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Local News

Police Volunteers Will Honor 9/11 Fallen at International Flag Plaza

Port Huron, MI — The public 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony planned for this Friday has been cancelled, but two Port Huron Police Volunteers will still show their respect at the International Flag Plaza on Thomas Edison Parkway. The volunteers will be standing in silence from 8 AM to 11 AM and alternately holding the Thin Blue Line flag and the Thin Red Line flag to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice 19 years ago.

On September 11, 2001, 72 police officers and 343 firefighters gave their lives running unselfishly toward the destruction caused by the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon just outside Washington D.C.

Almost 3,000 people were killed during the attacks which initiated major U.S. efforts to combat terrorism around the world over the last 19 years.

Despite the cancellation of the local remembrance ceremony, the Port Huron Police Department honors the officers, firefighters, and Emergency Medical Technicians who died that day. They have not been forgotten.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

First Human Case of West Nile Virus for 2020 in Michigan

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) reported the first human case of West Nile Virus for 2020 in a Wayne County resident last week. The mosquito-borne disease becomes a risk for humans when infected birds, animals, and mosquito pools are detected in an area.

So far this year, two birds have tested positive for WNV from Oakland and Lapeer counties. Five counties in Michigan have WNV positive mosquito pools: Arenac, Kent, Lapeer, Oakland and Saginaw.

Most people who become infected with West Nile Virus will not develop any symptoms of illness, but about one in 150 people will become severely ill.

The best protection from West Nile Virus is to avoid contact with infected mosquitoes. When spending time outdoors, wear light-colored clothing with long sleeves and long pants, and apply insect repellent to clothing and exposed skin.  Eliminate standing water that could become breeding sites for mosquitoes, and maintain window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Local Real Estate Market Follows Statewide Trends: Seller’s Market

Port Huron, MI — The local real estate market is reflecting statewide trends and it is truly a seller’s market. Low interest rates, sparse inventory, and a desire for more space after all that time at home have kept real estate agents busy locally and around Michigan.

Shawn Debuf, a Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Professionals in Port Huron, said, “With mortgage rates at an all-time low, and with less listings, buyers have had to become aggressive with their offers. For example, they may offer over listing price with a cash guarantee even if the home doesn’t appraise at that value.” She reported that values have increased in most areas across St. Clair County.

The website Unclutterer.com reported that nearly half of Michiganders are bored with where they live, after quarantining in the same areas for months on end. They report that “36% of city dwellers in the Great Lakes State now want to move out to the suburbs, or the country”. If they take the plunge into the real estate market, they will need to be ready to make an offer quickly, as properties are moving fast, and desirable houses don’t stay on the market for long.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Kelly Secures Nomination for Michigan Supreme Court

The race for the open seats in the Michigan Supreme Court will include a local name this year. Mary Kelly has secured the nomination for candidacy as a Supreme Court Justice.

The nomination was made by Retired Chief Justice Bob Young during the recent Michigan Republican Convention. The Convention was held virtually at the end of August with the nomination made by video. Young endorsed Kelly as a “rule of law” judge.

Kelly served for over three decades as Prosecuting Attorney in St. Clair County. She is a graduate of Michigan State University and Detroit College of Law.

Two seats on the Court will be up for grabs in 2021. Incumbent Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack is running to retain her seat, while another seat will be vacated by Justice Stephen Markman, who has aged out of the court.

Brock Swartzle, a Court of Appeals Judge, was also nominated at the Republican Convention. Swartzle and Kelly will face off against incumbent McCormack, Democrat Elizabeth Welch, and candidates from other parties for the two vacant seats.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Traffic Stop in Kimball Ends with Meth Bust

Kimball Twp., MI — A traffic stop on I-69 near Wadhams Road in Kimball Township on September 4th ended with a methamphetamine bust.

According to St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon, members of the St. Clair County Drug Task Force pulled over a vehicle on eastbound I-69 shortly after 2:30 a.m.  After talking with the driver of the vehicle, it was determined that he was in possession of crystal methamphetamine.  The Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit was called to the scene and K-9 Faust alerted deputies about more narcotics being inside the vehicle.

Members of the DTF conducted a search of the vehicle, where they located and seized about $7,000 worth of crystal meth, along with psilocybin mushrooms, analog pills and cash.

The suspect, a 40 year old Flint man, was arrested and lodged at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center.  He is expected to face charges including possession with intent to deliver crystal methamphetamine, possession psilocybin mushrooms, possession of analogs and being a habitual offender.

The Michigan State Police also assisted at the scene of the traffic stop.

Registration Open for SC4 Late Start Fall Classes

Port Huron, MI — Registration is open for late-start fall semester classes at St. Clair County Community College. Seats are still available in 12-week classes starting the week of Sept. 21st and 8-week classes starting the week of October. 19th. Classes are available at the Port Huron campus and online.

Late-start classes allow students to earn credits at a faster pace. Class topics include biology, business, English, history, math, political science, psychology, sociology and more.

Current students can register for classes online in the SC4 Portal, and new students can start their SC4 journey by visiting sc4.edu and applying for admission.

Registration services are available at SC4’s One-Stop Student Services Center located in the Dr. James C. Acheson Welcome Center on the corner of Erie Street and Glenwood Avenue on the Port Huron Campus.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand