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Local News

Bridge to Bay Trail Gets a $1.9 Million Boost

A $1.55 million dollar grant from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Fund along with funding for renovations to Lighthouse Park and a trails maintenance grant from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan will boost efforts to complete the Bridge to Bay (B2B) Trail system in St. Clair County.

A coalition of local stakeholders including the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, St. Clair County Parks & Recreation, St. Clair County Metropolitan Planning Commission, Friends of the St. Clair River and several local municipalities have been working together since 2018 to address the major remaining gaps in the B2B Trail.   

Randy Maiers, president & CEO of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, which is the fiduciary of the grant funding, said, “This is a tremendous boost to our regional efforts. Both our Blue Meets Green coalition and our Community Foundation recognize the Bridge to Bay Trail system as one of the critical projects our region needs to complete.”

The funding will activate Phase One of the project which includes closing key trail gaps in St. Clair, Marysville, and Port Huron. A new pedestrian bridge over the Black River Canal is an exciting feature of Phase One which will connect Port Huron Northern High School and Holland Woods Middle School. New trails in St. Clair and Marysville will connect existing trails to commercial areas in those cities and to trails in other communities.

The Bridge to Bay Trail project has been a key initiative for the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation because it encourages recreation and increases  the walk-ability and bike-ability of local communities.

J.J. Tighe, Director of Parks & Trails Initiative for the Foundation said, “Parks and trails add greatly to the quality of life in a community.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Commission on Aging Teams Up with Hunter Hospitality House

Port Huron, MI — St. Clair County Commission on Aging has announced a partnership with Hunter Hospitality House. The Council voted to provide funds for the non-profit to provide free lodging, transportation, and amenities to seniors who may need to stay away from home while receiving medical care for themselves or loved ones.

The Commission on Aging is tasked with recommending appropriate spending of the Senior Citizen’s Millage. The vote was unanimous to provide up to $3,150 dollars to Hunter Hospitality House. The Port Huron non-profit has bed and breakfast style homes near both McLaren Port Huron Hospital and Lake Huron Medical Center. The allocation equates to 75 days of lodging, according to Executive Director Tracy Willard.

The Commission collaborates with eleven different agencies with 25 different programs. Hunter Hospitality House is now one of the providers. The Commission provides St. Clair County seniors 60 years of age and older with programs and services that promote their well-being and quality of life.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

United Way Supports Local Family With Hospice Care

The Visiting Nurse Association & Blue Water Hospice partners with the United Way of St. Clair County to provide funding for families who need financial assistance for special health care needs and hospice care.

Recently, they were able to help a local family receive financial aid for room and board at the Blue Water Hospice Home.

Brian Jackson started experiencing heart attacks at the age of 34. Due to complications from diabetes, his health declined and he continued to suffer several strokes, mini-strokes, and heart attacks until he lost his battle at the age of 43.

Because of the support he and his family received from The United Way of St. Clair County and the VNA & Blue Water Hospice, Brian was able to spend his last days surrounded by family and friends while getting the special care he needed.

Brian’s wife, Vickie, is extremely grateful for the care provided by the hospice home and the support from the United Way. “We didn’t even know this home and type of care existed locally,” Vickie said.

The United Way focuses on several areas of physical and mental health through their “Improving Quality of Life Through Health & Advocacy” impact area. Funded programs include mental health counseling, accessibility ramp construction, medication assistance, and hospice care. For more information visit their website <HERE> .

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Huron Lightship Damaged by High Water

Port Huron, MI — A Port Huron landmark, the Huron Lightship, is closed to visitors until repairs can be made to the vessel. The boat, which operates as a museum, is permanently placed in Pine Grove Park on the shore of the St. Clair River. Water breached the break wall last summer, but the weekend’s storm brought more water to surround the boat and cause erosion that actually pushed up the 300-ton ship. A gas line was broken along with damage to the electrical line.

Andrew Kercher, Manager of Community Engagement at Port Huron Museums explained in a Facebook Live video that the boat is not designed to float or move as it is permanently placed in the ground, not water, so any movement can cause substantial damage to structures like utility lines and decking.

The Museum is working with the City of Port Huron and its insurance company to make plans to remediate the damage to the site, which has been in place since 1972 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Hit with closures and lost revenue from COVID-19 shutdowns, damage to a revenue-earning site is certainly unwelcome for the non-profit. The fix for the water breach will likely require more advanced engineering than sandbags.

A video explaining the damage can be found on Port Huron Museums’ Facebook page, along with a link for making donations.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Traffic Stop in Port Huron Leads to Meth Seizure

Port Huron, MI — A traffic stop conducted by the St. Clair County Drug Task Force on July 14th ended with the seizure of methamphetamine and an arrest.

According to St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon, members of the DTF executed a traffic stop at about 8:30 p.m. at 10th Avenue and Glenwood Street in the city of Port Huron.  The driver and sole occupant of the car, 31 year old Kevin Brody Junior of Port Huron was driving on a suspended license.

A subsequent search of Brody and his vehicle led to the discovery and confiscation of about $1300 worth of crystal methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, along with a large amount of marijuana.

Brody was arrested and lodged at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center.  He was arraigned on July 16th in 72nde District Court.  Brody is charged with delivery and manufacture of crystal methamphetamine, 2nd offense, maintaining a drug house, 2nd offense, driving while license suspended, 2nd offense and being a habitual 4th offender.

Bond was set at $75-thousand, 10% cash/surety.  Brody’s next court date is a probable cause hearing scheduled for July 28th at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Mona Armstrong.

The Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit also assisted at the scene of the traffic stop.

Urgent Warning from FDA For Some Hand Sanitizers

The federal Food and Drug Administration has issued an urgent warning to both consumers and health care providers, particularly those who work with children, about methanol detected in some brands of hand sanitizer. Ethyl alcohol is listed as the active ingredient, but tests are finding methanol in some products. Hand sanitizer has been a vital weapon against COVID-19 as it can kill the virus on contact, but methanol can have dangerous reactions, especially in children.

Most of the hand sanitizer on the list of contaminated products is manufactured in Mexico. According to the FDA, “Methanol is not an acceptable active ingredient for hand sanitizers and must not be used due to its toxic effects. FDA’s investigation of methanol in certain hand sanitizers is ongoing. The agency will provide additional information as it becomes available.” 

Symptoms of methanol poisoning include nausea, vomiting, headaches, blurred vision, permanent blindness, and seizures. Anyone experiencing symptoms needs medical help immediately.

The complete list of contaminated products can be found at fda.gov.  Hand sanitizer is recommended when soap and water are not available. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland