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Local News

Visit Santa Virtually for a Good Cause

A local Santa is getting ready to virtually visit with kids this holiday season to support the St. Clair County Child Abuse & Neglect Council.

Joe Bixler, a long-time Port Huron resident and supporter of many non-profits, will encourage donations to the organization in exchange for a Zoom meeting with Santa.

Families can schedule their video call by emailing Joe at jbixler4227@gmail.com or sending him a message on Facebook. Visits will start the day after Thanksgiving and are between 6-9 PM on weekdays and vary on weekends.

Once you get an appointment scheduled, kids simply have to log on to the link provided in their confirmation email and enjoy their virtual visit with Santa.

To make a donation to the St. Clair County Child Abuse & Neglect Council in honor of this project, visit www.sccstopchildabuse.org and make a donation noting “Santa Visit” in the special instructions.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Festival of Trees Starts on Thanksgiving

From Thanksgiving day until the New Year, the main floor public areas of McLaren Port Huron hospital will display the McLaren Port Huron Foundation’s 33rd Annual Festival of Trees.

The public will be able to view the displays by visiting the South, North, and Karmanos lobbies or by driving by the main entrance to see the displays through the windows.

As an added feature this year, there will also be displays in 9 Downtown Port Huron businesses. Decorated trees from all locations will be raffled off, and the proceeds will be used for a new Breast Biopsy System that will benefit patients.

Starting Wednesday, November 24th through Tuesday, December 21st, you can purchase raffle tickets for trees online at www.mclaren.org/phfestival. Tickets are $1 each, and all proceeds benefit the McLaren Port Huron Foundation.

Sara Tait, Director of McLaren Port Huron Foundation, said, “Now more than ever, we are grateful for the support of our community. We find comfort and encouragement knowing this community cares about and supports our mission. We feel it is important to keep the Christmas spirit alive and hope our community will support this annual tradition.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Bridge Cards to Get November Increase

The 700,000 Michigan households that use Bridge Cards to buy groceries will be seeing another increase in their monthly benefits. Cards will be loaded with the additional money, a separate payment from the November payment, by November 23rd.

Some families have been receiving increases since April 2020. The money is automatically loaded onto the cards. No additional application for benefits is necessary.

The increase is at least $95 monthly, depending on family size. A family of four’s maximum food benefit is $835 per month on the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The USDA estimates that a realistic budget for a family of four is around $892 per month.

Federal approval is needed for every month that the additional benefits are added. The added food security measures are funded by the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

In announcing the approval of the monthly application, Governor Gretchen Whitmer said that making life easier for Michigan families is her top priority.

Federally funded food benefits reach around 1.26 million individuals in Michigan.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Discovery City Provides Family Fun in Port Huron

Discovery City at the Port Huron Museums Carnegie Center offers a child-sized adventure around the Port Huron area, and families can book spots for themselves, groups, and birthday parties.

Since the exhibit opened in September, 825 kids have visited Discovery City to play in it’s scaled-down versions of Pine Grove Park, the St. Clair County Library, and McMorran Auditorium.

Due to a partnership with the James C. Acheson Foundation, families that receive EBT assistance can visit the exhibit for free.

Port Huron Museum Executive Director Veronica Campbell said, “It is great to have so many children visiting the museum and exploring the exhibit. We hope that more people will take advantage of the EBT/Bridge card opportunity and we look forward to continuing to share this with special exhibit with our local families.”

Visits to Discovery City last 1 hour and 15 minutes, and are scheduled and spaced out so the staff can clean the exhibit between sessions.

Cost is $5 per child or $15 for a family with 3 or more children, and tickets can be purchased online at the Port Huron Museum’s website <HERE>.  Adults must supervise kids at all times while they play and enjoy Discovery City.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

New Laws Make Changes to Vehicle Registration

Michigan drivers will soon have the option to renew their vehicle registrations for two years at a time. House Bill 4177 was signed into law last week giving vehicle owners the choice of one or two years.

Senate Bill 220 was also signed into law, giving no-cost registration for some agricultural and industrial vehicles. The bill amends the Michigan Vehicle Code to require the Secretary of State to provide a system under which special vehicle registrations related to certain agricultural or wood harvesting operations could be renewed at no additional charge.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said, “HB 4117 will add yet another convenient service to our catalog and, while not implementable as written, SB 220 will be beneficial once the Legislature requires insurance companies to provide the Department with electronic access to their policies for agricultural vehicles.” 

Drivers will be able to get a two-year recreation passport with their two-year registration if they choose. Registrations will still expire on vehicle owners’ birthdays.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

HHH to Celebrate 10 Years with Open House Dec. 7

Hunter Hospitality House is recognizing ten years of serving the community on December 7th and is inviting the public to an Open House at their newest property, the Family House.

The Open House will be at the newly opened Family House located at 1015 Vanderburgh Place in Port Huron, near Lake Huron Medical Center. The house is available for families to use for lodging while loved ones are receiving care at either of Port Huron’s medical centers.

Over the past ten years, the non-profit has registered over 2,000 guests into its three properties.

In congratulating founders Jeff and Tracy Willard on their 10-year anniversary, Thelma Castillo, President & CEO of the Blue Water Area Chamber said, “Hunter Hospitality House provides a great service to people who may be dealing with a stressful medical situation. They make everything easier for a family that may be worrying about a loved one and they can focus on the loved one and not worry about driving back and forth from their home to the hospital.”

Castillo will be making a presentation at the Open House, which falls on what would be the 30th birthday of the late Hunter Willard, after whom the houses are named, and the inspiration for the venture.

The Open House will be held from 3-5 p.m. with the Chamber Presentation at 4 p.m. Donations will be accepted.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland