Robinson Tennis Tournament Returns

Port Huron, MI — The Port Huron Tennis House is gearing up for the return of the Francis J. Robinson Tennis Tournament. The tournament will take place at the tennis house from July 28th – August 1st, 2021.

This year’s event will be a round robin format where players of like ability will be matched up. The round robin format will enable players of all skills levels to participate and enjoy playing several matches against players of similar skill.

The entry fee for the tournament is $40 per player and includes one singles, one doubles, and one mixed doubles match. It also includes an event t-shirt.

The deadline to enter the 2021 Robinson is July 23rd at 5 PM, and registration details and entry forms are available at phtennishouse.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Leadership Change for County Parks

St. Clair County Parks Department has had a change of leadership. Mark Brochu has retired after 26 years as Director of County Parks. Nancy Winzer has stepped in as the new Director.

Brochu is credited with developing the Wadhams to Avoca Trail. He also oversaw $13 million in improvements to the county parks system. Over his tenure, the county parks system grew to seven unique parks.

Winzer already has a job as Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Port Huron. She will be keeping that job while also directing the County Parks. Winzer has been the Port Huron Parks and Recreation Director since 2010 and has earned a slew of regional and state awards for her many accomplishments in providing a variety of recreational opportunities for all abilities and age groups in the Blue Water area.

The St. Clair County Parks department has a few projects lined up for the near future. They are developing a six-acre parcel on the North Channel of the St. Clair River near Algonac. There is also a disc golf course going in at Columbus County Park, along with several other enhancements throughout the park system.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Whitmer Rallying for Park Improvement Spending

Michigan’s windfall of federal COVID relief money is being proposed to be spent in a multitude of ways, including a $400 million investment in parks and trails.

The investment is hoped to create new jobs and increase tourism while sprucing up and modernizing the parks and trails system in the state.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer is on the trail herself garnering support for her plan. She has made a few stops statewide to draw attention to the need for park upgrades.

Whitmer said her investment program marks “a once-in-a-generation chance to improve quality of life for our residents, support local economies and bring people back to Michigan as the state continues its recovery from the effects of the pandemic.”

Whitmer continued, saying, “These investments will ensure our children and grandchildren continue to enjoy the rejuvenating benefits of natural beauty and outdoor spaces so prized by Michiganders.” Whitmer said she looks forward to working with the Legislature to secure the investment.

Tourism and recreation-related industry sustain 126,000 jobs and over $4.7 billion in wages and salaries in Michigan.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Five Arrested in Port Huron Drug Raid

Port Huron, MI — Five people were arrested during a drug raid in the city of Port Huron Tuesday night.

According to Sheriff Mat King, the St. Clair County Drug Task Force conducted an investigation into the sales of narcotics in the Port Huron area.  At about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, members of the DTF executed a search warrant in the 1000 block of St. Clair Street.  During the search of the residence, methamphetamine and heroin were located and seized.

A 38 year old woman from Port Huron faces charges of possession with intent to distribute and maintaining a drug house.  A 31 year old Port Huron man faces charges of possession of narcotics and maintaining a drug house.  A 21 year old Port Huron man will be charged with possession of narcotics.  The other two, a 31 year Marysville man and 29 year old man from Port Huron were lodged at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center for previous offenses.

The Port Huron Police Major Crimes Unit assisted in the investigation.

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

St Clair and Lambton County COVID Update

St Clair County, Lambton County — Many people were concerned about the spike in COVID-19 cases that coincided with the ramping of vaccines for the majority of Michigan’s population this spring, but recent data shows a sharp decline in new cases of the virus.

Numbers reported by the State of Michigan show an average number of new confirmed cases of 107 per day. much lower than the 7,372 confirmed cases on April 5, 2021.

As of July 7th, St. Clair County had 31 active cases of COVID-19 a remarkable decrease over the last month, down from a high of just over 7,600 in May. The St. Clair County Health Department recently reported a 7 day average of only 1.1 new cases in the county.

There have been over 15,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in St. Clair County since the pandemic began, and 405 deaths were attributed to the virus.

Lambton County has 14 active cases of the virus, and the province of Ontario is in Step 2 of its Roadmap to Reopen.  which includes rules and regulations for working from home, capacity limits on businesses and public facilities, and mask orders.  The full order is available here: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r21488

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Education Spending Increased for Fiscal Year 2022

The School Aid Budget, as well as an equalized funding system, was passed by the Michigan Senate last week. The bill allocates $17 billion for the fiscal year 2022.

State Senator Dan Lauwers, a Brockway Township Republican, voted for the bill, saying, “As our school districts recover from a year lost to COVID-19 and remote learning, we have prioritized getting more money into our classrooms while also dedicating significant resources for parents to help their struggling students get the help they need to get back on track.”

Governor Gretchen Whitmer endorsed the school funding plan, saying, “The bipartisan school aid bill makes historic investments in our children without raising taxes and will help each and every student thrive academically, mentally, and physically.”

The spending plan provides for at least $8,700 per pupil, which is an increase from previous years. More money is also slated for preschools, increasing reading proficiency, school nurses, social workers, counselors, and psychologists, as well as $140 million in the school employees’ retirement system.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland