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Local News

Time to Nominate for Yard of the Year

Does your neighbor deserve the coveted yellow tulip for their stunning landscaping skills? It’s time to nominate your favorite homeowner or business for the City of Port Huron Beautification Commission’s Yard of the Year contest.

The deadline for nominations is Friday, July 15, 2022, and they can be submitted to the Port Huron City Clerk through mail by writing the nominee’s name and address on a sheet of paper or by filling out the nomination form available <HERE>. You can also email nominations to beautifyph@porthuron.org.

The Beautification Commission selects members from the local Master Gardeners group to judge the nominees. Residential winners are recognized with a wooden yellow tulip to place in front of their homes. Business owners or nonprofit winners receive a plaque.

Judging takes place from the street at the end of July, and the awards will be distributed in September.

For more information, visit PortHuron.org

Mike Ward is Living the Retirement Dream as a Travelling Musician

 

Mike Ward is a Port Huron native who started performing his music around the country in his retirement. His heartfelt songwriting and acoustic style has been appreciated in multiple venues around Michigan and the U.S.

Mike has performed locally at Foundry, The Raven Cafe, The Lake Bonisteel Music Festival, and has several shows coming up in St. Clair County, Lexington, and beyond.

Listen as Mike shares how his kids encouraged him to share his music with the world, and where he gets the inspiration for his poetic songs.

Learn more about Mike Ward Music here:

https://www.psychosongs.com/

 

The WGRT Local News Podcast is part of the WGRT 102.3 FM Podcast Network. For the latest episodes of all of our featured podcasts, visit our website here:

https://wgrt-1023-fm-podcast-network.captivate.fm

WGRT Local News Podcast is produced by the following team members:

Executive Producer: Jessie Wiegand

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MDARD Lifts Ban on Bird Exhibits Just in Time for Fair Season

There’s good news for those who love looking at the poultry and waterfowl exhibits at county fairs. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has lifted the statewide temporary ban that was imposed to limit the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

The goal of going thirty days without a new breakout of the virus has been met, so the ban has been lifted, but that does not mean that the highly contagious virus is completely gone.

State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland said, “Even though the state has been able to reach this incredibly important benchmark, this does not mean the virus has left Michigan. HPAI continues to be detected in wild birds throughout the state, which is not unexpected as the virus is known to be carried by wild birds. Since the virus is still present in the environment, it is still crucial for owners and caretakers of domestic birds to take every step possible to protect their flocks.”

There isn’t believed to be a risk to humans from bird flu, but poultry and egg products should always be fully cooked and precautions should be taken when dealing with live birds, including poultry and waterfowl.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

St. Clair County Wins Grant to Expand Internet Access

Michigan is investing in bringing high-speed internet to more consumers than ever. The latest round of investments has granted over $3 million to Michigan communities with a significant portion going to Duke Broadband in St. Clair County.

The Ira Expansion project has a total price tag of over $1.3 million. The Connecting Michigan Communities Grant will award over $858,000 toward the project.

The proposed fiber project will connect 367 locations with high-speed internet access.

This is the fourth round of awards as part of an initiative to expand broadband service to underserved areas in Michigan.

The Michigan High-Speed Internet Office is working to drive down costs and boost digital literacy along with expanding service. Training materials will be provided to residents in the expanded service area, along with collaboration with community groups to host events to promote e-learning, job, and workforce training.

Funding also went to projects in Menominee and Manistee counties.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Volunteers Needed for OT’s Family Night

Operation Transformation is gearing up for their annual Family Night during Blue Water Fest or Boat Week. The event is planned for Thursday, July 14th from 5 – 9 PM.

Family Night takes over the lawn area near the northeast corner of the 10th Street bridge in Port Huron where vendors set up kid-friendly activities and provide resources for families. This year’s planned activities are pony rides, a petting zoo, live music, carnival games, and more. There will be plenty of fund for kids and all activities are free.

Operation Transformation is also looking for sponsors for the event to join with their main sponsors: Blue Water Area Churches, James C. Acheson Foundation, Kiwanis Club of Port Huron, Power 88.3/90.7 Hope FM, and Woman’s Life Chapters 800 & 808.

Volunteers can help set up the event, direct vendors to their places, and clean up when the event ends. To volunteer, contact Renee Hernandez at 810-966-8660.

More information is available at www.optrans.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Dedication Ceremony Planned for Seven Grandfathers Sculpture

The Blue Water River Walk has a new sculpture honoring the area’s Native American past and looking toward the future with hope. A ceremony to dedicate the Seven Grandfathers sculpture will be on June 21st at 10 AM.

Friends of the St. Clair River is celebrating Indigeneous culture and art at the dedication of the Seven Grandfathers sculpture and the River Walk Garden or Giitigan. The ceremony includes drumming and dancers from the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, a smudging ceremony, and a planting project.

The Seven Grandfathers sculpture was carved by Garret Nahdee of the Ojibway Tribe of Walpole Island, and it stands overlooking the St. Clair River at about the middle of the River Walk trail.

Friends Restoration Coordinator Brooke Hiller said, “We want people to come celebrate indigenous culture, learn about native plants, and help us celebrate this project for healing the past and giving hope for the future. We are thrilled to have been awarded a Wildflower Association of Michigan grant to complete the new River Walk Giitigan with plants of Native American significance. Giitigan is the Anishinaabe word for garden. Anishinaabe people are Native Americans and First Nations (Canadian) members of local tribes in the Blue Water Area.”

The ceremony is open to the public and all tools for planting will be provided.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand