port huron

Public’s Help Needed to Locate Reginald Grasty

The Port Huron Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating a suspected murderer. The St. Clair County Prosecutor’s office authorized a two-count warrant for Reginald Cu-Nu Grasty, thought to be in Detroit.

The warrants are for Open Murder and Disinterment/Mutilation of a corpse. The murder is believed to have taken place on the Grayfox, a retired Naval ship anchored in the St. Clair River. The victim, William Orlow, is thought to have known the suspect.

The body of Orlow was discovered on June 23rd, 2020. Grasty is believed to be a witness or a person of interest at that time. Evidence now points to Grasty as a murder suspect.

At a press conference today. Detective Lieutenant Chris Frazier said that Grasty should be considered dangerous. Grasty is believed to be homeless somewhere in the Detroit area. Details as to motive or how long between the murder and the discovery of the body were not given.

Tips can be called in to the Port Huron Police Department’s CAPTURE line at 810.987.6688 or at porthuronpolice.org. There is a $1000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Reginald Cu-Nu Grasty. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

More Federal Block Grants Going Toward the Greatest Need in Port Huron

Port Huron, MI — The City of Port Huron has received another installment of Community Development Block Grants for COVID-19 relief from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The City reached out to different agencies to see where the greatest need lies and where the most impact can be made. That measure of coordination seems to be working. Rent assistance was thought to be a need, and it is, but it is adequately funded by other agencies.

City Manager James Freed recommended to the City Council that money be given to the Economic Development Alliance to help give relief to businesses that employ moderate to low-income workers. Funding to restaurants and bars, which are currently crippled by the state mandated shutdown, was recommended also.

A recommendation was also made to give $30,000 to Mid-City Nutrition, which is a soup kitchen in downtown Port Huron. The use of disposable containers, needed to follow Covid mitigation protocol, is expensive and their growth in the number of meals served is substantial.

This round of disbursements totals over $170,000. The initial allocation was over $462,000.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Josh Chapman Named New CEO of YMCA of the Blue Water Area

Port Huron, MI — The YMCA of the Blue Water Area announces the selection of Josh Chapman as the new CEO. Current CEO, Denise Brooks is retiring after eleven years with the Y.

YMCA Board Chair, Geof Kusch, spoke of Chapman, saying, “He has shown an ability to build relationships and create partnerships and to manage effectively during the difficult times in which we find ourselves. This experience and Josh’s passion for our YMCA will help us move the YMCA of the Blue Water Area forward in service to our community.”

Chapman will be leaving his role as CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Cooke County in Gainesville, Texas. He has extensive experience at the YMCA of the Blue Water Area prior to his move to Texas. Chapman is credited with starting the Corporate Experience program and forming partnerships with local schools and other organizations.

Chapman said, “It’s both a privilege and an honor to have the opportunity to rejoin the organization that has been a cornerstone in my personal and professional life every step of the way. I look forward to continuing the game changing efforts the Y provides to all in the Blue Water Area.” 

Chapman begins his new role on January 12, 2021.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Boy Scouts Start Salvation Army Food Bag Drop-Off This Weekend

Port Huron, MI — Don’t be surprised if you find a grocery bag on your front porch this weekend. Local Boy Scouts and their families are going door to door throughout the Blue Water Area, dropping off bags and hoping residents will fill them up with food donations.

The bags will be delivered tomorrow, Saturday, December 5th and will be picked up next Saturday, December 12th. This is an annual outreach activity for the Boy Scouts that is held in partnership with The Salvation Army.

Donations of canned goods and other non-perishable items will be put to use feeding families in the community.

Dawn Hedberg, of the Port Huron Salvation Army Citadel, said, “Donors are asked to fill the food bag for donations for The Salvation Army Christmas food drive. All food collected will be donated here to the local Salvation Army for use during our Christmas Assistance for needy families in St. Clair County.”

Sorting the donated food is a major task, made more cumbersome with COVID precautions. Sorting will be done at the Salvation Army Citadel at 2000 Court Street in Port Huron.

Those interested in helping can call the Port Huron Citadel for dates and times to help with the sorting.

Port Huron Salvation Army Citadel: (810) 984-2679

http://www.porthuronsa.org/ 

 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Elizabeth Sawielski to Lead Blue Water Safe Horizons

Port Huron, MI — Blue Water Safe Horizons has announced the hiring of a new Executive Director. Elizabeth Sawielski will be starting her new job this week.

Sawielski has held several leadership roles with non-profits. She has worked as the Vice President of Social Responsibility at the YMCA of the Blue Water Area. She also has experience with the March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

James A. Jones, Chairperson of the Board of Directors at Blue Water Safe Horizons, said, “Elizabeth can be described as enthusiastic, creative, and motivated with a passion for training, inspiring, and empowering others.”

Blue Water Safe Horizons works to “increase awareness of intimate-partner and sexual violence and its effect on the community, to empower those victimized by providing advocacy and safe effective services, and to work for social change through education and community collaboration.”

Jones said that Sawielski will be leading the staff, which is already well-experienced, in reaching their current goals and furthering the efforts in the community.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sheriff’s Deputies Commended for Life-Saving Actions

Port Huron, MI — A tragedy was averted at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center in Port Huron Township this fall. Two deputies have been recognized for saving the life of an inmate who was attempting to take his own life.

St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Deputies Richard Rodriguez and Kent Porter were recently recognized for their heroic actions. The pair were on duty at the county facility on October 29th when they noticed an inmate taking actions to hang himself. The deputies rushed up the stairs and performed a dramatic rescue to save the troubled individual before he could harm himself.

The inmate was given medical attention and suicide prevention protocols were put in place. The jail provides mental health screening and treatment, as well as addiction and behavioral intervention programming to inmates in need of help.

St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King said, “I am proud of the work all of our corrections deputies perform every day. I am especially proud of the way Rich and Kent went above and beyond to rush to the inmate and save his life.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland