Local News

Lake Huron Medical Center (LHMC) recently received a Level III trauma center designation from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. With this designation, Lake Huron Medical Center now has the ability to treat patients with more serious, possibly life-threatening, injuries. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Level III trauma centers can provide prompt assessment, resuscitation, stabilization, and more through an organized trauma response.  In Michigan, participating in the trauma center designation process is voluntary on the part of the hospital. It is intended to identify those hospitals that make a commitment to provide a higher level of care for severely injured patients and who welcome public acknowledgment of that capability. Prior to this official rating, Lake Huron Medical Center had a provisional status.

With Boat Night on Friday evening in Port Huron local law enforcement officers were present in large numbers throughout much of the downtown area.  Lt. Brian Kerrigan of the Port Huron Police Department said they had officers assisting from the Michigan State Police, US Customs, US Border Patrol, US Coast Guard, Marysville Police, St. Clair Police, and the St. Clair County Sheriff.  The crowd size varied depending on the weather, but there were good-sized crowds overall. Over the whole week, the number of visitors was estimated to be over 100,000. Friday night’s attendance was estimated at over 40,000.

The St. Clair County 4-H Fair at Goodells County Park wrapped up Saturday evening, but the impact will go far beyond the event. With many youth participating, the life skills and memories made are something that will last for years to come. This year, the fair also held new programs and initiatives. The  4-H with partners put on “Pigs with a Purpose” that benefited Mid City Nutrition, and on Wednesday, part of the day was reserved for children with special needs. A majority of RESA’s Woodland’s students attended the special fair day, and they were joined by county students participating in the LINK program. Woodland social worker Rory Ayotte said, “It was great for the students because all of the lights and music that we see typically at carnivals were turned off, allowing the students to not be impacted by sensory overload.”

City Flats hosted the first event at their ballroom in downtown Port Huron at the beginning of May. They have been opening different venues throughout the space since then, announcing the opening of the newest space this week. City Floats is now officially open to the public. The dockside restaurant and bar sits in the Black River and is currently offering a limited food menu along with drinks for everyone to enjoy. The event venue is in full swing with weddings and other events. The rest of the hotel is expected to open shortly. Residents can enjoy City Floats on the Black River on the northside of the City Flats building in downtown Port Huron. 

Last week Port Huron City Manager, James Freed reported that they received several calls about dredging the canal as there is a sandbar forming and blocking the entrance of the Black River to Lake Huron.  City officials had been waiting until a permit was issued from the DEQ or the Army Corps of Engineers. The City of Port Huron has a standing permit to dredge on August 1st. They worked with both agencies to expedite the process, and now, weather permitting, the Black River Canal will be closed to watercraft on Monday, July 22nd and Tuesday, July 23rd from the Tainter gate, located east of Gratiot Avenue, to Lake Huron. The closure is necessary to enable dredging of sand accumulated at the mouth of the canal.  

Sanilac County Sheriff Garry Biniecki is proud to announce the promotion of Deputy Christopher Kravitsky to the rank of Uniform Services Sergeant.  Sergeant Kravitsky has been with the Sheriff’s Office for 9 years and has held many positions within the Office, such as; Uniform Services Deputy, Drug Task Force Investigator, Medical Examiner Special Investigator, and Weighmaster. He is a life-long Sanilac County resident and resides in the Marlette area with his wife Amber and their family.  Sheriff Biniecki stated, “This new promotion for Sgt. Kravitsky is sure to offer him new opportunities and challenges in serving the public”. 

The Port Huron Police Department welcomed a new officer recently.  Officer Jeffery Moeller has joined the department.  Officer Moeller has over a decade of law enforcement experience. Congratulations to Sgt. Kravitsky and welcome, officer Moeller.