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Local News

Port Huron’s Municipal Office Center and Brass Rail Both For Sale

Two downtown Port Huron landmarks are for sale. The Municipal Office Center and the Brass Rail are both available for new ownership.

The Municipal Office Center is currently home to the Port Huron Police Department and many departments of City government. The State of Michigan and Michigan Works! also have offices in the Municipal Office Center.

The riverfront office complex is listed for $5 million with Kramer Realty.

The Brass Rail, a downtown fixture since the 1930s, is also for sale. The bar has been closed since the start of the pandemic. The Brass Rail is best known as a destination during the holiday season with festive lighting and the signature “Tom and Jerry” drink. The entire business is for sale for $750,000.

Tremendous potential exists with both properties. The Municipal Office Center Property’s future would have to be approved by City Council. According to City Manager James Freed, any sale would be contingent upon a defined redevelopment agreement which will be placed on the City Council agenda for the second September meeting.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Lost Your Vaccine Record? Print it From Home with New Portal

Lost your COVID-19 Vaccine Record? No worries. Immunization records can now be accessed by individual citizens. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has launched the Michigan Immunization Portal.

Michigan adults over the age of 18 can access their immunization records online. This includes COVID-19 vaccine records.

The Michigan Care Improvement Registry, or MCIR, was previously only available to authorized users. Now, anyone can access their own personal records if they create a MILogin account and upload a valid ID. There is no cost to use the portal.

MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel said, “We want to make sure Michiganders are able to access their vaccination records as easily as possible as this is important health information. The Michigan Immunization Portal allows them to find their record from their computer or smart phone and save a copy for their records. This will also allow anyone who has misplaced their COVID-19 vaccination card to print a record of their vaccination.”

The portal is funded by CDC grant money.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Music, Art, Drama: SC4 Releases Fall Arts Schedule

Arts and culture are alive and well at St. Clair County Community College. The college has released its fall schedule and it is full of music, art, and drama.

The Free Thursday Concert Series is back on the schedule with the first show this week, Thursday, September 16th at both noon and 7:00 p.m. in the SC4 Fine Arts Theatre.

The first performance of the series is the Lexington Bach String Quartet. Other Thursday acts include David M. Fisher, pianist; Steve Wood Quartet, jazz; and Moxie Strings, Celtic and Americana music.

The Thursday shows are free. Tickets are required to reserve seats, but open seating is available 15 minutes prior to showtime until the theatre is at capacity.

Visual arts will be on display with the Collectively Independent VIII show by SC4 Art Faculty and the David Korff Timelines — Progression of a Vision show.

Vintage Hitchcock: A Radio Play will be performed Thursday, November 18th through Saturday, November 20th at 7:30 p.m. each night.

A link to the full schedule:

https://sc4.edu/sc4-sets-fall-schedule-for-art-and-performance-events/?fbclid=IwAR0G6fvfIROT8z29QCb1EjtfUCwWzezV1fJwcF6kEqsC-l2JVbSe4SEOzYs

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Days Inn Gets Another Chance to Avoid Shutdown

The City of Port Huron has changed its tune a little after red-tagging rooms and threatening to shut down the Days Inn by Wyndham Hotel on Pine Grove Avenue in Port Huron. The motel now has a little more time to clean up its act.

The Days Inn has been under intense scrutiny by both City Code Enforcement, Law Enforcement, and the neighborhood. The blighted and crime-ridden property has been given more time to get things in order and a court-ordered shutdown has been postponed.

City officials met with the owners of the Days Inn property, along with the Fire Marshall and the City Attorney, to discuss the persistent problems and to look for solutions.

City Manager James Freed reported that he believed the meeting was fruitful and the expectations were made clear. The new property owners have demonstrated a commitment to continuous improvements to the property and to their business practices.

The Days Inn has room remodeling underway and is adhering to the Consent Agreement. It is currently still red-tagged and has very low customer reviews, but the City remains hopeful that the business will be brought into compliance.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Local Heroes to be Honored at PHN Football Game

Port Huron Schools will be remembering 9-11 and the lives lost by honoring those who make a difference in our community and in our nation. Just like the New York first responders who stepped up to assist in the aftermath of the attack on the Twin Towers twenty years ago, local heroes step up every day to protect and defend their own communities.

The 9-11 Memorial Tribute will recognize local heroes during halftime at the Port Huron Northern versus Fraser Varsity football game. Local first responders, members of the armed forces, law enforcement, firefighters, and frontline medical personnel are invited to attend the game and be part of the ceremony.

Local heroes are asked to wear their uniforms to the game. They will get free admission when they show their uniform, badges, or IDs.  They should meet in the south end zone at approximately 7:45 p.m., just prior to the start of halftime.

Games are held at Memorial Stadium on 24th Street, near Port Huron High School.

Contact information for the event’s organizers:

JKASPARIAN@PHASD.US, (810) 984-2671 X1828

KBARIBEAU@PHASD.US, (810) 984-3101 X4021

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Eash and Barna Earn Police Officer of the Year Award for Lifesaving

Two Port Huron Police Officers are sharing the Police Officer of the Year Award. Sergeant Patrick Eash and Lieutenant Jason Barna were recognized at the 2021 Police Officers Association of Michigan Awards Ceremony in Grand Rapids last week.

Eash and Barna are credited with saving the life of a man trapped in a burning building. The man would have surely perished had the officers not taken extreme action.

The incident occurred in February of this year when Sergeant Eash saw smoke. He worked with Central Dispatch to find the fire and when he got there was told that there was a trapped resident inside the multi-family home on Stone Street.

Lieutenant Barna arrived on the scene and the officers were eventually able to kick in the door. They encountered heavy smoke and intense heat but persisted in searching for the man. They found him laying on the floor unconscious and risked their lives to drag him out by his feet.

The man was barely holding on to life after inhaling so much smoke. After the officers performed life-saving measures, the man was finally able to breathe on his own. He was taken to the hospital and a full recovery was expected.

Congratulations to Sergeant Patrick Eash and Lieutenant Jason Barna on their well-deserved award.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland