If you arrived at the “The Closet” five minutes before the open house began, you probably had to squeeze into the building.  The local support for this new venture of A Beautiful Me was overwhelming, as community members gathered to be part of the official ribbon cutting and opening of one of Port Huron’s most recent businesses located on the corner of Huron and Grand Avenue.   A Beautiful Me Closet & “FLY 360” is a retail space for business and entrepreneurial training through selling special occasion dresses and accessories.  The store houses approximately 1,000 new or “gently used” special occasion dresses for sale.  Founder and CEO Karen Palka says they actually own about 2,500 dresses and all dresses that come into the store for sale have been thoroughly inspected and cleaned, so they are just like new.   The store will mentor and train young women to be strong and confident along with giving them entrepreneurial direction and business education.  This is a dream come true for Palka who founded A Beautiful Me ten years ago when she began putting together a curriculum to be taught to fifth grade girls that fosters self-worth in women of all ages.  WGRT congratulates Karen Palka and her board of directors for the fantastic work they are doing in Southeast Michigan.

The Port Huron Police Department is investigating a poisoning at a recovery house in the 1200 block of Lapeer Avenue on Sunday, January 13 at 9 p.m.  Port Huron Police Officers were sent to the home where the 38-year-old female Port Huron victim resides along with two suspects.  The victim is the house manager of the recovery home who heard rumors that she was poisoned by two clients that didn’t want her to work there anymore.  One of the suspects placed what was believed to be heroin in her dinner on Friday, January 11.  The victim thought her macaroni and cheese tasted funny and eventually discarded it.  Port Huron Police road patrol offices and detectives investigated and the victim was treated at McLaren Port Huron Hospital.  Evidence was obtained indicating the victim was poisoned.  Both suspects were arrested and lodged in the St. Clair County Intervention Center.  On Tuesday, January 15, Shanna Marie Kota, a 40-year-old resident of Port Huron and Sarah Elaine Prange, a 22-year-old resident of Port Huron, were both arraigned on one count of Poisoning, a 15 year felony.  Bond was set at $100,000 each.  A probable cause hearing is scheduled for January 29, 2019 in front of the Honorable Judge Cynthia Platzer.

The suspect in an officer-involved shooting on Pine Grove Avenue between Church and Elmwood Street has been arraigned and on Tuesday, January 15, Genio Scott Morgan was discharged from McLaren Port Huron Hospital to be lodged in the St. Clair County Intervention Center awaiting a probable cause conference which is set for January 22.   On Saturday, January 5^th at 7:16 a.m. Port Huron Police Officers were dispatched to the McDonalds at 2509 Pine Grove Avenue on a report of a man stabbing himself in the parking lot.   The suspect, who was armed with a knife and covered in blood, charged the officers in an aggressive manner.  According to Police Captain March Kuehn, one of the officers, acting in self defense, shot the suspect multiple times.   The St. Clair County Prosecutor, Michael Wendling, reviewed the case and it was determined that the shooting by the officer was justified.  Morgan is facing a number of charges.   A bond of half million dollars cash surety was set set.

McLaren Port Huron will present its Paint the Town Red event Thursday, February 7, 6 – 8 p.m., at the Marysville Community Center, 867 East Huron Boulevard, Marysville.   The public is invited to celebrate American Heart Month with a date night with your significant other or gather your girlfriends for a girls’ night out. Doors open at 6 p.m. Enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres with wine pairings, a photo booth, and door prizes. The keynote presentation by Dr. Bashar Samman, Cardiology Associates of Port Huron, begins at 7 p.m. Learn about the prevalence of heart disease, how to recognize the signs and symptoms of heart attack, and the importance of seeking early intervention.  Cocktail attire is preferred, and participants must be 21 years of age or older to attend.  The cost of the evening program is $25 per person. Registration is required by January 28, and payment must be made at the time of registration. Payment will not be accepted at the door.  To register or for more information call HealthAccess at 1-800-228-1484.