Optimist Skate Park Getting Closer to Construction

Port Huron, MI — A lot of planning and fundraising is paying off for Port Huron’s new skatepark. The design concept was revealed at a virtual meeting last week and received a lot of constructive feedback from bikers and skaters in the community.

The meeting was the third design workshop as the skatepark gets closer to construction. Those in attendance were biking and skating enthusiasts who are dedicated to making the park the best it can be.

The skatepark will be located at Optimist Park off of 10th Avenue not far from downtown. It is designed for bikes, skateboards, and inline skates and is meant to be a destination for all levels of thrill-seekers.

With a $750,000 price tag, the skatepark is being funded with community support and grants from the Tony Hawk Foundation and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. foundation. The project will be unique in that it will have a rain garden and will be incorporating green stormwater practices.

Micah Shapiro, the designer with Grindline Skateparks, said that the park will be more than just for Port Huron but will also have a regional draw. Parking and amenities like lighting and water stations are part of the concept.

The design is expected to be finalized this month. Bids for construction are hoped to go out this summer.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Vaccine Clinics in St. Clair County May 5-8

The St. Clair Health Department and its partners are offering the following vaccine clinics throughout the county this week:

Wednesday, May 5:

  • Marysville: Knight Club 2-7 PM, Walk-in, Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine, 18 and older
  • Capac: Council on Aging Office 10 AM – 3 PM, Schedule an appointment <HERE> or walk-in, Moderna vaccine, 18 and older

Thursday, May 6: 

  • Marysville: Marysville Fire Department 3-6 PM, Schedule an appointment <HERE> or drive-ups welcome, Pfizer vaccine, 16 and older. Parental consent needed for under 18.

Saturday, May 8:

Additional Clinics:

  • Algonac, Capac, Memphis School Districts: parents in these districts can contact their school offices for more information about vaccine clinics at their buildings on Wednesday, May 5th
  • Marysville: Knight Club 2-7 PM every Wednesday in May, Walk-in, Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine, 18 and older

 

TEC Students Awarded Medals at SkillsUSA

St. Clair County, MI — Students attending the Digital Media Technology program at St. Clair TEC learn a variety of media production techniques including audio, video, photography and graphic design. This year’s class included two teams of students who won awards at the SkillsUSA virtual contest.

Kristian Duffy from Port Huron Northern and Maria Falleti from Marine City achieved a Bronze Medal for Audio Production.

Noah Atherton from Port Huron Northern and Zachary Floyd from Virtual Learning Academy won a gold medal for Digital Cinema Production, and they will represent Michigan at the National Virtual SkillsUSA competition in June. Their winning project can be viewed <HERE>.

Students at St. Clair TEC compete in Skills USA to improve their skills and develop a competitive edge in vocational and technical career areas. Skills USA also heavily focuses on developing positive attitudes, professional skills, and teamwork.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Beatrice Thornton Art Show Goes Virtual this Year

Port Huron, MI — The Beatrice Thornton Student Art Exhibition is in progress and can be viewed from the comfort of your own home. The annual art show is in its 53rd year, featuring the work of 275 elementary school students from the area.

In a normal year, the artwork would be featured in the Fine Arts Gallery at St. Clair County Community College and proud parents and grandparents would stroll through and admire the work of the young artists. But opening the gallery to the public in the midst of the pandemic is not an option with year and the gallery has been forced to go “virtual”.

The artwork from Landmark Academy, Memphis Elementary, and some of the elementary schools in Port Huron Schools can be found on the St. Clair County Community College website.

The artwork is shown in video form with gallery cards that name the student, grade, art teacher, and school. The exhibit is named after Beatrice Thornton, a Port Huron art teacher who wanted to give art students a gallery experience outside of the classroom setting.

The elementary school art show runs through the end of May.

https://sc4.edu/campus-life/arts/beatrice-thornton-2021/?fbclid=IwAR0seyMAKK05ocLSIHTM6MKW7fYyRTkfrgfi-1hMcaeaWwJwLvrZF9wGvOI

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan’s Infant Mortality Rate Drops to Lowest Recorded Level

There is encouraging news coming from the Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Section of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. After analyzing the data, 2019, the most recent year analyzed, had the lowest infant mortality rates- 6.4 per thousand- in recorded history for the state of Michigan.

The legacy of racial disparity in infant mortality rates is also showing signs of decreasing. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun of MDHHS said, “It is encouraging that Michigan achieved an all-time low infant mortality rate in 2019, as well as the fact that we are starting to see a decreasing trend in the infant mortality disparity ratio between Black and white infants.”

Khaldun noted that the department used “vigilance and intentionality” to fight infant mortality. She said the effort must continue to assure healthy outcomes for Michigan mothers and babies.

The 2020-2023 Mother-Infant Health & Equity Improvement Plan uses strategies to work toward the goal of Zero Preventable Deaths and Zero Health Disparities. The 2019 report shows a good start toward the goal.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

SBA Rolls Out Grants for Restaurants, Bars, Foodservice

Help could be on the way for struggling restaurants and bars. The U.S. Small Business Administration is reaching out to restaurants and other foodservice businesses that have been adversely affected by the pandemic. $28.6 billion in Restaurant Revitalization Funds are allocated toward relief nationwide.

The first three weeks of the enrollment period, with the application period having started Monday, is reserved for eligible owners who are women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged. After that, it is a first-come, first-serve application. The application will remain open until the funds are spent.

The minimum amount awarded is $1,000, but goes way up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location, to make up for pandemic losses. Eligible businesses include restaurants, food trucks, bars, saloons, wineries and distilleries, bakeries, and others.

Brian Calley, President of the Small Business Association of Michigan said, “This is critical relief to some of our hardest hit small businesses. Funds are limited, so I encourage eligible businesses apply as soon as the application window opens to ensure they get the support they need.”

For more information on the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, visit sba.gov/restaurants or in Spanish at sba.gov/restaurantes.  

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland