local news

Sheriff’s Department Nabs Dangerous Drivers in M-25 Sting

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department targeted dangerous drivers on M-25 in Burtchville Township throughout the month of July. They definitely found many drivers making poor choices, with one driver traveling at an unbelievable 131 miles per hour in a 55-mile-per-hour zone.

On July 28th, Lieutenant Scott Jones stopped the vehicle that was traveling 76 miles per hour over the speed limit. The driver, a 25-year-old from Hazel Park, Michigan, was arrested and sent to the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center with a reckless driving charge.

In addition to the arrest of the reckless driver, 59 speeding tickets were issued, along with 18 other moving violations, one non-moving violation, and six misdemeanor arrests.

The stretch of M-25 that runs through Burtchville is known as a deadly stretch, with 109 accidents counted between 2017 and 2021. Thirteen of those accidents caused incapacitating injuries, and seven people lost their lives in five separate accidents.

St. Clair County Sheriff Lieutenant Scott Baldwin said the enforcement campaign was in response to recent tragic crashes, but no changes to the road structure are planned at this time and there is no news of an official road study. 

Lieutenant Baldwin said, “We will continue to enforce traffic laws in this stretch of road to reduce the amount of crashes and hopefully the severity of them as well as well. In the future, we’ll continue to monitor crash data and enforce traffic laws, specifically speeding, improper passing, seatbelt usage, and distracted  driving amongst others.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Lapeer Road to Close Between Abbotsford and Wadhams Roads August 6-7

The St. Clair County Road Commission has announced a road closure planned for this weekend. Lapeer Road will be completely closed between Abbotsford Road and Wadhams Road from Saturday, August 6th to Sunday, August 7th. Local residents and travelers should plan on delays, and patience from drivers is appreciated. 

The detour route is Wadhams Road to Griswold Road to Taylor Road, which is also called Dunlap Road. 

Crews will be completing storm sewer crossings in two locations on Lapeer Road. The two locations are just west of Bartlett Road and west of Hidden Lake Drive. The Road Commission reports that each crossing will require the road to be completely closed, and they will not be under construction at the same time. 

Traffic will not be allowed through the active work zone and will be directed to turn around. Access to homes and businesses, as well as emergency access, will be maintained during the closure, which is planned to wrap up by the end of the day on Sunday, August 7th. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Downtown Port Huron First Friday: Dog Days of Summer

Ever wish your dog could experience the fun and entertainment of a Friday night in Downtown Port Huron? It’s Fido or Max or Buster’s lucky week, since it’s First Friday, and this week’s theme is “Dog Days of Summer”.

Each “First Friday” of the month has a different theme and this month it’s dedicated to man’s best friend, dogs. Dogs are welcome to stroll around downtown with their owners and see what kinds of treats and surprises the downtown businesses have for the canine customers.

There is a Pet Parade and Costume Contest planned for 6:00 p.m. at A Little Something on Quay. Community members such as Mike Kinyon, Kathy Swantek, Patti Samar, and Carolyn Crowe will be judging the pets for Best Costume, Funniest, Most Creative, Prettiest, and Cutest.

If your dog likes rock and roll, The Fabulous Henhouse Boys will be playing on McMorran Plaza from 8:00-10:00 p.m. To get the full schedule of events in Downtown Port Huron, visit the links below.

https://www.mcmorran.com/plaza

EVENTS

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Rockin’ the Rivers Starts This Week with Air Margaritaville

There’s still quite a bit of summer left with several weeks of warm evenings that are perfect for outdoor music. This year’s Rockin’ the Rivers Thursday concert series in Port Huron’s Kiefer Park kicks off on Thursday.

The four-concert series starts off this Thursday, August 4th with Air Margaritaville as the headliner and Dave Frendt as the opener.

The Rockin’ the Rivers concerts are traditionally well attended by music lovers of all ages. You just need to bring a blanket or lawn chairs. Food trucks are on-site and there is a kids’ zone full of entertainment for children.

The location is right on the St. Clair River in Kiefer Park, next to the Port Huron Municipal Office Center. Parking is free.

Thursday, August 12th brings Your Generation in Concert, a tribute band that covers five generations of hits.

August 18th features Elton Rohn and The Fabulous Henhouse Boys and August 25th features The Gobies, a local favorite, along with Paul Shonk Music.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

SMR Pilot Program Bus Service to End September 9th

The partnership between the Blue Water Area Transportation Commission and SMR Automotive Systems of Marysville is winding down. The SMR Pilot Program, which has been providing reliable transportation to the Marysville factory six days per week since 2016, will end on September 9th.

The pilot program was provided by SMR Automotive Systems, which employs a large number of people in the Blue Water Area, and was intended to run for just 90 days and then be evaluated. It was so successful that it ran for six years.

According to the Blue Water Area Transportation Commission, SMR has determined that the service is no longer needed. It has been running since 2016.

Starting September 9th, the City of Marysville will provide service with Blue Water Area Transit route #20 from 6:30 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

The Blue Water Area Transportation Commission has expressed its thanks to SMR Automotive Systems for providing additional transportation service days and times over the past six years.

For the full bus schedule, visit http://bwbus.com/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

With Spotted Lanternfly Infestation Looming, MDARD Pleads for Vigilance in Reporting and Prevention

The spotted lanternfly is a menace and has the potential to destroy Michigan staples like apples and hardwood trees. But it’s not picky. It feeds on more than 70 different species, and an infestation could be devastating to the state’s agricultural economy.

Robert Miller with the Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said, “Our agricultural and natural resources are part of Michigan’s identity, and spotted lanternfly has the potential to forever change that landscape.”

The pest has been spreading rapidly across the northeastern United States and dead lanternflies have been found in packaging materials in Michigan. So far, MDARD hasn’t found any live ones.

Miller said, “With the current rate of spread, it is possible spotted lanternfly could reach Michigan at any time.”

If you come across the dreaded pest, let MDARD know immediately. Citizen awareness and reporting are critical in containing the pending arrival of the invasive pest.

From MDARD:

From late summer to the first hard frost, spotted lanternflies are in their adult stage and easiest to identify. Adults are roughly one inch long. Their folded wings are gray to brown with black spots. Open wings reveal a yellow and black abdomen and bright red hind wings with black spots transitioning to black and white bands at the edge.

Female spotted lanternfly lay egg masses in the fall, which resemble old chewing gum, with a gray, waxy, putty-like coating. Egg masses can survive winter temperatures to hatch in the spring. Hatched eggs appear as brownish, seed-like deposits. Spotted lanternfly juveniles are wingless and are black with white spots, developing red patches in their final juvenile stage

If you find a spotted lanternfly egg mass, juvenile or adult, take one or more photos, make note of the date, time and location of the sighting, and report it to MDARD via email at MDA-Info@Michigan.gov or by calling 800-292-3939. If possible, collect a specimen in a container for verification.

Before traveling, check out the map of confirmed spotted lanternfly locations. For additional information on identifying or reporting, visit Michigan.gov/SpottedLanternfly.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland