St. Clair County

Rejected Ballots in Primary Election Mainly Due to Lateness

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson released a report which shared preliminary data on rejected ballot numbers from the primary election. Statewide there were approximately 10,600 rejected ballots.

Ballots can be rejected for several reasons including the voter’s death or change of address after the ballot was sent in and failure to include the ballot in the envelope. The top two issues for this year’s primary election were signature issues and late ballots.

If the signature on the ballot is absent or does not match the signature on record, the ballot will be rejected. In this election 1,438 people failed to sign their ballots, and 787 ballots had signatures that did not match.

Ballots are also rejected if they arrive late. According to the data, 6,405 ballots cast in the primary were marked late. In St. Clair County 128 ballots were considered late.

Michigan House Bill 5987 allows ballots to be tabulated if they are received up to 48 hours after the close of the polls on Election Day, and the data released by the Secretary of State’s office doesn’t break down how many of the late ballots actually arrived within the countable period.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Local Produce Season in Full Swing

Michigan farmer’s markets and farm stands are filling up with locally grown produce. The sweet corn season came a bit later this year, but it’s now in full swing and you can stock up on this local favorite at several area locations.

Hulett Farms, nicknamed  “The Corn Man”, is booming with business at their Port Huron farm stand on Pine Grove Avenue. Their tables are full of produce grown at their Capac farm along with fresh baked goods, honey, and locally made tortilla chips.

Tomatoes, peppers, peaches, and green beans are in season now, with squashes and apples coming about mid-September. They will continue to have sweet corn until the supply runs out around Halloween.

Local farmer’s markets are also carrying fresh produce among other treats like baked goods, honey, and farm raised meat.

Vantage Point Farmer’s Market – Saturdays 9-5

Sarnia Farmers Market – Wednesdays & Saturdays: 7 AM – 1 PM

St. Clair Farmer’s Market – Wednesdays 7 AM- 12 PM

Marine City Farmer’s Market – Thursdays 9 AM – 2 PM

Marysville – Fridays 10 AM- 4 PM

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

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.

Micro-Grants Available for St. Clair County Entrepreneurs

Port Huron, MI — Blue Water Startups & Entrepreneurs is offering micro-grants to St. Clair County entrepreneurs who need a boost to their businesses.

Micro-grants are small, one-time cash awards that can help a small business fund an innovative idea or project they are working on. Grants can help with marketing efforts, educational training, or memberships to professional organizations.

Matt Brooks, Founder of Blue Water Startups & Entrepreneurs said, “When I started my first business, a micro-grant could have helped in many different areas. Now as the founder of over five different businesses, I want to help others fulfill their dreams through our nonprofit Blue Water Startups & Entrepreneurs. A big business starts small. Micro-grants are opportunities to grow your success.”

The grant process begins with filling out a short survey at Blue Water Startups’ website <HERE> , and it only takes about 15 minutes to apply. Applications are due by Friday August 28, 2020.

Funding was provided through the generosity of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

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