Local News

A water main break at the Metcalf Road plant of the Great Lakes Water Authority has resulted in water pressure issues and a boil water advisory for parts of Southeast Michigan.

Officials are currently meeting to discuss the plan for handling the emergency, but Everbridge (an emergency alert system) has issued a boil water advisory for households around southeast Michigan. The Macomb Township Offices have urged their residents to stop any unnecessary water usage until further notice.

Justin Westmiller, Director of the St. Clair County Department of Emergency Management said the only places in St. Clair County affected are in Burtchville Township.  There is no water at Lakeport State Park or in the entire township of Burtchville.

Great Lakes Water Authority is working on setting up water support for area residents.

Port Huron has its own water supply, so there are no issues for those who receive their water from the city.

Jorja Baldwin, St. Clair County Commissioner for District 2, said, “Due to a 120” water main break at the Great Lakes Water Authority plant on Metcalf Road in Fort Gratiot, communities in Genesee, Macomb, Lapeer and St. Clair counties are all impacted at varying degrees. In St. Clair County, only Burtchville is impacted. Burtchville is a direct connect and has no water service to residents who are on the public system at this time; this includes Lakeport State Park.”

Baldwin also said, “The SCC EOC (St. Clair County emergency Operations Center) is activated and will work with Burtchville officials to provide water trucks, bottled water, and meet other needs as they arise. Information will officially come from GLWA and SCC Emergency Management as it becomes available.”

We will report information on this story as we receive it.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Dr. Doru Bali just received the prestigious Hospice Medical Director Certified credential from the Hospice Medical Director Certification Board. He’s one of only 29 physicians in Michigan, and the only one in St. Clair County, to hold it.

As Medical Director at VNA & Blue Water Hospice since 2020, Dr. Bali said the credential speaks to the quality of care the organization’s team makes to their patients and the community.

VNA & Blue Water Hospice meets a variety of patient care needs while also supporting families with caregiver resources and groups for those experiencing grief and loss.

Learn more about VNA and Blue Water Hospice here:

https://vnabwh.org/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

The excitement and nostalgia of Cedar Point’s classic lakeside experience will be celebrated in a whole new way in 2023 when the park opens The Boardwalk, a new themed area just steps away from the Lake Erie shoreline. It’s a modern interpretation of the Cedar Point of yesteryear. Guests can expect new rides, dining, and entertainment experiences along with improvements coming to the former Lakeside Midway.

One of the new rides is the Wild Mouse Roller Coaster with bright orange tracks, a nod to the park’s original Wild Mouse coaster. The new Grand Pavilion will house restaurants, lots of seating areas for socializing and relaxation, and viewing decks with unparalleled panoramas of Cedar Point, the Cedar Point Beach, and the Lake Erie shoreline.

Carrie Boldman, vice president and general manager of Cedar Point, said “The Boardwalk is our vision of what the classic Cedar Point Boardwalk would have felt like long ago: the sights, the sounds, the electricity of the experience – this new area captures it all.”

Carrie said that “lakeside attractions have always been a part of Cedar Point’s 153-year history” and that she “can’t wait for guests to enjoy this stunning new centerpiece of summertime fun.”

The Boardwalk is set to debut on the park’s opening day in May of 2023. 

Reporting for WGRT – George James

It’s that time of the year again for one of the longest yard sales in the Blue Water Area. Starting Friday the 12th and ending on Sunday the 14th, the M-29 to M-25 Antique Yard Sale Trail will bring over 150 miles of independently operated yard sales to our community. The sales will feature antiques and all of the other wonderful finds that come along with the yard sale experience. 

Stretching from New Baltimore and Algonac in the south, the Yard Sale Trail follows the beautiful St. Clair River up M-25/M-29. The yard sale passes through local communities such as Marine City, St. Clair, Port Huron, Lexington, Port Sanilac, Port Austin, and Harbor Beach just to name a few. 

While passing through these scenic locations, be sure to check out the local sites such as the museums, and unique shops. There are also plenty of restaurants and local diners to stop in for a bite to eat while enjoying all that the event has to offer. 

For more information on the event, contact sponsor Mary Teichow of Teichow’s Treasures at teichowtreasures@gmail.com

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

The St. Clair County Farm Museum is preparing for its Fall Harvest Days on August 26th – 28th. This is the 38th annual celebration put on by the St. Clair County Farm Museum’s Board, and the weekend will be full of history, activities, and fun.

The St. Clair County Farm Museum is located at Goodells County Park, and they lease their buildings and farmland from the county. They rent the area for the Fall Harvest Days show, and the event is one of the ways they raise money to preserve the museum and its collection.

Fall Harvest Days kicks off on Friday, August 26th with threshing and sawmill demonstrations, and continues throughout the day with wagon rides, lumberjack shows, and food vendors.

Saturday, August 27th includes a Fiber Expo in the exhibit barns, a tractor pull, and a corn hole tournament. Saturday evening the band Blue Ridge will be playing in the beer tent from 6 -9 PM.

The fiber expo continues on Sunday, August 28th, and a special church service will be held in the historic church that sits in the tiny village of the county park. Visitors can also enjoy a pancake breakfast before or after the service.

The celebration concludes with a tractor parade, raffle, and awards ceremony around 4 PM on Sunday.

For more information visit: https://stclaircountyfarmmuseum.org/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand