Local News

Port Huron’s hospital is getting a new top boss. McLaren Port Huron has named Lance Beus its new president and CEO, starting October 26, taking over from interim leader Tim Vargas. Beus brings more than 15 years of hospital leadership, most recently running hospitals in Detroit, where he worked to speed up emergency room care and bring in more doctors. He also led hospitals in Ohio and Tennessee. Board chair Gregory Busdicker says Beus will help strengthen quality and expand services for families across the Blue Water Area.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Michigan’s Thumb coast is taking a big bite out of the competition. Michigan Blue Magazine asked readers to pick the best of the best across the state, and the Thumb coast won 22 of 54 categories. Marine City led the way with 7 wins, including Best Vacation Town, Best Festival for Maritime Days, and Best Fudge. Port Huron took Best Boating Town, and the Bayview Mackinac Race won Best Boating Race. Other winners include the St. Clair Inn, Port Crescent State Park, and the M-29 Diner.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A 22-year-old Amish woman is dead after a drowsy driver hit her horse-drawn buggy in Sanilac County’s Flynn Township. Michigan State Police say a 55-year-old North Branch man fell asleep at the wheel and struck it on Peck Road near Maple Valley Road at about 4:43 p.m. last Thursday. The woman and her horse died at the scene. Brown City police, Sanilac County deputies, Brown City firefighters and 2 ambulance crews also responded. Police remind drivers to stay alert on rural Thumb roads shared with buggies.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Contractors have until Wednesday to bid on a long-awaited addictions treatment centre in Sarnia, a project more than 20 years in the making. Bluewater Health’s new 24-bed Community Addictions Hub will bring withdrawal care, stabilization and outpatient services under one roof at the hospital. The need is clear, with 328 requests for the hospital’s 7 withdrawal beds last December alone. Once a builder is chosen, construction is expected to take 18 to 24 months, finally giving Lambton County a permanent home for treatment.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A Beautiful Me will bring supporters together November 8th for its 15th annual gala at Zuccaro’s Banquet Center in Chesterfield Township. The 3 to 6 p.m. fundraiser supports confidence, leadership and job-skills programs for girls across Southeast Michigan. The event includes dinner, auctions, raffles and a live speed-painting performance. Tickets cost $100, while an online auction opens November 4th with travel, sports and local gift packages available. You do not need to attend the gala to participate in the online auction at ABeautifulMe.com.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

State police are investigating a suspected drunk driving crash in Tuscola County that claimed the life of a Saginaw man on Monday evening. Authorities report that a 55-year-old Akron woman driving eastbound on Akron Road failed to stop at Unionville Road in Fairgrove Township, slamming into a northbound Nissan Versa. A 35-year-old passenger in the Versa died at the scene from his injuries, while the 41-year-old Saginaw woman driving the sedan and the driver who ran the stop sign were both rushed to out-of-area hospitals with serious injuries.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet