port huron

Community Groups Host Juneteenth Celebration At SC4

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) will be hosting their 2023 Juneteenth celebration on Monday, June 19th, from 12-6 pm. The event will be located on the SC4 Greenway at 323 Erie Street, in Port huron. 

This year’s theme is “Celebrating Freedom,” as the event aims to commemorate this important day in American history and emphasize that freedom transcends race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. 

There will be games and activities, food and retail vendors, live entertainment, giveaways, community resources, and more.

The collaborative effort involves SC4, Port Huron Museums, Port Huron Branch NAACP, Black Lives Matter, the City of Port Huron, the St. Clair County Community Foundation, C4 Yourself Church, and St. Clair County Organizing for Regional Equity. 

The event welcomes everyone to come together and honor the significance of Juneteenth, highlighting the ongoing struggle for equality and freedom.

For more information, visit: sc4.edu.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

The Blue Water Cruise Weekend Is Coming To Port Huron

Summertime in the Blue Water Area isn’t complete without the carnival, fireworks, and Cruise Night on the agenda, so get ready to have a blast with family and friends when the Blue Water Cruise Weekend comes to town.

Cruise Weekend will be putting on three extravagant events for the community to enjoy from June 22nd – 25th. It begins Thursday with the carnival at Birchwood Mall on the corner of 24th Ave. and Keewahdin Rd. featuring the usual family fun and food that we all love. 

Friday kicks off Cruise Night from 6pm – 10pm. Cruise night will feature cars and trucks of various years, makes, and models as they cruise down Pine Grove Ave. and 24th Ave. There will also be prizes and free trolley rides along the route. 

Saturday’s events will feature the 16th Annual Keith Peterson Memorial Car Show from 10am – 3pm and ending with a fireworks display later that evening.

Be sure to tune in to WGRT 102.3 FM on June 23rd from 5-11pm to hear Drew Jacobs & Alex Shier roll out their oldies favorites as well as some of their own content during The Blue Water Cruise Weekend 2023!

For more details and information, visit: Blue Water Cruise Weekend on Facebook.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Come And Celebrate The New Gratiot Park Playscape Ribbon Cutting

The Port Huron Parks & Recreation Department has announced a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new and universally accessible playground at Gratiot Park. 

The event will take place on Friday, June 9th, at 11:00 am at 2538 Gratiot Avenue in Port Huron.

Gratiot Park had a major redesign over the past year to ensure inclusivity and accessibility for children of all abilities. The new features include a universally accessible playscape, swings, a splash pad, an interactive dance and play arch, and a new pavilion. The pavilion and the Sona interactive dance feature were generously provided by the Hannah R. Winkler Memorial Fund.

The PlayABLE park was made possible through the support of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, Hannah R. Winkler Memorial Fund, Michigan Rehabilitation Services, Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, and the Community Foundation of St. Clair County.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Letter Grades For Students May Be A Thing Of The Past

Governor Whitmer has signed legislation that will bring about significant changes in how public schools in Michigan are ranked by the state. The current Revised School Code mandates the Michigan Department of Education to assign letter grades, ranging from A to F. 

Proponents argue that this system aids in determining funding allocations, but critics assert that the process of ranking schools is far more intricate than a simple letter grade, and that the school index accountability system would be a better model to follow.

The school index accountability system evaluates schools on a scale of 0 to 100, considering factors such as student growth, proficiency, graduation rates, English learner progress, attendance rates, advanced coursework completion, postsecondary enrollment, and staffing ratios.

State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice says, “Coupled with the parent dashboard, the school index accountability system, which predates the A-F system in the state, is more informative and complete, and has been approved by the U.S. Department of Education.”

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

SCCHD Seeking New Medical Director

St. Clair County Health Department Medical Director Dr. Najibah Rehman, has stepped down from her position leaving the Department to find a replacement. Dr. Rehman joined the department in 2022, filling the part-time physician role created by county commissioners for the chief public health job.

A six-month written notice is required to terminate the three-year employment agreement for this at-will position, but an official from a neighboring community has reportedly been filling in since Rehman’s resignation. The reason behind her departure has not been publicly disclosed.

The job listing for medical director has been posted since Rehman’s reported resignation on April 28, with applications closing on May 29. The position requires a master’s in public health in addition to a medical degree and falls under the supervision of Liz King, the public health officer, the health advisory board, and the county board in accordance with state law.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Hunter Hospitality House Launches 2023 Endowment Fund Awareness Raffle

Hunter Hospitality House has kicked off the 2023 Hunter Hospitality House Endowment Fund Awareness Raffle to support their mission of providing free lodging and amenities to individuals requiring medical lodging. 

A portion of the proceeds from the raffle will be directed to the Hunter Hospitality House Endowment Fund, which is managed by the Community Foundation of St. Clair County. The fund aims to accumulate resources that will sustain the organization for future generations.

Raffle tickets are priced at $100 each, with a maximum of 300 tickets available. 

Sales end when tickets are sold out, or on August 30th. The drawing for the raffle prizes will take place on August 31st, at 5 p.m. at the Hunter Hospitality Family House.

Exciting prizes from Lawrence Jewelers, Greg & Kate May and Alpine Cycles, JC Poured Walls, and DoubleTree by Hilton include a diamond ring, an E-Bike, a drone with built-in camera, and a hotel stay with a view of the water, respectively.

For more information, visit: hunterhospitalityhouse.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell