Local News

Port Sanilac’s history museum turned its grounds into a world wine tour over the weekend. The Sanilac County Historic Village and Museum hosted its Sip and Stroll fundraiser Saturday evening, letting guests wander the grounds while sampling wines from around the globe, alongside live string quartet music and appetizers. Organizers redesigned the event this year so every ticket included the full tasting experience upfront. Advance tickets were cheaper online, with walk-ins welcomed at the door. Proceeds helped preserve the museum’s history for future visitors.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Health officials in Lambton County have confirmed the area’s first West Nile-positive mosquito pool of the year, after a trap in Petrolia tested positive earlier this month. No human cases have turned up locally, though Public Health Ontario has logged three cases and dozens of infected mosquito pools province-wide this season. Most infected people show no symptoms, but officials urge residents to avoid dusk-to-dawn exposure, wear light protective clothing, use DEET-based repellent, and drain standing water around their homes to cut down on mosquito breeding grounds.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A Marine City man, Kristopher Steward, is facing more than a dozen felony charges after a state police task force traced tips about child exploitation material back to him. Investigators say the case began when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children flagged suspicious activity, leading troopers to search his devices and uncover digital evidence. He’s since posted bond and is due back in court later this month for a probable cause hearing, followed by a preliminary exam in September.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A quick-thinking rescue near Unionville last week after a Jeep Wrangler plunged into the water just off Vassar Road. Crews were called Wednesday morning and found the vehicle roughly 100 yards offshore, submerged in 3 to 4 feet of water with the driver still trapped inside. Firefighters suited up and launched a rapid deployment craft, pulling the driver to safety. The driver is alive and well, now recovering after crews wrapped up the scene with help from local sheriff’s deputies, ambulance crews and a towing company.

Reporting WGRT – JP bZet

Hundreds of people needed help, and dozens had to be pulled from the water, during this year’s Port Huron Float Down, an unofficial river tradition that draws thousands each summer. The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office says about 300 participants required assistance, while 20 were rescued by boat after running into trouble on the St. Clair River. Officials say cheap floats, missing life jackets, and no paddles caused most of the problems. Multiple agencies patrolled the water, and the sheriff thanked them for helping out.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Lapeer Police say a man’s claim of being stabbed at Rowden Park turned out to be a hoax. Officers rushed to the Main Street park Sunday night after the man reported being stabbed in the abdomen. He was rushed into surgery at McLaren Lapeer Region Hospital and is expected to recover. But investigators say the wound was self-inflicted during an unrelated crime at a local business, not the park. Devin Bruce Dix, 23, was arraigned Tuesday on false report, child abuse, and retail fraud charges.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet