Local News

If you look up while crossing the Military Street bridge in Port Huron on a southbound crossing, you will see a lot of activity at the top of the Michigan Mutual Mortgage Building. The annual Community Roof Sit for Kids is underway and will continue through the end of the week. The event, which is in its 25th year, raises funds for the Child Abuse and Neglect Council (also known as the C.A.N. Council). Sherry Archibald, Executive Director of the C.A.N. Council, told WGRT that Michigan Mutual and all of downtown has been amazing. She said the downtown location provides the organization with a more visible location and further raises awareness about child abuse, the organization, and the services the organization provides.

The agency uses the funds raised at the event to provide prevention, education to children and adults in St. Clair County, forensic interviews, victim services, and trauma therapy as well as support to victims and their families. Archibald said that the Roof Sit is their largest fundraiser of the year, and it is vital to the organization and the services they provide. She went on to say that they rely on the generosity of the community for approximately 60% of the organization’s annual budget, and Community Roof Sit provides 75% of that. 

St. Clair County Community College board trustee John Adair resigned from his position last Friday in a one-page letter to the college board. In the letter, which was dated September 13, 2019, Adair said the resignation would be effective immediately. Adair noted that the meeting on September 12th marked the 12th anniversary of his first meeting as a member of the Board of Trustees. He spoke of the board’s accomplishments during his tenure which included dual enrollment, Blue Water Middle College, and Career and Technical Middle College. He also talked about expanding facilities and transitioning through three presidents. 

In the letter, Adair said his personal life and professional responsibilities have allowed him less and less time to devote attention to his duties and responsibilities as an effective trustee. Board Secretary Mary Hawtin said they are currently accepting applications to fill the vacant seat. For those who want to be considered for the appointment, candidates must be 18 years old and a registered voter living in the SC4 district. The term of the appointment is 15 months and will expire on December 31, 2020. Hawtin said those interested should submit a letter of interest and resume or other supporting documentation to her office at the college.

The opening of the St. Clair Inn is drawing near, and Jeff Katofsky, Managing Member of Planet Clair LLC and developer of the St. Clair Inn, recently gave WGRT an inside look at the progress. Local residents are probably expecting a whole new look, but they may be pleasantly surprised with the familiarity and charm that has been preserved. From bathrooms to guest rooms, Katofsky says, original elements can be seen. “The doors in the bathrooms are the original doors from the guest rooms [on the] historic side. The sinks in the men’s room were sinks that we found in the Inn. The copper that was used behind the signage in the front was copper from the roof.” While the first private event is scheduled for this weekend, the public’s chance to see the historic property’s transformation is still about a month out. Public openings will start with the restaurant “1926”, the hotel’s more formal and only three-meal restaurant, in late October to early November. Following the first restaurant’s opening, several other venues throughout the grounds will be opened every 7-10 days. Hotel rooms are expected to start being offered towards the end of the year to the beginning of early 2020. 

As the school year gets into full swing and learning becomes a priority for students, teachers become an important component to that learning. The State of Michigan is looking for candidates for their yearly Michigan Teacher of the Year program. The program recognizes outstanding educational leaders across the state that go above and beyond for students while also promoting their own profession. State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice said Michigan is fortunate to have teachers who dedicate themselves each day to raising up their students and elevating their profession. Nominations can be made using an online form, and they are accepted until October 6th. The nominee must have a current Michigan teaching certificate, have at least five years of successful teaching experience in the state, and work directly with students in their current role. Teachers in Michigan who meet the requirements are eligible to apply and will receive an email inviting them to apply.

Two serious accidents occurred over the weekend in Sanilac and St. Clair Counties. In Sanilac County, a personal injury accident happened when a 22-year-old man was hanging out of the passenger window of a 2017 Compass. When the driver made a turn onto Applegate Road from Juhl Road, the passenger hanging out of the window fell out. The driver and a third passenger of the vehicle then drove the injured man to Marlette Regional Hospital for treatment. The man was later transferred to Flint’s Hurley Hospital. Alcohol and the lack of seat belt use were contributing factors.

In the second accident that took place in St. County, the sheriff’s office responded to a scene involving multiple motorcycles. In that accident, a 56-year-old man from Southgate sustained fatal injuries. A preliminary investigation showed that the man’s motorcycle lost control while riding from blacktop to gravel, possibly due to poor road conditions, causing other motorcycles to lose control attempting to avoid the first. It is believed one of the motorcycles that tried to avoid the man struck him causing the fatal injuries. The investigation is ongoing.  

The Blue Water View Condominiums in Port Huron continue to make progress. Lara Miller of Sotheby’s International Realty, the exclusive listing agent for the building, said that one-third of the building is currently under contract with a goal to complete the project by Spring of 2020. According to Miller, much of the work currently being done is taking place on the inside. Floors one through four are currently being expedited, and Miller said they hope to have occupancy on some of those floors by the end of 2019. In addition to water views, the condo building features high-end amenities like a heated driveway that will lead to underground parking for residents, a pool, hot-tub, sauna, and more. Those interested in the condominiums can take a construction tour of the project from 5 to 7 pm on Thursdays and 1 to 3 pm on Sundays until the end of October. Private appointments are also available. According to Miller, one-bedroom units start at $250,000 and two-bedroom condos begin at $450,000.