Local News

School days in and around the area are now underway, and attendance is already at the forefront.  September is National Attendance Awareness Month. On their website, Attendance Works says that more than 8 million students are missing so many days of school they are academically at risk. Missing 10 percent or more of school days due to absence for any reason can translate into 3rd graders being unable to master reading, 6th graders failing a subject, or a 9th grader dropping out of high school. In a newsletter issued by Port Huron Schools, residents were reminded that every member of the community plays a role in reducing absences for students. Rather than approaching absences from a punishment perspective, Port Huron Schools wants students and families to know that they care first and foremost.  The district wants to encourage positive relationships at school so the student feels welcomed and cared for every day upon arrival. The school district said they care about students getting the highest level of opportunity from their educational journey.

September is National Preparedness Month, and FEMA’s theme this year is Prepared, Not Scared. The agency is offering different advice each week during the month of September. This week the theme is Save Early for Disaster Costs. The agency tells us to be financially prepared for a disaster.  According to the Federal Reserve, 40% of Americans don’t have $400 in savings, and setting a small amount aside from each paycheck into an emergency account can be helpful. The agency says it’s a good idea to start talking with your children early about money and include them in discussions about saving for unexpected events.

Americans are also advised to keep some cash on hand in case of emergencies since ATMs and credit card readers won’t always be available when the power goes out. Having insurance with the correct coverage in an adequate amount is also extremely important. On their Ready.gov page, FEMA explains that most homeowners and renters’ insurance does not cover flood damage. Most flood insurance policies take 30 days to go into effect. Since most of us have a cell phone, snap photos of important documents, including those insurance policies, and your personal belongings to help you file an insurance claim.

Soon you will be seeing some new trees being planted at St. Clair County Community College. The college recently received a $1500 grant to plant trees on the college campus. The grant was awarded through a partnership between the DNR, the DTE Energy Foundation, and ReLeaf Michigan. SC4 is one of 33 communities in the state to receive the award and the only college or university awarded the grant this year. SC4 President Dr. Deborah Snyder said they are thrilled to once again receive the grant and that the college looks forward to having new trees on campus. The program, according to the college’s website, supports SC4’s commitment to environmental stewardship and represents one of the college’s many green initiatives. The trees proposed were chosen by faculty who were designing their selections for varietal and environmental impact. It is estimated the new trees will intercept nearly 450 gallons of stormwater runoff. The DNR says the tree planting program is part of an initiative supporting environmental care. Since the program’s founding, nearly 46,000 trees and seedlings have been planted in more than 500 Michigan communities.

An area in Port Huron between Dove and Nern as well as 28th and 32nd streets will be receive funding to prepare the land as a new industrial zone. The current industrial park is almost at full capacity, and officials want to increase the confidence of potential investors in the area. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has approved a Site Readiness Grant submitted by the Economic Development Alliance. The grant is for an amount up to $100,000, and the City of Port Huron has committed to match the grant up to that amount. The grant will provide funds to assist in clearing, tree removal, leveling, ground seeding, geotechnical investigation, and potential site development studies. The MEDC initially announced a $1.5 million dollar commitment to the Site Readiness Program in the state of Michigan, but it had to double their statewide commitment after receiving so many requests. Dan Casey, CEO of the EDA of St. Clair County, said the EDA worked closely with the City of Port Huron on the grant application, and they are pleased to be receiving the maximum grant award allowed by the program. 

University of Michigan students were recently in the area for some underwater research. Katie Stepp, owner of Michigan Boat Rentals in Port Huron, said an underwater research team from the University of Michigan recently chartered a pontoon boat from her company. The group from the University of Michigan was testing low cost underwater autonomous mapping technology.  On their website, the group explains that current technology is expensive and only effective in depths around 3500 feet. Much of the ocean below those depths, according to the group, remains unexplored. The group brought a test vehicle to the area that weighs 45 pounds and is just over 3 feet long. It can operate at a depth of nearly 20,000 feet. The AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) costs about $30,000 to build and is easily assembled using off the shelf parts. The group believes the vehicle will have commercial applications for deep sea fishing and underwater mining to name a few.  

Many Marysville residents are responding to encourage a conversation about diversity after racist comments were made by a former candidate running for Marysville City Council. One resident, Jason Stier, who is also  Principal of Riverview East High School in East China, has started a campaign to display yard signs throughout the city. Stier said he believes that diversity is not just about race, but about everyone having a different experience in life, with varying challenges, strengths, and weaknesses they bring to the table. As a former art educator, Stier decided to design a yard sign with a simple message on it, “Marysville, where everybody is welcome.” Scott Forster, President of ForSports and a fellow Marysville resident, said he was contacted by Jason about making signs. The signs are now available for purchase on the ForSports Facebook page or website.