The St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Commission is hosting its third annual “Tree Hugger Hike” on February 1st at Columbus County Park. The free even offers a guided walk to explore the park’s native trees and their role in the ecosystem. Participants will learn how to identify and care for trees, as well as how invasive species threaten local forests. The hike is a great winter outing and aims to deepen appreciation for local wildlife. Preregistration is required. Weather-related updates will be posted on the Parks social media page.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation paid over $520,000 to Sarnia and Point Edward for hosting Gateway Casinos. Sarnia received over $91 thousand this quarter, totaling over $300 grand this fiscal year, and $27.9 million since 1999. Point Edward got over $429 thousand this quarter, totaling $1.32 million this fiscal year, and $53.5 million since 2000. The payments support local infrastructure and community programs.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

The St. Clair County Board of Commissioners will hold its second workshop on January 30th to discuss the future of the Economic Development Alliance (EDA). The meeting, moved to 6 p.m. after residents found the previous time too early, follows withheld funding and growing frustration over the EDA’s activities and communication. Residents will discuss solutions to improve the county’s relationship with the EDA. The meeting is open to the public and will be held at the County Administrative Office Building.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Due to dangerously cold wind chills, the following will be closed or delayed. Dates may vary. See school or business websites for more details.

St. Clair County:

• Algonac Community Schools – Closed Thru Wed
• Blue Water Choices – Closed Thru Wed
• Cardinal Mooney Catholic High – Closed Thru Wed
• Community Enterprises of SCC – Open (No Buses Thru Wed) Staff Must Report**
• Creative Employment Anchorville – Closed Thru Wed
• East China School District – Closed Thru Wed
• East Shore Leadership Academy – Closed Thru Wed
• Holy Cross Catholic – Closed Thru Wed
• Landmark Academy – Closed Thru Wed
• Life Skills Bright Futures- Closed Thru Wed
• Life Skills Opportunities – Closed Thru Wed
• Marysville Public Schools- Closed Thru Wed
• Memphis Community Schols – Closed Thru Wed
• Port Huron Area Schools – Closed Thru Wed
• St. Clair TEC – Closed Thru Wed
• Westfield Charter Academy – Closed Thru Wed
• Woodland Development Center – Closed Tue
• Yale School District – Closed Thru Wed

Macomb County:

• Anchor Bay School District – Closed Thru Wed 
• Academy of Warren – Closed Tue 
• Armada Area Schools – Closed Thru Wed 
• Assumption Center – Closed Thru Wed
• Assumption Nursery – Closed Thru Wed 
• Austin Catholic High
• Bethlehem Lutheran Early Learning
• **Lutheran-Missouri Synod – Closed Tue 
• Boys and Girls Club – Eastpointe – Closed Thru Wed 
• Center Line Prep. Acdmy – Closed Tue 
• Center Line Public Schools – Closed Thru Wed 
• Chippewa Valley School District – Closed Thru Wed 
• Clintondale Community Schools – Closed Thru Wed 
• Crown of Life Lutheran
• **Lutheran-Wisconsin Synod – Closed Thru Wed 
• DeLaSalle Collegiate High
• **Archdiocese of Detroit – Closed Tue 
• Eastpointe Community Schools – Closed Thru Wed 
• Fitzgerald Public Schools – Closed Thru Wed 
• Fraser Public Schools – Closed Thru Wed 
• Great Oaks Acdmy-Warren
• **National Heritage Academies –Closed Tue 
• Immanuel Lutheran-Macomb
• **Lutheran-Missouri Synod – Closed Thru Wed 
• International Acdmy of Macomb
• Chippewa Valley School District – Closed Thru Wed 
• L’Anse Creuse Public Schools Closed Thru Wed 
• Lake Shore Public Schools – Closed Thru Wed 
• Lakeview Public Schools (Macomb) – Closed Thru Wed 
• Little Turtle Prschl
• Chippewa Valley School District – Closed Thru Wed 
• Lutheran High-North
• **Lutheran-Missouri Synod – Closed Thru Wed 
• Macomb Acdmy
• **Macomb Int School District – Closed Thru Wed 
• Macomb ISD-Special Ed Pgms
• **Macomb Int School District – Closed Thru Wed 
• Macomb Montessori Acdmy – Closed Thru Wed 
• Michigan Collegiate – Closed Thru Wed 
• Michigan Math and Science Academy – Closed Thru Wed 
• Mt Clemens Community Schools – Closed Thru Tue
• New Dawn Academy – Closed Tue 
• New Haven Community Schools – Closed Thru Wed 
• Noor International Acdmy
• **Hamadeh Educational Services – Closed Thru Wed 
• Parkway Christian – Closed Thru Wed 
• Regina High
• **Archdiocese of Detroit – Closed Thru Wed 
• Richmond Community Schools – Closed Thru Wed 
• Rising Stars Acdmy – Closed Thru Wed 
• Romeo Community Schools – Closed Thru Wed 
• Second Home Child Ctr – Closed Thru Wed 
• South Lake Schools – Closed Thru Wed 
• St. Joan of Arc Catholic
• **Archdiocese of Detroit – Closed Thru Wed 
• St. Mary Catholic-Mt Clemens
• **Archdiocese of Detroit – Closed Thru Wed 
• St. Peter Lutheran-Macomb
• Lutheran-Missouri Synod – Closed Thru Wed 
• Utica Community Schools – Closed Thru Wed 
• Van Dyke Public Schools – Closed Thru Wed
• Warren Consolidated Schools – Closed Thru Wed 
• Warren Woods Public Schools – Closed Thru Wed 
• Westfield Charter Academy

Sanilac County:

• Croswell-Lexington Comm Schools – Closed Wed 
• Westfield Charter Academy – Closed Thru Wed 

Healing Hearts Home in Port Huron teamed up with Millstone Ministry to host a human trafficking awareness seminar on Saturday in Marysville. The event educated attendees about child sex trafficking, how traffickers exploited the internet, and shared survivor experiences. Dr. Christina Gallina-Flood, Healing Hearts Home’s director, emphasized that trafficking had occurred locally, including in St. Clair County. Her organization provided counseling for survivors through its S.H.O.U.T. program. The seminar aimed to raise awareness and inspire action against trafficking.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

The ARC of St. Clair County will host its 3rd Annual Show the Love Dinner and Dance on Thursday, February 20th, from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. at Alexander’s Banquet Center in Marysville. The evening features a DJ, photo booth, silent auction, and a booze pull, with all proceeds supporting local programs for individuals with developmental disabilities. Tickets are on sale now, and guests can purchase individual seats or reserve a table. Residents are encouraged to attend and bring friends to support this community event.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet