Local News

With the weather heating up in the Blue Water Area we may see more Ozone Action Days.  The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is the agency that determines what constitutes an Ozone Action Day.  Officials at the Michigan DEQ take into account several different factors when determining the severity and nature of an ozone action day. Specific parameters play a significant role: solar insolation, cloud cover, temperature, wind speed and direction, and the presence or absence of precipitation.

Emission factors also contribute. Emissions, though, are not measured on a continuous basis as ambient ozone monitor concentrations are. Emission information is taken into consideration upon general knowledge and historical data.  Some activities that affect emission data are refueling or topping off vehicles, using gas-powered lawn equipment, and even using charcoal lighter fluid. Activities that can have a positive impact on air quality are carpooling, biking to work, delaying or combining errands, and using water-based paints. For further information visit deqmiair.org

The Michigan Department of Transportation M-29 “Road Diet” began Monday, July 15, with a pavement marking contractor in St. Clair making revisions to the pavement markings for the proposed road diet. Residents can expect lane changes from both the Northern and Southern City limits. There will be 1 northbound lane, 1 turning lane and 1 southbound lane (4 lanes reduced down to 3 lanes). Immediately south of the bridge in front of Cargill and the railroad track area will remain 4 lanes for a brief distance.

With the proposed diet, there will be designated bike lanes and a designated turning lane into the Voyageur parking lot.  There will also be a designated turning lane into the Harbor Parking lot. No changes will be made to parallel parking along the boardwalk. The new plan hopes to see decreased traffic speed and increased pedestrian safety. St. Clair officials urge residents to remember that all changes will be temporary, but they’re being made because of numerous MDOT road studies that said traffic speed and pedestrian safety were the top two complaints or concerns of city residents. The changes will be re-evaluated after the season. 

The Rotary International Day Parade steps off tomorrow at 6:30 PM in downtown Port Huron.  The parade route will move from Glenwood and Huron Avenue south to Oak Street. Port Huron Rotary Club President Keely Baribeau said, “The entire club is looking forward to this annual tradition to kick off Blue Water Fest.  Over 10 thousand spectators attend, and it’s a great showcase for local organizations”.

This year’s theme is “Space” in observance of the 50th anniversary of the U.S. moon landing. McLaren Port Huron is the parade’s presenting sponsor.  Ms. Baribeau continued, “This year, we are looking forward to not only welcoming Mark Muzzin from the Starbase program at Selfridge Air National Guard Base as our Grand Marshal but also Jayden Paeth as our parade Jr. Grand Marshal. ” Jayden is the Port Huron High School student who was seriously injured while walking home from school earlier in the 2018-19 school year.  Mike Palmer, Principal of Port Huron High, stated: “The entire Port Huron High community is proud to see Jayden back home. We could not choose a better example of determination and hard work than Jayden Paeth. Thank you to the Port Huron Rotary Club for honoring him.” The event is organized and hosted entirely by volunteers, most of whom are Rotary members. 

Road work can really change your plans, so here’s what you need to watch out for around the area in this week’s road report. In China Township, Meisner Road between King and Indian Trail will have temporary lane closures for construction beginning today for approximately seven consecutive days. In Clay Township, Starville Road between Holland and Swartout will be closed for three days starting today and continuing through July 17 for a crossroad culvert replacement.

Over in Kimball Twp,  Main Street between Smiths Creek Road and Burns will be closed for approximately 28 days for replacement of the structure over Smiths Creek that started July 9. Also in Kimball, don’t forget that Wadhams Road between Griswold & I-69 will be closed for two weeks starting today for the construction on the railroad crossing.

Down in St. Clair Township, there will be temporary lane closures and closure of the shoulder on Wadhams Road at Fred Moore Highway through July 25 for construction on the roundabout. Finally, in Port Huron Township, 32nd Street between Dove and Petit will continue to be closed for construction until further notice. 

A yearly visitor is making its presence known in our area. They have even shown up on weather radar, as there is a large number of them descending in Macomb and southern St. Clair County.  The Mayfly, or commonly known by Michiganders as the Fish Fly, has 2500 different species and over 600 variations in North America alone. According to the website, Wild-Facts.com, the Mayfly is part of an ancient group of insects called Paleoptera which also includes dragonflies. Most mayfly species spend their immature lives in streams and rivers; however, there are a few that prefer the lake bed.  When these lake dwellers emerge, they typically emerge in great numbers. Their life after that is fleeting. They live anywhere from 30 minutes to one-day once they emerge from their aquatic habitat. Their only function once they emerge is to mate. 

The St. Clair County 4-H and Youth Fair begins today out at the County Fairgrounds in Goodells. There will be many different things to experience at this year’s fair.  Horse and Poultry judging take place Monday with the petting farm opening at 11 a.m. and the opening ceremonies for the fair, along with the crowning of the Fair Court, happen at 12 noon.  There are judging events and many other events happening throughout the day today and every day at the fair. A great way to see the schedule is by visiting their website or Facebook page.  At 7  p.m. tonight don’t miss the Flying Star Rodeo and Country Music by DeWayne Shaw. Tuesday is kids day at the fair and there will be many events centered around youth and a monster truck show to cap off the day.