Local News

Hunting and fishing are a huge part of Michigan’s economy and culture. Firearm deer season is fast approaching and hunters have been planning for their hunts all year. One part of that planning that has been outlawed since August 2018 is deer baiting. The ban was enacted to try to stop the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease in deer. 

Hunters have traditionally used apples, carrots, corn, and other agricultural products to attract deer to their hunting blinds, but the Michigan Natural Resources Commission banned the practice to help protect the herds. State Representative Michele Hoitenga, of Manton, in Mid-Michigan, along with Outdoors Activist Ted Nugent, testified earlier this fall before the House Government Operations Committee to try to get the baiting ban removed. Representative Hoitenga has introduced a bill to lift the ban and the bill is making progress, as it has already been approved by the Committee. 

The argument to the ban is that it is unreasonable, since deer naturally graze together on windfall apples and corn in the fields.  Local hunter and outdoorsman, Jon Moore, of Algonac, said that a statewide ban is a little far reaching, but a ban specific to counties with Chronic Wasting Disease makes sense since deer eating from a bait pile can be riskier than natural grazing for the spread of disease.  Most states don’t allow baiting, and Michigan’s deer population is not dwindling. Hunting and fishing licenses bring in $83.5 million, which is 20% of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ budget. The economic impact of hunting statewide, which includes the sale of agricultural products traditionally used for deer baiting, is estimated at $8.9 billion.  We will keep you posted as to how this bill progresses and what it’s impact could be on local hunters.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

Home repairs can be a source of financial stress for low income seniors. Thanks to a Federal Community Development Block Grant, Port Huron households that fall within federally established income levels and have a household resident over the age of 62, may be able to get some relief.  

Income eligible seniors who reside in the city of Port Huron can apply for a grant to pay for emergency repairs. Those repairs can include roof replacement, furnace repairs, plumbing updates, and other repairs that can be valued at up to $5,000. Seniors or their caregivers can apply for the grants through the City of Port Huron Community Development Office by calling 810-984-9736. Individuals will need to make an appointment once they have filled out the application. With winter coming, now is the time to make sure seniors’ homes are ready for the cold and the snow. There is no deadline to apply.  The program is ongoing as long as there are funds available. Community Development Block Grants are provided by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and are intended to assist low to moderate income families.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

The Port Huron Police Department is inviting area residents to take place in a community assessment next week. November 12-14, the department will be undergoing its 9th on-site assessment to ensure compliance with CALEA standards. CALEA, which stands for the Commission Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, is a nationally based organization that ensures compliance to a broad set of established professional standards including accountability, integrity, community partnership and more. 

As part of the assessment, citizens, businesses and organizations are welcome to contact assessors in person on Tuesday, November 12 from 5 to 6 p.m. at the City of Port Huron’s Public Meeting room in the Municipal Office Building or during a phone-in session on Wednesday November 13 from 9 to 11 a.m. Interested callers can reach assessors at 810-985-0141 during that time frame. If successful, the Port Huron Police Department will receive its accredited status and award at the CALEA Conference in March 2020.

Reporting for WGRT, I’m Karly Hurley.

The East China School Board faces an important vote on November 25.  With declining enrollment and revenue, the option to close Palms Elementary School in Ira Township at the end of this school year was discussed at a special meeting this week.  

Many community members were in attendance and many voices were heard.  The recommendation to close the school was made by Superintendent Suzanne Cybulla at last week’s monthly school board meeting.  East China School District’s bond proposal failed earlier this year and a new proposal is in the works for the future. In the meantime, the district faces some hard choices in maintaining and investing in its array of buildings throughout the large district.  Closing schools to consolidate resources is a trend in the Blue Water Area, with a declining population of school-age children and shrinking state funding levels. East China closed Eddy Elementary earlier this year and the Port Huron Area School District has closed schools in recent years while reinvesting in remaining buildings and building a new Early Childhood Education Center. Stay tuned to see what the future holds for our local districts as they try to make the best choices for area children.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

Over the past five years, St. Clair County native Ewan Drum has accomplished a lot at a very young age. From feeding the homeless in Detroit to gathering supplies and aiding those in need, the young boy has made quite an impact.

It all began at the age of seven when Ewan told his mom he wanted to wear a superhero costume while assisting the homeless. That’s how “Super Ewan” came about. In July 2014, the family founded a non-profit organization to assist homeless. Through the years, his documented community involvement earned him a trip to meet then President Barrack Obama and countless “super-friends” as they were dubbed. Unfortunately after an incredible journey, Super Ewan Inc. has announced that they will no longer be taking donations after the end of the year as it’s time for a new chapter in Ewan’s life. 

The organization is thanking the community for its continued support over the years and providing one last opportunity to take part in a signature Super Ewan event. With Thanksgiving around the corner, Super Ewan is collecting turkey dinners for a final year. The organization has committed to helping 50 families in St. Clair and Macomb counties with a turkey and all the sides for Thanksgiving dinner. If you’d like to help Super Ewan with his final turkey dinner donations, search for his page on Facebook.

What’s next for Ewan you might ask? Someday he wants to be a chef, so he’s spending time in the kitchen preparing for what might be next.

Reporting for WGRT, I’m Karly Hurley.

St. Clair Middle School in the East China School District has been recognized on a state-wide level for students’ achievements in reading through a Scholastic competition. To keep kids reading all year long, the national company, Scholastic, hosts a Summer Read-a-Palooza competition with the goal of keeping children reading while also getting books in the hands of kids in need. As students read and track their minutes spent reading, they log them into the Scholastic program and Scholastic then donates books to the United Way.  

This year, St. Clair Middle School was the top reading school in the state with over 312,000 minutes read.  According to St. Clair Middle school teacher Michelle Barker and Principal Mike Domagalski, over 300 students participated over the summer. The effort to keep kids reading all year long is supported by the school’s Parent Teacher Organization which provides incentives and strives to make it an ongoing part of the culture of the school.  As explained by Principal Domagalski, each student is provided with the opportunity to log their reading throughout their time at the middle school. This practice paid off with the school winning the state competition and contributing to Scholastic donating up to 200,000 books to students in need.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley