The St. Clair River Classic offshore races will return to the City of St. Clair for its 25th year and Blue Water Offshore Racing Association’s President Steve Brunner said: “We are excited to be part of a new offshore racing series that includes international teams; will bring more boats to St. Clair and we will continue to welcome teams and fans who have made our race site so popular”.  Following the joint announcement at the end of October by Powerboat P1 and OPA Racing that they were to partner to create the American Power Boat Association Offshore Championship in 2019, the two promoters have released details of four of the race sites in the six-venue series; that includes St. Clair.  OPA Racing has been the primary sanctioning body for the St. Clair River Classic in partnership with Blue Water Offshore Racing Association since 2004.  OPA and Powerboat P1, have been involved in offshore racing since 2003, run under the APBA and a key aim of the new partnership is to strengthen the future of racing in the United States by delivering an expanded, cohesive, world-class race series split equally between northern and southern states. The four race venues announced today see the 2019 championship feature major, high-profile events in Florida, Missouri and Michigan:
• Cocoa Beach: 17-19 May – ‘Thunder on Cocoa Beach’
• Lake of the Ozarks: 31 May -2 June – The Lake Race
• Sarasota: 5-7 July – Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Festival
• St. Clair River Classic: 26-28 July – St. Clair River Classic
Speaking from its headquarters in New Jersey, Ed “Smitty” Smith, President of the Offshore Powerboat Association, said: “Our principal goal is quite simply to further develop the sport of Offshore and, working with Powerboat P1, we now have the opportunity to unite the race teams in a way that has been missing for a long time. We plan to announce the remaining two race venues later this month and then everyone can look forward to a new and exciting sixrace championship in 2019.”  Azam Rangoonwala, chief executive of Powerboat P1 which has its United States office in Orlando, added: “We have identified several important areas where we believe the partnership will deliver significant results commercially and in terms of the sport’s organization and profile.  Our aim is always to stage events that excite and entertain, ensuring enjoyment for spectators and TV audiences with sponsor value and a real economic impact for the host venues.”  Brunner states “combining this new offshore racing partnership with Blue Water Offshore Racing Association’s experience in race production in St. Clair; and, the entertainment and vendors managed by Funfest Productions, will absolutely enhance St. Clair’s event so our event will continue to be a fan favorite”.

Dollar General’s newest store at 3599 Military St. in Port Huron is now open!  In its new location, Dollar General will offer area residents a convenient new place to shop for everyday essentials at low prices.  Dollar General will celebrate the store’s official grand opening on Saturday, December 15 at 8 a.m. with free prizes and special deals.  Additionally, the first 50 adult shoppers at the store will receive a $10 Dollar General gift card and the first 200 shoppers will receive a Dollar General tote bag with complimentary product samples, among other giveaways.  “Dollar General is committed to delivering a pleasant shopping experience that includes a convenient location, a wide assortment of merchandise and great prices on quality products,” said Dan Nieser, Dollar General’s senior vice president of real estate and store development.  “We hope our area customers will enjoy shopping at Dollar General’s new location.”  Dollar General stores offer convenience and value to customers by providing a focused selection of national name brands and private brands of food, housewares, seasonal items, cleaning supplies, basic apparel and health/beauty products. The store’s fresh layout is designed to make shopping simple for customers.  Seasonal products are displayed in the center of the store, departments are easily recognizable with visible signage and coolers are conveniently located at the front of the store.  Traditional Dollar General stores employ approximately six to 10 people, depending on the need.  Anyone interested in joining the Dollar General team may visit the Career section atwww.dollargeneral.com.

The Michigan House passed on Wednesday a comprehensive modernization of the state’s animal industry regulations, led by state Rep. Dan Lauwers.  “This extensive cooperative effort among industry leaders, MDARD and the Legislature resulted in a streamlined and efficient set of reforms that meet today’s animal agriculture standards,” Lauwers said. “This means Michigan’s farmers will finally have an easy-to-follow set of laws that adapt to today’s technology and keep the highest food safety standards.”  The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) began working with the Legislature in 2015 to update Michigan’s Animal Industry Act, while Lauwers was chair. Since its enactment in 1988, Michigan’s animal industry law has been amended sporadically many times, which resulted in a hard-to-follow mishmash of regulations. Updates were needed to reorganize and streamline the law, making it easier for Michigan’s farmers to follow. These laws will also be easier to adapt to advancements in agricultural technology.  The House passed the plan with overwhelming support and will move to the Senate for consideration. The plan is led by HB 6205.

The Port Huron Civic Theatre is presenting the age old classic “Annie” – at McMorran Theatre Friday, December 14 through Sunday, December 17.  Performances are 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, with 2:00 matinees on Saturday and Sunday.  Cost is $12 for kids and seniors and $15 for adults.  Tom Dennis plays policeman Lt. Ward and President Roosevelt and Joe Helton plays the part of Drake the Butler.  The two stopped in at WGRT to talk about the show.  Tom says Civic Theatre presents an opportunity for people to explore their theatric abilities and they become like family.  Joe, has in the past worked behind the scenes but, says his daughter encouraged him to try out for this part.  Annie is based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray.  Authorities say Annie has become a worldwide phenomenon and was the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.  The beloved book and score by Tony Award winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse, and Martin Charnin, features some of the greatest musical theatre hits ever written, including, “Tomorrow”.  Annie is the perfect family-friendly musical and an ideal show for a largely female cast.  Tickets may be purchase at ticket master or call the McMorran Box Office at 810-985-6166.

The Arc of St. Clair County is having a fundraiser at Panda Express located at 24^th and Cherry Hill Drive at 4795 24^th Avenue in Fort Gratiot on Thursday December 13, 2018  from 4:00 – 7:00pm   You can dine in or order out, knowing that 20% of the event sales will be donated to the Arc.  The Arc of St. Clair County is the only community based non-profit throughout the nation working to support and protect the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and advocates for their full inclusion and participation in the community.  Each year more than 500 residents and family members turn to the Arc to service, support and advocate on their behalf.  Organizers of this fundraising event remind you that you need to either bring the fundraiser coupon or a digital copy of it that day for the Arc to receive credit.   For the coupon log on to:
https://www.facebook.com/events/336288723837600/

Marysville City Manager Randy Fernandez has been named the 2018 St. Clair County Community College Alumnus of the Year.  “SC4 played a big part in my life and helped prepare me for my career serving this community,” Fernandez said. “I’m very humbled and honored to receive this special recognition.”  Not only did he attend the college but so did his five siblings, two sons and even four nephews. The oldest of six, Fernandez, 62, shares his alumni status with his three brothers, Marty, Jeff and Ralph, Jr.; two sisters, Paula McVety and Laura Ann Nesbitt, a middle school counselor in Fort Gratiot; two sons, Mitchell and Matthew, and their mother, Shelly; and nephews, Garrett, Grant, Nelson and Bailey.  The State of Michigan’s first Hispanic city manager, Fernandez has spent the last seven years with the City of Marysville — nearly five as city manager — and was previously employed for more than 28 years with the City of Port Huron. While in Port Huron he served as the city treasurer, water supervisor and city assessor. For a time, he was also director of Port Huron’s Downtown Development Authority and general manager of McMorran Auditorium.  The Port Huron native graduated from Port Huron Central as class vice president in 1974 before attending SC4 on a partial tennis scholarship and earning his associate degree. He then went on to earn his bachelor’s from the University of Michigan and master’s from Central Michigan University.   “I truly enjoyed my experience at SC4,” he said. “I recommend it to every student or parent who asks. I think it’s the way to go.”  Fernandez said he formed good study habits and life skills at the college that have stayed with him long beyond his years there.  “St. Clair County Community College helped me develop my time management skills better,” he said. “I’m very proud to have Michigan and Central Michigan degrees, but I’m equally proud to tell people I have a degree from St. Clair County Community College.”  Fernandez said he reinforced the importance of a getting a good educational start at the local community college with his sons Mitchell and Matthew throughout their childhood.  “SC4 plays a critically important role in our community; it’s helped me, my family and countless others reach their goals,” Fernandez said. “I’m proud to support the college as it builds toward an even brighter future.”