Downtown Port Huron

Port Huron Museums Fall Schedule Announced

Port Huron, MI — A fall line-up has been announced by Port Huron Museums. The fall schedule has several new events for the community, keeping social distancing in mind.

While the Huron Lightship is currently closed for repairs, the Thomas Edison Depot, Carnegie Center, and Fort Gratiot Light Station are open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 4:00 p.m.

The Museum is offering guided trolley tours with a variety of topics. Private tours can be arranged with history experts Dave Dazer or Andrew Kercher to get an inside look at Port Huron’s rich history while enjoying a ride in the trolley.

Pioneer Day is not cancelled this year, but will be held in keeping with social distancing mandates. The ticketed event will feature candle making and a lesson in the history of the 1850s era Kammer log cabin. The family friendly event runs from 1:00-3:00 p.m. on September 26th on the grounds of the Museum in Downtown Port Huron.

Information and reservations for events can be found at phmuseum.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Downtown Merchants Host End of Summer Sale

Port Huron, MI — This Friday and Saturday Downtown Port Huron merchants are holding an End of Summer Sale. Although many people may not want to say goodbye to our summer weather and prepare for the fall season, a sales event like this may soften the blow.

Participating stores are holding their sales during their regular business hours which usually end around 6 PM on Friday. Many restaurants are still open past that time, and there is outdoor seating available at many of them. The City of Port Huron has also added picnic tables to the sidewalk outside businesses that don’t have their own outdoor seating.

If you want to stick around downtown after shopping on Friday night, take a walk to McMoran Beach or the Military Street Pocket Park to enjoy some live music at Shop, Rock N’ Stroll. This collaboration between the  City of Port Huron Parks & Recreation Department and the Downtown Development Authority happen every Friday night from 6-8 through the end of September.

The End of Summer Sale continues on Saturday, so check with your favorite shops for their business hours and promotions.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Big Tree Hunt Underway

The 15th Biennial Michigan Big Tree Hunt Contest has been announced by ReLeaf Michigan. The contest is for Michigan residents of all ages and is open until August of 2021.

Winners will go on to the State Champion Tree List and could be entered into the official National Register of Big Trees. The state list includes eight trees in St. Clair County, including a copper beech on Seventh Street in Port Huron. The only Michigan tree that is on the national list right now is a White Willow in Lansing.

Last year’s contest had over 700 submissions. Size is determined by circumference of the trunk. Prizes are awarded for the largest tree found. There is also a contest for the largest White Pine, which is Michigan’s State Tree.

There is recognition for each county’s largest tree and largest of each species. Currently there are no registered state champions for striped maple, mountain maple, choke cherry, and white/paper birch.

More information can be found at releafmichigan.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Denise Brooks Retires from Blue Water YMCA

Port Huron, MI — The YMCA of the Blue Water Area President and Chief Executive Officer, Denise Brooks, announced her decision to retire after more than 11 years with the YMCA of the Blue Water Area, effective December 31, 2020.

“Denise is recognized as an outstanding, dedicated and community-focused executive leader. She successfully guided the Y though some of its most difficult times, and her leadership efforts helped transform the lives of those who need our Y the most,” said YMCA Board Chairman and Chief Volunteer Officer, Geof Kusch. “I am happy for Denise that she can take this next step, looking back at a successful career here in Port Huron, making a difference in the lives of thousands of people.”

Under Brooks’ leadership, the YMCA of the Blue Water Area:

  • Grew to serve more than 1 out of every 8 people in St. Clair and Sanilac counties
  • Implemented chronic disease management programs like LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA, the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program®, and Enhance® Fitness
  • Expanded the YMCA’s drowning prevention efforts to not only include swim lessons but Safety Around Water, a free program, and taking it on the road to pools throughout the area
  • Completed a $850,000+ PACE project focused on energy savings improvements to the facility
  • Restored financial viability in the wake of the 2008-2010 recession
  • Created partnerships with area schools and other organizations to better serve our community

“I am proud and thankful to have served this YMCA since 2009 and this community most of my life,” Brooks said. “I’ve been honored to build relationships with so many talented and committed volunteers, staff, donors and community partners, who have guided and encouraged me and all of our Y leaders. Here in Port Huron, they’ve strengthened the very foundation of this community by bringing incredible programs and services to so many.”

Brooks will retire at the end of the year. The YMCA Board will partner with the YMCA of the USA to conduct a nationwide search for the the new President and CEO.

DTF Arrests Man on Counterfeiting and Meth Charges

Port Huron, MI — The St. Clair County Drug Task Force arrested Benigno Santana, a 47 year old Port Huron man, on July 27th on a pair of warrants. The warrants included a circuit court bench warrant for failing to appear for sentencing on a conviction for delivery of methamphetamine along with a federal warrant regarding counterfeiting operations.

The suspect was arrested after being pulled over for a traffic stop and bailing out of his vehicle to hide in a residence in the 1100 block of Gillett Street in Port Huron. After the Drug Task Force received permission from the homeowner to enter the residence, the man was located and arrested without incident. 

Following the arrest, the DTF located about $23,000 worth of crystal methamphetamine along with several computers, printers, and storage devices believed to be used in the suspect’s counterfeiting operation the DTF and Secret Service had been investigating earlier this year.

Sheriff Tim Donnellon said, “I am extremely please and proud of our cooperative effort with the United States Secret Service. This investigation not only led to getting a drug dealer off the streets, but also a person ripping off business owners by passing counterfeit money.”

The suspect was arraigned on July 29th in 72nd District Court in Port Huron, and he is charged with delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine, resisting and obstructing police, use of police radio receivers/scanners in commission of a felony, and being a habitual 4th offender.

His bond has been set at $250,000 cash/surety, and he is scheduled for a probably cause hearing before Judge Mona Armstrong on August 4th. He is also expected to be arraigned on the Secret Service warrant at a later date.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Nutcracker and Festival of Trees Cancelled

Port Huron, MI — It’s only July, but community Christmas events are already feeling the effects of COVID-19. Both the Festival of Trees and the Nutcracker Ballet have been cancelled for this year. The events are staples in the Port Huron area during the Christmas season and the planning for both begins much earlier in the year.

The Festival of Trees is a major fundraiser for the McLaren Port Huron Hospital Foundation and has featured a black-tie preview party and a weekend of community activities.

Sara J. Tait, Director of the McLaren Port Huron Foundation said, “We have had to make some very difficult decisions about proceeding with large-scale events for the remainder of the year.” Tait also said, “We are discussing various ways we might be able to extend family-oriented activities that are still designed to kick-off the holiday season.  More information will be shared when details are finalized.”

The Nutcracker Ballet, often held the same weekend as the Festival of Trees, has also been shelved for the year for the same reasons: to protect the cast, crew, and audience from the COVID-19 virus.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland