Local News

St. Clair County, MI — Eleven Digital Media Technology seniors at St. Clair TEC won or shared 10 awards at the 2021 DAFT Student Film Festival. 

Lesley Murphy, the DMT instructor at TEC, said, “All of our DMT entries won an award, with two earning Best in Show, which is the highest honor.” 

The DAFT Student Film Festival provides a public venue for the work of students in grades K-12, as well as giving recognition and significant awards to young media artists. The film festival is presented through the nonprofit organization DAFT (Digital Arts, Film, and Television). 

The TEC winners are: 

Honor Award 

• Kristian Duffy, Port Huron Northern High School The Spear, Narrative Film 
• Gwen Golembiewski, Memphis High School The Book, Narrative Film 

Excellence Award 

• Stephanie Briggs, St. Clair High School, and Elizabeth Kilyk, Port Huron Northern High School It’s Bathsheba, Narrative Film
• Taylor Darhower, Port Huron Northern High School COVID Season, Documentary/Event
• Kyle King, Port Huron Northern High School Death Valley, Narrative Film
• Ethan Pechman, St. Clair High School Summer 2021, Music Video
• Ethan Pechman, St. Clair High School The Hunt of Midwinter, Narrative Film
• Renee Pokotello, St. Clair High School Art in Motion, Documentary/Event 

Best of Show 

• Zach Floyd, Virtual Learning Academy VIRUS, Narrative Film 
• Sam Tricomo, St. Clair High School I Love You, Narrative Film

The Best of Show winners will be streamed on www.daftonline.org as well as on Facebook and YouTube. 

• – “VIRUS” by Zach Floyd 
• “I Love You” by Sam Tricomo 

Submitted by St. Clair County TEC

Port Huron, MI – Lake Huron Medical Center (LHMC) is pleased to announce its May 2021 Employee of the Month, Barbara Ski. LHMC is honored to have a strong team of staff and volunteers working hard to deliver high-quality care to the Blue Water Area.

Barbara works as a Certified Nursing Assistant on the Med/Surg Unit and been an employee at LHMC since October 2011. She was nominated by a patient who stated, “It was such a blessing to have Barbara care for me. She helped me to and from the washroom, in and out of bed using proper body mechanics and so much more. She always made sure I was washed, and my teeth were brushed! Barbara was my hero during my stay – awesome job! Thank you!”

Lake Huron Medical Center is proud of each of its employees and volunteers; and extends a special thank you and congratulations to all our team members, especially Barbara, as we celebrate their accomplishments.

To learn more about the programs and services offered at Lake Huron Medical Center, visit www.mylakehuron.com.

Cedar Point is another victim of the labor shortage that is being felt across the region. Cedar Point jobs are usually coveted and competed for, but this year is different. 

The Sandusky, Ohio amusement park, a popular destination for Blue Water Area families during the summer months, has announced that they will be closed during select days in June to deal with the labor shortage. 

In a public statement on social media, Cedar Point said that they have added over 300 full-time year-round jobs with benefits and introduced $500 seasonal sign-on bonuses. They have also increased pay to $20/hour, a 100% increase from last year. There are also other benefits for seasonal employees like free tickets to the park. Still, they do not have enough workers to meet demand.  

Right now, the Cedar Point calendar shows closures on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in June. Those who had tickets for those days or made overnight reservations will be contacted directly by the park, according to Cedar Point. 

Cedar Point has reported up to 3.6 million visitors per year in recent years, but had a delayed opening in 2020 due to the pandemic.  

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

As we prepare for Memorial Day weekend, many who have lost family and friends in service to their country will reflect on their lives. Air Force Brigadier General Jim Demarest lost his friend in 1991, and he is on a mission have the Medal of Honor awarded posthumously to that airman, Captain Steve Phillis.

“The Medal of Honor recognizes those who go above and beyond the call of duty with conspicuous gallantry at the risk of life such that they clearly distinguish themselves from their comrades,” said Demarest as he shared the story of Captain Phillis’s heroic last acts.

Captain Phillis made a decision during a combat mission in Iraq to draw fire away from one of his fallen comrades who was parachuting away from his downed aircraft. That decision saved 1st Lt. Rob Sweet’s life, but cost Phillis his own.

Captain Phillis received the Silver Star for his actions, but General Demarest and others believe he deserves further recognition with the Medal of Honor.

To hear General Demarest tell the story of Captain Phillis’s heroic acts, listen to LIMElight on Memorial Day on WGRT.com or by downloading LIMElight with Jessie on your favorite podcast app.

You can also read the story in Air Force Magazine here:

Above and Beyond: The Fight to Upgrade One Airman’s Silver Star

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand