Local News

Representatives from Google will be providing a business education program exclusive to nonprofit organizations through the Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit Committee this Thursday.

This Google business training will cover G Suites and Google Ad Grants, whose mission is to grow charitable giving and help nonprofits succeed by connecting people to causes: with up to $10,000 per month in free Google advertising, nonprofits can create meaningful ads to educate, attract donors and help people around the world. 

Karen Palka, Executive Director of A Beautiful Me, said the group is “honored to have Google create a specific training for local nonprofits” and believes that, “utilizing this opportunity to create greater exposure for our nonprofits is key to continuing the strength of the Blue Water Region.”

The cost to attend as a nonprofit organization member of the Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce is free. The cost for non-members who would like to attend is $100 per person and can be credited toward a Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce. Attendees should bring a laptop or tablet to participate and seating is limited. The event is anticipated to sell-out. Nonprofits are encouraged to sign up at BlueWaterChamber.com.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

Back by “pawpular” demand is Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl XVI on Sunday, February 2 and the Blue Water Area Humane Society has announced one local pup has made the final roster in the adorable competition taking place on football’s biggest day. 

Blue Water Area Humane Society’s puppy, alongside dozens of other puppies from animal shelters across the country, will enter the GEICO stadium vying for the CHEWY “Lombarky” Trophy.

The special pup, Logan, was one of six brothers that were seized from a puppy mill by St. Clair County animal control. When Logan and his brothers arrived at the shelter, the boys had next to no hair and were unbelievably itchy, but after lots of love and medical treatments, the dogs were in the clear. Logan went on to be adopted to a wonderful home with his brother.

Logan will compete with other dogs representing rescues and shelters from across the country, on #TeamRuff and #TeamFluff. Dogs will represent 61 animal shelters and rescue organizations from over 25 states and with 96 adoptable puppies.

Tune in to Animal Planet at 3 p.m. before the Superbowl to catch Logan represent St. Clair County.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

You can likely expect a run on black dresses in town in the next few weeks. The Betty Kearns “Little Black Dress” event has sold out. Tickets went on sale last Monday and were all spoken for by Thursday. The event seats 850 people. 

Event Chairperson and President of the Betty Kearns Cancer Fund, Amy Andrews-Curtis, told us that this is the fastest the tickets have ever sold in the event’s fourteen year history. The fund, named in honor Betty Kearns, a beloved community member who passed away in 2006, takes care of the needs of cancer patients in the area. 

Andrews-Curtis said the fund supports patients of all ages with various needs from utility bills to transportation, and even back taxes. The group was able to put about $35,000 toward helping cancer patients last year alone. 

The Little Black Dress Event is the major fundraiser for the Betty Kearns Cancer Fund and has become popular with attendees in the community. The event will take place March 6 at the Convention Center. 

This year, the Piece to Peace Quilters Cancer Quilt and representatives from the American Cancer Society will be at the ever-growing event.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

Michigan’s first indoor dog park will soon open with a place for owners to watch, dine and work at the same time.

The Pack Indoor Dog Park, which will open later this year, is located on the west-side of the mitten state and is claiming to be “the first of its kind” in the state. The facility will feature an open concept, with bars overlooking the dog play area, a restaurant, patio, TVs, boutiques and workspaces with Wi-Fi. 

The mixed-use space is meant for people to have the option to come during the day to get work done or have a cup of coffee with friends while watching their dog play.

The space will charge per use or on an annual basis, and daycare is also an option.

The National Affordable Housing Act requires states and local governments to have a Five-Year Consolidated Plan in effect if they are applying for assistance through the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

The City of Port Huron is asking city residents to complete a survey that will help shape the required plan. The City uses federal grant money for a variety of housing initiatives. The intent of the plan is to develop programs that may benefit low to moderate income households in the next five years. Executing the plan depends on the actual availability of funds to complete them.

The survey needs to be completed by January 24, so there’s not much time to waste if residents want their voices to be heard. Comments related to the Five-Year Plan will also be heard at a Public Hearing on January 27 during the scheduled 7:00 p.m. Port Huron City Council Meeting. Separate surveys were also sent to local organizations who have a stake in housing issues in the area. Katy Posey, the Community Development Program Administrator, said that this is the first year that the survey is online. It can be found at porthuron.org.