Local News

For young people, it can be inspiring to meet those in public office. Karen Palka, Executive Director of A Beautiful Me, recently took several young teenage girls on a field trip to the state capitol and met some of our leaders. The group had a chance to visit with Senator Pete Lucido, Representative Shane Hernandez, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer. They visited as part of the Fly 360 field trip. “Fly 360” is the educational arm for The Closet by A Beautiful Me. It was created for high school teens to continue building their self-worth and value through experiences. This training includes life-skills elements in business training, philanthropy education, and social enterprise. The girls that went to the capitol ranged in age from 12 to 20. After touring the capitol building, they also learned the legislative process from elected officials. The tour culminated in a meeting with Governor Whitmer. Palka said the girls selected questions to ask the Governor. The questions helped to show the girls that elected officials are real people with many of the same hopes and dreams that we all have. Palka went on to say that A Beautiful Me equips young girls to be successful, confident, young women.

In 1899, 120 years ago yesterday, several farmers made suggestions to area civic and business leaders to build a special “farmer’s hotel” somewhere on the south side of town. It would be a “first-class investment” and help to encourage more farmers to bring their goods to market in Port Huron rather than some of the bigger cities south of here.  Andrew Kercher from the Port Huron Museum shared an article which explained that citizens ended up making a petition, albeit a year later, to help Chris Lauth build his new “farmers” hotel. They proposed to raise $1000 providing he built a $15,000 structure on the point of land at the intersection of Water Street and Lapeer Ave. He would eventually build the Lauth Hotel, which was a flatiron building resembling the iconic one in New York City. The Lauth Hotel, as some might remember, was the angular building that stood to the West of the 7th Street bridge, and was demolished in the mid-1970s.

Over the summer months, vacationing increases with warmer temperatures and kids out of school.  The beautiful blue waters provide a perfect playground for boaters, whether they come to stay the night or are just passing through.  Recently, large yachts have been noticed on the waters of Lake Huron and the St. Clair River. Captain Dan Gallagher, President of the Lakes Pilot Association, said they typically see around 10 to 12 private yachts every summer.  The yacht owner and captain contract with the Lakes Pilot Association to navigate the vessel through local waters. Captain Gallagher said because these boats cross between Canada and the U.S., they need a trained lakes pilot aboard.  He went on to say that Canadian regulations take effect when boats cross back and forth over the international boundary. The Lakes Pilot Association on the U.S. side is charged with navigating the vessel safely. One of the more recent boats that came through was 250 feet long, 45 feet wide, and had 5 decks.  Captain Gallagher said except for a few private yachts, the bulk of their sailings are with commercial freighters of foreign origin.  

Children in Michigan who have epilepsy and are in rural or underserved areas will be getting some help through funding. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has received a $1.66 million grant from the federal government. MDHHS will then fund the state’s Michigan Pediatric Epilepsy Project with the hope of improving health outcomes for children with epilepsy. MDHHS Director, Robert Gordon said, “This new funding opportunity provides greater access to comprehensive services for children, youth and their families living with epilepsy.”

The four-year grant will provide $416,000 annually to the program.  Currently in Michigan, 13,000 children up to 17 years old have active epilepsy, and approximately 25 percent of Michigan’s youth population resides in rural areas. Children in rural and underserved areas often have less access to pediatricians, pediatric subspecialists, and coordinated care. MDHHS believes that by increasing access to care, the funding will help positively impact the overall health and well-being of children with epilepsy.

The Port Huron Police Department is starting a new collaboration with St. Clair County Community College. The two organizations are teaming up with college resource officers to enhance security. As part of the partnership, Port Huron Police are sending a four-legged officer to college this year.  Blaze, a one-and-a-half-year-old German Shepherd, was born in the Czech Republic and began his career with the department in October of 2016. Officer Chad Smith is Blaze’s handler.  Canine Blaze and Officer Smith are certified in narcotics detection, tracking, and handler protection through the United States Police Canine Association. Officer Chad Smith and Canine Blaze work as a team within the City Of Port Huron, throughout St. Clair County, and now at SC4.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in partnership with local agencies including the St. Clair County Health Department and others around the Thumb Area, are inviting the community to participate in a town hall forum in September. The purpose of this meeting will be creating strong partnerships to better support Michigan families with a focus on helping mothers and babies have the best possible outcomes. The forum is being held at 7 locations around the thumb of Michigan, including the St. Clair County Health Department, where participants will be asked to give input and support for the Mother Infant Health & Equity Improvement Plan. The presenters will use data and storytelling, they say, to create strong partnerships that support Michigan families and lead to the best possible outcomes for moms and babies. Registration is requested and can be found on the St. Clair County Health Department page.