News

Prince Edward County Council will begin considering the draft 2026 municipal budget at their meeting tonight at 6pm at Shire Hall. Arryn McNichol, Treasurer and Director of Finance and IT, will provide an overview of the draft 2026 budget. Council will also receive any deputations from the public and comments from the audience. Tomorrow, Council will review the capital budget, which is the municipality’s plan for investing in the roads, parks, and recreation facilities, fire and emergency vehicles, and other infrastructure that support the delivery of programs and services. And Wednesday, Council will discuss the operating budget, which details the programs and services the municipality will deliver in 2026 and the plan to pay for them. Following Council feedback and input about the draft 2026 budget, Mayor Steve Ferguson intends to officially present the proposed 2026 budget. Adoption of the final budget will follow the process outlined in the provincial Municipal Act under the strong mayor powers and duties. The public is encouraged to attend these meetings, either in person, or by following along live on YouTube.
Authorities in Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand are racing to clear debris and find hundreds of missing people after more than 900 died in devastating floods and landslides across the south of Asia. Heavy monsoon rains, exacerbated by a tropical storm, have overwhelmed parts of south-east Asia in recent days, leaving thousands of people stranded without shelter or critical supplies. Meanwhile, in Sri Lanka, the death toll from floods and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah rose sharply on Sunday to 334, with many more still missing and low-lying areas of the capital, Colombo, under water. It is the worst natural disaster to hit the island in two decades since the devastating 2004 tsunami that killed about 31,000 people and left more than a million homeless.
Ukrainian negotiators met US officials in Florida yesterday to thrash out details of Washington’s proposed framework to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, as Kyiv faces pressure on military and political fronts. The secretary of state, Marco Rubio; the special envoy, Steve Witkoff; and Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law; sat down with a Ukrainian delegation on Sunday before planned US talks this week in Moscow with Vladimir Putin. A source close to the Ukrainian delegation later told wire service AFP the talks were “not easy” and “the search for formulations and solutions continues. Everyone is interested in a practical result so that there is a subject for further negotiations between the US and Russia.”
There was plenty to see and do in Prince Edward County this weekend with Santa Claus parades in Bloomfield Friday night and during the day in Picton on Sunday. Saturday was the first Swana PEC Arts and Cultural Festival, and our Brenda Little was there.
Finally, winter parking rules in PEC come into effect today. Parking is free in Picton through March 31st. Drivers are encouraged to ‘Feed the Meter’ during the month of December to help support Food for Learning. All proceeds collected in parking meters on Picton Main St during the month will help buy breakfast, lunch, and snacks for students in local schools. And as of today no parking is permitted on any streets or highways in the County of Prince Edward between the hours of 12am and 6am. The overnight parking restrictions will remain in effect until March 31st.

Sports

The Wellington Dukes welcomed the Oakville Blades to the Duke Dome last night and thanks to two goals by Zachary Mascard and singles by Zachary Carrier, Tristan Williams, Landon Marleau, and Lucas Tye – all in the first period, the boys won 5-1.
Sticking with hockey, two Canadian teams in NHL action yesterday – the Calgary Flames lost to the Carolina Hurricanes 1-nothing on an overtime goal by Nikolaj Ehlers and Wyatt Johnson put up a hat trick and an assist as the Dallas Stars spanked the Ottawa Senators 6-1.
The Buffalo Bills travelled to Pittsburgh yesterday and set the visiting team record for rushing yards at Acrisure Stadium, putting up 249 in a 26-7 win. James Cook’s 144 yards on the ground were more than Josh Allen put up in the air.
Tough day for McLaren at the Formula One Qatar Grand Prix as the team’s strategy department threw away an almost certain victory for Oscar Piastri after failing to pit the Aussie or team mate and championship leader Lando Norris for new tires during an early-race safety car period. The error gifted the victory to Red Bulls’ Max Verstappen, who now sits just 12 points back heading into the final race of the season at Abu Dhabi, next Sunday. Piastri sits 16 points off the lead in third.