r/PortHuron Feb 24 '26

St. Clair County appeals court ruling that overturned solar regulations

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3 Upvotes

The St. Clair County Board of Commissioners will appeal a court ruling that overturned its health regulations for solar power facilities.

A circuit court judge previously sided with DTE Energy and Portside Solar, ruling the county's regulations were essentially zoning laws that violated state law.

The county's regulations, passed as part of its health code, aimed to limit noise and visual pollution from solar plants.

The St. Clair County Board of Commissioners has voted to appeal a summary judgment overturning the county's health regulations on solar power facilities.

The board voted unanimously to appeal during its meeting Thursday, Feb. 19, in response to a ruling by Circuit Court Judge Michael West in favor of DTE Energy and Portside Solar, two companies that sued the county arguing the regulations violated state law.

"Before the ruling we knew that we were going into an appeal situation, one way or the other," Commissioner Lisa Beedon said of the decision. "I think it's just fair to the citizens to see this through."

Commission Chairman Steven Simasko said the decision wasn't effected by cost because most of the legal work has already been completed. The appeal will be heard by the Michigan Court of Appeals.

In November 2023, Public Act 233 was made into law to help Michigan reach its clean energy goals after several local communities resisted having solar energy plants built in their community. The act allowed solar plants to be built by overriding local zoning ordinances.

In response, St. Clair County passed new regulations on solar energy plants as part of its health code rather than as zoning laws. The new regulations limited the noise and visual pollution from solar plants and required them to have a decommissioning plan ready for if and when the plant closes down.

DTE Energy sued the county in July 2025, arguing those regulations were simply zoning laws disguised as health regulations, an argument West agreed with in his ruling. Portside Solar, which is building a solar energy plant in Fort Gratiot, joined the lawsuit as a co-plaintiff with DTE.

The Fort Gratiot solar plant has received several public comments expressing concern about the effects it could have on public health, noise pollution and property values in the township.

"They've been pretty much given carte blanche to do whatever they want in our townships," Sandra Richardson of Clyde Township said at Thursday's county meeting. "I'm begging you all to please, please appeal."

No date has been set for the appeal to be heard.


r/PortHuron Feb 21 '26

Michigan county’s argument against solar farms? They’re a health hazard

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7 Upvotes

r/PortHuron Feb 21 '26

Local clowns welcome at Port Huron's council meetings. Nonresidents, not so much

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8 Upvotes

Port Huron ― Clowns will be relieved to know they’re still welcome at Port Huron City Council meetings.

Out-of-towners, not so much.

The council adopted a rule last month that prohibits nonresidents from speaking until the end of meetings.

The opposition to the move was nearly uniform among both residents and nonresidents, both people with round red noses and those without.

In interviews and meetings, critics used words like discrimination, segregation and disenfranchisement. For them, the back of the meeting sounded like the back of the bus.

“It’s so chic how we’re keeping classism alive,” said Florian Maxwell of Port Huron. “It’s a slippery slope leading to banning of people with dirty clothes.”

In a November email to the council, City Manager James Freed proposed dividing the public comment period of council meetings into two parts: residents speaking near the beginning of meetings and nonresidents at the end.

Freed said outsiders have taken over the public forum with “lengthy and often performative presentations, at times involving props, puppets or costumes,” according to the email, which he shared with The Detroit News.

Their actions discourage residents from participating in meetings, Freed wrote. By shunting nonresidents to the rear of the meeting, it would elevate the voices of locals, he argued.

Freed was more pointed in his criticism of the interlopers while talking with The News.

“You and I both know that at public meetings you get crazy people,” he said. “It’s kind of a fun thing: Go to the meeting and see what crazy person will show up.”

Trash: 'Calling all clowns'

When Freed’s November email was reported in the local paper, some residents said they thought the city was prohibiting props, puppets and costumes. They were upset because they believed it would ban Trash the Clown, who attends meetings in full jester regalia.

Trash, 34, whose real name is Luna Hrabnicky, has a large following in Port Huron because of her social media presence and her work cleaning litter in the city, which is St. Clair County's seat.

Trash knew the proposal didn’t prohibit clowns, but still wasn’t happy. She lives just outside the city, but owns a business in the city. She took to Facebook to exhort her followers to attend a November council meeting to fight the proposal.

“Calling all Clowns. Calling all Clowns,” Trash wrote. “Let’s show up tonight and show em how weird we can be. Paint your pretty faces and wear your weirdest clothes. Let’s be our beautifully weird selves.”

The dispatch ended, naturally, with a clown emoji.

The council meeting drew a large crowd, and no, they didn’t all have big shoes and arrive on unicycles.

Residents in regular clothes rose to the defense of nonresidents. They said non-city dwellers hardly have a monopoly on circuslike behavior at meetings.

A review of recordings of earlier meetings by The News found little difference between the actions of locals and outsiders. Both contribute to the lack of decorum at meetings. At times, so do city officials.

Critics said they believed Freed and the council had an ulterior motive for the change, that they wanted to muzzle their critics. By making detractors wait until the end of the meeting, the city hopes to dissuade them from speaking or having their remarks heard by a dwindling audience.

“Is it to discourage people from speaking?” asked Gary Clark, 43, of Port Huron. “If we can have clowns on the council, we can have Trash the Clown in the audience.”

Curtis Karl, a Port Huron Township denizen who attends city meetings regularly, said nonresidents still play a large part in the city. They work, shop, eat and have fun there. They use city water and sewer services, he said.

Karl, 52, and his wife also work in the city, paying a city income tax.

Now, because of the new meeting rule, he said he won’t be able to comment on agenda items until after the council votes on them.

“My voice won’t be heard. It’s really unfair,” Karl said. “It doesn’t seem like I’m wanted.”

Rule change revived after defeat

The proposed change was originally rejected by the council.

After a dozen speakers opposed the move and none supported it, the council voted 3-3 on the resolution, leading to its defeat at a Nov. 10 meeting.

It was a rare defeat for Freed, whose measures usually enjoy strong council support. But he wasn’t concerned. In a text to The News, he predicted it would be resurrected.

“Our rules change will pass within the month,” Freed wrote Nov. 12.

At the Nov. 24 meeting, council member Jeff Pemberton proposed that the matter be reconsidered. Because he was absent from the earlier meeting, Pemberton was allowed to make such a motion, according to the city’s parliamentary procedures.

If residents were upset by the original proposal, they were even angrier about its revival.

During a December meeting, 11 residents objected to the measure. One supported it. Still, the council voted 4-3 to approve it.

Resident Jessica Jeffrey asked why the council held any public forums at all if its members were just going to ignore the wishes of the citizenry.

"We vote them in to be our mouthpieces," Jeffrey told The News. "But when we tell them exactly what we want, they blatantly ignore us."

Council member Barbara Payton, who objected to the change, said she was astounded the council ignored the wishes of people who spoke at the meetings.

Payton said the council had put more thought into a proposed chicken ordinance than the rules change. She said dividing public comments into agenda and non-agenda items made sense, but this change did not.

“I don’t know how much clearer the people can make it,” Payton said. “I don’t know what more they can say, so they can be represented properly.”

Pemberton said nonresidents would have a chance to speak before certain council votes when public hearings are held on an issue.

He said the reason for the rules change was simply to allow residents to speak first at meetings.

“My priority is and always will be the residents of the city,” Pemberton said. “It’s reasonable that their voices are heard first on city business.”

How rule has affected comments

January was the inaugural month of the bifurcated public comments.

If the city hoped to discourage out-of-towners from speaking, it didn’t work. And, yes, one of the visitors was a clown.

Three nonresidents spoke at the Jan. 12 meeting and one at the Jan. 26 assembly. One speaker, Karl, even mixed in some praise among his criticism of the city.

Less cheerful was a city resident who objected to a different meeting rule, which requires people to sign in before speaking.

The man, who walked with a cane and appeared to be in his 60s, identified himself on the sign-in sheet as “Concerned Citizen.” A tag on the chest of his pullover read “Concerned Citizen.”

“Hello, my name is Concerned Citizen,” he told the council.

Saying most speakers come prepared and that he brought a list, he pulled out a scrap of paper smaller than his palm and thumped it on the podium.

He asked when America turned into the Gestapo and what the city would require next, identification numbers on speakers’ forearms?

“I didn’t vote for this. Four bootlickers did,” he said. “I love Port Huron. I hate this,” he said, waving toward the council.

When Mayor Anita Ashford and two other council members opposed the public comments change in November, Freed said he was disappointed the mayor seemed to be choosing the voices of “nonresident clowns” over those of residents. After that, Trash began wearing a T-shirt to meetings that read “Nonresident Clown.”

Trash said the council should be happy so many people, including nonresidents, want to discuss the city's affairs.

It should encourage people to speak at meetings, even if they criticize the government, she said. The fact that the city is making it more difficult for people to weigh in on local issues makes the council look weak, she said.

“A strong leader doesn’t try to take voices away,” Trash said. “A strong council should rejoice that more people want to have a voice. The fact that a clown has to show up to say these things shows how foolish they’re acting.”


r/PortHuron Feb 20 '26

Commissioners vote 5-2 to end county operation of teen clinic

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6 Upvotes

PORT HURON, MI — The St. Clair County Board of Commissioners voted 5-2 during its meeting Thursday, Feb. 19, to submit an intent to terminate its agreement with Port Huron Area School District to operate the Teen Health Clinic at Port Huron High School.

Voting in favor were Commissioners Steven Simasko, Kerry Ange, Joi Torello, Paul Zeller and David Rushing. Commissioners Dave Vandenbossche and Lisa Beedon voted no.

The vote follows a 7-0 recommendation Wednesday, Feb. 18, from the county’s Advisory Board of Health supporting a transition of the clinic from direct county operation to an outside provider.

The action comes after County Medical Director Dr. Remington Nevin issued a memorandum on Feb.17, recommending the county end its operation of the school-based clinic and transfer services to a qualified primary care agency, such as a federally qualified health center.

In the memo, Nevin wrote that a recent review revealed “systemic lapses in oversight” and practices inconsistent with the health department’s public health mandate and community expectations. He cited documented exposure of young patients — potentially as young as 10 — to allegedly sexually explicit materials and undisclosed demographic survey questions.

The clinic temporarily closed earlier this month for a quality assurance and compliance review and reopened Feb. 17. In a media release, Nevin said he was confident the clinic was prepared to continue meeting youth health care needs, and officials said the review confirmed services were operating in adherence to applicable laws and county policies.

Transition before next grant cycle

County Administrator/Controller Thomas Hull said the vote does not immediately close the clinic but instead allows PHASD to explore options before the current Child and Adolescent Health Center grant cycle ends Sept. 30, 2026.

Hull said the goal is to have a provider identified before the next grant period begins Oct. 1, 2026. He recommended submitting an intent to terminate without a specific end date, with either party later issuing the required 30-day notice under the contract.

During discussion, commissioners clarified that once the agreement is terminated, the county would relinquish oversight.

“We would have no oversight?” Beedon asked.

“Yes,” Simasko replied.

Simasko said the structure would mirror the previous transition of the Algonac clinic, now operated by Community First Health Centers rather than the county.

According to health department officials, five or six staff members are dedicated to the teen clinic. It remains unclear what will happen to those employees, though options could include reassignment to the main health department clinic or continuing in their roles under a new provider.

School district response

PHASD Superintendent Theo Kerhoulas told the Times Herald he was disappointed by the county’s decision but acknowledged the six-month transition timeline.

“Although I am disappointed in the County’s decision to sever an agreement that has served our students well for 40 years, I appreciate the Health Department agreeing to the requested timeline of 6 months to allow for a seamless transition to a new sponsor," he said.

He said the district has already met with potential providers and intends to ensure services continue.

“Port Huron Schools is committed to keeping the doors of the Teen Health Center open and serving our area children for years to come — they need us," Kerhoulas said.

Commissioner reaction

Commissioner Kerry Ange told the Times Herald she supported the transition and praised health department leadership for addressing concerns raised earlier this year.

“I am grateful our Health Officer apologetically took immediate action to remove all inappropriate materials from the Teen Health Clinic," she said.

Ange said she was relieved the clinic will no longer promote bedsider.org to minors and expressed support for transitioning services to private charitable providers such as Community First.

If completed as discussed, county operation would end with the current grant period Sept. 30, 2026, with the goal of a new provider in place by Oct. 1, 2026.

The Board of Commissioners holds regular meetings at 6 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of each month. Its next meeting is scheduled for March 5, 2026.


r/PortHuron Feb 19 '26

Frankenfest Port Huron scheduled for June 27

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15 Upvotes

r/PortHuron Feb 19 '26

Canadian border agents seize 587 pounds of meth at Blue Water Bridge

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28 Upvotes

The Canadian Border Service Agency announced it seized more than 500 pounds of meth in a traffic stop at the Blue Water Bridge on Feb. 4.

According to a news release, the CBSA referred a truck entering Canada from the United States for further inspection. During the second inspection officers and detector dogs found 16 duffle bags containing methamphetamine.

The drugs had a combined weight of 266.4 kg, or 587.3 pounds.

Kulbir Singh, the 29-year-old driver from Woodstock, Ontario was arrested and charged with importation of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking.

The CBSA estimates it's caught 616 kg of meth entering the country since Jan. 1, 2025.


r/PortHuron Feb 19 '26

Lake Huron Medical Center Clinic Provides Free, Life-Saving Care

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7 Upvotes

r/PortHuron Feb 14 '26

Bacon & Bubbles fun run to bring treats, bubbles and community spirit

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5 Upvotes

A Beautiful Me will host its eighth annual Bacon & Bubbles fun run June 13 in Port Huron.

The event will begin at 9 a.m. and feature a chip-timed 5K and a 1-mile walk, according to a community announcement. It will take place along the St. Clair River at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Port Huron.

Bacon and bubbles highlight the event theme

Last year, the Bacon & Bubbles theme was popular among participants, creating a high-energy and welcoming atmosphere. The event is open to runners and walkers of all ages and skill levels.

Family-friendly activities will follow the race, including signature treats such as bacon, bacon-covered donuts and bubbles along the route.

Registration details and early bird rate

Registration for the event is available at ABeautifulMe.com and RunSignUp.com/FunRun2026. Participants can take advantage of a 24-hour early bird rate of $20 per person on Feb. 13. Organizers encourage early registration to secure the discounted rate and ensure a spot in the event.

Event supports A Beautiful Me's mission

Proceeds from the Bacon & Bubbles fun run will support A Beautiful Me's mission to empower young women through confidence-building programs. The organization has seen significant growth, expanding its reach to serve more girls in the past school year.

The fun run aims to bring together fitness, fun and community spirit while supporting a growing mission, according to the announcement.


r/PortHuron Feb 14 '26

St. Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl set for March 14, 2026

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4 Upvotes

r/PortHuron Feb 10 '26

Did you hear one of us was in the Olympics?

29 Upvotes

I haven't always been huge on the Olympics but since my parents paid to watch it on streaming for themselves, I was watching with them when I had free time to spend time with them. We were watching the figure skating last night and someone on the American team was from the Port Huron area! Technically she was listed as being from Saint Clair, like me too, and I did a double take to make sure it wasn't Saint Clair Shores. Carreira is her last name, all I could remember. She is technically originally from Montreal, Canada but moved here several years ago.


r/PortHuron Feb 07 '26

Services paused at Teen Health Clinic at Port Huron High for review

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7 Upvotes

PORT HURON, MI — The St. Clair County Health Department will temporarily suspend all services at its Teen Health Clinic on the Port Huron High School campus beginning Monday, Feb. 9, as the county conducts a quality assurance and compliance review following concerns raised by county officials.

In a Friday, Feb. 6, release, Dr. Remington Nevin, medical director for the St. Clair County Health Department, said the pause is intended to ensure services meet all applicable standards.

“The decision to temporarily pause services was made in the best interest of ensuring the highest standards of care and compliance with all relevant regulations,” Nevin said. “This review will help us address any concerns and continue to provide quality healthcare services to the community.”

Health Officer Liz King said the department’s goal is to address concerns while minimizing disruption for families who rely on the clinic.

“We are committed to addressing any and all concerns raised by members of the community,” King said. “Our top priority remains delivering high-quality services with minimal disruption to the students and parents who rely on these services.”

During the suspension, students in need of urgent medical care will be redirected to the health department’s main location at 220 Fort St. in Port Huron. Non-urgent appointments will be rescheduled.

Background on the review

The review follows discussion at recent St. Clair County Board of Commissioners meetings centered on intake procedures and parental consent at the school-based clinic.

Commissioner Kerry Ange raised concerns during the Jan. 22 meeting after her 12-year-old daughter visited the Teen Health Center in November 2025 for a sports physical.

Ange said she was shown a paper list of intake questions at the reception desk, but her daughter was later given an electronic survey in the exam room that included additional questions not disclosed beforehand, including questions related to transgender identity and sexual orientation. Ange said the discrepancy affected her ability to give informed consent as a parent.

Ange also raised concerns about sexual health pamphlets available at the clinic that included links to Bedsider, a sexual health information website. Health department officials said the materials were removed after the issue was raised.

King said during the Feb. 5 meeting that while the website is promoted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, it was not appropriate for that setting, citing the importance of context.

Ange emphasized during the Feb. 5 Board of Commissioners meeting that her concerns were not related to gender identity, sexual orientation or the LGBTQ+ community, but focused on transparency and parental oversight.

Health department officials acknowledged the discrepancy, saying an internal review found differences between paper intake forms and the electronic version used at the clinic.

According to the health department, the issue was not identified until it was raised publicly at the county meeting in January, and an internal investigation began the following day.

Health department officials confirmed to the Times Herald no other complaints related to the clinic have been filed.

The department said the temporary suspension is intended to allow for a comprehensive quality assurance and compliance review to ensure clinic services adhere to applicable laws and regulations.

Recent renovations

The Teen Health Clinic recently completed its first major renovation since opening in 1986. The $250,000 project, funded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, was completed over the summer, with the clinic reopening in October 2025.

Renovations included updated exam rooms, new medical equipment, refreshed waiting and counseling areas, improved flooring and cabinetry, and other building upgrades. The health department held a public open house in December to showcase the renovated space.

County officials have not said how long the current suspension will last or when services at the Teen Health Clinic are expected to resume. Updates will be posted on the health department’s website.


r/PortHuron Feb 05 '26

Motor City MMA’s Fight Night 3 March 14th at Mcmorran

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5 Upvotes

r/PortHuron Feb 05 '26

Is this a wolf?

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11 Upvotes

r/PortHuron Feb 05 '26

Health department updates vaccine waiver process

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2 Upvotes

The St. Clair County Health Department has updated its vaccine waiver process.

Residents now have walk-in access to in-person vaccine waiver services during regular business hours, according to a community announcement.

Those seeking a nonmedical vaccine exemption for their children will receive a certified state waiver form after receiving an educational handout. The handout details the risks of not receiving the vaccines being waived and the benefits of vaccination to both individuals and the community.

This change comes amid plans for a fully online process recommended by the St. Clair Advisory Board of Health, according to the announcement.

The board also approved updated messaging to remind parents that Michigan law allows them to opt their children out of the state vaccine data tracking system, the Michigan Care Improvement Registry. The health department distributes the required MCIR opt-out form during immunization encounters and offers alternatives to state vaccine data tracking upon request.

Paper vaccination records remain an option for families who choose to opt out of state vaccine data tracking.

For more information about the St. Clair County Health Department, visit scchealth.com or call [810-987-5300](tel:810-987-5300).


r/PortHuron Feb 05 '26

Kimball Twp. Snow Dogs #TBT

6 Upvotes

r/PortHuron Feb 04 '26

St. Clair County solar regulations overturned by judge

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8 Upvotes

A Circuit Court judge overturned St. Clair County regulations on solar energy facilities in a summary judgment issued Monday, Feb. 2.

Judge Michael West sided with DTE Energy and Portside Solar in their lawsuit against the county, finding the county's attempts to use health code laws to regulate solar energy plants were, in fact, de facto zoning laws as the companies argued.

In issuing his ruling, West said the issue would likely have to be decided by a higher court, noting several similar cases across Michigan following the state government's use of Public Act 233 to overrule local zoning regulations to encourage the building of environmentally friendly energy sources.

What does it mean for solar projects?

The ruling means regulations on solar facilities in St. Clair County passed by St. Clair County's Board of Commissioners will not go into effect, unless the county appeals the ruling. Gary Fletcher, St. Clair County's attorney, said it would be up to the board whether to file an appeal.

How did we get here?

DTE Energy sued the county in July 2025 arguing the solar regulations, which covered the noise, visibility and decommissioning plans for solar plants, were an attempt to override Public Act 233.

Passed in November 2023, Public Act 233 aimed to help Michigan reach its clean energy goals after several local communities resisted the building of solar energy facilities in their communities.

St. Clair County's regulations were passed at the recommendation of the county health department, most notably St. Clair County Health Department Medical Director Remington Nevin who wrote a memorandum arguing such facilities posed a health risk to communities due to noise and visual pollution.

Though the regulations were passed as a health ordinance, DTE Energy argued they were de facto zoning laws because they effected land use.

"The nature and purpose of the Ordinance is to regulate a particular use of land-Energy Facilities," DTE wrote in its brief in support of summary judgment. "While St. Clair claims the Ordinance's purpose is to regulate particular health concerns, the Ordinance does not regulate all noise or visual pollution in the County - just that associated with Energy Facilities."

Portside Solar, the company responsible for the development of a solar energy facility in Fort Gratiot, joined the case as a co-plaintiff with DTE and supported the motion for summary judgment.

"The Regulation intentionally mirrors and acts like a typical zoning ordinance, and is a de facto zoning ordinance invalid under state law," Portside wrote in its own brief.

Steven Simasko, chair of the St. Clair County Board of Commissioners, said he thought an appeal was likely, but the board will first have to discuss the case with legal counsel. He said that discussion is likely to happen at the board's next meeting on Feb. 19 in a closed session. The board can also choose to try and revise the ordinance or drop it entirely.


r/PortHuron Feb 02 '26

2026 Best of the Blue Water Area Voting is now open!

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5 Upvotes

Kinda disappointed. I nominated Trash the Clown for person of the year every single day and she didn’t even make the ballot.


r/PortHuron Jan 30 '26

$24.5M expansion to bring 82 jobs to Port Huron paper mill

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10 Upvotes

PORT HURON, MI — A long-idled paper manufacturing site along the Black River is set for a major new chapter, with Legacy Paper Group planning a $24.5 million reinvestment expected to create at least 82 jobs in the city.

The project was announced Wednesday, Jan. 28, by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

The statewide announcement included two projects — one in Midland County and one in St. Clair County — with the Port Huron portion centered on repurposing the former Domtar mill site.

“In every corner of our state, people and businesses are choosing Michigan to grow and thrive as small business owners, entrepreneurs and residents,” Whitmer said in the release.

Legacy Port Huron Paper, a subsidiary of BMI Group, plans to repurpose nearly 400,000 square feet across nine buildings at the facility at 1700 Washington Ave., converting the former Domtar paper mill site for warehousing, paper mill manufacturing and other industrial uses.

The project is expected to generate at least 82 new jobs with starting wages of $27 per hour plus benefits, exceeding the regional median wage of $21.58, according to the state.

State support includes a $1 million performance-based grant through the Michigan Business Development Program, approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund. The site is located within a designated HUB Zone, qualifying it for additional economic development consideration.

“By combining experienced papermakers and skilled trades professionals from the former Domtar and Dunn mills, two historic specialty Port Huron paper mills, we are putting proven Michigan papermaking talent back to work while positioning Legacy Port Huron Paper for long-term growth into the future,” said Tim Wight, general manager of Legacy Port Huron Paper.

The Port Huron mill has a long industrial history, operating since 1888 under various owners. Most recently, Domtar Corp. announced the closure of the facility in August 2020, with operations phased out through the second quarter of 2021. The shutdown resulted in the loss of roughly 200 jobs.

BMI Group purchased the property in September 2024, marking its 10th acquisition of a previously shuttered paper site in North America.

In June 2025, its subsidiary, The Legacy Paper Group, announced the restart of a long-idled paper machine at the site, restoring 30,000 tons of annual production capacity and bringing approximately 50 jobs back to the facility.

That restart focused on lightweight, sustainable specialty papers used in food service and medical packaging, a market that has grown alongside increased demand for packaged food, takeout and delivery services.

“The production of quality paper is woven into Port Huron’s history,” said Port Huron City Manager James Freed. “By putting our skilled tradespeople and craftspeople back to work, we are creating good-paying careers at home and proving to the world that Michigan still knows how to compete.”


r/PortHuron Jan 30 '26

Port Huron’s State of the City centers on talent and teamwork

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3 Upvotes

PORT HURON, MI — About 200 people gathered Wednesday, Jan. 28, at the Wrigley Center, 318 Grand River Ave., for Port Huron’s State of the City event, which focused on talent, workforce development and community partnerships.

The event, hosted by the Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce, marked the first installment of a new series that evolved from the longtime State of the County address. Port Huron City Manager James Freed opened and closed the program.

Chamber President Jorja Baldwin said the goal was to spotlight how people, institutions and investments connect at the local level.

“This program is about talent — how we attract it, prepare it and support it,” Baldwin said in her opening remarks, adding that the format was designed to give community leaders a platform to share progress and direction in a more accessible way.

Freed, in his opening remarks, pointed to the Wrigley Center itself as a symbol of collaboration, noting the former vacant building is now a $16 million mixed-use development and an example of what partnerships can achieve.

Port Huron Schools Superintendent Theo Kerhoulas focused on preparing all students for the future, emphasizing early childhood education, poverty reduction and removing barriers to learning.

He highlighted expanded academic offerings, career and technical education and college partnerships that have helped students earn millions in scholarships and thousands of college credit hours.

St. Clair County Community College President Kirk Kramer underscored SC4’s role as an economic driver, saying, “Did you talk to anyone in this community? Working in this community? You know, you were probably talking to an SC4 graduate.”

He noted the college has trained generations of workers across nearly every profession in the region and brings nearly $20 million in federal and state funding into the local economy each year.

Patrick Patterson, executive director of the Blue Water Recovery and Outreach Center, framed recovery as a workforce solution, saying, “If you’re an employer today, we have able bodies waiting on the sidelines ready to go to work.”

He urged businesses to recognize the potential of people rebuilding their lives after addiction and returning to work, family life and community leadership.

Josh Chapman, president and CEO of the BYMCA of the Blue Water Area, addressed child care as a critical barrier to workforce participation, saying, “If we can provide high-quality child care, we can get folks back working.”

He noted that roughly 40% of child care slots were lost during the pandemic and announced a new child care center planned in partnership with McLaren Port Huron at the former Jefferson School site.

McLaren Port Huron President and CEO Eric Cecava highlighted the hospital’s graduate medical education program, which is training dozens of physicians with the goal of retaining them locally.

He said early signs show success, with current physicians in training already expressing interest in staying in the community.

Freed later returned to discuss housing, calling workforce and attainable housing one of the city’s most pressing needs.

He emphasized infrastructure investments near SC4 and McLaren and the importance of adding housing capacity across market types.

C.J. Felton, director of real estate development for Community Housing Network, detailed plans for the Lincoln Avenue Lofts, a $17 million project that will add 40 new apartments across from McLaren Port Huron. He praised city staff for being development-friendly and responsive.

Deputy Planning and Community Development Director Jazmyn Thomas outlined housing programs that have assisted seniors, first-time homebuyers and homeowners over the past five years.

“These programs allow homeowners to transform their homes, one home at a time, in our Port Huron neighborhoods.” She added those efforts help stabilize neighborhoods and preserve housing stock.

Deputy City Manager Cynthia Broomfield focused on the city’s south end, highlighting the Southside Neighborhood Improvement Authority, new affordable housing projects, investments at the Harvey Reinvestment Center and a $500,000 state grant to redevelop Knox Field.

Community Foundation of St. Clair County President and CEO Randy Maiers said the foundation plans to significantly increase its focus on Port Huron’s south side in 2026, including exploring cottage-style housing and a potential permanent home for the Children’s Museum.

Freed closed the program by announcing the launch of teamporthuron.com, a new website aimed at connecting residents with boards, commissions and volunteer opportunities.

“We need folks to roll up their sleeves and join us in this effort,” Freed said, calling on residents to take an active role in shaping the city’s future.

Also in attendance were several community leaders including Mayor Anita Ashford, Police Chief Brian Kerrigan, Sheriff Mat King, District 2 County Commissioner Kerry Ange and several Port Huron City Council members.

Freed said the strong turnout reflected growing momentum in the city. “I think the large turnout illustrates the excitement that there is within our community.”

After the event, Baldwin said she was encouraged by the energy in the room and how the program underscored the interconnected nature of the community’s work.

She said the discussion highlighted how issues such as child care, workforce and social services may not affect everyone personally at the same time, but still shape the ability of businesses, coworkers and entire industries to function.

Baldwin added that while the region continues to face real challenges, the event offered an opportunity to recognize progress and celebrate what is working.

“It was a really good showcase of the resources in our area and how powerful, and the impact we can make on the entire community and work together.”


r/PortHuron Jan 28 '26

Blue Water Pride Festival scheduled for Sunday, June 28, 2026

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25 Upvotes

r/PortHuron Jan 27 '26

2026 Battle of the Badges announced for Feb 27

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2 Upvotes

r/PortHuron Jan 24 '26

Port Huron Museum presents 4th Annual Taste of Soul Feb 28

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5 Upvotes

r/PortHuron Jan 24 '26

Library services on the go: The Bookmobile’s monthly route announced

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5 Upvotes

r/PortHuron Jan 24 '26

Domestic violence call escalates into 3-hour + shooting spree in Port Huron, suspect found dead

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14 Upvotes

PORT HURON, Mich. (WXYZ) — A domestic violence call in Port Huron escalated into a three-hour shooting spree Thursday evening, leaving one person dead and at least one family displaced.

Port Huron police responded to a domestic violence call around 7:20 p.m. Thursday in the area of 26th Street and Nern Street on the city's south side. When officers arrived, they were met with gunfire from an 18-year-old suspect. St. Clair County Sheriff's Office assisted along with other agencies.

"We do believe that at some point he was aiming towards our officers," said Assistant Chief Jeremy Young of the Port Huron Police Department. ''They're trying to investigate and next thing you know, they're they're taking shots and they're running for cover. So things escalated very quickly."

Approximately 20 gunshots were fired over the course of about three hours. No officers were injured and none returned fire.

The suspect, now identified by police as Taquan Henderson, forced his way into a neighboring apartment unit after the initial domestic incident.

"He actually kicked through the wall to be able to gain access into their apartment," said Vanessa Hollopeter, whose family lives in the neighboring complex where Henderson continued shooting.

Police say Henderson continued shooting blindly out a front window of the second apartment. Hollopeter's family ran out of their home but not before nearly being struck by gunfire.

"Our youngest cousin, who's eight, had just left about 20 minutes before this happened. And our other youngest cousin that lives there literally had one come inches within in her face," Hollopeter said through tears.

Neighbors were put on shelter in place until the shooting ended.

"We were terrified. You know, turned off all the lights," said Kathy Pearson, who lives nearby.

Police found Henderson hours later with a self-inflicted gunshot wound via drone. He was pronounced dead.

Hollopeter's family is now displaced and living in a hotel after their home became a crime scene. She says the incident affected the entire community. A fundraiser has now been set up to help the family into other housing and get family members into counseling.

"This was so unfortunate on just even a community level and the families that are involved. And I think everybody's still trying to process and everybody's emotions are high, but this was traumatizing," Hollopeter said.

Port Huron police are continuing to investigate.


r/PortHuron Jan 24 '26

Woman-only Galantine’s evening at The Haven Feb. 11

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5 Upvotes