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Local News

Natacha Hayden Named New DDA Director

Natacha Hayden has worked in downtown Port Huron for 13 years, most recently as the Marketing Specialist for McMorran Place & Parks & Recreation. Now, she has been named the next Downtown Development Authority Director for the City of Port Huron.

Hayden has been working with downtown businesses as she managed events and programming for McMorran and Parks & Rec, and it gave her plenty of time to get to develop relationships.

“This time working with these business leaders and entrepreneurs has given me good insight on the needs for downtown, both infrastructure- and economic development-wise,” said Hayden.

According to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), a Downtown Development Authority’s focus is to improve downtown districts and be a catalyst for new developments. As DDA Director, Hayden will work directly with the City Manager James Freed on existing and future projects that would benefit Downtown Port Huron.

In a press release, Freed said, “We are at a critical moment for downtown. We have a lot of projects going and new investment. These developments, coupled with our emergence from the COVID pandemic, required someone for this position that could hit the ground running. Mrs. Hayden has played a huge role in downtown and was a key player in the McMorran turnaround.”

Hayden starts her new position on Monday, December 6, 2021, taking over for Cynthia Cutright who was promoted to Special Projects Coordinator for the City of Port Huron. Hayden said, “I love downtown, it’s the heart of our city. Being able to begin my career, complete my education, and then have the opportunity to serve the community I love is very exciting.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

No Car Insurance? Time is Running Out to Get it Penalty-Free

Driving without auto insurance is illegal, but it’s a reality for a lot of drivers for a variety of reasons. Those who have been driving while uninsured can take advantage of Michigan’s uninsured motorist amnesty period to get legally insured without penalty fees..

The grace period expires on January 1st of 2022. Over 100,000 people have been able to get insurance penalty-free since the program began.

Anita Fox, Director of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services said, “Prior to the amnesty period, drivers who had let their insurance lapse faced potentially expensive penalties and fees if they later tried to purchase an auto insurance policy.”

Fox said that the amnesty period ensures that those fees will not be charged if the driver applies for a policy before the January 1, 2022 deadline. She said that now is the time to shop for insurance because, after the deadline, those penalty fees can once again be charged.

Twenty percent of Michigan drivers were estimated to be driving uninsured in 2019, often because they can’t afford insurance. The Detroit area has had the highest rates in the nation, but there have been some rate reductions since the passing of the bipartisan Michigan auto insurance reform law.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Plenty of Winter Fun Planned by Port Huron Recreation

Port Huron’s Recreation Department has a winter full of fun on tap for all ages. The 2022 Winter Events and Programs publication has been released and there is a lot going on.

Lunches for senior citizens are back at Palmer Park. The site is a congregate meal site for the St. Clair County Council on Aging. Lunches are served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

There is also the “Oldies Get Goodies” program that delivers “Goodie Bags” to local seniors.

The Recreation Department is hoping for snow and cold with Sledfest on the calendar for January 22nd and the ice rinks at Lincoln and Palmer Parks are open for skaters once the ice freezes.

There are also the usual sports offerings like dance, fencing, drums alive, and karate. Tennis is also offered this year.

Registration begins December 16th for Port Huron residents and December 17th for non-residents. There are scholarship opportunities available.

Looking ahead to summer, registration for Camp Palmer, the summer day camp, begins February 28th for returning families.

A link to the full brochure can be found below.

https://www.porthuronrec.com/_files/ugd/fc6623_35d656b5e3d34091a236a61cec431e18.pdf

Historic Michigan License Plate Now Available

The “Water-Winter Wonderland” license plate is the newest addition to the Michigan Secretary of State’s License Plate Store.

Listed under the “Standard Plates” section of the online store, the “Water-Winter Wonderland” plate is here to bring back an old favorite.

According to the website, the plate was first issued in 1965 and was among the first license plates made of galvanized steel. The current version of the plate is a dark, navy blue with yellow lettering, and it’s made of rust-resistant aluminum.

The cost of ordering the new plate is $5, and you can have it personalized for an additional $15 on top of regular renewal or new license plate fees.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson remarked on the historical significance of the plate that was used in the year the National Voting Rights Act became law. She said, “I am proud to give Michiganders back a longtime favorite license plate that also marks a critical moment in the history of our nation’s democracy. In 1965, we worked together as a nation to protect and advance voting rights in pursuit of a more perfect union, just as today we must come together as a nonpartisan, pro-democracy coalition to protect and advance our elections.”

To learn more, visit the SOS website <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Port Huron Double Shooting Suspect Arraigned

Port Huron, MI — The suspect of the November 2021 shooting in the East Quay Street parking lot was arraigned on multiple charges December 1, 2021. Marcel Lamar Woods, a 30 year old Clinton Township man, faces eight counts total including two counts of Assault with Intent to Murder.

The shooting took place in the area around the East Quay Street parking lot which is between Fort Street and Michigan Street in Port Huron. The lot provides parking for those attending popular downtown restaurants such as Wings Etc., The Vintage, The Roach Bar, and Lynch’s Irish Tavern.

According to a press release from the Port Huron Police Department, Woods is accused of shooting from a vehicle at cars, building, and people on the evening of November 14, 2021.

During the incident, police say both Woods and an innocent bystander were injured, and “[T]he person who fired at Marcel Woods was identified as a 23 year old make Port Huron resident who was legally armed and appears to have acted in self-defense when he was shot at by Woods.”

The innocent bystander was a 23 year old Clyde Township resident who was treated and released from McLaren Port Huron Huron for a gunshot wound to his legs.

Marcel Lamar Woods was arraigned in 72nd District Court by the Honorable Judge Mona Armstrong on two counts each of Assault with Intent to Murder and Felony Firearm, and once count each of Discharging a Firearm at a Building, Discharging a Firearm from a Vehicle, and Possession of a Weapon by a Felon, and Possession of Ammunition by a Felon. His bond was set at $1 million, and his Probable Cause Conference is set for December 14, 2021.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

Vaccinated Canadians Don’t Need COVID Test for Short Trips

Sarnia, Ontario — This week marked the start of new travel guidelines for Canadians or those who have right of entry who make a short trip to the U.S. by land or air.

Canadian citizens, permanent residents, those registered under the Indian Act, and their children under 12 who are fully vaccinated, can travel to the U.S. and forgo the pre-entry COVID-19 test if they return to Canada within 72 hours.

Canadians are considered fully vaccinated if they are 14 days out from completing a series of an accepted vaccine. They must also be symptom free.

This opens the possibility for trips to the states to shop, dine, or fuel up their vehicles.

While COVID cases remain relatively low in Sarnia with Lambton Public Health reporting 40 active cases as of December 1st, the active case count in St. Clair County was 4,143 cases.

The St. Clair County Health Department is currently recommending masking in public along with all other safety measures encouraged during the pandemic.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand