Local News

The small game hunting season opens on Sunday in Michigan. The statewide season opens for rabbits, snowshoe hair, ruffed grouse, fox, and gray squirrel. Woodcock season opens a week later on September 21st. A base license is required and can be purchased from an authorized retailer. The cost is $11 for Michigan residents. The DNR reminds hunters that if they are planning to hunt for pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, woodcock, or waterfowl an extra stamp or endorsement is required. Toward the end of the month, Michiganders will celebrate Michigan Trails Week from September 22nd through the 29th. Michigan has more than 12,500 miles of designated trails to enjoy according to the DNR’s website. Ron Olson, DNR Parks and Recreation Chief, said Michigan’s vast and diverse trails system plays a big role in stimulating tourism and encouraging healthy lifestyles for all ages.

At the Port Huron City Council meeting Monday night, one of the last agenda items to come before city leaders was an ordinance prohibiting marijuana establishments in the city. The ordinance passed almost unanimously with councilmember Scott Worden as the only “no” vote. Port Huron City Manager James Freed led the discussion on the ordinance saying that marijuana is currently legal and will remain so for residents. The ordinance that passed temporarily halts marijuana businesses from operating in the city. Freed went on to say that city officials would like more of an opportunity to look at zoning of such businesses within the city. He said there are too many unknowns in the recreational industry. The ordinance that passed has a sunset clause and will no longer be in effect after June 30, 2020. Freed welcomed input over the next 10 months for those looking to shape the marijuana industry in Port Huron. He invited those interested in the marijuana business to contact his office and set up an appointment to discuss the issue further.

Water safety is always a concern in the Blue Water Area given the amount of water that surrounds the area. The City of Port Huron Fire Department is taking steps to make sure its first responders are properly trained to handle water emergencies. The fire department now has its own underwater rescue team. Twelve firefighters completed the training, and they were given pins at the Port Huron City Council meeting Monday night by Chief Corey Nicholson. The team is not an underwater dive team, but they are trained to use scuba equipment. The twelve firefighters received 100 hours of training over the past 18 months. Chief Nicholson said the department can now more adequately respond to drowning and near-drowning incidents. Many of the training sessions were attended by firefighters on their own time.

The Great Lake to Lake trail opens this week and will connect the city of South Haven on Lake Michigan to Port Huron. Eighteen separate trails will be connected, and the route will travel through nine counties. The inaugural ride begins Thursday, September 12th in South Haven and concludes a week later in Port Huron. Port Huron City Manager James Freed said the city is excited about the new Great Lake to Lake Trail. There will be construction on the Port Huron trailhead located at Lighthouse Beach. According to Freed, a huge red buoy will note the end of the trail. He said there will be many enhancements in coming years to increase bike lanes and trails in Port Huron. The goal, Freed said, is to create a more bike-friendly community.

With the start of the workweek, here’s the road report from the St. Clair County Road Commission. In Berlin Township, Capac Road between Hough and Tubspring will continue to be closed until the beginning of October for reconstruction. State Road between Myron and Burtch should be opening soon in Burtchville after bridge replacement. China Township will see Indian Trail between Schunk and Remer closed one day this week, and there will also be intermittent closures on St. Clair Highway for crack sealing between Wadhams and Mayer. 

Kilgore Road between Lohr and Yale will be closed until the end of the month for bridge replacement. In Kimball Township, Dove between Ditty and Wadhams will have bridge maintenance for the next two weeks. Also in Kimball, the left lane of westbound I-69 between Talyor and Wales Center will be closed for concrete patching this week. In Wales Township, Wales Center between Morriss and Lapeer will continue to be closed for bridge replacement. That project is slated for completion near the middle to end of October. 

Last Tuesday evening, the St. Clair County Drug Task Force raided a home in the 1700 block of 21st street on the south side of Port Huron. Once inside the home, the task force located and seized $1,300 worth of methamphetamine, paraphernalia, and cash. They took three individuals ages 52, 47, and 42 years old (two men and one woman) into custody. The 52-year-old was arraigned Friday and charged with possession with intent to distribute and resisting and obstructing a police officer. He is being held at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center on a $50,000 bond. A probable cause court date is set for September 17th in front of 72nd District Court Judge John Monaghan. The other two were released to appear at a future date on possession charges. The Port Huron Police K-9 unit assisted at the scene of the search warrant.