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

Local News

It’s Christmas Tree Month!

It’s officially Christmas Tree Month in Michigan. The proclamation honors the economic, environmental, and social benefits of the Christmas tree industry in the state.

MDARD Director Gary McDowell shared, “Real Michigan Christmas trees are an important tradition for many families, whether you visit a Christmas tree farm or a retail tree lot. You not only get a fresh, fragrant, beautiful tree as the centerpiece of your holiday decorations, but at many locations you also get to experience a variety of activities like hayrides or sleigh rides, petting farms, visits with Santa and more.”

Michigan is a top producer of Christmas trees, ranking third in the nation. Around 2 million fresh trees with a value of up to $40 million are produced each year on more than 560 tree farms in the state. Michigan has the largest variety of species, with nine kinds of trees on the wholesale market.

Natural trees have a positive environmental impact as they can grow where other crops can’t. They also provide cover for animals, create oxygen, and can be recycled into wood chips after use.

A directory of tree farms can be found at MichiganFarmFun.com .

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Bridge to Bay and North Channel Projects on the DNR Funding List

Until the pandemic subsides, outdoor recreation is the safest kind of recreation. Responding to the uptick in Michigan residents spending time in public outdoor spaces, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund Board has advised 76 recreation development projects and land acquisitions.

Included in the recommendation are two projects in St. Clair County: the acquisition of property on the North Channel Shoreline and further development of the Bridge to Bay Regional Trail Connector.

DNR Director Dan Eichinger said. “This year’s grant recommendations represent a broad range of land acquisition and outdoor development projects that will make a real difference. With the results of Proposal 1 this fall, it’s clear that Michigan’s residents support this program and its continued investment in projects that speak to the recreational needs of communities across our state.”

The recommendations from the Trust Fund Board will go to the Michigan Legislature appropriations review. Trust Fund Board Chair Bill Rustem remarked, “Under the challenges of gathering with friends and family this year, outdoor spaces and public recreation played a major component in people’s lives.”

A link to the full list of projects can be found at Michigan.gov/MNRTF.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

December is Career Exploration and Awareness Month

There is a shortage of workers in high-demand fields. To address the need for talent and labor, December has been designated as Career Exploration and Awareness Month in Michigan.

The Michigan Career and Education Pathfinder website has been created to help students, parents, and career counselors explore high-demand careers and find ways to pay for the education needed. The free tool uses labor market information, wage data and other metrics to help match students with careers.

The Going PRO in Michigan website is another career exploration resource that lists actual job openings. Right now, there are a projected half million openings looking into 2026 in the fields of manufacturing, automotive, IT, health care and construction.

Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) Acting Director Susan Corbin, said “We are committed to making sure every Michigander has an equal and successful pathway to high-quality, high-paying, in-demand careers. By providing the right tools, and encouraging more Michiganders to explore different careers, we can help prepare every Michigander for a rewarding career path and bigger paychecks.”  

Michigan Career and Education Pathfinder site 

Going PRO in Michigan website 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Boy Scouts Start Salvation Army Food Bag Drop-Off This Weekend

Port Huron, MI — Don’t be surprised if you find a grocery bag on your front porch this weekend. Local Boy Scouts and their families are going door to door throughout the Blue Water Area, dropping off bags and hoping residents will fill them up with food donations.

The bags will be delivered tomorrow, Saturday, December 5th and will be picked up next Saturday, December 12th. This is an annual outreach activity for the Boy Scouts that is held in partnership with The Salvation Army.

Donations of canned goods and other non-perishable items will be put to use feeding families in the community.

Dawn Hedberg, of the Port Huron Salvation Army Citadel, said, “Donors are asked to fill the food bag for donations for The Salvation Army Christmas food drive. All food collected will be donated here to the local Salvation Army for use during our Christmas Assistance for needy families in St. Clair County.”

Sorting the donated food is a major task, made more cumbersome with COVID precautions. Sorting will be done at the Salvation Army Citadel at 2000 Court Street in Port Huron.

Those interested in helping can call the Port Huron Citadel for dates and times to help with the sorting.

Port Huron Salvation Army Citadel: (810) 984-2679

http://www.porthuronsa.org/ 

 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Elizabeth Sawielski to Lead Blue Water Safe Horizons

Port Huron, MI — Blue Water Safe Horizons has announced the hiring of a new Executive Director. Elizabeth Sawielski will be starting her new job this week.

Sawielski has held several leadership roles with non-profits. She has worked as the Vice President of Social Responsibility at the YMCA of the Blue Water Area. She also has experience with the March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

James A. Jones, Chairperson of the Board of Directors at Blue Water Safe Horizons, said, “Elizabeth can be described as enthusiastic, creative, and motivated with a passion for training, inspiring, and empowering others.”

Blue Water Safe Horizons works to “increase awareness of intimate-partner and sexual violence and its effect on the community, to empower those victimized by providing advocacy and safe effective services, and to work for social change through education and community collaboration.”

Jones said that Sawielski will be leading the staff, which is already well-experienced, in reaching their current goals and furthering the efforts in the community.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sheriff’s Deputies Commended for Life-Saving Actions

Port Huron, MI — A tragedy was averted at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center in Port Huron Township this fall. Two deputies have been recognized for saving the life of an inmate who was attempting to take his own life.

St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Deputies Richard Rodriguez and Kent Porter were recently recognized for their heroic actions. The pair were on duty at the county facility on October 29th when they noticed an inmate taking actions to hang himself. The deputies rushed up the stairs and performed a dramatic rescue to save the troubled individual before he could harm himself.

The inmate was given medical attention and suicide prevention protocols were put in place. The jail provides mental health screening and treatment, as well as addiction and behavioral intervention programming to inmates in need of help.

St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King said, “I am proud of the work all of our corrections deputies perform every day. I am especially proud of the way Rich and Kent went above and beyond to rush to the inmate and save his life.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland