environment

Submit Your Photos For The 2025 Blue Water Area Calendar

Calling all photographers! The Blue Water Area Calendar is returning for 2025, and submissions are now open. 

Capture the beauty of the Blue Water Area, from Lexington to Algonac, and submit your best shots for a chance to be featured. Both amateur and professional photographers are welcome, with artistic shots encouraged.

Each photo should highlight recognizable landmarks, events, or people in the area (no kids or pets). Submit up to five clear, high-quality JPEGs without resizing.

Email your entries to artontheriverph@gmail.com by September 1st. Selected photos will be announced on September 19th. Proceeds from the calendar will support Art on the River, an annual art and music festival.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

 

Arts in the Street: A Vibrant Celebration By Latin Fire Dance Company

The Latin Fire Dance Company invites you to join the inaugural Arts in the Street festival, transforming downtown Sarnia into a vibrant cultural celebration. Held on Lochiel St. between Christina St. and Front St., this family-friendly event will take place on July 19th, and August 2nd, 16th & 30th, from 6  to 9 p.m.

Attendees can immerse themselves in Latin culture and more, enjoying delicious food, live music, captivating dance performances, and art displays from local artists. The festival promises a lively atmosphere filled with family-friendly activities, promoting unity and community spirit.

Experience diverse cultures, connect with the community, and enjoy evenings of fun and festivity. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to celebrate unity in motion. Mark your calendars and bring your family and friends!

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

MI Snack Competition Extends Entry Deadline

The MI Snack Competition, a popular event in the snack food industry, has extended its deadline for entries to August 12th. This extension gives aspiring snack makers additional time to prepare for the competition scheduled for September 14th at McMorran Plaza in downtown Port Huron.

Formerly known as the MI New Favorite Snack competition, this event promises more than $50,000 in cash prizes. The top award recipient will also receive a distribution agreement with All Star Services, a local Break Room Services company.

The entry fee for the competition is $200 for companies located outside St. Clair County, while local snack makers pay a $100 fee. Those from St. Clair County can opt to compete statewide by paying an additional $100. 

For more information and to register, visit the MI Snack Competition page on the Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce website at: BlueWaterChamber.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

St. Clair County Health Department Issues Swimming Advisories For Six Beaches

UPDATE: ALL SWIMMING ADVISORIES HAVE BEEN LIFTED

The St. Clair County Health Department (SCCHD) has issued swimming advisories for six beaches due to elevated E. coli levels. The affected beaches are Chrysler Beach in Marysville, Holland Beach, Lakeside Beach, Lighthouse Beach in Port Huron, and Keewahdin Beach and Fort Gratiot County Park Beach in Fort Gratiot.

E. coli, a common bacteria indicating fecal contamination, can increase after storms or strong winds due to storm water runoff and wave activity. The SCCHD will collect water samples until E. coli levels meet state guidelines.

Updates are available on the SCCHD’s “St. Clair County Beaches” Facebook page and the Michigan BeachGuard website at egle.state.mi.us/beach.

For more information, contact the SCCHD Environmental Health Division at (810) 987-5306.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Adoptee Advocates Of Michigan At Blue Water Festival

Join the Adoptee Advocates of Michigan at the Blue Water Festival in Port Huron, where they will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Bayview Mackinac Race. The festival runs from July 18th to 19th with 80 art vendors and various festivities. Visit Booth #86, located at the intersection of McMorran and Huron Street near the food trucks.

The Adoptee Advocates of Michigan will be educating the public about the Adoptee Citizenship Act 2024, how it affects the rights of international adoptees and the challenges Michigan-born adoptees face in accessing vital information. 

Connect with fellow adoptees and learn more about available resources on July 18th from 4 to 9 p.m. and July 19th from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Study Uncovers Top Barriers Preventing Physicians From Addressing Addiction

A comprehensive review of 283 studies over 61 years, published in JAMA Network Open, reveals why physicians hesitate to address addiction according to nih.gov. 

The primary barrier, cited in 81% of studies, is the “institutional environment,” encompassing lack of support, insufficient resources, and organizational challenges. Other significant barriers include insufficient skills (74%), lack of cognitive capacity (74%), and inadequate knowledge (72%). Negative social influences and fear of harming patient relationships also deter interventions. 

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) emphasizes the need for institutional changes to support evidence-based addiction treatment. Dr. Nora D. Volkow, NIDA Director, calls for increased training and resources to ensure compassionate, effective care for substance use disorders across all medical disciplines.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, visit: bwroc.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell