local news

Detroit Zoo’s Wild Lights Back for 9th Year

Does looking at five million Christmas lights sound like a great way to spend an evening? If so, the Detroit Zoo’s Wild Lights experience might be just the thing to add to your holiday to-do list.

The annual tradition at the Detroit Zoo started last weekend and runs until January 9th. This is the 9th year of the light show. Wild Lights is a walking tour of the front half of the massive property of the Detroit Zoo, located in Royal Oak, about an hour’s drive from the Blue Water area.

Viewing the Wild Lights can take as little as an hour, or you can make an evening of it with dinner at the Polar Patio.

There are over 280 lighted sculptures to view and admission includes viewing the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.

Prices start at $17 and go up to $38 per person for admission to the all-you-can-eat dinner at the Polar Patio. There is limited access and tickets go fast. Advance purchasing is required as tickets are not sold at the gate. Parking costs $8. 

Admission is rain, snow, or shine. Warm footwear is a must.

Wild Lights

Several Local Christmas Parades Planned

Mark your calendars! Plenty of Christmas parades are in the works.

Santa Claus is coming to town this Friday. Downtown Port Huron’s annual Sperry’s Santa Parade is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Friday, November 26th.

The community parade features local school bands and floats from various community groups. The parade goes right through the heart of downtown.

The Parade will go from North to South this year, ending with Santa lighting Downtown Port Huron’s Christmas Tree in front of Michigan Mutual.

The Marysville Lighted Christmas Parade is scheduled for December 4th at 5:00 p.m. Marysville’s parade starts at the Village Green Plaza and heads to the Marysville Park Bandshell, ending in a tree lighting ceremony.

December 4th is also the date of the Sandusky Lighted Implement Parade, starting at 7:00 p.m.  This parade features farm equipment lit up for the season and is themed as “Bigger, Brighter, Stronger” for 2021.

The City of Yale will be hosting their Lighted Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 11th, at 6:15 p.m. This year’s theme is A Dr. Seuss Christmas.

So bundle up and catch a hometown parade with your family and friends during this holiday season.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Township Hires Randy Vesper as New Fire Chief

Randy Vesper has been named the new Fire Chief for Port Huron Township. The seasoned firefighter has come full circle in his career as he returns to St. Clair County, after starting as a volunteer firefighter with the Kenockee Township Fire Department as a teenager, retiring from the St. Clair Shores Department after 25 years of service, and now taking on the Chief role in Port Huron Township.

Along with retiring as a Battalion Chief, Vesper earned a Masters Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Vesper said he looks forward to continuing to work with firefighters and leading the department. He plans to continue the work that Chief Mainguy has done in improving response and staffing. Continued training in both fire and emergency medical training is a priority for Vesper.

Vesper said, “One of the biggest challenges facing the fire service is staffing. Port Huron Township Fire Department is not immune to those issues.  Recruitment and retention are key to building a strong department and the fire service as a whole.”

Vesper also said that interagency cooperation is important to providing service and that he looks forward to working with neighboring departments to meet the needs of the community.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Bus Drivers Desperately Needed in Most Districts

There is a desperate need for school bus drivers. Local districts are having to cut routes and kids are the ones who get left out in the cold when buses have to be late. It is a huge disruption to instruction as well when schools are waiting on late buses and kids are absent with no ride to school.

First Student, which operates buses for the Port Huron Area School District, is advertising a $2000 sign-on bonus and other perks like a Child Ride-Along Program, paid training, and flexible hours.

Bus Driver working hours are definitely unique, with an early start to the day and a long break mid-day, but school holidays and summer vacations are also part of the schedule.

First Student takes applications from those who are over 21, have a driver’s license, and have a good driving record.

Yale Public Schools is actively looking for bus drivers as well and has had to cut some routes to accommodate staffing shortages. St. Edward on the Lake, Landmark Academy, Dean Transportation, and others are also looking for bus drivers.

Advertised pay for various districts is between $16 and $20 per hour with varied signing bonuses. Substitute drivers are also needed.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Tires and Treads Community Project to Host Old Fashioned Country Christmas

When your heart is in the right place, good things tend to lead to more good things. That couldn’t be truer for the Tires and Treads Community Project. Volunteers are hosting an Old Fashioned Country Christmas on November 28th at 6:00 p.m. at the Ruby Community Church on Abbotsford Road.

The Old Fashioned Country Christmas gives guests an opportunity to create Christmas tree ornaments to remember loved ones who have passed on. The practice has become a tradition, with people traveling long distances to memorialize their loved ones, according to Tires and Treads founder, Fran Morris.

Donations at the Old Fashioned Country Christmas will be accepted to help Tires and Treads with their ambitious projects, like stocking complete closets of new clothing, winter wear, and classroom supplies at Port Huron elementary schools. They are working with their 7th elementary school, Michigamme, this year. They also provide emergency “outfitting” for kids who need new clothes and shoes on a moment’s notice.

Along with the school project, Tires and Treads is making wishes come true for local kids who are in cancer treatment. The project gets its funding from a multitude of fun events. A link to their Facebook page, which has much more information can be found below.

https://www.facebook.com/TiresandTreadsCommunityProject/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

HHH to Celebrate 10 Years with Open House Dec. 7

Hunter Hospitality House is recognizing ten years of serving the community on December 7th and is inviting the public to an Open House at their newest property, the Family House.

The Open House will be at the newly opened Family House located at 1015 Vanderburgh Place in Port Huron, near Lake Huron Medical Center. The house is available for families to use for lodging while loved ones are receiving care at either of Port Huron’s medical centers.

Over the past ten years, the non-profit has registered over 2,000 guests into its three properties.

In congratulating founders Jeff and Tracy Willard on their 10-year anniversary, Thelma Castillo, President & CEO of the Blue Water Area Chamber said, “Hunter Hospitality House provides a great service to people who may be dealing with a stressful medical situation. They make everything easier for a family that may be worrying about a loved one and they can focus on the loved one and not worry about driving back and forth from their home to the hospital.”

Castillo will be making a presentation at the Open House, which falls on what would be the 30th birthday of the late Hunter Willard, after whom the houses are named, and the inspiration for the venture.

The Open House will be held from 3-5 p.m. with the Chamber Presentation at 4 p.m. Donations will be accepted.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland