Local News

A fatal hit-and-run is under investigation in Cottrellville Township after 34-year-old Thomas Israel of St. Clair was found dead near his bicycle on M-29 early Monday morning. Deputies say the driver struck Israel and left the scene around 3:30 a.m. First responders confirmed he died before help could arrive. The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office is now working to identify the suspect vehicle. Township officials are urging the driver to turn themselves in, calling the tragedy inexcusable. Anyone with tips is asked to call 810-987-1727.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

The U.S. Coast Guard and local agencies worked nonstop during Sunday’s Port Huron Float Down to keep thousands of participants safe on the St. Clair River. Strong winds created rough water, pushing many floaters off course toward Canada. Thirty Coast Guard boats and a helicopter responded to emergencies, from capsized kayaks to boats filling with water. Despite repeated warnings against the event, crews stayed busy all day, but no major injuries or deaths were reported. Officials say teamwork among agencies ensured everyone made it home safely.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A Huron County jury found 77-year-old Russell Alexander Kopah of Pigeon guilty of fourth-degree child abuse for putting floor cleaner in a three-year-old’s mouth and on the face at the Bad Axe Walmart last July. The jury cleared him of threatening the eyewitness. Video and testimony showed the act in the store’s photo department, witnessed by a Walmart employee who called police. Kopah denied the abuse but admitted threatening the witness outside the store. He faces up to a year in jail, with sentencing set for late October. He remains free on bond.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A former Vassar truck stop on West Saginaw Road is getting a $1 million boost from the state to clean up contamination and make way for new jobs. The 1.9-acre site, vacant since ’22, has metals and petroleum in the soil from old underground tanks. Developer Cook Chevrolet plans a $4 million expansion, including a used car lot and service center, creating up to 20 local jobs. State funding will cover soil removal, demolition, and environmental safety measures. Work is expected to wrap by summer of ’28.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Back-to-school season is here across St. Clair and Sanilac counties, with students returning on staggered dates from mid-August through early September. Blue Water Middle College kicks off first today, while most Sanilac County schools start next Monday. Anchor Bay and Yale open the next day, and many St. Clair County schools, including Port Huron, Marysville, and East China, begin September 2nd. Several districts are easing in with half days, giving families time to adjust. Parents are urged to review orientation schedules, supply lists, and bus routes ahead of the first day.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

More than 1,000 people packed Lake Huron and the St. Clair River Sunday for Port Huron’s annual Float Down to Marysville. The unsanctioned tradition, dating back to the 1970s, drew families, friends, and even pets despite strong winds and waves. Some braved the water with kayaks, rafts, and tubes, while others watched from shore. The National Weather Service had warned of hazardous conditions, and both U.S. and Canadian coast guards advised against participating. Still, locals called the Float Down a summer highlight they hope continues for years.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet