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Local News

Cynthia Cutright City of Port Huron

Cynthia Cutright Promoted to Special Projects Coordinator

Cynthia Cutright has been working hard in her role as Downtown Development Authority Director to keep events and activities around Port Huron safe and fun. Now she gets to use her gifts in a new position as Special Projects Coordinator in the office of Port Huron City Manager James Freed.

Cutright has been busy innovating ways that downtown events and spaces could be used safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has worked with downtown business owners to organize Shop, Rock & Stroll, a weekly night of music, art, and shopping, and she has also led the efforts to create the pocket parks and utilize outdoor spaces throughout downtown.

The new position of Special Projects Coordinator will capitalize on Cutright’s organizational strengths that she’s proven while managing events such as Bluewater Fest, Art Hop, and ChillyFest while also giving her new opportunities to work on administering American Rescue Plan funds and future workforce housing initiatives in the city.

City Manager James Freed said, “Cynthia is one of the most talented, dynamic and proven leaders I have worked with. She has done an extraordinary job leading the DDA these last few years, especially during the unique challenges COVID-19 presented. The Department Heads and I look forward to putting her talents and skills to good use on a much broader scale.”

In response to her promotion, Cutright said, “It’s been a wonderful opportunity to serve the DDA and the downtown business community. I am proud of the progress we have made and look forward to this new opportunity to serve our residents and community,”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Don’t Forget the Area Code; 10-Digit Dialing has Begun

The 10-digit telephone dialing requirement started on October 24th. If your calls are not going through as planned, make sure you are dialing the area code for every call.

The new requirement affects customers in Michigan’s 616, 810, 906, and 989 area codes. All 10 digits are now needed for local calls. The reason for the change is to make it possible for critical calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to go through to the 988 hotline, which will be rolled out in July of 2022. In the meantime, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline remains 1-800-273-TALK.

Not only does the change affect everyday phone calls and contact lists, but it has important implications for equipment such as life safety systems or medical monitoring devices, and security alarms. Things like call forwarding, voicemail, speed dialers, and other functions could also require updating.

Telephone numbers will remain the same, as will the price of calls, coverage area, and other rates and services. Local calls are still local calls, even with the added three digits.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Calendar for Sale to Benefit Art on the River

The Citizens for a Vibrant Community group has released the 2022 Blue Water Area Calendar. Proceeds from sales of the calendar go toward the Art on the River event, which is a free art and music festival held during the second weekend of June each year, in Downtown Port Huron.

This year’s calendar features scenes from the Blue Water Area. Twenty-five photographers submitted photos and thirteen were chosen for the calendar.

Citizens for a Vibrant Community President Trina Avedisian said that the calendar is sold all over the country and Canada and is considered a collector’s item by some.

This is the 7th year in which the calendar has been offered.

The calendars can be purchased at Wolverine Market Port Huron and Marysville, Uniquely Me Boutique, Border Keep Games, and Thumb Coast CBD. There is also a link at CVCPH.org for purchasing the calendar. The cost is a $6 donation.

Art on the River features local artists, crafters, and bands. The family-friendly event also has workshops, food, and a variety of entertainment.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Motto Mortgage Forefront Hosting Food Drive

Motto Mortgage Forefront is taking steps to support the Food Depot and help end hunger in America.  They will be holding a  food drive from November 5 – 15th at their office at 3115 Lapeer Road in Port Huron.

The food drive is part of the nationwide Motto Mortgage Mission Against Hunger program. Scott Beedon, Broker Owner of Motto Mortgage Forefront, said, “Mission Against Hunger is about helping and feeding our neighbors. It’s a distressing fact that, according to Feeding America, more than 37 million Americans struggle with hunger, and 11 million children worry about how they’ll get their next meal.”

Beedon says he and his team wanted to do something about it. Along with the food drive, loan originators at Motto Mortgage Forefront, Justin & Jessica, help their home-buying clients donate food during their moves. Instead of throwing food out to avoid moving it, clients can fill up bags provided by Motto Mortgage Forefront and staff will deliver them to the Food Depot.

“We know that the needs of customers, partners and communities go beyond home loans. The Motto Mortgage Mission Against Hunger was founded as a way for the Motto nationwide network to give back to the communities they serve every day,” said Beedon.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

CMH Offers Blue Pumpkin Buckets for Kids on Autism Spectrum

Halloween is right around the corner and all the planning for the perfect night of fun has begun. St. Clair County Community Mental Health is offering support for parents of children on the autism spectrum who might have a hard time meeting the social expectations that go along with the celebration.

Adults often set expectations for children to say something like “Trick or Treat” in exchange for candy. But for kids on the spectrum, it might not be possible. Blue pumpkin buckets are an easy way for those handing out candy or otherwise interacting with children to know to take it easy on the child with the bucket. The child may be non-verbal or might be overwhelmed by the sensory overload of costumes, lights, and crowds.

Community Mental Health offers an Autism Support Group that provides a judgment-free place for caregivers to network and access resources. The group is open to any caregiver of individuals diagnosed to be on the autism spectrum. The October 28th meeting will include a Halloween social story, autism pumpkin giveaways, and free blue pumpkin buckets.

Registration is required.

Register by contacting Delores Johnson at 810-488-8866 or dejohnson@scccmh.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Don’t Do Laundry During Fire Hydrant Flushing

The City of Port Huron will be flushing fire hydrants and water mains on Monday, October 25, 2021. This work will also include the winterization of the fire hydrants which has already started in the northern limits. 

All work will be done during the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:30p.m. The City does not  recommend doing laundry during these hours.

Flushing will be performed from the Black River to the southern City limits. The entire flushing program should be completed within four weeks.

If you  notice cloudy water, please run your faucet wide open for 10 to 15 minutes to clear it up. If this condition continues, call the Utilities Department at 984-9770 between 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.