port huron

Why Don’t You Want the COVID-19 Vaccine?

As leadership both federally and at the state level push for a vaccination rate of 70%, St. Clair County hovers around 44% with many walk-in vaccine clinics experiencing lower turnout than anticipated.

As your local news source, WGRT wants to hear from our listeners who may be reluctant or opposed to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. We are asking listeners to submit their vaccine questions and concerns by email to jessie@wgrt.com from now until May 24th.

We will address your concerns in special editions of LIMElight with Jessie over several weeks in interviews with Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer of the St. Clair County Health Department.

The interviews will be broadcast during the regular LIMElight showtimes of 12:20 & 6:20 PM, and they will also be available on our podcast platform and in video form through GBS Media.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

Cecil Williams Art on the River

Art on the River Back June 11 – 13, 2021

Port Huron, MI — After last year’s string of cancelled events, plans are moving forward for the return of summer festivals, art shows, and more. Art on the River is planning to bring art, music, and fun to Kiefer Park along the St. Clair River on  June 11th, 12th, & 13th.

This year’s featured artist is Cecil Williams, whose preferred media is stained glass and painting in oils. His paintings are exhibited in many locations around the United States and even as far as Germany. Mr. Williams will be creating a painting exclusively for Art on the River.

Art on the River is a grass-roots art show and music festival hosted by the community group Citizens for a Vibrant Community. This family friendly event includes art workshops, vendors, food, and dancing. This year’s music lineup includes a D.J. Dance Party on Friday night and Eliza Neals, Larry McCray, and Tommy Castro and the Painkillers on Saturday.

To learn more, visit the website <HERE> . https://www.artontheriverph.com/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Have You Seen Nadine Moses?

Casco Township, MI — Nadine Moses has been reported missing from her Casco Township home, and the St. Clair County Sheriff’s office is asking for the public’s help to locate her.

Moses is 84 years old and is known to have memory problems. She left her residence sometime yesterday (May 4th) morning driving a 2011 dark blue Ford Edge with a MI plate: C8932.

Family members have been unable to contact her, and she has been entered into the Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) as missing.

If you see her, or can provide police with any information on her whereabouts, please contact the sheriff’s office at (810) 985-8115.

Optimist Skate Park Getting Closer to Construction

Port Huron, MI — A lot of planning and fundraising is paying off for Port Huron’s new skatepark. The design concept was revealed at a virtual meeting last week and received a lot of constructive feedback from bikers and skaters in the community.

The meeting was the third design workshop as the skatepark gets closer to construction. Those in attendance were biking and skating enthusiasts who are dedicated to making the park the best it can be.

The skatepark will be located at Optimist Park off of 10th Avenue not far from downtown. It is designed for bikes, skateboards, and inline skates and is meant to be a destination for all levels of thrill-seekers.

With a $750,000 price tag, the skatepark is being funded with community support and grants from the Tony Hawk Foundation and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. foundation. The project will be unique in that it will have a rain garden and will be incorporating green stormwater practices.

Micah Shapiro, the designer with Grindline Skateparks, said that the park will be more than just for Port Huron but will also have a regional draw. Parking and amenities like lighting and water stations are part of the concept.

The design is expected to be finalized this month. Bids for construction are hoped to go out this summer.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Beatrice Thornton Art Show Goes Virtual this Year

Port Huron, MI — The Beatrice Thornton Student Art Exhibition is in progress and can be viewed from the comfort of your own home. The annual art show is in its 53rd year, featuring the work of 275 elementary school students from the area.

In a normal year, the artwork would be featured in the Fine Arts Gallery at St. Clair County Community College and proud parents and grandparents would stroll through and admire the work of the young artists. But opening the gallery to the public in the midst of the pandemic is not an option with year and the gallery has been forced to go “virtual”.

The artwork from Landmark Academy, Memphis Elementary, and some of the elementary schools in Port Huron Schools can be found on the St. Clair County Community College website.

The artwork is shown in video form with gallery cards that name the student, grade, art teacher, and school. The exhibit is named after Beatrice Thornton, a Port Huron art teacher who wanted to give art students a gallery experience outside of the classroom setting.

The elementary school art show runs through the end of May.

https://sc4.edu/campus-life/arts/beatrice-thornton-2021/?fbclid=IwAR0seyMAKK05ocLSIHTM6MKW7fYyRTkfrgfi-1hMcaeaWwJwLvrZF9wGvOI

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Vantage Point Farmers Market Opens Saturday

Port Huron, MI — Those of you who have been waiting for your favorite Farmer’s Markets to open, can get ready to begin your outdoor shopping this weekend. Saturday, May 8th is opening day for the Vantage Point Farmers Market, which rings in outdoor market shopping in the Blue Water Area.

Vantage Point Farmers Market opens up at 51 Water Street in Port Huron at 8 AM on May 8th, and it will be open until 2 PM. Shoppers can enjoy a stroll along the St. Clair River while collecting fresh grown and homemade foods, plants, hanging flower baskets, and locally grown and packaged meats.

The St. Clair Farmers Market is slated to open June 2nd and take place every Wednesday from 7 AM until noon until the end of October. It takes place in the Riverview Plaza parking lot across from the St. Clair Inn.

If you’re up for a little road tip, you can discover other farmers markets in Michigan by visiting the Michigan Farmers Market Association’s website. The site has an interactive map of all farmers markets in the state <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand