local news

Senate Passes Bill to Rename St. Clair Post Office After Marine Cpl. Jeffery Robert Standfest

Both the U.S. House of Representatives and now the U.S. Senate have passed a bill to rename the St. Clair Post Office in memory of Marine Corporal Jeffery Robert Standfest.

Standfest was a 2005 St. Clair High School graduate. He died on June 16th, 2010 in Helmland Province, Afghanistan while serving his country as a Marine during Operation Enduring Freedom.  Standfest was a K-9 handler with the Marines. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.

The legislation to rename the St. Clair Post Office was cosponsored by a bipartisan coalition of several Michigan legislators and sponsored by Congresswoman Lisa McLain of the 10th District.

McLain said, “Cpl. Standfest was an American hero who was taken from us far too soon. I’m glad the Senate passed my legislation to rename the St. Clair Post Office after Cpl. Standfest right before Memorial Day. He paid the ultimate sacrifice and deserves to be honored by his community.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

M-46 to Get an Upgrade; Lane Restrictions Through June

For those taking a drive on M-46 in Michigan’s Thumb, road construction will be underway on the east-west thoroughfare throughout the month of June.

The Michigan Department of Transportation reports that they are resurfacing 2.5 miles of M-46 from the west village limits of Carsonville to Goetze Road. The Sanilac County work includes resurfacing, joint repairs, and concrete sidewalk ramp repairs, as well as shoulder gravel and pavement markings.

The work has begun and it is expected to go until June 30th, pending no weather delays.

MDOT reports that one lane will be open during daytime working hours with traffic regulators. Once work is completed for the day, lane restrictions will be removed.

The $800,000 project is being done to provide a smoother road and extend the life of the roadway.

The project is part of the Building Michigan Together Plan, a bipartisan effort to invest almost $5 billion in Michigan’s infrastructure including $317 million for local roads and bridges throughout the state.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

SC4 Asking for Millage Renewal on August 2 Ballot

St. Clair County Community College is asking county voters to approve a millage renewal request on the August 2nd ballot. The renewal is for nearly one-half mill for a four-year period from 2023 to 2027.

SC4 says that, if approved, the millage renewal will not increase taxes and SC4 will continue to have one of the lowest operating millages in Michigan.

Senior Vice President of SC4, Pete Lacey, said, “St. Clair County Community College has served St. Clair County and its residents for nearly 100 years.” 

Lacey pointed out that students, taxpayers, and society as a whole get a high rate of return on their investment and that SC4 offers a full collegiate experience.

Lacey said, “The College’s economic impact is significant for the entire Blue Water Area, providing trained and educated workers, helping enhance life quality and earnings, employing county residents, attracting new visitors for programs and events, and much more.” 

The SC4 renewal millage, if passed, will cost about $2 per month per $100,000 of home value.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Friends of St. Clair River Name Baby Sturgeon “Pauline” After Fundraising Contest

The Blue Water Area is celebrating Sturgeon, the ancient gentle giants that call the St. Clair River home, with this weekend’s Sturgeon Festival. Part of the buildup to the event was a baby sturgeon naming contest.

The contest was between Port Huron City Mayor Pauline Repp and St. Clair County Commission Chair Jeff Bohm. The two local leaders raised funds for the Friends of the St. Clair River, with the most successful fund raiser winning namesake rights for a baby sturgeon.

The winner is Pauline Repp, who edged out Bohm’s $840 with her $915. The baby sturgeon in an aquarium at the new offices of the Friends of the St. Clair River is now named “Pauline”.

Friends President Sheri Faust said, “All we have accomplished in 15 years as an organization at Friends of the St. Clair River, and all we are poised to accomplish in the next decade, is possible because people are helping build a culture of conservation and stewardship for Michigan’s Thumb Coast.”

 The Blue Water Sturgeon Festival will be held this weekend at the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse. Go to WGRT.com for more information.

Sturgeon Festival

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Celebrate the New Port Huron Theater District This Weekend

Port Huron is home to three theater companies within a two block area of downtown. This weekend, the city will celebrate the inauguration of the official Port Huron Theatre District with an opening ceremony and weekend-long festival.

The Port Huron Theatre District opening ceremony is Friday, June 3rd at 5 PM at the McMorran Plaza. The ceremony will celebrate Port Huron Civic Theatre, St. Clair County Community College Fine Arts Theatre, and Enter Stage Right and their contributions to the arts and culture scene in Port Huron.

The ceremony kicks off the Port Huron Theatre District Festival which runs through Sunday at McMorran Place Plaza and in McMorran’s north parking lot and will be filled with art vendors and live entertainment. The festival will also include indoor theatre performances on Friday and Saturday nights at 8 PM and Saturday and Sunday at 3 PM.

The Theatre District Festival coincides with First Friday which features various special events around the downtown Port Huron business district. Check PHTD.org for more information about the Theatre District Festival and Downtownph.com for special events happening at your favorite downtown businesses.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

LHMC Golf Outing to Support Both People’s Clinic and Pink Ribbon Fund

Lake Huron Medical Center’s Foundation is gearing up for its annual golf outing. This year’s outing supports both the People’s Clinic for Better Health and the Pink Ribbon Fund in one event.

The golf outing will be held on Wednesday, June 15th, 2022 at Solitude Links Golf Club.

The People’s Clinic for Better Health has been providing care to the uninsured and underserved for over thirty years. They deliver life-saving care to their patients while fulfilling the commitment of providing high-quality care regardless of their ability to pay.

The Pink Ribbon Fund provides early breast cancer detection services, education, screenings, and support services throughout St. Clair County and neighboring communities.

To register for the fundraiser, be sure to get it done by June 10th. The June 15th event starts at 8:00 a.m., with a 9:00 shotgun start. There are several contests, a buffet-style luncheon at 2:00, and raffle items.

If you would like more information on the available event sponsorships or to register for this event, please contact Mallory Michaluk at (810) 216-1675 or via email at mmichaluk@primehealthcare.com. 

To register for the Golf Outing visit www.lhfgolfouting.eventbrite.com

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland