local news

Celebrate Edison’s Birthday with Flashlight Tour

Thomas Edison’s 174th Birthday is coming up, and the Port Huron Museums are providing a unique way to celebrate. The Thomas Edison Depot Museum is offering a guided flashlight tour of the museum led by Depot Dave.

Guests can register for a time slot on February 11th to participate in the tour. Tours will be limited to 10 people and the cost is $10 per person or $8 per member. The interactive tour will feature quirky Edison facts and guest can learn even more about the areas that interest them by shining their flashlight on them during the tour.

Andrew Kercher, Manager of Community Engagement at the Port Huron Museums, said, “This is a new, fun event that has been structured to keep people safe and give them something fun to do. It’s a new way to engage with our history!”

Tickets are available on EventBrite <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Portillo’s Chicago-Style Restaurant Coming to Hall Road

Craving a Chicago-style hot dog? You can hop on the Amtrak train and head to Chicago for the weekend, or you can plan a quick trip to M-59 in Sterling Heights to get an authentic taste of Chicago. Portillo’s, which specializes in Chicago-style street food, has announced the March 16th grand opening of its first Michigan restaurant.

The “fast-casual” restaurant will be located on Hall Road in front of Lakeside Mall. The restaurant is hiring staff right now. They estimate having a staff of 150 employees.

Portillo’s CEO Michael Osanloo said, “We always look forward to opening Portillo’s in new markets. Fans in Michigan have been asking for a Portillo’s for years, so we’re very excited to bring our unrivaled Chicago street food and the signature Portillo’s experience to the community of Sterling Heights.”

Prior to the opening of the nearly 8,000 square foot restaurant, Portillo’s will be operating a “Beef Bus” Food Truck to give customers a taste of their food, starting February 17th.

A link to the food truck schedule: Beef Bus Tour Schedule | Portillo’s

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

SC4 to Open Challenger Learning Center

SC4 is working with the Challenger Center to bring a Challenger Learning Center to its campus in early 2022. The Challenger Learning Center will introduce students of all ages to subjects and careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

The Challenger Center is a nonprofit STEM education organization with a learning center network that has reached 5.5 million students worldwide. They offer hands-on STEM programs that include simulated space-themed missions in fully immersive classrooms.

Dr. Deborah Snyder, president of St. Clair County Community College, said, “The addition of a Challenger Learning Center supports the college and our community by fostering a robust culture of STEM, strengthening STEM education opportunities, integrating business, industry and educational entities, and creating high-quality educational experiences for learners of all ages.”

The Challenger Center was created by the Challenger families to honor the crew of shuttle flight STS-51-L. For more information about Challenger Center visit their website <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

College Planning Webinars Scheduled

High school seniors can almost taste graduation. It is just a semester away. With graduation on the horizon, thinking about paying for college and making a decision about the field of study are at the forefront of the minds of many students and their parents. A Virtual Financial Aid night, sponsored by the Michigan Department of the Treasury and a ABCC’s of College webinar sponsored by the Blue Water College Access Network could help high schoolers get on the right track.

The Virtual Financial Aid Night will be held every Tuesday and Thursday evening during February from 6:30-8:00 p.m. The sessions will include information about FAFSA, federal and state aid, scholarship searching, and student portal accounts. Sessions are open to the public and registration is required.

The Blue Water College Access Network’s webinar will explain the differences between Associate, Bachelor, Credential, and Certificate Programs. It will also give information about high-demand and high-paying jobs. The webinar is planned for February 4th from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Registration is required.

Links to both programs:

MI Student Aid – Virtual College Financial Aid Nights (michigan.gov)

https://www.bwcan.org/calendar.html

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

All St. Clair County Families Eligible for Free Preschool

St. Clair County, MI — The Michigan Department of Education has expanded eligibility requirements for the Great Start Readiness Program, and now all St. Clair County families have access to free preschool.

The Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) is a free state-funded preschool program for children who turn 4 years old on or before September 1st of the current school year. The program has been opened up to all families, regardless of income, if GSRP classrooms have openings.

GSRP locations in Algonac, East China, Memphis, Port Huron, and Yale currently have openings and families are encouraged to apply now to fill the remaining slots for the 2020-21 school year.

Becky Gorinac, RESA’s Director of Early Childhood Services said, ““Our goal is to enroll as many children into preschool as possible, even though we are half-way through the school year. Research shows that early learning is essential to a child’s future success in kindergarten and beyond.”

Details on registration are available at www.sccresa.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

St. Clair County Library Branches Reopening Feb. 1st

Beginning Monday, February 1st, all branches of the St. Clair County Library System will reopen with limited hours and services. Branches will be open every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9-5 and Tuesday and Thursday from 11-7.

Public areas like children’s play areas, meeting rooms, and study spaces will be closed, but patrons will be able to access computers for 30 minute sessions. All visitors are required to wear a mask, and staff will be sanitizing the locations regularly to keep patrons safe.

The library will continue to have curbside pickup by appointment for patrons who prefer that option, and the Local History and Special Collections departments will be available by appointment only.

More details are available at stclaircountylibrary.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand