Local News

The Blue Water Area Fallen Heroes Community Banner Program was introduced by members of the St. Clair County Allied Veterans Council, the St. Clair County Department of Veteran Affairs, and a student leadership class project from Croswell – Lexington High School as a way to honor the community’s military heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice to their country. St. Clair County has over 550 service members who have died in service to their country from World War I to the current War on Terror.

The Community Banners will feature the fallen heroes’ photograph, rank, name, branch of service, war conflict, age, and city in which they resided.  The St. Clair County Veterans Council is reporting that they have scanned 197 images of the 568 St Clair County GI’s who died while in service. The group is asking that the community continue to help find family and friends of those lost to complete the project. Right now, the focus is on finding individuals who served from Vietnam to the present. The project is at no cost to family members, and a full list of those the group is currently trying to find can be found on the St. Clair County Veterans Council’s Facebook page.  

The National Recreation and Park Association along with the Walmart Foundation have been opening up new opportunities for healthy living and eating across the country. A recent grant from the organizations made way for a new and innovative program at Palmer Park this summer. Beginning in June and running through the end of August, Grow Buddies is bringing together adults and kids of all ages over gardening, healthy food, and nutrition.

The program offers fun ways to introduce healthy eating habits and learn about gardening while having fun outside with “old” and “new” friends. Grow Buddies pairs seniors with kids attending Camp Palmer to create innovative raised bed gardens in the recently developed Sprout City playground. According to Kim Harmer who works with special projects at Palmer Park, “One of the reasons (they) started this is because some seniors who were coming in for the lunch program were arriving early. Staff observed that the seniors  were interested in the kids’ camp activities which prompted the park staff to create this unique program.” Activities through the program include gardening, harvesting, taste-testing and more, which Harmer says, has “inspired many kids to try new things and discover healthy foods and snacks.”

Kristy Jones, the former Community Development Coordinator with the Community Planning Department at Fort Gratiot Township, is moving on to a position at the St. Clair County Economic Development Alliance (EDA). She joins the EDA of St. Clair County as the Director of Business and Community Development.  Since 1952, the non-profit EDA has been committed to helping St. Clair County’s economy through business, community, and economic development. Township Supervisor Rob Crawford said, “the staff at Fort Gratiot Twp. couldn’t be more proud of (Jones).” The EDA welcomes Kristy to their team and the organization is excited to have her on board. 

Earlier this week it was announced that Dr. Wilmont R. Kreis, a local orthopedic surgeon, died after a short illness on Sunday, August 11th,  and memorial services have now been announced. The family will receive visitors on Monday, August 19th in the Abbey Room of the Doubletree Hotel from 4-7 p.m.  A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Doubletree followed by a reception from 4-6 p.m. Dr. Kreis is survived by his wife, Susan, and two adult children, Jennifer and Jeremy, a brother and sister, 3 sisters-in-law, a brother-in-law, several nieces and nephews, and many lifelong friends.

Those wishing to make a donation in Dr. Kreis’s name are asked to consider the Biomedical STEAM program at Port Huron High School, The Community Foundation of St. Clair County, or the Blue Water YMCA. Dr. Kreis, originally from St. Clair Shores, moved to Port Huron in 1976 and co-founded Orthopedic Associates in 1983.  Dr. Kreis enjoyed working with local charities that enabled physically challenged children from Haiti undergo orthopedic reconstruction surgery in the United States. He has also authored several books.

Monday afternoon at approximately 3 p.m., Sanilac Central Dispatch received a 9-1-1 call of a one-car Personal Injury Accident that occurred in Flynn Township. Officers determined that a 34-year-old female was traveling southbound on Maple Valley Road north of West Peck Road in a 2014 Buick Encore when a horse that had gotten loose, ran in front of her vehicle. The woman was unable to avoid the collision with the horse resulting in the animal striking the front-center of the vehicle. The driver was treated on scene and transported by Marlette EMS to Lapeer McLaren Regional Hospital. She was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident, and the front airbag deployed. It was determined that the horse had been tied up outside of the Yoder General Store, had broken free, and ran into the roadway into traffic. Due to injuries from the accident, the horse had to be put down.

The Back to School Backpack Giveaway is a community-supported program originally organized by the Community Foundation’s Women’s Initiative to help children from low-income families have a successful start to school. The program provides free backpacks full of school supplies to at-risk children in St. Clair County with the focus on pre-school, elementary, and middle school children. With school just a few weeks away, the annual giveaway is taking place at several locations around the county.

Today, packs will be passed out in Yale and Port Huron, and this Friday there will be another giveaway in Capac. Children must be present to pick out their new backpack and proof of St. Clair County residency is required. All backpacks are filled with school supplies for elementary and middle school children. Pre-school backpacks contain a reading book, activity book, and crayons, and Blue Water Community Action reminds residents that the quantity is limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Visit bwcaa.org to donate or find more information.