local news

Grand Opening of Black History Exhibit Saturday

The Port Huron Museums’ Carnegie Center is hosting the Grand opening of the “From Whence We Came: Black History in the Blue Water Area” exhibit on Saturday, June 19th, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Grand Opening coincides with Juneteenth. 

Juneteenth honors June 19th, 1865, when slaves in Texas were finally freed under the terms of the 1862 Emancipation Proclamation. 

The Grand Opening of the new “From Whence We Came” permanent exhibit includes a book signing of the first 100 copies of the book that inspired the exhibit. The books are expected to sell out, so it is recommended to get there early to get a copy. 

The permanent exhibit tells the story of Black History in the Blue Water Area and features the James Sr. & Marguerite Stanley Legacy Wall. The wall honors those who have followed the call to “love your fellow man” and have contributed positively to the Blue Water Area. 

A donation to the Museum is all that is needed to gain admission. Live entertainment is planned. 

Museum Juneteenth “From Whence We Came” Exhibit Grand Opening: https://www.facebook.com/events/507108970318317

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

SC4 Invites Community to “Free-ish”

St. Clair County Community College invites the public to attend a webinar called “Free-ish”, held on Thursday, June 17th from 10-11:30 a.m. 

Juneteenth refers to June 19th, 1865, when slaves in Texas were finally freed under the terms of the 1862 Emancipation Proclamation.

SC4’s office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is holding a virtual Juneteenth Celebration called “Free-ish” that will feature speakers discussing the history of Juneteenth, bridging the gap between the African and Black Community and the current state of Black America.

Guest speakers at the webinar include Alphonso Amos, Lead Organizer of Black Lives Matter Port Huron; Kevin Totty, Program Coordinator with the Community Foundation of St. Clair County; and Kevin Watkins, President of the Port Huron Branch of the NAACP. 

The panel discussion will include several local and regional leaders discussing the current state of Black America. SC4’s Jessica Brown said the webinar is open to everyone, near and far. 

SC4 “Free-ish” Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7fDNncWcSry51BK-9aVgCg

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Gypsy Moth Caterpillars Wreak Havoc; County Looks to 2022 Prevention Strategy

The gypsy moth caterpillar invasion continues to spread through St. Clair County. The evidence can be seen in the disappearing leaves on giant oak trees. Drought conditions are no help as the trees are under tremendous stress.

Greenwood Township resident Karen Vincent told us that she and her husband, Tim, have watched the little caterpillars decimate the leaves on over forty towering oak trees on their ten-acre property over the past three weeks. They wondered why there is no county-wide mitigation strategy.

While Macomb County sprayed for gypsy moths on May 19th this year, covering entire townships as well as parks and golf courses with a naturally-occurring bacteria that kills young caterpillars, St. Clair County has not sprayed.

St. Clair County Commissioner Jorja Baldwin said there hasn’t been an infestation to this extent in decades and the Board of Commissioners is discussing what they could have done differently. They are looking at how to detect an outbreak and take action for 2022. Baldwin said they are working with the MSU Extension and discussing partnering with Macomb County to work together on preventing future outbreaks.

More information about caring for damaged trees and dealing with the infestation can be found at: 

https://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/Invasive_species/Gypsy-Moth/gypsy-moth-around-home

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

PHOTO CREDIT: KAREN VINCENT

Simply Silverware Gives Adults with Special Needs Purpose and Paycheck

After a whole season of canceled parties and postponed weddings, Simply Silverware in St. Clair is back to work and looking forward to a bright future.

Owner Jennifer Gildenpfennig has owned and operated the business for four years, employing adults with special needs who wrap plastic silverware with napkins for customers who are hosting graduation parties, weddings, baby showers, and other events.

Gildenpfennig, who has worked as a teacher with the Macomb ISD, said that wrapping silverware started as a classroom project and then grew into an actual business. Her employees are adults with Down Syndrome, Autism, or other special needs who have aged out of other programs. Simply Silverware allows them to get a paycheck, get out of the house for a while, and have a purpose while making money.

Shae Sheppard, one of the employees, said that she likes to work. Her co-worker, Jeff Anger, expressed pride in “making piles of silverware”.

Right now, business is picking up and Gildenpfennig has dreams of opening another location elsewhere in St. Clair County and turning Simply Silverware into her full-time business. Her employees also provide gift wrapping in the holiday season and assemble party favors and wedding decorations.

You can learn more at their website, https://simplysilverware.square.site.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Army National Guard

Whitmer Proposes Upgrades to National Guard Facilities

Governor Whitmer proposed a $105.8 million investment in Michigan’s Army National Guard (MIARNG) facilities to make them more female-friendly. The building upgrades will reflect the changing face of the MIARNG which has nearly 1,500 women serving in its ranks.

There are 37 MIARNG facilities that will be improved under the proposed investment, and many of them were constructed in a time when the force was primarily male.

“It is a matter of fairness and equity that the state should embark on a mission to update these facilities to ensure parity with the facilities provided to male soldiers,” said Whitmer. “Women are a growing segment of the population stepping up to serve our state and nation and the facilities available to them should match this commitment.”

The Michigan Army National Guard’s local facility is the Port Huron Armory on Dove Street. The Port Huron Armory could receive a $3M in upgrades to its facilities.

The investment is contingent on the Legislature including it in the budget bills that are in the process of being developed and negotiated with the Governor.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Michigan Reaches 60% Vaccinated

Governor Whitmer announced last week that Michigan has reached the 60% mark in its COVID-19 vaccination rate. Whitmer said that cases of COVID-19 in the state are falling fast which she believes positions the state’s economy for a strong recovery.

Whitmer said, “I know that we can give Michigan the economic jumpstart it needs with the billions in available federal funds and our multi-billion dollar budget surplus. We will emerge from this once-in-a-century pandemic stronger than ever, and I am confident that we can make lasting, transformative investments in our schools, small businesses, and communities to help them thrive.”

Active cases of COVID-19 fell to 4,058 last week, down from 6,363 on June 1st.

The St. Clair County Health Department has also moved most of its vaccine services back to their main building and the Teen Health Center, although there may be pop-up clinics in certain areas as needed.

Dr. Annette Mercatante and Justin Westmiller have been doing a weekly live Q&A session on the Health Department’s Facebook page, and their updates are transitioning to a monthly format beginning in July. The next event is July 1, 2021 at 3:30 PM.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand