Investigation continues into a shooting that occurred in the 2500 block of Manuel Street in Port Huron on May 31 shortly after 1 a.m.  Port Huron Police Officers were dispatched to the area after receiving calls of shots fired.  While arriving in the area, road patrol officers located a male who was shot in the hand.  The injured 23-year old Port Huron male was transported to the hospital for treatment, then arrested on unrelated charges after his hospital release.  The Port Huron Major Crimes Unit found that during the altercation two suspects were involved in a verbal and physical altercation, both having fired handguns at each other.  The second suspect was identified as a 23 year old who had fled the scene prior to officer’s arrival.  On Sunday, June 2^nd Demarko Martrell Woods was arraigned and is lodged at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center.  A warrant has been signed for Xavier Trevon Davis whose whereabouts are currently unknown.  The Port Huron Major Crimes Unit is asking for assistance in locating Davis.  If you have information, please call 810-984-5383.

Sarnia council has given the go ahead for the return of slot machines to Hiawatha Horse Park and Entertainment Centre.  Reports say the Doug Ford government reached an agreement in principle with Gateway — the owner/operator of Point Edward’s Starlight Casino — to reestablish slot machines last October.  When the site opens at Hiawatha, it will open with 150 slots, opposed to the previous 450 slots at the racetrack.  The city will earn 5.25 percent of the first $65 million generated from the slots.  The amount lowers to 2.5 and 3.5 percent on the next $435 million and down to 0.5 percent once revenue reaches $500 million.  Officials say an opening date has yet to be announced.

Car insurance reform supported by Rep. Shane Hernandez was signed into state law last week, lowering costs for all Michigan drivers.  The reforms – approved by Hernandez and the Legislature – give drivers more choice on personal injury protection coverage, combat fraudulent claims and stop price gouging on medical services for car accident victims. Many Michigan families will save hundreds of dollars or more each year.  Michigan has had the most expensive car insurance in the nation mostly because it’s the only state mandating unlimited lifetime health care coverage through car insurance. The revised law will provide more affordable options while allowing those who currently use the unlimited coverage to keep it, and those who want it in the future to continue buying it.  “These reforms will get rid of what amounts to a burdensome and often unaffordable mandate on Michigan drivers, providing real rate relief,” said Hernandez, of Port Huron. “Eliminating the state mandate for unlimited medical coverage through car insurance is a victory for freedom of choice and family finances.  “Starting in July 2020, some drivers will be able to opt out of personal injury protection altogether, including seniors with retiree health coverage such as Medicare and those with health insurance policies that cover car accident-related injuries. Others will be able to continue with unlimited coverage or choose PIP limits of $250,000 or $500,000. A $50,000 option will be available for drivers on Medicaid.  A fee schedule will be established for medical providers, reining in runaway costs that result from medical care providers charging far more to treat car accident victims than other patients.  Non-driving factors such as zip codes, home ownership and educational level can’t be used to determine rates. Residents in Sanilac and St. Clair counties will not have to pay higher rates to subsidize drivers in other regions of the state.  An anti-fraud unit will help crack down on those abusing the system, which should help further lower car insurance rates.  “This reform plan is not perfect, but it is a huge step in the right direction after four decades of dealing with a broken car insurance system,” Hernandez said. “It proves that good things happen when we work together in the spirit of bipartisanship with the best interests of Michigan families at heart.”

From June 7 through the 29th, Studio 1219 will present the work of Christine Noetzel.  The exhibit will be on display in the South Gallery, with a reception, Friday, June 7th from 6 to 8 p.m.  Noetzel says what inspires her to paint is the reaction from people when they view her artwork. If they say they like it or maybe if they don’t like it, but it touches an emotion and reminds them of some time or place on their life’s journey.That reaction is, she says, her greatest gift as an artist.  Nature is also an inspiration with its shapes, contours, colors and light. With paper, brush, watercolor, inks, pastels or colored pencils , she says she is motivated to create. Sometimes an abstract or collage work with an assortment of textures emerges in her attempt to express an image to the viewer. Traveling to new areas and attending workshops help her to continue to learn new techniques and ideas and keep her updated in the art world. Most of all the wonderful people she meets along the way Noetzel says, inspire and stimulate her as a person and are a testimony of the love and beauty the world holds.  Art Studio 1219 is located at 1219 Military Street in Port Huron