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Local News

The ISObar Sessions Now Streaming on YouTube

The ISO is working with singer-songwriters and a Sarnia filmmaker to produce an innovative way to access their music. The pilot episode of The ISObar Sessions was released on the ISO’s YouTube channel, and it features artist Bil Eldridge performing his original songs along with a small, socially-distanced ensemble from the ISO.

Sarnia filmmaker, Troy Shantz, produced the episode last spring with donated time and community assistance. In a press release, ISO Executive Director Anthony Wing said the project began as a pre-pandemic First Friday feature. “Last Christmas we did a First Friday at the ISObar with Bil, and I arranged his music for an ISO string quartet. When the shutdown happened we reimagined the space as a TV studio and tried to create a sort of Austin City Limits with strings.”

The ISO is encouraging people to view the episode on YouTube and donate across their social media platforms. They also see the project continuing when the orchestra’s Canadian and American members are able to reunite and return to the concert stage.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Partnership Will Provide Funding for Breast Cancer Screening

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and Governor Whitmer announced a three-year, $2.5 million partnership between the United Health Foundation and the Michigan Primary Care Association (MPCA) to develop a pilot program for genetic testing and screening for breast cancer. The program will be delivered through five community health centers in Michigan, with the nearest one to St. Clair County located in Detroit.

Chief Medical Executive and MDHHS Chief Deputy for Health Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said in a press release that women have been delaying many routine visits to health care professionals and screening appointments for breast cancer because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As we observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, it’s important to remember that while we must take precautions to stay safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s also crucial we seek important medical care and regular screenings that can detect cancer before symptoms appear,” said Dr. Khaldun.

Hospitals and testing centers were prohibited from scheduling and performing mammograms for several months this year because they were deemed “nonessential” medical procedures in Governor Whitmer’s Executive Orders.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

StoryWalk Installed at Fort Gratiot County Park

Adventure awaits children and their families at the Fort Gratiot County Park. The St. Clair County Library System and St. Clair County Parks and Recreation have collaborated to present the new StoryWalk at the park, which is located off of Metcalf Road near M-25.

StoryWalk is a marked path through the park that includes installations of pages from a book. The current book is “Mother Bruce” by Ryan T. Higgins.

Kristin Stiger, Senior Librarian in the Children’s Department at the Main Branch of the Library System, said, “The story begins at the entrance to the play equipment, and then wraps around the trail. The boards are numbered to assist families along the way. The trail out at Fort Gratiot County Park is the perfect length for this: just long enough to get some exercise, but not too daunting for our littlest trail blazers.” 

The current story will be up until November 13th, after which a new story will be posted. The Library hopes to make a trip to the park to read a story a recurring event for local families. Information on all activities will be posted on the St. Clair County Library website and social media. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

East China Township Wins Grant to Help Fund Riverfront Redevelopment Plan

East China Township is the recipient of a $25,000 grant to help with the costs of preparing a waterfront redevelopment plan for a portion of the community along the St. Clair River. The grant is one of thirteen statewide.

East China Township Manager Cynthia Paparelli said that DTE provided half the grant application development costs and will also provide half of the $25,000 match for the $50,000 planning grant.

She said, “This planning project involves the preparation of a Riverfront Redevelopment Plan along the St. Clair River. The study area includes property presently occupied by the St. Clair Power Plant, which is owned and operated by DTE Energy. This area currently lacks economic diversity, recreational opportunity, and river access. The Township, in collaboration with DTE, is undertaking the study to reactivate the riverfront for public and private use, improve environmental sustainability, and to bring vitality to the natural and built environments.”

According to Paparelli, this grant and the eventual development of the redevelopment plan allows stakeholders to look at the long-range vision for the property on the St. Clair River.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Westbound I-94 Off Ramp and Range Road Intersection Construction Begins

More road construction in the area of Range Road and I-94 is expected to start Monday. The project will be modernizing the traffic signal at the intersection of the westbound I-94 off ramp.

The traffic light will be upgraded to an “Intelligent Transportation System”. The system uses information and communication technology to improve safety, and efficiency and reduce traffic congestion.

The intersection will also now have a box span signal. The box span signal design is a new method for positioning traffic signals in an intersection. Instead of stop lights on a cable in the middle of the intersection, the new ones are placed near each corner of the intersection.

The project is expected to be complete by December 19th at a cost of $170,635. Nearly $1.2 million has been spent this year on the construction of a roundabout for the Range Road, Eastbound I-94 and Dove Road intersection.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

New Outdoor Learning Pavilion Launched at Keewahdin Elementary

Keewahdin Elementary School in Fort Gratiot will be getting a new outdoor learning space. The project is a collaborative effort between the school’s Parent Teacher Association, the Fort Gratiot Lowe’s store, and Park Place Landscaping.

The pavilion will be used as an outdoor classroom for science experiments, plays, readers theater, and to extend learning opportunities for students. The space has been on the minds and in the plans of the PTA parents, and came to fruition this fall.

The Lowe’s Heroes Project supplied labor and a portion of the pavilion, valued at $8400 while the PTA kicked in $7500 to make the 20 x 40 pavilion a reality. The Soule Family, owners of Park Place Landscaping, donated the site preparation services.

Acting Superintendent Theo Kerhoulas said, “Collaboration between parents, local businesses and our district has become a hallmark of Port Huron Schools. This flexible outdoor learning space will benefit students for decades to come.”

Brian Ebert, Store Manager for the Fort Gratiot Lowe’s, said, “At Lowe’s we take great pride in supporting local organizations and communities where we live and work.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland