St. Clair County

Southside Music Festival Offers Free Family Fun With Top Jazz Artists

The NAACP Port Huron Branch invites you to the Field Day & Southside Music Festival on Saturday, Aug. 31, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Lincoln Park, located at 2720 South Blvd, Port Huron. This free event promises a full day of entertainment and activities for the whole family.

Highlighting the festival are live performances by multiple Billboard hit-charting saxophonist Tom Braxton, Amazon.com’s #1 smooth jazz artist, and acclaimed guitarist Tony Jefferson. Also performing are the Gopherbroke Blues Band and The Shade Band, ensuring a vibrant musical experience.

The festival also offers plenty of activities for kids, including a free hot dog meal for the first 50 children, bike raffles, book giveaways, a bounce house, and a mobile video game station. Attendees can also explore various food and resource vendors throughout the day.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Study Highlights Significant Gaps In Vision Care Coverage For Medicaid Enrollees

A study supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), published in Health Affairs, reveals alarming disparities in vision care coverage for Medicaid enrollees across the United States. According to the study, 6.5 million enrollees (12%) live in states where routine adult eye exams are not covered, and 14.6 million (27%) reside in states that do not provide coverage for eyeglasses.

It found significant variability in coverage, with 20 states excluding glasses under fee-for-service Medicaid, and seven states offering no coverage for either eye exams or glasses. Additionally, 35 states do not cover low vision aids, such as magnifiers, leaving many, particularly older adults, without essential vision support.

The findings highlight an urgent need for policy changes at the state level to address these gaps, especially as the aging U.S. population faces a projected doubling of vision impairment cases by 2050.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Operation Safe Neighborhoods Seizes 675 Illegal Guns In Michigan Crackdown

Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II announced that 675 illegal guns have been removed from Michigan streets as part of Operation Safe Neighborhoods, a statewide initiative aimed at reducing gun violence. Since the operation’s launch, law enforcement officials have conducted 6,424 check-ins with felony offenders, leading to the seizure of illegal firearms, drugs, and ammunition.

Lt. Governor Gilchrist emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “Operation Safe Neighborhoods is keeping Michiganders safe by getting 675 illegal firearms out of the hands of criminals before they can hurt or kill anyone.” The program targets high-risk individuals with prior weapons-related offenses, reinforcing Governor Whitmer’s broader efforts to enhance public safety across the state. 

Since taking office, Whitmer has invested over $1.5 billion in public safety, including significant funding for law enforcement and violence prevention initiatives.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Friends Of The St. Clair River Urge Float Down Participants To Keep Waterways Clean

As thousands prepare for the annual Float Down on Sunday, Aug. 18, at Lighthouse Beach in Port Huron, Friends of the St. Clair River is urging participants and spectators to keep the river clean. 

Their “A Clean River is a Fun River” campaign highlights the importance of preserving the St. Clair River’s pristine waters, which are vital for drinking water and fish habitats. The group asks floaters and onlookers to responsibly dispose of trash and recyclables, reducing the litter and plastic waste that can accumulate from the event. 

Executive Director Sheri Faust emphasized the river’s significance, stating, “The St. Clair River is a vital resource for 60,000 people. We all have a responsibility to protect and celebrate this precious resource.”

For more information about the campaign, email: info@scriver.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Ferndale’s Live Crispy Won Last Year’s MI Snack Competition, Now Eyeing Bigger Markets

Ferndale-based entrepreneur Dave Shammas, owner of Live Crispy, won the grand prize at the second annual MI Snack Competition in Port Huron, taking home $30,000. Despite not placing in the previous year, Shammas’ all-natural dehydrated fruit snack won both the Mindful Munchies category and the overall competition, earning him $15,000 for each win.

The 2023 MI Snack Competition attracted over 50 snack makers statewide, with more than $50,000 in prizes awarded. In addition to the cash prize, Shammas secured a distribution deal with All Star Services, a break room services company.

Shammas, who launched Live Crispy in 2020, has since expanded his product’s reach, including a listing on Amazon. As he gears up for larger markets like Target, he’s also being courted by the TV show Shark Tank. The 2024 competition is set for Sept. 14, with entries due by August 12.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

BWROC’s Strides For Recovery 5K Run/Walk To Promote Health, Fitness, And Community Spirit

BWROC is excited to host the Strides for Recovery 5K Run/Walk on Sept. 14, 2024 at Pine Grove Park in Port Huron, in celebration of National Recovery Day. 

This community-focused event offers a scenic course along the beautiful St. Clair River and is open to participants of all ages and fitness levels, from competitive runners to those who prefer a leisurely jog or walk.

The event kicks off at 4:30 p.m., with a registration fee of $15. After the race, participants can enjoy a post-race celebration featuring music, food, and family-friendly activities. All participants will receive commemorative swag, making this a memorable event for everyone involved.

For more details, visit: bwroc.org or call 810-689-4858 for further information. 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell