St. Clair County

Spadafore Named St. Clair County Undersheriff

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office has announced some personnel changes. Matt Paulus has retired as Undersheriff and Jim Spadafore has been promoted to the job. Matt Pohl has been promoted to Captain of the Road Patrol.

Undersheriff Jim Spadafore has a Criminal Justice degree from Ferris State and started working for the Sheriff’s Office in 2001. He has served as Lieutenant in the Drug Task Force and Captain of the Road Patrol.

Sheriff Mat King said, “I am excited to name Jim as our new Undersheriff. With his knowledge and skill set, I know he will do a tremendous job in serving the citizens of St. Clair County.”

Reflecting on Matt Paulus’ retirement, Sheriff King said, “Matt has worn many hats throughout his career at the Sheriff’s Office. I was pleased when he agreed to stay in a transitional capacity after I was elected Sheriff. He has been a great help in making the transition from Sheriff Donnellon to myself seamless.”

Matt Paulus’ retirement as Undersheriff comes after 35 years of service. After a brief retirement in 2017, Paulus was called back to serve as Undersheriff with former Sheriff Donnellon after the retirement of Tom Buckley.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Learn How to Protect Butterflies in Your Backyard

St. Clair County, MI — Friends of the St. Clair River (Friends) is hosting a virtual chat to help residents learn how to protect butterfly species in the Blue Water Area.

Friends has been monitoring butterfly species for the last five years, and more than 50 species have been identified. Although butterflies appear to be thriving in most areas of St. Clair County, they are sensitive to environmental changes and require specific plants and conditions to remain healthy.

Melissa Kivel, Restoration Coordinator for Friends of the St. Clair River, said, “We can easily picture a butterfly drinking nectar from a flower, but as caterpillars these creatures require specific plants for food.  Monarchs, for example, can only survive on Milkweed. We are helping people become aware of the butterflies in their area and more confident in creating a welcoming habitat in which they can lay eggs and propagate”

To participate in the free butterfly chat on April 13th from 10 – 11 AM, pre-register at www.scriver.org/events.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Earth Fair 2021

Celebrate Earth Fair Virtually

St. Clair County, MI — The St. Clair County Earth Fair at Goodell’s County Park won’t be a live event for 2021, but organizers are teaming up with the 4-H program to create activities for families during the month of April.

A earth-themed scavenger hunt just opened up on April 1st and it runs until the 30th. Children need to be enrolled in St. Clair County’s 4-H program to participate, but enrollment is free this year.  Both new and current 4-H members can sign up for the club named Earth Fair Scavenger Hunt to receive the detailed instructions for the hunt.

Once kids sign up for 4-H to participate in the Scavenger Hunt, they can also participate in any other 4-H programs available in their area.

The Earth Fair team has also created the 30 for 30 Earth Fair Challenge which offers a new earth-friendly challenge on the group’s Facebook page every day in April. Participants can win a $50 Visa gift card for completing the challenges.

Check out the Earth Fair Facebook page <HERE> .

Register for 4-H & the Earth Fair Scavenger Hunt <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Nominate a Port Huron Schools Educator for Annual Awards

Port Huron, MI — National Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up on May 3rd, and Port Huron Schools want to surprise a few of their staff members with special recognition for their efforts. The district needs your help, and nominations are now open for its annual Advocator, Innovator, and Educator of the Year awards for 2020/2021.

This district-wide staff award campaign gives parents, students, and fellow educators the opportunity to nominate teachers, administrators, and support staff at any Port Huron School who exemplify the district’s mission actions. These are individuals who advocate for students and their families, innovate to improve student achievement, and educate in ways that are relevant, relationship driven, and rigorous.

Winners of this year’s awards will be surprised in their classrooms or offices during National Teacher Appreciation week and receive prizes through a partnership with the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel in Port Huron. All nominees are also placed in a drawing for Meijer gift cards which will be drawn weekly until nominations close on April 23rd.

To nominate an educator, visit www.phasd.us and click on Staff Recognition Form under the Parent/Student Menu <HERE>

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

New Museum Exhibit Features Fashions from Past

This spring and summer, the Port Huron Museum is featuring a new exhibit dedicated to Port Huron’s fashion past. Threads: From the Wardrobe of Port Huron’s Past is the result of the inventory process museum staff began last year, and it will be on display through July.

Lead exhibit designer Kayla Wendt said, “Threads is designed to appeal to a wide audience. The exhibit offers a glimpse of clothing throughout different time periods. I wanted to make sure there were local stories here that piqued the interest of everyone! You’ll see things like a scene of a 1920s summer picnic, and a night at the Desmond Theatre, but you’ll also see a scene of Service uniforms, and one of mourning attire.”

The exhibit includes some interactive areas where visitors can try on items and snap their own pictures with props and gear.

Entrance into the Threads exhibit is included in the price of admission to the Port Huron Museum’s Carnegie Center which is currently open from 10 AM – 4 PM Wednesday through Sunday.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

New Trail Close to Meeting Funding Goal

Port Huron, MI — The Bridge to Bay Trail, a 54-mile long project hoping to connect New Baltimore to Port Huron, has a few gaps that local stakeholders want to eliminate as soon as possible. One of those is a section of trail that would connect the school campuses of Holland Woods and Port Huron Northern.

The proposed trail would be built along the south side of the Black River Canal from Gratiot Avenue and head west. It would include a pedestrian bridge over the canal.

Port Huron Mayor Pauline Repp said, “These trails are a great compliment to the City’s efforts over the last several years to make
substantial investments in our parks and public amenities, and this new trail along the Canal will allow families to safely walk or ride to Lakeside Park and then south to Lighthouse Park and our downtown.”

The projected cost for the project along the canal is $650,000 and donations from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation and the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund are paying the majority. A boost from the community could help fund the remaining $25,000, so The Community Foundation of St. Clair County is taking donations for the project online at StClairFoundation.org or you can contact them at (810) 984-4761 to plan an offline gift.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand