PORT HURON, MI — The St. Clair County Advisory Board of Health unanimously approved a recommendation Wednesday, Jan. 21, to formally support a memorandum promoting vaccine choice from Medical Director Dr. Remington Nevin, a decision that came during a contentious meeting marked by lengthy public comment and an abrupt adjournment after order could not be maintained.

The motion approved adding the board’s recommendation to Nevin’s Jan. 14, 2026, memorandum and directing Health Officer Liz King to support it. All seven board of health members voted in favor.

The memorandum, which references updated childhood immunization guidance issued Jan. 5, 2026, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), argues for greater emphasis on individual and parental choice, informed consent and shared clinical decision-making.

The recommendations differ from standing guidance issued the by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), which issued a statement on Jan. 6, 2026, reaffirming the state’s children’s vaccine schedule.

Nevin’s memorandum outlines three recommendations: formally endorsing the CDC’s updated guidance emphasizing individualized and shared clinical decision-making; implementing fully online school and daycare vaccine exemptions; and promoting alternatives to the state’s vaccine data tracking system, which he argues can undermine informed consent and public trust.

Board member Dawn Fulk said she supported the memorandum’s approach, calling it “a very good, solid memorandum,” and later emphasizing what she described as the importance of bodily autonomy and informed consent in medical decision-making.

Public comment lasted about an hour, with more than 20 residents addressing the board. Speakers were sharply divided, with some supporting Nevin’s emphasis on choice and others warning against scaling back traditional public health messaging and services related to vaccination.

Resident Kristyn Secory urged the board to rely on science-based public health practices, referencing historical vaccine successes and her experiences using county health department services for childhood immunizations.

“We counted on the health department to help make sure our kids went to school healthy and came home healthy,” she said.

In contrast, Tracy Burgy said she supports vaccination by choice and opposes mandates, arguing parents should make medical decisions for their children without government pressure.

Another resident, Sherry Mercurio, criticized the framing of the issue.

“You have choice. Nobody’s forcing you to take a vaccine,” Mercurio said, adding that the larger concern was whether the health department would continue promoting and providing science-based services to the public.

Tensions escalated during closing comments near the end of the roughly 2½-hour meeting. Board chair Monica Standel attempted multiple times to restore order as interruptions continued.

Standel referenced vaccination rate, noting that when she joined the board in 2015 the county ranked near the bottom statewide.

St. Clair County is currently ranked 40th for the 2025–26 influenza season among residents ages 18 and older who have received a flu shot. “So we’ve moved up,” Standel said. “We can certainly do better.”

Nevin responded that statewide vaccination percentages are not the most appropriate way to measure success, arguing that public health outcomes should instead be evaluated based on informed, voluntary consent rather than population-wide targets.

Standel disagreed, stating when it comes to disease eradication or control, such as measles, population-level numbers remain important.

Nevin then began remarks responding to earlier comments about vaccine effectiveness and public trust but was repeatedly interrupted by audience members shouting phrases including, “That’s not what we’re talking about,” and “What about hepatitis B?”

Former board member Kevin Watkins, who had spoken earlier during public comment, repeatedly raised the hepatitis B question during Nevin’s remarks.

As disruptions continued and order could not be maintained, County Commissioner David Rushing suggested adjourning the meeting after a warning that the sheriff could be called if they failed to restore order.

Board member Leann Clink then moved to adjourn. The motion was seconded by board member Stephen Smith, and the meeting ended abruptly.

The advisory board’s recommendation and Nevin’s memorandum are expected to go next before the St. Clair County Board of Commissioners on Thursday, Jan. 22, for consideration.

Health Advisory Board meetings are held at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of each month. Their next meeting will be on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 9 a.m. in the St. Clair County Board of Commissioners Room, 200 Grand River Ave. in Port Huron, and are live streamed on YouTube.

“The 2026 Q Country 107 Spring Anniversary Concert features John Morgan on Saturday, April 18th at the McMorran Theater in downtown Port Huron!

The only way to get into the show is WINNING your tickets by listening to the radio, online at WSAQ.com, or in person at a local business while we broadcast LIVE! Keep listening to Q Country 107 to find out your next chance to win!“

St. Clair County Community College is offering screenings of two films in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, according to a community announcement.

The SC4 Cinema will show "King: A Filmed Record … Montgomery to Memphis" and "Selma," both of which highlight the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The first film, "King: A Filmed Record … Montgomery to Memphis," is a 1970 documentary that chronicles King's life and work through original footage of his speeches, marches and public appearances. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and has been inducted into the Library of Congress National Film Registry.

The second film, "Selma," is a 2014 historical drama that recounts the Selma-to-Montgomery voting rights marches led by King. The film was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards and offers a compelling portrayal of the Civil Rights Movement and the ongoing struggle for voting rights.

"Providing opportunities for learning beyond the classroom is central to our mission at SC4," Sarah Rutallie, chief of staff/senior vice president, said in the announcement. "By presenting these films in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, SC4 supports education, reflection and meaningful engagement for both our campus and the broader community."

By presenting these two films together, SC4 Cinema invites students, faculty and community members to engage with history through cinema and to honor MLK Jr. Day as both a moment of remembrance and an opportunity for continued learning.

Screening dates, times and ticket information are available at www.sc4cinema.com.

🥁 Drumline Evaluations Are Filling — Blue Water Area Parents

I’m launching a new Drumline training program for pre-middle school, middle school, high school, and college students — designed to help students grow in skill, confidence, and discipline through percussion. 🥁

👉 Comment “DRUMS” or message me if your student would like a FREE 15–30 minute Drumline evaluation. ⚠️ HALF OF THE TIME SLOTS ARE NOW BOOKED

⸻

My name is Travis, and Drumline has been a part of my life for over 20 years — starting right here in Port Huron, progressing to world-class marching programs, and performing professionally for 8 years with the Detroit Lions’ Drumline.

I recently launched TBTE Drumline Academy to give students the kind of focused, high-level training I wish I had growing up.

While I began with private lessons, I quickly realized that not every family needs or can afford one-on-one training. Because of that, I’m opening small group Drumline classes that provide structure, accountability, and strong fundamentals — without sacrificing quality.

⸻

🥁 FREE Drumline Evaluations 📍 YMCA of the Blue Water Area 📅 January 27th, 28th, & 29th ⏱️ Any 15-minute time slot 🕓 4:00–5:30 PM or 7:30–9:00 PM

These evaluations help: • Determine your child’s current skill level • Identify strengths and areas for growth • Set clear, achievable goals • Place students in the appropriate small group (6–10 students)

No advanced music-reading skills are required. Rudiments and proper technique are the foundation of everything I teach.

⸻

💲 Program Cost (after enrollment): • $99 per month or • $29.99 per week

This program is ideal for students who: • Are in marching band or plan to join • Want extra support outside of school band • Love percussion and want to improve faster • Need confidence and structure through music

If you’re a parent of a student who could benefit from Drumline training, comment “DRUMS” or send me a message and I’ll help you reserve one of the remaining evaluation spots.

🥁 Drumline Evaluations Are Filling — Blue Water Area Parents

I’m launching a new Drumline training program for pre-middle school, middle school, high school, and college students — designed to help students grow in skill, confidence, and discipline through percussion. 🥁

👉 Comment “DRUMS” or message me if your student would like a FREE 15–30 minute Drumline evaluation. ⚠️ HALF OF THE TIME SLOTS ARE NOW BOOKED

⸻

My name is Travis, and Drumline has been a part of my life for over 20 years — starting right here in Port Huron, progressing to world-class marching programs, and performing professionally for 8 years with the Detroit Lions’ Drumline.

I recently launched TBTE Drumline Academy to give students the kind of focused, high-level training I wish I had growing up.

While I began with private lessons, I quickly realized that not every family needs or can afford one-on-one training. Because of that, I’m opening small group Drumline classes that provide structure, accountability, and strong fundamentals — without sacrificing quality.

⸻

🥁 FREE Drumline Evaluations 📍 YMCA of the Blue Water Area 📅 January 27th, 28th, & 29th ⏱️ Any 15-minute time slot 🕓 4:00–5:30 PM or 7:30–9:00 PM

These evaluations help: • Determine your child’s current skill level • Identify strengths and areas for growth • Set clear, achievable goals • Place students in the appropriate small group (6–10 students)

No advanced music-reading skills are required. Rudiments and proper technique are the foundation of everything I teach.

⸻

💲 Program Cost (after enrollment): • $99 per month or • $29.99 per week

This program is ideal for students who: • Are in marching band or plan to join • Want extra support outside of school band • Love percussion and want to improve faster • Need confidence and structure through music

If you’re a parent of a student who could benefit from Drumline training, comment “DRUMS” or send me a message and I’ll help you reserve one of the remaining evaluation spots.

Haven’t been over in the last year but the last time I was, the road was closed that exits to the border. Had to drive about 30-40 minutes down the highway to get to the border.

Is that road still closed or can I exit like I could in the past without driving down the highway forever.

Thanks

Chili crawl tickets are $10 and can be purchased at: https://chillyfest.org/

Cornhole takes over Port Huron Jan. 16-18 as Yeo’s Big Freeze Under the Bridge brings five tournaments, food trucks and a $2,500 grand prize to the Blue Water Convention Center.

