We had a great visit from Andy Bakko, owner of Wolverine Market and chairman of the Port Huron Beer Fest! Listen as Andy shares what you can expect from this year’s Beer Fest which is coming to Keifer Park on Saturday, September 28th. You can find even more information about the event by clicking <HERE>
The Miss Michigan USA and Miss Teen USA Pageants came to Port Huron over the weekend and showcased some of the growth and beauty in the Port Huron Area. The event has made Port Huron home for the past 18 years, and Southfield’s Chanel Johnson was crowned Miss USA Michigan. Aneesa Sheikh of Bloomfield Hills was the Miss Michigan Teen USA winner.
In addition to the show being in town, the area benefits economically. Blue Water Convention and Visitors Bureau’s President, Marci Fogal, said that with practice and interviews, the parents of contestants often head to area restaurants or shopping experiences. Fogal said she talked to a few of the parents that were in Port Huron last year, and have returned this year. Their feedback was that they were amazed at how different the downtown area is, and how much more there is to do.
State Executive Director for Miss Michigan USA, Melissa Proctor-Pitchford said, when she went on site visits throughout the entire state for different locations, the Blue Water area was captivating to her. She said the criteria for selecting a location is that it is a tourist destination and a place where contestants and their families will have a good time.
Reporting for WGRT – Karly Hurley
Have you noticed an abundance of spiders lately? Michigan State University Entomologist Howard Russell said, “Rather than an abundance, it really [is] more about the time of year.” He said, “In the fall, many species are out and about looking for a good spot to spend the winter.” While the majority of spiders in Michigan are not venomous or dangerous, it can still be frightening to encounter those larger-than-normal critters up close.
Some of the most common spiders found in Michigan are the wolf spider, the orb-Weaver, and the cellar spider. According to Russell, “There are about 500 species of spiders in Michigan.” He said that 90% of a spider’s diet is made up of insects, and it is estimated that spiders eat as many as 800 million tons of insects every year. The only two spiders that are dangerous are the rare brown recluse and the black widow.
While it can be tempting to squash the spider or maybe scream for someone else to, you may want to think twice. Spiders prey on other pests like mosquitoes, ants, wasps, and flies. Some spiders will even eat other spiders. The daddy long legs, or cellar spider, will eat a black widow spider. For farmers in the area, an acre of an agricultural field may have tens of thousands to millions of spiders. It is estimated that the benefit of pest control performed by the spider may exceed $100 billion dollars per year. Take your pick!
Reporting for WGRT – Karly Hurley
A Port Huron Township man was killed in a motorcycle crash on Sunday evening in Port Huron Township. The St. Clair County Sheriff’s office responded to the 2700 block of Beach Road. The sheriff’s office released a statement saying the man was traveling northbound on Beach road.
It is believed the man left the roadway and ran along the shoulder and ditch line of the road before he struck a parked vehicle. The crash occurred just after 8:30 PM Sunday. Port Huron Township Fire and Rescue and Tri-Hospital EMS responded. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. It is unknown why the motorcycle left the road and the crash remains under investigation.
Reporting for WGRT – Karly Hurley
Old Farm Subdivision in Fort Gratiot Township may be converting the gas lanterns that have illuminated their streets since the 1970s to LED lighting. Residents of the “Old Farm” neighborhood petitioned the township to change their neighborhood lighting from gas to electric forming what is known as a lighting district.
Fort Gratiot Township Supervisor Rob Crawford said many residents want the changes because of long-term cost savings and maintenance. The township supervisor said, “Currently it costs residents $20,000 per year to operate the gas lamps, and the LED lights will cost approximately $9500 annually to operate.” Crawford went on to say that, “Installation of the new LED lights would cost nearly $200,000 and would become the largest lighting district in terms of cost that the township has ever considered.”
A Street Lighting District is initiated by a resident-petition and created by a local government agency to pay the costs associated with lighting on and around public streets, highways, parks, and alleys. In this scenario, residents (per household) would pay, on average, around $400 per year for three years. This would cover the installation and operational costs. After that three year period, the cost would drop to around $45 per household to operate the lights. Currently, residents pay approximately $90 per year to operate the gas lamps. A public hearing is set for October 16th at the township offices.
Reporting for WGRT – Karly Hurley
Did you know that more than 400,000 people in the United States are living with Down Syndrome? Down Syndrome is a genetic condition where a person is born with an extra copy of chromosome 21, and the 15th annual St. Clair County Down Syndrome Walk will be an opportunity for the community to embrace and support individuals living with the condition. The walk will take place Saturday, September 28th from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. starting at Pine Grove Park.
While the event is free to participate in, walkers are encouraged to raise money that will go towards supporting the St. Clair County Down Syndrome Support Group. Those funds primarily go towards scholarships to assist families with educational, recreational, and medical needs. They also help provide welcoming information and resources to share with new parents whose children were recently diagnosed with Down Syndrome. For more information on the group or event, visit the event on our website here.
Reporting for WGRT – EBWtv
