port huron

Huron Lightship to Remain Rust-free Thanks to City Funding

Port Huron, MI — The Port Huron Museum always makes the best of whatever surprises are thrown at it and managing a freak natural disaster is no exception. When a meteotsunami hit Lake Huron in July of 2020, the Huron Lightship sustained serious damage. The sudden and devastating erosion destroyed the mechanical systems and caused an unwelcome moat to appear.

Andrew Kercher, Manager of Community Engagement for Port Huron Museums, said that the City of Port Huron is helping the Museum with the restoration of the cathodic system that was exposed with the storm. The system is a series of cathodes that attract rust away from the ship, allowing it to remain intact while being buried partially underground for the past half-century.

If there was any silver lining to the unexpected excavation, it’s that the cathodic system, which needed eventual replacement anyway, was able to be accessed. Further work will be needed to shore up the erosion and stabilize the buried ship. Kercher said he is grateful for the partnership with the City of Port Huron.

The Huron Lightship, which celebrates its 100th birthday this year, is planned to be open for visitors after Memorial Day. Full schedules can be found at phmuseum.org.

Reporting for WGRT -Jennie McClelland

Sheriff’s Office Seeking Information on Suspicious Death

Port Huron Township, MI — The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance regarding a suspicious death.

Deputies were called to the 3000 block of Howard Street at about 12:30 Tuesday afternoon for a dead body found in a field.  When they arrived, they were directed by a witness to a vacant lot, where the body of a man was located.  

Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office were able to determine the identity of the body, a 34 year old white male from Port Huron Township.  A preliminary investigation determined that the man had died in another location and was later transported to the field, where he was left.

The investigation regarding the cause and manner of death is ongoing.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Kelsey Wade at (810) 987-1738.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office

Get Ready for The Great Michigan Scavenger Hunt

Port Huron, MI — The Michigan Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus wants people to get out and explore Michigan’s towns, cities, and scenery, and the organization is planning a statewide scavenger hunt from May 2 – 8th complete with hidden treasures.

The Great Michigan Scavenger Hunt starts with a check in on social media with one of the participating visitor’s bureaus. The Blue Water Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is the closest for those who want to find one of the 9 treasures hidden in the Blue Water Area. A map of all participating location is available <HERE>.

Clues will be posted on social media that will lead participants to a silver tin with a sticker on top that says, “The Great Michigan Scavenger Hunt”. Once found, the contents of the box belong to the treasure hunter. Prizes include gift cards to restaurants, shopping destinations, and Michigan activities.

After the scavenger hunt, the promotion continues throughout May, and Michigan travelers can share their favorite travel memories on Twitter and Instagram using the #MIPowerOfTravel. Ten winners will be chosen for a special Michigan Road Trip Travel package.

For more information about the local scavenger hunt, follow the Blue Water Area Convention & Visitors Bureau on Facebook and Instagram or visit BlueWater.org

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

 

 

PHPD Offers Elementary Summer Camp

Port Huron, MI — It’s never too early to learn about community service. Kids who are interested in learning more about how police departments work or what it’s like to be a police officer have a great opportunity this summer. The Port Huron Police Department is offering an Elementary Summer Camp for kids in grades 4th through 6th.

The Camp will be held from June 21st through June 24th at four different locations: Cleveland Elementary, Garfield Elementary, Woodrow Wilson Elementary, and Holland Woods Middle School. There is transportation available if needed.

Camp participants will learn from School Resource Officers Dennis Huisman and Laura Phillips who will cover a variety of subjects with the children.

Campers will explore police equipment and vehicles, complete a police obstacle course, and design and race their very own police car. They will also learn about fingerprints and meet the Port Huron Police Department K9 unit.

Lunches are provided by the Port Huron School District and students get a t-shirt and pinewood derby car to take home. There is no cost to attend the camp and enrollment is limited.

Registration details can be found at:

https://www.porthuron.org/Police/2021_SummerCamp.pdf

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Drug Take Back Day is Saturday

St. Clair County, MI — It’s time to clean out those medicine cabinets and prepare to safely dispose of unwanted and expired pills. The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office will be participating in National Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, April 24th.

The Sheriff’s office is located at 1170 Michigan Road, and the public can drop off unwanted pills in the lobby between 10 AM and 2 PM. Simply enter the Sheriff’s office lobby and empty your pills into the designated container.

According to a 2019 survey on Drug Use and Health, millions of people misused prescription pain relievers, stimulants, and tranquilizers, and the majority of those drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.

Sheriff Mat King said, “This event has been great for our community. It allows citizens to get rid of expired and unwanted medication, keeping it from being used improperly and keeping it out of our water supply.”

Residents who can’t make it to the Drug Take Back event on Saturday can turn their pills in at the Sheriff’s Office during normal business hours, Monday – Friday from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

Port Huron Rec Programs are Back for Summer

Port Huron, MI — The Port Huron Parks and Recreation Department has announced sign-up dates for summer programs. Real, in-person programming is back with plans for the pools to be open and the parks to be full of happy children.

Residents of the city of Port Huron get first dibs on the summertime fun with their registration starting May 3rd. Those who live outside of the city can start registering on May 4th. In-city rates are extended to those who live in Burtchville, Clyde, Fort Gratiot, and Port Huron townships, due to a cooperative partnership.

COVID-prevention protocols will be followed as needed, including limiting group sizes, social distancing, and mask-wearing when warranted. Many of the traditional programs, like the Camp Palmer day camp and chess club are back on the calendar, but the popular Junior Recreators program is taking another year off.

Highlights of the summer activities include Hollywood actress and Port Huron native McKale Jude Bingham directing a Theatre Workshop, as well as classes held in collaboration with the Friends of The St. Clair River and The Athletic Factory.  

A link to the Summer Brochure from Port Huron Parks and Recreation:

https://d721f890-20f6-4799-98ef-6e373ba52f19.filesusr.com/ugd/fc6623_4995733de6e3406da6cf1d4e51b56416.pdf

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland