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

Local News

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

Lake Bonisteel Music Association Fest at Pine Grove Park August 7th

A popular summer tradition in the Blue Water Area, the BlueChiliGrass Festival, is off the calendar for another year, but a new tradition is getting started. The Lake Bonisteel Music Association, which put on BlueChiliGrass, is hosting a music festival this weekend, Saturday, August 7th, from noon to 8:00 p.m. at Pine Grove Park.

LBMA Fest is family-friendly and will feature live music. Right now, there are nine musical acts on the playlist. There will also be arts and craft vendors.

Food and non-alcoholic beverage vendors will be on site. All that guests need to bring is a lawn chair. Entrance to the music festival is free.

In addition to hearing a variety of music in one of the most beautiful settings in Port Huron, Pine Grove Park, there will be an instrument “petting zoo” where kids can try out different musical instruments.

The Lake Bonisteel Music Association promotes cultural activities in the Blue Water Area with a focus on arts and music. The association has been hosting family-friendly cultural events since 2011. A link to their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LakeBonisteelMusic/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

McMorran Shows Are Back!

August is shaping up to be the month where things start to feel back to normal at McMorran Place. The Miss Michigan USA and Miss Michigan Teen USA pageants will hit the stage in the theater this Friday and Saturday, and there are several shows planned for the rest of the month.

Live theater lovers can catch the Port Huron Civic Theatre’s production of Cry-Baby the Musical August 13 -15th, or get their tickets now for October’s planned shows: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and the Rocky Horror Show LIVE.

If you need some comic relief, Johnny Counterfeit Concert Comedian & Voice Impressionist is back by popular demand with his family-friendly show on August 27th, and The Edwards Twins are hitting the stage with their impersonations of 100 famous musicians on October 2nd.

Tickets are available online at McMorrran’s website <HERE>.

Those interested in having an event such as a wedding reception or banquet in McMorran’s Lounge event area should contact McMorran by phone at 810-985-6166 as soon as possible. The Lounge holds up to 150 people, and the calendar is filling up fast.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand