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Local News

Crew Will Survey St. Clair River for Lampreys

Sea lamprey’s have been damaging the fish population since they invaded the Great Lakes during the 1920s, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be trying to estimate how many are in the St. Clair River.

From June 8-17th, an assessment crew will be working in the St. Clair River to determine the presence of lamprey larvae. They use a combination of electrofishing and the application of a granular larvicide to estimate the abundance of the lampreys.

Adult sea lampreys attach to fish with their suction cup mouths and are responsible for killing up to 40 pounds of fish in their lifetime.

The sea lamprey control program is run by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission in partnership with several U.S. and Canadian governmental agencies. The control program work to practice environmental stewardship in its effort to control this destructive species.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Port Huron Twp. Man Charged With Open Murder

On June 1, 2021, Dustin David Tucker, a 27 year old male Port Huron Township resident, was arraigned on the charges of Open Murder, Arson 2nd degree, and Unlawful Imprisonment in the murder of Danielle Grace Smith, a 28 year old Port Huron resident who he was in a dating relationship with. His bond was denied.

Dustin is scheduled for a probable cause conference on June 15, 2021 at 9 a.m. and his preliminary examination is scheduled for June 22, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. in front of the Honorable Judge Mona Armstrong.

On May 29, 2021 at 8:16 a.m. the Port Huron Police and Fire Departments were called to the  1800 block of Division Street on a report of fire investigation. The initial caller stated there  was smoke in the house and a charred body. Officers and firefighters discovered the body of,  who they believe to be, the 28 year old female resident.  

Port Huron Detectives and the Major Crimes Unit were called out to investigate. The  Michigan State Police Crime Lab and a Michigan State Police Fire Investigator responded to  the scene to assist with evidence collection. The deceased was turned over to the St. Clair  County Medical Examiner’s Office. Her name will not being released until an autopsy has  been conducted and positive identification has been made. 

On May 29, around 10:40 p.m., the Major Crimes Unit, Port Huron Police Detectives and the  Special Response Team executed a search warrant in the 2400 block of Hopps Road in Port  Huron Township. This home is the residence of a 27 year old male who was in a dating  relationship with the deceased.  

The male was taken to the Port Huron Police Department and interviewed. He was ultimately  lodged in the St. Clair County Intervention Center on the charge of murder.  

If you have knowledge of this crime call the Port Huron Police Department at (810) 984-8415  or the Port Huron Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit at (810) 984-5383. 

Anonymous tips can be received through the CAPTURE Hotline at (810) 987-6688, emailed  through www.porthuronpolice.org, or texted by downloading the Port Huron PD app on apple  or android devices. Anonymous texts can also be received by texting the keyword CAPTURE and their message/tip to 847411.  

Submitted by the Port Huron Police Department

Congresswoman Lisa McClain Michigan's 10th District

McClain Announces Town Halls

Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) announced she will be holding town halls June 4th – June 8th. During the town hall tour, McClain will visit with constituents in Harrison Township, Richmond, Lapeer, Sandusky and Caro.

Full details on the town halls are below.

 

Friday, June 4, 2021:

10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Harrison Twp. Tucker Senior Center

26980 Ballard St.

Harrison Township, MI 48045

11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Parks and Rec Building

36164 Festival Drive

Richmond, MI 48062

 

Monday, June 7, 2021:

11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Lapeer City Hall

576 Liberty St.

Lapeer, MI 48446

Tuesday, June 8, 2021:

 12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.

West Park Inn

440 Sanilac Road

Sandusky, MI 48471

2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Caro Fire Hall

317 S. State Street

Caro, MI 48723

 

DTF Seizes Drugs, Gun, Cash in Raid

Port Huron Twp, MI — The St. Clair County Drug Task Force seized crack and powder cocaine, a gun and cash during a raid last week.

According to Sheriff Mat King, the DTF conducted an investigation into the sales of narcotics in the Port Huron area.  The investigation concluded on May 25th with the execution of a search warrant in the 100 block of Oldbrook Lane in Port Huron Township at about 7:00 p.m.  Once inside the residence, members of the Drug Task Force located and seized about $2800 worth of crack cocaine, about $1450 worth of powder cocaine, about $4500 in cash, a handgun, ammunition, digital scales and narcotics packaging material.

Once the narcotics were located, 50 year old Kirk Brown II was arrested without incident inside the home.  He was transported and lodged at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center.  Brown was arraigned on May 28th in 72nd District Court in Port Huron.  He is charged with delivery/manufacture of cocaine, less than 50 grams, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of ammunition by a felon, felony firearm, maintaining a drug house and being a habitual 4th offender.  Bond was set at $50,000 cash/surety.  

Brown’s next court date is a probable cause hearing on June 8th at 9:00 a.m. before 72nd District Court Judge John Monaghan.

The St. Clair County Sheriff Special Response Team, Sheriff Road Patrol and U.S. Border Patrol K-9 Unit also assisted at the scene.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office

Police Investigating Murder in Port Huron

Port Huron, MI — On May 29, 2021 at 8:16 a.m. the Port Huron Police and Fire Departments were called to the  1800 block of Division Street on a report of fire investigation. The initial caller stated there  was smoke in the house and a charred body. Officers and firefighters discovered the body of,  who they believe to be, the 28 year old female resident.  

Port Huron Detectives and the Major Crimes Unit were called out to investigate. The  Michigan State Police Crime Lab and a Michigan State Police Fire Investigator responded to  the scene to assist with evidence collection. The deceased was turned over to the St. Clair  County Medical Examiner’s Office. Her name will not being released until an autopsy has  been conducted and positive identification has been made. 

On May 29, around 10:40 p.m., the Major Crimes Unit, Port Huron Police Detectives and the  Special Response Team executed a search warrant in the 2400 block of Hopps Road in Port  Huron Township. This home is the residence of a 27 year old male who was in a dating  relationship with the deceased.  

The male was taken to the Port Huron Police Department and interviewed. He was ultimately  lodged in the St. Clair County Intervention Center on the charge of murder.  

If you have knowledge of this crime call the Port Huron Police Department at (810) 984-8415  or the Port Huron Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit at (810) 984-5383. 

Anonymous tips can be received through the CAPTURE Hotline at (810) 987-6688, emailed  through www.porthuronpolice.org, or texted by downloading the Port Huron PD app on apple  or android devices. Anonymous texts can also be received by texting the keyword CAPTURE and their message/tip to 847411.  

Submitted by the Port Huron Police Department

DNR Reminds About Trail Etiquette

A welcome sign of fair weather ahead is the release of trail etiquette guidelines from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Hiking and outdoor exploring have never been more popular. With increased traffic, knowing the rules of the trails is vital.

Some trails are shared between walkers, runners, cyclists, and even horseback riders.

The DNR advises against using muddy trails as doing so can leave uneven bicycle ruts, deep footprints, or hoof tracks from horseback riders. If traveling through mud is unavoidable, the center of the trail is the best place to be to keep from unintentionally widening the trail and damaging the environment. Bicyclists are asked to get off their bikes and tiptoe down the center of a muddy trail.

Bicyclists are also expected to yield to other trail users on Michigan trails and to communicate with horseback riders as to the best way to pass so as not to scare the horses.

The DNR also reminds trail users to “pack it in; pack it out” and leave no trace. If litter is found on the trail, pick it up.

A link to the DNR website with more trail information:

https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79133_79206_105181—,00.html?utm_campaign=news%20digest%20may2021%20week4&utm_medium=digest&utm_source=govdelivery

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland