Community Remembers Fallen Heroes

Port Huron, MI — Ed Weichsler, a former U.S. Air Force Veteran, worked with a student from Croswell-Lexington High School to find a way to honor local military heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for their community. That desire, and a lot of hard work and community support, resulted in the Blue Water Area Fallen Heroes Banner Project.

The 100% volunteer-led project collected almost 400 stories of military heroes from the area which will be displayed on banners placed throughout the towns in St. Clair County.

The first of the hometown hero banners will be hung in towns and cities throughout St. Clair County starting the week before Memorial Day and remain up until June 4th. The banners include the hero’s photo, name, branch of service, rank, war conflict, age, and their home city, and they be displayed annually.

Weichsler said the community’s response to the project has been absolutely overwhelming. Donations have amounted to over $30,000, and a fund is being held at the Community Foundation of St. Clair County. The fund will help with current and future costs associated with printing the banners and any reprinting needed in the future to replace worn or damaged banners.

Donations for the Blue Water Area Fallen Heroes Banner Project can be made by mail or online.  By mail, send a check to the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, 500 Water Street, Port Huron, MI 48060 with “Banner Program Fund” noted on the memo line.  Online, visit: www.stclairfoundation.org, select funds and click on the Blue Water Area Fallen Heroes Community Banner Program link.

For more information or to submit photographs for the Project, contact Ed Weichsler, Program Advisor and U.S. Air Force Veteran by phone at (810) 985-2007 (hotline) or (810) 434-6407 or  e-mail at weichsler10@gmail.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

YMCA Aligns Mask Rules with CDC, State of Michigan

Port Huron, MI — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) added exceptions to their Gatherings and Face Mask Order on Saturday, May 15th, most notably, removing the requirement to wear a face mask for fully vaccinated persons. The YMCA of the Blue Water Area has decided to align its mask rules with the new order.

Josh Chapman, President/CEO of the YMCA of the Blue Water Area, said in a press release that the “YMCA has instituted numerous health and safety measures to best protect everyone who enters the Y, including: daily health screenings for members and staff, rigorous daily cleaning protocols, use of electrostatic spraying equipment nightly, capacity tracking, and social distancing requirements for all activities.”

In light of that, the YMCA is following the new guidelines and will not require fully vaccinated individuals to wear a mask in their facility.

Chapman notes that a fully vaccinated individual is defined as someone who is 2 weeks past their second dose of a two-dose vaccine or 2 weeks past their first dose of a single-dose vaccine.

The YMCA is asking guests and members to their facility to follow their core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility in relation to the face mask guidelines, and will not ask for proof of vaccination.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Blue Meets Green Initiative Establishes Priorities

The Blue Meets Green Initiative’s mission is to develop the Blue Water Region into a prosperous, sustainable economic environment through community collaboration. Their Phase VI priorities were established at their recent committee meeting, and address issues such as workforce training, countywide broadband access, and child care.

The Blue Meets Green committee will work to make the following Phase VI priorities a reality through partnerships with public, private, and nonprofit leaders:

  1. Marine City Marina – Marine City, Michigan is a destination place for thousands of tourists every year.  However, Marine City is bypassed by boaters due to the lack of boat docking, fuel, shore power and boating amenities.  The Marine City Marina project would add another safe harbor for boaters.
  2. Countywide Broadband Strategic Plan – This effort will support the development of a countywide broadband strategic action plan. The plan would serve as a roadmap to establish the infrastructure needed to push broadband forward in St. Clair County.
  3. Expanded Training / Workforce Training – The workforce training facilities at St. Clair County Community College and RESA require expansion. This would allow for new or expanded programs, equipment, and the capacity to increase student enrollment. The goal is to increase the number of people with credentials including degrees, advanced degrees, certifications or completed apprenticeships.
  4. COVID-19 Vaccine Planning – The COVID-19 vaccine distribution process / community vaccination initiatives will not be successful without the robust support and participation by our entire business community and community leadership. COVID-19 vaccines are a pathway to ending this pandemic. There has never been a vaccination project that has required this type of coordination, communications and surveillance. There is no vaccination project that will have the same level of impact on the economy, education, and quality of life.
  5. Increasing Child Care Options – Prior to the pandemic, many area residents were struggling with finding available child care options. This issue has exploded since the pandemic. Without additional child care options, more St. Clair County residents will be forced to leave the workforce, creating an even tighter labor market for the county.

Past Blue Meets Green projects include the Sperry’s building rehabilitation into Sperry’s Moviehouse and the YMCA property development.

To learn more about Blue Meets Green, visit their website here:

https://sites.google.com/bluemeetsgreen.org/bluemeetsgreen/home

 

 

 

 

Superintendent Jamie Cain Leaving Port Huron Schools

Port Huron Schools Superintendent Jamie Cain just announced that he is leaving his position to pursue a new opportunity at St. Clair County RESA. He has been with Port Huron Schools since 2014.

Cain was instrumental in creating STEAM labs and programs for K-12 students, implementing the School Resource Officer program with the Port Huron Police Department, and maintaining the district’s finances despite declining enrollment.

In a press release, Cain said, “It’s been an honor and privilege to serve the students and families of the Port Huron Area School District, ” and “I’m excited to begin a new chapter in my professional journey that will allow me to serve and influence the children and school districts across all of St. Clair County.”

Ann Murphy, PHASD board of education president stated, “He will absolutely be missed, but the accomplishments that have been made the past seven years will leave a lasting legacy that will benefit students for many years to come.”

 

 

McLaren April Employee of the Month

Port Huron, MI – Steven Schlitt has been named the Employee of the Month for April. Schlitt has worked at McLaren Port Huron for nine years as the robotic specialist in the operating room.

Schlitt was nominated by his peers because he embodies the hospital values. He supports his coworkers in every way. When someone needs help, Schlitt always volunteers and makes sure to stay until everything is taken care of. He is kind, friendly, optimistic, outgoing and positive, and always goes above and beyond. His coworkers can’t say enough good things about him and appreciate him for all he does.

This employee recognition is given to individuals who consistently live the values, mission and performance standards of McLaren Port Huron. Honorees are nominated by a co-worker, physician, volunteer, and/or customer.

To learn more about McLaren Port Huron, visit www.mclaren.org/porthuron.

Man Arrested at Gas Station for Endangering Child, Weapons

Port Huron, MI — On May 17, 2021 at 1:32 a.m. an officer on patrol noticed a blue Honda Civic parked at the  Marathon Gas Station in the 1300 block of Military Street. A male was slumped over the  steering wheel and an 11 year old child was playing with Pokémon cards in the backseat. In  the backseat next to the child was a loaded handgun. 

As the officer tried to wake up the male he noticed another loaded handgun, a .223 rifle with  loaded magazines, a loaded shotgun, open liquor, prescription drugs, and what appeared to be  illicit drugs in the vehicle. The investigation revealed the male, a 40 year old Raeford, North  Carolina resident, drove to Michigan to meet a woman he met on a social media site. He was  driving on a suspended license and didn’t have a permit to carry a firearm. 

The male was arrested and lodged in the St. Clair County Intervention Center for Carrying a  Concealed Weapon, Child Endangerment/Operating Under the Influence of Drugs,  Possession of Dangerous Drugs, Possession of a Firearm while Intoxicated, and Driving on a  Suspended License. His son was turned over to the Department of Human Services who are in the process of making arrangements to get the child back to relatives in North Carolina.  

Chief Platzer stated, “This is another example of proactive policing by members of the Port  Huron Police Department which resulted in the protection of a child, the arrest of a dangerous  person, and numerous guns taken off the City of Port Huron streets.” 

If you have any information on this crime 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. 

UPDATED 5/20/21:

Emory Conner Lewis (40 Years Old) of Raeford North Carolina was arraigned May 18, 2021 in 72nd District Court on the following charges:

1.)    Controlled Substance – Possession of Methamphetamine/Ecstasy – Felony

2.)    Operating While Intoxicated  2nd Offence– Occupant less than 16 – Misdemeanor

3.)    Weapons – Carrying Concealed – Felony

4.)    Weapons – Firearms – Possession under the influence – Misdemeanor

5.)    Operating – License Suspended, Revoked, Denied – Misdemeanor

6.)    Alcohol – Open container in vehicle – Misdemeanor

He was given a $15,000 bond.  His next scheduled court appearance is May 25th, 2021 at 9am in front of the Honorable Judge Mona Armstrong.  His Preliminary Examination is scheduled for June 1st, 2021 at 1:30PM also in Judge Armstrong’s court.

Submitted by the Port Huron Police Department