The clock is ticking to see Santa and Mrs. Claus before they head to the North Pole for Christmas in less than two weeks. This weekend, area residents and families have the opportunity to visit the duo and enjoy Christmas activities in the St. Clair plaza. The St. Clair Chamber of Commerce is hosting Santa and Mrs. Claus Saturday from 12-4 p.m. where participants will not only have the chance to see Santa, but also take advantage of a cookie walk and more. Participating businesses will be handing out cookies for all to enjoy along with kids crafts and more. According to the Chamber, it’s the first year for the organization to sponsor the event, but the idea came from a long-standing tradition. Kenny McKay, spokesperson for the Chamber, said that Sally Achatz, of the former Achatz restaurant that is now Drifters, used to bring to Santa to the plaza every year. 

This year’s event is meant to keep the tradition alive and bring people to enjoy the plaza and new businesses. Participants are encouraged to bring a canned food or clothing item to be donated to Kids in Distress and local food pantry. For more information, visit the St. Clair Chamber’s Facebook page.

For cities, government agencies, school districts and more, there’s an opportunity to capitalize on a newly released grant for vehicle funding. A total of $450,000 is available for clean diesel and alternative fuel engine and equipment replacement projects under a competitive grant request for proposal announced by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). 

The Department says that the 2020-21 Michigan Clean Diesel Program RFP targets efforts to replace old diesel equipment, vehicles, and engines with new diesel, alternative fuel, electric, or hybrid versions. Applicants can be cities, townships and villages, county government agencies, public school districts, private schools, nonprofit organizations, or even private businesses. Applications for this grant are accepted from January 2020 to August 2021. The grant is funded by state and federal money, with the federal portion provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in accordance with the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act. More information can be found on michigan.gov/egle.

Scouting for Food is an annual tradition in the Blue Water Area. Boy Scouts and their families left bags on the doorsteps of many homes in local neighborhoods last Saturday, and this week, they will be collecting the bags, hopefully filled with food. If a bag was left on your step, residents are asked to fill the bags with non-perishable food like canned and boxed goods by Saturday. 

The Scouts deliver the food to the Salvation Army who give the food to families in need throughout the year. Scoutmaster Tom Ruedisueli, of Port Huron, told us that he will have scouts from Troop 168 and Pack 130 stationed at the north end Kroger in Port Huron to collect donations from Saturday morning shoppers, also. The Scoutmaster also said that “Scouting For Food is a long-standing tradition in St. Clair County. Scouts participate, while giving of time and effort, in learning the importance of service to the community and working together to make someone’s day a little brighter. The principles of Scouting help to build a solid foundation for youth to become strong, independent, contributing members of society and pillars of the community. Scouting for Food is a strong partnership with the Salvation Army that lends to those principles being instilled and will carry us long into the future.” 

Bags can also be dropped off at the old K&E Electric Building at 3450 Lapeer Avenue in Port Huron.

St. Clair native and baseball standout Jake Cronenworth has been acquired by the San Diego Padres in a recent trade from the Tampa Bay Rays. According to the Durham Bulls, the Triple A affiliate of the Rays whom Cronenworth played for in the 2018-19 season, the pitcher earned 2019 Bulls Team MVP honors, in addition to International League Midseason and Postseason All-Star nods, posting a .334 average along with 75 runs and 45 RBI. The 25-year-old paced the circuit in batting average and on-base-percentage, in addition to ranking third in on-base plus slugging and ninth in slugging percentage.

Cronenworth, originally a pitcher, saw time at the mound last season. He had seven appearances (six starts) with the Bulls, yielding two unearned runs while punching out nine batters, but he also has the flexibility to play the infield. Prospectors guess that’s where he’ll play with the Padres. Cronenworth was originally selected by Tampa Bay in the seventh round of the 2015 MLB Draft. According to reports, it’s likely he might see the National League field with the Padres this year.

On December 10, 2019, Mark Robert Olson, a 60-year-old Ft. Gratiot man, was arraigned before Magistrate Susan Borovich in 72nd District Court in Port Huron. Olson has been under investigation since November of 2019 when an anonymous tip was received through the Port Huron Police Capture program. The case was eventually turned over to the St. Clair County Sheriff’s office where they uncovered multiple criminal sex acts involving Olson between 2001 and 2008.

Upon investigation, Olson was found to be in possession of child pornography. “We are deeply disturbed with the allegations regarding this suspect,” said Sheriff Tim Donnellon. Olson is being held without bond at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center. He is being charged with five counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of possession of child sexually abusive material.

This is an ongoing investigation, with more charges against Olson expected. Anyone who was a victim or has any information regarding this case should contact Detective Haley Bonner at (810) 987-1728.

Two food recalls on opposite ends of the nutrition spectrum are worth noting as you are preparing to make lunch or dinner. Certain Fresh Express salad mixes and frozen White Castle hamburgers have been recalled for possible contamination. 

Fresh Express has recalled their Sunflower Crisp Salad Kits for suspected E.coli contamination.This is a different strain from the recent romaine lettuce recall and at least eight people have gotten sick. If salad is not your thing, you might have some frozen White Castle cheeseburger or hamburger sliders in the freezer. Listeria is the concern with the frozen burgers as listeria is a very serious pathogen, but there have been no reported cases of exposure. 

You can check the Center for Disease Control’s website to check your sliders to see if they are affected. If you have unfortunately experienced any illness, and you think it could be from a contaminated food product, check with your doctor as your physician will need to report it to the Health Department. The risk of exposure to either product is slim, as they should be off of store shelves or expired by now, but it doesn’t hurt to be aware and check your refrigerator and freezer.

Reporting for WGRT, Kelsie Kaczperski.