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Local News

Celebrating Black Ingenuity: From Folding Chairs To Airplane Propellers, Remarkable Inventions By Black Inventors

Black inventors have rarely received credit for some of the items we use in everyday life, or that help make our lives more enjoyable. It doesn’t have to be Black History Month to highlight these inventors, so here are just a few of the contributions you may not have known about.

John Purdy’s folding chair revolutionized seating at picnics and graduations, while Dr. George Grant transformed golf with his invention of golf tees. Alfred L. Cralle’s ice cream scooper delighted kids with larger scoops, and John Albert Burr’s lawn mower enhancements brought precision to lawn maintenance.

Joseph A. Smith’s lawn sprinkler combined practicality with fun, and Thomas Elkins elevated bathroom comfort with the modern toilet. Thomas W. Stewart’s mop lightened household chores, and William Richardson’s reversible baby stroller simplified parenting.

These creations, along with a host of others, including paper, chess, medicine, and the alphabet, underscore the monumental contributions of Black inventors. 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Tuskegee Memorial Marker Ceremony To Be Held In Port Huron

On September 16, 2023, the Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce will host the Tuskegee Memorial Marker Ceremony at the International Flag Plaza in Port Huron. The event will begin at 11:00 AM and last until 11:45 AM. 

The ceremony will include the dedication of a new marker, which will be placed next to the Tuskegee Memorial in the International Flag Plaza. The current memorial was dedicated on August 28th, 2021.

The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of African American pilots who served in World War II. They were known for their bravery and skill, and their contributions to the war effort helped to break down racial barriers in the military. The Tuskegee Memorial currently at the plaza was dedicated on August 28th, 2021.

The marker ceremony is open to the public, and all are welcome to attend. Join in honoring the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen and their important contribution to our country.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

NBA Legend Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken Restaurant To Bring 20 New Locations To Eastern Michigan

Fast casual restaurant sensation Big Chicken, founded by basketball icon Shaquille O’Neal, is making its grand entrance into Michigan.

H&D Group Investments, the visionary restaurant operators, have signed a franchise deal to establish 20 Big Chicken outlets across multiple Michigan regions, including Metro Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Flint, Saginaw, and Mount Pleasant.

An H&D Group Investments spokesperson raved about the taste, stating that bringing this concept to Michigan was a no-brainer. Big Chicken CEO, Josh Halpern, hailed H&D Group Investments as ideal partners to fuel the brand’s growth. 

The first location, slated to debut by early 2024 will be located at 11476 N. Linden Road in Vienna Township. This surge in eastern Michigan adds to the 300-plus national locations in the brand’s pipeline, underlining Big Chicken’s soaring popularity.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

State Rep. Beeler Challenges Attorney General’s “Baseless” Tax Cut Opinion In Lawsuit

State Representative Andrew Beeler, R-Port Huron, has taken a stand against what he calls a “baseless opinion” by the attorney general regarding the expiration of a new income tax cut in Michigan. 

In response to a lawsuit challenging this opinion, Beeler stated that the attorney general’s move to suggest that the tax cut will expire after 2023 is a manipulation of the law. He asserted that Michigan courts should intervene to uphold the permanent nature of the tax cut.

Despite opposition from Democrats, Beeler and fellow legislative Republicans successfully implemented the income tax cut earlier this year, benefiting Michiganders and small businesses. However, Attorney General Dana Nessel’s interpretation in March, which contradicted the legislative intent, history, and language of the law, indicated that the tax cut would only remain in effect for a single year, potentially raising the income tax rate in January.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Crime Surge Prompts Joint Effort By Law Enforcement To Combat Vehicle Thefts In Blue Water Area

The Blue Water Area has been grappling with a surge in thefts from vehicles as well as stolen vehicles, prompting a united response from local law enforcement agencies. 

Over the past two weeks, the Port Huron Police Department Road Patrol, Detective Bureau, Port Huron Major Crimes Unit, and the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department have collaborated to make multiple arrests linked to this disturbing trend.

To thwart these incidents, officials advise adopting preventive measures:

  • Lock It Up: Even brief absences require locking vehicles, as leaving them unlocked has been a key factor in recent crimes.
  • Hide Valuables: Keep valuables out of sight to discourage thieves enticed by easy targets.
  • Park Smart: Opt for well-lit areas near surveillance or homes for added deterrence.
  • Install Security Measures: Motion-sensor lights and alarms bolster security.
  • Report Suspicious Activity: Notify authorities of unusual behavior immediately.
  • Community Watch: Strengthening community ties enhances collective vigilance.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Federal Lawsuit Challenges Michigan’s Drone Statute’s Impact On Game Recovery

A federal lawsuit has been initiated to challenge a Michigan statute that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has interpreted as a prohibition on using drones for locating downed game. The law, commonly referred to as the “Drone Statute,” was enacted in 2015 to ban drone-assisted “hunting.” The DNR’s interpretation includes the use of drones to locate already downed game, even after the hunter has stored their weapons.

Mike Yoder, the founder of Drone Deer Recovery Media, Inc., which assists hunters in locating downed game through drone technology, is at the center of the legal battle. The lawsuit argues that this use of drones is environmentally less intrusive and more humane compared to alternatives like tracking dogs or trail cameras.

The case, titled Yoder and DDR Media, Inc. v Lott, has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell