Local News

The studio was bursting with activity when we had a visit from a group of 4-H Ambassadors. This group of kids and teens shared their favorite things about the fair and got us all excited about what we could experience at the St. Clair County 4-H & Youth Fair at the Goodells County Fairgrounds this week. Whether you go for the food, the animals, or the action in the Rimrock Crater, the fair really has something for everyone. Enjoy listening as the kids tell us all about it:

It was a weekend of emotional highs and lows in St. Clair. The Sheriff’s Office has been searching, since Friday evening for 21-year-old East China man and St. Clair High School graduate Riley Gleason. The Sheriff’s Office released information yesterday that shed light on what possibly lead to the tragic event. They say Gleason was on a boat behind the St. Clair Inn when he jumped into the river.  Two friends who were with Gleason said that he immediately began calling for help. One of the friends said he threw a rope and then a flotation device to Gleason, but neither worked. He then jumped into the water and was able to grab Gleason. However, Gleason eventually slipped from his grasp and went underwater.

Deputies from the Sheriff’s Office Marine Division and a St. Clair Fire Department boat were called to the area shortly before 9:00 Friday. The Sheriff’s Office Dive Team was dispatched shortly after. Rescue operations continued through yesterday evening. In the wake of this terribly unfortunate event, the community has come together in many ways. Sunday morning a prayer vigil was held at the boardwalk and now a Meal Train along with a donation site have been set up to assist the family in this difficult time. 

Beginning Wednesday, July 17, 2019, the City of Port Huron will be making improvements to 13th Street between Water Street and Lapeer Avenue.  These improvements will include new asphalt pavement, concrete curb and gutter, sidewalks and drive approaches and water main replacement.  This project will be partially funded with a federal grant and the voter-approved street millage funds.

13th Street will be closed to thru traffic until approximately the middle of November.  Please follow the posted detour utilizing Water Street, 17th Street, 16th Street, and Lapeer Avenue. If there are any further questions regarding this matter, please contact the Department of Public Works.

With the weather heating up in the Blue Water Area we may see more Ozone Action Days.  The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is the agency that determines what constitutes an Ozone Action Day.  Officials at the Michigan DEQ take into account several different factors when determining the severity and nature of an ozone action day. Specific parameters play a significant role: solar insolation, cloud cover, temperature, wind speed and direction, and the presence or absence of precipitation.

Emission factors also contribute. Emissions, though, are not measured on a continuous basis as ambient ozone monitor concentrations are. Emission information is taken into consideration upon general knowledge and historical data.  Some activities that affect emission data are refueling or topping off vehicles, using gas-powered lawn equipment, and even using charcoal lighter fluid. Activities that can have a positive impact on air quality are carpooling, biking to work, delaying or combining errands, and using water-based paints. For further information visit deqmiair.org

The Michigan Department of Transportation M-29 “Road Diet” began Monday, July 15, with a pavement marking contractor in St. Clair making revisions to the pavement markings for the proposed road diet. Residents can expect lane changes from both the Northern and Southern City limits. There will be 1 northbound lane, 1 turning lane and 1 southbound lane (4 lanes reduced down to 3 lanes). Immediately south of the bridge in front of Cargill and the railroad track area will remain 4 lanes for a brief distance.

With the proposed diet, there will be designated bike lanes and a designated turning lane into the Voyageur parking lot.  There will also be a designated turning lane into the Harbor Parking lot. No changes will be made to parallel parking along the boardwalk. The new plan hopes to see decreased traffic speed and increased pedestrian safety. St. Clair officials urge residents to remember that all changes will be temporary, but they’re being made because of numerous MDOT road studies that said traffic speed and pedestrian safety were the top two complaints or concerns of city residents. The changes will be re-evaluated after the season. 

The Rotary International Day Parade steps off tomorrow at 6:30 PM in downtown Port Huron.  The parade route will move from Glenwood and Huron Avenue south to Oak Street. Port Huron Rotary Club President Keely Baribeau said, “The entire club is looking forward to this annual tradition to kick off Blue Water Fest.  Over 10 thousand spectators attend, and it’s a great showcase for local organizations”.

This year’s theme is “Space” in observance of the 50th anniversary of the U.S. moon landing. McLaren Port Huron is the parade’s presenting sponsor.  Ms. Baribeau continued, “This year, we are looking forward to not only welcoming Mark Muzzin from the Starbase program at Selfridge Air National Guard Base as our Grand Marshal but also Jayden Paeth as our parade Jr. Grand Marshal. ” Jayden is the Port Huron High School student who was seriously injured while walking home from school earlier in the 2018-19 school year.  Mike Palmer, Principal of Port Huron High, stated: “The entire Port Huron High community is proud to see Jayden back home. We could not choose a better example of determination and hard work than Jayden Paeth. Thank you to the Port Huron Rotary Club for honoring him.” The event is organized and hosted entirely by volunteers, most of whom are Rotary members.