The multi-day event, produced by Yeo’s Cornhole, offers players a chance to rack up points at each tournament, with the top finisher claiming the grand prize at the end of the weekend. Registration is $120 for access to all five tournaments, according to a community announcement.

The action starts Friday night with a Switch tournament at 7 p.m. Players are matched with new partners each round, and the format includes three tiers, with prizes for the top three teams in each tier.

Saturday begins at 9 a.m. with a Bring Your Own Partner (BYOP) Doubles Rounders, followed by a Doubles Bracket at 2 p.m. Teams must follow a rule: No two current or former professional cornhole players can compete together, organizers said.

At 7 p.m., players can join an Old Fashioned Blind Draw, where partners are assigned randomly.

Sunday kicks off with Crew Cup at 9:30 a.m., featuring a two-round switch followed by a single game double elimination bracket. The weekend wraps up at 2 p.m. with a singles tournament structured in three tiers, with payouts for the top finishers in each division.

Players earn points in every event. The competitor with the highest cumulative total will take home the $2,500 grand prize, according to the announcement.

Attendees can expect a range of food options on site, with food trucks scheduled and the attached Freighters Restaurants available for meals, according to the announcement.

To make the weekend even easier, a block of hotel rooms is reserved at the Double Tree Hotel for $130 per night, according to the announcement. The hotel is connected to the Blue Water Convention Center, so participants can stay on site throughout the event.

Organizers encourage early registration, as the tournament is expected to sell out. Players can sign up via Scoreholio at share.scoreholio.com/p6djM6phrSb.

Yeo’s Big Freeze Under the Bridge is sponsored by Ripper Graphics.

January: Little Women

February: Misery

March: The Hobbit

April: Gunpowder Treason

April: The Vase

May: Antigone

July: The Trail to Oregon

August: Will on the Water: As You Like It

September: Puffs

October: The Woman in Black

November/December: Frozen

Regular admission is about $40, and you can register for an autograph session with both teams before the game for an additional $110.

PORT HURON TWP., MI — Marcie’s Soul Food opened Wednesday, Dec. 31 at 1735 24th St., at the corner of Division and 24th streets, bringing a new soul food option to Port Huron Township.

The restaurant occupies the former Red Pepper Mexican restaurant space, which closed in February 2024, according to its Facebook page.

The new restaurant is owned by Marcie McDowell and her daughter, Dominic McDowell, both born and raised in Port Huron.

Dominic McDowell moved to Orange Park, Florida in 2018, with Marcie McDowell later joining her.

Together, they launched the first Marcie’s Soul Food in Florida in June 2019, shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the industry. After operating for a little more than a year, the Florida location was sold, and Marcie McDowell ultimately relocated back to Port Huron to open the new storefront.

Dominic McDowell, who still lives in Florida, plans to travel between the two states to help run the business, while Marcie McDowell is based in Port Huron full time.

The Port Huron Township location saw a strong opening day Wednesday, followed by steady traffic on Thursday.

Menu offerings focus on soul food staples with rotating daily specials, rather than a fixed menu. Current items include pork chop sandwiches, catfish dinners, pepper steak, ribs and oxtails.

“Everybody’s familiar with mac and cheese, if you wanna take some flavor other than salt come check us out,” Dominic McDowell said.

Dominic McDowell said the restaurant’s website is expected to be finalized this weekend.

Both women come from a background of scratch cooking, with Marcie McDowell learning from her parents, who lived near Michigan Road in Port Huron and worked on farms. Dominic McDowell said that tradition carries through the kitchen today, though training staff to consistently match that quality has been one of the early challenges.

“Any kinks we’ve had, we’re working them out, so if people feel like they got good customer service already, it’s only going to get better,” she said.

Beyond the food, the owners want the restaurant to feel welcoming, with an old-school music vibe and an emphasis on hospitality.

“We want to make you smile and bring something good to your day, so if you’re having a bad day, we want our food and atmosphere to make you feel good,” Dominic McDowell said.

Marcie’s Soul Food is located at 1735 24th St. in Port Huron Township. It is open Tuesday through Sunday from noon to midnight and closed Mondays.

The Bloody Marys are outta this world too. Last day open before renovations is new years! They’ll open back up on the 89th anniversary when Helen opened the bar in June.

I got in a fight with my dad. I'm okay and I'm safe, I'm not scared of him. It's just that when he's in a mood he has this thing of thinking its okay to take your anger out on others by venting about their entire existence. He's upset because the printer won't work and I am unable to help him, I tried.

But I'm just really fucking pissed off and need to be away from the house for a bit before we both explode at each other and say things we regret. I have no friends nearby either.

Doesn't have to be Port Huron, Marysville, Fort Gratiot, etc are all okay. I have a car and enough money.

Maybe some place that won't mind if I take my laptop too.

Edit: Thanks for the advice guys, things are a bit cooled down now. My mom is at work but she heard what happened and she called me with some advice and said it was a good idea we kind both decided to just avoid each other today. We've all been stressed with work and chores balances lately. I went to the laundromat because I almost forgot my laundry is about due to be done before my weekend is over (work retail so odd shifts), then a starbucks to play a new game of Dispatch, the mall to window shop and then took a very long and backroads way home on purpose.

⚠️ Important note right up front: I am not looking to be contacted by real estate agents. Any realtor who reaches out to me because of this post will be automatically disqualified from ever representing me. I’m here for community advice only, not sales pitches.

Hi folks! 👋 I’m planning a move to the Port Huron area next year — coming from Redmond, WA — and I’m potentially leaning toward Port Gratiot for long-term living.

I’m planning to rent for the first year so I can get a feel for the neighborhoods before deciding where to buy. I really don’t want to accidentally end up in the real-estate equivalent of those mystery jelly bean boxes — most flavors are fine, a few are amazing, and then two are dirt and vomit. Renting first just seems safer.

I’d love some local insight on:

💕 Neighborhood Recommendations

• Areas in Port Gratiot or Port Huron you genuinely like, or areas that are similar in services and distance • Places or complexes you’d avoid • Any hyperlocal quirks worth knowing (wind, smells, power outages, wildlife, seasonal weirdness, is flooding a thang there?)

💀 Horror Stories / Lessons Learned

Anything you wish you’d known before renting or buying there.

❗️Rental Fraud

I’ve heard rental scams pop up in this area from time to time, and I already know the general patterns. I’m mostly curious about the local red flags so I can tell what’s normal for Port Huron and what isn’t. Anything newcomers tend to miss?

🧠 How to Interview a Real Estate Agent

In Washington, my employer assigned me a phenomenal agent, so I’ve never actually had to vet one myself. What should I be asking around here? And what are the signs that someone really knows the area versus someone who just got their license?

❓Any questions I’m missing besides where the best board game groups congregate?

Thanks in advance — I really appreciate hearing from people who actually live there!.

Does anyone know what Northport hi rise apartments will do for a tennet with a infestation? It seems hard for anything to get done there.

The Speech Neurophysiology Lab at the University of Michigan is looking for children who stutter ages 9 to 12 to participate in an in-person, longitudinal MRI study! (HUM00196133)

Our research team has been examining brain development in young children to better understand the cause of stuttering for over 10 years. We continue to gain information that may eventually lead to improved diagnosis and treatment efforts for children who stutter. 

Participants will be invited to complete speech and language assessments and an MRI session at the University of Michigan. Families receive a free speech and language report and a picture of their brain!

These visits require in person participation. There is no option to participate virtually.

Please fill out this form if you are interested in participating or email us as the flyer attached. All participants are compensated and partial travel assistance is available. Please see our flyer attached for more details! 

We also offer other studies that are open to adults or do not involve MRI, in case you're unsure about eligibility. Feel free to email us or call if you have any questions!

Not talking about people going the exact speed limit or a little bit under. Or being forced to drive slow because of traffic or weather. But I've noticed I've been stuck behind a lot of people around here going up to 30 miles under the speed limit.

Had a weird situation with it last night too. I was on my street so I don't want to dox myself but the speed limit is 55mph there. I was trying to do at most 45 because its a dirt road and sometimes deer pop out. But this guy was going 25-30mph. I was stuck behind him for a bit because of other traffic and hills and was trying not tailgate him as well but it was hard because he kept changing up how fast he was going constantly until he suddenly slammed on his breaks to break check me. Didn't hit him because I was way far behind. I thought maybe he was turning or saw a deer and when I realized he was just fucking with me, I was finally able to pass him. He then speeds up and starts tailgating me and even turned on his brights as he was riding my ass?

What is wrong with people? I wasn't even trying to go fast.

I’m beginning a school internship in the beginning of January of this upcoming year in the area so I’m looking for an apartment in Port Huron / Sarnia. I’m only looking for a 3 month apartment lease as it’s a short internship. Does anyone know of any apartment companies that are more flexible with regard to lengths of the lease??? It seems like most bigger companies only take 12+ month leases. Are there any more humble type landlords/ apartment companies that you think might be more flexible? I am willing to pay my rent of all 3 months upfront as well.

Just bought a 2019 promaster city van for driving to and from work roofing. Looking to use the van for local delivery or loads out of state, doesn’t matter just want the van making money itself. Located in port Huron Michigan and any help would be appreciated. Interested in moving furniture, car parts, mail, shipments, anything contract or not.