event

SONS Outreach Introduces Exciting New Culinary Program For Students

Get ready to please your taste buds as SONS Outreach launches its brand-new culinary course as part of their Trades Exposure program! Offering a delectable opportunity for students to explore the world of culinary arts, this 5-week course promises an exciting experience for all.

Led by local business owners, Heather Fagan and Carol Bublitz of Dona Marinas, David Rix of Club 21, and Alice Rieves from Mid-City Nutrition, this culinary journey kicks off on Tuesday, October 17th, running from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m., at the new SONS Resource Complex – Entrance A.

For just $25 per student, participants can savor this culinary adventure. Don’t miss out on this flavorful experience!

To learn more or register, contact the SONS Outreach office at: (810) 989-SONS (7667) or visit: sonsoutreach.org/events.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Blue Water Recovery Center Celebrates To Host 3rd Annual “ROC With Us” Banquet

Blue Water Recovery & Outreach Center (BWROC) is delighted to announce a significant milestone, having assisted more than 5,000 individuals in their journey toward recovery from addiction. 

As a token of their appreciation, BWROC invites the community to their 3rd annual “ROC with Us” Banquet Fundraiser, scheduled for Tuesday, November 28th, at Alexander’s Banquet Hall located at 1200 Gratiot Blvd, Marysville.

The event, set to kick off at 5:30 p.m., will highlight the remarkable work being done at BWROC while expressing gratitude to all involved. Additionally, the inaugural ROC AWARDS will honor outstanding contributors in four different categories. 

Guests can anticipate a delightful evening with dinner, live music by local musician Julianne Ankley, a video presentation, silent auction, and updates on BWROC’s “Partners in Recovery” Program. 

For sponsorship inquiries or RSVPs, contact BWROC at (810) 689-4858 or email Angela Valdivia at avaldivia@bwroc.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Port Huron Schools Forges Path To Stronger Education-Industry Ties, Boosting Local Workforce

In an exciting development for education and the local economy, Port Huron Schools is set to host a webinar on November 14th, at 10 a.m., showcasing their innovative approach to connecting businesses with schools. 

The event, organized in collaboration with the Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County (EDA), aims to build a more robust school system while simultaneously growing the local workforce.

The webinar will feature Kit Hard, Supervisor of Secondary STEAM and Career and College Pathways Curricula at Port Huron Area Schools, who will share how schools are preparing students for the workforce and discuss existing local partnerships. 

The event will present opportunities for businesses to engage in Work-Based Learning with the District, paving the way for closer collaboration. Those interested in attending the webinar can register here.

For more information, contact Bruce Seymore at: (810) 294-7036.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Fort Gratiot Residents Rally Against Industrial Solar Farms, Fear Property Value Plunge

The proposal for 800 acres of industrial solar development faces mounting opposition. Fort Gratiot residents are up in arms over plans to construct industrial solar farms on agricultural land and near residential homes, expressing concerns that the projects will significantly diminish local property values. 

Critics argue that insufficient notice was given to affected residents, limiting their ability to voice concerns. A call for a Public Hearing, permitted under the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, has been made by those living within 300 feet of the proposed sites, emphasizing the importance of community awareness. 

The Fort Gratiot Charter Township Planning Commission has scheduled a crucial meeting on Tuesday, October 10th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Gardendale Meeting Room at the Municipal Center, 3720 Keewahdin Rd. 

Residents are urging their neighbors to attend the meeting or offer guidance in this critical juncture for Fort Gratiot.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

SOS Marysville Food Pantry Faces Funding Crisis, Launches “Together We Can Fight Hunger” Campaign

Since its inception in 2010, the SOS Marysville Food Pantry has been a lifeline for the community, providing essential food support with dignity and confidentiality. However, the pantry faces a critical funding shortfall this year, as crucial grants haven’t materialized. 

Undeterred, the pantry is launching the “Together We Can Fight Hunger” campaign to raise awareness and funds to sustain their mission.

The campaign’s centerpiece is a dinner event, “Awareness of Hunger in Our Communities,” scheduled for Thursday, November 2nd, at Alexander’s Banquet Hall in Marysville, beginning at 5 p.m. Attendees will learn about the pantry’s various programs, including the Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway, Community Christmas Dinner, and the senior program Golden Hearts.

For more information on how you can make a difference, visit: sosmarysville.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

St. Clair County’s Economic Development Alliance Secures $3.2M For Innovative Business Center

The Economic Development Alliance (EDA) of St. Clair County celebrates a significant boost with a $3.2 million windfall from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) RAP 2.0 grant program. 

In a statewide initiative, nearly $100 million is being allocated for projects, focusing on vacant property development, rehabilitation of blighted buildings, and the creation of place-based public spaces.

They are set to transform a 1.7-acre parcel acquired from Acheson Ventures into a cutting-edge, three-story incubator and business hub. With funding from various sources, including the Federal EDA, James C. Acheson Trust, and MEDC CDBG Grant, the center will house EDA staff, offer office spaces for local entrepreneurs, and provide essential training and conference facilities for St. Clair County companies. Total funding for this transformative project amounts to $8,320,721.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell