Children at Cleveland Elementary School met the Port Huron Police Department’s new K9 team last Friday. Officer Caleb Paul and Sgt. Jennifer Sly introduced a 14-month-old male German Shepherd, asking students for name suggestions like “Fluffy,” “Sprinkles,” and “Zeus.” The dog, bred in Slovakia, will detect narcotics and track missing persons, replacing the retired K9 Knight. Sgt. Sly will train him for five weeks before Officer Paul takes over. The team will visit other schools to continue gathering name ideas.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Last week, the Thumb Land Conservancy (TLC) secured an 80-acre piece of dune and swale forest for the Southern Lake Huron Coastal Park in St. Clair County, thanks to funding from the Consumers Energy Foundation. This new addition will help protect a rare coastal ecosystem, extending a 4.5-mile section north of Port Huron. Planned trails will connect Fort Gratiot Nature Park to Lakeport State Park. TLC’s efforts, supported by grants from The Carls Foundation and Consumers Energy Foundation, aim to preserve Michigan’s natural resources for future generations.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

The Port Huron Police Department is gearing up for its annual Cops Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser tomorrow evening, inviting locals to support their CAPTURE program. Lieutenant Nick Godwin explains that the funds help pay informants who provide anonymous tips, leading to arrests and justice for victims. The event runs from 4 to 7 PM at City Flats Hotel in Downtown Port Huron, with meals served by police officers. Tickets are $15 at the door, including spaghetti, a drink, salad, and dessert, while kids under ten eat for free.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Port Huron’s District 43 shoe store is closing after five years of business near Huron and Grand River avenues. Owner Jorja Baldwin, who held a farewell sale last week, cited declining sales driven by the pandemic’s shift to online shopping. Baldwin, who valued in-person customer service, decided not to transition the business online, as most shoes are now bought directly from producers. She and her husband will now focus on their other business, Michigan Boat Company in Fort Gratiot, and enjoy more personal time.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet