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

Local News

Absentee Voters Can Change Their Minds

Absentee voters who just can’t make up their minds until the last minute, or who change their minds, or who lose or damage their ballots have options. The legal term is “ballot spoiling”. According to the office of Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, voters need to submit a written request to their city or township clerk if they need to “spoil” their ballot. They must sign the request and let the clerk know if they would like a new one mailed to them or if they will pick it up in person.

Voters can’t really wait until the very last minute, as they need to have their request in to the clerk by 5:00 p.m. on the Friday before the election, so October 30th this year. They can take care of the whole transaction in person at the clerk’s office on the day before the election. An absentee ballot that has been returned to the clerk may be spoiled in person until 10:00 a.m. on the Monday before the election, and until 4:00 p.m. on that day if the ballot has not yet been returned to the clerk.

Additionally, if a voter loses or destroys their ballot, or never got around to turning in their absentee ballot, they can vote at the polls. They will need to sign an affidavit and vote in person. But, if your ballot is already turned in and you change your mind on election day, it’s too late.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron NAACP Hosting Virtual Summit

The Port Huron Branch of the NAACP is celebrating its 61st Annual Freedom Fund with a virtual event. This year’s Virtual Freedom Fund Summit theme is “The Power of Your Vote”, and the event takes place on Saturday, October 24th from 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM.

The goal of the event is to provide a forum for the public to hear from and interact with candidates running for office in St. Clair County. After an opening ceremony and chat with the Port Huron Branch President, Kevin Watkins, there is a session on collaboration among community groups, a session entitled, “The Power of the Vote”, and a speed networking opportunity.

The afternoon sessions feature panel discussions with candidates running for office and a session on understanding the voting laws and absentee voting process in Michigan.

The event is free, but the Port Huron Branch of the NAACP is collecting donations and has a goal of raising $25,000 for its Freedom Fund.

Those interested can learn more and register <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

St. Clair County Drain Commissioner Race Heats Up

The St. Clair County Drain Commissioner Race is one of the hottest local contests on the ticket this year, with Democrat Fred Fuller challenging incumbent Republican Robert Wiley.

Longtime residents might think they are having a flashback to the 1990s when they see the “Fred Fuller for Drain Commissioner” campaign signs in yards around the county. Fuller held the Drain Commissioner position from 1997-2008. He originally ran to fight the dredging of Mill Creek, which flows through the town of Yale, where he resides and has served as mayor. Eventually a compromise was reached and Mill Creek mostly remains in its natural state. Fuller points to frustration with expensive studies instead of maintenance as one of his reasons for running for his old job again.

Incumbent Drain Commissioner Robert Wiley has been in the office since 2008. Wiley’s office has been instrumental in the mitigation of damaged wetlands in Fort Gratiot and the construction of the Veterans’ Memorial Wetlands Preserve. Wiley is in his third term as Drain Commissioner.

The Drain Commissioner position pays just under $80,000 per year.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“College Month” Reminds Students to Apply for 2021-22 Financial Aid

October is a busy month for designations and proclamations. Along with being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Farm to School Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Agritourism Month, and several others, October is also “College Month”.

The proclamation is meant to remind students to make the most of financial resources available to them to make attending college a reality. Throughout the month of October, Michigan colleges will waive the National Association for College Admission Counseling application fee for any student who has demonstrated financial need.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid opened on October 1 for students looking at attending college for the 2021-22 school year. The sooner the application is filled out, the better the chances of getting aid. The Blue Water College Access Network is offering a free webinar called “Scholarships and Paying for College” on October 21st. Registration is online at sccresa.org.

Michigan’s 2021 fiscal year budget includes $30 million in funding for the Michigan Reconnect program, which provides a tuition-free pathway for adults looking to earn a postsecondary certificate or associate degree. The grants are administered by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Library Branches Open to Public after 7-Month Closure

After being closed to the public since March 16, the St. Clair County Library System is back open for in-branch service. 

The library had been offering services online as well as curbside service, but as of today patrons can enter the buildings. Curbside service will continue, by appointment. 

There are a few restrictions and changes that library users will need to keep in mind. Hours will be limited to Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. 

There will not be an opportunity to linger at the library. Much of the seating has been removed and visits are limited to 30 minutes. The number of patrons in the buildings will be limited and precautions like masks, social distancing, and the use of plexiglass shields are required. Gathering and meeting spaces are closed until further notice. 

Computers and WIFI are available, but only in 30-minute increments. The Local History and Special Collections will be available by appointment. At this time, book donations are not being accepted. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Ceremony to Honors Captain Swanson at Garfield Elementary School

A private ceremony is being held at Garfield Elementary school today to honor the memory of Captain Roy Swanson.

Captain Swanson was a teacher at Garfield Elementary in the 1940s when it was called Garfield Junior High School.  He began teaching there after serving honorably in World War II, but he was recalled to duty in November of 1950 and tragically killed in action while serving in Korea.

A group of former students, veterans, and citizens requested the Board of Education plan a memorial to Captain Swanson, and the board agreed in February 2020.

The playground at Garfield Elementary will be dedicated to Captain Sawnson, and the students at the school will learn about him as part of their history lesson on Veterans Day.

The funds for this project were raised by local Veteran groups, and Theo Kerhoulas, Acting Superintendent of Port Huron Schools, said, “This will be a special day for the district and we look forward to sharing it with the generous Veterans who have made it possible and Captain Swanson’s family.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand