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Local News

Port Huron Township Fire Department Welcomes New Staff

When it comes to civil service jobs, being a firefighter or a police officer are two of the most noble and dangerous jobs one can take on to serve their community. 

The Port Huron Township Fire Department has recently hired new staff and promoted another to Sergeant within the department. 

Firefighters Martin, Jones, and Moran were sworn in on January 1st, for the full-time firefighter role, and Sergeant Vincent for the full-time officer role. 

Firefighter Moran was promoted to the rank of Sergeant to fill the vacant full-time officer role. Firefighter Ebejer was sworn in for the firefighter role on February 20th. 

Port Huron Township and the entire Blue Water Area would like to thank these brave men for their service to our community, as we wish you well in your new endeavors.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

The Lawrence House To Hold 2nd Annual Carmen Ziolkowski Poetry Prize

If you live in or near the City of Sarnia, and have an interest in poetry and the arts, you can register to enter the 2nd Annual Carmen Ziolkowski Poetry Prize. 

Carmen Ziolkowski was a member of the Sarnia-Lambton writing community. She studied journalism at Port Huron Junior College and taught creative writing at Lambton College. She also wrote three poetry books. Ziolkowski passed away in 2018 at the age of 94 years old.

The deadline for the poetry event is April 15th. All are welcome to participate, with an entry fee of $10 Canadian, or $5 if you are a member of The Lawrence House Centre for the Arts. Participants can submit up to three poems in English of up to 40 lines each. 

Winners can win up to $500, as well as having their works featured in a special issue of the Uproar Literary Blog. 

For more information, visit: lawrencehouse.ca.    

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

The Detroit Institute of Arts Named Best Art Museum In The Country

Detroit is known as the “Motor City” due to its history involving the automotive industry, but they have more recently been recognized for having the number one art museum in the country. 

The Detroit Institute of Arts has been ranked number one by the editors from 10Best and USA Today. The results are based on reader votes which included 10 museum destinations in the U.S.  

The museum has approximately 65,000 works housed in its location, which makes it one of the largest collections in the country. It also contains over 100 galleries, a 1,150-seat auditorium, an art reference library, and a state-of-the-art conservation services laboratory. The DIA also boasts diverse collections highlighting Islamic, Oceanic, Native American, and African art. The General Motors Center for African American Art which was established in the year 2000 boasts a wide collection of art as well. 

To find out more information, visit: dia.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Honoring And Remembering A Community Leader In The City Of Port Huron

The City of Port Huron has had a number of individuals step into the role of being a community leader over the years. From business, to the religious sectors of the community, African Americans have had a major contribution in the Blue Water Area.

Rev. John L. Portis, born October 25, 1931 was an ordained minister who served his community in numerous ways. 

One of his most notable contributions is being the pastor for the historic Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Port Huron where he served for over 40 years. Nern street, located at the corner of 28th Street was renamed in his honor to John L. Portis Drive.   

He also served on numerous boards and committees over the years such as the South Park Ministerial Alliance which he founded in 1980 and served as its President for over 20 years.

He received a variety of awards such as the NAACP Community Service Award, and the Brotherhood Award from the City of Port Huron. 

Rev. Portis passed away in 2008, leaving behind an exceptional legacy in the Blue Water Area.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

SC4 STEM Fest Welcomes Retired NASA Astronaut As Part Of The Experience

The St. Clair County Community College (SC4) is hosting its STEM Fest next month for the community to experience what they have to offer, and to introduce guests to a fun interactive way of learning.

The event takes place on Saturday, March 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will be held on the college campus in the Experience Center as well as the SC4 Fieldhouse. 

The Stem Fest event is free to the public and open to all ages. It will feature more than 100 hands-on activities and events to participate in involving interactive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics exhibits.

Entities and organizations involved include SC4, Michigan Technological University’s Mind Trekkers, the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and the Leslie Science & Nature Center. There will also be a special appearance from retired NASA astronaut Dorothy “Dottie” Metcalf-Lindenburger.

To register, visit: sc4.edu.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

James Freed City of Port Huron

Frito-Lay Distribution Center Planned For The City Of Port Huron

The City of Port Huron has announced a purchase agreement with Nelson Family Enterprises LLC based out of Iowa. The agreement will allow for the building of a small Frito-Lay distribution center in the Industrial Park area.

Nelson Family Enterprises LLC purchased the site property at 32nd and Nern Streets with a 4.567 acre plot for $91,340.00. 

The development will bring more jobs to the City of Port Huron adding an economic boost to the Blue Water Area. 

City Manager, James Freed says, “This type of development is what we hoped for when assembling this site. I want to thank Korissa Kramer for working to put this deal together and Kristy Jones from the EDA for working to attract this project. Lastly, David Haynes did a wonderful job citing the development in the best location to allow for additional development on the site.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell