Alphonso Amos & Josh Chapman Port Huron Southside Spring Fest

Southside Spring Fest is Coming to Port Huron’s Southside Neighborhood

Alphonso Amo

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Alphonso Amos and Josh Chapman share their roles in the Southside Spring Fest and their excitement about developments on Port Huron’s southside.

Jessie talks with Alphonso and Josh about:

  • Is it South Park or the Southside?
  • How development could affect long term residents of southside neighborhoods
  • How people who don’t live on the southside can support the area for the benefit of the whole city

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Mercatante Receives State Health Policy Champion Award

Dr. Annette Mercatante, the St. Clair County Medical Health Officer, will be heading to Lansing next week to receive the Jean Chabut Health Policy Champion Award.

The award is presented to those who have made noteworthy contributions toward the health and well-being of Michigan citizens regarding state or local policy.

Jennifer Michaluk, spokesperson for the St. Clair County Health Department, said, “Our staff is very touched that Dr. Mercatante has received this award. Dr. Mercatante has worked tirelessly to protect the health and wellbeing of the residents of St. Clair County. We refer to her as our fearless leader because she has devoted 15 years of service to understanding and addressing the needs of this community.”

Michaluk continued, saying, “As she finishes out her time with the Health Department, we celebrate her and all that she has done to make St. Clair County a better place.” 

Earlier this year, the St. Clair County Board of Commissioners voted to split Mercatante’s role into two jobs, effectively eliminating her position.  She indicated she will not be applying for either new job.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Art Contest to Bring Awareness to Storm Drains and Waterways

The Friends of the St. Clair River are looking to draw attention to storm drains. Storm drains can have a big impact on water quality. What goes into the drain generally goes right into rivers and streams.

The Thumb Coast Storm Drain Art Project will highlight the storm drains with art. Artists of all ages and abilities can enter the contest to create designs that demonstrate the importance of keeping water clean and thinking twice before pouring something harmful down the storm drain.

Entries need to be submitted by April 30th and the winners will be paid a stipend of $150 per drain to paint their designs. The art will be placed at 24 locations in Port Huron, St. Clair, and Marine City. They will be at highly visible locations like sidewalk intersections and park entrances.

Winners will need their own brushes, but paint and sealer will be provided. The winners of the design contest will be decided in May and the painting will coincide with festivals in respective cities to draw awareness to storm drains and water quality.

www.scriver.org/StormDrainProject

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Have You Seen Booker T Brown

Have You Seen Booker T. Brown?

UPDATE: On Thursday, April 07, 2022 at approximately 5:23 p.m. the suspect, Booker T Brown was located and  arrested inside of a residence in the 800 block of Minnie Street. The suspect was treated for minor  injuries sustained prior to police contact. The suspect has been medical cleared and was lodged at the St.  Clair County Intervention Center on Attempted Murder and Unlawful Imprisonment charges. The  investigation is continuing. 

4/7/2022: On Thursday, April 07, 2022 at 1:57 a.m. the Port Huron Police Department Road Patrol  responded to the 1500 block of 11th Street regarding a female who appeared to have been  assaulted.

When officers arrived in the area, they did speak with the victim, a 49 year old  female resident of Port Huron who indicated that the suspect, a 53 year old male from Port  Huron had assaulted her at a residence in the 1400 block of 13th Street. The victim had been  physically beaten, assaulted with a hammer and knife, held against her will, until she was able  to escape the residence. 

The victim was transported to McLaren Port Huron Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.  

The Port Huron Police Department Major Crimes Unit and Criminal Investigative Division was  called out to assist with the investigation. 

On Thursday, April 07, 2022 at approximately 6:35 a.m. the Port Huron Police Department  Special Response Team, Major Crimes Unit, and the Criminal Investigative Division executed a  search warrant in the 1400 block of 13th Street in an attempt to locate the suspect and recover  evidence from the assault. The suspect was not located at this time. 

The Port Huron Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance with locating the  suspect: Booker T Brown, black male, 53 years old, 5’11 tall and 175 pounds. Last known  address is in the 1000 block of Beard Street in the City of Port Huron. 

The suspect is wanted for Attempted Murder and Unlawful Imprisonment.  

If you know the whereabouts of Booker T Brown or have knowledge of this crime call the Port  Huron Police Department at (810) 984-8415, the Port Huron Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit  at (810) 984-5383, or 911 immediately. 

Anonymous tips can be received through the CAPTURE Hotline at (810) 987-6688, emailed through  www.porthuronpolice.org, or texted by downloading the Port Huron PD app on apple or android  devices. Anonymous texts can also be received by texting the keyword CAPTURE and their  message/tip to 847411.  

Submitted by the Port Huron Police Department

Mecanum Knights Win First Place and Imagery Award at Macomb Tournament

The Mecanum Knights are flying high after a stellar tournament weekend. The Port Huron Schools Robotics Team ended up being on the winning alliance to end last weekend’s Macomb District event with a bang.

Robotic teams form “alliances” in strategic bids to match team strengths and work together to accomplish the game’s tasks.

Kristen McRobie, Enrichment Coordinator for Port Huron Schools, explained, “During alliance selections, The Mecanum Knights were chosen by the 1st seed alliance to compete alongside of Team 1189, The Gearheads, out of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, and Team 494, The Martians from Goodrich, Michigan.  The First Seed Alliance dominated the quarterfinal, semifinal, and final matches and won the Macomb District event with a record of 6-0 in the playoff rounds.”

The Team also brought home the Imagery Award, which celebrates attractiveness in engineering and outstanding visual aesthetic integration of machine and team appearance.

The next event is the State Finals at Saginaw Valley State University on April 13-16th.

http://www.team3667.com/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Urban Pioneer Program Can Help First Time Homebuyers in City of Port Huron with a $10,000 Grant

For first-time homebuyers looking to buy a house in the City of Port Huron, the Urban Pioneer Program could help with a down payment and closing costs. The program, funded by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, is increasing the grants from $5,000 to $10,000 to keep up with rising home prices.

Jazmyn Thomas, Community Development Program Administrator, said that the City has the goal of increasing homeownership in the city. Thomas said that the program has helped over 150 households since 2011 and has funds available, anticipating the housing market heating up in the coming months.

The process of buying and owning a home can be complicated, and the grants are awarded after the future homeowners have worked with both a lender and a realtor and have found a home.

A free class is available through Blue Water Community Action that explains homeownership in great detail and is recommended by the Urban Pioneer Program.

There are income requirements for the program, such as a maximum income of $65,000 for a family of four. Links to details for the Urban Pioneer Program and the Homebuyer Education Class can be found below.

https://www.bwcaa.org/homebuyer-education

https://www.porthuron.org/departments/planning_community_development/community_development_division.php

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland