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

Local News

Lexington’s Music in the Park Starts Next Week

The Lexington Arts Council has been holding their Friday Music in the Park Concert Series since the beginning of July, and Dave Bennett, a crowd favorite, will take the stage at Patrick Tierney Park on August 13th at 7:30 PM.

Dave Bennett is a clarinet virtuoso and pianist who has become a favorite at Lexington’s Music in the Park with his Swing Era repertoire and rock-a-billy playlist. According to his website, “Dave’s “Rockin the ‘50s” show always brings down the house! Dave pays tribute to Jerry Lee Lewis (piano and vocals), and Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley (electric guitar and vocals).”

Concerts are free to the public and there is also a free shuttle service to and from the park with busses running continuously from many of Lexington’s churches.

Visitors can bring a lawn chair and purchase refreshments in the park, and concerts happen rain or shine.

For a full schedule of shuttles and concerts, visit the Lexington Arts Council’s website <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

New Blue Water Bridge Commuter Pass Offers Lower Toll

Crossing the Blue Water Bridge has been restricted since the start of the pandemic. There are some updates to the crossing restrictions and a new program for international commuters.

The Michigan Department of Transportation advises that travelers always check with either U.S. Customs and Border Patrol or Canada Border Services to get the latest travel rules. They should also start expecting longer wait times and congestion at the border.

Some of the changes instituted during COVID-19 restrictions have become permanent. Cash is no longer accepted for eastbound travelers. Only commercial cards, debit or credit cards, and the new Edge Commuter Pass are accepted.  

In explaining the commuter pass, Blue Water Bridge Administrator Amy Winn-VanHoeck said, “Our commuter pass program is a newer addition and one we are thrilled to now be offering our customers. The reduced toll rate using this commuter pass makes it very reasonable for customers, and the ease of using the pre-paid pass automated toll lane will help to streamline processes and offers a different method of payment now that we have opted to continue to forgo the use of cash.”

The commuter pass rate is $2.50 per non-commercial vehicle.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sarnia Police: Stop Calling 911 for Coyote Sightings

The Sarnia Police are asking residents to deal with wildlife without calling 911. There has been an increase in calls to the 911 dispatch service regarding the spotting of coyotes, deer, and raccoons.

The Sarnia Police remind residents that raccoons in the trash can or coyotes in the street do not constitute an emergency. Police will not respond to sightings of wildlife.

Police may respond if an animal is injured or acting aggressively toward humans. Sarnia Animal Control may then get involved as well.

If a wild animal is making a home in a yard or in the neighborhood, residents will need to contact a pest control company to trap and deal with the animals in an appropriate manner.

Coyotes have been of particular concern in the area, but they generally try to avoid human contact. The Sarnia Police suggest driving the coyotes away by yelling “go away” in a firm voice, banging pots, spraying a water hose, or throwing objects toward the coyote. Flashlights and motion-activated lights can also scare off coyotes.

Bears are a different story, and have been spotted in Lambton County. Bear sightings can be reported to the BearWise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Police Ask for Info on Port Huron Shooting

On August 2nd around 11:00 p.m., a 20 year old Detroit resident was sitting in a parked  vehicle on Francis Street near 15th Street when he was approached by two white males. The  victim was ordered out of his vehicle and when he failed to comply, one of the suspects  pulled out a handgun.

The victim attempted to drive away when he was fired upon by one of  the suspects. The victim’s vehicle was struck multiple times with one of the rounds entering  the passenger compartment of the vehicle, striking the victim in his foot. The victim drove  himself to the home of a relative where police and EMS were called. The victim was  transported to McLaren Port Huron with non-life threatening injuries. The suspects were last  seen fleeing the area of Francis Street and 15th Street on foot. 

If you have any information regarding this shooting or have video surveillance/Ring camera  in this area call the Port Huron Police Department Major Crimes Unit at (810) 984-5383 or  CAPTURE at (810) 987-6688.  

Anonymous texts can also be received by texting the keyword CAPTURE and the message/tip  to 847411 or by downloading the Port Huron PD app on an apple or android device. Tips can  also be emailed by clicking on the CAPTURE link at www.porthuronpolice.org. 

Submitted by Port Huron Police Department

New Online 50/50 to Support Community Needs

United Way of Sarnia-Lambton has created a new fundraiser that may appeal to lottery lovers. The 50/50 online lottery draw will allow supporters to participate in a digital drawing every month.

Everyone in Ontario can get in on the fun by visiting united5050.ca and buying digital tickets. The tickets are 3 for $10, $20 for 40 or $40 for 200.

Jason Killingsworth, President of United Way of Sarnia-Lambton, said, “The United Way team has been working to secure the lottery license for several months now and we are looking forward to raising the much-needed funds for critical services in Sarnia-Lambton. Our donors have told us that they miss their workplace
United Way 50/50’s since working from home during the pandemic. We hope these monthly draws will help to fill that void.”

United Say of Sarnia Lambton has a $1,750,000 fundraising goal for this campaign year, and they support 20 local organizations that provide 40 programs in the community. All funds raised from the monthly online 50/50 drawings will provide critical service funding to those organizations.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Museums for All Offers Reduced Admission Fees to Port Huron Museums

The Port Huron Museums are part of the Museums for All program. The program supports lowered admission rates for low-income families.

What does Museums for All mean? The initiative “encourages individuals of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum habits.” All kinds of cultural institutions are included in Museums for All, including the Thomas Edison Museum, Carnegie Center, and the Huron Lightship.

Admission to the Port Huron Museums is generally $10 per person per site or $28 for a multi-site pass. With Museums for All, tickets are just $3 per person for those who present a Bridge Card or prove eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

Museums for All allows for free or reduced admission to over 700 museums nationwide. Over 3 million visits have been facilitated by Museums for All since 2014. Museums for All was started by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a federal agency based in Washington, DC. It is administered by the Association of Children’s Museums through a cooperative agreement with IMLS.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland