local news

“The Big Give” Brings in over $600K for Non-Profits

Seventy-one non-profits got a funding boost during “The Big Give” on June 9th, with Mid-City Nutrition, the local soup kitchen which is in the process of building a new headquarters, raising the most money: over $153,000. A matching grant from the Marshall E. Campbell Company helped bring Mid-City to the top of the Leaderboard.

The organization with the most donors was Spero Pregnancy Center, which had 181 donors and came in second in total donations with over $43,000.

Jackie Hanton, Vice President of the Community Foundation, said, “The community stepped up big and collectively raised over $600,000 from nearly 1,700 donors.”

Some of the non-profits gathered in front of the Community Foundation building. Hanton said, “It was wonderful to see donors stopping by to chat with their favorite nonprofit and others walking around to learn more about organizations they didn’t know about.”

Hanton remarked, “Our community continues to be one of the most amazing and generous places to live. The Big Give brought us back together in person and online and giving was abundant!”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

No Bologna Festival This Year; Organizers Look to September Event

The Yale Bologna Festival is on hiatus for another year. The Yale Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Festival Board made the announcement expressing regret over the difficult decision.

The Yale Bologna Festival had been going strong since 1989 until the pandemic shut it down in 2020. This year’s cancellation is blamed on a lack of sponsorship and volunteers, as well as health and safety concerns for both attendees and volunteers as the pandemic lingers on.

The Bologna Festival is not just a celebration of processed meat. It has a loyal following of festival-goers who enjoy small-town offerings like a parade and fireworks, as well a street dance and the very unique outhouse races. The Bologna Festival relies on volunteers to pull off the event, but they were scarce this year.

The Festival Board said in a public statement that they had put seven months into planning, but the Bologna Festival just wasn’t meant to happen in 2021. Instead, they are looking forward to a Hometown event on September 11th featuring a concert and fireworks. They are looking for community support to continue the events that bring the community together.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Kerhoulas Named New Superintendent for Port Huron Schools

Port Huron, MI — Port Huron Schools has a new leader. Theo Kerhoulas was unanimously approved by the Board of Education to take over as Superintendent after the resignation of Jamie Cain, who took a position with the St. Clair County RESA.

Kerhoulas is not new to the district professionally or personally. He has been an administrator since 2014 and is a parent of students in the district. Kerhoulas held the position of Executive Director of Operations and Innovation for Port Huron Schools since 2014. He previously worked as a high school principal in the Cros-Lex district.

On accepting the Superintendent position, Kerhoulas said, “Jamie Cain leaves large shoes to fill but a strong team in place. It is great to know – both professionally and as a friend – that he is just down the road and always there to support our team and Port Huron Schools.”

After a rough year of back and forth in-person and online school and a current state-wide teacher shortage, Kerhoulas has his work cut out for him.  He said, “We must acknowledge that the pandemic has caused distress to our students, families, and staff” and that he is “personally committed to the success of every student and staff member in our organization.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Neglected Horse Rescued; Owner Prosecuted

Day Dreams Farm, a non-profit Equine Rescue and Rehabilitation facility located in Marine City, has taken in a horse that was recovered by the St. Clair County Animal Control office.

According to Animal Control, two horses were found in deplorable condition at a residence on Griffin Road in Riley Township. One horse was humanely euthanized on-site by a veterinarian. A second horse was surrendered to authorities.

The search of the property took place last month as a result of citizen complaints. The owner of the animals was charged with two counts of animal cruelty, which, according to Michigan law is a misdemeanor when one allows an animal to needlessly suffer. The owner pled guilty and  was sentenced to not possess animals for five years and to pay $800 in court fees and restitution.

Melissa Miller, Director of Animal Control said she is pleased with the ruling. She said, “That length of time for prohibition is a rarity and shows the severity of cruelty inflicted on these horses. This is a win for equine welfare and shows St. Clair County takes animal neglect seriously.”

More information about Day Dreams Equine Rescue and Rehabilitation, and how to donate to the non-profit, can be found on their website, daydreamsfarm.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Rec Fills Summer Schedule with Free Fun

What’s better than fun activities for kids during the summer? FREE fun activities for kids during the summer. The Port Huron Recreation Department has announced a full roster of free summer fun for families.

The list includes free drive-in movies to be held in partnership with Sperry’s Moviehouse. The fun gets started on Tuesday, June 8th with The Lion King, 2019 version, starting at dusk. Families can watch from their cars in the McMorran Southwest parking lot and tune in on their car radios. There are eight movies scheduled throughout the summer and fall.

The SuperSlide is also opening back up this summer after a year off. The innovative and unique hillside slide is located at Palmer Park in Port Huron. The slide is for kids and kids-at-heart who are at least five years old and 40 inches tall. The slide is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, with evening hours of 4-7 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Rec on the Go Bags will be handed out on Wednesdays starting June 16th.

More information about all of the free programs this summer can be found at porthuronrec.com.

Reporting for WGRT -Jennie McClelland

Blue Water Volleygrass is Back-  July 23-25

Port Huron, MI — Blue Water Volleygrass is back with a tournament scheduled for Friday, July 23rd through Sunday, July 25th. Registration opened on June 1st.

The tournament is a major fundraiser for Port Huron Northern High School athletic teams. The tournament had to be canceled last year, but it is a go this year with the usual 200 teams expected. Northern’s sports team members and their families generally volunteer to host the annual event, where new and returning teams fight for the top spot in their divisions.

Blue Water Volleygrass is a grass court four-on-four volleyball tournament with a variety of divisions. The tournament is held on the athletic field at Port Huron Northern High School on Krafft Road.

The divisions include beginner, intermediate, open, and 40 and up divisions for men; beginner, intermediate, open, and 30 and up for women, and girls and boys teams for ages U14 to U18. There are also co-ed divisions. The cost to register is between $85 and $145 per team.

The full list of rules and regulations, as well as registration information, can be found at volleygrass.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland