Local News

On Monday it was announced that Gannett Inc., the parent company of the Times Herald in Port Huron, has entered into a definitive merger agreement with New Media Investment Group Inc. According to Gannett’s website, in the merger “New Media” will acquire Gannett through their subsidiary, Gate-House Media.   Paul Bascobert, a Michigan native, has been named CEO of the new subsidiary company. In addition to the Times Herald, Gannett also owned several other newspaper and media outlets locally and nationwide including the Detroit Free Press, the Lansing State Journal, and USA Today.

The Great Lake-to-Lake Trail offers Michigan’s trail users a unique opportunity to experience quiet rural pathways and urban excursions as it winds its way across the southern lower portion of Michigan from shore to shore.  The inaugural ride of the trail is ending right here in Port Huron. 

According to their website, the Great Lake-to-Lake Trails Route Inaugural Ride will bring together cycling enthusiasts for the first time on a 275-mile sightseeing trails adventure from South Haven to Port Huron. The ride celebrates the opening of the trail that culminates the unification of 9 counties, 34 municipalities, and 42 townships in the state’s first fully-marked destination trail. The seven-day, 6-night ride begins in the Lake Michigan beach town, South Haven, and connects to 17 individual trails. These trails go through many popular Michigan destinations including Kalamazoo, Jackson, Brighton, and Rochester Hills before the ride ends in the historic town of Port Huron. The ride is set to take place September 13-18th and is limited to the first 150 participants.

The St. Clair County Community College radiologic technology program is making quite an impressive impact on the field. For the sixth year, the program continued its impressive 100 percent first-time passage rate on the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, a national registry exam that grants certification in the field. Recently, eleven SC4 graduates passed the 2019 exam, bringing the total number of SC4 graduates passing on their first try to 61 since the program began at the college in 2012.

According to SC4 Dean of Health Sciences Jenny Giles-Voss, the excellent training and preparation provided to students ar credited to the expertise and dedication of Professor of Radiologic Technology Sandra Geliske and Program Director Monica Rowling. Voss added, “A perfect record like this is incredibly rare.” SC4’s radiologic technology associate degree program – which received an impressive maximum eight-year accreditation award from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology in 2016 – prepares students to become radiologic technologists by combining imaging technology with patient care skills to create quality radiography images. The program has a 24-month, competency-based curriculum that includes practical experience degree programs, two bachelor’s degree programs, and four hospital-based programs with experiences in hospitals and imaging centers. 

August 6th marks a good day for local residents and A&W establishments alike. It all started with a tiny root beer stand. Entrepreneur Roy W. Allen set up shop on the streets of Lodi, California offering a brand new creamy and refreshing drink served in a frosty mug. It was a hot June day, and Allen thought his concoction would be the perfect accompaniment for the parade honoring the return of World War I veterans. His Root Beer was a hit — a unique and tasty, fresh-made blend of herbs, spices, barks, and berries that has now turned into the signature product for A&W establishments across the country.

According to the company’s website, a lot has happened and changed since those early days, but much remains the same. They continue to serve signature, made- fresh Root Beer in a frosty mug, and today happens to be the day the founding roots are celebrating. On August 6, National Root Beer Float Day, A&W is giving away free floats to honor the company’s roots by continuing to provide support in the homecoming of U.S. service members. Residents are invited to stop by a local A&W August 6th to celebrate National Root Beer Float Day. Free, small root beer floats will be available from 2 p.m. – 8 p.m. As part of the celebration, the restaurant will be collecting donations for DAV (Disabled American Veterans).

The time is ripe for picking fruits and vegetables in Michigan.  Area orchards and farms are gearing up for the annual harvest. This year’s crop promises to be a good one.  Some vegetables have come in late due to the delay in planting because of the amount of rain that fell during the Spring.  Corn, for instance, just became available in the last 2 weeks here in the Blue Water region. Cheryl Hulett owner of Hulett’s Farm Market on Pine Grove in Port Huron said, “Corn was usually available around July 15th, and this year it was pushed back to July 30th.”  She went on to say, “Corn will be available later into the fall, but only until the frost comes.”  In Jeddo at McCallum’s Orchard and Cider Mill, tart apples and peaches are ready to be picked. McCallum’s Owner, Ray Peltier, said, “The large amount of rain that was received early on affected different crops in different ways.” 

Steve and Emily Goudy started the Taking a Shot at Breast Cancer Calendar and Human Ribbon in 2010 after one of Emily’s closest friends shared that her sister was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer.  At that moment, Emily decided she wanted to do more, and she shared her thoughts with Steve. With that, the idea for the calendar and Human Ribbon were born.

Over the past several years, the couple has worked very closely with the Community Foundation of St. Clair County donating to different community breast cancer funds. In 2014, they started the “Taking a Shot at Breast Cancer” Fund with the community’s support. One of their events, The Human Ribbon, took place last weekend. Community members wearing pink gathered at Keifer Park to form a human ribbon. The effect was stunning and symbolized hope and community for cancer patients and survivors.  The group hosts several fundraisers throughout the year.