port huron

Blue Water Transit Adding Electric Buses

Blue Water Area Transit is getting ready to add two battery powered electric buses to their fleet, and they are inviting the community to join them for a ceremony on July 14th to celebrate.

Dave McElroy, Blue Water Area Transit Commission’s General Manager, said, “Adding electric powered buses to our existing fleet of compressed natural gas buses continues our local tradition of providing state-of-the-art, eco-friendly service. Pursuing cleaner technology for our riders and  community has been a priority of the Commission for decades.”

The new Proterra ZX5+ battery-electric transit buses have 450 kilowatt hours of onboard energy and they will be charged  in a newly constructed overnight charging station at both its Admin and Maintenance facility on Lapeer Avenue and an in-route charging station at the Downtown Port Huron Transfer Center.

Blue Water Transit is the first transit organization in the State of Michigan to add 100% battery electric buses to their fleets.

The public can attend the ceremony at BWATC’s facility at 2021 Lapeer Avenue in Port Huron on July 14th at noon.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Robinson Tennis Tournament Returns

Port Huron, MI — The Port Huron Tennis House is gearing up for the return of the Francis J. Robinson Tennis Tournament. The tournament will take place at the tennis house from July 28th – August 1st, 2021.

This year’s event will be a round robin format where players of like ability will be matched up. The round robin format will enable players of all skills levels to participate and enjoy playing several matches against players of similar skill.

The entry fee for the tournament is $40 per player and includes one singles, one doubles, and one mixed doubles match. It also includes an event t-shirt.

The deadline to enter the 2021 Robinson is July 23rd at 5 PM, and registration details and entry forms are available at phtennishouse.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Five Arrested in Port Huron Drug Raid

Port Huron, MI — Five people were arrested during a drug raid in the city of Port Huron Tuesday night.

According to Sheriff Mat King, the St. Clair County Drug Task Force conducted an investigation into the sales of narcotics in the Port Huron area.  At about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, members of the DTF executed a search warrant in the 1000 block of St. Clair Street.  During the search of the residence, methamphetamine and heroin were located and seized.

A 38 year old woman from Port Huron faces charges of possession with intent to distribute and maintaining a drug house.  A 31 year old Port Huron man faces charges of possession of narcotics and maintaining a drug house.  A 21 year old Port Huron man will be charged with possession of narcotics.  The other two, a 31 year Marysville man and 29 year old man from Port Huron were lodged at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center for previous offenses.

The Port Huron Police Major Crimes Unit assisted in the investigation.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force

Celebrate the 4th at the Fort

Port Huron, MI — Celebrate the 4th of July by going back in time at the Fort Gratiot Post Hospital. Fourth at the Fort is a new event hosted by Port Huron Museums at the Hospital located at Lighthouse Park.

Visitors will experience a historical day of free fun and games complete with re-enactors dressed in 1860s fashion. There will be tours of the Lighthouse and the Post Hospital with presentations on Victorian medicine, and games and stories for children.

Fourth at the Fort runs from noon to 4 PM on the 4th of July, and showcases the historical site of Fort Gratiot which was constructed in 1814 to guard the entrance of the St. Clair River. The Post Hospital is the oldest wooden building in St. Clair County, and it is being renovated by Port Huron Museums to showcase the military and medical history of the Blue Water region.

Port Huron Museums is selling raffle tickets to raise money for the renovations, and tickets are available at all Port Huron Museums sites until September 12, 2021.

Learn more at phMuseum.org

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Enter Stage Right Wins Federal SBA Grant

Port Huron, MI — The show will go on for Enter Stage Right, which performs on the Citadel Stage in Downtown Port Huron. They have received a Shuttered Venue Operators Grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The grant will help pay overhead expenses as well as provide for upgrades to get the opening season off to a good start. The theatrical production company hasn’t been able to hold in-person shows since March 15, 2020.

Executive Director Regina Spain said, “Truly, the knowledge that no matter what, we’ll have our theatre and will be able to pay our artists takes away the fear of losing one more thing due to the pandemic. We’ve kept our artists engaged with trainings and ‘out of the box’ performances, but it’s a struggle and we’re incredibly excited to get back to our audience and community.”

 Out of 15,000 applicants, Enter Stage Right was one of the winners of the SBA grant. They are waiting on another grant from the Michigan Council of Arts & Cultural Affairs, which could provide additional benefit to the theatre.

The theatre will reopen during the first weekend of August with the “Will on the Water” production.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

VA Adds Flag Retirement Box

Port Huron, MI — The St. Clair County Department of Veterans Affairs office, located in the County Administration Building, has installed a flag retirement box for proper disposal of United States flags.

The County Administration Building is located at 200 Grand River Avenue in Suite 104.

County residents can retire flags that are no longer fit to fly because of tearing, fraying, or worn condition by folding them respectfully and dropping them off at Veterans Affairs.

According to the The United States Flag Code, the “flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.” Therefore it should be destroyed in a dignified way when it is no longer a “fitting emblem of display”.

The Department of VA will take flags from the retirement box to the American Legion post 8 to be properly disposed of in their annual ceremony.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand