East China Kidnapping Victim Released

An East China woman who was allegedly abducted early Wednesday morning and held in an Ohio hotel was released after a 12 hour standoff between police and her alleged abductor. Police arrested Gabriel Charles Wagner, a 52 year old man from St. Clair Shores, on felony warrants, and he may face charges in both Michigan and Ohio related to the incident.

The incident began at around 2:30 AM on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, when a 47 year old man from East China called 911. The man said he was seriously injured by Wagner who then forced the female victim into a car and fled.

Police searched for Wagner and the female victim, and located them around 10 AM Wednesday morning at an Ohio hotel just off I-75.

Police negotiated with Wagner in what they described as an “armed barricade incident” until around 10 PM that evening when they were able to take Wagner into custody and transport him to Hancock County Jail.

According to a press release from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s office, the victim was taken to a hospital “for evaluation and non-life-threatening injuries,” and their detectives are working with the Findlay, Ohio police on the case.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Children’s Storytime Theme of This Year’s Rotary International Day Parade

Mark your calendar for this year’s Rotary International Parade on July 13th to mark the beginning of Blue Water Fest 2022. This year’s parade theme is Children’s Storytime.

The book-themed parade will celebrate literacy and beloved kid’s stories and authors, and the St. Clair County Library System and Imagination Library will serve as the parade’s Grand Marshals. This year’s Jr. Grand Marshal is Dionte Harris, a Port Huron Northern student.

Groups who want to walk in the 102nd Rotary International Day Parade can register at ParadeDay.net. The parade route is the same as last year, starting at Glenwood Avenue and traveling south through downtown until it turns east on Oak Street to disband at Desmond Landing.

Regular entry for parade participants is $80, and the rate is $400 for political candidates and $600 for political parties. The deadline to register is Monday, July 11th.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

M-46 to Get an Upgrade; Lane Restrictions Through June

For those taking a drive on M-46 in Michigan’s Thumb, road construction will be underway on the east-west thoroughfare throughout the month of June.

The Michigan Department of Transportation reports that they are resurfacing 2.5 miles of M-46 from the west village limits of Carsonville to Goetze Road. The Sanilac County work includes resurfacing, joint repairs, and concrete sidewalk ramp repairs, as well as shoulder gravel and pavement markings.

The work has begun and it is expected to go until June 30th, pending no weather delays.

MDOT reports that one lane will be open during daytime working hours with traffic regulators. Once work is completed for the day, lane restrictions will be removed.

The $800,000 project is being done to provide a smoother road and extend the life of the roadway.

The project is part of the Building Michigan Together Plan, a bipartisan effort to invest almost $5 billion in Michigan’s infrastructure including $317 million for local roads and bridges throughout the state.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Pine Knob Expands Prohibited Items List for Summer Concertgoers

Heading to Pine Knob for a concert? A pair of cargo shorts might come in handy as the popular Clarkston venue is prohibiting all bags, purses, and clutches. Single compartment wallets are allowed as long as they are smaller than 4” by 6” inches.

No outside food or drink is allowed in the venue, including a personal water bottle. Concert-goers will need to stay hydrated by buying something at the venue. While buying alcohol onsite is definitely allowed at Pine Knob, forget about packing a cooler or sneaking in your own adult beverages.

If it’s raining on concert night, leave that golf umbrella in the car, as umbrellas with pointed tips are also prohibited. Strollers are prohibited for those bringing the whole family to a concert, but diaper bags are allowed.

Camp chairs and any chair other than a short beach chair are not allowed on the lawn. Blankets are allowed.Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town will be performing at Pine Knob on June 3rd, with Robert Plant and Alison Kraus playing next week, followed by Styx and REO Speedwagon and The Lumineers.

https://www.313presents.com/venue/pine-knob-music-theatre/pine-knob-prohibited-items-entry-policies

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Free Family Movies at Krafft 8 This Summer

Families who want to enjoy a movie with their kids have a fun option for the summer at Krafft 8 Theater in Ft. Gratiot. Thanks to State Farm Agent Megan Simmons and GQT Movies, there will be free family movies every Wednesday and Thursday mornings from June 1st until August 4th.

The Family Fun Flicks Series starts today with shows at 10 AM every Wednesday and Thursday. This week’s family oriented film is Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, and next week’s is Addams Family 2.

Tickets are available before the shows on a first-come first-served basis, and doors open at 9:30 AM. The free movies will only be shown in one theater, so guests should arrive early to get their tickets.

GQT Movies COO Matt McSparin said, “We are very excited to offer such a great program to the movie-goers of the Port Huron area and welcome  Megan Simmons, State Farm Agent, as our title sponsor.”

“As a State Farm agent, the value of being a good neighbor is something that I really believe in, and I’m trying to give back in ways that I can,” said Simmons. For families that can’t make it to a movie event, Simmons will be doing other promotions through her State Farm agency at 4935 Lakeshore Road. You can stay connected with her through her Facebook page <HERE>.

For more details about the Family Fun Flicks Series and a full list of upcoming shows, visit gqtmovies.com. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

Friends of St. Clair River Name Baby Sturgeon “Pauline” After Fundraising Contest

The Blue Water Area is celebrating Sturgeon, the ancient gentle giants that call the St. Clair River home, with this weekend’s Sturgeon Festival. Part of the buildup to the event was a baby sturgeon naming contest.

The contest was between Port Huron City Mayor Pauline Repp and St. Clair County Commission Chair Jeff Bohm. The two local leaders raised funds for the Friends of the St. Clair River, with the most successful fund raiser winning namesake rights for a baby sturgeon.

The winner is Pauline Repp, who edged out Bohm’s $840 with her $915. The baby sturgeon in an aquarium at the new offices of the Friends of the St. Clair River is now named “Pauline”.

Friends President Sheri Faust said, “All we have accomplished in 15 years as an organization at Friends of the St. Clair River, and all we are poised to accomplish in the next decade, is possible because people are helping build a culture of conservation and stewardship for Michigan’s Thumb Coast.”

 The Blue Water Sturgeon Festival will be held this weekend at the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse. Go to WGRT.com for more information.

Sturgeon Festival

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland