St. Clair County leaders are moving forward with plans to update animal control rules after a packed and emotional meeting Thursday. A committee voted 5-to-1 to send the changes to the full County Board on May 21. Under the proposal, police would handle criminal animal cruelty cases, while animal control focuses on shelters, licenses, and civil complaints. Sheriff King said his department is not taking over but will work together on serious cases to follow state law. Some residents fear it could weaken quick responses to animal welfare calls.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Port Huron is pausing repairs on the Black River Canal to wait for expected federal funding. The canal has been closed since an ice jam damaged the Tainter gate in January of ’24. City Manager James Freed says a federal rescue plan is now in both houses of Congress. He expects money could arrive between March and May of next year, with construction starting soon after and the canal reopening in summer of ’28. Freed says using local tax dollars now would not be smart.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Nearly 1,500 eighth graders in St. Clair County will step out of the classroom and onto a college campus this month for a hands-on look at future careers. St. Clair County Community College is hosting the visits over four days later this month, bringing in students from districts countywide. Kids will try virtual reality, see emergency response demos, and explore tools like 3D printers and CAD software. Organizers say the goal is simple: show students that college and career paths are real, reachable, and right in their backyard.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet