Local News

The early snow and frigid temperatures are delaying and cancelling more than just school. Due to the heavy snow conditions, leaf pickup has been suspended in the city of Port Huron until the weather improves to allow for machines to pick up and remove leaves from the curbs and boulevards. The city’s garbage and recycling provider, Emterra says “attempting to do leaf removal under the current conditions will cause damage to the vacuum units.”

The unseasonably early winter has also caused some havoc and delays to garbage  pickup. According to Joshua Johnson, Route Supervisor with Emterra, due to weather, the company is experiencing difficulty with equipment and heavy delays in travel. To minimize the inconvenience to residents in Port Huron, Emterra says they are “working to correct these issues and coordinate with other locations.”

Emterra says they “appreciate [resident’s] patience during this weather incident,” and assured they are working diligently to return to the normal residential schedule, and leaf vaccing program as soon as possible.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

There is exciting news in Fort Gratiot as a large commercial space that has been empty since 2018 has a new owner.  The space was first occupied by Hudson’s, then Marshall Field’s, and most recently, Macy’s, which left Birchwood Mall last year. 

The nearly 103,000 square foot space is listed as a new acquisition of the Lionheart investment group’s Out of the Box Ventures of Miami, Florida, who paid over a half million dollars for the property. The investor owns similar commercial properties throughout the country.  

While its ownership has changed, the future is still in question. No definite plans have been made. Fort Gratiot Community Development Coordinator, Sharon Wilton, told us that she spoke with the owner, Out of the Box Ventures. The Township is looking forward to working with them and potential developers on an approved use for the building. 

Out of the Box had a variety of options in mind which all fit into Fort Gratiot’s Master Plan. According to the township’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan, the need for indoor recreation opportunities have been identified, including a year-round sports complex.  The Master Plan also identifies the growing senior citizen population in the area and the need for indoor entertainment. The possibilities are broad and there is no end to the speculation as to the future of the former Macy’s space, but at this time it is all speculation and guessing.  Out of the Box Ventures is in communication with Fort Gratiot officials and is gauging the needs of the community, with the intent capitalize on its investment in the future. We will keep you posted as we learn more about the plans for this big piece of Birchwood Mall.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

Due to the weather, the following schools and businesses have made changes to their regularly scheduled activities:

Canceled:

• Port Huron Area Schools
• East Shore Leadership Academy
• Marysville Public Schools
• Yale School District
• Landmark Academy
• East China School District
• Capac Community Schools
• Cros-Lex School District
• Peck Community Schools
• Memphis Community Schools
• New Life Christian Academy
• Sandusky School District
• Sanilac Career Center
• St. Clair County RESA
• St. Mary/McCormick Catholic Academy
• SC4  Cros-Lex Campus
• The Council on Aging serving St. Clair County – All 4 senior centers are closed today, and there will be no home-delivered meals, services, or transportation.
• Yale VFW Hall Bingo – No bingo tonight

Delayed:

• SC4 Main Campus will open at 12:30 pm, classes will start at 1:00 pm

Changes:

• Blue Water Transit – Main Roads Only
• St. Clair County Community Mental Health – main office open, however the CIS program is closed and no agency transportation will be provided. Staff are to report to work

This list will be updated as we receive more information.

St. Clair County RESA offers a wide variety of programs that include opportunities for students of all ages and abilities. Specifically, RESA’s Next STEP program gives adults with disabilities ages 18 to 26 the skills and work experience they need to build productive lives of their own. This Thursday, November 14, from 5 to 7:30, RESA is inviting prospective students or employers who might benefit from workers of this background, to stop by SC4’s College Center for an open house. This transition program through RESA helps meet the educational needs of all county students.

The program was established four years ago, and it replaced the Transition Program, formerly operated by the Virtual Learning Academy of St. Clair County. Next STEP which stands for Student Transition Experience Program, recently relocated to classrooms on the campus of St. Clair County Community College. Deana Tuczek, RESA’s Director of Special Education, said Next STEP focuses on developing employability, community involvement, and independent living skills for the students. The program enrolls around 30 students.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

While it seems like summer was just yesterday, and fall had barely begun, clearly winter is here and looks to be sticking around for quite a while. Ski resorts are already open in the Upper Peninsula and the rest of the state is not far behind. Soon, Blue Water area skiers will have an expanded option when outfitting for their next trip. 

John Eppley, of Alpine Cycles, wants to build on the local company’s long history, which his father, Kurt Eppley, and uncle, Bob Eppley, started in 1981. They already have a full-service bike shop and ski shop along with a skateboard, scooter, and accessory shop. The family business expanded in 2008 with a skate shop next door and has been active in raising funds for a new skatepark at Optimist Park in Port Huron.  But, there’s even more happening with Alpine Cycles, as they have announced their expansion into another storefront just down the street from their original shop.  

Alpine has expanded their operations into 720 Huron Avenue, the former Cool City Games location, with the new space as a dedicated ski shop. They now own all four storefronts, including Jan’s Hair Design, which is staying in the space between the Alpine stores.  John said they want to bring back the local ski culture and have a place where ski enthusiasts can meet up before they hit the slopes. He sees potential for the ski culture to flourish and is excited to be a part of it. While the ski shop is now open for business, a Grand Opening is planned for Small Business Saturday.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

The Blue Water community always has a big heart, especially when it comes to children in need.  A local family is trying to raise funds for their little boy, Isaac VanCamp, who has cerebral palsy and kidney disease, among other health concerns. Isaac, who attends Woodlands School in Kimball, uses a wheelchair, and the family is in need of a modified van to get Isaac and his wheelchair around. 

Wheelchair accessible vans are an expensive investment, but make a world of difference to those with disabilities and their caregivers. The Van Camps have been able to put a down payment on a van thanks to some other local fundraisers, but could use a little help paying for the modifications. Last weekend, a fundraiser was held at Family Fun and Skate in Kimball where friends and supporters gathered pledges and and held a friendly competition in the family’s benefit. 

Family Fun and Skate welcomed in wheelchairs onto the rink, and a few hundred dollars was raised, but more is needed.  The VanCamps have three other children, including Isaac’s twin brother, Steven, who also has some serious health problems. The family has founded Michigan Kids on the Move, which outfits PowerWheels vehicles for kids with mobility issues and is active in advocating for children with special needs.  You can find out more about this local family and ways to help them out by visiting their Facebook page “Double Trouble.”

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.