Lisa Motte Takes Position at United Way

Port Huron, MI — Lisa Motte will be the new Resource Development Director the the United Way of St. Clair County. Her new role involves marketing, supporting annual campaigns, and working with volunteers.

Motte said, “I was honored to accept this position because nonprofits are my passion. I have worked in the for-profit industry for more than 25 years and felt I needed to follow my heart to United Way. There is no better way to help so many nonprofits than through United Way of St. Clair County.”

Executive Director of the United Way of St. Clair County, Brent Gillette, said, “We’re very happy to get her from the for-profit world although she has extensive experience in nonprofits. It’s her energy, the infectious atmosphere she brings with her into a room, and her extensive knowledge of the community that will be a big asset to us.”

United Way of St. Clair County staff have been in the office throughout the pandemic safely serving their clients through the 211 phone service and their medical loan and supply closet.

Gillette said they are looking forward to sharing the mission of the United Way with businesses as they did pre-COVID. “We didn’t get a chance to do that for a whole year, and that has really been a hardship for us.”

In 2020, the United Way of St. Clair County supported over 14,441 residents of St. Clair County by teaching life skills, reducing the need for emergency services, adult education and training programs, and improving quality of life through health and advocacy.

To learn more visit uwstclair.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

People and Pets Urged to Avoid Contact with Lake and River Foam

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is asking Michigan residents to keep a lookout for foam on lakes and rivers. If found, boaters, swimmers, anglers, and anyone spending time near lakes and rivers, including pets, should avoid contact with the foam.

While all foam can have bacteria, of particular concern is the foam that could contain polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. PFAS contaminated foam is generally bright white in color, lightweight, and may pile up like shaving cream. It can also blow onto beaches.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS warns, “Although current science shows that the risk of PFAS getting into your system from contact with skin is low, you can minimize exposure to PFAS by rinsing or showering after you are done with your recreational activities. In general, washing hands and rinsing off after recreating will help to protect people from chemicals and bacteria that may be in water bodies.”

Naturally-occurring foam is usually off-white or brown and has an earthy or fishy smell. It is normal for naturally occurring foam to be found in bays, eddies, or at river barriers such as dams.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Blue Water Volleygrass is Back-  July 23-25

Port Huron, MI — Blue Water Volleygrass is back with a tournament scheduled for Friday, July 23rd through Sunday, July 25th. Registration opened on June 1st.

The tournament is a major fundraiser for Port Huron Northern High School athletic teams. The tournament had to be canceled last year, but it is a go this year with the usual 200 teams expected. Northern’s sports team members and their families generally volunteer to host the annual event, where new and returning teams fight for the top spot in their divisions.

Blue Water Volleygrass is a grass court four-on-four volleyball tournament with a variety of divisions. The tournament is held on the athletic field at Port Huron Northern High School on Krafft Road.

The divisions include beginner, intermediate, open, and 40 and up divisions for men; beginner, intermediate, open, and 30 and up for women, and girls and boys teams for ages U14 to U18. There are also co-ed divisions. The cost to register is between $85 and $145 per team.

The full list of rules and regulations, as well as registration information, can be found at volleygrass.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

AG Asks Public to Report Abuse from BSA

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is launching a joint investigation between the Michigan Department of Attorney General and Michigan State Police targeting the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).

While the AG and MSP work to obtain information surrounding sex abuse allegations that came to light during recent civil litigation, the agencies are asking the public to report instances of abuse that would assist in this statewide investigation.

“My department has proven our commitment to accountability through similar sex abuse investigations and I believe—with the public’s help—we can secure justice for survivors who endured abuse through Boy Scouts of America,” said Nessel. “We stand ready to fight for those wronged by people they should have been able to trust.”

“We’re pleased to partner with the Attorney General’s office on this important investigation,” said Col. Joe Gasper, director of the Michigan State Police. “We understand the critical role our investigators will play in supporting survivors who may come forward in this case, and are prepared to leverage resources statewide to address any allegations we receive.”

In addition to utilizing resources from MSP, the team assigned to the BSA investigation will include prosecutors, special agents and victim advocates from the Department.

If you have information about the Boy Scouts of America that you think would help us, please call the investigation hotline at 844-324-3374 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Tips can be left anonymously.

Submitted by the office of AG Dana Nessel

Crew Will Survey St. Clair River for Lampreys

Sea lamprey’s have been damaging the fish population since they invaded the Great Lakes during the 1920s, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be trying to estimate how many are in the St. Clair River.

From June 8-17th, an assessment crew will be working in the St. Clair River to determine the presence of lamprey larvae. They use a combination of electrofishing and the application of a granular larvicide to estimate the abundance of the lampreys.

Adult sea lampreys attach to fish with their suction cup mouths and are responsible for killing up to 40 pounds of fish in their lifetime.

The sea lamprey control program is run by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission in partnership with several U.S. and Canadian governmental agencies. The control program work to practice environmental stewardship in its effort to control this destructive species.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Port Huron Twp. Man Charged With Open Murder

On June 1, 2021, Dustin David Tucker, a 27 year old male Port Huron Township resident, was arraigned on the charges of Open Murder, Arson 2nd degree, and Unlawful Imprisonment in the murder of Danielle Grace Smith, a 28 year old Port Huron resident who he was in a dating relationship with. His bond was denied.

Dustin is scheduled for a probable cause conference on June 15, 2021 at 9 a.m. and his preliminary examination is scheduled for June 22, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. in front of the Honorable Judge Mona Armstrong.

On May 29, 2021 at 8:16 a.m. the Port Huron Police and Fire Departments were called to the  1800 block of Division Street on a report of fire investigation. The initial caller stated there  was smoke in the house and a charred body. Officers and firefighters discovered the body of,  who they believe to be, the 28 year old female resident.  

Port Huron Detectives and the Major Crimes Unit were called out to investigate. The  Michigan State Police Crime Lab and a Michigan State Police Fire Investigator responded to  the scene to assist with evidence collection. The deceased was turned over to the St. Clair  County Medical Examiner’s Office. Her name will not being released until an autopsy has  been conducted and positive identification has been made. 

On May 29, around 10:40 p.m., the Major Crimes Unit, Port Huron Police Detectives and the  Special Response Team executed a search warrant in the 2400 block of Hopps Road in Port  Huron Township. This home is the residence of a 27 year old male who was in a dating  relationship with the deceased.  

The male was taken to the Port Huron Police Department and interviewed. He was ultimately  lodged in the St. Clair County Intervention Center on the charge of murder.  

If you have knowledge of this crime call the Port Huron Police Department at (810) 984-8415  or the Port Huron Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit at (810) 984-5383. 

Anonymous tips can be received through the CAPTURE Hotline at (810) 987-6688, emailed  through www.porthuronpolice.org, or texted by downloading the Port Huron PD app on apple  or android devices. Anonymous texts can also be received by texting the keyword CAPTURE and their message/tip to 847411.  

Submitted by the Port Huron Police Department