St. Clair County is searching for a new District 5 commissioner after Robert Fielitz resigned on August 29. District 5 includes the City of St. Clair and the townships of East China, Kimball, and St. Clair. Residents interested in the role must submit a letter or resume to the County Clerk in Port Huron or by email to citizens@stclaircounty.org
by noon on Friday, September 12th. A special meeting will review applications that day, with candidate interviews expected September 16 and 17th.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Port Huron Police have donated a patrol cruiser to kick off a new public safety program at the St. Clair County Technical Education Center. Starting this fall at Woodrow Wilson Elementary near the city’s Central Fire Station, the program will give high school juniors and seniors hands-on experience in law enforcement, firefighting, emergency response, and dispatch. The cruiser will serve as a “classroom on wheels,” teaching students vehicle inspection, communication systems, and law enforcement technology as they prepare for future public safety careers.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Lambton County’s latest numbers show homelessness in Sarnia-Lambton remains a growing crisis, despite ongoing affordable housing projects. The county reported 284 people without stable homes in July, with chronic homelessness staying high at around 200. Shelters are stretched near capacity. While new housing projects on Confederation Street, Maxwell Park Place, and Kathleen Avenue are in the works, delays mean key targets from the county’s plan have been missed. County leaders say without more funding, the daily struggle for hundreds of residents will continue.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Sanilac County officials have approved participation in two national opioid settlements, securing funds to tackle local opioid issues. The county is set to receive about $238,000 over 15 years from Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family, and roughly $37,000 from a settlement with eight other drug manufacturers. The Board of Commissioners also approved posting three county jobs, including an IT Director, a part-time dispatcher, and a court clerk, as local departments prepare to fill key positions.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Port Huron–Sarnia border officers seized nearly 770 pounds of cocaine last month from two trucks trying to cross the Blue Water Bridge. The first seizure uncovered 331 pounds in six boxes, valued at $18.8 million. The second truck yielded 439 pounds, worth $24.9 million. Both drivers, from the Toronto area, were arrested by the RCMP and charged with importing and trafficking cocaine. Authorities say this is part of a larger effort, with more than 3,350 pounds seized from U.S.-bound trucks so far this year.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet