Amanda Maison, of St. Clair County, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder in the ’18 death of her 3-year-old son, Matthew Maison. She admitted witnessing her ex-boyfriend abuse Matthew and helping hide it, though she denied causing his death. The plea ends a seven-year investigation, giving Matthew’s grandparents a sense of closure. Amanda may face life in prison and will testify against Maurice Houle, who is charged with felony murder. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Port Huron will host a Patsy Cline tribute concert on Wednesday, Nov. 20th, at 7 p.m. at McMorran Place, on McMorran Blvd. Judy Harrison and her band ReBooted will headline the show, performing “Remembering Patsy Cline.” The event benefits the United Way of St. Clair County’s ’25 campaign, funding more than 20 local programs. Tickets are available at the United Way office on Military Street or online at uwstclair.org. AFL-CIO’s Richard Cummings and Mark Bessette are sponsoring the concert.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Over 900 St. Clair County high school students got a firsthand look at local manufacturing during the 10th annual Manufacturing Day tours last month. Over eight days, students from 10 schools visited 14 county companies, exploring high-tech careers in robotics, engineering, production, and more. Coordinated by St. Clair County RESA’s Blue Water College Access Network, the tours aimed to boost college and career readiness while showing students the diverse paths into manufacturing. Local businesses showcased hands-on demonstrations and modern processes, inspiring the next generation of workers.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

St. Clair County families still have a chance to enroll their four-year-olds in free preschool for the ’25-’26 school year through Michigan’s PreK for All program. Limited openings remain in the Great Start Readiness Program at sites across the county, including Capac, Memphis, and Port Huron. State-certified teachers lead classrooms that focus on early literacy, math, and social-emotional skills, giving children a strong start before kindergarten. Some locations also offer before- and after-school care and transportation. Families can apply now online to secure a spot for their child. https://bit.ly/3WzL12D

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

St. Clair County officials have activated the Emergency Operations Center as thousands of local families face uncertainty surrounding federal food assistance benefits.

More than twenty two thousand residents in St. Clair County rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. With federal benefits currently disrupted local agencies are working together to make sure people have access to food and support.

Dan Casey, CEO of the Economic Development Alliance, says the activation follows days of planning with dozens of community partners through the St. Clair County Community Services Coordinating Body. The team is coordinating food resources, volunteer support, and public communication to help families during this period of uncertainty.

Residents in need can find an updated list of local food pantries, soup kitchens, blessing boxes, and pop up distribution sites online at cscbinfo.org/food distribution.

The Economic Development Alliance is encouraging local employers to share this information with employees and help connect anyone in need to available community resources.

Port Huron residents can find fresh, local produce at a special pop-up farmers market this Saturday at the Harvey Community Center on 24th St. The market runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and aims to help families cope with recent cuts to federal food assistance. SNAP and EBT users can take part in the Double Up Food Bucks program, doubling their spending on fruits and vegetables with no cap. Supplies may be limited, so early arrival is recommended for the best selection.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet