Local News

For shoppers that enjoy smaller stores, Meijer is launching a new grocery store concept that will celebrate two grand openings in 2023. The smaller, simplified Meijer Grocery will premier in Orion and Macomb Townships.

The Macomb Township store is currently under construction at 24 Mile Road and Hayes, where the exterior of the building is in place and crews will begin working on HVAC and electrical. The store is projected to open in early 2023.

Sonny Franks Miller, Meijer Corporate Communications Specialist, said, “Southeast Michigan is a competitive retail market, but the decision to launch the new Meijer Grocery stores here is largely a reflection of our eagerness to continue investing in our Metro Detroit communities. We specifically chose to launch this new store format in Southeast Michigan because we’re a Michigan company and our customers in Metro Detroit have been loyally supporting us since we opened our first supercenter in Canton in 1974.”

The smaller Meijer Grocery will focus on fresh produce, meat, bakery, and deli, along with a condensed selection of dry grocery, health & beauty care, and items for babies and pets. They will also have a card, party, and floral section and a pharmacy.

Don Sanderson, Group Vice President of Foods at Meijer, said, “This new concept store will not only provide our customers with everything they need on their weekly shopping trip, but also a quick and easy solution for when they realize they left the key ingredient off their list while cooking dinner.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

During the daylight hours, we see all of the familiar wild animals one would expect, such as squirrels, birds, turtles and the like. When the sun goes down, it awakens the creatures that we rarely see in their natural habitat such as racoons, opossums, and bats.

If you or someone you know is a fan of wildlife and would like to explore the woods to see these nocturnal animals up close and personal, you can do so safely with Friends of the St. Clair River. 

In partnership with Port Huron Parks & Recreation along with Sanborn Park, they are having their Creatures of the Night event on Friday, September 23rd from 7 PM – 8 PM.

Located at the new Sanborn Woods Multi-Use Trail, the event will take participants on a guided hike to learn about the nocturnal wildlife in our area. All ages are welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult. The event is free, so bring your future zoologist to explore and see the city in a different light. 

For more information, contact Sanborn Multi-Use Trail at (810) 984-9760.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Read for Life focuses on encouraging young readers at Cleveland Elementary school, and they are in desperate need of tutors for the 2022-23 school year.

The program requires a 1-hour commitment two days each week throughout the school year, and volunteers are paired with an eager 1st or 2nd grader who needs extra help practicing literacy skills like sight-word reading. No teaching experience is required, and volunteers will attend an orientation before the program starts in October.

Christine D’Luge has a background working as a lawyer, and she loves the time she has spent working with kids in the Read for Life program. As the co-director of the program, she wants to encourage people who may have been taking a break from volunteering to consider this opportunity to re-connect.

Those interested in learning more can contact the St. Martin’s Lutheran Church Port Huron’s church office or email Christine at roadlawyer@comcast.net.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Port Huron hockey fans can look forward to new faces on their team’s roster this fall, as the Port Huron Prowlers have added three new players to bolster the team.

The acquisition consists of two positions at forward with Jonathan Giancotti and Nick Coleman, as well as defenseman/forward Christian Marion. 

Giancotti played last season in Sweden’s 3rd division Varberg HK. Coleman spent last season in Poland’s second division playing for Opole HK, and Marion last played in the 2020-21 season with Marysville University in the ACHA Division II.

Prowlers general manager and head coach Matt Graham is excited to have these new players on the roster and is looking forward to this year’s season. The Prowlers home opener will be on October 14th, where they will be facing off against the Motor City Rockers.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Summer is drawing to a close, the Labor Day holiday is approaching, and authorities are expecting boaters to be out in full force well into the fall season. 

According to a survey by the Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatUS), 65% of boaters are planning on taking to the waters this Labor Day weekend. Nearly 80% are planning to extend their boating into the fall season due to lower gas prices.

If you or someone you know are planning on boating this weekend be sure to have a safety checklist before going out on the water. Be sure to include items such as U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets for all passengers, flares, fire extinguishers, and also don’t forget to perform regular maintenance and safety checks. 

The Black River Canal was dredged last weekend, so boaters should be able to travel out to Lake Huron with no issues. 

If you become stranded while out on the water you can call to find more info about towing services at 800-888-4869.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell