Blackburn News Chatham

Provincial police are asking the public for help finding the cause of a weekend oil spill near Chatham. Farmers are facing financial pressure as grocery prices rise without a corresponding boost to their own earnings. A new documentary is highlighting farmerettes and the crucial role they played during the Second World War. A drop in cross-border traffic may actually be a boon for Canadian tourism operators. CK's Paisley Fraleigh is one of 25 girls chosen to represent Team Ontario in the upcoming U-18 Women's Tackle National Championship. UCC's girls' rugby team is out at OFSAA after falling 26-5 in their quarter-final match.

An oil spill on Highway 401 that may have caused a crash over the weekend is still under investigation, the ongoing trade war with the U.S. is still drawing mixed reaction in Canada, and a Chatham-Kent footballer is set to compete in the 2025 U18 Women's Tackle National Championship.

The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance is feeling the strain from the rising number of measles cases in the community, a special celebration is set for Wheatley this coming weekend, and the long-time president of a local utility provider is getting ready to retire.

Provincial police have closed the westbound lanes of Highway 401 at Victoria Road because of a crash. Chatham-Kent police are investigating a pair of serious crashes that sent multiple people to the hospital over the weekend. CK police are warning drivers not to go around road closed signs and barricades at crash sites. Staff at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance are urging people to get the measles vaccine, if they haven't already. Industry Minister Melanie Joly says Ottawa is committed to using Canadian steel and aluminum in national infrastructure and defence projects. Closing arguments in the sexual assault trial of five former members of Canada's 2018 world junior team will begin Monday.

Chatham-Kent police are investigating a pair of serious crashes that sent multiple people to the hospital over the weekend, police are warning drivers not to go around road closed signs and barricades at crash sites, and the federal government is showing its support for the Canadian steel and aluminum industry by saying it's committed to using Canadian products for its national infrastructure and defence projects.

Ontario is joining forces with three other provinces to help grow the country's economy, a new sculpture has been unveiled at the hospital in Chatham, and a softball player from Chatham is taking her talents to the bench.

CK residents are being advised to stay inside as much as possible because of wildfire smoke. Ontario's latest measles report shows that cases are slowing down in Chatham-Kent. There will be plenty to do in Blenheim on Saturday as the Rotary Club hosts Discover Blenheim. FreeHelp CK is gearing up for a pair of special events in the next couple of weeks. CK's Jeff Gotelaer is spotting for Danish driver Christian Lundgaard at the Detroit Grand Prix.

The number of measles cases being reported across Chatham-Kent is going down, a volunteer-led group in Chatham-Kent is gearing up for a pair of special events in the next couple of weeks, and Blenheim will be a busy place tomorrow.

Chatham-Kent's mayor is calling out a newly launched website promoting the proposed Dresden Landfill expansion, Rondeau is now home to a new wood carving, and provincial politicians are in for a pretty sizeable pay raise and a pension.

A day after U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs were blocked, an appeals court has reinstated them. Municipal officials in Chatham-Kent want your input on plans to spruce up Erieau Boulevard. Operation Blizzard has done its job, restricting the movement of drugs at Canada's border. Ontario's Education Minister is about to get more power over the province's school boards. Rondeau Park is now home to a new, unique wood carving.

Municipal officials in Chatham-Kent to know what you think of some plans to spruce up Erieau Boulevard, Ontario's Education Minister is about to get more power over the province's school boards, and a new bill introduced by a pair of Liberal MPPs would address the lack of provincial oversight at roadside zoos.

Morning News for Thursday, May 29, 2025

Canada Post has tabled what it's calling its final offer to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. Four men are facing charges after a massive fentanyl bust in London. A 48-year-old Chatham-Kent man is facing charges after he allegedly stole a wallet from a parked vehicle earlier this month and used the stolen cards to make some purchases. The Chatham-Kent Sexual Assault Crisis Centre is hosting a sombre event later this week to mark the end of sexual violence prevention month. A group of cyclists raising money and awareness for pancreatic cancer research and support rode through Chatham-Kent today. The amateur kickboxing careers of two Chatham-Kent residents have officially started.

A group of cyclists who are raising awareness and funds for Pancreatic Cancer Canada are rolling through Chatham-Kent today, Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers return to the bargaining table, and two Chatham-Kent residents can officially call themselves amateur kickboxers.

The company pushing for an expansion of the Dresden landfill has hired a new spokesperson with strong ties to the Ontario PCs, Prime Minister Mark Carney says he hopes to sign Canada on to a major European defence rearmament plan, and Chatham-Kent is starting to be known as a hotspot for some of Canada's best and upcoming martial artists.

A group of Wallaceburg high school students has proved that kindness and compassion is alive and well in Chatham-Kent. The municipality wants to know what you think about the design of CK's Dream Field. For the first time in decades, the reigning monarch opened parliament by delivering the speech from the throne. Ontarians living with disabilities are getting a provincial tax break. The Olympic ban on Russian athletes continues for 2026, meaning we likely won't see NHLers like Alex Ovechkin on the ice. Chatham-Kent Barnstormers pitcher Mizuki Akatsuka has been named the IBL's Pitcher of the Week.

A lot more pomp and ceremony for the opening acts of Parliament today, a potential design for Chatham's new Dream Field project is now up for input and debate, and a group of Wallaceburg District Secondary School students is proving that kindness and compassion is alive and well in Chatham-Kent.

A Chatham man who shot someone three times in downtown Chatham two years ago could spend the next couple of years in prison, there could be some VIA Rail disruptions this summer if the railway and the union representing the workers can't reach an agreement soon, and the parade route is set for the Chatham Maroons' Sutherland Cup championship celebration.

CK police are assuring the community that there's no threat to public safety following a report of children being photographed at Kingston Park without permission. A fight between family members has resulted in charges. CK Public Health says a recent respiratory outbreak at Riverview Gardens is over. The nominees for CK's 2025 Senior of the Year award have been named. If you bought bread from a Loblaw store between January 2001 and December 2021, you're eligible for some compensation. St. Andrew's United Church is winding down this season's "Saturdays at 7" concert series.

MPs are back in Ottawa for the opening of Parliament, Canada Post workers won't be working any overtime hours as negotiations continue to try to reach an agreement on a new contract, and the shortlist is in for Chatham-Kent's Senior of the Year for 2025.

Mailing addresses, affordable housing funding, and financial accountability for the CK community hub are all up for discussion at tonight's Chatham-Kent Council meeting, King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to arrive in Ottawa later today, and Kingsville and Leamington greenhouses cleaned up at the annual Greenhouse Competition.

A Chatham-Kent OPP officer on trial for manslaughter will learn his fate next month. CK Public Health has reported 165 cases of measles since the outbreak began as well as two new exposure sites in Chatham. A 35-year-old from Alberta is facing impaired driving charges after police were informed about some erratic driving in Chatham.  The 25th RetroFest is underway. A Chatham-Kent man will be spotting for one of the top-ranked Indy racers a the Indy 500.

The final arguments and submissions are coming before a judge in the trial of a Chatham-Kent OPP officer charged with manslaughter, it's RetroFest weekend in Chatham with hundreds of classic cars set to take over the city's downtown core today and tomorrow, and a Chatham-Kent man will be a spotter at the Indy 500.

A 22-year-old Wallaceburg resident is facing charges after a single-vehicle crash that killed a six-year-old child from Walpole Island, Walpole Island First Nation is going straight to the top in its opposition of a proposed landfill expansion in Dresden, and no strike at Canada Post as members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers are refusing to work overtime.

CK police have charged a 35-year-old Wallaceburg man with assault and uttering threats. The head of Chatham-Kent's Chamber of Commerce sees some positive signs in Ontario's proposed budget. The union representing about 55,000 postal workers says Canada Post's latest offer "falls short." Residents of Mitchell's Bay are looking for a little recognition from Canada Post. Energy Star, the popular program that shows consumers which appliances are energy efficient, is on the chopping block in the U.S. and could have major impacts in Canada.

Noon News for Thursday, May 22, 2025

We could be just hours away from another labour disruption at Canada Post, Chatham-Kent police are still investigating a serious single-vehicle crash just east of Blenheim that sent one person to the hospital, and downtown Chatham will be a busy spot this weekend with Retrofest rolling into town again.

A 55-year-old man was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries Wednesday morning following a single-vehicle crash. Chatham-Kent's mayor will take the community's fight against the proposed landfill expansion in Dresden directly to provincial officials on Thursday. Councillor Brock McGregor will serve as the Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation's new director. Bell Canada says the widespread service disruption that affected more than 130K users in Quebec and Ontario has been resolved. Some local school children have turned a little starter money into more than $18K worth of charitable donations.

Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Caniff will have a chance to share concerns about a Dresden Dump expansion directly with provincial officials, the Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation has a new director, and financial officials from G7 nations are meeting in Banff Alberta over the next two days to talk about pressing global issues.

Closing submissions are up next in the manslaughter trial for a Chatham-Kent OPP officer, Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Steve Pinsonneault is finally speaking out about the proposed landfill in his riding, and Ottawa is in talks with Washington about joining the Trump Administration's so-called Golden Dome missile defence system.

A 66-year-old Harrow man was airlifted to hospital after a Sunday afternoon crash in Chatham-Kent. CK police have charged a 40-year-old man with assault and dangerous driving after another man was hit with a vehicle. A Niagara woman has been arrested after she reportedly tried to use a stolen identity to buy a vehicle. Lower gas prices helped to slow inflation last month. Unifor thinks any Canadian company that moves jobs out of Canada because of American tariffs should face steep penalties. The sexual assault trial of five former members of Canada's 2018 world junior hockey team continued with the testimony of two former teammates.

Chatham-Kent police are putting out a call for tips as they investigate a serious motorcycle crash on Tecumseh Line, a Chatham-Kent OPP officer accused of manslaughter will be back in court today for Day 6 of his trial, and the trial of five former NHL players in London continues -- now with just the judge.

A downburst caused some noticeable damage in Chatham-Kent last week, a Chatham-Kent councillor who voted to remove dust control services for rural roads to lower municipal taxes is having a change of heart, and Canada Post has received a strike notice from the union representing thousands of postal workers.

Power in the Lighthouse Cove area is expected to be restored by 11 p.m. CK police have found the body of a 37-year-old man, who was reported missing on May 2. A Chatham-Kent OPP officer accused of manslaughter has wrapped up his testimony.  Municipal splash pads opened Friday across Chatham-Kent. Chatham-Kent Victim Services is gearing up for its first-ever fundraising gala. PAWR hopes to connect community members and shelter animals at the shelter's next cat café event. The sexual assault trial of five former members of Canada's 2018 World Junior hockey team will continue as a judge-alone trial.

There are still several spotty power outages across Chatham-Kent after last night's stormy weather, the trial of a Chatham-Kent OPP officer accused of manslaughter continues in a Chatham courtroom today, and Chatham-Kent Victim Services is gearing up for its first-ever fundraising gala.

Still some lingering power outages across the region this morning after last night's stormy weather, we're heading into Day 5 of an OPP officer's trial in Chatham, and Ontario's 2025 budget has hit a new high.

The OPP officer on trial in connection with the death of a 24-year-old man in 2021 took the stand on Thursday. A new measles exposure site has been confirmed by CK Public Health. Wallaceburg's LO Stonehouse Bridge will be out of commission until mid-June. The list of people and groups opposed to the province's plans for expediting the Dresden Landfill continues to grow. It was a successful Smile Cookie campaign for Chatham-Kent's recipients.

The list of people and groups who are opposed to the province's plans for expediting the Dresden Landfill continues to grow, it's budget day in Ontario, and it was a successful Smile Cookie campaign for Chatham-Kent's recipients.

Morning News for Thursday, May 15, 2025

The CK Public Utilities Commission has lifted part of the outdoor water restriction for all customers who are on municipal water in  Wheatley and Tilbury. A 31-year-old woman is facing one count of assault after allegedly attacking a man in a vehicle. The provincial police have a blunt message for drivers during Canada Road Safety Week. Ontario and Manitoba are the latest provinces to knock down trade barriers after signing a memorandum of understanding. The first-ever spring edition of Handbags for Hospice raised $30K for the local hospice.

Noon News for Wednesday, May 14, 2025

The trial of a Chatham-Kent OPP officer accused of manslaughter will continue in a Chatham court today, the Ontario government is holding its ground when it comes to plans for expanding a landfill in the Dresden area, and the number of registered sex offenders living in Chatham-Kent continues to grow.

Several members of Chatham-Kent's council are calling out the harassment they've received about the proposed Community Hub project. CK police report that violent crime increased in the municipality in 2024. Ontario's Liberal Party has asked the integrity commissioner to investigate the government's walk-back on the environmental assessment of the Dresden Landfill. The Ontario government wants to make its gas tax cut permanent. The Chatham-Kent Barnstormers are getting in some final tune-ups and roster cuts before they open their 2025.

Violent crime was up last year in Chatham-Kent according to a new report from the local police service, Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled his cabinet this morning at Rideau Hall and it includes some first-time ministers alongside some veterans, and the Ontario government wants to make its gas tax cut permanent.

The Chatham-Kent Community Hub project is taking another step forward, an investigation continues into a fatal motorcycle crash just outside of Chatham, and Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to announce his cabinet today.