local news

Huron Lightship Damaged by High Water

Port Huron, MI — A Port Huron landmark, the Huron Lightship, is closed to visitors until repairs can be made to the vessel. The boat, which operates as a museum, is permanently placed in Pine Grove Park on the shore of the St. Clair River. Water breached the break wall last summer, but the weekend’s storm brought more water to surround the boat and cause erosion that actually pushed up the 300-ton ship. A gas line was broken along with damage to the electrical line.

Andrew Kercher, Manager of Community Engagement at Port Huron Museums explained in a Facebook Live video that the boat is not designed to float or move as it is permanently placed in the ground, not water, so any movement can cause substantial damage to structures like utility lines and decking.

The Museum is working with the City of Port Huron and its insurance company to make plans to remediate the damage to the site, which has been in place since 1972 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Hit with closures and lost revenue from COVID-19 shutdowns, damage to a revenue-earning site is certainly unwelcome for the non-profit. The fix for the water breach will likely require more advanced engineering than sandbags.

A video explaining the damage can be found on Port Huron Museums’ Facebook page, along with a link for making donations.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Traffic Stop in Port Huron Leads to Meth Seizure

Port Huron, MI — A traffic stop conducted by the St. Clair County Drug Task Force on July 14th ended with the seizure of methamphetamine and an arrest.

According to St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon, members of the DTF executed a traffic stop at about 8:30 p.m. at 10th Avenue and Glenwood Street in the city of Port Huron.  The driver and sole occupant of the car, 31 year old Kevin Brody Junior of Port Huron was driving on a suspended license.

A subsequent search of Brody and his vehicle led to the discovery and confiscation of about $1300 worth of crystal methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, along with a large amount of marijuana.

Brody was arrested and lodged at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center.  He was arraigned on July 16th in 72nde District Court.  Brody is charged with delivery and manufacture of crystal methamphetamine, 2nd offense, maintaining a drug house, 2nd offense, driving while license suspended, 2nd offense and being a habitual 4th offender.

Bond was set at $75-thousand, 10% cash/surety.  Brody’s next court date is a probable cause hearing scheduled for July 28th at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Mona Armstrong.

The Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit also assisted at the scene of the traffic stop.

Nutcracker and Festival of Trees Cancelled

Port Huron, MI — It’s only July, but community Christmas events are already feeling the effects of COVID-19. Both the Festival of Trees and the Nutcracker Ballet have been cancelled for this year. The events are staples in the Port Huron area during the Christmas season and the planning for both begins much earlier in the year.

The Festival of Trees is a major fundraiser for the McLaren Port Huron Hospital Foundation and has featured a black-tie preview party and a weekend of community activities.

Sara J. Tait, Director of the McLaren Port Huron Foundation said, “We have had to make some very difficult decisions about proceeding with large-scale events for the remainder of the year.” Tait also said, “We are discussing various ways we might be able to extend family-oriented activities that are still designed to kick-off the holiday season.  More information will be shared when details are finalized.”

The Nutcracker Ballet, often held the same weekend as the Festival of Trees, has also been shelved for the year for the same reasons: to protect the cast, crew, and audience from the COVID-19 virus.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

No “Rockin’ the Rivers” This Year

Another staple of summer in Port Huron has been erased from the 2020 calendar. Rockin’ the Rivers Summer Concert Series has been shut down.

The free concerts typically bring in around 2,000 people downtown and have been going strong since 2009. The event far exceeds the 250-person cap on outdoor events under the latest Executive Order form Governor Whitmer.

In a statement announcing the cancellation, City Manager James Freed said, “The Recreation Department loves providing events such as Rockin’ the Rivers for members of our community. Our focus is largely on fun, active and safe recreational opportunities for everyone. This year, we need to work a little differently to continue to maintain and protect the health of our community members. We want everyone to be safe and healthy so that we can all continue to enjoy events like these for years to come. We look forward to putting on an incredible series of shows in 2021 and safely rockin’ again next summer.”

The Port Huron Recreation Department has been forced to drastically scale back its offerings this summer. The calendar is usually filled with activities for all ages, but due to COVID-19 related orders and the financial repercussions, much has been cancelled.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Local Non-Profit to Begin Selling Ice Cream at Pine Grove Park

Port Huron, MI — Ice Cream is coming to Pine Grove Park. Touchstone Services has been awarded the contract to operate the snack bar and ice cream concession stand in the park. Touchstone Services is a non-profit that operates A Little Something ice cream and gift shop in downtown Port Huron.

The City of Port Huron has made a deal with Touchstone Services to use the space to sell ice cream and snacks in return for their cleaning the bathrooms and emptying the trash. Touchstone has experience operating facilities such as the Pine Grove concession stand, according to a memo from City Manager James Freed.

Touchstone Services operates an affiliate with Clubhouse International which provides opportunities for people living with mental illness to gain friendships, employment, housing, education, and access to services.

The non-profit will be selling Ashby’s Ice Cream, hot dogs, nachos, candy, and beverages at the stand. They are hoping to open next week. Pine Grove Park is located on Pine Grove Avenue on the St. Clair River across from McLaren Hospital.  A new concessions and bathroom building was recently constructed in the park.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

NJCAA Adjusts Sports Seasons

Sports are going to look a little different at St. Clair County Community College and all other colleges that are members of the National Junior College Athletic Association. The NJCAA has announced an adjusted plan of action for the 2020-21 academic year.

According to NJCAA President and CEO, Dr. Christopher Parker, “Through a unified effort from our Presidential Advisory Council, the Board of Regents, and leadership staff, our most recent plan of action provides a path that keeps our student-athletes competing at the highest level with proper safety measures in place. As we move forward as an association, we will continue to provide opportunities for our student-athletes, coaches, and all those involved with the NJCAA to be safe and successful.”

Close-contact fall sports, like soccer and volleyball will move to spring semester. Cross Country will still compete in the fall. Winter sports are expected to begin in January with the Championship seasons moved to March or April. This includes men’s and women’s basketball and bowling. Baseball and softball seasons are expected to remain intact.

SC4 also has affiliation with the Michigan Community College Athletic Association, which supports the move by the NJCAA.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland