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Local News

State Rep. Phil Green Announces Candidacy for New 67th District

The Michigan Independent Citizen’s Redistricting Committee has completed their work and Michigan’s politicians are quickly aligning themselves with the new districts.

State Representative Phil Green, a Republican from Tuscola County, currently represents the 84th district. Green has announced his candidacy for the newly created 67th District.

The new district includes portions of Tuscola, Lapeer, and Genesee Counties, including the city of Lapeer.

Representative Green said, “I would be an honor to represent the people of the new 67th district. As a region, many of the same issues that I have fought to resolve over the past three years are the same issues the new district also faces.”

Green continued, saying, “I look forward to continue to advocate great jobs, increasing the availability of training in the skilled trades, access to high speed internet for our rural residents, and effective health care including mental health services.” 

Green worked as a youth pastor and chaplain for the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office before being elected to the Michigan House in 2018.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Need Help Paying for College? Scholarships and Grants Available

Paying for college takes planning and preparation. Both the Community Foundation of St. Clair County and The Athletic Factory in Port Huron could be able to help.

The Community Foundation of St. Clair County has opened its 2022/2023 Scholarship Application portal on its website. Applications are due March 13th.

One application is all that is needed to apply for most of the Community Foundation Scholarships. The scholarships are for high school or GED graduates and current college students, as well as non-traditional and returning students.

The Athletic Factory is hosting a series of workshops to explain the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, and the Tuition Incentive Program, or TIP. TIP money is available to students who received Medicaid benefits for two years within a three-year period between age 9 and graduation. Completing the FAFSA is mandatory for receiving any kind of aid at most colleges. 

The workshops are held on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Athletic Factory’s location at Trinity Lutheran Church on 10th Street in Port Huron.

Visit the following links for more information on both the Community Foundation Scholarships and the FAFSA and TIP Workshops.

https://app.peachjar.com/flyers/2165604/schools/86647

https://www.stclairfoundation.org/scholarships/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Are You Part of the 2022 Wedding Boom?

COVID-19 forced a lot of people to get creative with their wedding plans, and although the virus is still affecting everyday life, service providers in the wedding industry report that 2022 will see an unprecedented increase in weddings.

WeddingWire.com shares several helpful tips for those planning a wedding in 2022 and beyond, including booking vendors early and preparing for higher costs.  They also recommend flexibility on dates, notifying your guests early, and being patient with your vendors.

As St. Clair County vendors prepare for an increase in weddings, they are also continuing to adjust to the effects of COVID on their businesses and staff. Good communication is key to making sure services are clearly defined, and getting quotes in writing will help avoid confusion and conflict.

The WGRT Bridal Show on January 9th at Alexanders’ Premier Banquet Facility is a great place to meet local wedding vendors and plan for your future life.

Tickets are available for $5 each on EventBrite <HERE>, and engaged couples will be able to explore almost 40 vendors showcasing floral arrangements, event spaces, dresses and tuxedos, wedding photos, and more.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Bob McCormick New Owner of Conner Street Pub

Conner Street Pub on the south end of Port Huron has a new owner, and he’s no stranger to the restaurant business. Bob McCormick, current owner of Big Boy Ft. Gratiot, became the new owner and reopened the restaurant as McCormick’s Conner Street Pub this month.

McCormick has been part of the restaurant industry since he was a teenager working at local places such as Burger Chef and the Fogcutter. He was also a regional director for the Big Boy corporation for many years.  In his role as regional director, he opened Big Boy restaurants in Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Thailand.

When asked why he decided to buy Conner Street Pub, McCormick said, “I started eating here, and my favorite thing was the wings. When I found out it was for sale, I checked into it.”

McCormick updated the menu but kept the Irish theme. “We increased the dinner menu by 75-80%,” he said. They also decided to keep the Irish egg rolls, and McCormick said fans can rest assured that they are made the same way.

All of the staff from Conner Street Pub stayed on to launch McCormick’s Conner Street Pub, and past owner, Dino Tata, has been a huge help getting McCormick acclimated to the new restaurant.

“Dino stopped by today to see how I was doing and ask if I had any questions or needed help with anything. So it was a great transition, and he was a great guy to deal with,” said McCormick.

McCormick’s Conner Street Pub also features a banquet room that holds 75 people, and they provide catering services for pick-up or delivery as well. Prices and menus are available online, and they are booking reservations for parties now.

The pub will also be hosting fun events for the community. A welcome karaoke party is planned for Friday, January 7th at 8:30 PM, and a comedy show is scheduled in the banquet room Saturday, January 29th. Tickets are $20 and available online at: www.mikeballdotcom.com

Learn more at https://www.mccormicksconnerstreetpub.com/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

U of M’s Harbaugh Gets Commemorative Bobblehead

Did you know there was a National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum? There is, and they just released a limited edition bobblehead that University of Michigan football fans may be really excited about.

The Jim Harbaugh bobblehead was released by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum last week, just ahead of the Wolverine’s win at the Orange Bowl on December 31, 2021.

Harbaugh just completed his 7th season as U of M football coach, and it was his most successful season yet. The team is headed to the College Football Playoff National Championship game in Indianapolis on January 10, 2022.

The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it features the world’s largest collection of bobbleheads. The range of bobbleheads is extensive, including famous figures from sports, politics, and pop culture.

Featured products on their website showcase bobbleheads of Bernie Sanders, The Golden Girls, and the main characters from Home Alone.

You can find the Jim Harbaugh bobblehead, manufactured by FOCO, at www.BobbleheadHall.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

State AG Reinforces Stiff Penalties for School Threats

Making a threat against a school to get a day off could end with a lot of days off – in jail. Michigan Attorney General released a video explaining the consequences of making threats, whether real or fake.

Nessel said, “Local law enforcement agencies have reported threats on social media that number in the hundreds within their own communities. As a result, kids in our state have missed valuable days of instruction as school administrators are forced to close buildings to keep kids safe.”

Explaining the penalties that can be levied when the perpetrators get caught, Nessel said, “Whether these are real threats made by those intent on doing harm or pranks made by kids trying to get a day off, they are real crimes with real consequences.” 

According to state law, communicating a threat of terrorism is a 20-year felony. Calling in a bomb threat is a 4-year felony and using a phone to make a threat is a 6-month misdemeanor, with more possible charges for each threat against a school employee or student.

The video can be viewed on the Department of Attorney General’s YouTube page. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland