Send new stories and press releases to JP at news@wgrt.com.

Local News

Plan Now for Parking at Blue Water Fest

Blue Water Fest is coming up next week, and residents and visitors should plan now for parking in Downtown Port Huron.

The footprint of the event will be a little different this year, with most large events happening around the Blue Water Transit Center and McMorran Plaza. Main Street will be closed from Superior to the Military Street bridge and portions of McMorran Blvd., Grand River Avenue, and Quay Street will also be closed. There are short sections of Superior Street and Michigan that will be closed as well.

Also new this year, a Street Fair is planned for the stretch of Main Street between Superior and Grand River on Thursday and Friday (July 14th & 15th) with food trucks and over 50 art vendors from all over Michigan. On Saturday, festival goers can get a Taste of Port Huron from noon – 2 PM during this bite-sized sampling tour of Port Huron Restaurants while also enjoying outdoor entertainment from Cirque Amongus.

In addition to the new elements, Blue Water Fest will bring back favorites like Operation Transformation’s Family Night activities near the 10th Street bridge on Thursday, Mannequins Making a Difference in front of PH Country Style Market, and all the elements of the Bayview Mackinac Race.

Construction is still going on in the Quay Street parking lot near the Zebra Bar, but it is available for parking during the festival. Free parking is also available in the lot between Quay and Grand River, which will only be accessible by entering on Quay. Parking will also be available in the north McMorran Lot and for a donation at St. Clair County Community College.

 

For a full schedule of Blue Water Fest events, visit their website here:

Home

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Invasive Beech Leaf Disease Detected in St. Clair County

Invasive beech leaf disease has been confirmed in southern St. Clair County. That’s not great news, as the disease was not previously known to be in Michigan, the home of around 37 million American beech trees.

The disease is associated with a microscopic worm that damages leaves of American, European, and Asian beech species. Infected trees die within six to ten years of initial symptoms.

The disease was detected thanks to landowners who reported the suspected outbreak to the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network.

Simeon Wright, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Forest Health Specialist said, “Though beech leaf disease was detected this spring, the condition of the leaves and number of trees affected at this location suggests the disease has been there for more than a year. Because symptoms are slow to emerge, it is difficult to detect the disease before it is established.”

Symptoms of beech leaf disease are dead buds and darkened, thick tissue bands between leaf veins that make leaves look striped.

See below for instructions on reporting suspected cases and more information about the invasive disease.

DNR and MDARD encourage monitoring for any signs of the disease. If you suspect you have found a symptomatic tree, take one or more photos of the infested tree, including close-ups of affected leaves; note the location, date and time; and report it in one of the following ways:

DNR Forest Health Division: Email DNR-FRD-Forest-Health@Michigan.gov or call 517-284-5895.

Use the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN) online reporting tool.

Download the MISIN smartphone app and report from your phone – MISIN.MSU.edu/apps/.

For more information on beech leaf disease and other species on Michigan’s watch list, visit Michigan.gov/Invasives.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Be Aware of Dive Flags When Boating; Give Scuba Divers Space

What should you do if you see a red and white flag floating on the surface of a body of water? You should be aware that the flag means that a scuba diver is beneath the water and you need to give them some space.

Boaters need to be especially cautious and stay at least 100 feet away from the dive flag when boating in a river, channel, or inlet. Stay at least 300 feet away from the dive flag if boating in open water.

Divers could be doing anything from repairing underwater structures, to recovering lost items, to exploring the underwater world recreationally. Divers are trained to surface within 100 feet of the flag. The dive flag is placed in the water before scuba divers go under the water and removed once they get out.

Scuba divers can often be found near break walls in the St. Clair River, but they could also be in open water. Bubbling at the water’s surface is another clue, besides the flag, that there is a scuba diver at work or play beneath the water.

First responders also have teams that are trained for underwater operations.

Be aware of Dive Flags, keep your watercraft away from the area, and enjoy the water.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Operation Transformation Getting New Executive Director

Operation Transformation is getting a new Executive Director, and his ties to the Blue Water area and the organization are strong. Rev. Dr. Andrew Seppo will be taking over for his father, Rev. Dr. Tom Seppo, when Tom retires from his position on July 14, 2022.

Andrew was born and raised in Port Huron, and he is currently working as a chiropractor in Holland, Michigan with his wife, Caitlyn who is also a chiropractor. Caitlyn will be working alongside Andrew as Operation Transformation’s Executive Assistant which is the role, Tom’s wife, Brenda, has been filling for many years.

Andrew Seppo is a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University, Life University, and he is a Licensed Minister through Christ For the Nations. Tom and Brenda Seppo plan to continue serving Operation Transformation, and Tom will serve as an advisor as Andrew becomes acclimated to his new role.

There will be an open house at Operation Transformation on Thursday, September 1st from 9 AM – 4 PM for those who want to meet Andrew and Caitlyn Seppo and welcome them as leaders in Operation Transformations new chapter.

Those interested in attending the Open House can R.S.V.P. by calling O.T. at 910-966-8660 or emailing rhernandez@optrans.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Palms Road Closed for Bridge Construction

As part of the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) Rebuilding Our Bridges pilot program, construction began on the Palms Road Bridge over the Belle River on Tuesday.

The bridge was rated as in serious condition by MDOT, and it will undergo superstructure replacement and substructure patching which is projected to take around 90 days to complete. Superstructure replacement involves full removal and replacement of the bridge deck and supporting beams.

During construction on the bridge, Palms Road will be closed from Adair Road to Division Road. The posted detour routes traffic around the area via St. Clair Highway and Hessen Road.

According to Governor Whitmer’s office, MDOT will have repaired, rebuilt, or replaced over 1,200 bridges by the end of 2022.

Whitmer said, “Both my Rebuilding Michigan Plan and the bipartisan Building Michigan Together Plan are helping us build safe, reliable infrastructure that makes a difference for families and small business across the state. I hope you all like orange because you’ll be seeing a lot of cones and barrels this summer. We’re fixing our roads with the right mix and materials, so they stay fixed, without raising taxes by a cent. Let’s keep moving dirt!”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

“Kicking Abilities Aside” Kickball League Ready for Players, Sponsors

Earlier this year, we reported on a local mom trying to organize a kickball league for her son and others living with autism. A league is now officially organized and is recruiting both players and sponsors.

“Kicking Abilities Aside” is the name of the recreational kickball league specifically designed for individuals with special needs, ages 5 through adult. The family-friendly environment will bring players and families together for a fun game and socialization.

The league will have three divisions: ages 5 to 11, 12 to 17, and 18 and older. The games will be held at Lenox Township Park at 63775 Gratiot in Lenox, Michigan.

Games start on August 14th and run through September 18th with an end-of-season picnic rounding out the first year of the league on September 25th.

Cost is $25 per player. Business sponsorships are available from $50 to $500. More information can be found below.

Home

https://www.facebook.com/kickingabilitiesaside

For more information about sponsorships contact Jill Vandenabeele at (586) 531-7686 or kickingabilitiesaside@gmail.com

Sponsor form

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland