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Local News

License and Registration Expirations Extended to September 30

Port Huron, MI — Driver’s License, State ID, and vehicle registration expirations have been extended to September 30th. Bills were signed into law to codify previous Executive Orders that extended expirations. Secretary of State offices are currently taking appointments only. This order allows some breathing room for those residents who may be panicking about getting an appointment, social distancing, or paying for vehicle registration renewals.

According to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, “These bills will give Michigan residents peace of mind and reduce the amount of person to person interaction necessary when renewing licenses and registrations.”

While this action is intended to reduce the number of in-person transactions at the Secretary of State branches, residents are reminded that most transactions can be conducted online, by mail, or at a Self-Service Station. Locally, there are stations at the Secretary of State Branch Office on Krafft Road in Port Huron and at the Marysville Meijer.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson commented on the new law saying, “We have been continually assessing the safest way to maintain branch operations and this legislation will go a long way toward those efforts.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Community Foundation Acquires Knowlton Ice Museum

Port Huron, MI — Operation of the Knowlton Ice Museum is about to be turned over to the Community Foundation of St. Clair County. If the plans are approved, a new nonprofit entity will be created, and assets and care of the museum will be transferred to the Foundation. 

Chuck Knowlton, Trustee of the Knowlton Family Private Foundation, said, “The Community Foundation is the right fit for our family’s charitable legacy. We have grown an endowment fund to be available to care for the Ice Museum collection in perpetuity, and the Foundation has the expertise, dedication and transparency we wanted as a family to be able to feel good about the transfer of not only millions in charitable assets, but the museum collections as well.” 

Mickey and Agnes Knowlton, founders of Party Time Ice, created the Knowlton Foundation and the Knowlton Ice Museum in 2000. The museum’s extensive collection of ice-making equipment and memorabilia have been open to the public since 1987.

The current location of the artifacts in Downtown Port Huron has been open since 2009. The museum will continue to be open to the public as usual.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Mannequins Will Still Be a Part of Summer 2020

Port Huron, MI — Kelly Strilcov, owner of Salon Pizazz in Downtown Port Huron, has mobilized her stylists and volunteer mannequins every summer for the last  10 years to produce Mannequins Making a Difference. The event has become one of the most popular components of Boat Week and the Blue Water Fest with crowds spending hours watching models in creative costumes stand perfectly still for hours in the July sun.

This year, with the cancellation of Blue Water Fest, many locals and visitors have been wondering what summer traditions will continue despite the pandemic. Kelly and a group of Downtown Port Huron business sponsors and supporters decided to find a way to safely get Mannequins Making a Difference back to Downtown.

Organizers compiled photos of past mannequins, and Sir Speedy is creating 4′ by 8′ foot replicas to place in Downtown businesses. Beginning July 9th through July 31st, spectators can stop by the business with a square Mannequins Making a Difference sticker on the ground by their door. They can find the mannequin replica in the store, take a photo with it, and share it on social media with #PortHuronStrong. Submissions are eligible to win a prize from Salon Pizazz.

“Adaptability is the name of the game for all of us this year. We look forward to resuming to life as it was during boat week in 2021,” said Kelly Strilcov.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Hunter Hospitality House Recognizes Volunteers, Cancels Fundraiser

Port Huron, MI — Due to COVID-19 concerns, Hunter Hospitality House cancelled their Hope Blooms Fundraiser that was planned for August 26 at the Blue Water Convention Center. The event is a major fundraiser for the non-profit that provides free lodging to those with loved ones in local hospitals.

Several awards are usually given out at Hope Blooms, and the cancellation of the event didn’t stop Hunter Hospitality House from recognizing their volunteers.

The M. Martha Koerber Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Barbara Teller in recognition of her six years of dependable house cleaning work. Executive Director of Hunter Hospitality House, Tracy Willard, said, “When we need something done thoroughly and with exceptional excellence, like training new volunteers, ‘Barb’ is our go-to gal!”

The other award is the Paula Flynn Godwin Spirit of Hunter Hospitality House Award. The award was given to Hannah Yurgens. According to Willard, “Anyone who knows Hannah knows that when she finds a cause she’s passionate about, nothing will stop her from helping them. She literally bubbles over with enthusiasm, as does her son, Adam Watson, who also volunteers for HHH.”

The 2021 Hope Blooms event is being planned. Tickets for the 2020 event will be honored at the 2021 fundraiser.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Mary Kelly Seeking Supreme Court Justice Seat

Port Huron, MI — Port Huron attorney Mary Kelly is hoping to be a Republican nominee to the Michigan Supreme Court.

Two seats on the Michigan Supreme Court will be on the November ballot this year. One is held by Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack, a Democratic nominee, who is seeking re-election. The other seat will be vacated by Justice Stephen Markman, a Republican nominee, who has aged out, preventing reelection.

Kelly has served over 30 years as a St. Clair County Prosecuting Attorney. She has been the Senior Assistant Prosecuting Attorney since 2004. She was the lead attorney for the launch of the Criminal Sexual Conduct Unit. Kelly graduated from Michigan State University in 1980 and is a 1984 graduate of the Detroit College of Law.

At this point, there is one other candidate seeking one of the two nominations from the Michigan Republican Party. Brock Swartzle, a Court of Appeals Judge, has announced his candidacy as well. The nominees will be finalized at the Michigan Republican State Convention on August 29. The Republicans currently hold the majority with four of the seats on the court. The Democrats have already chosen their two nominees, incumbent Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack and Elizabeth Welch. The eight-year term on the Supreme Court begins in 2021.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Lake Huron Foundation Volunteer Organization Awards Scholarships

PORT HURON, MI – Lake Huron Foundation’s Volunteer Organization (LHFVO) is pleased to announce ten (10) scholarships have been awarded to students enrolled in a community college or university who are studying for a career in the health care field.

Because of COVID-19 pandemic and the financial difficulty it has placed on many students, LHFVO increased the number of scholarships awarded in 2020 from six to ten. The hope is to provide additional relief to students during this unprecedented and uncertain time. Each recipient will be awarded $1,200. The 2020 Healthcare Scholarship recipients are:

  • Megan Carnaghi – Franciscan University
  • Lindsay Carter – Grand Valley State University
  • Kaitlyn Fletcher – Michigan Technological University
  • Sydney Kenaya – Michigan State University
  • Serenity Lademer – Michigan State University
  • Courtney Lundy – St. Clair County Community College
  • Christene Marcum – St. Clair County Community College
  • Jamison Nightingale – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Olivia Poelker – University of Detroit Mercy
  • Heather Porter – St. Clair County Community College

The eligibility requirements and considerations included: students enrolled in a community college or university who are studying for a career in the field of health care, are currently enrolled, carrying a minimum of six (6) credits per semester and demonstrating satisfactory progress.