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Local News

Detroit Auto Show Is Back Full Force Sept. 14-25

The North American International Auto Show has been reinvented for 2022 with a combination of indoor and outdoor displays. The Detroit Auto Show, as it is commonly called, is scheduled for September 14th through 25th at the Huntington Place, formerly Cobo Hall.

The Charity Preview is returning this year, and there are free community activities planned for Downtown Detroit.  The show is described as “next generation”.

The main floor at Huntington is already sold out. It will feature a mix of hands-on activations, traditional vehicle exhibits, and a showcase of automotive innovation and technology. Want to take a test drive? The 2023 Chevrolet Grand Prix downtown circuit will be available for test drives.

There is also a focus on the future of mobility with the AutoMobili-D exhibit, featuring the latest innovators, suppliers, and educators in the industry.

Detroit Auto Show Executive Director Rod Alberts said he expects the show to be a pivotal player in consumers’ vehicle shopping and purchase decisions.

https://naias.com/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sanborn Park to Get New Multi-Use Trail and Needs Volunteers

Sanborn Park is held dear by many Port Huron natives who learned to swim in the city pool, learned to play tennis on the courts, watched a baseball game on the field, or simply enjoyed playing on the playground on a lazy summer day.

The gem, located in the north end of Port Huron, is getting some upgrades and the community is asked to help with a Work Day on May 5th at 5:00 p.m.

A new multi-use trail is being constructed by the City of Port Huron in the Nature Area of the park. The city is working with the Friends of the St. Clair River to preserve and improve the ecological integrity of the park.

Friends President Sheri Faust said, “Our services to the city’s Multi-Use Trail Project include removing invasive species, conducting ecological surveys, and recruiting volunteers to help care for the park and trails. Sanborn Park Nature Area has a diversity of plant and animal life, such as rare white trout lilies and old-growth trees, and the park’s existing trails add to the unspoiled effect of this urban natural setting.”

A work day is scheduled for Thursday, May 5, at 5 p.m.. Help Friends of the St. Clair River to remove invasive species and trash from the trail. Please bring gloves or loppers if you own them; extras will be available to borrow.

Please meet at the Sanborn Park near the play structure. For more info, please email lydia@scriver.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“Doc” Emrick Headlines YMCA “Night of Champions”

The YMCA of the Blue Water Area is planning a “Night of Champions” featuring Hockey Hall of Fame announcer Mike “Doc” Emrick, along with some surprise guests.

The fundraiser will be held on Thursday, September 15th at 6:00 p.m. at McMorran Arena in downtown Port Huron. The event will be hockey-themed with pregame festivities, hockey activities, food from local establishments, and live and silent auctions.

YMCA of the Blue Water Area’s Foundation Chairman, Don Fletcher, said, “This Night of Champions event provides us with a wonderful opportunity to raise positive awareness for the many ways the YMCA of the Blue Water Area strengthens our community.”

Doc Emrick has a history with the Port Huron Flags, Olympic Hockey and Water Polo coverage, and with quietly supporting causes along with his wife, Joyce, according to Fletcher.

Tickets must be purchased in advance from the YMCA in downtown Port Huron. Tickets are $100 each or $1000 for a table. Sponsorships are available. All proceeds go toward supporting the mission of the YMCA of the Blue Water Area.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

State Police Form Alliance to Collaborate to Help Kids Affected by Drug Use

The Michigan Alliance for Drug Endangered Children has been formed by the Michigan State Police. The Alliance is to support children and families that are dealing with a parent or caregiver’s substance use.

The project hopes to raise awareness of the effects of drug use on families and children, improve data collection and sharing, and promote collaboration among service providers. The opioid epidemic has greatly exacerbated the problems for children and families in recent years. Alcohol use has also increased, with Americans drinking an average of six more drinks per month since before the pandemic began.

Forty percent of children removed from homes are removed because of drug use. The Drug Endangered Children Alliance welcomes members from different agencies to reach effective outcomes more quickly. Trainings are offered regularly.

The Drug Endangered Children Alliance has created a short informational video.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Selah Butterfield & Kara Kaercher Young Artists in Michigans Thumbcoast

Young Artists Making Their Mark wsg. Kara Kaercher & Selah Butterfield

 

How do young artists share their work and build community? Kara Kaercher and Selah Butterfield join us this week to talk about how they are building their businesses and sharing their art with the community.

Kara Kaercher, Kara’s Arts & Crafts, specializes in acrylic pour and painting along with teaching classes and creating jewelry. She shares how leading classes at Foundry and working on the public mural downtown Port Huron help her connect with her community.

Find Kara here: https://m.facebook.com/KarasArtandCrafts/?_rdr

As a digital artist, Selah Butterfield has built a 50,000+ person following on social media platforms where she shares and demonstrates her digital drawing skills.

Find Selah’s work here: https://selahsketches.carrd.co/

Listen to the WGRT Local NEWS podcast on your favorite podcast app every Friday for in-depth interviews with people from around Michigan’s Thumbcoast!

Find the podcast on Spotify, Apple, or Facebook!

 

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:

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

Executive Producer: Jessie Wiegand

Audio Engineer: George James

Administrator: Jessie Wiegand

Marketing: Jessie Wiegand

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Most DNR Centers Resume Pre-COVID Hours May 1st

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is moving most of its field offices and customer service centers around the state back to their pre-COVID hours on May 1, 2022.

DNR Customer Service Centers in Bay City, Detroit, and Lansing will be open to the public Monday – Friday from 8 AM – 5 PM.

State parks, state campgrounds, state game and wildlife areas, state forests and many other places are open, as most have been throughout the entire COVID-19 pandemic.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says that even during a post-surge recovery phase, face masks remain an important tool in mitigating the spread of COVID-19. Anyone who feels sick, may be at higher risk of infection, or who feels better protected when masked should choose when they feel comfortable masking.