Bats are a little creepy, but they are also an important species. It’s International Bat Week, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources wants to remind Michigan residents that bats are vital to the ecosystem.

Many species of bats are declining in numbers and some are federally protected, so if you have bats in the attic, they need to be relocated, not exterminated.

The DNR says that bats are helpful because they eat pests like mosquitos and sometimes act as pollinators. Bats have been falling ill to “white-nose” syndrome in the area, which causes them to wake up early from hibernation. Infected bats don’t make it through the winter as their fat stores are depleted prematurely.

Bat houses that are placed away from people are a good way to peacefully co-exist with bats in your neighborhood. To learn more about bats, the Friends of the St. Clair River are hosting a “Bat Hike” at Columbus County Park on Friday, October 29th at 10:00 a.m. Registration information for the bat walk, as well as information about constructing bat houses, can be found below.

Bat Hike on Oct 29 at 10 am at Columbus County Park. Register at https://form.jotform.com/212904885991166

https://batweek.org/install-bat-house/?fbclid=IwAR0BD02ZzCxY1FQzDv2SbRQXUDNLzpJWVgdK7XYJ8PaozMf-8j2M7Nt49lM

Reporting for WGRT -Jennie McClelland

The Knowlton Ice Museum in Port Huron offers a unique look into the history of ice delivery in the 1800s and early 1900s. The museum is expanding its hours to increase opportunities for the public to view their collection.

The Knowlton Ice Museum will be open Tuesdays – Saturdays from 11 AM – 5 PM. Cost to visit is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors (age 60 and older), and $2 for kids aged 6-10. Children 5 and under are free.

Shelly David and Emily Reitzel have been working hard to inventory what the museum claims is the largest collection of ice-making equipment and memorabilia in the United States.

In a press release, Reitzel said, “So many things here are one of a kind. You can try to go to Google and research things, trying to describe anything you can about the item, and there’s nothing. They have items here that I don’t think they have anywhere else — it’s very unique.”

The Knowlton Ice Museum is part of the legacy left by Mickey and Agnes Knowlton, and it is funded in part through their endowment fund held at the Community Foundation of St. Clair County. The Ice Museum is one of 6 museums in the city of Port Huron.

To learn more visit The Knowlton Ice Museum’s Facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/knowltonmuseum

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in locating suspects involved in doing major damage to parks in Fort Gratiot.

According to Sheriff Mat King, the suspects did damage to the Fort Gratiot Pond Park and the Fort Gratiot Dog Park areas on Parker Road early Monday morning. They are also believed to be involved in damage to the parks in several other instances dating back to the first part of October. Damage was done to dog agility equipment and a bench at the dog park. Portable toilets were also tipped over and vandalized.

The suspects are white males in their early 20’s. One is about 6 feet tall with a thin build and was wearing black glasses. The other is slightly shorter, and heavier set.

The suspect vehicle is believed to be an older style Subaru Impreza wagon, lighter in color.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office at (810) 987-1733 or (810) 987-1744.

Photos released by the Sheriff’s Office:

St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King has announced the promotions of three members of the department.

Detective Scott Francisco and Deputy Dan Bueche have been promoted to the rank of road patrol sergeant and Deputy Larry Fajardo was promoted to detective.

“I am proud to announce the promotions of Scott, Dan and Larry,” said Sheriff King.  “All three are outstanding employees and I am sure they will excel in their new positions.”

All promotions are effective immediately. 

Submitted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s office

Representative Lisa McClain (R-MI) questioned witnesses about the lack of consistency in the federal government’s vaccine mandate during an Education and Labor joint subcommittee hearing titled, “Protecting Lives and Livelihoods: Vaccine Requirements and Employee Accommodations.” Rep. McClain highlighted how natural immunity is not being considered by OSHA, despite the science saying natural immunity is significantly more effective than vaccines at preventing future infections.

“A study funded by the National Science Foundation found that unvaccinated people who previously had COVID could expect immunity against reinfection anywhere between three months and five years. Even a Yale study concluded that antibodies generated from a natural infection were sufficient to protect against COVID on average for at least 16 months. Now these are facts, these aren’t feelings, they aren’t hypotheses, my question is does it make sense to force someone, mandate someone, who has natural immunities to get a vaccine when they have natural immunity? Why don’t we take that into consideration?” asked McClain.

Rep. McClain also highlighted labor shortages and supply chain issues as reason to pause enforcing these mandates.

For video of Rep. McClain’s line of questioning, click here.

Submitted by Congresswoman McClain’s office

The Port Huron Town Hall speaker series started back up in October, and organizers are planning for their next guest, Spencer Stone, to appear on McMorran’s stage in November.

Spencer Stone is a former Air Force Staff Sgt. who is best known for being part of the group that stopped a terrorist attack on a Paris-bound train in 2015. The events that unfolded that day were featured in the movie The 15:17 to Paris directed by Clint Eastwood. Stone and his friends played themselves in the movie.

To get tickets to Spencer Stone’s presentation on November 8th at 10:30 AM, you must visit the McMorran Box office in person Monday – Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM or Saturdays from 9 AM to 1 PM. Tickets are also available by phone at 810-985-6166 or by mail.

More information is available at porthurontownhall.com

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand