Photo by Abby Schneider Boat Night Port Huron Photo

Friday’s Happenings at Blue Water Fest

Photo: Boat Night by Abby Schneider

Boat Night is here, and there are plenty of Blue Water Fest activities happening throughout downtown Port Huron.

Several roads are blocked to accommodate the festival’s new footprint, and visitors can expect most activities this year to be around McMorran Plaza, in the Blue Water Transit parking lots, and along Huron Avenue between Superior Street and Quay Street.

A Little Something’s Chalk the Street competition continues today on Huron Avenue between Grand River and Quay with judging scheduled for 5:30 p.m. The winners will be announced at 7:00 p.m. in front of A Little Something.

The Family Fun Tyme carnival starts at 3 PM in the east Blue Water Transit lot, and there are also food trucks and vendors around McMorran Place. Wristbands for one day of unlimited rides cost $30.

Around 80 vendors will be set up on Huron Avenue for a Street Fair featuring local artists and it will be open from 4-9 PM.

There will also be live music in several locations throughout the downtown in the evening including McMorran Plaza, the west Blue Water Transit lot, and The Lot at 4th & Water Street, the home of an outdoor seating area featuring food and treats by Flying Taco food truck, McCallums Orchard, and Here’s the Scoop.

Enjoy your Friday at Blue Water Fest, and have a safe Boat Night!

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Mental Health Providers Could Get Student Loans Paid with New Program

The state of Michigan is willing to pay off portions of student loans for those who provide medical behavioral health services such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, therapists and certified behavioral analysts in underserved areas of the state

The MI Kids Now Loan Repayment Program incentivizes behavioral health care providers to work in areas that are lacking mental health services. Priority is given to those who serve children, but the repayment is open to providers who care for both adults and children.

The goal is to help fill the gaps in mental healthcare for schools and employers by paying up to $200,000 in loan debt if committed to eight years.

Lindsay McLaughlin, acting director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service’s Bureau of Children’s Coordinated Health Policy and Supports said, “Increasing access to behavioral health services for Michigan families and children is a top priority for MDHHS.”

The MI Kids Now Loan Repayment Program application cycle opens July 18, 2022, and closes on July 29, 2022. Further program information, resources, applications, and application instructions can be found  on the MI Kids Now Loan Repayment Program website.

Behavioral health providers are encouraged to review the materials in advance and submit applications when the cycle begins.

Providers who have questions or need more information can contact Reanna Kathawa at kathawar@michigan.gov.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

East Shore Leadership Academy and The Athletic Factory Partner for Afterschool Programs

East Shore Leadership Academy in Port Huron has entered into a partnership with The Athletic Factory, a Port Huron non-profit that provides athletic opportunities for youth.

The partnership will provide after-school activities for the students at the kindergarten through 8th grade charter school. Students will be able to not only have after-school supervision, but will be able to learn or find a new interest.

Cliff Thomason, Executive Director of The Athletic Factory, said that the two organizations had that same vision for an activities program. The Athletic Factory was looking for an opportunity to do an after-school program to expand their reach into the community while East Shore was looking for an afterschool experience for its kids.

The partnership will offer students afterschool activities ranging from sports to arts and crafts to performing arts such as dance. They are also planning to offer a LEGO Robotics option as well as old-fashioned games.

https://theathleticfactory.org/
https://www.eastshoreleaders.com/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Police Report Sales of Alcohol to Minors

On Tuesday, July 12, 2022, the Port Huron Police Department conducted a compliance check  operation focusing on underage sales of alcohol to minors. 

During the operation police sent underage decoys into 32 Port Huron stores licensed by the  Michigan Liquor Control Commission to sell alcohol. Of the 32 businesses checked, 29 were  found to be in compliance by refusing to sell alcohol to the underage decoys. 

Three businesses were not in compliance and were cited for selling alcohol to a minor: 

  1. Pit Stop Party Store, 1635 Pine Grove Ave, Port Huron 
  2. Kroger, 2907 Krafft Road, Port Huron 
  3. White Cloud Smoke Shop, 1122 10th Street, Port Huron  

The Port Huron Police Department would like to thank all of the stores that were found to be  in compliance and encourage all licensed establishments to check ID’s to prevent the use of  alcohol by underage minors. 

Submitted by the Port Huron Police Department

What’s Happening Today at Blue Water Fest

Today marks the first full day of Blue Water Fest, and the streets, vendors, and local business owners are ready for visitors.

You can start the day by watching chalk artists get started on their creations at A Little Something’s Chalk the Street Fair on Huron Avenue, and don’t forget to visit the downtown shops and restaurants.

The Family Fun Tyme carnival starts at 3 PM in the east Blue Water Transit lot, and there are also food trucks and vendors around McMoran Place.

Operation Transformation’s Family Night starts at 5 PM and runs until 9, and there will be games, live music, and family-oriented activities throughout the evening. Everything is free thanks to many local businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Mannequins Making a Difference will be on the Sperry’s corner at 6 PM, and the mini-mannequins will be posing from 7:30 – 8.

Fireworks at Desmond Landing are at dusk, and there are many great places to view the show throughout the city.

Enjoy your Blue Water Fest, and have fun out there!

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Chalk Art Contest Underway at Blue Water Festival

There’s truly something for everyone at the Blue Water Festival in Downtown Port Huron. If chalk art is your passion or just something you’d like to try, the festival has just the thing for you to show off your talent.

The annual Chalk Art Contest is underway on July 14th and 15th in front of A Little Something, a store in Downtown Port Huron.

Artists will need to register and spectators will vote on their favorite chalk art. The art spaces are free to artists and they can be solo pieces or can be the work of up to four artists.

The top prize is $100 for the Best in Show. The People’s Choice Award winner will get a cash prize as well, with the Best Original Piece and the Best 3-D piece each winning $50. The Best Use of Color artwork will get $50 also.

There are prizes of ice cream coupons for the Best Youth Piece for ages 12 to 16 and the Best Child Piece for ages under 12.

Judging is at 5:30 p.m. with the winners announced at 7:00 p.m. in front of A Little Something on Friday, July15th.

For more information, please contact the chalk art coordinator Lucie De Line 810.531.5410.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland