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Local News

Port Huron Schools Receive Robotics Funding

The opportunity for our children to learn new and cutting edge technology is critical in today’s day and age. Port Huron Schools are now able to continue their robotics program with the help of grants received from the Port Huron Schools Endowment Fund (PHSEF) and the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). 

The PHS Endowment Fund granted $6,898 for the enhancement of the robotics programs at the elementary and middle school levels. The MDE grant was contingent on matching funds, which were met, enabling additional elementary and middle school robotics programs as well as updating current programs. 

Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, Catherine Woolman says, “Every student has access to robotics programming this year, which allows students at all levels to further pursue their interest in this field.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

The City of Flint Looks To Redevelop Former Buick City Site

The Buick City site was the former home of Buick Motor Company up until 2010, and has since sat vacant. There are currently plans in place to turn it into an in-demand, move-in ready facility. As one of the most blighted and contaminated industrial sites in the state, redevelopment has now become a top priority for the state of Michigan and the city of Flint. 

The Flint Commerce Center, an entity of Ashley Capital, plans to turn the facility into a 275,000-square-foot industrial building that, when fully developed, will represent one of the largest investments for the north side of Flint in decades. The facility is expected to generate up to $300 million and create between 2,000-3,000 new jobs. 

In addition to getting rid of the blight and contamination, the facility will also address the shortage of industrial space as well as offering opportunities to attract new business to the state.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Visit The Moon With St. Clair County Community College

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to hop in a space shuttle and blast off into the unknown regions of space? St. Clair County Community College (SC4) is offering a simulated experience for those who have always wanted to visit and explore the moon.

Mission: Lunar Quest begins Saturday, December 10th, from 10 AM – 12:30 PM at the Challenger Learning Center located on the college campus. The event is limited to the first 34 individuals who register so be sure to sign up quickly. Tickets are $25 per person and those aged 10 and up are welcome. 

The fully immersive experience will allow guests to fly to the moon to locate a long-term human habitat, commands and assist Mission Control, or board the spacecraft as an astronaut. You will also be able to make critical decisions to avoid a potential catastrophe. 

The Challenger Center is one of 40 centers worldwide, and the only one of its kind in the state of Michigan.

For registration and more information visit:  Mission: Lunar Quest Registration

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Lansing Constructing Music and Arts Center

The City of Lansing is constructing a new facility in its downtown area. The Ovation Music and Arts Center is set to transform and energize the area with live performances, events and concerts.

The two-story arts center will feature a main stage with a capacity of holding approximately 2,000 individuals. It will also house retail and office space for art organizations and creative businesses. A rooftop bar and restaurant space will also be a part of the new venue. 

The Ovation Music and Arts Center will create up to 160 full-time jobs for the community and is expected to open by 2025. The project is supported by a $5 million MSF performance-based grant, $2.75 million in state and federal allocations, as well as $8.5 million in city bonds.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Election Results For St. Clair County

With the 2022 election behind us, we can now take time to see how our efforts have helped shape the future of our community. Let’s take a look at some of the numbers from St. Clair County and the results of the election from ElectionReporting.com.

Out of the registered 138,846 voters there was a 54.18% voter turnout, with 75,224 voters casting their ballots. The race for governor saw Tudor Dixon/Shane Hernandez taking the majority of the votes with 42,731 compared to 30,170 votes for Governor Whitmer/Garlin D. Gilchrist II. In spite of Tudor Dixon’s victory in St. Clair County, Whitmer retained her seat as Governor of the State of Michigan.

The race for Judge of Circuit Court 31st Circuit Incumbent position between Robert Crosby and Cynthia Lane saw Lane taking the victory with 36,612 votes to Crosby’s 22,513. CEO of the Blue Water Area YMCA Josh Chapman won the seat of Board Member for Port Huron Schools with 10,679 total votes.

To review all of the candidates, proposals and more election result information, visit ElectionReporting.com

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Weird Michigan Laws That Are Still On The Books

With election day now behind us, we can look forward to new laws and regulations being rolled out over the next few years. Our political leaders are often viewed as competent and wise people who have our best interest at heart, but sometimes the laws they come up with will leave you scratching your head.  Some of these may be offensive to certain individuals, but that’s what reaching out to your Congressional leaders is for right?

Now let’s take a look at some of the strangest laws from around Michigan that are still on the books. 

  • The first one is obviously not a good one, but there is a law in Michigan that says women may not cut their hair without their husband’s permission first. Again, we didn’t make the laws so take it easy on us. 
  • In Detroit, it is illegal for your pig to run free in public unless it has a ring in its nose.
  • In Rochester, it is required that all bathing suits be inspected by the head of the police department.
  • Last but not least, it is illegal in Harper Woods to paint a sparrow to look like a parakeet to sell under false pretenses.

The Great Lake State is a beautiful place, albeit with some strange and odd laws still on the books. 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell