local news

Border Chambers of Commerce ask Government of Canada to “Scrap the App”

A coalition of Chambers of Commerce representing border communities across the country is calling on the Government of Canada to lift the remaining COVID-related border restrictions and to suspend use of the ArriveCAN app.

Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce CEO Carrie McEachran said, “The border measures are not only slowing down border crossings, but they’re also having a major deterrent effect on visitors from the USA.”

US visits through land ports are still down significantly across the country. Statistics Canada reports that border crossings from the United States in June 2022 were little more than half the number made in June 2019. Tourism spending in Canada is still more than a third below pre-pandemic levels. Wait times at land border crossings have lengthened by up to two hours since 2019 despite traffic being cut in half, and bridge authorities attribute this entirely to restrictions and the ArriveCAN app. The average processing time for arriving passengers at airports has increased by 400%.

Chambers of Commerce have repeatedly asked for the Government of Canada to provide supporting data indicating that ArriveCAN has a positive impact on public health. No data has yet been offered.

Reporting for WGRT – George James

St. Clair County CMH Announces Recipient “Rights Champions”

Every month, St. Clair County Community Mental Health (CMH) recognizes individuals and/or teams for their extraordinary contributions to the Rights Protection System, which protects the human rights of individuals with a mental illness.

Individuals and teams are recognized for demonstrating dignity and respect to individuals with mental illness, for innovation and creativity that resulted in improved service outcomes, for enriching or enhancing a recipient’s recovery journey, and for taking actions to strengthen communication and cooperation throughout the Rights Protection System. Award recipients receive a letter of congratulations, certificate of recognition, and a “Rights Champions” memento. “Rights Champions” are also highlighted on the CMH Facebook page and are eligible for the individual/team of the year awards presented during CMH’s Annual Meeting in May.

For more information visit CMH’s website at scccmh.org or on Facebook @SCCCMH.

Reporting for WGRT – George James

This Year’s Annual Find the Cure 5k Run & Walk Has Been Scheduled

The Dementia & Alzheimer’s Resource Committee of St. Clair County has announced the date for its annual Alzheimer’s Find the Cure 5K run and walk. The run/walk will take place on Sunday, September 18th. Participants will meet at Keifer Park, near the Port Huron City Bldg. The run/walk will begin at noon.

On-site registration begins at 10:30, however participants can register early by visiting runsignup.com and searching Find the Cure. Cost for the event is $30. Those who register prior to September 2nd, will receive a moisture wicking shirt. Funds raised through the Find a Cure event will assist with funding research at the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center in Ann Arbor. It also supports the Fred Haynes Respite Grant Fund for caregivers and the committee’s educational speakers’ series.

To learn more about The Dementia & Alzheimer’s Resource Committee visit darcscc.org.

Reporting for WGRT – George James

Looking for a Preschool? Check out Art in the Park

Art in the Park is coming to Grieg Park in St. Clair on August 10th from 6:00-7:00 p.m. The event is for young children and their families to both relax with some crafts in the fresh air and learn about preschool options.

Art in the Park is sponsored by St. Clair County RESA and is planning to have activities for children along with free books. The activities are targeted at kids aged zero to five.

Shannon Baker, the Help Me Grow Care Coordinator and Early Childhood Specialist with St. Clair County RESA said that the event is a simple, fun, and low-key way to reach more families in the community.

Baker said, with the start of school quickly approaching, RESA is seeking out four-year-olds who could benefit from the free preschool programs like Great Start Readiness Program and Headstart, or tuition programs in local school districts.

To find out more about Art in the Park on August 10th, or about the preschool programs available in the area, see the link and contact information below.

greatstart@sccresa.org

810-455-4009

https://www.sccresa.org/services-a-z/early-childhood-services/free-preschool-gsrp

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Cheap Trick to Play McMorran Arena November 4th

Cheap Trick is coming to Port Huron’s McMorran Arena on August 4th. The rock band is best known for its 1970s and 80s hits “I Want You to Want Me” and “The Flame”.

Cheap Trick was formed in 1973 in Rockford, Illinois, and has sold more than 20 million albums. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.

Last November brought the rock band Styx to McMorran. The packed house showed organizers that Port Huron is ready for arena concerts.

Cheap Trick concert tickets are already selling fast. Prices range from $55-75.

While Cheap Trick is the big arena show, other musical productions are also planned at McMorran this season. A Tom Petty cover band, The Wildflowers, is playing at McMorran Place on October 8th. A 1950s and 1960s-styled cover band, American Graffiti and Jersey Seasons, will be playing on November 5th, and AC/DC and Queen cover bands are playing later in the season.

Tickets for all the shows are on sale now at mcmorran.com and at the McMorran Box Office.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Magical Moments Formalwear Giveaway at Birchwood Mall September 3-4

The Magical Moments Formalwear Giveaway on September 3rd and 4th at Birchwood Mall is both a celebration of the one-year anniversary of the mall store, Mostly Michigan, and a way for owner, Michele Matthews to give back to the community.

Matthews started asking for donations of gently used or new men’s and women’s formalwear and within hours had already run out of space. She reached out to Lois Potts, the General Manager at Birchwood Mall, who gave her a temporary space in the mall for the growing collection of formal wear.

Dress and formalwear donations can be brought to Mostly Michigan until August 21st. They are also accepting donations of other things that can take the financial stress off of teenagers and their families as they plan for the traditional night of making memories at Homecoming and other upcoming formal events.

Restaurant gift cards, donations of hair, nail, and other services, as well as cash, are being accepted.

Magical Moments wish list:

Dresses: New dresses, used and washed or dry-cleaned dresses. If you can’t wash them, let organizers know and they will clean them. Think a dress is too far out of style to donate? Maybe not. Some teenagers know how to sew and would love to reconstruct their dream dresses and use their imaginations.

Women’s Dress Shoes, Purses, Capes, Shawls, Accessories

Menswear: Suits, Tuxedos, Shirts, Ties, Suspenders, Cummerbunds, Vests, Dress Shoes

Money: For teens who might not find anything in their size, Michele Matthews has offered to shop specifically for them.

Gift Cards: Restaurants that would be appropriate for a pre-homecoming dinner

Service donations: Photography, Dry Cleaning, Hair and Nail Services for both boys and girls

The Formalwear Giveaway will be on September 3rd from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and September 4th from noon to 6:00 p.m. at Birchwood Mall in Fort Gratiot. Check the Mostly Michigan Facebook page for the exact location in the mall. Guests will register to be eligible for raffle prizes such as restaurant gift cards. No proof of income is required. It is open to everyone.

If neither of the giveaway days works, accommodations can be made with Michele Matthews.

mostlymichigan@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/MostlyMichiganFortGratiotMI

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland