Local News

Port Huron’s YMCA of the Blue Water Area kicked off the holiday season with a festive breakfast featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus on Saturday, combining family fun with community impact. The event, co-hosted with McLaren Port Huron, included photos with Santa, games, and the Jingle Bell Run, all aimed at raising funds for the YMCA’s food programs. Kroger boosted efforts with a $10,000 donation, enabling 2,900 meals for local children. More holiday events are planned this month.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Michigan officials are urging residents to take precautions against “porch pirates” as holiday package deliveries surge. Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office advises securing deliveries by using Amazon lockers, shipping to workplaces, or installing porch cameras. They recommend keeping porches well-lit and using USPS tools to track packages. Nessel’s “Holiday Consumer Protection Campaign” launched to educate residents, warning thieves face fines or jail time for mail theft.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Protests are growing outside Bluewater Health in Sarnia, after 24-year-old Kayla Fillion died just hours after being discharged during a mental health crisis. Her father, Matthew Jacklin, accuses the hospital of failing to provide adequate care, claiming staff dismissed her cries for help despite her history of mental health struggles and substance abuse. Jacklin says she was sent home after less than an hour of treatment, only to be found dead later that day. He has since organized a movement calling for accountability, launching a website, petition, and ongoing protests.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A new report by Doxo reveals that Port Huron ranks as the 149th most expensive city in Michigan, with residents paying an average of $1,722 per month, or $20,659 annually, for the ten most common household bills. Despite this, Port Huron remains more affordable than many places, with costs 19% lower than the national average and 9% below Michigan’s state average. Households in the city allocate 42% of their income to bills, highlighting its relative affordability in the region.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Drivers crossing the Blue Water Bridge into Canada are now facing higher tolls, with rates rising by a dollar across the board. Standard vehicles such as cars, pickups, and SUVs now pay $4, while larger personal vehicles like RVs or campers are charged $4 for each axle beyond two. Commercial vehicles, including trucks and buses, see their rates jump to $4.25 per axle. This marks the first phase of a two-step toll increase by MDOT, with a second hike of another dollar planned for December 1st next year.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Lucas Ebmeyer, a local Boy Scout, has completed his Eagle Project by installing a “Telephone of the Wind” at Blue Water Hospice Home in Marysville. This unique phone, unconnected to any network, offers grieving individuals a chance to express unspoken words to loved ones they’ve lost. Located near the Tom Lock Observatory for easy access, it’s the first of its kind in the area, providing a heartfelt space for reflection, especially during the family-focused holiday season. Blue Water Hospice Home hopes to add this new addition to the national directory soon.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet