Ryan’s Liquor Planning Expansion to Gourmet Market

Port Huron, MI — The neighborhood near the intersection of Pine Grove Avenue and 10th Avenue in Port Huron could soon be getting a gourmet market complete with a deli, bakery, and fresh produce if the current Ryan’s Liquor store is given zoning approval to expand.

Brian Zetouna, whose family owns the store, and Store Manager Michelle Denney have been wanting to address the “food desert” that exists in the neighborhood. Getting to a grocery store with fresh foods is currently difficult for some residents of the area.

Zetouna said they are hoping to expand to 4300 square feet and offer everything neighborhood residents need to feed their families at reasonable prices.

Jack Smith’s Market went out of business in the neighborhood many years ago with nothing to take its place until now, according to Zetouna. He said they are going to “work with the space they have, do their best, and leave the rest in God’s hands.” He said they really care for the area and want to give it what it needs.

Renderings and plans have been presented to city zoning and planning commissions. The plans include a full-service grocery store with a butcher counter, deli counter, a bakery with fresh daily made items, a wood fire pizza oven, and a full line of produce, frozen foods, and dairy, along with Ryan’s current extensive party store offerings.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

DTF Seizes $25,000 in Meth After Suspect Flees

Port Huron, MI — The St. Clair County Drug Task Force seized narcotics valued at over $25,000 in an investigation that concluded during the early morning hours of Tuesday.

According to Sheriff Mat King, the DTF conducted an investigation into the sales of narcotics in the Port Huron area.  The suspect, a 34 year old man from Port Huron was located driving a pickup truck in the parking lot of the Comfort Inn on Hancock Street at about 12:30 a.m.  When members of the Drug Task Force attempted to make contact with the suspect, he fled in the truck, ramming several vehicles in the parking lot.  The suspect then drove through a chain link fence out to I-94, where he got stuck in the median.  The man then fled on foot before being apprehended by the DTF.  Once he was taken into custody, members of the Drug Task Force searched his vehicle, where they located and seized $24,800 worth of crystal methamphetamine, $400 worth of analogues, over $9500 in cash and a handgun.

The suspect is lodged at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center, where he is expected to face charges including possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of analogues, possession of a firearm in commission of a crime, possession of a firearm by a felon, resist and obstruct police and malicious destruction of property.

The suspect also had an outstanding felony warrant out of St. Clair County for narcotics.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office

Dr. Shuayto MI Neurology and Spine

Work Progressing on First Congregational Church Transformation Into Medical Center

Port Huron, MI — The transformation of the First Congregational Church into a state of the art neurology and spine clinic, open MRI center, and outpatient surgery center is well underway, and Dr. Marwan Shuayto, the president and founder of Michigan Neurology & Spine Center, is looking forward to moving his practice across the street to serve more patients.

During a recent tour of the progress, Dr. Shuayto eagerly shared his excitement for the project and his vision for future patient care.

The first phase of the renovation, the Blue Water Open MRI Center, will be ready for patients in a few days and offers a unique experience for those coming in for testing. Both the patient changing area and the MRI room have been designed to feel more like a Caribbean getaway than medical testing rooms. From floor to ceiling, patients will feel like they are stepping onto a beach and being immersed in a scene of sand, water, and sun.

When asked what his goal was with the MRI Center’s decor, Dr. Shuayto remarked, “I just want it to be a comfortable experience. Patients who seek an open MRI usually have claustrophobia or fear of tight spaces. Making the entire experience calming will help patients get over their anxiety.”

With much of the building under construction to make way for a clinic with seven providers, a physical therapy center, infusion center, and eventually a brand new surgery center, the building is undergoing remarkable changes. The new MRI Center currently occupies the previous choir practice room, and the patient changing area used to be inhabited by a giant fan that fueled the church’s pipe organ.

The church’s sanctuary will be the future main entrance for patients, and will keep its grand personality and high ceilings. It will feature the lobby and check in for patients visiting the center.

The middle of the building, which was once the fellowship hall and kitchen area, is being converted to the physical therapy department, and the educational wing will be part of the surgery center with the main floor functioning as pre-op and post-op patient areas, and the second floor housing the staff break rooms and locker rooms.

The operating room of the surgery center will be added as a new addition to the east side of the building in the current courtyard along 7th Street.

Dr. Shuayto expressed the importance of the operating room being new construction which is ideal for the sterile environment needed to protect patients. He also wants to accommodate those who will work in the future operating rooms by featuring high ceilings that will make everyone working in the space more comfortable.

“By doing an expansion and not just using the existing building, we are able to have a spacious, brand new, state of the art operating rooms and sterile corridors. I’m very excited about the surgery center because I believe Port Huron and the neighboring communities deserve the best.” said Dr. Shuayto.

The new medical center will be hiring a multitude of staff once it’s up and running. There will be openings for surgical techs, Registered Nurses, and administrative and management staff, and the priority will be to hire from within the community.

“I’m the type that likes to hire from within the community that I work in. With the surgery center, we could have applicants applying from all over the country for the position of CEO and CFO, but I will be looking to hire from within the community,” said Dr. Shuayto.

The transformation of a church with a long history in the community into a medical facility can be seen as a sign of the times. Churches in Southeast Michigan have been converted into residential homes, retail stores, and even breweries.

Dr. Shuayto’s investment in the building, and his desire to create something valuable for the community, will continue to make it a place of comfort for those who need to be cared for.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Fort Gratiot Lighthouse Wins Grant

The Fort Gratiot Lighthouse will be getting some rehabilitation thanks to a Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program grant from the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office.

The lighthouse was built in 1814 and is the oldest lighthouse in Michigan. The $16,667 grant will go towards work to rehabilitate the watch and lantern rooms, repairs to the interior and exterior metalwork, painting, caulking, and installing new glass in window openings.

The Fort Gratiot Lighthouse is one of three lighthouses receiving grants. The others were Crisp Point Light and North Manitou Light.

Funding for the lighthouse projects comes from the sale of “Save Our Lights” license plates available through the Secretary of State.

Dave Lorenz, vice president of Travel Michigan, which is part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation said, “Michigan’s iconic lighthouses offer something for every traveler – from lighthouse enthusiasts, to history buffs, to curious tourists looking to get out there and experience one of Pure Michigan’s hidden gems. Programs like the Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program are extremely important in supporting our tourism efforts across the state, and we’re pleased that these three one-of-a-kind coastal treasures will soon be restored for all to enjoy.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

How to Become a Volunteer Vaccinator in St. Clair County

Port Huron, MI — As vaccine eligibility and supply increases in St. Clair County, a new shortage is revealing itself: the vaccine effort needs volunteers.

Jim Kaski, President of the St. Clair County Pharmacists Association and head of the Blue Water Immunization Partnership, said his main focus right now is encouraging the community to volunteer to help with COVID-19 vaccine clinics.

The county is particularly in need of vaccinators which could be active or retired RNs, LPNs, Medical Assistants, Phlebotomist, Pharmacists, EMTs, and doctors, but Kaski also said non-skilled individuals are needed as well.

“Anyone that feels they can dedicate some time to do temperature checks, help direct people at the holding areas, that would be fantastic!” said Kaski.

Volunteers will be trained, and even those who have been credentialed to vaccinate in the past but haven’t used their skills in awhile will receive a refresher before working with patients.

For those concerned about their skills, Kasksi said, vaccinating isn’t a skill you typically lose. “Freshen up on the basic things like CPR, first aid, and blood born pathogens, and then we’ll give you tutorials and make you feel comfortable before you actually do some vaccinating.”

Potential volunteers can start by registering with the MI Volunteer Registry at mivolunteerregistry.org. This state of Michigan portal serves to register, notify, and inform individuals who are interested in volunteering in the event of a natural or public health emergency.

When registering, select St. Clair County as the organization, create a username and password for the site, and fill out your personal and contact information. Once registration is complete, you will need to complete your profile on the site to become eligible for potential deployments. The entire process takes around 20 minutes, and it doesn’t obligate you to volunteer.

Once you’ve registered and completed your profile with the MI Volunteer Registry, a health department official will retrieve your information from that site and contact you with further instructions.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

Port Huron Police Youth Academy is Looking for Applicants

The Port Huron Police Youth Academy is accepting applications for the 2021 session. The Academy is a great way for high school students to get a taste of a career in criminal justice and public service.

The Academy will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 pm. from June 28th through July 2nd at Port Huron High School. It is open to current 8th-12th graders who attend schools in St. Clair County.

Participants need to be in good physical condition and pass a health physical. Attendance is mandatory for the entire Academy and a graduation will be held on the last day of the session.

Tuition for the Academy is $50 with meals, uniforms, and equipment provided. Tuition assistance is available.

Participants in the academy will get hands-on training in the daily operations of a police department along with participation in physical training. They will build search scenarios, learn defensive tactics, and study traffic stop scenarios.

There will also be time to check out the K-9 operations and the Special Response Team as well as learning how evidence is processed.

Link to the application: https://tinyurl.com/ymkthjmk

Officer Dennis Huisman: 810-984-2671, phpdya@gmail.com

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland