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Local News

Fall Program Schedule Set for Port Huron Recreation

After necessary adaptations amid COVID-19, the Port Huron Recreation Department will continue to  provide recreational opportunities to residents virtually. Popular fall programs such as dance, art & crafts,  cooking, and belly dance classes have been adapted to take place via ZOOM Meeting, YouTube, and Facebook.  Other successful programs will be hybrid where interaction will take place online but the program can be done safely outdoors. These include Walk Michigan, Drive-in Movies, and Halloween Stroll. 

“The goal is to keep everyone active and to have some fun during these unprecedented times,” said  Kati Gardner, Recreation Department supervisor. 

For the very first time, the department is offering its popular summer event, Walk Michigan, during  fall. The program nominates eight different routes around town where participants can take an one-to-two mile walk and receive a prize once a minimum of five routes are completed.  

Back by popular demand, free Drive-in Movies will continue at McMorran south parking with Jumanji on September 24th and Hocus Pocus on October 22. Concessions will be provided by Sperry’s Moviehouse. 

Finally, the department’s annual trick or treating event, Halloween Stroll, is being adapted to follow social distancing guidelines and to comply to outdoor gathering limits. More details on this event will soon be  released.  

“As local and state regulations evolve amid COVID-19, we will continue to look for ways to provide  our children and families with more great recreation opportunities this season,” said Nancy Winzer, Port Huron  Parks & Recreation Director. “The key is being creative,” she said. 

Registration for Walk Michigan, belly dance class, and other fall programs is available through the  department’s website at www.porthuronrec.com. For more information, participants are welcome to call the  recreation department at (810) 984-9760 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

DNR asks for Michiganders to Record their Miles for “Trails Week”

It’s Michigan Trails Week! Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources is encouraging residents to get out on the trails in Michigan between September 20th and 27th. There are 13,000 miles of state-managed trails in the state.

Paul Yauk, state trails coordinator for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division, said, “Michigan’s trails are a public treasure, and they’re here for everyone.” Those who use the trails this week are asked to share their experience with the DNR. Their goal is 100,000 miles of collective trail use.

Michigan’s trails are for more than just walking. Depending on the trail, they can be used for hiking, biking, horseback riding, off-roading, and paddling if it is a water trail. The closest state-maintained trails to the Blue Water Area are at Algonac State Park, Wetzel State Recreation Area, and the Sanilac Petroglyphs. The Bridge to Bay Bike Trail is part of the State Trail system and the ten-mile long Island Loop water trail in St. Clair County is one of eight state-designated water trails.

Complete trail maps and information about logging your miles this week can be found at Michigan.gov/TrailsWeek.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Historic Redistricting Process Underway

The Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission got to work last week. The Commission was formed in response to the passage of Proposal 2 in 2018. They began with virtual orientation and information gathering.

Michigan Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson, said, “Michigan’s citizens made their desire to put democracy back in the hands of the people loud and clear when they overwhelmingly passed Proposal 2.  This historic meeting is the culmination of years of citizen engagement, and months of work preparing to give our commissioners the tools they need to do this incredible work.”

The Commission is made up of four Republicans, four Democrats, and five members with no party affiliation. The members spent two days receiving instructions as to their duties and expectations and were presented with experts on the map making process.

Benson, a Democrat, keeps a public record of the process, but does not have a vote. During the preliminary meeting, the commission was charged with selecting a chairperson and determining their schedule. They have fourteen months to complete the redistricting process, with a November 1, 2021 deadline. The decisions will affect the 2022 election.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Courthouse Seeks to Quell Rumors on COVID-19 Cases

PORT HURON, MI – Since March 2020, the safety of the public and court staff has  been of highest importance. Identification of cases will continue throughout the county,  and county employees are not an exception. The court system works closely with the  St. Clair County Health Department to identify cases and exposures as well as  identifying risk reduction strategies. At this time, NO public exposures have resulted  from any identified cases within the court system. All individuals who may have been  exposed to COVID have been notified. The exposure situation was handled swiftly and  exceptionally well by court directors and leadership.

Daniel J. Kelly, Chief Judge for St. Clair County Courts, further states, “These are  challenging times we are living through today. Our main goal right now is to protect,  serve and maintain precautionary procedures in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.”

Those that have circumstances required to be handled within the court are encouraged  to continue to use remote resources, such as email, fax, telephone and the court  website when possible.

General court system inquiries, please visit: http://www.stclaircounty.org/Offices/courts

Submitted by St. Clair County

Visiting Nurse Association & Blue Water Hospice Honor Shining Stars

Port Huron, MI –  Visiting Nurse Association & Blue Water Hospice recognizes staff for going above and beyond through the Shining Star program. Those awarded regularly demonstrate the mission, vision, and focus of the agency while helping patients, clients, and each other. Leadership nominates staff for the award quarterly.

This past quarter, the following individuals were given the Shining Star award:

Carrie Barnes, Health Services

Judy Bloink, Blue Water Hospice Home

Jackie Cole, Blue Water Hospice Home

Carol Hill, Home Health Care

Paula LaFortune, Blue Water Hospice Home

Louise Markovic, Private Duty

Suzanne Tomczak, Home Health Care

Jeannie Westbrook, Health Services

Amanda Whitmore, Blue Water Hospice Home

Cindy Wisdom, Blue Water Hospice Home

 

Since 1952, Visiting Nurse Association has provided a continuum of care including home health care, palliative care, private duty, and hospice care to the people of St. Clair, Sanilac, Lapeer, and Macomb counties. Visiting Nurse Association and Blue Water Hospice is a non-profit organization that provides high-quality, cost-effective health care to any patient and family member with short-term, long-term, or end-of-life care. Learn more about the services offered by VNA/BWH by visiting www.vnabwh.com.

Ten Micro-Grants Awarded to Entrepreneurs

Blue Water Startups & Entrepreneurs gathered in an open-air barn at Green Thumb Gourmet Garlic in China Twp last night to award ten micro-grants to local entrepreneurs.

The micro-grants of $200 each will help local businesses with marketing costs, websites, business supplies, and other costs associated with getting a new or young business more established in the community.

The grants were funded through the generosity of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County and distributed through Blue Water Startups & Entrepreneurs, a supportive group of business owners who meet to encourage one another in their entrepreneurial journeys.

The following businesses were awarded grants:

  • D B Delivery Solutions
  • Dannie Shalom Beauty Supply
  • Loving Hands Home Care Services
  • Main Street Ensemble
  • Pretty N Peace
  • RM International Resources Group
  • Sheer Brilliance
  • The Cookie Bar- St. Clair
  • The Makairos Life
  • Zoe Counseling & Consulting

Matt Brooks, Founder of the Blue Water Startups & Entrepreneurs said, “We are excited about these entrepreneurial pursuits and look forward to having them plug into our community of peers.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand