George James

Port Huron native Demetri Stafford is returning home to lead the Blue Water Area Rescue Mission as its new executive director. Stafford brings nearly a decade of leadership and ministry experience after serving in Texas. He takes over from Interim Director Renee Pettinger, who helped reopen the shelter in ’23 after it shut down during the pandemic. BWARM has since served more than 400 homeless men across St. Clair County, offering food, shelter, and support. Stafford says he’s honored to continue the Mission’s work.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A familiar corner in Lexington is getting its donuts back. The long-missed Lakeview Donut Shop spot on Lakeshore Road near Cedar and Birchcrest is being rebuilt as Lexington Donuts. New owner Juli Corlew bought the landmark property for $170,000 and invested about $400,000 to rebuild it after the old structure was found unsafe. The new 1,500-square-foot shop doubles the size of the original. Construction began last fall, and Corlew hopes to open by March, serving fresh donuts and breakfast early each morning.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Sanilac County’s parks are set for a major upgrade. County commissioners last week approved a five-year recreation plan that will guide improvements across all four public parks. At Forester Park, crews will upgrade all campsite hookups, add cabins, and debut a splash pad. Evergreen Park will grow with a serenity garden, Wi-Fi, more campsites, and a dog park. Lexington Park’s getting a bath house, seawall, and improved accessibility. Delaware Park plans 20 new cabins plus new trails and courts. The upgrades will be paid through grants and county funds.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

The St. Clair County Board of Health voted unanimously Wednesday to support Medical Director Dr. Remington Nevin’s call for more vaccine choice. The move adds local backing to Nevin’s recent memo urging greater focus on informed consent and parental decision-making. The meeting turned tense as residents clashed over state vaccine policy, prompting an early adjournment. The board’s recommendation headed to the county commissioners for review Thursday morning. The next Health Board meeting is set for February 18th at 9 a.m. in downtown Port Huron.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Early Wednesday, St. Clair County deputies rushed to a house fire on the 4300 block of Yankee Road around 2:20 a.m. Two people—a 73-year-old woman and a 16-year-old girl—managed to escape to the front porch, but another woman was still trapped inside. Fire crews from the St. Clair Area Fire Authority rescued her through a second-story window. The victim, 47-year-old Laura Bramlett, was taken to McLaren Macomb Hospital, where she later died. Sheriff’s detectives continue to investigate the cause of the fire.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet