Port Huron Woman Shoots Man During Alleged Break In
Port Huron, MI — On February 28, 2021 at 5:07 a.m. neighbors in the 900 block of Huron Avenue called Central Dispatch advising a disorderly male was yelling for help in the street. Minutes later, a 31 year old female resident in the 900 block of Huron Avenue called 911 stating she just shot someone trying to break in her home. The female was home alone with a small child.
Port Huron Police arrived and found a 35 year old male Richmond resident shot in the neck at the corner of Huron Avenue and Beers Street. Officers provided medical attention until Tri – Hospital EMS arrived and transported him to McLaren Port Huron Hospital. He was later transferred to McLaren Macomb Hospital and is in stable condition.
The female shooter was interviewed and released. She did not know the male and it is not known why he was trying to enter her home. No charges have been sought on either party at this time, as the case is still under investigation. Once the investigation is complete, it will be forwarded to the St. Clair County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
If you have any information on this shooting call CAPTURE at (810) 987-6688. Anonymous texts can also be received by texting the keyword CAPTURE and the message/tip to 847411 or by downloading the Port Huron PD app on an apple or android device. Tips can also be emailed by clicking on the CAPTURE link at www.porthuronpolice.org.
Submitted by Port Huron police Department
Port Huron School Raises Nearly $2200 for Hunter Hospitality House
St. Mary/McCormick Catholic Academy in Port Huron has raised nearly $2200 for Hunter Hospitality House with their annual Penny Wars. That’s a lot of pennies. The friendly competition between grades was an outreach activity during the annual Catholic Schools Week celebration.
Students in preschool through eighth grade brought in both paper money and coins and could either build up their own class’ collection jars or put coins in other class’ jars to subtract from their class totals.
St. Mary/McCormick Principal Mike Gibson said, “The participation this year was incredible. The previous high for our Penny War competition was $671.00. This year we raised $2,183.12, which is more than the previous three years combined! It is just more proof that our school/parish community is absolutely amazing.”
Hunter Hospitality House provides lodging near both Port Huron hospitals. Executive Director Tracy Willard said, “I am grateful beyond words for this very generous, amazing gift. It’s just incredible, and will be used right away in providing our free services at HHH.”
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
Wrigley Center Construction Brings Mixed-Use Development to Downtown Port Huron
If you have ever strolled through the Flint Farmers Market or Detroit’s Eastern Market and thought, “I wish we had something like this in Port Huron”, your wish may soon be granted. Construction of the Wrigley Center in Downtown Port Huron is picking up speed as it gets closer to its projected 2022 open date.
Port Huron Downtown Development Authority Director, Cynthia Cutright said that the $14 million mixed-use development is set to have 36 condominiums built on the second and third floors, along with a farmer’s market and maker’s market. Retail and dining space are also planned with an entertainment space that will have regular programming.
Local developer Larry Jones is the mastermind behind the project that is transforming the former Art Van property and is leveraging investment from the Community Foundation of St. Clair County and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The Port Huron DDA is leasing 5400 square feet of space for the market portion.
City officials recently toured the construction site and announced that vendor applications for the market portion will be available in late spring.
The Wrigley Center name pays homage to the Wrigley Grocery store that was once on the property.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
Aging Dams Require Immediate Attention
A Dam Safety Task Force was assembled after the failure of the Edenville and Sanford dams which resulted in catastrophic flooding in the Midland, Michigan area last May. The Task Force released their 59 page report to Governor Whitmer on February 25, 2021.
According to the report, there are more than 2,500 dams in Michigan that are not regulated by the federal government, just over 1,000 of those are regulated by the state. Of those structures, so many are in need of improvements and/or repair that the state is “heading toward a grave situation with many dams if significant investments are not made in the short and medium term.”
The group recommends funding for maintenance, repair, and removal of dams throughout the state with priority given to the structures that pose the greatest risk to communities if they were to fail. They suggest a revolving fund of up to $20 million per year over a 20-year period in loans to cover those costs along with a grant program of up to $80 million to support the work.
Liesl Clark, director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), said in a press release, “Aging dams, just like all infrastructure throughout Michigan, suffer from a lack of consistent investment, which must be addressed if we want to avoid future tragedies.”
The full report is available <HERE>.
Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand
Health Department Launching New Contact Tracing Tool
The St. Clair County Health Department is launching a new system to track the spread of COVID-19 in the community. The Patient Education Genius (PEG) software tool will text and/or email an automated survey to those who test positive for the virus.
The PEG system will collect information such as demographics, current symptoms, the date symptoms began, and names of close contacts. This information is used to help identify those who could potentially spread the virus and alert them to isolate or quarantine.
In a press release, Dr. Annette Mercatant Medical Health Officer urged people to complete the survey if they recieve it. She also noted that the survey “does not gather any private information (social security numbers, personal passwords, or banking details)” and “should take less than 15 minutes to complete.”
The PEG system reduces the burden on case investigators who have been relying on phone calls to complete contact tracing duties.
For more information about PEG, visit the website <HERE>.
Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand