Art on the River Band Lineup

Citizens for a Vibrant Community just released the band lineup for Art on the River 2022. The weekend long art and music festival is Friday, June 10th – Sunday, June 12th at Kiefer Park in Port Huron.

The event’s two headliners are Derek St. Holmes and Gary Hoey.  Derek St. Holmes used to write music for Ted Nugent and plays several of those songs such as Cat Scratch Fever and Stranglehold in his rock set, and Gary Hoey will be playing tunes from his latest release, Neon Highway Blues.

Several blues artists will take to the Art on the River stage throughout the weekend, including Detroit Music Award winning artist, Tosha Owens, and former member of R.E.O. Speedwagon, Duke Tumatoe.

Art on the River is a family friendly event that includes art, crafts, food vendors, and a beverage tent. Due to construction on Fort Street this year, visitors should use McMorran Blvd. and Merchant Street to access parking and get close to the event.

To learn more, visit: https://www.artontheriverph.com/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

 

 

Open Meetings Act Expanded to Require Audio Recordings

A bill to expand the Open Meetings Act was signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Monday.

The bipartisan legislation requires public meetings of state licensing boards, state commission panels, and state rule-making boards to record meetings to allow for the capture of sound, such as an audio-only recording, a video recording with sound and picture, or a broadcast that is capable of being recorded.  

The bill was introduced about a year ago by Representative Luke Meerman, a Republican from Coopersville. While the Open Meetings Act makes state and local government meetings open to public attendance, the expansion of the law requires the governing bodies to at least make an audio recording that records the entire meeting, including public comments, and makes the recording available to anyone who makes a request.

The bill was opposed by some state government agencies but passed with limited opposition in both chambers of the legislature.

Whitmer said the law would “will help Michiganders have more confidence in their public bodies”.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Ducks Unlimited, DNR, Audubon Work to Enhance St. Clair Flats

The St. Clair Flats area, located in the southern tip of St. Clair County, is home to a diverse bird species and is a destination for kayakers and canoers who want to view the interesting wildlife. The area is getting revitalized with the cooperation of Ducks Unlimited, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and Audubon Great Lakes.

Kali Rush, Michigan Regional Biologist for Ducks Unlimited said, “As society develops more and more of our landscape, natural areas such as St. Clair Flats take on an even greater importance for people and wildlife. We are proud to work with the DNR and Audubon on public lands that are so close to Metro Detroit and in the middle of a major bird migratory route.”

The wetlands not only serve as a habitat for birds but prevent flooding and filter water. Agencies have already been working on improving the 2600 acres of wetlands, but the next phase includes replacing water-management infrastructure to better control water levels and improve habitat on 1500 acres of wetlands on Harsens Island.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

DTF Arrests More Drug Dealers

The St. Clair County Drug Task Force was again busy the past week, concluding four investigations, seizing drugs and guns and making several arrests.

On April 25th at about 11:00 p.m., a search warrant was executed at the Clair Inn on Gratiot Blvd. in Marysville.  During a search of the room, members of the DTF located and seized methamphetamine, cocaine, drug packaging materials, scales and cash.  A 61 year old man from Marysville was arrested, along with a 39 year old woman from Port Huron.  They face charges including possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of cocaine.  The Marysville Police Department assisted in the investigation.

On April 27th at about 8:00 p.m., the DTF served a warrant at a residence in the 5300 block of Griswold in Kimball Township.  Once inside the home, methamphetamine was confiscated, along with 8 firearms, cash and digital scales.  A 49 year old man and 33 year old woman, both from Kimball Township were arrested and lodged at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center.  They face charges including possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and operating a drug house.  Marysville Police also assisted in the investigation.

The DTF continued with their sweep later on the 27th.  At about 11:00 p.m. located a vehicle believed to be involved in the sales of methamphetamine in the Port Huron area.  A traffic stop was conducted at 17th Street and Lapeer in the city of Port Huron.  During a search, methamphetamine was located and seized, along with packaging materials, scales and cash.  A handgun was taken from one of the suspects, a 31 year old man from Port Huron.  Both he and another 31 year old Port Huron man were arrested and lodged at the IDC.  They face charges including possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, carrying a concealed weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, felony firearm and being a habitual offender.

The Drug Task Force conducted another investigation into the sales of crack cocaine the Port Huron area.  At about 5:00 p.m. on April 28th, members of the Drug Task Force located the target of their investigation, a 39 year old Port Huron man.  He was stopped as he was exiting Birchwood Mall.  During a subsequent search of his vehicle, a large amount of crack cocaine and cash were seized.  At the same time, other members of the DTF executed a search warrant at his residence in the 1300 block of Thomson Avenue in Port Huron.  More crack cocaine was located and seized, along with methamphetamine and fentanyl.  The suspect faces charges including possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and fentanyl and being a habitual 4th offender.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force

SC4’s Challenger Learning Center Open for Groups

The Challenger Learning Center at SC4 celebrated its opening to the public over the weekend with a reception for leaders last Friday and unveiling to the public on Saturday. Schools, businesses, and community groups can now schedule a full mission experience for space-themed learning and team building.

The Challenger Learning Center is located near SC4’s Experience Center, a partnership with Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum that gives learners of all ages a self-guided exploration of various STEM themed exhibits. The Experience Center is open Monday – Friday from 9 AM – 5 PM inside SC4’s Clara Mackenzie Building.

The Challenger Learning Center is in the lower level of the Mackenzie Building and is a fully immersive space-themed STEM experience designed for groups of 18 – 35 learners. Groups enter the Challenger Learning Center and become part of an interactive, hands-on mission inside a simulated Space Station and Mission Control room.

To learn more and register your group for a Lunar Quest Mission at SC4’s Challenger Learning Center, visit challenger.sc4.edu.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Tickets on Sale Now for Rocket Mortgage Classic

The Rocket Mortgage Classic, Detroit’s annual PGA Tour event, will return to the Detroit Golf Club July 26 – 31, 2022, and daily grounds tickets and shared hospitality passes are now on sale.

Jason Langwell, Executive Director of the Rocket Mortgage Classic, said, “We are excited to get ticket sales underway for the 2022 tournament. As we enter our fourth year here in Detroit, the Rocket Mortgage Classic has established itself as a favorite summer tradition for residents of the city and beyond. Whether you’re looking to come out and watch the PGA TOUR’s best golfers up close and personal or you’re just a fan of exciting community events and summer fun, there’s something for everyone.”

PGA Tour fans will get the best prices if they buying tickets early, and grounds passes start at $60 for the first round on Thursday, July 28th, go up to $70 for the second round on Friday, July 29th, and cost $80 per pad for the final two rounds on Saturday and Sunday, July 30th and 31st.

Upgraded viewing experiences in hospitality tents start at $250 per day. Families are encouraged to attend, and up to four kids under 15 can attend free when accompanied by a ticketed adult.

For more information about the Rocket Mortgage Classic, visit RocketMortgageClassic.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand