News
In local news, the County has a new fire chief. Patrick Howe has been appointed Fire Chief of Prince Edward County Fire and Rescue following an extensive recruitment process.
Chief Howe joined PEC Fire and Rescue as a volunteer in 2012, progressing through roles as volunteer captain, career training officer, and more recently acting deputy fire chief. In his roles, Chief Howe has worked to modernize and standardize firefighter training, streamline the inspection and maintenance of personal protective equipment, and secure new investments in firefighter health and wellness.
TRANSIT
The Ontario government announced yesterday that it would be investing over $1.8 million supporting public transit service for municipalities in the Bay of Quinte region.
A release from the office of Bay of Quinte MPP Tyler Allsopp states that the funding is through the 2025-26 Gas Tax program. It will be used for local public transit initiatives such as expanding service hours, increasing routes, purchasing new vehicles and improving accessibility to increase transit ridership
The funds are broken down into – 59% for Belleville, 29% for Quinte West and 12% or $225,658 for Prince Edward County
DRUG ARREST
Yesterday,Belleville Police confrmed that two people have been charged following the execution of drug warrants in the city’s north end. Responding to a suspicious incident at a business on Wednesday, Officers located a male and a female hiding inside the business. It was determined that both individuals had outstanding Belleville Police Service arrest warrants.
As a result of investigation, a 24-year-old Belleville woman with no fixed address was arrested on the strength of those arrest warrants. A 44-year-old Belleville male faces additional drug possession and trafficking charges
Both individuals are being held pending a bail hearing.
FLOODING
With the heavy rain this week, flood warning have remained in effect. Conservation authorities forecast that the Lower Trent watershed which includes Prince Edward County, may receive 15-30 millimeters of rain over the next five days, with potential thunderstorms increasing total precipitation in localized areas.
The elevated stream flows and saturated ground conditions may lead to increased runoff into local streams. Because of these increasing flows and potential for water levels to continue to rise, a Flood Watch Statement for the local creeks is now being issued.
Municipalities and the public should be aware that localized inundation is possible in urban areas where storm drains may not be able to handle the rainfall. High water levels could cause flooding of driveways, access roads or buildings located in low-lying areas.
Residents should ensure their sump pumps are working and secure personal property such as boats and docks along riverbanks.
This Flood Watch Statement for the local creeks will be in effect until Friday, April 24th.
And finally, apparently going to war is not restricted to homo sapiens. Scientists have documented a violent conflict that broke out among a troop of nearly 200 chimpanzees in Uganda, despite decades of relative tranquility before the killing started.
The chimps live in a densely forested part of Uganda’s Kibale National Park. While they lived in different “neighbourhoods” prior to the conflict, they often intermingled as a larger group to feed, groom or patrol their territory together.
That all changed in June 2015, when researchers noticed something shift between the western and central neighbourhoods within the larger group. The conflict progressed until the killing of rival chimps started in January 2018. In the years that followed, researchers estimate that the western group killed 24 chimpanzees from the central group — including 17 infants.
Researchers have studied these chimps for 30 years, and it’s just not clear how this ongoing violence will end.
Sports
NHL
Its playoff season in the NHL. The Ottawa Senators are up first tomorrow with an afternoon Game 1 of their 7 game series against the Carolina Hurricanes. The puck drops at 3:00 pm. Game 2 is on Monday
On Sunday, it is the Montreal Canadiens turn as they head south to start their series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. That game starts at the precise time of 5:45pm. Game 2 is on Tuesday
The Edmonton Oilers secured home ice advantage with a win over the Vancouver Canucks last night. Their playoff run starts on Monday when the Anaheim Ducks come to town. As happens in the NHL playoff schedule, Ottawa will have played two games before Edmonton hits the ice for the first time
NBA
In the NBA, The Toronto Raptors start their playoff run in Cleveland tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 against the Cavaliers. This is the 4th vs 5th place games of the first round. The Raptors finished third in the Atlantic Division while the Cavs were 2nd in the Central.
GOLF
A week after the first major golf tournament of the year at Augusta, the PGA Tour makes its next stop at the RBC heritage Open at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, S.C.
Four Canadians will be in the running at the tournament, including Taylor Pendrith and Sudarshan Yellamaraju, along with two Canadians who made the cut at the Masters in Corey Conners and Nick Taylor.
After the first round, Connors is the top Canadian in a tie for 17th at 4 under par. Taylor is next at 2 under while their other countrymen were both 3 over par for the round
