Local News

The annual Beatrice Thornton Art Exhibition is a tradition for Blue Water area students in grades Kindergarten through 12th grade, and the event is quickly approaching. Art for the exhibit is curated by local art teachers in both public and private schools and is open to homeschooled students as well. 

The art is displayed in the college’s Fine Arts Building on SC4’s campus in downtown Port Huron. The event is free and open to the public. Elementary school art will be displayed from February 3-15, with an opening reception from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, February 6. Middle school and high school art will be on display from February 24 through March 7, with an opening reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, February 27. 

This is the 52nd year for the art show. It is a true gallery exhibit, with no judging or awarding, just a chance for the community to take a look at the creative endeavors of area school children. The types of art range from drawings to pottery to mixed media.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

Last weekend, the St. Clair County Right to Life organization returned from a trip to Washington D.C. for the annual March for Life. The group sent 80 people who were part of the estimated quarter of a million people who marched in Washington D.C. to show support for pro-life efforts. 

According to organizers, the local chapter filled two tour buses with marchers. One bus was filled with teenagers and their adult chaperones. Local Youth Minister, Laurie Elliott, of Port Huron, said of her experience that, “It was amazing…to be walking with so many people who are united to being the voice for the voiceless.”

This year was also the first year that a sitting president spoke to the crowd. While the St. Clair County group didn’t get up close to President Trump, they were able to join in the march to the steps of the Supreme Court along with other pro-life activists. The March for Life has been held every January since 1973. The St. Clair County Right to Life Chapter has been operating since 1982.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

Amity Packing Company Inc. in Chicago, Illinois is recalling more than 2,000 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically clear, thin pliable plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced this week.

Recalls are given classes based on the risk to the public. This recall of beef has been designated as class two. According to the USDA this means that the situation is “a health hazard situation where there is a remote probability of adverse health consequences from the use of the product.”

The raw ground beef items were produced on Jan. 6, 2020. The products subject to the recall are one pound vacuum-packed packages containing “Pre 95% LEAN/5% FAT GROUND BEEF” with lot code “0060,” case code “11402” and USE/FREEZE BY date of “01/31/2020” on the product label.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 6916” printed on the right, front side of the package. These items were shipped to retail locations in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.                                 

The problem was discovered after Pre Brands LLC. received two consumer complaints reporting findings of clear, thin pliable plastic in raw ground beef. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.   

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

This week’s Port Huron City Council meeting drew a crowd for a variety of community topics that were discussed, namely the discussion of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for local non-profit SONS. Several citizens spoke in favor of a proposal from the SONS organization which stands for Saving Our Neighborhoods and Streets. SONS hopes to receive a Community Development Block Grant for a new building on their 9.5 acres of property on Electric Avenue on Port Huron’s south side.

SONS Executive Director, Tyrone Burrell, told the council that the organization has been operating in Port Huron for 28 years and has served over 15,000 children with their outreach programs. The organization is planning a $450,000 youth center to be built on the property, which was donated in 2015. Several people spoke about the value of a physical building for the community. Resident Sharon Bender said that SONS’ “influence is vital” to Port Huron. 

In other topics of discussion at the meeting, Arnie Koontz of the Blue Water Rescue Mission also requested consideration for funding for a veteran’s wing for the shelter he runs on Port Huron’s south side. Along with the CDBG hearing, a presentation was given by Katey Posey and Joi Price of the Community Development office regarding the Pride in Port Huron program that has worked to address blight concerns and assist in housing rehab and neighborhood development. Cynthia Cutright made her first council appearance as the new DDA Director. Some citizens addressed their perception of unfair blight targeting to which the Mayor assured that the council would look into the issue.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

Harsens Island Brewery on Gratiot Boulevard in Marysville has been listed for sale but Owner Brian Phinney says the business has “not made any decisions to sell” as they “are simply exploring the market conditions as we continue to operate.” Known for its in-house made craft beer selection, the bar-restaurant establishment opened in the summer of 2015.

According to the listing by Kramer Commercial Realty, the restaurant consists of approximately 3,300 square feet and the additional square footage that serves as the brewing area is just over 7,600 square feet. The restaurant sits on a little more than three-and-a-half acres. 

The commercial listing has a price set at $425,000, which includes the restaurant and kitchen equipment but does not include the brewery license or brewing equipment. The license and equipment are also listed for sale, though, for an additional $210,000. 

Harsens Island Brewery is still open to the public at this time. Updated hours have been posted on the business’s Facebook page.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

Former Blue Water area teacher, Barbara Donovan, has left a $1.6 million endowment to the Community Foundation of St. Clair County and St. Clair County Community College (SC4). Ms. Donovan passed away in May of 2019 at the age of 90. She left her entire estate to the Foundation and the College. The Community Foundation will disperse half of the funds to the People’s Clinic for Better Health, according to a press release from the Foundation. 

The People’s Clinic exists to provide medical care to underserved residents of St. Clair County. Chandra Gruber, Director of the Lake Huron Foundation that oversees the operation of the People’s Clinic said, “This generous gift will help with the sustainability of the clinic so that it can be running for another 30 years.” 

The rest of the money is intended for two scholarships for students at St. Clair County Community College. Donovan had been an instructor at both Port Huron High School and Port Huron Business College. She was known as a lifelong learner, taking continuing education classes for nearly thirty years after her retirement, right up until her final months. She had planned this legacy gift with her attorney, and according to Jackie Hanton, Community Foundation Vice President, “patients at the People’s Clinic and students at SC4 will benefit from the gift that keeps on giving because of Barbara’s philanthropic foresight and planning.”

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.