News
A huge fire gutted a home in Prince Edward County on Wednesday night. PEC Firefighters responded to a report of a garage fire on Christian Road by Highway 62 around 8:20 pm. When they arrived, they discovered that fire had spread to the attached home. The residence is a total loss with damages estimated at $700,000. Everyone made it out safely though some family pets were unaccounted for on Wednesday night. The cause of the fire is currently unknown. Inspectors with the PEC Fire Department will be back on the scene on Thursday morning as the investigation continues.
Tributes are pouring in as Quinte West mourns the loss of one its longest-serving Councillors. Sally Freeman passed away on Wednesday. Freeman was first elected as a Councillor more than 30 years ago in the 90’s in Trenton. Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison says Freeman “Worked hard for health care and safety, always looking for ways to help strengthen our first responders especially our Quinte West Fire Department.” She as a tireless supporter of a number of local organizations and was always a strong advocate for local health-care agencies especially Trenton Memorial Hospital. Arrangements have not yet been announced. Harrison says they will be honouring her in Quinte West, likely starting with the lower of flags across the city, with those discussions to continue on Thursday.
A 41-year-old man from Trenton faces charges after an attempted break and enter very early Wednesday morning. A report came in around 1 a.m. about several individuals trying to steal wiring from the Cascades facility on Marmora St. One person was apprehended by security on site and Quinte West OPP officers took them into custody upon their arrival. The man faces charges which include break and enter to commit indictable offense, mischief to destroy or damage property and theft under $5000. The investigation and search for more potential suspects is ongoing. Anyone with further information in this case can contact the OPP or Crime Stoppers.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday set a goal for Canada to double its non-US exports in the next decade, saying American tariffs are causing a chill in investment. Speaking in an evening address to Canadians, Carney, who will release his government’s budget on 4 November, said many of Canada’s former strengths—based on close ties to America—have become vulnerabilities. The Canadian prime minister’s new take comes amid US President Donald Trump’s threats to Canada’s economy and sovereignty with tariffs, most offensively by claiming Canada could be “the 51st state.”
A program acknowledging the best of Prince Edward County is back. County Council has relaunched the Civic Recognition Program with new refreshed categories, clearer nomination guidelines, and a more inclusive celebration format. Award categories include:
Amateur Sport
Bravery / Heroism
Community / Service Group
Environment / Sustainability
Mayor’s Special Achievement
Outstanding Volunteer
Youth Leadership
Youth Volunteer
Residents of Prince Edward County of all ages – individuals or groups whose volunteer efforts go “above and beyond” – are eligible to be nominated. You can fill out a nomination online… Paper copies of the nomination form are available at the Customer Service Desk, Shire Hall. . The ceremony is expected to take place next fall.
Sports
RJ Barrett scored a game-high 25 points and Brandon Ingram added 16 points and nine rebounds in his Toronto debut as the Raptors ran away from the Hawks for a victory Wednesday night in the season opener for both teams. Scottie Barnes had 22 points and nine assists for the Raps, who set a franchise record for points on opening night and surpassed last season’s high.
Mike Matheson scored the overtime winner on Wednesday when the Montreal Canadiens won 2-1 over the struggling Calgary Flames. Zachary Bolduc also scored for Montreal (6-2-0), which has won six of seven after a season-opening loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Brady Oliveira will have a chance to defend his CFL outstanding player and top Canadian honours. The Winnipeg running back was the Blue Bombers’ nominee for both awards Wednesday. Oliveira claimed both awards last year in helping Winnipeg make a fifth straight Grey Cup appearance. Oliveira will face stiff competition in the West Division from quarterback Nathan Rourke, who was the B.C. Lions’ unanimous selection in both categories. Rourke, the league’s top Canadian in 2022, is second in CFL passing and TDs but is the top-rushing quarterback. This season, Rourke set a single-season passing record for a Canadian, breaking the previous mark held by Russ Jackson (3,641 yards in 1969). Rourke is just the second Canuck in league history to eclipse 10,000 career passing yards.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he is looking at the issue of ticket sales, after Blue Jays fans complained of sky-high resale prices not long after World Series tickets went on sale. Game 1 comes to Toronto on Friday and home game tickets quickly sold out Tuesday, with resale tickets being priced at many thousands of dollars. Ford said he wants to review the issue.
