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Local News

East Shore Leadership Academy Encourages Fun and Safety

Students at East Shore Leadership Academy in Port Huron had a couple of big announcements this week as students experienced an in-person Zoo for the Day and received news of a safety grant from the State of Michigan.

The Exotic Zoo arrived on Monday, May 2nd, and students were able to get an up close view of animals while learning topics that meet the Michigan state curriculum standards.

East Shore Leadership Academy also learned this week that they are the recipients of $41,738 grant from the State of Michigan. The grant is part of a state funding initiative of $10 million from the Competitive School Safety Grant Program.

Governor Whitmer announced 150 awards from the grant program which will help schools make safety improvements to their buildings and retain and recruit more teachers.

Nancy Gardner, ESLA School Administrator, said, “ESLA will use the safety grant money for new interior door handles, two-way radios for all staff, defensive barrier lock systems for all doors, and increasing security by adding a double door entry-way.”

To learn more about East Shore Leadership Academy, visit https://www.eastshoreleaders.com/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

“Empty the Shelters” Event Reduces Adoption Fee to $25 at SCC Animal Control

A national campaign to move animals out of shelters and into loving homes coincides with a local shelter being at capacity. The BISSELL Pet Foundation is sponsoring the “Empty the Shelters” initiative that reduces adoption fees to $25.

St. Clair County Animal Control Director Melissa Miller said, “This event is coming at a great time. St. Clair County Animal Control is at critical capacity for dogs and cats.”

Miller said that adoptable animals can be viewed online at their website, on PetFinder, or on their Facebook page.

The “Empty the Shelters” event goes from now until May 7th and again from May 9th to 13th. St. Clair County Animal Control will be open for reduced-fee adoptions May 5th through 6th from 10:30 to 3:30 p.m., May 7th from noon to 3:30, and May 9th through May 13th from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Animal Control prefers appointments, but they are not required. Appointments can be scheduled at animalcontrol@stcalircounty.org.

https://www.petfinder.com/search/dogs-for-adoption/us/mi/48060/?distance=10

https://stclairmi.animalservices.website/shelterpronet/spn_page_as_main.spn

https://www.facebook.com/adoptsccac

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Schools Kicks Off Strategic Planning with Community Survey

It’s time to have your voice heard by Port Huron Schools. The district has crafted a short four-question survey to help them in moving forward with their strategic planning process.

In a communication with parents and community members, Superintendent Theo A. Kerhoulas invited stakeholders to fill out the survey.

The survey asks four questions: What are you proud of in the Port Huron Area School District? What challenges do you feel the district is facing? What should our schools provide for students? What does success look like for our students in the future?

Kerhoulas reported that the strategic planning process began with a meeting of community stakeholders who came up with several “actionable items and an aggressive timeline”. The survey is the first of the action items.

The survey window is open from now until May 13th, 2022. It is open to staff, students, parents, and community members.

A link to the Port Huron School Community Survey can be found below.

https://docs.google.com/forms/u/1/d/e/1FAIpQLSdXLJjSBw0-cYJcaza6EHGMTaTmuAubmYYa47eeIiA_as8Afg/viewform?usp=send_form

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Registration Open for Summer Day Camp at Salvation Army Port Huron

The Salvation Army in Port Huron is looking forward to the return of its Summer Day Camp for Kids. The program was on hiatus for the last two years, and organizers are excited to be back serving families this summer.

The Salvation Army Day Camp runs from June 20th – August 26th from 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM. Kids will experience a variety of indoor and outdoor activities at the Salvation Army’s location on Court Street in Port Huron. They are also planning field trips to Tiger Stadium, Greenfield Village and several fun, local spots.

Families can register their kids aged 5-12 at The Salvation Army Port Huron, 2000 Court Street, Monday – Friday from 10 AM- 4 PM. Registration hours are extended on Wednesdays to last until 6 PM. The cost to register is $50 and Day Camp is $125 per week.

The Salvation Army is also hiring day camp counselors aged 18 and older. Those interested can apply at indeed.com and must pass a background check.

Learn more at The Salvation Army Port Huron’s Facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/porthuron.citadel

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Art on the River Band Lineup

Citizens for a Vibrant Community just released the band lineup for Art on the River 2022. The weekend long art and music festival is Friday, June 10th – Sunday, June 12th at Kiefer Park in Port Huron.

The event’s two headliners are Derek St. Holmes and Gary Hoey.  Derek St. Holmes used to write music for Ted Nugent and plays several of those songs such as Cat Scratch Fever and Stranglehold in his rock set, and Gary Hoey will be playing tunes from his latest release, Neon Highway Blues.

Several blues artists will take to the Art on the River stage throughout the weekend, including Detroit Music Award winning artist, Tosha Owens, and former member of R.E.O. Speedwagon, Duke Tumatoe.

Art on the River is a family friendly event that includes art, crafts, food vendors, and a beverage tent. Due to construction on Fort Street this year, visitors should use McMorran Blvd. and Merchant Street to access parking and get close to the event.

To learn more, visit: https://www.artontheriverph.com/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

 

 

Open Meetings Act Expanded to Require Audio Recordings

A bill to expand the Open Meetings Act was signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Monday.

The bipartisan legislation requires public meetings of state licensing boards, state commission panels, and state rule-making boards to record meetings to allow for the capture of sound, such as an audio-only recording, a video recording with sound and picture, or a broadcast that is capable of being recorded.  

The bill was introduced about a year ago by Representative Luke Meerman, a Republican from Coopersville. While the Open Meetings Act makes state and local government meetings open to public attendance, the expansion of the law requires the governing bodies to at least make an audio recording that records the entire meeting, including public comments, and makes the recording available to anyone who makes a request.

The bill was opposed by some state government agencies but passed with limited opposition in both chambers of the legislature.

Whitmer said the law would “will help Michiganders have more confidence in their public bodies”.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland