Local News

Christmas Dinner is something that most people look forward to all year long. But, for some, it can be a lonely day if there is no one to celebrate with. The SOS Marysville Food Bank is offering residents an option to spend Christmas with others as they will be hosting the annual Community Christmas Dinner to be held at Marysville United Methodist Church on Huron Boulevard. 

Last year, over 1,300 people were served and the organization is expecting similar numbers this year. Volunteers begin preparing the meal at 6 a.m. on Christmas morning and work until late afternoon. Dinners are available for delivery and takeout also. 

Carmella Burns’ team of volunteers with the food bank are especially concerned with the area’s senior citizens and those who are living in shelters, making sure that meals are delivered to them. Burns started the event with her family about six years ago and has watched it grow into a tradition that engages a host of community groups from law enforcement to robotics teams to churches, as volunteers prepare, serve, and deliver the meals.

For Ms. Burns, the highlight is seeing the people donating their time. Volunteers often enjoy it so much that they are hesitant to leave, even on Christmas. The dinner is ham or turkey with all the side dishes and dessert. To volunteer or to reserve a dinner, call 810-364-6333.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

The Harsens Island mainland ferry dock collapsed into the river last week causing chaos for some local residents and leaving many vehicles stranded on the downriver island. The good news, although longer than originally expected, is that the ferry is back to a normal operating schedule as of 6 p.m. Monday evening. While heavy trucks are still on hold, cars and light trucks can now cross with garbage pickup also resuming on the island this coming Friday. 

The dock collapse came about a month after the ferry owners submitted a repair plan to the Michigan State Police citing the summer’s high water levels as the reason for the need to limit the types and weights of vehicles. 

The downstream, mainland dock had already been temporarily taken out of service to begin repairs that included new pipes for stabilization and a hinge foundation. The project was supposed to be completed in late spring, but the recent collapse will likely change that timeline. A passenger boat has been operating through Clay Township for individual passengers in the time since the incident. Champion’s Auto Ferry, a privately owned business, owns and operates the sole ferry service to and from Harsens Island.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

Over the weekend, the St. Clair Allied Veteran’s Cemetery was filled with local residents who volunteered to place remembrance wreaths on the graves of fallen heroes while saying each and every veteran’s name aloud. The remembrance ceremonies were part of a nationwide event called “Wreaths Across America.” 

This year, the local activities were organized by Jowett Family Funeral Home. The original goal was to raise money for 975 wreaths. The goal was exceeded with 994 wreaths sponsored. Volunteers included local Boy Scout troops, families and non-profits organizations. Kelly Klemmer, who volunteered, said “the whole experience was humbling, moving,and such an honor to pay respects to those that have fought for our freedoms.” She said her “boyfriend is an Army Veteran, so when [they] first heard about the mission and the event, [they] were on board immediately.” It was the couple’s first year participating, but Klemmer said they will definitely be back because “it truly was rewarding.”

The national event has been taking place for more than 20 years, beginning at Arlington National Cemetery. This year, wreaths were laid at over 1,600 locations across the United States.

Reporting for WGRT, I’m Karly Hurley.

Good news for Michiganders and locally, Gratiot Park users, as the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced its disbursement of $25 million into projects to enhance public outdoor recreation. 

The City of Port Huron was awarded a $50,000 grant to pay for development of inclusive play equipment at Gratiot Park to include access pathways, site amenities, and renovation of play equipment and basketball courts. The century old park is proposed to get accessibility upgrades and compliance with modern safety regulations, according to the DNR. The fund was established in 1976 to support conservation and recreation. 

The grants are subject to legislative approval. Gratiot Park is located on the north end of Port Huron, near the Blue Water Bridge. It is within walking distance of the convention center and many neighborhoods. The upgrades should improve safety and accessibility for playground users.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

Returning cans and bottles to the store to get your deposit back is a way of life in Michigan. It is also a tried and true fundraising tactic as people are generally willing to “donate” their deposit to little league teams and 8th grade class trips in exchange for not having to stand in line at the bottle return area of the grocery store. 

That practice might grow if a bill to expand the scope of the bottle deposits makes it through the legislature. Legislation was introduced last week to add non-carbonated beverages to the list of returnable cans and bottles. The original bottle law was passed in 1976 to reduce litter.

Most cans and bottles returned now are recycled, but the market for recycled plastic is dwindling. The bill was introduced by two Democrats from Kalamazoo who hope to encourage responsible consumption. The bill addresses the added burden to retailers in accepting and storing the increased volume of returnables and has provisions for fraud enforcement. The bills have been introduced in both the House and the Senate. They have a long way to go and a lot of details to work out as the discussion of expanding the bottle bill continues.

The Huron Lightship is a fixture in Port Huron, but the historic high-water levels have given the community a bit of a scare as the ship has looked like it might float away. That was never a real concern, as the ship is buried deep into the ground next to Pine Grove Park, but water was indeed touching the ship for the first time since 1972. 

The raising of the seawall to ensure that the National Historic Landmark remains undamaged is wrapping up. Andrew Kercher, spokesman for the Port Huron Museums, told us that the community had “come out of the woodwork” when he broached the issue of needing to raise the seawall. The threat of damage from impending ice floes was not far from his mind, as sandbags were not cutting it. The Acheson Foundation alone put $20,000 toward the effort. The City of Port Huron has paid the remainder of the more than $30,000 total bill, with help from Thumb Welding, to pump out the water and raise the sea wall. 

The Lightship has national designation and will be celebrating its 100th anniversary soon, but its protection and preservation falls on local municipalities and organizations.