Features

Partner Content Blue Water Transit’s El Dorado under the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron.

Blue Water Area Transit offers New Year's Eve safe ride

The Blue Water Area Transportation Commission (BWATC) offers free, door-to-door safe rides to and from passengers’ parties for New Year’s Eve. This community service is provided in partnership with Radio First to keep our community safer.

Feature Story Left to Right: Sharon Wilton and Tracy Willard.

Sharon Wilton honored as Port Huron's NACW Woman of the Year

The Port Huron Chapter of the National Association of Career Women recently named Sharon Wilton the Woman of the Year for her positive influence and efforts in the community. 

Partner Content Christine Davis (middle) and Family.

Port Huron woman named a “Parent Hero”

With the help of Community Mental Health staff, a St. Clair County mom has been recognized for her commitment to putting her children’s mental health first.

Feature Story Karlie Gest and her Belgian horse named Cal.

In Photos: Lexington Horse Parade 2024

The Lexington Holiday Horse Parade is a unique annual event. On Dec. 14, the parade celebrated its 14th year and trotted down Main Street in Lexington with over 100 horses and riders decorated with holiday shimmer.

Feature Story "We live here, we work here and we care about you and your family."

A New Vision for Public Health in Michigan

Michigan has stepped forward with a comprehensive Public Health Call to Action, a set of recommendations crafted by the Michigan Public Health Advisory Council (MPHAC) to guide the state’s journey toward a more equitable and resilient health system. 

Feature Story Robert Sheehan

Michigan’s community mental health agencies will do even more good work in 2025

Federal dollars, state initiatives, community partnerships, and a normalization of seeking and receiving behavioral health care have positioned Michigan’s community mental health agencies to do even more good work in 2025.

Feature Story Rebel Dogs has a distinctly Detroit approach to ethical animal advocacy

Rebels with a cause: How Rebel Dogs has changed the animal advocacy landscape in DetroitNonprofit Journal Project

Rebel Dogs was started by a couple of engaged citizens who wanted to alleviate the suffering of stray dogs. Today, it’s a comprehensive dog-rescue operation that helps Detroit pet owners on multiple levels.

Feature Story Sheri Faust, Executive Director of Friends of the St. Clair River.

Health of the St. Clair River: Conversation with Sheri Faust

The St. Clair River is vital to the communities bordering it and the commerce flowing through the Great Lakes Seaway. Keeping the river healthy and monitoring development along its shorelines is critical. The Keel talked with Sheri Faust to get an inside look at the health of the St. Clair River.

Feature Story Shannon and Todd Postill are the new owners of Family Tradition Tree Farm located in Kimball, Michigan.

Tree Farm in Kimball springs back to life with new owners

Formerly known as Tollander Tree Farm, Family Tradition Tree Farm in Kimball is taking root under new ownership, blending a long-held family business with new traditions.

Partner Content Group of young adults.

The Power of Words: Promoting inclusive language in St. Clair County

When it comes to fostering a safe environment, words matter. St. Clair County Community Mental Health dives into the harmful impacts of derogatory terms and resources to create an inclusive community. 

Longform The program reduced postpartum depression by 50% among participants.

MSU public health researchers seek to expand successful preventive postpartum depression program

ROSE program trains expectant mothers on how roles and relationships change postpartum and teaches assertiveness skills so expectant mothers can ask for the support they need.

Feature Story BWAT Bus.

Blue Water Area Transit program ‘Missed the Bus, Just Call us!’ brings added benefits to residents

Catching the bus can be quite a hassle, but with BWAT's new program, students can obtain a free ride to or from school if they miss the bus. The organization also recently became the first public transit agency in Michigan to operate electric transit buses. 

Feature Story Newcomer Mohammed arriving at the airport to a welcome from Ruth, a member of the Cassopolis, Mich., private sponsor group that worked with Zaman during the 90-day resettlement period

Welcome to Michigan: It takes a community to integrate refugees to U.S. cultureNonprofit Journal Project

Welcoming refugees to Michigan is part and parcel Zaman International's work with Welcome Corps

Feature Story Pine Grove Park Reindeer

Guide: Discover holiday fun in St. Clair County

The holiday season is here. From a Christmas parade to a Yule Tide Ball, check out some of the fun seasonal events in the Blue Water Area. 

Partner Content Festival of Trees.

McLaren's Festival of Trees brings back elegant gala to annual holiday event

McLaren Port Huron’s 36th annual Festival of Trees returns. This year, the annual event also sees the return of The Festival of Trees Gala on Friday, Dec. 6 at the Blue Water Convention Center. Proceeds from the event help fund a state-of-the-art 3D cone beam CT machine.

Feature Story A BULK Space workshop, titled Memories of a Place, lead by Adrienne Hayden

Breaking down barriers for local artistsNonprofit Journal Project

BULK Space, in Detroit’s North End, offers classes, tools, technology and a physical work space for under-resourced artists.  

Feature Story The Eddy Center in St. Clair.

Friends of the St. Clair River to expand inside the Eddy Center with new Watershed Discovery Center

On December 3, Friends of the St. Clair River is hosting an open house for community members to catch a sneak peek inside the organization's new Watershed Discovery Center. 

Feature Story CityFlatsHotel in downtown Port Huron.

CityFlatsHotel dishes up new catering partner for private events; rebranded cafe

Earlier this month, CityFlatsHotel Port Huron brought a new catering partner, a familiar family-owned business in the St. Clair community. The hotel also rebranded its cafe, featuring new menu items. 

Longform The students currently taking U-M School of Public Health course, Chatgpt/AI and Public Health.

Public health and AI: Great potential and a need for ethical policies

When applying AI to public health, great potentials exist for swifter, nimbler care and pin-pointed personalization. Its use also could exacerbate biases and the misuse of private information.  

Partner Content Elisabeth Berry and James D'Arcy

Legacy Society will sustain Autism Alliance of Michigan’s work for decades to come

AAoM is establishing its Legacy Society to recognize donors today for gifts that will provide dollars in perpetuity.