Port Huron neighbors are rallying to help a local family after a tragic shooting left a 17-year-old boy dead and his 12- and 13-year-old siblings seriously injured. The father was arrested in connection with last Thursday’s incident. The two surviving children are now in a Detroit hospital, with the boy suffering severe facial injuries and the girl paralyzed from the shoulders down. A GoFundMe page has raised over $20,000 of a $35,000 goal to help cover medical bills, funeral costs, and a new handicap-accessible home for the grieving family.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

The Croswell Fair is getting a bright upgrade thanks to a new state grant. On Thursday, the Michigan Horse Racing Advisory Commission awarded the fair $24,555 through its ’25 Equine Grant Program. The money, covering about 35% of this year’s funding, will go toward replacing track lighting. The program supports horse racing events, equine research, and aftercare, and awards are given only to long-standing, financially vetted organizations in good standing with the state.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A Port Huron father accused of killing his teenage son and wounding two younger children is set for arraignment today. Prosecutors say 44-year-old Jeffery Smerer opened fire inside a Glenview Court home around 6 a.m. on Thursday. Police say the children’s mother and Smerer’s adult son fought him off, preventing more injuries. The 17-year-old died, while a 13-year-old boy and 12-year-old girl remain hospitalized. Court records show Smerer had been due in court later that morning on an indecent exposure case involving a young child.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Starting today, drivers crossing the Blue Water Bridge eastbound into Canada should expect lane closures. The Michigan Department of Transportation says crews will be repairing the bridge deck to extend its lifespan. One lane will remain open from the toll plaza to mid-span, but vehicles wider than 14 feet won’t be allowed. Westbound traffic into the U.S. won’t be affected. The work is expected to continue through November.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet