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Local News

Roy Klecha Retires from Northstar Bank Board of Directors

Northstar Bank has announced the retirement of a longtime member of its Board of Directors. Roy Klecha is wrapping up his 47-year career in the banking industry.

Klecha started at Commercial and Savings Bank in 1974. He served as President of Seaway Community Bank since it started in 2001 and served as the CEO of Northstar Bank from 2013 to 2016. He served on the Board of Directors since 2001.

Along with being a leader in regional banking, Klecha served the Algonac Rotary Club, Community Foundation of St. Clair County, St. Clair County Blue Meets Green, St. Clair Downtown Development Authority, St. Clair Theatre Guild, St. John River District Hospital, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and United Way of St. Clair County.

Debbie Cunningham, President and CEO of Northstar Bank said, “We celebrate and thank Roy for his 20+ years of service and invaluable contributions. Roy’s dedication to our customers, community, and Northstar Bank has been nothing short of extraordinary.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Five Green Guardians to Be Recognized at St. Clair County Earth Fair

The 2022 Green Guardians have been announced. Green Guardians are those who work to enhance, preserve, and protect the natural environment in the Blue Water Area.

The winners are Jan Vincent of Lavender Creek Farm, LLC; Don Strauss of the St. Paul Lutheran Community Garden; Mike Shuler, a volunteer with the Blue Water Conservation District’s Spring Tree Sale; The Richmond Schools Lee Elementary Green Club; and the Memphis Elementary School Makerspace/STEAM Lab.

Melissa Kivel, a member of the Earth Fair committee, said, “We’re proud to formally recognize and celebrate the work being done by these people to clean up and support our local natural resources. Our community is a cleaner, healthier home for both humans and wildlife because of these environmental superheroes.”  

The winners will be recognized during the 2022 St Clair County Earth Fair at Goodells County Park on April 29th and 30th. The Green Guardians Award started in 2017.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Public Invited to St. Clair County Master Plan Visioning Meetings

St. Clair County is getting started on drafting a new Master Plan, and the public is asked to join in the discussion with visioning meetings.

There are three meetings coming up in which county residents can have their voices heard and let county leaders know what is important to them. The Master Plan is a long-range plan to guide the future growth and development of St. Clair County.

The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 26th at the Fort Gratiot Municipal Center. The second meeting will be held at the Clay Township Hall on Thursday, April 28th, and the third meeting will be held on May 4th at the Goodells County Park Community Center.

All three meetings are held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.  It is not necessary to RSVP.

The St. Clair County Metropolitan Planning Commission periodically revises the Master Plan to adjust for changing demographics, economic factors, and public input. St. Clair County is home to about 160,000 people.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

New Theatre District Festival June 3-5 Celebrates Local Theatre

Local theatre is alive and well in Port Huron. To celebrate the love of live shows and the talent that brings the shows to life, Port Huron’s Downtown Development Authority is creating a Theatre District and kicking off the idea with a Theatre District Festival.

The Theatre District Festival will be held June 3rd through 5th in Downtown Port Huron.

The three theaters that are part of the “District” are the Citadel Stage, the home of Enter Stage Right; McMorran Place, the home of Port Huron Civic Theatre; and the St. Clair County Community College Fine Arts Theatre, the home of the SC4 Players.

The Festival will feature art vendors, outdoor entertainment, and of course theatrical performances, along with music and dancing. Vendors will be placed along Bard Street and Superior Street to connect the three theaters.

Artists and vendors are being recruited now. 

For vendor signup go here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScrYIgYDzjGIsP-o34yixiA-lNY4T-zPQfn38DJr3aZX1WFFQ/viewform

To learn more about the theatre district visit their website here:

https://www.phtd.org/

Don’t Prune Oak Trees April 15th to July 15th

Step away from the chainsaw. It’s the wrong time of year to cut oak trees. Oak wilt is a serious disease that can devastate red oak and white oak trees and pruning oak trees can spread the disease.

James Wieferich, forest health specialist in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Forest Resources Division, warns, “The guidelines against pruning oak trees during this time are designed to help prevent the spread of this tree-killing disease to new areas. Once oak wilt gets started, it is expensive to successfully manage and will kill all nearby red oaks over time, if untreated.”

April 15th to July 15th is the highest risk period for the spread of oak wilt. The fungal disease can be spread quickly by beetles carrying spores of the fungus from tree to tree, using the wounds from pruning or storm damage.

Oak wilt presents as wilting from the top down and losing leaves. It spreads quickly and can take out a whole crop of oaks in a short amount of time.

If you suspect oak wilt on your property, you should contact the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

LINK Summer Program Links Teen Volunteers with Woodlands Students

The LINK Summer Program is looking for students who have an interest in working in a classroom at Woodlands Developmental Center over the summer. The LINK Program gives interested 7th-12th graders hands-on experience working with students living with developmental disabilities.

The student volunteers will be “Linked” with the Woodlands students to help them learn independence skills and socialization.

After some training sessions, LINK volunteers will work Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays through July and into August. Participants will get a free t-shirt and lanyard.

LINK can build valuable experience and career exploration for those thinking of a career in teaching, social work, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, or the medical field. Community service hours can be earned through the program.

The application process includes an essay and a letter of recommendation. Applications are due by May 16th.

For more information, call or email Chelsey Hull, School Social Worker, at 810-455-4366 or hull.chelsey@sccresa.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland