port huron

DTF Busts Man With Meth in Port Huron

(Port Huron Township)  A 24 year old Berlin Township man has been arraigned on drug and other charges in St. Clair County District Court.

According to Sheriff Mat King, the St. Clair County Drug Task Force conducted an investigation into the sales of methamphetamine in the Port Huron area.  The investigation culminated on January 7th at approximately 8:00 p.m., when members of the DTF executed a traffic stop in the area of 24th Street and Griswold in Port Huron Township.  They made contact with Dustin Conlee and discovered that he had approximately $1000 worth of crystal methamphetamine in his possession.  Conlee also had an unregistered .38 handgun in his vehicle.

Conlee was arrested without incident and transported to the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center.  He was arraigned in 72nd District Court and charged with delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine, carrying a concealed weapon and felony firearm.  Bond was set at $20,000 cash/surety.  Conlee is scheduled to be back in court on January 19th at 9:00 a.m. for a probable cause hearing before District Judge John Monaghan.  

Conlee also faces a bond violation hearing for violating conditions of bond on an earlier methamphetamine possession case.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office

McLaren Keeps Seniors Engaged With Virtual Programs

The Savvy Seniors program is an educational series offered by McLaren Port Huron Hospital for senior citizens and their caregivers. The programs are free to the community, and for now, they are completely virtual.

Programs scheduled for the New Year cover healthy physical activity, navigating the health care system, and coping with grief and loss. Participants can register for as many sessions as they’d like.

Registration is available through Health Access by calling 1-800-228-1484, and a link to the virtual presentations will be emailed a week prior to the sessions.

For more details about individual sessions and topics, visit the events page at WGRT.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

COVID-19 Vaccination Accelerates in Blue Water Area

As the state prepares to move to the second phase of vaccinating the public against COVID-19, area health care workers and companies want to share their vaccine experience and plans with the public.

The Blue Water Immunization Partnership is a nonprofit dedicated to providing science-based education about immunizations to the community. The head of the organization, and a local pharmacist, Jim Kaski, received his vaccine last week.

In a press release, Kaski said, “I want our community to know that pharmacists in our community believe this vaccine is safe and it is important to receive if citizens wish to someday soon be able to gather together safely and resume life as we remember it prior to the pandemic.”

Marwood Manor will begin vaccinating its residents and staff today. They are collaborating with Walgreens to administer the shot to almost 200 people.

Brian Oberly, Marwood administrator, said “Having the opportunity to help put an end to this devastating virus is truly a blessing.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Good2Go Campaign Supports Restaurants

Since indoor dining has been restricted, many residents have been looking for ways to support their favorite restaurants. Now, thanks to the City of Port Huron’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and downtown merchants, there is a new incentive to grab some take out.

The Good2Go Takeout Challenge runs until the end of January and participants have a chance to win gift cards from downtown shops every Friday.

Participating is easy; simply order takeout from a downtown restaurant, snap a photo of your takeout, and publicly post it to social media with the #downtownporthuron. The DDA will do a gift card drawings on Friday the 15th, 22nd, and 29th.

Participating restaurants:

Good2Go Participating Restaurants

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Sherman Woods Raises $11,000 in Red Kettle Drive

For many Blue Water area residents, a drive through the Sherman Woods neighborhood in Port Huron is an essential holiday tradition. Viewing the beautifully decorated homes and trees filled with glowing orbs is the perfect accompaniment to the Christmas playlist coming from the car radio.

Five years ago, the Sherman Woods Homeowners Association decided to take their Christmas cheer in a more philanthropic direction and began participating in the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Drive. Neighbors take turns collecting donations on weekend evenings when there is a steady flow of traffic through the neighborhood.

This year’s efforts generated an $11,000 donation to the Port Huron Salvation Army, surpassing last year’s total by nearly $7,000.

Fred Kemp, president of Sherman Woods Home Owner’s Association, said, “The response to the Red Kettle Drive in our neighborhood was nothing short of tremendous.”

He also said, “Visitors to our neighborhood during the campaign were equally generous in the money they donated. The funds helped to provide gifts and food for families in need during the holiday season. That was all the more important in this pandemic year. We want to thank everyone who made this such a huge success and we look forward to doing more in 2021.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Winter Wonderland Coming to Downtown Port Huron January 23rd

On January 23rd, Downtown Port Huron will be transformed into this year’s version of ChillyFest: Winter Wonderland. This one-day, family-friendly event will feature some elements of previous ChillyFests along with some brand new ways to enjoy a winter day downtown.

Those who loved searching downtown shops for penguins will still have the opportunity to participate in the Penguin Hunt, and a scavenger hunt will lead to small treasures scattered throughout downtown. Individual businesses will be celebrating in their own ways, making for a fun shopping day as well.

The ice sculptures won’t be present this year, but 5-foot tall foam snowmen will be in front of the businesses on Main Street, and each one will be dressed uniquely. Snowmen in the City will be created by the Foam All company and sponsored by local businesses. Visitors may miss the ice-sculptures, but business owners are excited about this new, non-melting way to create a Winter Wonderland downtown.

Visit the ChillyFest Facebook page for updates and more details: https://www.facebook.com/chillyfestporthuron/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand