port huron

Army National Guard

Whitmer Proposes Upgrades to National Guard Facilities

Governor Whitmer proposed a $105.8 million investment in Michigan’s Army National Guard (MIARNG) facilities to make them more female-friendly. The building upgrades will reflect the changing face of the MIARNG which has nearly 1,500 women serving in its ranks.

There are 37 MIARNG facilities that will be improved under the proposed investment, and many of them were constructed in a time when the force was primarily male.

“It is a matter of fairness and equity that the state should embark on a mission to update these facilities to ensure parity with the facilities provided to male soldiers,” said Whitmer. “Women are a growing segment of the population stepping up to serve our state and nation and the facilities available to them should match this commitment.”

The Michigan Army National Guard’s local facility is the Port Huron Armory on Dove Street. The Port Huron Armory could receive a $3M in upgrades to its facilities.

The investment is contingent on the Legislature including it in the budget bills that are in the process of being developed and negotiated with the Governor.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Two Port Huron Men Arraigned Following Drug Raid

Port Huron, MI – Two Port Huron men have been arraigned following a drug raid in the city of Port Huron June 9th.

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.  The investigation ended with a search warrant being served at a residence in the 900 block of St. Clair Street last Wednesday at about 8:00 p.m.  Once inside the home, members of the DTF located and seized a dealer’s quantity of heroin/fentanyl and methamphetamine.

The two men arrested, 31 year old Chad Hamilton and 26 year old Jesse Sawdon, were arraigned Sunday in 72nd District Court in Port Huron.  Hamilton is charged with delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine, delivery/manufacture of heroin/fentanyl less than 50 grams, maintaining a drug house, resisting/obstructing a police officer and being a habitual 4th offender.  His bond was set at $75,000 cash/surety.  Sawdon is charged with possession of methamphetamine less than 25 grams and being a habitual 4th offender.  His bond was set at $25,000 cash/surety.

Both men will face a probable cause hearing on June 22nd at 9:00 a.m. in Port Huron’s 72nd District Court.

The Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team and K-9 Unit and the U.S. Border Patrol K-9 Unit also assisted at the scene of the investigation.

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

Ryleigh Fuller and Elizabeth Kilyk Win National Technical Honor Society Scholarships

Two students from Port Huron Schools have received scholarships and recognition from the National Technical Honor Society. Ryleigh Fuller and Elizabeth Kilyk are winners of the 2021 Jon H. Poteat Scholarships.

The $1000 scholarships are given out to 250 students nationwide to advance education in career and technical education. The highly competitive scholarship is given to students who exemplify the seven character attributes of the National Technical Honor Society: skill, honesty, service, responsibility, scholarship, citizenship, and leadership.

Fuller is a 2021 graduate of Port Huron High School and studied computer programming at the St. Clair County TEC Center. Fuller has earned eight industry certifications and plans to study at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York.

Kilyk is a 2021 graduate of Port Huron Northern High School who studied digital Media Technology at the TEC Center and competed in SkillsUSA.  Kilyk plans to attend St. Clair County Community College and the College of Creative Studies in Detroit.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Kerhoulas Named New Superintendent for Port Huron Schools

Port Huron, MI — Port Huron Schools has a new leader. Theo Kerhoulas was unanimously approved by the Board of Education to take over as Superintendent after the resignation of Jamie Cain, who took a position with the St. Clair County RESA.

Kerhoulas is not new to the district professionally or personally. He has been an administrator since 2014 and is a parent of students in the district. Kerhoulas held the position of Executive Director of Operations and Innovation for Port Huron Schools since 2014. He previously worked as a high school principal in the Cros-Lex district.

On accepting the Superintendent position, Kerhoulas said, “Jamie Cain leaves large shoes to fill but a strong team in place. It is great to know – both professionally and as a friend – that he is just down the road and always there to support our team and Port Huron Schools.”

After a rough year of back and forth in-person and online school and a current state-wide teacher shortage, Kerhoulas has his work cut out for him.  He said, “We must acknowledge that the pandemic has caused distress to our students, families, and staff” and that he is “personally committed to the success of every student and staff member in our organization.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Rec Fills Summer Schedule with Free Fun

What’s better than fun activities for kids during the summer? FREE fun activities for kids during the summer. The Port Huron Recreation Department has announced a full roster of free summer fun for families.

The list includes free drive-in movies to be held in partnership with Sperry’s Moviehouse. The fun gets started on Tuesday, June 8th with The Lion King, 2019 version, starting at dusk. Families can watch from their cars in the McMorran Southwest parking lot and tune in on their car radios. There are eight movies scheduled throughout the summer and fall.

The SuperSlide is also opening back up this summer after a year off. The innovative and unique hillside slide is located at Palmer Park in Port Huron. The slide is for kids and kids-at-heart who are at least five years old and 40 inches tall. The slide is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, with evening hours of 4-7 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Rec on the Go Bags will be handed out on Wednesdays starting June 16th.

More information about all of the free programs this summer can be found at porthuronrec.com.

Reporting for WGRT -Jennie McClelland

Lisa Motte Takes Position at United Way

Port Huron, MI — Lisa Motte will be the new Resource Development Director the the United Way of St. Clair County. Her new role involves marketing, supporting annual campaigns, and working with volunteers.

Motte said, “I was honored to accept this position because nonprofits are my passion. I have worked in the for-profit industry for more than 25 years and felt I needed to follow my heart to United Way. There is no better way to help so many nonprofits than through United Way of St. Clair County.”

Executive Director of the United Way of St. Clair County, Brent Gillette, said, “We’re very happy to get her from the for-profit world although she has extensive experience in nonprofits. It’s her energy, the infectious atmosphere she brings with her into a room, and her extensive knowledge of the community that will be a big asset to us.”

United Way of St. Clair County staff have been in the office throughout the pandemic safely serving their clients through the 211 phone service and their medical loan and supply closet.

Gillette said they are looking forward to sharing the mission of the United Way with businesses as they did pre-COVID. “We didn’t get a chance to do that for a whole year, and that has really been a hardship for us.”

In 2020, the United Way of St. Clair County supported over 14,441 residents of St. Clair County by teaching life skills, reducing the need for emergency services, adult education and training programs, and improving quality of life through health and advocacy.

To learn more visit uwstclair.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand