port huron

Spa 223 Closing While Spa Blu Makes Plans to Open

Port Huron, MI — The spa scene on Huron Avenue in Port Huron is changing. Spa 223 & Boutique, a downtown Port Huron fixture for eleven years and consistent donor to community causes, has announced that it will be closing at the end of September. The brand-new Spa Blu plans to be opening in mid-October.

Spa Blu will be located at 712 Huron Avenue, on the north end of downtown Port Huron. Owner Suzanne McKenzie, who worked at Spa 223, said that her new facility will have a lot of familiar faces for Spa 223 clients and will live up to the same “gold standard”, but will be a completely new spa under new ownership.

McKenzie said that her staff will offer massage, body treatments, manicures, and pedicures. They will eventually offer facials and waxing as well. She said their goal is to provide “an exceptional service in a relaxing atmosphere. When you walk out of Spa Blu, after a service, we want you to feel refreshed and pampered.”

The Blue Water theme will be obvious throughout the new spa, according to McKenzie, and she looks forward to greeting both old and new clients with her new twist on spa treatments.

Spa Blu is planned to open in mid-October.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

State of Michigan 2021 Budget Approved by Legislature

The Michigan Legislature approved a budget plan for 2021, and Governor Whitmer is set to sign it in the coming days.

Shane Hernandez, Chair of the Michigan House Appropriations Committee, said, “This has been a difficult and challenging process – but I am proud we came together to build a fiscally conservative and responsible budget for the people of Michigan. This plan protects funding for students and local public services while also protecting taxpayers.”

The plan does not increase taxes or grow state government, and it keeps funding for schools and local governments at their 2020 levels, which lawmakers say will keep them stable.

Republican lawmakers are highlighting included funding for public safety training and support, investments in broadband initiatives to support jobs and economic development, and support to public health by way of a $20 million investment in personal protective equipment for skilled nursing facilities and funding to increase the safety of drinking water.

Democrats are promoting funding for the Michigan Reconnect program which will provide a tuition-free pathway for adults pursuing certificates or associate degrees, funding for mental -health counselors to assist children in schools, and items that support the health of families across the state. They are also excited about new funding for the Going Pro program which supports job training grants to businesses to support training for positions in high-demand skilled trades industries.

“When we started the budget process in early February, nobody had an idea of how challenging the coming months would be, no knowledge of the devastating impacts that COVID-19 would have, including the impact to our state budget,” said Gov. Whitmer. “But Michigan is strong, and by working collaboratively with our partners in the Legislature we now have a budget I will soon be signing, a budget that funds shared priorities that will move Michigan forward.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand.

Police Urge Citizens to Lock Vehicles

There have been 36 unlocked vehicles tampered with in the Port Huron area since August 9th. Most have just been entered and had valuables removed, but one car was stolen from the 2600 block of Woodstock Drive when the keys were left in the ignition.

The incidents occurred as far north as the 500 block of Lakeview Avenue and south to the 1000 block of Union Street. There was a cluster between Lincoln Avenue and Lyon Street west of 10th Avenue.

The Port Huron Police Department is urging residents to lock their cars and hide any valuables. They are also reminding people to lock their vehicles while warming them up in cold weather.

If you notice an in-progress crime or see suspicious activity, call 911. If you have any information about the suspects in these vehicle break-ins, please call the CAPTURE line at 910-987-6688.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand.

Port Huron Discount Cards Offer Deals Through 2021

There are two new discount cards available for those who shop at Downtown Port Huron businesses and in the Greater Port Huron Area. Thirty-three businesses are represented on each card, and the discounts start from the time the card is purchased through December 31, 2021.

The cards are $10 each, and the Downtown Port Huron discount card includes 10-20% discounts on stores such as MI Passion, batchmade BEAUTY, and Suzanne’s Women’s Fashions, along with $40 off for an escape room group at The Hallway Entertainment.

The Greater Port Huron discount card features some downtown locations as well, and also includes discounts to The Dorsey House, Jersey Mike’s in Ft. Gratiot, and all Dunham’s Sports locations.

Discount cards can be purchased at participating stores or through the City of Port Huron’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA).  Cards purchased through the DDA will help fund future events and promotions in Downtown Port Huron.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Fall Program Schedule Set for Port Huron Recreation

After necessary adaptations amid COVID-19, the Port Huron Recreation Department will continue to  provide recreational opportunities to residents virtually. Popular fall programs such as dance, art & crafts,  cooking, and belly dance classes have been adapted to take place via ZOOM Meeting, YouTube, and Facebook.  Other successful programs will be hybrid where interaction will take place online but the program can be done safely outdoors. These include Walk Michigan, Drive-in Movies, and Halloween Stroll. 

“The goal is to keep everyone active and to have some fun during these unprecedented times,” said  Kati Gardner, Recreation Department supervisor. 

For the very first time, the department is offering its popular summer event, Walk Michigan, during  fall. The program nominates eight different routes around town where participants can take an one-to-two mile walk and receive a prize once a minimum of five routes are completed.  

Back by popular demand, free Drive-in Movies will continue at McMorran south parking with Jumanji on September 24th and Hocus Pocus on October 22. Concessions will be provided by Sperry’s Moviehouse. 

Finally, the department’s annual trick or treating event, Halloween Stroll, is being adapted to follow social distancing guidelines and to comply to outdoor gathering limits. More details on this event will soon be  released.  

“As local and state regulations evolve amid COVID-19, we will continue to look for ways to provide  our children and families with more great recreation opportunities this season,” said Nancy Winzer, Port Huron  Parks & Recreation Director. “The key is being creative,” she said. 

Registration for Walk Michigan, belly dance class, and other fall programs is available through the  department’s website at www.porthuronrec.com. For more information, participants are welcome to call the  recreation department at (810) 984-9760 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Courthouse Seeks to Quell Rumors on COVID-19 Cases

PORT HURON, MI – Since March 2020, the safety of the public and court staff has  been of highest importance. Identification of cases will continue throughout the county,  and county employees are not an exception. The court system works closely with the  St. Clair County Health Department to identify cases and exposures as well as  identifying risk reduction strategies. At this time, NO public exposures have resulted  from any identified cases within the court system. All individuals who may have been  exposed to COVID have been notified. The exposure situation was handled swiftly and  exceptionally well by court directors and leadership.

Daniel J. Kelly, Chief Judge for St. Clair County Courts, further states, “These are  challenging times we are living through today. Our main goal right now is to protect,  serve and maintain precautionary procedures in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.”

Those that have circumstances required to be handled within the court are encouraged  to continue to use remote resources, such as email, fax, telephone and the court  website when possible.

General court system inquiries, please visit: http://www.stclaircounty.org/Offices/courts

Submitted by St. Clair County