Local News

Rep. Shane Hernandez – chair of the Michigan House Appropriations Committee – last week appointed a bipartisan special task force to investigate and help resolve cost overruns and inefficiencies plaguing state information technology projects.  “The list of the state’s information technology failures is long and inexcusable,” said Hernandez, of Port Huron. “Cost overruns waste taxpayer money and ineffective systems compromise public services. This special task force will work with state departments and vendors to ask the tough questions and find answers that will result in better, more cost-effective systems in the future.”  State departments too often start IT projects that cost more and perform worse than expected, with lax oversight. A Department of Health and Human Services system related to tracking child abuse and neglect cases, for example, has received $231 million in the past several years and still has persistent and significant defects. About 40,000 Michigan residents were victimized and wrongfully accused of fraud between 2013 and 2015 by a faulty computer system used by the Unemployment Insurance Agency. A failed Secretary of State computer system overhaul started in 2005 resulted in service issues, lawsuits and cost overruns – and it’s still not finished.  “The money associated with these cost overruns could have been invested in roads and infrastructure, schools and other services,” Hernandez said.  Hernandez appointed Rep. Mark Huizenga of Walker to chair the task force. Its members will include Rep. Annette Glenn of Williams Township, Rep. Mary Whiteford of Casco Township, Rep. Terry Sabo of Muskegon and Rep. Abdullah Hammoud of Dearborn.  Hernandez is pushing for 25-percent spending reductions in state department information technology budgets as part in the state’s upcoming plan for Fiscal Year 2019-20. The goal is to bring state departments to the table prepared to truly document and justify their IT needs with real numbers and evidence.The task force builds on that effort by helping find solutions and efficiencies while holding state departments accountable for overspending.  “I take the Legislature’s oversight responsibility of state departments very seriously,” Hernandez said. “This is another way to hold government accountable and make sure we are making the right long-term decisions for Michigan taxpayers and families.”

The St. Clair County Board of Commissioners will begin their summer schedule this month.  According to St. Clair County Administrator Karry Hepting, the regular full board meetings will be travel meetings.  The first one is coming up Thursday, June 20 at 6 p.m. and will be held in the City of Marysville, at 1111 Delaware Avenue,  in July they will meet in St. Clair, August in Algonac and in September in Riley Township.  Hepting noted that due to the holiday in July, the regular full board meeting will be held on Thursday, July 25.  The full board meets on the third Thursday of the month.  The Board of Commissioners feel it is important to get out into the community into outlying areas to increase meeting attendance.  Hepting says this allows the commissioners to reach more residents throughout this four month period.

Lake Huron Foundation proudly hosts the 24th Annual Pink Ribbon Golf Outing on Friday, June 28, 2019 at Solitude Links Golf Club. Through the Pink Ribbon fund, Lake Huron Foundation remains committed to saving the lives of women in our community by encouraging women to take advantage of early detection and screening procedures when it comes to breast cancer. Funds raised from this event are used to provide advanced breast cancer screening and treatment for women in the community who lack health insurance and the financial resources to pay for their care.

New this year: PINK RIBBON BALL DROP! Get your pink ping pong ball for an
opportunity to win cold, hard cash while helping to raise money for the Pink Ribbon Fund! Five hundred numbered pink ping pong balls will be dropped onto the green at Solitude Links.  Ball Drop will be streamed live on Facebook, and you need not be present to win.

If you would like more information on the available event sponsorships or to register for this event, please contact Chandra Gruber at (810) 216-1675 or via email at CGruber2@primehealthcare.com.

Registration deadline is June 20, 2019.

DETROIT— U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Detroit Station have arrested a Honduran national wanted for numerous counts of criminal sexual conduct in Detroit.

U.S. Border Patrol agents working in conjunction with the Detroit Police Department arrested the 24-year-old Honduran national who is illegally present in the United States and also wanted for criminal conduct of a minor in Detroit, Michigan. The subject was taken into custody without incident during a traffic stop early Thursday morning and transported to the Detroit Border Patrol Station for processing.

During processing, it was confirmed the subject currently has a warrant out of 36^th District Court that includes 3 counts of Felony 1^st degree criminal sexual conduct of a minor and 1 count Felony 3^rd degree criminal sexual conduct of a minor.

Upon completion of processing, the subject was transported and transferred to the custody of the Detroit Police Department.

“This is a great example of how law enforcement agencies can work together to make our communities a safer place to work and live,” said Acting Chief Patrol Agent Alan Booth. “My hat goes off to the Agents and Officers who worked tirelessly to locate and arrest this individual today.”

Additionally, the U.S. Border Patrol has filed an I-247 detainer on the subject who is illegally present in the United States. The detainer allows the U.S. Border Patrol to take custody of the subject once his current case is complete.

Criminal charges are merely allegations. All defendants in criminal proceedings are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Art on the River, at a new location begins tonight, and runs through Sunday, June 9th.  This is Port Huron’s premiere art, craft and music fair and according to organizer, Trina Avedisian, the event has moved to the next level with the booking of Derek St. Holmes, most notably known for his years touring with Ted Nugent.  Kiefer Park at 500 Merchant Street on the banks of the St. Clair River allows for more artists and crafters, making it a continued destination event in Port Huron.  This is the event’s 9^th year,  and kicks off tonight at 8pm to midnight with a Dance Party with D.J., and beverage tent.  Saturday, June 8th: 10am to 11pm (Arts, crafts, music, children’s tent, beverage tent) and Sunday, June 9th:  10am to 6pm (Arts, crafts, music, children’s tent, beverage tent) Music entertainment begins Saturday at 2:30 – with Derek St. Holmes taking the stage at 8 p.m. – picking up again at 1:30 on Sunday with music, finishing off at 4:30 with Gasoline Gypsies.  There is no cost to attend.

St. Clair County Community College will host some of the area’s best high school athletes in the coming weeks as part of its annual SC4 Blue Water Area Senior All-Star Games.  Graduating high school seniors from St. Clair County and the surrounding region will compete in cross country, golf, baseball, softball, volleyball, and basketball. The festivities will kick off with a cross country invitational on Wednesday, June 12, at the Goodells County Park, where girls will run at 6 p.m., followed by the boys.  An 18-hole, coed golf invitational keeps the all-star excitement going at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 13, at Port Huron Golf Club. The action then moves to the diamond as area baseball standouts take part in a nine-inning game at 7 p.m. Monday, June 17, at Sanborn Park, followed by the all-star softball game at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, at Pine Grove Park.  A volleyball match begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, in the SC4 Fieldhouse followed by basketball contests Thursday, June 20, when the girls tip off at 6 p.m. and the boys at 7:30 p.m. Cost to attend volleyball and basketball games is $5. All other all-star events are free.