News
To start off, there is a weather advisory for the County this afternoon. We can expect a wintery mix of rain, freezing rain or ice pellets. Take care as roads and sidewalks could be icy and slippery.
In local news, the OPP have laid further charges against a Campbellford man in connection with an ongoing sexual assault investigation and police believe there could be more victims.
A 43-year-old man was originally charged earlier this month in connection with an incident that occurred at a commercial premises on Front Street North in Trent Hills.
As the investigation continued, new complainants came forward and officers arrested the accused on four separate occasions.
In the interest of public safety and to encourage any additional victims or witnesses to come forward, investigators have released a photo of the accused, Adam MacMIllan.
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a similar incident or who has information relevant to the investigation is urged to contact the OPP There is no statute of limitations on sexual offences. Reports can be made to police at any time, regardless of how much time has passed.
FISH HUT
Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Conservation officers were patrolling the lake near Smiths Falls on Monday when they discovered an ice fishing hut sinking into the thinning ice near a small island.
The officers flew a drone around the hut to search of its registration number, but found none. They believe someone attempted to remove this hut off the water, failed to do so and scratched the numbers off and abandoned it.
The wooden hut is beige with a dark steel roof, and sits on a red metal trailer. As of Thursday, only the roof is visible above the surface of the lake. The Ministry is requesting the public’s help for information about the owner of the hut
Ice huts must be removed from lakes in most of eastern Ontario by March 15, but the Ministry said loss and abandonment is a “fairly common” problem — especially when there’s an early melt. Fines can run as high as $25,000
NURSES
On the medical front, Ontario will not have a policy in place to publicly fund all medical services provided by from nurse practitioners by April 1, as ordered by the federal government, leaving some patients paying out of pocket for primary care.
Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones pushed the federal government two years ago to close what she called a loophole in the Canada Health Act that allowed some nurse practitioner clinics in the province to charge patients fees for primary care.
The government has done that, clarifying that nurse practitioner services equivalent to what physicians provide are covered by the Act’s requirement that such treatment be publicly funded. The province is still in ongoing discussions with provincial and territorial partners and the federal government regarding implementation expectations of the federal government’s direction, so it will miss the deadline in April.
Provinces won’t start incurring penalties for non-compliance until April 2027. Critics and nurse practitioners say Ontario should not wait.
IRAN
Iran threatened to target recreational and tourist sites worldwide and insisted it was still building missiles on Friday — a show of defiance nearly three weeks into U.S.-Israeli strikes.
Iran’s top military spokesman warned that “parks, recreational areas and tourist destinations” worldwide won’t be safe for Tehran’s enemies. This threat renewed concerns that Iran or its proxies might strike beyond the Middle East as a pressure tactic in the ongoing war.
And finally, The County of Prince Edward is reminding all dog owners that their pets must be licensed by March 31 of each year. The cost for each dog tag is $30 or $20 for dogs that are spayed or neutered. Dog tags help return lost pets to their owners.
Dog tags can be purchased in person at Shire Hall or County libraries, by mail or online through the County website.
Owners of unlicensed dogs in the County are subject to a $55 fine.
Sports
CURLING
At the Women’s World Curling Championship underway in Calgary. Kerri Einarson’s Team Canada rink plays their last two round games back to back today. At 2:00 they face Australia, then turn around and battle Japan at 7:00 tonight.
Team Canada is 8-2 heading into today’s matches and sits in second spot behind Switzerland at 9-1. The top two team at the end of round robin play go directly to the Saturday’s semi-final. The teams finishing 3rd to 6th have a qualifying and quarter final to go through to make it to the semis. Canada last game is against Japan who are also 8-2.
BASKETBALL
While March Madness started yesterday, The Toronto Raptors continue their run for a playoff spot with a home game against the Denver Nuggets tonight. The Raptors are third in their Division and fifth in the Eastern Conference.
NHL
In the NHL, there are two Canadian teams in action tonight. The Toronto Maple Leafs are at home to the Carolina Hurricanes. Then they head out for a Saturday night game in Ottawa against the Senators.
Out west the Calgary Flames also have a home game against the Florida Panthers. With less than a month to go in the regular season only Montreal and Edmonton are in a playoff position, with Ottawa and Winnipeg still in the hunt.
