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Local News

Go Green! The Origin And Evolution Of St. Patrick’s Day

The legacy of Saint Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint, transcends centuries and continents, evolving from ancient traditions to modern-day festivities. Born in Roman Britain, Patrick’s journey from slavery to sainthood reshaped Ireland’s spiritual landscape.

Since the 9th or 10th century, March 17th has marked the Roman Catholic feast day in his honor. Surprisingly, the first St. Patrick’s Day parade didn’t grace Irish soil but emerged in a Spanish colony, now St. Augustine, Florida, in 1601. Fast forward to 1772, Irish soldiers in New York City began a tradition, marching to honor their patron saint, according to history.com.

Today, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations abound, characterized by parades, pub crawls, traditional recipes like Irish soda bread and corned beef, and the ubiquitous donning of green attire, uniting people worldwide in homage to Irish heritage.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

 

Apple iPhone Update Enhances Security With Stolen Device Protection Feature

The latest iOS 17.3 update introduces a critical security feature called Stolen Device Protection, aimed at safeguarding user data and preventing unauthorized access in case of theft. This proactive measure offers users crucial time to utilize Apple’s Find My tool for remotely locking or wiping stolen devices, thwarting potential theft and ensuring data security.

Upon installation, users are prompted to activate this feature, which requires additional authentication for accessing sensitive information and restricts changes if the device isn’t in a trusted location.

Once activated, attempting certain actions like changing passwords or passcodes prompts a delay and requires secondary authentication via Face ID or Touch ID. This measure effectively prevents thieves from exploiting your unlocked iPhone to carry out fraudulent activities like unauthorized transactions or opening an Apple credit card in your name, thereby safeguarding your financial assets and personal information.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

St. Clair County Technical Education Center Excels At Regional SkillsUSA Competitions

St. Clair County Technical Education Center (TEC) celebrates its students’ exceptional performance at the recent Regional SkillsUSA competitions.

Across diverse program areas like Automotive, Collision Repair, Construction, Culinary Arts, and Welding, TEC students showcased their prowess, clinching numerous medals and accolades. Principal Lesley Murphy lauded their hard work and thanked educators, advisors, and families for their support. 

The top three winners will advance to the state contest, joined by those who medaled at the local SkillsUSA event. A total of 68 students are set to participate in the state contest scheduled for April 12-14 in Grand Rapids. TEC extends congratulations to all competitors and wishes success to those progressing to the statewide competition.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Scholastic And Little Free Library Launch “Power Up With Reading” Initiative Across The U.S.

Scholastic and Little Free Library have teamed up for the “Power Up with Reading” initiative, aiming to provide Dog Man-themed Little Free Library book-sharing boxes to sites nationwide.

With a generous donation of 50,000 books from Dog Man author and illustrator Dav Pilkey, communities across all 50 states will benefit from this initiative, fostering a love for reading among children and families. 

Planned installations in major cities like New York, Detroit, and San Francisco are just the beginning, with more locations to follow. Each library box will include copies of “Dog Man: The Scarlet Shredder” and diverse children’s titles from Scholastic’s “The Power of Story” collection. 

Organizations in our community catering to children are encouraged to apply for a Dog Man Little Free Library and Scholastic book donation via an online application form.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

St. Clair County Community College To Host Free Total Solar Eclipse Celebration On April 8th

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) is gearing up for a spectacular event as they prepare to host a celebration in honor of the April 8th total solar eclipse. The college invites the public to join in the festivities from 2 to 4 p.m. at the campus opposite the College Center on River Street.

Attendees can anticipate a variety of engaging activities, including informational sessions, interactions with SC4 professors, and the opportunity to peer through solar telescopes for a firsthand view of the eclipse. 

Instructor of Physics/Astronomy, Patrick Wilcox, emphasized the significance of experiencing such a phenomenon locally, remarking on the lasting impact it leaves on observers. The eclipse, wherein 98.1 percent of the sun will be obscured as seen from Port Huron, will reach its peak visibility around 3:15 p.m.

SC4 is committed to ensuring safe viewing practices, providing resources to protect attendees’ vision from the potentially harmful effects of direct sun exposure.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Michigan Senate Introduces Bill To End Daylight Saving Time

Michigan Senators Thomas A. Albert and Joseph N. Bellino Jr. has proposed Senate Bill 770, aiming to abolish daylight savings time in the state. 

The bill, introduced on March 7th, seeks to exempt Michigan from following daylight savings time as mandated by federal law. Instead, the state would maintain a consistent time throughout the year. However, this change is contingent upon approval by the electorate. A referendum is slated to be held during the general election on November 5th. Should a majority of Michigan voters support the bill, it will take effect 30 days after the official declaration of the vote. 

This move could potentially end the biannual clock adjustments, offering residents more stability in their daily schedules.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell