Local News

St. Clair County Commissioners made major changes to the county’s Health Advisory Board last Thursday night after months of public debate over health department decisions. Four seats were up for grabs, and longtime member Marie Muller lost her spot to local business owner Paul Urben. Dr. Stephen Smith and Dawn Fulk were reappointed, while Joseph Hayes took the final at-large seat after seven rounds of voting. The shakeup comes after controversy over clinic closures in Yale and Algonac that sparked protests and packed meetings across St. Clair County.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A 73-year-old Macomb County resident won a record-breaking $32.9 million Lotto 47 prize after playing the same numbers for 20 years. When he realized he matched all six, he thought it was a mistake. His kids didn’t believe him either—until they saw the ticket. He claimed a lump sum of nearly $23 million and says the first thing he’s buying is a new pair of shoes, plus a car and some gifts for family. Michigan Lottery officials say it’s the largest Lotto 47 jackpot in state history.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A tense scene outside a butcher shop has led to criminal charges. St. Clair County prosecutors say the person who filmed outside Zimmerman’s Meat Market in Marine City and pepper-sprayed one of the owners now faces a misdemeanor for illegal use of a chemical. Investigators are still reviewing medical reports to see if stronger charges apply. Police say the clash began when a group of content creators started filming the shop’s windows, making the owners feel threatened. The case is now in prosecutors’ hands.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Port Huron turns into a cornhole hotspot this weekend as Yeo’s Big Freeze Under the Bridge takes over the Blue Water Convention Center. For a $120 entry, players get into five tournaments, earning points all weekend toward a $2,500 grand prize. Action starts Friday night with a switch tournament, rolls into Saturday doubles and a blind draw, and wraps Sunday with crew cup and singles. With food trucks and discounted rooms at the connected DoubleTree hotel, many visitors can eat, sleep, and toss bags without leaving the riverfront.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A new Fraser Institute report ranks Ontario’s high schools based on literacy and math scores. Northern Collegiate in Sarnia led Lambton County, placing 158th out of 747 schools with a 7.3 rating. Lambton Central in Petrolia came next at 178th. Great Lakes, St. Patrick’s, and St. François-Xavier followed in the middle of the pack, while North Lambton earned a 5.6 rating. Most Lambton schools showed gains since last year, though St. Patrick’s fell in the rankings. The report helps families compare performance across the province.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

In St. Clair County, nine local small businesses are getting a boost thanks to more than sixty-four thousand dollars in new grant funding from the Eastern Michigan Small Business Network. The awards range from about five to eleven thousand dollars each, supporting familiar spots like Port Huron’s Raven Café, Murphy Inn in St. Clair, and Viking Fitness in Marysville. The program, part of a six-county effort led by the Economic Development Alliance, aims to fuel local business growth and keep jobs right here in our communities.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet