News
From the heart of Prince Edward County, I’m Patrick Lewis with your County FM News.
Murder, Abuse Trial, CBC – The trial continues today for an Ontario couple accused of killing a 12-year-old boy and torturing his younger brother in their Burlington home. 46 year old Becky Hamber is back testifying. Hamber and her wife, 44 year old Brandy Cooney have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges. Crown prosecutors and defence lawyers have already spent four days questioning Hamber about the way she and wife treated the brothers in their care. Hamber has maintained she loved and did nothing to hurt the boys as they were going through the adoption process. The Indigenous boys’ identities are protected under a publication ban.
EOWC Meets, Quinte News – The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC), representing 103 rural and small-urban municipalities, participated in the 2026 Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference in Toronto, advocating for key regional priorities affecting eastern Ontario’s communities. Serving 1.1 million residents and covering 50,000 square kilometres, the EOWC advocated to the Ontario Government on regional priorities including Supporting affordability together for rural and small-urban municipalities, businesses and residents; Creating a regulated paramedic college in Ontario; and Modernizing the Ontario Provincial Police billing and Provincial Offences Act fines model. The EOWC also advocated for additional investment, systemic action, and government coordination around homelessness.
Bored of Peace (Trump is), AP – U.S. President Trump has inaugurated his Board of Peace to lead efforts at maintaining a ceasefire in Israel’s war with Hamas, insisting that “everyone wants to be a part” of the body that could eventually rival the United Nations — despite many U.S. allies opting not to participate. In a speech at the World Economic Forum, Trump sought to create momentum for a project to map out a future of the war-torn Gaza Strip. The event featured Ali Shaath, the head of a new, future technocratic government in Gaza, announcing that the Rafah border crossing will open in both directions next week. That’s after Israel said in early December it would open the crossing, which runs between Gaza and Egypt, but has yet to do so.
The new peace board was initially envisioned as a small group of world leaders overseeing the ceasefire, but it has morphed into something far more ambitious. Trump said 59 countries had signed onto the board — even though heads of state, top diplomats and other officials from only 19 countries plus the U.S. actually attended.
TicTok Tim NOT Up, CDN Press – TikTok will live to scroll another day in Canada! A Federal Court judge has set aside a government order for the social media company to wind down operations in Canada, meaning it can keep running its offices here while the industry minister takes another look at the file.
In 2024, the Liberal government ordered TikTok to close its Canadian offices after a review, citing national security concerns, though it stopped short of banning the app for users. Yesterday, the court shelved the government’s order and directed Industry Minister Melanie Joly to conduct a new review.
Sports
Rory McIlroy took a double-bogey seven – in a 1 over opening round of 73 to start the Dubai Desert Classic trailing eight shots behind clubhouse leader Francesco Molinari today. McIlroy’s playing partner, Tommy Fleetwood, also dropped a shot on the 18th after making bogey also at the 14th and 16th. The world Nos. 2 and 3 both carded 73.
Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka made it a day for the ages at the Australian Open. Djokovic improved to 399 wins in Grand Slam matches with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Francesco Maestrelli today, making the 38-year-old, 24-time major winner just one shy of becoming the first player ever to 400. He’s aiming to win an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title. And if he does, he’ll beat Ken Rosewall’s 1972 record as the oldest man at 37 in the Open era to win a major singles championship.
The Picton Pirates will be on home ice tonight hosting the Frankford Huskies. Puck drops at the PEC Community Centre at 7:30
In the NHL Tonight well see the Buffalo Sabres are in Montreal, The Panthers are in Winnipeg, The Senators head to Nashville and the Penguins will be in Edmonton.
Mitch Marner The star forward will return to Toronto as a member of the opposition for the first time since bolting the Original Six franchise back in the summer. Marner had 12 goals and 39 assists for 51 points in 48 games entering Thursday’s tilt in Boston ahead of what will no doubt be an emotional night in Toronto.
