port huron

Music, Art, Drama: SC4 Releases Fall Arts Schedule

Arts and culture are alive and well at St. Clair County Community College. The college has released its fall schedule and it is full of music, art, and drama.

The Free Thursday Concert Series is back on the schedule with the first show this week, Thursday, September 16th at both noon and 7:00 p.m. in the SC4 Fine Arts Theatre.

The first performance of the series is the Lexington Bach String Quartet. Other Thursday acts include David M. Fisher, pianist; Steve Wood Quartet, jazz; and Moxie Strings, Celtic and Americana music.

The Thursday shows are free. Tickets are required to reserve seats, but open seating is available 15 minutes prior to showtime until the theatre is at capacity.

Visual arts will be on display with the Collectively Independent VIII show by SC4 Art Faculty and the David Korff Timelines — Progression of a Vision show.

Vintage Hitchcock: A Radio Play will be performed Thursday, November 18th through Saturday, November 20th at 7:30 p.m. each night.

A link to the full schedule:

https://sc4.edu/sc4-sets-fall-schedule-for-art-and-performance-events/?fbclid=IwAR0G6fvfIROT8z29QCb1EjtfUCwWzezV1fJwcF6kEqsC-l2JVbSe4SEOzYs

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Days Inn Gets Another Chance to Avoid Shutdown

The City of Port Huron has changed its tune a little after red-tagging rooms and threatening to shut down the Days Inn by Wyndham Hotel on Pine Grove Avenue in Port Huron. The motel now has a little more time to clean up its act.

The Days Inn has been under intense scrutiny by both City Code Enforcement, Law Enforcement, and the neighborhood. The blighted and crime-ridden property has been given more time to get things in order and a court-ordered shutdown has been postponed.

City officials met with the owners of the Days Inn property, along with the Fire Marshall and the City Attorney, to discuss the persistent problems and to look for solutions.

City Manager James Freed reported that he believed the meeting was fruitful and the expectations were made clear. The new property owners have demonstrated a commitment to continuous improvements to the property and to their business practices.

The Days Inn has room remodeling underway and is adhering to the Consent Agreement. It is currently still red-tagged and has very low customer reviews, but the City remains hopeful that the business will be brought into compliance.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Eash and Barna Earn Police Officer of the Year Award for Lifesaving

Two Port Huron Police Officers are sharing the Police Officer of the Year Award. Sergeant Patrick Eash and Lieutenant Jason Barna were recognized at the 2021 Police Officers Association of Michigan Awards Ceremony in Grand Rapids last week.

Eash and Barna are credited with saving the life of a man trapped in a burning building. The man would have surely perished had the officers not taken extreme action.

The incident occurred in February of this year when Sergeant Eash saw smoke. He worked with Central Dispatch to find the fire and when he got there was told that there was a trapped resident inside the multi-family home on Stone Street.

Lieutenant Barna arrived on the scene and the officers were eventually able to kick in the door. They encountered heavy smoke and intense heat but persisted in searching for the man. They found him laying on the floor unconscious and risked their lives to drag him out by his feet.

The man was barely holding on to life after inhaling so much smoke. After the officers performed life-saving measures, the man was finally able to breathe on his own. He was taken to the hospital and a full recovery was expected.

Congratulations to Sergeant Patrick Eash and Lieutenant Jason Barna on their well-deserved award.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

HURON Lightship Back Open for Visitors

The HURON Lightship is back in business after the unplanned shutdown due to a rare weather-related issue. The damage from last summer’s rapid rise in water levels on the St. Clair River has been repaired and Port Huron’s crown jewel, the museum in a boat, is ready to greet guests.

The location at Pine Grove Park in Port Huron near the Thomas Edison parkway makes the HURON one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city.

The HURON Lightship was the last operating lightship and along with many maritime artifacts also displays live footage from a camera located on the river bottom.

Port Huron Museums’ Andrew Kercher told us that the Museum is very excited to have the HURON Lightship reopened to the public. Kercher said, “The HURON Lightship is marking its centennial this year, and we are very grateful to our partners at the City of Port Huron that we can help share this National Historic Landmark with thousands of visitors each year.”

From now until September 19th, the HURON is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. After that, it will be open on a weekend schedule. Ticket information can be found at phmuseum.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

McLaren Port Huron Employee of the Month

Port Huron, MI – Desirae Gouine has been named the Employee of the Month for July. Gouine has worked at McLaren Port Huron for five years and is currently a transporter in the Medical Imaging department.

Gouine was nominated by her coworkers because she lives the hospital values. She has a passion and willingness to “do for others”. She genuinely cares about her patients and goes above and beyond to provide compassionate care. Gouine is a role model, trainer and resource for new employees and technical staff. Her coworkers are thankful for the hard work and positive attitude she gives every day.

This employee recognition is given to individuals who consistently live the values, mission and performance standards of McLaren Port Huron. Honorees are nominated by a co-worker, physician, volunteer, and/or customer.

To learn more about McLaren Port Huron, visit www.mclaren.org/porthuron.

Nutrition Services to Continue with New School Year at PHS

Last week, Port Huron Schools Superintendent Theo Kerhoulas sent a letter to all families and staff in the district, explaining policies and procedures for the upcoming school year. School starts on September 7th.

Kerhoulas made special note of the way in which the district addressed nutrition over the last school year and how it will feed children in the district this year. He shared that the district served 1.8 million meals to students and families during the ongoing pandemic.

Breakfast and lunch are available to all students in the district, with no proof of income needed. All students in every school, from preschool to high school can eat up to two meals a day at school.

Those families who choose virtual school for their children can pick up five-day meal packs at Port Huron Northern High School or Port Huron High School on Mondays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., except for the first week of school on which distribution will be on Tuesday.

The Food and Nutrition Department Staff will be recognized for their tireless work in feeding students during the Crosstown Showdown on October 8th.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland