Local News

A Michigan judge, Cynthia Lane, has settled a legal battle over who could pick a replacement candidate for a vacant state House seat, ruling only 10 local Republican committee members — not all 92 — were eligible to vote, rejecting the party’s push for a larger pool. Hours later, those 10 members chose former state Representative Pam Hornberger, who won 6 of 10 votes, to run for the 63rd District seat this November, replacing Jay DeBoyer, who left to join the GOP governor’s ticket.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Circuit Court Judge Daniel Damman has recused himself from a protection order case involving Port Huron City Manager James Freed and Julian Ruck. Damman said he stepped aside after Freed briefly mentioned the case at a social event August 27th, wanting to avoid any appearance of impropriety, though he didn’t believe Freed tried to influence him. The hearing would have decided if Ruck violated Freed’s protection order by emailing him, following threats tied to a dispute over Ruck’s community garden, Polly’s Place. No new judge or hearing date has been set.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A busy stretch of Conner Street will look very different this fall. Crews are converting the road between Electric Avenue and Military Street from two-way to one-way traffic, moving only westbound. City officials say the change targets a dangerous intersection where 3 streets collide, cutting out risky turning movements blamed for repeated crashes. The project also adds green space, a bigger traffic island, and upgraded sidewalks. A nearby business owner says he’s hopeful the changes boost pedestrian safety. The work is expected to wrap up by October 15th.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A 12-year-old Sarnia coder is celebrating an international win. Declan Fleman took first place in his age group in the global Fiero Code contest, building a digger-style video game called Ball Tube Fell. He learned the skills through Sarnia Library’s Code Club, using a free online learning platform available with a Lambton County Library card. Declan says every problem is motivation to think differently, and he plans to enter the next contest, October 1st to November 30th, while also hoping to learn the programming language C++.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A St. Clair County man is heading to prison after a police chase that ended with a drone hunting him down in the woods. 35-year-old David Cutrubes led deputies on a pursuit through Port Huron Township on May 13th, ditching a stolen black Chevy Silverado before running into thick woods near 36th Street. Deputies used a drone to track him down and arrested him without incident. Cutrubes pleaded guilty to multiple charges and was sentenced Monday to 2 to 20 years behind bars.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Port Huron will celebrate a fully restored downtown landmark this month. City officials will unveil upgrades to the Night and Day Fountain at McMorran Plaza on September 17th at 2 p.m. The renovation was funded entirely through community donations raised by the Night and Day Ball, a local fundraising event. Residents, donors and city leaders will gather at 701 McMorran Boulevard to celebrate the completed project and its role in downtown Port Huron. Casey’s on the Plaza will be open, selling beverages during the ceremony.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet