Local News

3 welding students from the St. Clair County Technical Education Center took their talents to Detroit on September 30th . Rori Cowhy of Yale, Brayden Fontenot of Port Huron and Allie Stamplis of St. Clair joined Ford’s ACCELERATE conference at Michigan Central, where the school was 1 of only 3 invited. They displayed welding sculptures, ran a welding simulator and met comedian and host Nate Bargatze. Principal Lesley Murphy says the trio shows the many roads students can take into the skilled trades.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A St. Clair County judge says a Wales Township man’s apology was empty as she sent him to prison for holding a woman captive at gunpoint. Judge Cynthia Lane sentenced 39 year old Aimeir White on Monday to a minimum of 9 years behind bars. Prosecutors say White kept the woman for days, believing she took his drugs, until she told workers at a fast food restaurant in July. Lane told White he has lived a wasted life and she must protect the victim.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A 41-year-old woman is dead after a 3 vehicle crash in Grant Township in St. Clair County Monday. The sheriff’s office says a white Dodge Journey heading south on Wildcat Road failed to stop at the stop sign at Burtch Road around 5 p.m. The Dodge hit a black Jeep Liberty heading west, then struck a gray Chevrolet Impala heading north. The Dodge driver died from her injuries. 2 other people were taken to the hospital by Tri-Hospital EMS, and 2 more had minor injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A historic house in Port Sanilac is getting a major fix thanks to a state grant. The Sanilac County Historical Society will receive $85,000 to repair the 1872 Loop-Harrison House, part of the Sanilac County Historic Village and Museum. The project will tackle rotting porches, missing drainage and water seeping into the foundation. Society administrator Dan Finn says the money stops the damage before it becomes too costly to fix. The grant is one of 8 totaling about $673,000 for rural Michigan communities.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Sarnia’s police officers and civilian staff have a new 3-year contract, ending a long stretch of bargaining. Members of the Sarnia Police Association voted on the deal October 1st, and approval was announced the next day. Pay goes up 3.5 per cent for ’25, 5 per cent for ’26, and 4 per cent for ’27. Board chair Kelly Ash says the deal also boosts health benefits, parental leave and mental health coverage. The contract still awaits signatures, and the total cost to Sarnia taxpayers has not been confirmed.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A St. Clair County attorney calls the Health Department “dysfunctional,” but says an outside lawyer is not needed to investigate complaints against Medical Director Dr. Remington Nevin. Attorney Tori Ferres told commissioners in Port Huron last Thursday the complaints do not meet the legal standard for discrimination or harassment. She recommends a workplace consultant instead. Nurses who filed 42 signed complaints are outraged, and union president Jessica Baker called the process a “sham.” County Administrator Thomas Hull says he will now explore consultant options.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet