port huron

Libraries Planning for Curbside Service Starting June 29

Port Huron, MI —St. Clair County libraries are finally opening after a three-month closure due to the COVID-19 crisis. June 29th is the anticipated opening day for rolling out curbside pickup for the St. Clair County Library System.

In an announcement, Allison Arnold, Director of the Library System, said that her staff is getting protocols in place to provide for the safety of both patrons and library teams. Staff has returned to the buildings to get started on providing service at all of the branches.

Getting back in business is no easy task as there are tens of thousands of items checked out. It will take some time to process all those returns. Items will be quarantined for 72 hours before they go back into circulation.

If you have a stack of library books at home, don’t worry, due dates have been extended. In the meantime, all of the online options are still available, as they always are and can be accessed through the library website using a library card number. Also, if you have used books to donate, hold onto those until the library staff gets through the backlog of checked out books.

More information about the library’s gradual return to in-person service will be made available as decisions are made. The St. Clair County Library System has eleven branches throughout the county.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“Collecting COVID-19” Needs Your Pandemic Story

Michigan — Few would argue that 2020 has been a typical year. Most would say it has had its generation-defining moments, and it is only June. Michigan residents can now document their own experiences with the global pandemic as part of the “Collecting COVID-19” project sponsored by The Michigan History Center.

Residents can submit their stories and even objects to become a part of the permanent archives of the State of Michigan. The idea for the project came from the realization that there are many government records from the 1918 influenza epidemic, but little is known about how average people dealt with the crisis. Thus, the “Collecting COVID-19” Project was created.

For inspiration, a list of questions is posted on the Michigan History Center website, and residents can download documents, audio and video recordings, and photos right from the website. The project is also looking for objects like name badges from front line workers, hand-sewn masks, signs from stores regarding sold-out items, and other things that are unique to the COVID-19 crisis.

To find out more and to become a part of the record of history, visit michigan.gov/mhc.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Playgrounds are Now Open; Splash Pads to Open Soon

Port Huron, MI — With the stay at home order lifted, Port Huron Parks and Recreation Department wasted no time in opening playgrounds and revamping their plan for summer. Splash pads, sport courts, pavilions, and restrooms at city beaches will be open soon.

There are many details involved in the reopening of park amenities, and the parks department is working daily to get things ready. Information on what is ready for use will be available on the Parks and Rec’s Facebook page and website, which are updated frequently.

Although legally allowed, Sanborn and Court Street pools will not open this summer. Parks and Recreation Department issued a statement saying, “Nobody is as disappointed as us to make this hard decision. Our aquatics program requires over 100 seasonal workers that were not hired for the season. We are simply unable to open the pools in a safe manner on such short notice.”

Camp Palmer and the Palmer Park Recreation Center are still closed and the department will reassess the operation of the Palmer Park Recreation Center in the coming weeks. Face-to-face programming may again appear this summer, and the online offerings will remain.

Residents are asked to use common sense and follow CDC guidelines when using the parks such as bringing hand sanitizer and continuing to practice social distancing.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Studio 1219 Building Being Sold to Local Entrepreneur

Port Huron, MI — Through the Cool Cities Initiative, the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, James C. Acheson Foundation, Port Huron DDA, and the State of Michigan founded and created Studio 1219 in 2005. The studio started out as an art incubator and grew over the last 15 years to become the largest public art facility in the thumbcoast of Michigan.

Now, a local entrepreneur is buying the building and plans to continue the labor of love started by the founders. The gallery, featuring around 160 different Michigan artists and hosting art classes and workshops, may look a little different, but everyone is looking forward to the future.

“15 years after the opening of Studio 1219, we’re excited to see a for-profit business bring new potential to the building, help the Studio, and bring more foot traffic to the area,” said Donna Niester, President of the James C. Acheson Foundation.

Niester fondly remembers her role in the project which includes Port Huron being named a Cool City by Governor Jennifer Granholm. That designation led to the grant that funded Studio 1219 in 2005. Studio 1219 and Port Huron were one of 19 Michigan neighborhoods to receive catalyst grants issued across the state under the Cool Cities initiative. Today, at least seven of those grant-initiated programs are still vibrant and cool, including Studio 1219.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

City of Port Huron MOC to Reopen to the Public – Parks & Rec Opening Rec Areas

Port Huron, MI — The Municipal Office Center (MOC) will reopen to the public on June 8, 2020. Residents are still encouraged to conduct business via mail, online, and drive-thru services. Visitors are asked to wear masks and social distance while in the building and refrain from visiting if they have had a fever or systems of COVID-19.

Over the next 14 days, Port Huron Parks and Recreation Department will begin opening splash pads, playgrounds, basketball courts, restrooms and other recreational facilities. However, city pools will remain closed this summer. The aquatics program requires over 100 seasonal workers that were not hired for the season, so they are unable to open the pool in safe manner on such short notice.

James Freed, Port Huron City Manager said in a press release, “This is disappointing as we brought these operational pool concerns to state officials more than a month ago.” He also asks residents to use common sense and follow CDC guidelines on social distancing and hand washing when using any city facilities or assets.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

United Way Emergency Services Fund Helps Hunter Hospitality House Reopen Safely

Port Huron, MI — United Way of St. Clair County (UWSCC) announces the granting of funds for Hunter Hospitality House (HHH) through their Emergency Services Fund ~ COVID-19 Relief Aid. 

The grant provided disposable gloves and face masks for HHH’s staff, volunteers, and guests to help them remain as safe as possible from the COVID-19 pandemic.  UWSCC supports the plan HHH has implemented to assure their guests, staff, and volunteers remain healthy while in their homes.

HHH is an Affiliated Organization of UWSCC.  They provide free lodging to adults who have a loved one hospitalized or at a local medical facility like Blue Water Hospice, are experiencing outpatient treatment of their own, or are in need of a place to stay the night before a surgery or medical procedure. They are able to offer their services because of their many volunteers and supporters.

COVID-19 funds cannot be used for individuals seeking financial support at this time. UWSCC recommends all individuals with any type of need to dial 2-1-1, or (888) 636-4211, to be connected with available information and resources.  Please remember, many organizations have staff working from home and require individuals to leave a phone message.  Visit uwstclair.org/HealthFirst for more household resources.