St. Clair County

Experience Holiday Trolley Tour And Tower Climb At Fort Gratiot Light Station

Dive into the festive spirit with a unique holiday program on December 16th and 22nd at the historic Fort Gratiot Light Station located at 2802 Omar St, Port Huron.

The event, beginning at 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., combines a captivating tour of beautifully lit neighborhoods with a candlelit tower climb offering a dazzling view of the Blue Water Area. Complimentary hot chocolate and cookies await at the Museum Store.

Tickets, including a tour of the lighthouse, are priced at $40 for General Admission and $30 for Museum Members. With two tours each night, lasting about an hour, the enchanting experience begins and concludes at the Lighthouse. Secure your spot for a festive adventure under the twinkling lights.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

U.S. Postal Service Announces Price Adjustments For 2024 Mailing Services

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has submitted a notice to the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) detailing proposed changes in mailing services prices, set to be effective from January 21st, 2024. 

Among the adjustments, the cost of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp is set to rise by 2 cents, from 66 cents to 68 cents.

If approved by the commission, the overall increase for mailing services products will be approximately 2 percent. The adjustments, greenlit by the USPS governors, encompass various categories, including letters, domestic and international postcards, and international letters. Notably, there will be no modification to the additional-ounce price, remaining at 24 cents.

The USPS cites ongoing inflationary pressures on operating expenses and the need for revenue to achieve financial stability as the driving force behind these adjustments, aligning with the Delivering for America 10-year plan. 

Reporting for WGRT – Harold Powell

Salvation Army Urgently Appeals For Help As Christmas Gift Distribution Lags

The Salvation Army of St. Clair County is facing a pressing need for support as Christmas approaches, with over 600 pre-registered families awaiting gifts, toys, and food. The organization employs an adopt-an-angel format, with printed tags representing each child in the program. Unfortunately, many angel tags remain unadopted, prompting a call to action.

Angel tags can be found on trees at Birchwood Mall and the Fort Gratiot Walmart. Additional tags are available at the Salvation Army’s main office and online registries at Walmart and Amazon. To ensure timely distribution before Christmas, purchased gifts should reach the Salvation Army office by December 15th or the designated locations by December 17th.

The Salvation Army expresses gratitude for the community’s generosity and emphasizes that St. Clair County’s support is crucial for bringing holiday joy to families in need. 

For inquiries or tag requests, contact (810) 984-2679.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

BWROC Expands Transportation Services To Boost Access To Treatment And Recovery Support

In a pivotal move to address the pressing issue of drug overdoses and bolster accessibility to vital services, BWROC proudly announces the expansion of its transportation services in St. Clair County. 

Funded through the Michigan opioid settlement, this initiative, effective December 10th, aims to bridge the gap for economically disadvantaged individuals seeking treatment or recovery support services.

The extended services will now cover transportation to Recovery Support Groups, Recovery Events, detox facilities, treatment centers, hospitals, and other recovery-related needs. By prioritizing the reduction of health disparities and enhancing long-term recovery opportunities, BWROC strives to overcome obstacles faced by those in need. 

Recognizing the critical role transportation plays as a barrier to treatment, BWROC remains steadfast in its commitment to filling community gaps and is grateful for the opportunity to provide this essential service.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Blue Water Audubon Society Collaborates With St. Clair County Parks For 124th Annual Christmas Bird Count

The Blue Water Audubon Society is teaming up with the St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Commission to host the Christmas Bird Count in the Port Huron area this holiday season. 

Celebrating its 124th year, the National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count stands as one of the nation’s oldest and largest community science initiatives. Taking place on Sunday, December 17th, volunteers are crucial for spotting, identifying, and recording bird sightings in designated areas across St. Clair County. Novice volunteers will partner with experienced birders, while others can contribute by counting birds at their backyard feeders. The data collected aids global bird conservation efforts. 

To volunteer or inquire, contact Christmas Count Co-coordinator Gerry Pink at: gepink63@gmail.com or (810) 367-3195.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Sunsation Products Expands Operations In St. Clair County, Investing $7.7 Million In State-Of-The-Art Facility

The Economic Development Alliance (EDA) of St. Clair County is delighted to announce the expansion of Sunsation Products, a renowned family-owned boat manufacturer. 

Specializing in high-performance center console boats, Sunsation is the sole boat builder in the region, prompting the need for a new facility due to surging customer demand. Investing $7.7 million, the company plans to construct a cutting-edge manufacturing facility and create 20 high-paying jobs.

Founded in 1982, Sunsation’s success story began in a small garage near the original Chris Craft factory. Despite considering out-of-state options, Sunsation opted to stay in Michigan, leveraging the state’s prominence as the third-largest marine market in the U.S. 

The expansion is supported by a $350,000 Michigan Business Development Program grant and a 50% property tax abatement from Cottrellville Township, reinforcing Sunsation’s commitment to community growth.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell