local news

Denise Brooks Retires from Blue Water YMCA

Port Huron, MI — The YMCA of the Blue Water Area President and Chief Executive Officer, Denise Brooks, announced her decision to retire after more than 11 years with the YMCA of the Blue Water Area, effective December 31, 2020.

“Denise is recognized as an outstanding, dedicated and community-focused executive leader. She successfully guided the Y though some of its most difficult times, and her leadership efforts helped transform the lives of those who need our Y the most,” said YMCA Board Chairman and Chief Volunteer Officer, Geof Kusch. “I am happy for Denise that she can take this next step, looking back at a successful career here in Port Huron, making a difference in the lives of thousands of people.”

Under Brooks’ leadership, the YMCA of the Blue Water Area:

  • Grew to serve more than 1 out of every 8 people in St. Clair and Sanilac counties
  • Implemented chronic disease management programs like LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA, the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program®, and Enhance® Fitness
  • Expanded the YMCA’s drowning prevention efforts to not only include swim lessons but Safety Around Water, a free program, and taking it on the road to pools throughout the area
  • Completed a $850,000+ PACE project focused on energy savings improvements to the facility
  • Restored financial viability in the wake of the 2008-2010 recession
  • Created partnerships with area schools and other organizations to better serve our community

“I am proud and thankful to have served this YMCA since 2009 and this community most of my life,” Brooks said. “I’ve been honored to build relationships with so many talented and committed volunteers, staff, donors and community partners, who have guided and encouraged me and all of our Y leaders. Here in Port Huron, they’ve strengthened the very foundation of this community by bringing incredible programs and services to so many.”

Brooks will retire at the end of the year. The YMCA Board will partner with the YMCA of the USA to conduct a nationwide search for the the new President and CEO.

Local Private Schools Planning In-Person Full-Time Instruction

While public schools statewide are struggling to come up with plans for getting kids safely back to school or successfully learning from home, private schools in the area have come up with their own plans.

New Life Christian Academy in Kimball is offering both a five-days-a-week in-person instruction plan and a modified hybrid plan that offers the same curriculum as the full in-person instruction. Classes begin on August 31.

Catholic Schools in the Blue Water Vicariate are offering full day five-day-a-week instruction for preschool through twelfth grade. They have a very detailed plan, created by the Archdiocese of Detroit, for online instruction in the event that the state goes back to Phase Three and schools are closed.

Principal Mike Gibson of St. Mary/McCormick Catholic Academy in Port Huron said that his school “is enrolling for the 2020/2021 school year and will begin with live instruction five days per week.”  He went on to say they “have purchased masks, infrared thermometers, table and desk dividers, and other PPE gear to prepare for the start of the school year.” Local Catholic grade schools begin class on August 27. Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School begins on September 8. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Bluewater Area COVID-19 Update for August 14, 2020

St. Clair County, MI — Lambton County, Ontario

Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of August 14, 2020 at  9:00 AM are as follows:

  • State of Michigan: 90,392 confirmed cases; 6,289 deaths
  • St. Clair County: 712 confirmed cases; 52 deaths
  • Ontario: 40,367  confirmed cases;  2,787 deaths
  • Sarnia-Lambton: 331 confirmed cases; 25 deaths

St. Clair County currently has 89 active cases of the virus, down 12 cases from last week, and 4% of hospital beds in the county are being used for COVID-19 patients. The last death in the county attributed to a confirmed  case of COVID-19 was on July 8, 2020.


Lambton County currently has 13 active cases, and is still experiencing a low rate of hospitalizations and deaths related to COVID-19. There hasn’t been any new hospital admissions among COVID-19 cases in Lambton since May 31, 2020, and the daily average of hospital admissions has been zero since mid-April.

Mitigation efforts are still important while the virus is active in our communities. Wearing masks in enclosed public spaces, frequent hand washing, and staying home when sick will help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Please continue to rely on reputable sources for information on COVID-19:

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Micro-Grants Available for St. Clair County Entrepreneurs

Port Huron, MI — Blue Water Startups & Entrepreneurs is offering micro-grants to St. Clair County entrepreneurs who need a boost to their businesses.

Micro-grants are small, one-time cash awards that can help a small business fund an innovative idea or project they are working on. Grants can help with marketing efforts, educational training, or memberships to professional organizations.

Matt Brooks, Founder of Blue Water Startups & Entrepreneurs said, “When I started my first business, a micro-grant could have helped in many different areas. Now as the founder of over five different businesses, I want to help others fulfill their dreams through our nonprofit Blue Water Startups & Entrepreneurs. A big business starts small. Micro-grants are opportunities to grow your success.”

The grant process begins with filling out a short survey at Blue Water Startups’ website <HERE> , and it only takes about 15 minutes to apply. Applications are due by Friday August 28, 2020.

Funding was provided through the generosity of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Port Huron Museum Asks for Community Input for Black History Exhibit

Port Huron, MI — The Port Huron Museum is reaching out to the community to help them get started on a new permanent exhibit on local Black History.

The new project will showcase the history of the African-American population of the Blue Water Area and will be displayed in the renovated area under the mezzanine. The new exhibit is expected to contain both permanent collection items along with rotating items.

For those who are interested in the exhibit, have a story to tell, or have an artifact that could be part of the collection or loaned out, the museum has created a survey. While any feedback or information is welcome, the survey seeks specific details about notable civic leaders, public servants, educators, as well as the South Park Neighborhood and many other aspects of life in the Blue Water area. The focus is on the past as well as the present and future.

The Port Huron Museum is in the midst of the Carnegie Re-Imagined project that is overhauling the way the entire collection is shared with the community after a massive inventory cataloging project that took place over the winter.

The Black History exhibit will tell the most important stories, as determined by the community. The link to the survey can be found <HERE>

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Town Hall 2020-21 Season Cancelled

Port Huron, MI — The Port Huron Town Hall Board of Directors announced that they are calling an “intermission” in their speaker series. The Town Hall series planned for the 2020-21 season has been shifted forward to 2021-2022.

Speakers were already lined up to begin appearing at McMoran Auditorium in October, but the healthy and safety of ticket holders, speakers, volunteers, and community has to take precedence over holding the events.

They will kick off next year’s season on October 4, 2021 with Derek Hough, best known for his amazing performances on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. Derek is a professional dancer, choreographer, actor, and singer.

Port Huron Town Hall has been bringing entertaining and informative guests to the area since 1955. They are working hard to secure seating for their current and future season ticket holders, and the application deadline has been extended to Friday, September 18, 2020. Without an application and payment, they cannot guarantee seating requests or pricing for future presentations.

More information is available on their website www.porthurontownhall.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand