port huron

Port Huron School Board Adopts Hybrid and Virtual Options

Port Huron, MI — The school year is about to kick off for students in the Port Huron school district as well as the surrounding area. The year is wrought with unprecedented decisions for parents and students, including scrambling for childcare, now that a hybrid plan has been announced.

The Port Huron School Board voted 4 to 3 to adopt a schedule that combines a few days of attending in-person with online learning for all grades. There is also an all-virtual option.

The hybrid plan divides students into two groups. The groups will attend on alternating days and will do their schoolwork online on the days when they do not attend school. Chromebooks will be issued. Internet service is the responsibility of parents.

Students who are signed up for the all-virtual education program will also get chromebooks and will be taught by certified teachers. They will be able to participate in extracurricular activities along with students attending in-person classes and may go back to in-person instruction in January.

Parents in the Port Huron district are advised to closely watch their email for further instructions. More information can be found at http://www.phasd.us/return_to_school_2020-21. School starts August 31st.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Underage Tobacco Sting in City of Port Huron

Port Huron Police conducted an underage decoy operation targeting 34 retail businesses within the City of Port Huron. Thirty of the businesses passed the test by checking the decoy’s identification and refusing to sell them tobacco products.

Four businesses failed to check ID:

  • Marathon Gas Station – 1301 Military Street
  • Buscemi’s Beverage Barrel – 1433 Military Street
  • The Smoke Shop – 1420 24th Street
  • Speedy Q Market – 1301 10th Street

The businesses were ticketed, and the fines for selling tobacco to minors are $100 for the first ticket, $200 for the second, and $2500 for the third. This is the second ticket for the Marathon Gas Station, and the first for the other businesses cited. There is no jail time associated with the infraction.

 

Denise Brooks Retires from Blue Water YMCA

Port Huron, MI — The YMCA of the Blue Water Area President and Chief Executive Officer, Denise Brooks, announced her decision to retire after more than 11 years with the YMCA of the Blue Water Area, effective December 31, 2020.

“Denise is recognized as an outstanding, dedicated and community-focused executive leader. She successfully guided the Y though some of its most difficult times, and her leadership efforts helped transform the lives of those who need our Y the most,” said YMCA Board Chairman and Chief Volunteer Officer, Geof Kusch. “I am happy for Denise that she can take this next step, looking back at a successful career here in Port Huron, making a difference in the lives of thousands of people.”

Under Brooks’ leadership, the YMCA of the Blue Water Area:

  • Grew to serve more than 1 out of every 8 people in St. Clair and Sanilac counties
  • Implemented chronic disease management programs like LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA, the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program®, and Enhance® Fitness
  • Expanded the YMCA’s drowning prevention efforts to not only include swim lessons but Safety Around Water, a free program, and taking it on the road to pools throughout the area
  • Completed a $850,000+ PACE project focused on energy savings improvements to the facility
  • Restored financial viability in the wake of the 2008-2010 recession
  • Created partnerships with area schools and other organizations to better serve our community

“I am proud and thankful to have served this YMCA since 2009 and this community most of my life,” Brooks said. “I’ve been honored to build relationships with so many talented and committed volunteers, staff, donors and community partners, who have guided and encouraged me and all of our Y leaders. Here in Port Huron, they’ve strengthened the very foundation of this community by bringing incredible programs and services to so many.”

Brooks will retire at the end of the year. The YMCA Board will partner with the YMCA of the USA to conduct a nationwide search for the the new President and CEO.

Port Huron Museum Asks for Community Input for Black History Exhibit

Port Huron, MI — The Port Huron Museum is reaching out to the community to help them get started on a new permanent exhibit on local Black History.

The new project will showcase the history of the African-American population of the Blue Water Area and will be displayed in the renovated area under the mezzanine. The new exhibit is expected to contain both permanent collection items along with rotating items.

For those who are interested in the exhibit, have a story to tell, or have an artifact that could be part of the collection or loaned out, the museum has created a survey. While any feedback or information is welcome, the survey seeks specific details about notable civic leaders, public servants, educators, as well as the South Park Neighborhood and many other aspects of life in the Blue Water area. The focus is on the past as well as the present and future.

The Port Huron Museum is in the midst of the Carnegie Re-Imagined project that is overhauling the way the entire collection is shared with the community after a massive inventory cataloging project that took place over the winter.

The Black History exhibit will tell the most important stories, as determined by the community. The link to the survey can be found <HERE>. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Town Hall 2020-21 Season Cancelled

Port Huron, MI — The Port Huron Town Hall Board of Directors announced that they are calling an “intermission” in their speaker series. The Town Hall series planned for the 2020-21 season has been shifted forward to 2021-2022.

Speakers were already lined up to begin appearing at McMoran Auditorium in October, but the healthy and safety of ticket holders, speakers, volunteers, and community has to take precedence over holding the events.

They will kick off next year’s season on October 4, 2021 with Derek Hough, best known for his amazing performances on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. Derek is a professional dancer, choreographer, actor, and singer.

Port Huron Town Hall has been bringing entertaining and informative guests to the area since 1955. They are working hard to secure seating for their current and future season ticket holders, and the application deadline has been extended to Friday, September 18, 2020. Without an application and payment, they cannot guarantee seating requests or pricing for future presentations.

More information is available on their website www.porthurontownhall.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Numerous Road Repairs, Including Bumpy Stretch on I-69, Are Underway

The St. Clair County Road Commission has been busy this summer with some of the projects wrapping up this month and some just getting started.

In Port Huron Township, the roundabout construction at the Dove Road and Eastbound I-94 intersection is ongoing and is expected to be completed in about a month.

Another big project has just been announced by the Road Commission. Starville Road over the Beaubien Creek in Cottrelville Township is closed for two weeks for culvert replacement. The $225,000 project, financed and performed by the Road Commission, is completely closing the road between Markel and Shortcut Roads.

The North Road and Krafft Road intersection in Clyde Township is getting an improved right turn lane at Krafft Road. Drivers are asked to be aware of daily lane closures.

Finally, those who drive on Westbound I-69 through Riley Township will be happy to hear that concrete patching is underway. The road has a long stretch of uneven pavement that is finally getting repaired. Lane closures on the expressway are expected until the end of the week.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland