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Local News

The Spirit of Port Huron Award Winners for 2020

Five individuals and one civic organization were announced as the Spirit of Port Huron Award Winners for 2020. There was no official ceremony this year, but the winners were announced at the September 28th meeting of the Port Huron City Council.

The Brotherhood Award went to Pastor Kimberly Brown, a minister at Zion Cathedral of Praise, the founder of St. Clair Organizing for Regional Equity (SCORE), and a contributing member of the Diversity Initiative of St. Clair County. She also has over 20 years of experience as a clinical therapist and is a partner in the newly established Zoe Counseling & Consulting, PLLC.

The Rotary Club of Port Huron won the Civic Award this year for their significant contribution to making the city a better place to live, work, and play.  The Rotary Club supports many nonprofits through grant-funding and is instrumental in providing a platform for local civic leaders and groups to share information about positive things happening throughout the city. They also provide volunteers for many area events and are the fundraiser, organizer, and host of the International Rotary Parade.

Luke Marion, owner of MI Gardener and Bella Bolla Pizza, received the Economic Progress Award. Luke started his entrepreneurial journey in high school and his family has now opened three successful businesses in Downtown Port Huron. His energy and vision for creating community are evident on his YouTube channel, where he educates and empowers people to become successful gardeners, and in the brick-and-mortar locations he has established in the Downtown Area.

The Good Neighbor Award recipient is Lisa Sheline. Lisa was nominated for her thoughtfulness and compassion which she demonstrates in her role as coordinator of the Faith Lutheran Church food pantry. When the Coronavirus Pandemic hit, Lisa responded to the increased needs in the community by organizing pop-up food distributions that have served over 1,000 individuals.

Gabrielle Hayes was nominated by Port Huron Fire Department Lieutenant Kevin Robinson for her courage and quick response to her father’s health emergency. Gabrielle called 911, gave firefighters valuable information at the scene, and bravely took care of her younger siblings while rescue workers assisted her father. Her actions resulted in a better outcome for her father and she was a great role model for everyone involved.

The Youth Service Award went to Candalaria Tibble who has displayed outstanding citizenship through multiple community service activities. As an active member of the Civil Air Patrol Auxillary, she has participated in Wreaths Across American, provided passenger security at the Goodells 4-H fair, and supported such organizations at the St. Clair County Child Abuse & Neglect Council and the Salvation Army. She has also been a part of Special Olympics for over seven years, and her passion to give back to her community is an inspiration.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

Volunteers Needed for Tree Planting Event

Friends of the St. Clair River, in partnership with ReLeaf Michigan and the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, is looking for volunteers to help plant trees along the Blue Water River Walk. The event will take place on October 17th from 8:45 – 12:00 PM.

The Blue Water River Walk is a riverside haven for wildlife and native plants, and this is a hands-on opportunity to add healthy plant life to the landscaping. New trees will improve air and water quality, reduce storm water runoff, and provide many other benefits to the park and the community.

Volunteers are asked to pre-register as a “family unit” or “unit of folks” who have been socially distant together, and equipment sanitization and social distancing will be maintained. Masks are required, and the event will take place rain or shine. Visit scriver.org to learn more.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Youth for Christ East Michigan Looking for Executive Director

Youth for Christ East Michigan is looking for a new Executive Director. Past Executive Director, Laurie Wilson, moved on to work with youth in the school district, and the Board of Directors is grateful for her years of service and the work she did to advance the mission of YFC in the area.

The East Michigan Chapter of Youth for Christ dates back to 1961, and the organization believes there is a strong foundation for the next Executive Director to grow the ministry and lead their outreach to youth in the area.

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree, and experience in youth ministry is preferred. Applicants must also have spiritual and organizational leadership skills and good communication skills. As a leader in Youth for Christ, they must either be commissioned or licensed as a minister through the Youth for Christ process  and/or ordained by an outside body recognized by Youth for Christ/USA.

Youth for Christ East Michigan is actively engaged with 11-19-year-old’s in all of St. Clair County and a portion of Sanilac and Macomb counties. They reach out to youth through school-based programs and online groups, Facebook Live events, and See You at the Pole prayer events.

To learn more about this position, click <HERE>

$500 Scholarships Given at Blue Water College Access Network Webinars

The Blue Water College Access Network is offering a series of webinars for students interested in career and college planning. In-person meetings are on hold due to social distancing, but the webinars keep local high school students on track with their college planning process.

The next webinar pertains to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, and it is scheduled for September 30 from 7-8 p.m. The FAFSA is a vital part of the financial aid process and students need to know how to fill it out correctly and on time so they can get the aid that they need for college.

The October 21st webinar is about Scholarships and Paying for College and the November 11th webinar is about Career Exploration. Industry experts will be sharing their expertise with students.

Students can register for the webinars at www.bwcan.org. Registration is open to all St. Clair County families and is free. At the end of each webinar, a $500 scholarship is awarded to a high school junior or senior participant.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Changes to Deer Testing Planned for 2020 Hunting Season

Michigan deer hunters will have a few changes to prepare for this year thanks to COVID-19. Staff and funding shortages, along with the decline in the number of hunters have forced the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to reduce the number of deer check stations.

Hunters will be required to “mask up” and follow social distancing guidelines at all check stations. At many stations, they will not be permitted to leave their vehicles.

Acting DNR Wildlife Division Chief Dan Kennedy said, “It is an unprecedented time in our state’s history, with serious challenges that affect everyone. We ask for your patience and grace as we adapt to meet these challenges. Michigan hunters have a long history of partnering with the DNR for the benefit and health of the state’s deer population.”

Despite these service reductions, the DNR still needs help tracking the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease and tuberculosis in the deer population. St. Clair County is not on the list for checking for either disease, but for hunters traveling to other parts of the state, they will want to check out the DNR’s 2020 Hunting Digest for full details. Visit michigan.gov.

 

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Expired Driver’s Licenses Must be Renewed by September 30th

Michiganders have less than a week to renew their expired driver’s licenses, state identification cards and vehicle registrations before they will be assessed late fees and risk a ticket from police. All such credentials with expirations after March 1 were extended by the state Legislature through Sept. 30, and  no additional extension is expected.

For driver’s licenses and IDs required to be renewed in person, such as those requiring a new photo, Secretary of State offices have been offering special appointments since Aug. 24, and they continue to be available through Sept. 30. Those that don’t require an in-person renewal must be renewed online or by mail.

The quickest way to renew vehicle registrations is at one of the more than 120 self-service stations located across the state. The average transaction time is two minutes, and customers walk away with their tabs in hand. Vehicle registrations also can be renewed online and by mail. Branch visits are not required for registration renewals no additional extension is expected.

If you need help navigating the online appointment system for the Secretary of State, learn more from a previous WGRT news story <HERE>