Local News

In Port Huron, the 12th annual Blue Water Sand Fest turned Fort Gratiot Light Station into a vibrant sandy art gallery. Talented sculptors from across the U.S. crafted 540 tons of sand into breathtaking designs. Families enjoyed watching live sculpting, savoring food truck treats, and joining kids’ activities like sand play and lessons. The event, supporting Michigan’s oldest lighthouse, drew about 10,000 visitors. It ran through Sunday with $7 admission, free for kids under 4.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

In Sarnia last year, police solved more crimes than ever, with a record 39.25% clearance rate, meaning more cases were closed with charges or other resolutions. However, violent crime hit an all-time high, with four homicides pushing the Violent Crime Severity Index up 11.5%, despite a national drop in violent crime. A surge in non-consensual image distribution cases, which are easier to solve due to digital evidence, partly boosted the clearance rate. As Sarnia plans a new $91-million police headquarters, residents are questioning how these stats reflect community safety.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

On Saturday, Royal Oak’s Memorial Park came alive with the Michigan Electric Vehicle Alliance’s Clean Cruise. Families marveled at electric vehicles, from sleek cars to e-bikes and even an electric school bus. Kids enjoyed fun activities, food trucks dished out delicious eats, and live music set the vibe. Experts shared insights on electric mobility, and at 4 p.m., a police-escorted EV parade cruised down Woodward Avenue, highlighting Michigan’s leadership in green innovation.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Eastpointe’s Memorial Library lawn turned into a medieval battlefield recently as the Order of Pegasus women’s armored combat team demonstrated their sport. Dressed in 100-pound armor, they wielded swords in Buhurt, a competitive fight with rules banning stabs or hits to vulnerable areas like the neck. Local fighter Lisa Hoy says it’s a fun way to channel knightly dreams from fantasy stories. With only nine female teams in the U.S., this rare sport is captivating Eastpointe, offering residents a glimpse of history brought to life.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

The Community Foundation and its Community Capital Club (C3) group are hosting the 2025 “100 Men” event on September 4th. The event goal is to have at least 100 men attend at a cost of $100 each and then give away $10,000 that evening to a local nonprofit program, project or organization. The 2025 event will be hosted on the south side of Port Huron at the site of one of the largest mixed-used waterfront developments on this side of Michigan.

Reporting for WGRT – Jared Cerullo

The Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) Board has approved two projects investing nearly $60 million combined between Imlay City (Lapeer County) and Holland (Allegan County) and creating over 460 jobs. Quentin Messner Junior, the CEO of the MDEC and chair of the MSF Board, says the Make It In Michigan economic development strategy is working, providing funds to people to thrive in Michigan. Defense company Veptos has announced it will invest 19 million dollars in Lapeer County by acquiring a former bus manufacturing facility.

Reporting for WGRT – Jared Cerullo