George James

Health officials in Lambton County have confirmed the area’s first West Nile-positive mosquito pool of the year, after a trap in Petrolia tested positive earlier this month. No human cases have turned up locally, though Public Health Ontario has logged three cases and dozens of infected mosquito pools province-wide this season. Most infected people show no symptoms, but officials urge residents to avoid dusk-to-dawn exposure, wear light protective clothing, use DEET-based repellent, and drain standing water around their homes to cut down on mosquito breeding grounds.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A Marine City man, Kristopher Steward, is facing more than a dozen felony charges after a state police task force traced tips about child exploitation material back to him. Investigators say the case began when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children flagged suspicious activity, leading troopers to search his devices and uncover digital evidence. He’s since posted bond and is due back in court later this month for a probable cause hearing, followed by a preliminary exam in September.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Hundreds of people needed help, and dozens had to be pulled from the water, during this year’s Port Huron Float Down, an unofficial river tradition that draws thousands each summer. The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office says about 300 participants required assistance, while 20 were rescued by boat after running into trouble on the St. Clair River. Officials say cheap floats, missing life jackets, and no paddles caused most of the problems. Multiple agencies patrolled the water, and the sheriff thanked them for helping out.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Lapeer Police say a man’s claim of being stabbed at Rowden Park turned out to be a hoax. Officers rushed to the Main Street park Sunday night after the man reported being stabbed in the abdomen. He was rushed into surgery at McLaren Lapeer Region Hospital and is expected to recover. But investigators say the wound was self-inflicted during an unrelated crime at a local business, not the park. Devin Bruce Dix, 23, was arraigned Tuesday on false report, child abuse, and retail fraud charges.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Local 4-H members are helping fill food pantry shelves across the region. The Rustic Ramblers 4-H Club sorted and delivered 4,500 pounds of locally raised meat to area food pantries last week, part of an annual effort that’s now donated nearly 25,000 pounds since ’19. The meat reached 16 pantries plus a Port Huron nutrition program. Organizers say the club raises funds year-round through flower sales, bowling nights and golf outings to buy animals at the county livestock auction for processing and donation.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet