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Record Number of SC4 Athletes Earn NJCAA Academic Awards

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) is celebrating a historic achievement as a record-breaking twenty-seven of their Skippers athletes have been named recipients of National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) academic awards for the 2022-23 year. 

This is the highest number of academic honorees the Skippers have seen since the early 2000s. To qualify, these student-athletes completed a minimum of 24 credits and maintained an impressive 3.60 GPA or higher.

SC4’s dedication to academic excellence extends to their teams as well. Eight Skippers teams secured NJCAA Academic Team status for the 2022-23 year, boasting a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.

For the complete list of individual award recipients, visit NJCAA All-Academic Awards, and for team rankings, check out NJCAA Academic Teams of the Year.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Michigan Freeways Boost Surveillance With License Plate Readers, Sharing Data With Law Enforcement Agencies

Michigan freeways are now equipped with automated license plate readers (ALPRs) as several law enforcement agencies in the state have adopted or are considering implementing this technology. 

ALPRs scan license plates and cross-reference them with key databases, enabling the identification of associated records. 

The Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) file, which integrates data from the LEIN and National Crime Information Center (NCIC), is now accessible to all authorized LEIN user agencies. 

The license plate readers will help authorities in cases involving stolen vehicles, stolen license plates, wanted persons, missing persons, gang affiliations, suspected terrorists, supervised releases, national sex offenders, and immigration violators. 

With these advancements, Michigan law enforcement aims to enhance public safety and improve their investigative capabilities.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Ladies Night Out: Indulge in Fine Dining, Live Music, and Dancing Extravaganza

Prepare for an evening filled with delectable cuisine, enchanting melodies, and non-stop dancing at the upcoming Ladies Night Out event. The festivities will take place on Saturday, August 19th, starting at 7 PM at the esteemed Honour Hall/Legion located at 4129 Glenview Rd in Petrolia.

The event will feature a buffet-style dinner and captivating live performance by the talented musical artist Karina Pakalnis/Rose during dinner and cocktail hours. As the night progresses, DJ Music will take over, playing all your favorite tunes from 9 PM to 1 AM.

Ticket holders will be treated to a complimentary welcome drink upon arrival, along with a glass of wine to accompany the delicious dinner. Additionally, door prizes from various “interest table” vendors will be up for grabs.

Tickets are $55 per person (plus taxes/service gratuity). 

For more information, visit: ladies night-out.square.site.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II Launches “Reconnect on Campus” Week to Boost Michigan Reconnect Scholarship

Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II has kick-started “Reconnect on Campus” week, an initiative aimed at highlighting the tuition-free Michigan Reconnect scholarship and fostering engagement at 27 community and tribal colleges across Michigan. 

Emphasizing the significance of higher education and skilled credentials, Lt. Governor Gilchrist stated, “Higher education and skilled credentials are the key to securing a better future for working families and ensuring the economic vibrancy of our state for decades to come.” 

To promote tuition-free opportunities, the participating colleges will host a series of events throughout the week. This concerted effort, organized by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and supported by various educational organizations, business leaders, and former and current Reconnectors, aims to connect working-age adults with the necessary resources to successfully embark on their community college journey.

For more information, visit: michigan.gov/reconnect.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Register For The Amateur Sand Sculpting And Cornhole Contest At Blue Water SandFest

The Blue Water SandFest is coming to town again, and you are encouraged to register for the Amateur Sand Sculpting Contest and Cornhole Tournament taking place Saturday, August 5th, at the Fort Gratiot Light Station County Park.  

Children, teens and adults are welcome to try their hand at creating a unique sand sculpture. Awards will be given to first, second and third place. Registration is $10 per person for the sand sculpting contest, with the registration deadline being July 31st for both events.

The Cornhole Tournament also takes place Saturday, August 5th. Teams with participants ages 18 and up are invited to enter the contest. Registration is $50 per team. Tournament play is bracket with a two-game elimination. Check-in begins at 12:30 PM, with games starting promptly at 1:00 PM. The tournament is limited to 32 teams, so register today!

For more information, visit: bluewatersandfest.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Registration Opens for Michigan State University Extension’s Conservation Stewards Program in St. Clair County

Michigan State University Extension’s Conservation Stewards Program (CSP) in St. Clair County is now accepting registrations. 

This 10-week program, in partnership with the St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Commission and other organizations, offers participants the opportunity to learn about local conservation heritage, Michigan’s natural communities, and engage in community science projects.

The CSP is a hybrid program that combines virtual self-paced lessons with in-person evening sessions held on Wednesdays from September 13th to November 15th. Two Saturday field trips within St. Clair County will also be organized on September 23rd and October 7th. Participants will complete applied capstone projects related to restoring and conserving Michigan’s ecosystems under the guidance of a local mentor.

Registration closes on August 30th, or when the class is full. Partial scholarship opportunities are available. 

For more information, visit: canr.msu.edu/csp.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell