Local News

Sarnia unveiled a new $800,000 Emergency Management Mobile Command Vehicle on May 30th. It replaces the aging unit used by fire, police, and other agencies. The vehicle acts as a high-tech command hub with live video, secure communications, and on-site coordination tools. Bluewater Association for Safety, Environment, and Sustainability contributed $200,000 to the project. Officials say it will improve response during large-scale emergencies. The City is finalizing radio and cellular connections before full rollout.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Michigan State Police are seeking help to find a driver involved in a hit-and-run crash in Flynn Township, Sanilac County. On the evening of May 30th, a horse and buggy driven by a Brown City man was hit from behind on West Peck Road near Isles Road. The suspect’s white Ford Fusion, likely a ’10 to ’14 model with front-end damage, fled eastbound. The buggy driver and horse were seriously hurt, with the driver taken to a local hospital. Anyone with information should call Sanilac County Dispatch.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

On May 25th, the Port Huron Police Department conducted a compliance check at 29 local stores licensed to sell alcohol. Using underage decoys, officers tested whether businesses would sell alcohol to minors. None of the stores sold to the decoys, showing strong compliance with state laws. Police thanked all the stores for following the rules and emphasized the importance of checking IDs to keep alcohol out of the hands of underage residents. This effort supports Port Huron’s ongoing commitment promoting responsible alcohol sales in the community.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

In Port Huron, the backyard chicken debate is heating up again. After a tied vote last April, some council members want to revisit the issue, while Mayor Ashford says City Manager Freed hasn’t communicated clearly. Freed disagrees, saying he provided detailed info. Residents support chickens for sustainability. Some officials now suggest a citywide vote next year. More meetings are planned to sort it out. The issue remains alive and important in Port Huron.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

In St. Clair County, the Sheriff’s Department warns residents about a recent scam targeting local families. Scammers are calling, pretending to be sheriff’s deputies, and demanding money to release a loved one on a tether. The department confirms this is false—tethers don’t work that way, and they never ask for payments by phone. Anyone who suspects they’ve been scammed should immediately contact St. Clair County Central Dispatch at (810) 985-8115 to report it. Stay alert and protect your family.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Students from St. Clair County Technical Education Center, called the Clever Coyotes, won first place at the Michigan Envirothon in Kalamazoo. They competed against top high school teams statewide, showing strong skills in environmental science and natural resource conservation. Sponsored by the Blue Water Area Conservation District, the team tackled challenges on topics like water ecology, renewable energy, soils, agriculture, wildlife, and forestry. The students, from Yale, Port Huron Northern, and Algonac high schools, gain hands-on experience.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet