local news

Two Stores Cited for Selling Alcohol to Minors

On August 17, 2020, the Port Huron Police Department send underage decoys into 29 Port Huron retail stores licensed by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission to sell alcohol.

Two establishments were not in compliance, and were cited for selling alcohol to a minor:

  • Joe’s Party Shop on Hancock St.
  • Speedway on Ravenswood Rd.

The Police Department would like to thank all of the stores who were found to be in compliance and encourages all licensed establishments to check ID to prevent the use of alcohol by minors.

 

Michigan Renaissance Festival Cancelled

The organizers of the Michigan Renaissance Festival have announced the cancellation of the 2020 Festival. Although they worked hard to develop a plan over the last five months that they believed would have resulted in a safe and healthy festival, the regulations imposed by the state regarding COVID-19 make the cancellation necessary.

In a letter on their website, the team notes that they “disagree with the current State directives that prevent a spacious outdoor venue from opening,” but, they “recognize the difficulty of the State government’s task.”

The Renaissance Festival team plans on producing events that will adhere to state guidelines, and they are working on a Renfest Food and Entertainment Parade along with a reimagined Feast of Fantasy.

The Festival will return in 2021 from August 21st – October 3rd, and all 2020 tickets will be honored in 2021.

Learn more on their website <HERE> 

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

McLaren Port Huron Thanks Community for Generosity

Port Huron, MI — McLaren Port Huron’s Foundation continued to work through the closures and restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The hospital has recently issued a “thank you” to the entire community for supporting them through the crisis.

Some of the hospital’s own employees have benefitted from the COVID-19 Relief Fund, which helps employees who are struggling. The fund has raised over $50,000 so far. The hospital has also continued awarding scholarships to those who are pursuing careers in the medical field and those who are already in the field and are continuing their education. Scholarships were awarded to 21 individuals totaling $28,000.

While indoor events have had to be cancelled, outdoor events continued. Levi’s Link Virtual 5K raised over $38,000 to support the program for patients with special needs. The Tee It Up to Beat Cancer golf outing raised over $35,000 for cancer services and equipment at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in Port Huron. Another outdoor event was the annual golf outing which raised $46,000 to purchase new bassinets for the Miriam F. Acheson Family Birth Place.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Empty Bowls Benefit Transforms to Drive Up Event

Port Huron, MI — In a difficult season for fundraising, Mid City Nutrition has turned their annual Empty Bowls Benefit into a drive up event. This year’s event will take place at St. Clair County Community Mental Health’s main location on Electric Avenue in Port Huron on Friday, September 18th from 4-7 PM.

Benefit attendees can still look forward to receiving a unique handmade pottery bowl, but this year it will be a surprise. Ticket holders will drive into the event and receive a pottery bowl along with their soup and dinner rolls to go.

Dinner for One is $25 and includes one bowl of soup, a dinner roll, and a pottery bowl, and a Family Pack costs $50 for two quarts of soup, eight dinner rolls, and one pottery bowl.

The silent auction for the event will be held online <HERE> , and auction items can be viewed and bid on starting at 10 AM on Friday, September 4th. The auction closes on Thursday, September 17th at 3 PM, and winners will be notified via email. Winners can pick up and pay for their items at the event on the 18th.

For more information, contact Mid City Nutrition at 810-982-9261.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Class of 2021 Continues Personalized Parking Space Tradition

Port Huron, MI — The high school class of 2021 is gearing up for a Senior Year with a lot of question marks. But one thing that has become a tradition, personalized senior parking spaces, continues.

Seniors at both Port Huron high schools will be painting their parking spaces this weekend, as part of a fairly recent tradition that has been catching on at high schools throughout the region. Port Huron Northern High School Counselor, Julie Barlass, said that this is the fourth year of allowing students to “own” their parking spaces for the school year.

Barlass said, “This gives the seniors an opportunity to express themselves in creative ways and feel valued as the graduating class.” Students pay a nominal fee for the “ownership” and proceeds go toward the Senior Prom.

In light of the cancellations and postponements that have become expected during the pandemic, the keeping of a tradition is a bright spot for the class of 2021. Barlass said, “So much has changed over the past 6 months, and any tiny bit of routine, normalcy, or tradition helps all of us, students included, to feel more comfortable and at ease.  We are very eager to have our students back on campus in a safe manner.  Hopefully painting parking spaces will bring some joy to our seniors who will, undoubtedly, face many changes this year.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Last Chance to Shop. Dine. & Win!

St. Clair County, MI — The St. Clair County Economic Development Alliance is leading a Business Recovery Committee to help address the changing needs of St. Clair County businesses during the season of COVID-19. The Committee is made of up leaders working across the county to support, encourage, and promote the business community.

As a result of generous funding received from the DTE Foundation and the AT&T Foundation, the Committee has been sponsoring a campaign to encourage safe & healthy patronage of local businesses. The Shop. Dine. Win. promotion enables shoppers and diners to share a selfie of their visit to a local business for a chance to win $1,000 of prizes each week.

The campaign wraps up on Friday, August 21st, and the Committee decided to double this week’s cash prize giveaway. On Friday, the committee will award two $500 cash prizes and five $100 gift card packages.

Community members who want their chance to win can simply visit a St. Clair County business, snap a selfie, and share their photo on Facebook with the #supportstclaircounty or visit the website at supportstclaircounty.com for more information.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand