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Local News

Michigan Community Service Commission Offers Grants For MLK Day Volunteer Projects

The Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC) is extending a helping hand to local communities across the state in honor of MLK Day. The MCSC has announced a grant program to support volunteer projects addressing various community needs geared towards honoring the legacy of the late Dr. Martin Luther King. 

Grants ranging from $100 to $1,000 will be awarded to projects aimed at engaging thousands of Michigan volunteers. The MCSC firmly believes that volunteer involvement is essential for building and strengthening thriving communities.

Complete grant applications should be submitted by December 13th, and projects are scheduled to take place between January 5th and January 22nd, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

For more information and to apply, visit: 2024 MLK National Day of Service Grant Application Survey.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

New Executive Director Michael Hensley To Lead Blue Water Area Convention

The Blue Water Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is excited to announce the appointment of Michael Hensley as its new Executive Director. Hensley, a seasoned professional in the tourism industry, is set to take the reins from Marci Fogal, who is retiring in mid-2024 after 25 years of dedicated service.

With extensive experience gained during his tenure as the Director of Tourism Marketing at the Great Lakes Bay Regional CVB since 2017, Hensley brings a fresh perspective to Michigan’s Thumbcoast tourism landscape. Raised in Warren, Michigan, and with fond memories of summers spent along the Thumbcoast, Hensley is eager to contribute to the area’s ongoing growth and development.

The Blue Water Area Convention and Visitors Bureau serves as the official destination marketing organization for Michigan’s Thumbcoast, dedicated to promoting the region as a premier travel destination and contributing to its economic prosperity.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Toyota Expands U.S. Safety Recall To Include 43,000 Additional Vehicles Due To Airbag Issue

Toyota has announced an expansion of its non-compliance safety recall in the United States, now encompassing an extra 43,000 vehicles from the 2023 model year. 

The affected models include the Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross hybrid, Highlander, Highlander hybrid, and Tacoma, bringing the total number of recalled vehicles in the U.S. to approximately 153,000. The Highlander has recently had an additional 751,000 vehicles recalled for potentially loose bumpers. 

Part of the mass recall is initiated due to a potential issue with the spiral cable assembly in the steering column, which could disrupt the electrical connection controlling the driver’s airbag. 

To check if your vehicle is part of a safety recall, you can visit Toyota.com/recall or nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate information.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

NIMH Sheds Light On Childhood Irritability In Facebook Live Event

On November 7th, from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. ET, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is set to host a crucial Facebook Live event addressing childhood irritability.

The event, held on NIMH’s official Facebook page, will feature Dr. Melissa Brotman, Ph.D., the chief of the Neuroscience and Novel Therapeutics Unit in the Intramural Research Program at NIMH.

Childhood irritability is a common issue, but for some, it escalates to severe levels, leading to significant problems both at home and in school.

During the live event, Dr. Brotman will delve into the symptoms of irritability, the importance of studying this phenomenon, NIMH’s ongoing research efforts in the field, and the latest treatments available for severe irritability in youth.

The event is open to the public, and no registration is required. Tune in to NIMH’s Facebook page to gain insights into childhood irritability and its management.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

This Historic Port Huron Building Has Had Rumors Of Paranormal Activity

Situated at 420 Huron Avenue in Port Huron stands a historic corner building that has seen its fair share of transformations over the years, from a Subway to Bradford’s Restaurant and an unnamed eatery in the 1940s.

The building’s creepy history dating back to the late 1940s has cast a haunting shadow. The owner, who was involved in the risky business of bootlegged liquor, met a gruesome end in the building’s cellar, a murder that went unsolved.

One former employee recounted an incident in 1987 when she heard her name called from an empty kitchen. Spooked by the supernatural encounter, she and her coworker ventured into the kitchen, only to find no one there.

Today, the building houses Cedar Sub & Salad, those who venture there can savor a delicious chicken shawarma along with other delicious Mediterranean menu items, but make sure you watch out for things that go bump in the night.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

BWROC’s Executive Director Discovers Connections To Famous Ancestor

GEDkin Inc, a non-profit organization involved in determining genealogy has made an exciting discovery about a local resident and his ties to the Civil War. 

Community leader and BWROC Executive Director Patrick Patterson, has uncovered a direct connection to Civil War hero Thomas Henry Sheppard, who is known for his gallant actions during the war. Sheppard is Patterson’s third-great grandfather whose extraordinary story includes carrying an oversized U.S. flag into numerous battles, even after being wounded and captured during the Battle of Gettysburg. 

Michigan Legislature aims to honor Sheppard posthumously with a Congressional Medal of Honor. The Sheppard flag is now a cherished artifact at the Dearborn Historical Museum.

Patterson says, “This truly touches my heart as it might anyone. It’s amazing to find out there was a recommendation to Congress for a Medal of Honor in 2017, which was my first year in recovery. It’s a great story. 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell