Local News

A historic house in Port Sanilac is getting a major fix thanks to a state grant. The Sanilac County Historical Society will receive $85,000 to repair the 1872 Loop-Harrison House, part of the Sanilac County Historic Village and Museum. The project will tackle rotting porches, missing drainage and water seeping into the foundation. Society administrator Dan Finn says the money stops the damage before it becomes too costly to fix. The grant is one of 8 totaling about $673,000 for rural Michigan communities.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

3 welding students from the St. Clair County Technical Education Center took their talents to Detroit on September 30th . Rori Cowhy of Yale, Brayden Fontenot of Port Huron and Allie Stamplis of St. Clair joined Ford’s ACCELERATE conference at Michigan Central, where the school was 1 of only 3 invited. They displayed welding sculptures, ran a welding simulator and met comedian and host Nate Bargatze. Principal Lesley Murphy says the trio shows the many roads students can take into the skilled trades.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

With several St. Clair County townships weighing pauses on data center development, residents can speak up Monday, October 12th, in Port Huron. The county Advisory Board of Health hosts a second workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. in the County Commissioners Meeting Room at 200 Grand River Avenue. Industrial hygienist Kristen Meghan Kelly will explain possible health and environmental effects, and each speaker gets 3 minutes of public comment. The event will be livestreamed on the SCCountyIT YouTube channel.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Sarnia’s police officers and civilian staff have a new 3-year contract, ending a long stretch of bargaining. Members of the Sarnia Police Association voted on the deal October 1st, and approval was announced the next day. Pay goes up 3.5 per cent for ’25, 5 per cent for ’26, and 4 per cent for ’27. Board chair Kelly Ash says the deal also boosts health benefits, parental leave and mental health coverage. The contract still awaits signatures, and the total cost to Sarnia taxpayers has not been confirmed.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A St. Clair County attorney calls the Health Department “dysfunctional,” but says an outside lawyer is not needed to investigate complaints against Medical Director Dr. Remington Nevin. Attorney Tori Ferres told commissioners in Port Huron last Thursday the complaints do not meet the legal standard for discrimination or harassment. She recommends a workplace consultant instead. Nurses who filed 42 signed complaints are outraged, and union president Jessica Baker called the process a “sham.” County Administrator Thomas Hull says he will now explore consultant options.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

October’s court calendar in the Blue Water Area is already underway. Aimeir White was set to be sentenced Monday for holding a woman against her will and beating her. Jennifer Goodall’s murder trial in St. Clair County began Tuesday in the death of her boyfriend, Chase Hoyt. Tomorrow at 9 a.m., a hearing will decide how the Port Huron gas station shooting case against Amber Oile moves forward. Dazman Drake has a plea hearing October 26. Judges can delay any date.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet