port huron

Salvation Army Family Store Open and Taking Donations

Port Huron, MI — Those of you who spent your quarantine cleaning out your closets, basements, and attics, probably accumulated quite a pile of items ready to donate to charities. If you need a place to take them, the Salvation Army Family Store in Port Huron is ready for your donations.

The Family Store at 729 Howard Street is open from 10 AM – 6 PM each day and takes donations from 10 AM – 5 PM. Items can be dropped off at their drive thru door located behind the store. For safety reasons, they ask that no children be brought to the donation center and that visitors wear masks and observe social distancing.

All donations must be unloaded from your vehicle yourself, as they are limiting contact with their staff. There are also no pick ups available at this time.

Shoppers can follow similar safety measures when shopping inside the store. Staff explained that donations are held in the back for a few days before making their way into the store, and customers will have to load larger items, like furniture, themselves.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Standing Together for Injustice March Planned

In response to the death of George Floyd, who died after being pinned to the pavement by Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin, last week, several community groups have organized a march against injustice.

At noon on Thursday, the Port Huron branch of the NAACP and SCCORE will be supported by Operation Transformation, Blue Water Area Churches, Diversity Initiative of St. Clair County, S.O.N.S., and the St. Clair County Health Department in a march from the central fire station in Port Huron to the city’s M.O.C. building. The purpose of the march is to unite those who desire to see an end to police brutality and systemic racism which has been particularly devastating to the African American community.

The Port Huron Police Department released a statement from Chief Joseph A. Platzer this week on their Facebook page saying, “The Port Huron Police Department does NOT condone the actions of the officers involved in the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. We work very hard to build community trust and will continue to partner with our community. We believe in transparency and keeping the lines of communication open.”

The statement also addressed law enforcement’s role in being accountable to the community for their actions by saying, “All complaints received, including use of force, are thoroughly investigated and reviewed. Our policies, tactics, and practices are evaluated on a national and state level to ensure that we are following current law enforcement standards, while providing the best level of service to our community. We take an oath to have the courage to hold ourselves and others accountable for our actions. We do this to be fair, impartial and maintain justice. All officers must have the courage to step up and step in. Anything less will not be tolerated.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Rotary International Day Parade Cancelled

Port Huron, MI — The Port Huron Rotary club announced the cancellation of the annual Rotary International Day Parade, which was scheduled for July 8, 2020. This would have been the 100th parade hosted by the Rotary Club of Port Huron, a tradition older than both the Detroit and New York Thanksgiving Day parades.

The theme for this year’s parade was going to be “Decades”, and the club plans to maintain this theme for the July 21, 2021 parade. The club did not have any registrations for this year’s parade as it had not been soliciting participation. McLaren Port Huron is the parade’s annual sponsor for the next four years and the club would like to express appreciation for the hospital’s support.

Dr. Annette Mercatante, St. Clair County Medical Health Officer provided a statement in support of the club’s decision to cancel this year. “The St Clair County Health Department applauds and supports the difficult, but responsible, decision that the Port Huron Rotary, and all the citizens of our community, have made to reduce the risk of spreading the COVID virus. Cancelling or postponing a beloved event like the International Day Parade highlights the cooperation and commitment that everyone is making to conquer this common enemy – the virus. Together we will endure and flourish!”

Rotary Club of Port Huron plans at this time to continue its 100th Anniversary celebration with a program focused on “100 Years of Service.” The club will be granting 10 prizes of $1,000 to local nonprofits at this celebration event. It was announced earlier that this event is rescheduled for October 16, 2020. It will be hosted at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Port Huron and tickets can be purchased on the Blue Water Area Chamber’s website <HERE>.

To learn more about Port Huron Rotary, please go to @PortHuronRotary on Facebook <HERE>.

Water Rescue Kits Play Vital Role for Local Law Enforcement

Port Huron, MI — Being the first person on the scene of a water rescue is extremely risky. Without proper equipment the rescuer’s and the victim’s lives are in danger. Mustang Survival Water Rescue Kits were created to give first responders the necessary tools to safely address these situations.

The Port Huron City Council recently approved the purchase of Mustang Water Rescue Kits, and now all Port Huron police Department vehicles are equipped with them.

According to a letter from Chief Platzer to the Council, the equipment has already saved the life of a young person in our community.

On May 28th, a 13 year old in distress attempted to take his/her life by jumping into the St.Clair River. Platzer said, “If it was not for the officers having readily available to them the Mustang Rescue Kit, the juvenile most likely would have drowned and would have put my officers in harm’s way.  One officer on scene was ready to jump into the river to save the juvenile’s life.”

The juvenile was rescued from the river and taken to a nearby hospital to receive needed help.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Governor Appoints Barbara Payton to State Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports

Port Huron, MI — The Blue Water Area now has local representation for statewide health and fitness programs. Barbara Payton, of Port Huron, was appointed to the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports. The appointment was made last week.

Payton is well known in the area as a musical performer, and has a long history of performing with the likes of Bob Seger and Kid Rock. But she is also a certified massage technician and an avid bicyclist. Payton can now add Governor’s appointee to her list of accomplishments. Payton joins eight other new appointees on the thirteen-member council.

The Council began in 1992 under the orders of Governor John Engler with the goal of improving health and increasing physical activity among Michigan residents. The Council’s policies are advanced by the Michigan Fitness Foundation, which organizes outreach programs such as the Farm to Family program distributing healthy food every Wednesday morning at Central Middle School and Port Huron Northern High School.

Payton’s term on the Council expires in April of 2022.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Whitmer Lifts Stay at Home Order – State Enters Phase 4 of Re-opening

Governor Whitmer said in a press conference today that the state of Michigan is now in Phase 4 of the MI Safe Start Plan, the “Improving” phase. She also rescinded the Safer at Home order previously in effect until June 12th.

The shift will begin in phases. Immediately, outdoor fitness classes are allowed with social distancing. Offices previously deemed nonessential can go back to work unless people can reasonably work from home. Children’s day camps and swimming pools can reopen with safety measures. Crowds of up to 100 people can gather outdoors, and outdoor parks and recreational facilities may open.

On Thursday, retail can open at full capacity with social distancing and safety precautions in place.

Next Monday, June 8th, bars and restaurants are allowed to open their dining rooms at 50% capacity with social distancing.

The re-opening does not include gyms, hair salons, tattoo parlors, movie theaters, and casinos which are still closed.

Whitmer said, ““While Michiganders are no longer required to stay home, we must all continue to be smart and practice social distancing, and encourage those who meet the criteria to get tested for COVID-19. If we all do our part, our goal is to announce a shift to phase five for the entire state prior to the fourth of July. Stay smart, stay safe, and let’s all do our part.”

The full order is available <HERE>

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand