business news

Professional Actress And Port Huron Native, Teams Up With Port Huron Recreation Department To Teach Future Thespians

Professional actress McKale Jude Bingham returns to Port Huron for the fourth consecutive year, for the Port Huron Recreation Department’s summer Theatre Bootcamp for children. 

The program spans five days, and equips over 100 young actors, in grades 1 – 12, with fundamental theater skills culminating in a grand musical production. Students embrace their creativity and teamwork within the condensed time frame, benefiting from a transformative experience that prepares them for future theatrical endeavors. 

Bingham, a native of Port Huron and successful actress, delights in sharing her passion for acting with budding artists and considers teaching the program the highlight of her summer.

Audiences can catch “The Most Epic Birthday Party Ever” on July 14th, 21st, and 28th, and the high school cabaret on August 4th, all at 6 p.m. in the McMorran Place Theatre, with free admission for the public.

Registration remains open until July 24th. To register, visit: porthuronrec.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

The Rotary International Parade Welcomes You To Celebrate

The Rotary International Day Parade, organized by the Port Huron Rotary Club and local sponsors, celebrates with the theme “All Together Now: Kindness/Friendship/Unity.” 

The parade begins at 6:30 pm and will start at Huron and Glenwood Avenue, proceeding through the downtown business district before turning onto Oak Street and ending at Desmond Landing. The Municipal Office Center (MOC) in Port Huron will be closing early that day to accommodate the parade. 

The highly anticipated event will feature a variety of floats competing for cash prizes. Entries will be evaluated on their adherence to the parade’s theme, originality, craftsmanship, costuming, and difficulty. 

The first-place winner will receive $450, while the second and third-place winners will receive $300 and $150, respectively. The application deadline for participation is Monday, July 10th, at 4 pm.

For more information, visit: paradeday.net.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

No Strike, McLaren Lapeer Region Hospital Nurses Have Reached Agreement

After threats of going on strike, registered nurses at McLaren Lapeer Region Hospital have voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new 3-year contract, effective immediately. The contract, celebrated by the local Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) bargaining unit, prioritizes safe staffing and competitive compensation. 

Carie Babcock, RN and president of the MNA unit, expressed satisfaction with the agreement, emphasizing the focus on patient safety and high-quality care. The contract entails a substantial average wage increase of 19 percent over its duration to attract and retain qualified nurses. It also includes provisions for hospital fines if administrators fail to meet nurse-to-patient ratios as agreed upon, holding executives accountable for safe staffing. 

Additionally, the emergency department will see improved staffing, a vital enhancement given McLaren Lapeer Region’s status as the sole Level II Trauma Center in the Thumb area. 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Recall On Mott’s Applesauce Due To Elevated Paultin Levels

Mott’s, LLP has issued a recall of 9,593 cases of Mott’s no sugar-added applesauce, according to an announcement by the FDA. The recall is due to elevated levels of patulin, a mycotoxin produced by molds found in rotting apples and other moldy fruits. 

The affected product, Mott’s no sugar-added applesauce 6 pack, comes in 3.9 oz (111g) containers, with each individual unit packaged in plastic cups and placed in a cardboard sleeve of 6 cups. The recall applies to cases distributed in 24 states. Consumers are advised not to consume, use, sell, serve, or distribute the recalled product. 

The recall was initiated on May 18, 2023, and remains ongoing. If you or someone you know has consumed this product and feels ill, please contact your physician immediately.

For detailed information, visit: iwaspoisoned.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Free KN95 Masks Available at Health Department and Library Branch Locations As Michigan Air Quality Continues to be Impacted

Amid the persistent effects of Canadian wildfire smoke on Michigan’s air quality, individuals in need of KN95 masks now have access to free supplies. 

St. Clair County Health Department, located at 3415 28th Street in Port Huron, and all St. Clair County Library System branch locations are offering complimentary masks during regular business hours while stocks last.

Highlighting the significance of self-protection, Liz King, Health Officer-Director at St. Clair County Health Department, emphasized the need to safeguard oneself during periods of unhealthy to very unhealthy air quality levels. 

King stressed the importance of protecting sensitive groups, including individuals with lung and heart conditions, asthma, COPD, children, pregnant women, and adults over 65. King advised those exposed to outdoor conditions to consider wearing N95 or KN95 masks and to minimize strenuous activities, opt for shorter outdoor activities, and spend as much time indoors as possible.

For more information, visit: scchealth.co.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Calling All Photographers, Submit Your Photos To Appear In Art On The River’s 2024 Calendar

Citizens for a Vibrant Community (CVC) is calling for submissions of captivating photographs to create their 2024 Blue Water Area Calendar. 

Both amateur and professional photographers are invited to submit up to five high-resolution JPEG files showcasing recognizable landmarks, events, or people in recognizable locations in the Blue Water Area, spanning from Algonac to Lexington. To ensure optimal quality, photographers are urged not to resize their photos and to submit native files only. 

These stunning visuals will help raise funds for Art on the River. The eagerly anticipated 2024 calendar will be available for purchase by mid-October.

Don’t miss the chance to contribute your artistic talent and capture the essence of the Blue Water Area! The submission deadline is September 1st, with selected photos being announced on September 19th.

Submit your photos to artontheriverph@gmail.com, and visit: cvcph.org to see photos selected for 2023. 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell