local news

Special Night Out Prom Looks To Be A Super Event For Special Needs Students

Our special needs students have an upcoming prom geared with their needs and accommodations taken into consideration at the 4th Annual Special Night Out Prom.

The prom is hosted by the Make A Difference Club at Port Huron Northern and sponsored by Lawrence Jewelers, SONS Outreach, and Sean Culler. 102.3 FM WGRT is also proud to be a sponsor of this amazing event. 

The Special Night Out Prom will take place on Friday, April 24th, from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. at 1799 Krafft Rd. at Northern High School. The prom is geared for high school students up to age 26 with special needs, including attendees from Port Huron High or Woodlands Developmental Center. Parents may also attend as well.

With a superhero theme there will be music, pizza, and more. Students can dress in their best prom attire or dress as their favorite superhero. The event is free for those who wish to attend.

For more information, contact Gordon Farnsworth via email at: gfarnsworth@phasd.us.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Port Huron Northern Player Awarded Mr. Basketball Award For 2023

The Blue Water Area has reason to celebrate one of its youth recently, Tyler Jamison from Port Huron Northern High School has been awarded the most prestigious award for a student-athlete.

Jamison has become the 43rd individual awarded the Hal Schram Mr. Basketball Award. The Michigan Mr. Basketball Award is named in honor of the late Hal Schram who covered high school athletics for over 40 years with the Detroit Free Press.

The 6 foot 5 Jamison, who plays the guard position, averaged an astounding 26.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 3.3 steals per game. Those are impressive numbers for any basketball player, especially one still in high school.

The Port Huron Northern senior is not only a star on the court, he also boasts an impressive 4.7 Grade Point Average (GPA).

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Frozen Fruit Recall Due To A Potential Hepatitis A Contamination

Food is one of the essentials of life itself, so when a possible contamination occurs it has the potential to affect the lives of numerous people across the nation. There has been a recent recall involving frozen fruit that may be on your local grocers shelf. 

The Scenic Fruit Company is recalling their Simply Nature brand along with others, such as Vital Choice.

The Scenic Fruit Company is recalling their frozen Organic Strawberries which were sold to Costco, Aldi, Vital Choice Seafood, and PCC Community Markets. They will also be recalling the frozen Organic Tropical Fruit Blend sold to Trader Joe’s all due to an outbreak of Hepatitis A. 

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious illness lasting several months. Symptoms include fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, abnormal liver tests, dark urine, and pale stool.

For more information, visit: iwaspoisoned.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Young Professionals Initiative Offers Youth Job Skills And More

The children are our future sounds so cliche, but it is the absolute truth for a prosperous society. Governor Gretchen Whitmer feels strongly about growing the talent pool in Michigan, and what better way than to train our youth through government funded programs.

Gov. Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) announced the recipients of Young Professionals grants totaling $3 million to provide under-represented youth with an introduction to the workforce. 

Young Professionals supports those ages 14 – 24 who face barriers to obtaining employment by exposing them to career and educational opportunities, earning a short-term training certificate, and obtaining work experience. 

Gov. Whitmer says, “Giving young Michiganders the tools and access they need to get high-skill, in-demand, and good-paying jobs helps us build a brighter future in Michigan.”

For more information, visit your local Michigan Works! Agency. michiganworks.org. 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

$10 Million Microloan Fund For Women, Veterans, and Entrepreneurs of Color

When it comes to business loans and funding available for start-ups, minorities often get left out of the equation, or are not equally represented in certain cases. A new microloan seeks to provide the needed funds for those who may not be eligible or have access to other means of funding their small business. 

Lieutenant Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II joined with several public and private partners to announce the launch of the new $10 million Michigan Economic Opportunity Fund. 

The fund is in partnership with Michigan Women Forward (MWF), the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Huntington Bank, and the Ballmer Group. It is a loan program for women and entrepreneurs of color, as well as veterans. 

Individuals will be able to apply for up to $50,000 with the average loan managed by MWF being $25,000.

For more information, visit: miwf.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Applicants Wanted For Home Heating Credit

If you live in Michigan and need a bit of help with your energy bills you can apply now for the Michigan Home Heating Credit, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury.

The home heating credit is geared towards low-income, deaf, disabled or blind persons, disabled veterans and senior citizens. Applicants do not have to file a Michigan individual income tax return to receive the credit. 

All applications for the credit must be received by Sept. 30th.

Over the past five years approximately 257,500 individuals have received an average credit of $209. 

State Treasurer Rachel Eubanks says, “This credit can provide assistance on heating bills during our cold seasons, allowing individuals to spend their hard-earned dollars on other necessities.”

You can apply for the Home Heating Credit electronically through the e-File system. 

For more information about available resources, visit: michigan.gov/heatingassistance.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell