George James

Students from Port Huron Northern High School attended the Young Women’s Leadership Conference at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield last week. The sold-out event brought together over 350 teachers and students to explore career possibilities and network with leaders in the technology industries with the goal of igniting “the passion and expanding the interest of women and girls for education and careers in business, IT, and STEM fields.”

Port Huron Northern High School teachers Amy Roach and Trina Northrop took the young women to the conference.  The students were selected because of their involvement in National Honor Society or STEAM programs at Northern. Mrs. Northrop conveyed that the conference was a “great opportunity to inspire young women to stand up and be heard in the competitive workforce.”  She said the strongest message that the students took away from the conference was to “know silence is not an option” and that their young voices are worth being heard. 

This year’s keynote speaker was Laura Jones, who is the Global Talent Director for General Motors. There was also a guest panel of notable leaders in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fields. These bright young ladies may very well be future leaders in the growing STEM industries right here in the Blue Water Area.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

The Sanilac County Sheriff’s Office is warning area residents about an increase in phone scams targeting citizens.  According to Sheriff Gary Biniecki, the Detective Bureau has taken numerous calls within the last week in regards to Social Security Scams and the “police call” or “lawyer call” scam as well. Police are warning residents to use caution in taking these calls and reporting the number if given a call back number message. The Sheriff says his office is recommending that residents remain “mindful and skeptical of unknown callers.” 

As a reminder, if an unknown caller asks for cash, gift cards, credit card numbers or other personal information, the safest move is to refuse the request and check with the police to find if it is a legitimate business, rather than responding right away. It’s also very important to remember not to give out computer or phone log-ins along with personal or financial information to someone who calls. Remember, law enforcement agencies will not ask for this type of information for any reason. Always beware of high pressure techniques like callers demanding that a decision be made on-the-spot. Sheriff Biniecki says that if “it sounds quirky, weird or too good to be true, it probably is.”

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

Hunting and fishing are a huge part of Michigan’s economy and culture. Firearm deer season is fast approaching and hunters have been planning for their hunts all year. One part of that planning that has been outlawed since August 2018 is deer baiting. The ban was enacted to try to stop the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease in deer. 

Hunters have traditionally used apples, carrots, corn, and other agricultural products to attract deer to their hunting blinds, but the Michigan Natural Resources Commission banned the practice to help protect the herds. State Representative Michele Hoitenga, of Manton, in Mid-Michigan, along with Outdoors Activist Ted Nugent, testified earlier this fall before the House Government Operations Committee to try to get the baiting ban removed. Representative Hoitenga has introduced a bill to lift the ban and the bill is making progress, as it has already been approved by the Committee. 

The argument to the ban is that it is unreasonable, since deer naturally graze together on windfall apples and corn in the fields.  Local hunter and outdoorsman, Jon Moore, of Algonac, said that a statewide ban is a little far reaching, but a ban specific to counties with Chronic Wasting Disease makes sense since deer eating from a bait pile can be riskier than natural grazing for the spread of disease.  Most states don’t allow baiting, and Michigan’s deer population is not dwindling. Hunting and fishing licenses bring in $83.5 million, which is 20% of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ budget. The economic impact of hunting statewide, which includes the sale of agricultural products traditionally used for deer baiting, is estimated at $8.9 billion.  We will keep you posted as to how this bill progresses and what it’s impact could be on local hunters.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

Home repairs can be a source of financial stress for low income seniors. Thanks to a Federal Community Development Block Grant, Port Huron households that fall within federally established income levels and have a household resident over the age of 62, may be able to get some relief.  

Income eligible seniors who reside in the city of Port Huron can apply for a grant to pay for emergency repairs. Those repairs can include roof replacement, furnace repairs, plumbing updates, and other repairs that can be valued at up to $5,000. Seniors or their caregivers can apply for the grants through the City of Port Huron Community Development Office by calling 810-984-9736. Individuals will need to make an appointment once they have filled out the application. With winter coming, now is the time to make sure seniors’ homes are ready for the cold and the snow. There is no deadline to apply.  The program is ongoing as long as there are funds available. Community Development Block Grants are provided by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and are intended to assist low to moderate income families.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

The Port Huron Police Department is inviting area residents to take place in a community assessment next week. November 12-14, the department will be undergoing its 9th on-site assessment to ensure compliance with CALEA standards. CALEA, which stands for the Commission Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, is a nationally based organization that ensures compliance to a broad set of established professional standards including accountability, integrity, community partnership and more. 

As part of the assessment, citizens, businesses and organizations are welcome to contact assessors in person on Tuesday, November 12 from 5 to 6 p.m. at the City of Port Huron’s Public Meeting room in the Municipal Office Building or during a phone-in session on Wednesday November 13 from 9 to 11 a.m. Interested callers can reach assessors at 810-985-0141 during that time frame. If successful, the Port Huron Police Department will receive its accredited status and award at the CALEA Conference in March 2020.

Reporting for WGRT, I’m Karly Hurley.

The East China School Board faces an important vote on November 25.  With declining enrollment and revenue, the option to close Palms Elementary School in Ira Township at the end of this school year was discussed at a special meeting this week.  

Many community members were in attendance and many voices were heard.  The recommendation to close the school was made by Superintendent Suzanne Cybulla at last week’s monthly school board meeting.  East China School District’s bond proposal failed earlier this year and a new proposal is in the works for the future. In the meantime, the district faces some hard choices in maintaining and investing in its array of buildings throughout the large district.  Closing schools to consolidate resources is a trend in the Blue Water Area, with a declining population of school-age children and shrinking state funding levels. East China closed Eddy Elementary earlier this year and the Port Huron Area School District has closed schools in recent years while reinvesting in remaining buildings and building a new Early Childhood Education Center. Stay tuned to see what the future holds for our local districts as they try to make the best choices for area children.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.