Construction on I-94 Bridge Starts Saturday

Starting Saturday, April 2, 2022, westbound I-94 will be detoured to create an alternate route around the bridge near the Blue Water Bridge Plaza. Throughout the weekend, a maintenance crew will be working on the westbound I-94 bridge, which runs over the abandoned eastbound I-94 bridge.

Construction on the westbound I-94 bridge will begin at 6 AM Saturday and should be complete by 7 AM on Monday, April 4, 2022.

Detours will be posted to direct traffic around the area via the I-94 Business Loop, Hancock Street, Pine Grove Avenue/Huron Avenue/Military Street, and westbound Griswold Street. Travelers headed west out of the Port Huron Area should enter I-94 at Water Street or farther west to avoid construction.

Work on the bridge will improve the driving surface and extend the life of the bridge.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Exciting New Developments in City of Port Huron wsg. Sherry Archibald

 

City of Port Huron Mayor Pro-Tem Sherry Archibald shares updates from this week’s City Council meeting.

In this episode, Sherry and Jessie chat about where to hang out in downtown Port Huron this summer, the actual name of the giant round bank, and whose job it is to fix the sidewalks in front of your house.

They also discuss:

  • Workforce housing and affordable housing developments in the city of Port Huron
  • Conner Street Corridor improvements
  • McMorran Plaza
  • Grocery store on the Southside of Port Huron
  • Ice skating at McMorran Plaza
  • Concerts at McMorran Plaza
  • Pocket parks and entertainment around Port Huron in the summer
  • Improving neighborhoods
  • What will the city do with their Central Fire Station?
  • Is there help for homeowners who can’t afford to repair or replace their broken sidewalks?

Connect with the Port Huron City Council here:

https://porthuron.org/government/city_council/index.php

Connect with the Planning Department about sidewalk issues here:

https://porthuron.org/departments/planning_community_development/index.php

Follow Downtown Port Huron’s Facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/downtownporthuron

 

The WGRT Local News Podcast is part of the WGRT 102.3 FM Podcast Network. For the latest episodes of all of our featured podcasts, visit our website here:

https://wgrt-1023-fm-podcast-network.captivate.fm

The WGRT Local News Podcast is produced by the following team members:

Executive Producer: Jessie Wiegand

Audio Engineer: George James

Administrator: Jessie Wiegand

Marketing: Jessie Wiegand

Follow WGRT Local News on Facebook here:

https://www.facebook.com/WGRTlocalnews

 

Friends of the St. Clair River, Thumb Land Conservancy Win Grants from Bioregion Reparation Fund

The Port Huron-based Bioregion Reparation Fund is funding two projects in St. Clair County. Grants are going to the Thumb Land Conservancy and the Friends of the St Clair River.

The Bioregion Reparation Fund is managed by the Community Foundation of St. Clair County. Founded in 2018, the fund was started by the Sisters of Mary Reparatrix, whose goal is to respond to issues of justice, peace, and integrity of creation.  Port Huron’s Full Circle Eco-House of Prayer is operated by local Sisters Veronica Blake and Conception Gonzalez, who are part of the international congregation.

Sister Veronica Blake said, “We partnered with the Community Foundation of St. Clair County to manage our fund to help continue the legacy of this important work of raising awareness for the beauty of Earth and its present crises.”

One grant will go toward the construction of a kiosk at the Bidwell Sanctuary in Burtchville where the Thumb Land Conservancy is preserving the rare, ancient beach ridge ecosystem. The other grant will be used to support a summer intern with the Friends of the St. Clair River.

More information can be found at WGRT.com.

For more information, call Full Circle at 810-364-3326 or visit www.fullcircleretreat.org.

To learn how to make a donation to Bioregion Reparation Fund, visit www.fullcircleretreat.org/bioregion-reparation-fund.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Softball is Back With the New Port Huron Athletic Association

The Port Huron Athletic Association is a newly established recreational softball league that is set to bring exciting games to both players and spectators.

The Association just started this year and is gearing up for a fresh season with men’s, women’s, and youth leagues.

Softball Coordinator Brian Larsen said that the league was created to bring softball games back to Pine Grove Park, Knox Field, and 16th Street fields in Port Huron. The new Port Huron Athletic Association replaces the Port Huron Competitive Sports Association, which folded during the pandemic.

Larsen said that he hopes to have full leagues in all divisions. There has been a lot of interest so far, and there are enough teams to get leagues started soon.

You don’t have to play to be part of the fun. The public is invited to watch the games. Larsen said, “There used to be packed stands at Pine Grove Park for league Modified games. It would be great to see that again.”

A link to more information can be found at WGRT.com.

https://www.porthuronrec.com/phaasoftball

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Registration Open for Keith Peterson Memorial Car Show

It’s time to start planning for summer, and the calendar is filling up with in-person events, festivals, and car shows. Blue Water Cruise Weekend is set for June 23rd – 26th, and registration is now open for the Keith Peterson Memorial Car Show.

Cruise Weekend is a joint effort between Fort Gratiot Township and the Fort Gratiot Business Association, and this year’s event includes a carnival, cruise night, car show, and fireworks, along with live music and more. New this year is the Miss Blue Water Bombshell Pin-Up Contest hosted by Lindy Lamore with emcee Magenta Demure.

Car enthusiasts can register now for the 15th Annual Keith Peterson Memorial Car Show for $10 if they register online by June 15th. Registration by mail or at the event is $15.

Online registration is available here: http://www.fortgratiotba.org/car-show-registration/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

COVID-19 Test Kits Available in Underserved Areas

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has expanded its efforts to provide free, at-home testing kits to underserved areas of the state by providing COVID-19 test kits to additional libraries for a total of 70 locations participating in the program.

For Michigan families spending more time in group settings, with extended and/or vulnerable family members and friends, or returning from Spring Break trips, these test kits could be a valuable tool in preventing the spread of the virus when returning to work and school.

“This partnership is just one more tool to keep our communities safe,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive. “Testing has become extremely convenient with many locations and the increased availability of over-the-counter tests. We recommend Michiganders test if traveling. Additionally, receiving the COVID-19 vaccine remains one of the most effective ways to prevent severe illness and disease.”

More than 24,000 kits have been shipped to 70 libraries. Test kits are limited at each location and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Michiganders are asked to take one kit per person, up to five per household. To obtain a test kit, visit the following libraries during business hours.

  • Macomb County residents can obtain a test kit at the Roseville Public Library at 2977 Gratiot Avenue, Roseville
  • Sanilac County residents: Deckerville Public Library, 3542 N. Main Street, Deckerville

Submitted by MDHHS