entitled to cast a ballot.

Reporting for WGRT, ebw.tv

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) recently released the winter concert calendar for the upcoming semester. Similar to fall 2019 concerts, all winter 2020 concerts are free admission. The winter concert calendar kicks off Thursday, January 16th with the Stone Sound Collective. The group performs percussion traditions of Africa and India and also incorporates cello and saxophone. April 9th, Detroit’s Queen of the Blues Thornetta Davis will perform.  She is a highly celebrated, award-winning performer who opened for Ray Charles, Gladys Knight, Smokey Robinson and Etta James just to name a few. The college’s symphonic and jazz bands with also offer shows over the winter months. Coming up this Thursday at the college, the Smokin 45’s Rock and Blues Review will have performances at noon and seven. On the 23rd of November, you can hear the SC4 Choir perform at 7 p.m. The shows are free, but you must call ahead to reserve a seat. Visit sc4.edu for more information.

Reporting for WGRT, ebw.tv

The state of Michigan has announced nearly $1 million in Wildlife Habitat Grants that counties around the state, including St. Clair County, will benefit from. Audubon Great Lakes in St. Clair County was awarded just over $110,000 from that grant. Huron county will also receive some of the grant money through Pheasants Forever. The monies are to be geared toward enhancing large wetland complexes and winter deer complexes, as well as planting food sources for animals and forestry projects. 

The counties in Michigan who received the funding are projects that need to be completed by the last day of September 2021. The Wildlife Habitat Grant Program started in October 2013 and is funded through some of the revenue from hunting and fishing licenses sold each year. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) works with the Wildlife Division and Grants Management Section to administer the program. The program’s main objective is to enhance and improve the quality and quantity of game species habitat in support of the DNR Wildlife Division’s strategic plan.

Reporting for WGRT, ebw.tv

The Spero Center on Griswold Street in Port Huron is inviting the community to tour its offices. Spero will be holding an open house this Thursday from 4-7 p.m. where staff will be on hand to answer questions and offer tours of the building. Spero will also be showing some of the equipment used at the center, like the ultrasound system. The center is funded entirely through donations, and is a  non-profit, faith-based, medical clinic. Spero says they provide pregnancy tests, accurate medical information, prenatal and parenting education, and more for clients and their babies. They also provide referrals for community resources that are available in St. Clair County. The center has been in existence for 33 years and has offered free care for women who have an unplanned pregnancy. In a typical year, they assist over 700 clients.

Reporting for WGRT, ebw.tv

The United States Navy commissioned a new vessel on October 27th in Burns Harbor, Indiana at the southern end of Lake Michigan. The state of the art combat ship headed down the St. Clair River recently enroute to its final destination near Jacksonville, Florida. The USS Indianapolis is the fourth such Navy ship that bears that name. Many may remember the story of the U.S.S. Indianapolis that was sunk in July of 1945. The ship was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine after returning from delivering components for the first atomic bomb ever used in combat. Only 317 of the Indianapolis’s 1200 crewman survived the sinking after spending well over three days in shark infested waters. Four survivors of that event attended the commissioning. The new ship was designed with maneuverability in mind. It is anticipated that the Navy will use her for mine-clearing and anti-submarine warfare.

Reporting for WGRT, ebw.tv