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Local News

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

Ducks Unlimited, DNR, Audubon Work to Enhance St. Clair Flats

The St. Clair Flats area, located in the southern tip of St. Clair County, is home to a diverse bird species and is a destination for kayakers and canoers who want to view the interesting wildlife. The area is getting revitalized with the cooperation of Ducks Unlimited, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and Audubon Great Lakes.

Kali Rush, Michigan Regional Biologist for Ducks Unlimited said, “As society develops more and more of our landscape, natural areas such as St. Clair Flats take on an even greater importance for people and wildlife. We are proud to work with the DNR and Audubon on public lands that are so close to Metro Detroit and in the middle of a major bird migratory route.”

The wetlands not only serve as a habitat for birds but prevent flooding and filter water. Agencies have already been working on improving the 2600 acres of wetlands, but the next phase includes replacing water-management infrastructure to better control water levels and improve habitat on 1500 acres of wetlands on Harsens Island.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

DTF Arrests More Drug Dealers

The St. Clair County Drug Task Force was again busy the past week, concluding four investigations, seizing drugs and guns and making several arrests.

On April 25th at about 11:00 p.m., a search warrant was executed at the Clair Inn on Gratiot Blvd. in Marysville.  During a search of the room, members of the DTF located and seized methamphetamine, cocaine, drug packaging materials, scales and cash.  A 61 year old man from Marysville was arrested, along with a 39 year old woman from Port Huron.  They face charges including possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of cocaine.  The Marysville Police Department assisted in the investigation.

On April 27th at about 8:00 p.m., the DTF served a warrant at a residence in the 5300 block of Griswold in Kimball Township.  Once inside the home, methamphetamine was confiscated, along with 8 firearms, cash and digital scales.  A 49 year old man and 33 year old woman, both from Kimball Township were arrested and lodged at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center.  They face charges including possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and operating a drug house.  Marysville Police also assisted in the investigation.

The DTF continued with their sweep later on the 27th.  At about 11:00 p.m. located a vehicle believed to be involved in the sales of methamphetamine in the Port Huron area.  A traffic stop was conducted at 17th Street and Lapeer in the city of Port Huron.  During a search, methamphetamine was located and seized, along with packaging materials, scales and cash.  A handgun was taken from one of the suspects, a 31 year old man from Port Huron.  Both he and another 31 year old Port Huron man were arrested and lodged at the IDC.  They face charges including possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, carrying a concealed weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, felony firearm and being a habitual offender.

The Drug Task Force conducted another investigation into the sales of crack cocaine the Port Huron area.  At about 5:00 p.m. on April 28th, members of the Drug Task Force located the target of their investigation, a 39 year old Port Huron man.  He was stopped as he was exiting Birchwood Mall.  During a subsequent search of his vehicle, a large amount of crack cocaine and cash were seized.  At the same time, other members of the DTF executed a search warrant at his residence in the 1300 block of Thomson Avenue in Port Huron.  More crack cocaine was located and seized, along with methamphetamine and fentanyl.  The suspect faces charges including possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and fentanyl and being a habitual 4th offender.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force