Local News

The St. Clair County Dementia & Alzheimer’s Resource Committee has set the 5th Annual Alzheimer’s Walk & 5K for Saturday, September 21st.  The walk and 5K Run will begin and end at Kiefer park just north of the Municipal Office Center located at 100 McMorran in Port Huron.  The walk turnaround will be located near Pine Grove Park, and the 5K run will continue on towards the Blue Water Bridge before returning to the park. The 5K runners start time will be 9:00 a.m. and will include bib timing and awards for overall male and female winners as well as the top 3 male and female finishers in each age category. The Alzheimer’s Walk will follow. This annual event held in September has raised thousands of dollars to support research and education and provide respite grants for local caregivers. Registration is open and details can be found by calling the organization (810-990-9558) or sending an email to contact@darcscc.org.

Many pet lovers enjoy taking their dog for a walk in the summer months or finding a beach to let them splash around in. On August 14th, the City of Port Huron is calling all dogs to the pool. Dogs of all ages are being invited to Sanborn pool for the final day of the pool season. The Port Huron Parks and Recreation Department is hosting the event from 4-6 p.m. The cost is $5 per resident and $10 per non-resident. Fort Gratiot Township, Clyde Township, Port Huron Township, and Burtchville Township are afforded the City of Port Huron’s resident rate due to a township partnership with the City of Port Huron.

There are a few requirements for the event. The department asks that all pets who attend be dog and people-friendly. All canines must be spayed or neutered and have a rabies vaccine. It is strongly suggested that dogs are also vaccinated against distemper, parvo, and bordetella. Owners need to provide written proof of these vaccinations on the day of the event. Dog tags do not count. Upon arrival, dogs are required to be on a leash everywhere except on the pool deck and in the water. Humans are not allowed in the pool during the event, dogs only. Registration is available at rec.porthuron.org or at Palmer Park.

There aren’t many who can say they have had a 173rd birthday, but today is that day for The Smithsonian Institute.  Established on August 10, 1846, and named after its founding donor, British scientist, James Smithson, it was originally organized as the United States National Museum. That name, however, was no longer used after 1967.  Currently, the Smithsonian has 19 museums, nine research centers, a zoo, and it includes historical and architectural landmarks, mostly located in the District of Columbia. The museum boasts 30 million annual visitors and has been termed “the nation’s attic”.  Its annual budget is $1.2 billion with two-thirds coming from the federal government. Happy birthday to the Smithsonian!

This week, claims have been made by area residents that they suspect the Algonac City pool is unsafe for swimming. The claim was made after four children allegedly contracted infections, some as severe as MRSA. The common denominator one parent said: swimming in the city pool. Algonac City Manager Denise Gerstenburg said in a recent Facebook comment in response to the claims that, at this time, the claims are unsubstantiated. Her comment said,  “…all public pools, including the Algonac Lions Field pool, are regulated by the Michigan DEQ Public Swimming Pool Monitoring program. The St. Clair County Health Department inspects the pool every year before opening. Chlorine and PH levels are tested every four hours. Once a week the water is tested for coliform bacteria and E. coli. Reports are sent to the St. Clair County Health Department weekly and monthly.”  She also said that “all testing samples have indicated the Algonac Lions Field pool water is safe for swimming.” A representative from the Health Department confirmed that there have been no reports made to their office as of Thursday afternoon of MRSA spreading through contact with recreational water. They also emphasized that MRSA does not survive long in pools or other treated swimming places. 

Women’s golf is being added to the athletic offerings at SC4.  The college announced today that they will become one of a handful of colleges in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association with a women’s golf team.  Dale Vos, SC4 Athletic Director, said, “A women’s golf team will contribute greatly to the college’s growing reputation as a leader in community college athletics”.  The college named Celina Grondin the head coach. Grondin, a former college athlete herself, said, “I’m thrilled to play a role in launching a women’s golf program in our region.”  She went on to say, “I look forward to working with athletes to enhance their skills and confidence both on and off the course.” The team will begin its play in 2020-21 season and will be recruiting players over the coming year.  Those interested can call the athletic department at the college or visit their website.

The Lexington Fire Department recently received a departmental award as the 2019 Sanilac County Firefighter of the Year for their performance during the winter rescue of a man on the ice in Lake Huron. The man was walking on the ice far from shore when he fell and suffered a head injury. He was too weak to get up, and a concerned neighbor, Mark Hertzfeld, noticed him and called 911. The Lexington Fire Department responded in their special ice rescue suits with an inflatable ice rescue boat.  Many department members took various positions on the ice, and they were able to get the man into the rescue boat and safely take him to the shore where he was treated and then transported to the hospital by Croswell EMS.  Several agencies around the area responded to assist in the effort. Mark Hertzfeld also received a meritorious service award for his role in the rescue.