local news

Optimist Skate Park Getting Closer to Construction

Port Huron, MI — A lot of planning and fundraising is paying off for Port Huron’s new skatepark. The design concept was revealed at a virtual meeting last week and received a lot of constructive feedback from bikers and skaters in the community.

The meeting was the third design workshop as the skatepark gets closer to construction. Those in attendance were biking and skating enthusiasts who are dedicated to making the park the best it can be.

The skatepark will be located at Optimist Park off of 10th Avenue not far from downtown. It is designed for bikes, skateboards, and inline skates and is meant to be a destination for all levels of thrill-seekers.

With a $750,000 price tag, the skatepark is being funded with community support and grants from the Tony Hawk Foundation and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. foundation. The project will be unique in that it will have a rain garden and will be incorporating green stormwater practices.

Micah Shapiro, the designer with Grindline Skateparks, said that the park will be more than just for Port Huron but will also have a regional draw. Parking and amenities like lighting and water stations are part of the concept.

The design is expected to be finalized this month. Bids for construction are hoped to go out this summer.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

TEC Students Awarded Medals at SkillsUSA

St. Clair County, MI — Students attending the Digital Media Technology program at St. Clair TEC learn a variety of media production techniques including audio, video, photography and graphic design. This year’s class included two teams of students who won awards at the SkillsUSA virtual contest.

Kristian Duffy from Port Huron Northern and Maria Falleti from Marine City achieved a Bronze Medal for Audio Production.

Noah Atherton from Port Huron Northern and Zachary Floyd from Virtual Learning Academy won a gold medal for Digital Cinema Production, and they will represent Michigan at the National Virtual SkillsUSA competition in June. Their winning project can be viewed <HERE>.

Students at St. Clair TEC compete in Skills USA to improve their skills and develop a competitive edge in vocational and technical career areas. Skills USA also heavily focuses on developing positive attitudes, professional skills, and teamwork.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Beatrice Thornton Art Show Goes Virtual this Year

Port Huron, MI — The Beatrice Thornton Student Art Exhibition is in progress and can be viewed from the comfort of your own home. The annual art show is in its 53rd year, featuring the work of 275 elementary school students from the area.

In a normal year, the artwork would be featured in the Fine Arts Gallery at St. Clair County Community College and proud parents and grandparents would stroll through and admire the work of the young artists. But opening the gallery to the public in the midst of the pandemic is not an option with year and the gallery has been forced to go “virtual”.

The artwork from Landmark Academy, Memphis Elementary, and some of the elementary schools in Port Huron Schools can be found on the St. Clair County Community College website.

The artwork is shown in video form with gallery cards that name the student, grade, art teacher, and school. The exhibit is named after Beatrice Thornton, a Port Huron art teacher who wanted to give art students a gallery experience outside of the classroom setting.

The elementary school art show runs through the end of May.

https://sc4.edu/campus-life/arts/beatrice-thornton-2021/?fbclid=IwAR0seyMAKK05ocLSIHTM6MKW7fYyRTkfrgfi-1hMcaeaWwJwLvrZF9wGvOI

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Detours in Store for Drivers as Road Work Ramps Up

Lapeer Road between Wadhams and Allen Roads is going to be closed to westbound traffic starting today, according to the St. Clair County Road Commission. The closure is in effect for 50 days.

The work includes milling the existing asphalt and rubblizing the underlying concrete. The work also includes widening the road for a left turn lane and paving a portion of the shoulder of the road. There will also be drainage improvements, new pavement markings, and site restoration. The work is being done by Boddy Construction.

The Lapeer Road work will completely close the westbound lanes, but the eastbound traffic will be maintained. The posted detour is Allen Road to Griswold Road to Wadhams Road. Local access to homes and businesses will be maintained also with access for emergency vehicles. 

The road work has been budgeted to cost $750,000 and is being paid for with St. Clair County Road Commission Funds.

Smaller projects in the county include painting of the Masters Road bridge over the Belle River between Riley Center Road and Eagling Road, which is taking place between May 6th and June 5th.

At the north end of the county, the Fisher Road Bridge over Burtch Creek, between State Road and M-25, will be getting a new coat of paint from today until June 2nd.

Detour routes are posted for traffic in both directions for both of the bridge painting projects.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Vantage Point Farmers Market Opens Saturday

Port Huron, MI — Those of you who have been waiting for your favorite Farmer’s Markets to open, can get ready to begin your outdoor shopping this weekend. Saturday, May 8th is opening day for the Vantage Point Farmers Market, which rings in outdoor market shopping in the Blue Water Area.

Vantage Point Farmers Market opens up at 51 Water Street in Port Huron at 8 AM on May 8th, and it will be open until 2 PM. Shoppers can enjoy a stroll along the St. Clair River while collecting fresh grown and homemade foods, plants, hanging flower baskets, and locally grown and packaged meats.

The St. Clair Farmers Market is slated to open June 2nd and take place every Wednesday from 7 AM until noon until the end of October. It takes place in the Riverview Plaza parking lot across from the St. Clair Inn.

If you’re up for a little road tip, you can discover other farmers markets in Michigan by visiting the Michigan Farmers Market Association’s website. The site has an interactive map of all farmers markets in the state <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

 

Work Day and Wildflower Walk Planned at Columbus County Park

St. Clair County, MI — The Friends of the St. Clair River are inviting to community to join them for an Eco-Stewardship Work Day and Wildflower Walk on Saturday, May 8th from 10 AM – 12 PM at Columbus County Park.

The event will focus on exploring the park in search of spring wildflowers and then removing invasive species. Naturalist and wildflower enthusiast, Mary Kay Weber, will lead the hike and provide educational information about the park’s ecosystem.

This is a free event, but registration is required by emailing stewardship@scriver.org. Participants are asked to dress for the weather and bring their own gloves, face covering, water, and snack. Gardening tools are optional.

This event is part of the Friends of the St. Clair River’s Second Saturday Stewardship Series, and more information is available at scriver.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand