Blackburn News Chatham

We're in for another sweltering couple of days in southwestern Ontario, time is up for residents living in the homeless encampment in downtown Chatham, and Chatham-Kent council will get an update tonight on local trash stats.

The mayor and council of Chatham-Kent have committed to 13 recreational and cultural projects across the municipality so far this year, an unexpected boost for Canada's labour market last month, and it sounds like U.S. President Donald Trump's latest tariff threat may not be as bad as it sounded at first.

A shoreline protection project along the Thames River in downtown Chatham is set to start soon, Chatham-Kent's rich history is on display through a new mural in downtown Chatham, and Donald Trump says the U-S is set to introduce a sweeping 35 per cent tariff on Canadian goods next month.

Home sales in the municipality have slowed despite a record number of homes on the market. Chatham-Kent police are looking to add more CCTV cameras to some communities as the system has helped solve numerous investigations and improved public safety. A 51-year-old man is facing charges after he allegedly tried to rob someone outside the bus station in Chatham. A number of First Nations in Ontario are calling for the province's environment minister to resign. A weekly routine has turned into a $250K prize for a Blenheim retiree.

If you're looking to buy a home in Chatham-Kent right now, there is no shortage of options, dozens of First Nations in Ontario are calling for the province's environment minister to resign, and stargazers are in for a treat tonight -- as long as the weather holds up.

There will be plenty of activity around the Wheatley Library in the coming days, a Councillor for the Walpole Island First Nation has been named one of the country's best young business leaders, and some residents in a Leamington subdivision are still under a boil-water advisory.

Residents in Wheatley will see plenty of activity downtown, near the library, in the coming days. Chatham-Kent police are asking for help finding a missing man. A man who was vacationing in the Leamington area is lucky to be alive after he fell off a Sea-Doo in Lake Erie. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, and tractors will be on display in Ridgetown this weekend. A non-alcoholic beverage sold across the country is being recalled over concerns of mould. 

Noon News for Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Reach Out Chatham-Kent is working on finding new spots for people who are living in the encampment in downtown Chatham, there's a celebration of life today in Dresden for a young hockey player who died after a tragic ATV crash last week, and some residents in a Leamington subdivision are under a boil-water advisory this morning.

Reach Out Chatham-Kent doesn't anticipate much pushback despite the closure of Chatham's biggest homeless encampment. A 30-year-old woman from Leamington is facing impaired driving charges after she stopped her vehicle in traffic on Wheatley Road to respond to a message. Four men are facing terrorism-related charges after an alleged extremist plot in Quebec. It's been reported that the two people that died following a mid-air crash in Manitoba were student pilots. U.S. President Donald Trump plans to impose a 50% tariff on all copper imports.

A 30-year-old woman from Leamington is facing impaired driving charges after she stopped her vehicle in an active lane of traffic late last night to respond to a message, Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers is putting out a call for tips after someone broke into a home in Chatham sometime over the past week, and four men are facing terrorism-related charges... after an alleged extremist plot in Quebec.

A 12-year-old boy from Dresden is being remembered as an irreplaceable brother and teammate, a 51-year-old Chatham-Kent man has been charged after allegedly threatening a bank teller, and more than 100 people have died after some flash floods hit central Texas.

Entegrus had its hands full on Sunday, as a number of incidents affected the regions' power. Residents of a large homeless encampment in Chatham will have to find a new place to stay. A new report says breaking down provincial trade barriers won't save Canadians as much money as promised.

Gas was reported to be venting near the Wheatley library Friday morning, but it has since stopped. There's a heat warning in effect for Chatham-Kent this weekend. A 29-year-old Ridgetown woman has died following a crash on Longwoods Road. A Chatham-Kent police officer is in trouble with the law after an off-duty incident. A CK police officer was injured when trying to make an arrest in Wallaceburg. The measles outbreak appears to be slowing down in Ontario.

A 29-year-old Ridgetown woman has died following a crash on Longwoods Road. A Chatham-Kent police officer is in trouble with the law after an off-duty incident. The measles outbreak appears to be slowing down in Ontario. An evacuation is underway in Manitoba, as a nearby wildfire threatens a northern community. The Calgary Stampede kicks off tomorrow, and Shania Twain will open things up.

Paddlers are being asked to gather on the Sydenham River near Dresden for an event to defend sacred waters, Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles was in Dresden yesterday to rally against Bill 5, and the ribs are returning to Tecumseh Park in Chatham this afternoon.

Two local teens are facing assault charges after a fight in the parking lot of a retail area in Chatham, the investigation continues into some recurring gas emissions that were detected behind the public library branch in Wheatley, and a local farm known for its Christmas trees is once again teaming up with the Alzheimer's Society of Chatham-Kent for a flowery fundraiser.

The Wheatley public library will stay closed for now, kids' activities will be in the spotlight in Blenheim this weekend, and disgraced music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs will stay locked up after being convicted of federal prostitution charges.

There is a severe Thunderstorm Watch in effect for Chatham-Kent. Plans are in the works for what could be the largest single-site residential development in Chatham-Kent's history. A child has died following a train collision in Chatham. A 71-year-old Blenheim woman is facing a handful of charges after a police chase just outside of Ridgetown that ended in a cemetery. A 40-year-old Chatham-Kent woman is facing charges after allegedly causing a scene after she was refused service because of insufficient funds. The water at Ipperwash Beach has claimed another life.

Plans are in the works for what could be the largest single-site residential development in Chatham-Kent's history, a 71-year-old Blenheim woman is facing a handful of charges after a police chase just outside of Ridgetown that ended in a cemetery, and a 40-year-old Chatham-Kent woman is facing charges after she allegedly spat on someone and threatened them after she was refused service because of insufficient funds.

Another gas detection call in downtown Wheatley, a Chatham-Kent man is facing firearms charges after he allegedly flashed a gun while he was robbing a convenience store in Sarnia, and the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers had a day to forget as their five-game win streak came to an end.

There are closures across Chatham-Kent to celebrate Canada Day on Tuesday. A 62-year-old man from Leamington has died following a single-vehicle collision in Wheatley. Canada is rescinding the digital services tax and resuming trade talks with the U.S.

Trade talks between Canada and the U.S. are on hold because of Ottawa's digital sales tax and Erie Street South is open in Wheatley again after a crash. These stories and more are in your noon news on the go.

Ontario's Minister of Natural Resources was in Wheatley today following yesterday's gas leak. A Chatham-Kent OPP officer, found not guilty of manslaughter earlier this week, is under investigation by the Professional Standards Unit. As Canadians prepare to celebrate the country's birthday, OPP have launched a week-long safety blitz. CK Councillor Alysson Storey has recently been elected for her third term on the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Board of Directors. She's also been named Vice-Chair of the Ontario caucus. The province will be taking over four more school boards.

Fire Officials say the most recent gas threat in Wheatley has ended. A Chatham-Kent councillor has been elected as Ontario's vice-chair for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Canada's economy shrank in April by 0.1%. A new national survey has found that most people feel proud to be Canadian. Ryan Reynolds is set to be invested as an officer of the Order of Canada.

The public is being advised to stay away from downtown Wheatley, as Hydrogen Sulfide has been detected. A Chatham man has been charged with dangerous driving after witnesses reported a woman hanging out of a moving vehicle. CK Public Health says 6 of 7 beaches are safe for swimming, but Mitchell's Bay Beach has high levels of E. Coli. CFIB says there's no better way to celebrate Canada Day than supporting small, Canadian businesses. Severe weather is costing homeowners more in home insurance.

CK police arrested an unlicensed driver on Wednesday after a dangerous driving incident involving his girlfriend. A wanted man was arrested after a woman told police where to find her stolen cell phone. An Angus Reid poll says 27% of Ontarians don't trust the province to handle the measles outbreak. Severe weather is costing homeowners more in home insurance.

CKHA has started using Artificial Intelligence to help diagnose and treat patients with stroke-like symptoms. As the weather warms up this summer, Chatham-Kent Fire and Emergency officials also want you to raise your awareness about safety around area waterways. Tick activity is on the rise in Ontario, including here in Chatham-Kent. Canada has agreed to spend 5% of its GDP on defence by 2035. On the next national census, you'll be asked what your sexual orientation is.

Noon News for Wednesday, June 25, 2025

A Chatham-Kent OPP officer charged in the shooting death of a 24-year-old man nearly four years ago is walking free, a Chatham teen who has been battling cancer for two years will soon get to sleep in his own bed again, and three Chatham-Kent residents are headed to Thailand for the 2025 Jiu-Jitsu World Championships.

A Chatham-Kent OPP officer has been found not guilty of manslaughter. The search for a missing swimmer in the Thames River has ended in tragedy. Provincial police have recovered the body of the swimmer who went missing in Lake Erie on Sunday afternoon. The damage is estimated at $200K after a fire at a multi-unit home in Chatham.  A workplace injury has led to a large fine for a Wallaceburg company.

The search for a missing swimmer in the Thames River in Chatham had a tragic ending, the damage is estimated at $200,000 and the cause is still under investigation after a fire at a multi-unit home in Chatham, and inflation didn't change last month.

Morning News for Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Chatham-Kent municipal offices and libraries are available as cooling centres while an extended heat warning is in place. First responders including aerial and marine units are looking along the Thames River in Chatham for a missing person. A Lake Erie beach remained closed on Monday as first responders searched for a missing swimmer. Bus fares in Chatham-Kent will be going up slightly on July 1st, but only for people who use a smart card. Ontario's government has proposed weakening some impending rules for recycling in the province. Voting is open for the Intercounty Baseball League's All-Star Game.

Chatham-Kent police are putting out a notice to the public that you may see some officers along the Thames River in Chatham throughout the day, a heat warning is still in place, and you will likely run into some traffic delays and detours if your drive takes you along Highway 402 between London and Sarnia.

Another day with an extreme heat warning, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent is going to need some major help to pay for road and bridge work across the area, and the realignment of Talbot Trail should be done by next summer.

CK Public Health says municipal offices and libraries are available as cooling centres as temperatures climb into the 30s and 40s through the next week. A report going before council on Monday shows some significant issues with CK's Water and Waste Water Master Plan. War buffs should make their way to the Chatham-Kent Municipal Airport this Saturday. The Dover Kinsmen Truck and Tractor Pull is underway in Pain Court. The Ontario government is spending almost $56M to create new spaces in teachers colleges.

Chatham-Kent Council may have a bitter pill to swallow when it comes to water planning, summer starts tonight with a stretch of hot and humid days ahead of us, and there are a lot of events going on across Chatham-Kent this weekend.