Local News

Losing a loved one to suicide is a devastating loss for a family and the community as whole. It was evident when the Algonac community lost Cory Rivard, Jr. in 2011.  

Since then, the family has started a foundation in memory of their son to try to raise awareness for the prevention of suicide. Cory was an athlete and outdoorsman, who shared that love, with his younger brother, Joshua.  It was that common bond that prompted Joshua with the idea of remembering Cory through the donation of a bike maintenance station and air pump to be installed at the Algonac Lions Field. 

This practical donation provides the tools needed to make basic bike repairs so citizens can continue their outdoor adventures. Being active physically, especially in the outdoors, has a proven impact on mental health. Since the installation, Mayor Terry Stoneburner presented the Algonac Asset Award to Robyn Rivard on behalf of the Cory Rivard, Jr. Promise Foundation, as an expression of gratitude for this unique gift.  

The Foundation continues to educate and donate to try to keep other families aware of mental health struggle and to promote wellness. Saginaw Valley State University, Joshua Rivard’s Alma Mater, chose the Cory Rivard, Jr. Promise Foundation as the recipient of the 2014 Battle of the Valleys, which is a philanthropic rivalry between SVSU and Grand Valley State University, where Cory attended.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

Today is a very special day. It is Veteran’s Day, where we honor those who have served in the Armed Forces for our country.  This day marks the anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended World War I in 1918.  

The Blue Water area has a tradition of offering many opportunities to thank our veterans including free haircuts at places like Shear Karma Salon in Port Huron and free and discounted meals at many local restaurants like Daybreak Cafe and Golden Corral in Fort Gratiot. Port Huron Area School District’s Fort Gratiot Middle School has an annual event that draws a crowd every year. Veterans and those who are on current, active duty are invited to attend and be honored for their service. 

Andrea Goossens, a counselor at Fort Gratiot Middle School, says that the school also has a “Wall of Honor” for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Ms. Goossens said she is proud to be a part of the event that has been held for over a decade. The eighth-graders at the school are invited to this somber event and the intent is to foster an understanding of the sacrifices that military members and their families make every day.  

Last year, the students welcomed a few World War II veterans in attendance, including Douglas Stafford of the U.S. Army, who passed away just two weeks after the event at the age of 92. The assembly was his last public event before falling ill.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

Divers, researchers and enthusiasts alike have worked for years to find out more about the final moments of the ships lost in the White Hurricane of 1913. With new technology, some stories are able to be told for the very first time and they’re now being revealed to Blue Water Area Residents through a new exhibit and the Port Huron Museum.

Residents are being invited to tour the exhibit and explore the largest storm in Great Lakes history and the efforts over the last 100 years to try and answer all of the remaining questions. ebw.tv recently had the opportunity to hear from underwater diver Jared Daniel who has dedicated many hours of his life to discovering lost shipwrecks.

Daniel, through countless hours of research, has found at least thirteen shipwrecks, but it took him quite some time to find the one he was really looking for: The Hydrus. After combing more than 670 square miles of water, he finally was triumphant and he’s revealing what it looks like along with a little history on the Storm of 1913. Learn more in this feature.

Reporting for WGRT, ebw.tv.

If Pay to Play fees are preventing your kids from participating in sports, Lelito’s Legacy Foundation is here to help. Founder Tim Lelito grew up in a small community and felt the burden that his love for sports had on his family. However, sports were his lifeline in high school and kept him on the right track for graduation and college. Now, after playing for Grand Valley State University and three NFL teams, Tim is a passionate nonprofit leader who wants to help give kids access to the thing that helped keep him focused on doing well in school: sports.

Lelito’s Legacy Foundation had its first annual fundraiser, A Sporty Soiree, on November 7th at the Blue Water Convention Center. The evening was set up to feel like an indoor tailgating party complete with welcome music performed live by the drumline from St. Clair High School, the school Tim Lelito graduated from in 2007. Guests were treated to a relaxed and fun atmosphere and the opportunity to play indoor corn-hole along with several other fun games provided by a few of the event’s sponsors, Jersey Mikes Subs, The Mortgage Lady, and Women’s Life Insurance Chapter #810.

The highlight of the evening was the announcement of Lelito’s Legacy Foundation’s Pep Project Grant recipient for 2019. The Pep Project was funded by the Adult Field Day Lelito’s hosted in the spring which brought together 125 adults to play old school field day games to raise money for the Foundation. This year’s grant recipient was Memphis High School, and Memphis Community Schools Superintendent Brad Gudme was present to accept the $5,000 grant to update and repair the weight room at the high school.

“If I didn’t have sports to fall back on, I wouldn’t have graduated from high school. I don’t want to see sports taken away from kids [like me] who need that outlet. That’s why I do what I do.” said Tim. His motivation originated from his experience, and it’s constantly confirmed by studies that prove brain health is directly tied to overall physical health. Tim desires to see kids grow physically, mentally, and academically, and he believes sports play an integral role in achieving that end. “With all the bad stuff happening with our youth, I don’t want to see programs cut,” he said, and Lelito’s Legacy Foundation is here to make sure that doesn’t happen in our community.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Photo by Andrew Jowett

Ever get tired of driving? Would it make you feel better if you were getting paid? There are plenty of apps and activity trackers that can track your driving, but now there’s one that will actually pay you for the miles you log while driving and not texting. 

According to OnMyWay, which is based in Woodland Hills, CA, the app awards its users with cash — five cents for every mile you drive while not texting and driving. Save up enough money and you can exchange them for real-life products. 

According to OnMyWay, users can also get paid as a passenger and can refer friends who will earn you 2 cents for every mile they don’t text and drive.

Chloe Palmer, Co-founder of OnMyWay says the company “believes that by giving our users positive rewards, we can end this horrific epidemic that is the #1 cause of death for young people ages 16-25. This just makes sense for our users, our advertisers and our community… Everybody Wins!!!” OnMyWay has created an economy that makes a difference and is profitable at the same time. A for-profit company with a cause.

Reporting for WGRT, ebw.tv.

Snow has already started affecting driving here in the Blue Water area with multiple accidents reported around the area Thursday morning, including two young drivers on their way to school and a tragic, fatal accident in Burtchville Township. Local police and first responders were kept busy with reports of black ice on the roads resulting in spinouts and crashes.

As Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared this week Winter Hazards Awareness Week, the start of the winter season is a stark reminder to be prepared and respect the elements.The Michigan State Police and the Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division are encouraging Michiganders to make winter emergency preparedness a priority.  Traveling on snowy and icy roads is unavoidable in our beautiful four-season state, but you can be prepared by weatherizing your vehicles in the fall.  

This includes making sure your tires have sufficient tread, filling up your windshield washing fluid, and making sure you have the right amount of antifreeze running through your radiator. Getting your vehicle’s belts, hoses, and battery checked are a good idea also, as no one wants to be stuck with a dead battery on a cold morning. When road conditions are poor, police are busier. Taking the steps to be prepared can take a bit of the load off of our emergency responders. Keeping your gas tank filled is also recommended during the colder months.  Although gasoline isn’t likely to freeze, there are a host of problems that can occur in your vehicle if you let the fuel level get too low. AAA recommends that drivers remember to decrease speed on snowy roads, increase following distances, slow acceleration and deceleration, know how to handle anti-lock brakes, and if possible, stay off the roads in severe weather. Driving in the winter takes a little extra work in the Blue Water Area, but your travels should be smoother if you take some time to be prepared.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.