Send new stories and press releases to JP at news@wgrt.com.

Local News

SC4 Challenger Center has All-Star Lineup for April 30 Launch

The St. Clair County Community College Challenger Center is gearing up for the public launch of the facility. The founding chair, June Scobee Rodgers, Ph.D., will be featured at the April 30th kick-off.

Rodgers is the widow of Challenger Space Shuttle Commander Dick Scobee. The Center was founded in 1986 in the aftermath of the Challenger disaster.

Rodgers will be joined by former NASA astronauts Robert Curbeam, senior vice president of space capture at Maxar Technologies, and Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, earth scientist at Geosyntec Consultants, LCC.  

Dr. Deborah Snyder, president of St. Clair County Community College, said, “We are thrilled to welcome June, Robert and Dottie to campus for this event, which honors the legacy of the Challenger crew and opens the door to new and exciting immersive STEM education and engagement opportunities for Michigan and Ontario residents.”

The Challenger Center offers unique learning and team-building opportunities for students, educators, corporations, and community residents. A link can be found at WGRT.com.

To register for the April 30 event, visit challenger.sc4.edu/launch-event/. For more information and to book a Lunar Quest mission, visit challenger.sc4.edu

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Statewide Tornado Drill Cancelled

Due to the potential for severe weather this afternoon the Tornado Drill and outdoor siren testing has been CANCELLED.

The outdoor sirens are routinely tested on the first Monday of each month at 1:00 PM.

In the event of severe weather, siren activation for a steady three (3) minutes means a tornado warning has been issued for our area; and residents should tune to local media for specific information regarding severe weather and additional instructions.

Residents can find more information on how to stay safe during severe thunderstorms and tornados at www.ready.gov

Time to Nominate Your Favorite Port Huron Schools Staff for Awards

For its seventh year, Port Huron Schools launches its district-wide staff award campaign and is requesting nominations for Advocator, Innovator and Educator of the Year. Anyone in the Port Huron community can complete the brief nomination form on www.phasd.us and specify the particular area of excellence for the individual they are recognizing. 

Port Huron Schools Superintendent Theo Kerhoulas encourages parents, students and fellow educators to nominate someone they feel is deserving of this accolade and who exhibits the best in our district’s mission actions. 

The deadline for nominations is Friday, April 22. Winners will be surprised in their classrooms during National Teacher Appreciation Week, which is May 2 to 6, 2022. 

Port Huron Schools has proudly partnered in this endeavor since it began with DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Port Huron. The hotel has generously provided the winners a one-night stay at the hotel. This year Meijer in Fort Gratiot has provided gift certificates that will be drawn from nominations and given to the winners. Classic Nails in downtown Port Huron will also be providing manicures for the winners. 

2021 winners: 

Advocator – Laura Nesbitt, Counselor, Fort Gratiot Middle School 

Innovator – Mark Repp, District Technology Trainer, Technology Integration Spec.

Educator – Sarah Miller, Special Education Teacher, Early Childhood Center 

Submitted by Port Huron Schools

Diane Bedore Receives Award from Woman’s Life Insurance Society

St. Clair, Michigan resident, Diane Bedore, was recognized at Woman’s Life Insurance Society’s 2021 Individual Producer of the Year.

Bedore has won the award several years in a row due to her success as an Individual Producer, or sales person of Woman’s Life Insurance Society life insurance plans and annuities.

Woman’s Life Insurance Society was founded in Port Huron in 1892 by Bina M. West, a school teacher from Capac who wanted to help women achieve financial security for themselves and their families. Woman’s Life was one of the first organizations in the U.S. to offer life insurance to women.

After receiving the award, Bedore said, “When I began working for Woman’s Life, I believed strongly in Bina’s vision, and have promoted her beliefs throughout my career. I also believe in continued education in order to present current knowledge in an ever-changing environment. I am committed to providing Woman’s Life members the very best service – because our members deserve the very best.”

Woman’s Life National President Christopher J. Martin said, “I congratulate Diane Bedore on this well-deserved award. Throughout her long-term relationship with Woman’s Life, Diane has consistently achieved high production levels because she is committed to helping Woman’s Life members build and enjoy financial security.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

SC4 Plans Arab American History Month Presentation

St. Clair County Community College is looking ahead to April with the announcement of an Arab American History Month Presentation.

SC4’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will be hosting David Serio of the Arab American National Museum on April 21st from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Fine Arts Theater on the Port Huron campus. Registration has begun.

Serio is an Education and Public Programming Specialist with the Arab American National Museum. He will be leading explorations of the history, culture, and immigration of Arab Americans to the United States.

Those who attend will learn about ethnic and religious diversity in the Arab community and analyze stereotypes.

The Arab American National Museum is located in Dearborn, Michigan. The Museum is devoted to “documenting and sharing Arab American contributions that shaped the economic, political and cultural landscapes of American life.”

To register, please fill in the online form at: https://sc4.edu/offic…/news-and-events/event-registration/ or email dei@sc4.edu. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

DNR Reminds that Finding Dead Fish is Normal in the Spring

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has issued its annual reminder that there is no need to panic if you find dead fish in local waterways. Fish kills are common during the spring thaw.

Gary Whelan, DNR Fisheries Division Research manager said, “Winterkill is the most common type of fish kill. As the season changes, it can be particularly common in shallow lakes, ponds, streams and canals. These kills are localized and typically do not affect the overall health of the fish populations or fishing quality.”

If you suspect that there is another reason for a die-off of fish, of course, give the DNR a call, but most of the time, finding a dead fish, turtle, frog, toad, or crayfish is more a part of the circle of life in Michigan than it is an environmental concern.

Shallow water with excess aquatic vegetation and soft bottoms tend to lead to fish kill. Sometimes the dead aquatic life is not noticed until spring when things thaw out and become more visible.

For more information on fish kills in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/Fishing. The public is welcome to report fish kills at Michigan.gov/EyesInTheField; such reports are valuable to the DNR’s ability to manage the state’s aquatic resources. If you suspect a fish kill is due to non-natural causes, call the nearest DNR office or Michigan’s Pollution Emergency Alert System at 800-292-4706.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland