Local News

The Port Huron Police Department, working closely with the community to fight against and eliminate crime in Port Huron, has developed many new crime prevention programs, but there is one that is regularly seeking the public’s help. The C.A.P.T.U.R.E. Association, which stands for crime awareness and prevention through a unified reporting effort helps to facilitate and aid crime prevention activities by the Port Huron Police Department.

According to the city of Port Huron’s website, the C.A.P.T.U.R.E. Association consists of a number of civic minded volunteers who represent a cross section of the community, such as the Police Department, financial institutions, media, insurance companies, and more that meets regularly to review, plan and implement programs and activities related to Crime Prevention and recommend awards to the Secret Witness Hotline Program participants.

In addition, the Association features “Port Huron’s Most Wanted,” “Crime of the Week,” or a crime prevention tip of the month which is where the general public can help. If you have tips on crime, the week’s most wanted (which can even pay in some cases) or want to be involved in the group’s efforts, call 810-987-6688.

Each year, many people prepare for 25 days of Christmas to watch some of their favorite Christmas movies. Many people know the movie, “A Christmas Story,” and many may even watch it every year. Fans of this movie can experience the movie in real life as the house from the movie is both a museum and hotel. 

Brian Jones is the man behind it all, who has been a long time fan of “A Christmas Story” and bought the Parker family home in Cleveland. For more than 10 years, the family home has been acting as a museum while it took Jones two years to renovate it and add the hotel. With about 80,000 visitors per year, Jones even went as far as buying an old car that resembles the one in the film. He even created a gift shop for fans to enjoy as they stay or come to visit. 

The cost of staying at the house depends on the dates as it can cost between $445-$995 per night and staying for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day can rise to $4,995 per night. If you’re simply looking to take a tour, adult tickets are $13 year round. 

Adapted from the Today Show’s “The house from ‘A Christmas Story’ is now a museum and hotel” by Brittany Loggins.

A Marine City family has been brightening up their neighborhood for many years. Derek Harper, designer of the home light show, wants to keep people guessing by changing up the designs every year. He told ebw.tv in an interview that it goes beyond just hanging lights, from zip ties to syncing the music, each individual bulb is set to go on and off at certain times. Harper starts his work in September and currently has about 10,000 lights on his home. 

Derek Harper’s son, Matthew, has watched his father evolve in the process for many years and next year, it will be his turn to put lights up and design the show. Although Matthew told ebw.tv in the interview that he is nervous about taking on the tradition, his father, Derek, has no doubt that he is going to do a great job. 

The show is sure to make you smile and feel the Christmas spirit as many locals have reached out to Derek to thank him or honk their horn as they are passing the beautiful sight.  Learn more about when you can watch this twinkling light show in this feature. 

The clock is ticking to see Santa and Mrs. Claus before they head to the North Pole for Christmas in less than two weeks. This weekend, area residents and families have the opportunity to visit the duo and enjoy Christmas activities in the St. Clair plaza. The St. Clair Chamber of Commerce is hosting Santa and Mrs. Claus Saturday from 12-4 p.m. where participants will not only have the chance to see Santa, but also take advantage of a cookie walk and more. Participating businesses will be handing out cookies for all to enjoy along with kids crafts and more. According to the Chamber, it’s the first year for the organization to sponsor the event, but the idea came from a long-standing tradition. Kenny McKay, spokesperson for the Chamber, said that Sally Achatz, of the former Achatz restaurant that is now Drifters, used to bring to Santa to the plaza every year. 

This year’s event is meant to keep the tradition alive and bring people to enjoy the plaza and new businesses. Participants are encouraged to bring a canned food or clothing item to be donated to Kids in Distress and local food pantry. For more information, visit the St. Clair Chamber’s Facebook page.

For cities, government agencies, school districts and more, there’s an opportunity to capitalize on a newly released grant for vehicle funding. A total of $450,000 is available for clean diesel and alternative fuel engine and equipment replacement projects under a competitive grant request for proposal announced by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). 

The Department says that the 2020-21 Michigan Clean Diesel Program RFP targets efforts to replace old diesel equipment, vehicles, and engines with new diesel, alternative fuel, electric, or hybrid versions. Applicants can be cities, townships and villages, county government agencies, public school districts, private schools, nonprofit organizations, or even private businesses. Applications for this grant are accepted from January 2020 to August 2021. The grant is funded by state and federal money, with the federal portion provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in accordance with the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act. More information can be found on michigan.gov/egle.

Scouting for Food is an annual tradition in the Blue Water Area. Boy Scouts and their families left bags on the doorsteps of many homes in local neighborhoods last Saturday, and this week, they will be collecting the bags, hopefully filled with food. If a bag was left on your step, residents are asked to fill the bags with non-perishable food like canned and boxed goods by Saturday. 

The Scouts deliver the food to the Salvation Army who give the food to families in need throughout the year. Scoutmaster Tom Ruedisueli, of Port Huron, told us that he will have scouts from Troop 168 and Pack 130 stationed at the north end Kroger in Port Huron to collect donations from Saturday morning shoppers, also. The Scoutmaster also said that “Scouting For Food is a long-standing tradition in St. Clair County. Scouts participate, while giving of time and effort, in learning the importance of service to the community and working together to make someone’s day a little brighter. The principles of Scouting help to build a solid foundation for youth to become strong, independent, contributing members of society and pillars of the community. Scouting for Food is a strong partnership with the Salvation Army that lends to those principles being instilled and will carry us long into the future.” 

Bags can also be dropped off at the old K&E Electric Building at 3450 Lapeer Avenue in Port Huron.