St. Clair Sheriff Gets Court Approval for Subpoena

In St. Clair County, a federal judge has approved new ways for the Sheriff’s Office to reach a key witness in a lawsuit filed by former Lieutenant Scott Jones. Jones claims he was forced to resign after reporting a conversation about the sheriff’s brother’s DUI arrest. The Sheriff’s Office says Jones leaked details through ex-deputy Joshua Goodrich, who allegedly shared them online. After failing to contact Goodrich directly, the judge now allows the sheriff to send a subpoena through his lawyer, mail, or email. A pretrial conference is set for August 19th.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Summer Music Festival

Port Sanilac’s historic Sanilac County Museum is hosting its Summer Music Festival on Friday, June 20th, from 1 to 10 p.m. The event features three stages, a beer tent, and local food from Bell Bottom Grill. Artists include Caleb Malooley, Pine Grove Collective, and more. Admission is $5 online or $10 at the gate—no refunds. It’s rain or shine, with sheltered areas on-site. Locals can enjoy live music, food, and community fun right on museum grounds at 228 S. Ridge Street.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Couple Faces Murder Charges

In Port Huron, a heartbreaking case moves forward as Amanda Maison and Maurice Houle face murder charges for the ’18 death of Amanda’s 3-year-old son, Matthew. A judge ruled there’s enough evidence for a trial in circuit court. Matthew suffered fatal blunt force trauma and asphyxiation, with visible bruises and a black eye. Both admitted to witnessing abuse but didn’t intervene. After a cold case, new interviews led to their arrests in April. No trial date is set.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Mayor’s Bid to Revamp Evaluation Stalls

In Port Huron, Mayor Anita Ashford’s attempt to overhaul City Manager James Freed’s evaluation process fizzled out at Monday’s city council meeting. Despite her push to modernize the decade-old review system, council members, including Jeff Pemberton, blocked the discussion, sticking to the usual June evaluation format. Freed, who supports annual reviews, insists any changes need full council approval. The debate, ongoing since April, remains unresolved, with the next review set to follow the traditional format.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Marysville Welcomes New City Manager

In Marysville, the City Council unanimously selected Quentin Bishop, St. Clair’s Superintendent, as the new city manager, replacing Randy Fernandez, who’s retiring after 14 years of service. Bishop, chosen over two other candidates, impressed with his strong administrative and economic experience. Fernandez, who grew the city’s savings from $3 million to $11 million and enhanced local parks, announced his retirement in January, citing it’s time to pass the torch. Mayor Kathy Hayman praised Bishop’s qualifications, expecting a seamless transition when he starts in July.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Local Fishermen Face a Series of Unfortunate Events

On Monday, two fishermen from the Fairhaven Township area found themselves stranded on Saginaw Bay when their boat broke down. One of the men, a Cass City resident, dislocated his hip while trying to restart the vessel. Huron County Sheriff’s deputies sprang into action, launching an airboat from Mud Creek Public Access with help from the Caseville Fire Department. They swiftly rescued the injured man. The second fisherman stayed with the boat until the U.S. Coast Guard arrived to tow it back to Bay Port.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet