Local News

Friends of the St. Clair River is moving from the Blue Water River Walk to a new home in Marine City.  The environmental advocacy group, which has been at the River Walk for the past two-and-a-half years is moving to the Marine City Chamber of Commerce building at 480 S. Water St. in Marine City. The building, currently, features a wrap showing fish species native to Michigan and the Great Lakes, but it dates back to the industrial era of shipping and railroads, at one time being a part of the Grand Trunk elevator in the 1920’s. Local philanthropist Dr. James C. Acheson donated the building to the Community Foundation in 2010 which, in 2017, gave use of the building to the Friends of the St. Clair River. The Foundation, now, plans to take down the building this fall. Sheri Faust, Friends of the St. Clair River President said the group is “excited about this move putting [them] closer to the goal of establishing Michigan’s Thumb Coast’s first watershed center.” Faust said the shed will be coming down to “make room for more wildlife habitat.” To celebrate the move, the group will host an open house from 4:30-7:00 p.m. next Thursday October 17. For more information on the open house, find the Friends of the St. Clair River on Facebook.

It’s Monday, which means a new round of road construction to be on the lookout for around the area. Beginning in northern St. Clair County, in Greenwood Township,  Kilgore Road between Lohr and Yale will be closed for bridge replacement until further notice while Yale Road between Brown and Duce will have intermittent lane closures for crack-sealing throughout the week. To the southwest in Riley Township, Bordman Road west of Memphis will have intermittent lane closures for crack-sealing this week while Wales Center Road between Morriss and Lapeer in Wales Township will be closed until the end of the month for bridge replacement. At the southern end of the county,  in China Township, Recor Road between King and M-29 will be closed for a paving project that is expected to be completed just before Thanksgiving. Finally in Cottrellville Township, Starville Road between Marine City Highway and Plank will have intermittent lane closures this week while Starville between Shea and Angling will be closed until November 15. 

By now, you may have heard the term “REAL ID” and how you will need one to travel. That deadline is now, less than a year away. TSA is stressing two important points: REAL ID enforcement will begin on October 1, 2020, and you must have a REAL ID-compliant form of identification or another form of acceptable ID (like a passport) in order to board a flight. If TSA cannot verify your identity, you will not be permitted to enter the airport security checkpoint and will not be allowed to fly. In spite of this fast-approaching enforcement date, it’s estimated that only 27% of U.S. citizens currently have a state-issued identification that meets the REAL ID requirements. According to the Michigan Secretary of State, in order to obtain a compliant license, you’ll need to bring a valid U.S. passport or certified birth certificate with a raised seal or stamp to any Secretary of State office. Other documents verifying legal presence are accepted. There is no extra cost to apply when renewing your driver’s license or ID, but if you apply outside of your normal renewal time, a duplicate card fee will be charged.

The Blue Water Robotics Alliance will be getting a new venue to hone their robotics skills. A 6,000 square foot building on Petit Street in Port Huron is being provided by P.J. Wallbank Springs, Inc. In the new space set to open next week, 10 area teams will use the space to collaborate and become more competitive with Metro Detroit area teams. 

The Blue Water Robotics Alliance includes all of St. Clair County’s school districts. The effort to have one centralized location where all of the teams could get together to practice and collaborate was spearheaded by Dan Kiehler of Memphis High School and Steven Tenniswood of St. Clair High School. The field within the structure cost over $23,000. Funds for that field were provided through the work of the Eastern Michigan Manufacturing Association (EMMA), the Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County (EDA), Blue Meets Green, and the Community Foundation of St. Clair County. An open house and name reveal will take place on October 8th at the Petit Street location.

Domtar Paper has announced the company is planning to reduce its workforce at two locations, including the Port Huron plant. In a press release to the media this week, the company said it would be permanently shutting down two of its paper machines at the Port Huron and Ashdown, Arkansas locations. The shutdown will cause a reduction of about 100 employees between the two locations with Ashdown seeing the majority of the jobs reduction.

According to Port Huron City Manager James Freed, Domtar Port Huron will see 22 employees lose their jobs, reducing the company’s workforce in Port Huron to 212. Freed said in an email to the Port Huron City Council that, “the job market is strong in [Port Huron] and [he believes] full employment can be found for the affected workers and residents.” John D. Williams, President and CEO of Domtar, cited a declining market for uncoated freesheet paper. The American Forest and Paper Association describe uncoated freesheet paper as a grade of paper that is used as copy paper, envelope paper, business form paper, and can be used in books.  Craig Timm, Manager of Regional Public Affairs for Domtar told WGRT the Port Huron machine will be shut down on November 15th.  

The 72nd District Court in Marine City is unveiling some major changes to the public this week after a remodel to enhance court security. The project began in early 2019, and was completed in August. The largest part of the project was a security wing to house in-custody defendants with two holding cells and two attorney/client meeting rooms. Cameras were installed on the interior and exterior of the building, as well as a new key card system for non-public areas. 

The main entrance was revamped adding a security station. The Prosecutor’s office and Victims Rights office were relocated to allow for more privacy. Nearly $250,000 was approved for the project, and when finished, it came in under budget by nearly $8000. William Vogan and Associates was the architectural firm, and LaBelle Construction served as the general contractor.