Local News

Work has come to a halt on the Bluewater View Condominium project, located at Glenwood Avenue and Michigan Street in Port Huron.   A project halt tag has been posted on the gates of the project.   According to reports, the stop-work order was issued because the builders had not given the city all the necessary plans and prints, however it is noted that thus far, the developers have been working well with the city, and it is expected that work will soon resume.   Updated plans need to be submitted to the city as construction moves along to ensure proper inspections are completed.   It is expected that the city staff will be meeting with the developer this week.  At the beginning of October, an American flag was raised to the top of the building to celebrate the structure’s steel frame and foundation completion.  The former YMCA property was purchased in 2016 by Allen and Lee Stevens, and plans are for two towers; the first housing 29 units.  The planning commission has approved the plans in December of 2016 for a single two with 60 units.

Guy Klinzing, celebrity chef, actor and entertainer will be at Landmark Academy at 4864 Lapeer Road in Kimball tonight, for  the 2018  Let‘s Get Cooking Show”.   Guy says in the nine years he worked for Taste Of Home, he performed over 250 shows, so he is familiar with what the audience enjoys.  He says he has taken the best of what Taste of Home had to offer, and added his own flair along with his own recipes.   The show is being presented by WGRT and the Times Herald, and sponsored by McLaren Port Huron.  Attendees will have the chance to win dozens of prizes throughout the show – McMillin’s Furniture in Yale is giving away a genuine La-Z-boy recliner and Miller Maytag will give the grand prize of a 30 inch double oven range!  There is a free vendor show prior to the cooking show, which begins at 4:30 p.m. – doors open to the auditorium at 6:30 with the cooking show beginning at 7:00. General admission tickets are available at the doors.  If you have questions call 810-987-3200.

Enter Stage Right wants to remind you of the final weekend  of “Dracula” by Steven Dietz and directed by Regina Spain and Scott Joseph! The show’s final performances are this weekend at The Citadel Stage, 609 Huron Ave.  This show restores the suspense and seduction of Bram Stoker’s classic novel to the stage. As Count Dracula begins to exert his will upon the residents of London, they try to piece together the clues of his appearances—in a valiant attempt to save themselves from a hideous fate. Rich with both humor and horror, this play paints a wickedly theatrical picture of Stoker’s famous vampire.  Tickets are on sale right now for the final weekend performances. You can purchase yours at Enter Stage Right’s website, www.enterstageright.org. The show will be on Friday, October 26th at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, October 27th at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, October 28th at 3:00 p.m.  Enter Stage Right brings powerful theatre to entertain, educate, and improve our community here in Port Huron. Our goal is to cultivate and nurture artists, directors, and designers, to advance their potential and creative being while exploring and creating a variety of theatre styles and genres. We hope you come to enjoy our shows and experience our love for theatre! If you need special accommodation or assistance, please let Regina Spain know in advance so accommodations can be made. You can contact Regina by phone at (810) 334-6415 or by email at esrtheatre@gmail.com.

Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan is a local, grassroots, 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides wigs & support services to children experiencing hair loss as a result of illness and treatment. This program is available to Michigan children between the ages of 3 and 18 at no cost to them or their families and there is no waiting. Founded in 2003, the organization has served over 4,000 children in need.   Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan has beautiful holiday cards available for purchase in a variety of 5 NEW designs that feature photos from the talents of Anne Nicolazzo Photography. https://nicolazzoanne.smugmug.com/  Cards with envelopes come 10 to a package and are $10 each. Save on two packs of cards at $15! Cards may be purchased online at www.wigs4kids.org under the How You Can Help – Merchandise section, at the Wellness Center in St. Clair Shores or by phone at 586-772-6656. 100% of the proceeds benefit wig recipients & families. Cash, check, money order and credit cards accepted (Visa, Mastercard, Discover).    Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan Wellness Center is located at 30126 Harper Avenue, St. Clair Shores, MI 48082.  Cards are available now through December 31, 2018.   Donations made to Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan help the organization continue its mission of serving the children of Michigan who are experiencing hair loss, at no charge to them or their families.

The overall homeless population in Michigan has decreased for the third year in a row, according to an annual report released today by MSHDA (Michigan State Housing Development Authority) in conjunction with the Michigan Campaign to End Homelessness. “In the past year, we have seen drastic improvements in certain homeless populations, including a 20 percent decline in the area of the chronically homeless,” said Earl Poleski, executive director at MSHDA. “This annual report tells a story about our collective work, and the story is that we are making progress where it matters most.” The steady overall decline is largely due to the coordinated efforts of state and local partners and their ongoing commitment to prioritize those most in need using the Housing First model. In this model, people are moved to housing as quickly as possible while being provided a support structure that improves physical and mental health. “Housing is fundamental to the overall health and well-being of Michigan’s residents,” said Nick Lyon, director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. “Our department manages more than $30 million in funding for outreach, shelter and permanent housing resources so that we can assist residents in removing any barriers to housing security.” Data suggests that a network of critical supportive services and transitional living programs are equipping youth with skills to better prepare for adulthood. The results show that since 2015 there has been a 10 percent drop in homelessness among youth aged 18-24. “In the [Transitional Living] program, I learned adult responsibilities and worked with a case manager who helped me understand rent, utilities, driving tests, budgeting and saving…I wouldn’t have learned these things living at home,” said a youth living in Livingston County who sought help at a local drop-in center. On the other side of the state, the Greater Grand Traverse Area Continuum of Care is earning recognition for being selected as a Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project (YHDP) site by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This group is one of only 10 YHDP sites in the nation and one of four rural communities in the program. Michigan’s response to homelessness extends past housing. The Campaign is working with new partners in other sectors such as healthcare and employment to improve key social determinants of health and increase access to stable income. This is especially important because the statewide Homeless Management System (HMIS) shows the average income for a person experiencing homelessness is $649 a month, while the 2017 Census Bureau data puts median rent in Michigan at $835. In addition to rent overburden, action is needed to create innovative housing solutions for people with disabilities. The top three disabilities affecting Michigan’s homeless population include mental health (66%), physical health (39%) and substance use disorder (29%). In September, MSHDA’s Board approved more than $5.1 million in grants related to addressing homelessness, the bulk of that amount––$4.8 million––went to Emergency Solutions Grants that fund work to rapidly re-house homeless individuals and families and homeless prevention efforts, among other services. “Each year MSHDA allocates more than $70 million in state and federal funding to help individuals experiencing homelessness with the end-goal of getting them into permanent housing,” said Kelly Rose, chief housing solutions officer at MSHDA and governor-appointed chair of the Michigan Interagency Council on Homelessness. “This report shows us that we are making an impact, but there is still work to be done.”