Local News

Port Huron residents are invited to a public meeting on October 29th at the DoubleTree Hotel, 800 Harker St., from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) will discuss local PFAS contamination, which comes from human-made chemicals used in manufacturing, firefighting, and everyday products. Officials from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will cover potential health impacts, while the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy will share investigation results and next steps. Attendees can ask questions after the presentations.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Port Huron hosted its first-ever Bluewater Classic on Friday, as two iconic vessels raced from the Huron Lady II Dock across the St. Clair River into Lake Huron. The hometown Huron Lady II went head-to-head with Canada’s Duc d’Orléans II under the Blue Water Bridge. Fans watched from shore or joined the cruise, which featured a live DJ and a 90-minute narrated sightseeing tour of local landmarks. Tickets for the boat sold for $50 and were nearly sold out, but spectators along the river cheered on their favorite vessel for free.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Port Huron man Jeffery Smerer, 44, was sentenced Thursday to one year in jail and must register as a sex offender for exposing himself to a child at a local daycare. Judge Mona Armstrong noted Smerer showed no remorse, calling his guilty plea a “cunning calculation.” The victim’s mother described lasting trauma, saying her daughter now sees a counselor weekly. Smerer is also facing 10 felony charges in connection with the recent shooting of his children, with his next hearing pending.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Clay Township Treasurer Jerry Galka has stepped down, ending a year marked by financial confusion and tension on the board. Galka cited health, family obligations, and stress from disputes with employees and residents. Elected last year, he struggled to reconcile township accounts, leading to the hiring of a $12,000 outside firm. Public clashes, including a walkout during a township meeting, heightened local scrutiny. A special board meeting was held Friday to address Galka’s resignation and name a new treasurer.

Reporting for WGRT – JP b bZet

A serious two-vehicle crash in Flynn Township last Wednesday morning left two drivers trapped and needing the Jaws of Life. Sanilac County deputies say the crash happened around 10:40 a.m. at Juhl and Marlette Roads when a southbound Chevy HHR ran a stop sign and hit a northbound Chevy Suburban carrying a Marlette woman and her two children. The Brown City Fire Department freed both drivers, one was taken by ambulance to Aspire Marlette Hospital, and the other was airlifted to Hurley Medical Center. The children were checked and released. Authorities continue investigating.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Michigan’s top education leader, Michael Rice, is retiring this month after six years as state superintendent. He guided schools through the pandemic, major safety concerns after the Oxford and MSU shootings, and the rollout of new literacy laws. While Michigan’s third-grade reading scores remain a challenge, Rice points to progress with graduation rates, career training, and test improvements in other grades. He also pushed for more mental health support, adding 1,700 school staff statewide. Dearborn Superintendent Glenn Maleyko will step into the role in December.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet