environment

New Skatepark At Optimist Park Will Celebrate With Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

If you live in the City of Port Huron you may have seen the construction of a new skate park at Optimist Park over the past few months. The project is now complete and getting ready for their grand opening and ribbon cutting. 

The new skatepark will feature state-of-the-art equipment and ramps for local skaters to perform all sorts of tricks and stunts. 

The huge project, which has been in planning since 2018, was made possible through the partnership of organizations such as The Skatepark Project, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Community Foundation of St. Clair County, Advia Credit Union, private investors/donors, and many others.  

On Saturday, May 20th, they will have their grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. at Optimist Park located at 1400 Whipple Street, Port Huron. 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

What Was The Strange Light Seen In The Sky Around The Blue Water Area

On the evening of Monday, April 17th, there was a strange phenomenon that appeared in the sky that had residents in the Blue Water Area baffled. It appeared to be coming from across the border in Canada.

Many had their thoughts on what it could be, so here’s an official word on what the strange light seen in the sky actually was. 

According to the Edmonton Fire Rescue Services Department, the strange phenomenon witnessed, is what’s called a light pillar, light pillars are formed when light is refracted by ice crystals under the right temperature conditions and light source. 

The strange phenomenon was caused by flaring from the Nova Chemicals Corunna Site. Flaring is the act of burning excess gasses to depressurize equipment and manage unpredictable and large pressure variations, according to worldbank.org.     

Or, it could just be aliens giving us a light show.  

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Country Style Marketplace Fort Gratiot Store Closure Soon

Fort Gratiot’s Country Style Marketplace has recently announced that they will be closing their store and moving to their new Downtown Port Huron location.

Country Style Marketplace has provided the Ft. Gratiot community exceptional service for the past four and a half years. The owners, Steve Fernandez and Michelle Jones have cited the reason for the relocation being due to the dramatic increase in costs of everyday goods and services due to inflation. 

Fernandez says, “After much deliberation and consideration of options, consolidation of these stores is imperative if we are to remain a viable business in this environment.” 

The store will be closing its Fort Gratiot doors April 16th, you can continue to shop with them at their new downtown Port Huron location, at 310 Huron Ave.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Black Bear Warning Issued By Michigan DNR

For those who are hunters or just enjoy being in the great outdoors, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has recently issued a warning about black bears in Northern Michigan. 

Individuals have been urged to take down their bird feeders due to an increase in the black bear population over recent years. Hunting restrictions have seen the population increase up to 88% since 2012.

Black bears can smell up to 20 miles away, with a home range of up to 335 square miles. So those who live in an area where they roam should be especially careful. 

Although they typically pose no threat to humans, you don’t want to risk a hungry bear encounter. If you do come face to face with one you should stand your ground and DO NOT run away. 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Updated Response Activities For Ann Arbor Water Pollution

In December of 2022, Ann Arbor residents were advised to use bottled water as a precaution to a plume of dioxane pollution that has been in the local groundwater for decades. 

It was found that contamination was above the state drinking water standard and described as a slow-motion environmental disaster by local officials. 

The pollution is linked to Gelman Sciences not having sufficient boundary monitoring wells to detect dioxane groundwater contamination. 

Updated Consent Judgement requires Gelman to implement additional response activities to ensure compliance with the lower cleanup criteria for drinking water, surface water, and soils.

The lower criteria was changed from 85 ppb (parts per billion) to the current 7.2 ppb as the new standard.  

Attorney General Dana Nessel says, “ Lower criteria and additional response activities are important steps toward addressing this contamination and important for the people of Washtenaw County.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

The Bridge To Bay Trail Receives New Bridge Over Black River Canal

The Bridge to Bay Trail is a system of trails and pathways that extends from Algonac to Lakeport Park, and is used by many for walking, biking, and enjoying the sights and sounds of the local wildlife. 

The City of Port Huron, Community Foundation of St. Clair County, and the Port Huron Area School District have been instrumental in the planning and funding for the placement of the new pedestrian bridge being placed along the trail that will connect Port Huron Northern to Holland Woods near the Black River Canal. 

The bridge is just one piece of the $1.4 million project that will also see a new bike and trail path built in the area.

The ten foot bridge was placed over the canal on March 21st, but will not be ready for use until sometime in May.  

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell