Blackburn News Chatham

Noon News for Monday, June 16, 2025

Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to meet with US President Donald Trump today, Unifor members are mourning the loss of Buzz Hargrove, and there are some concerns that the summer break could lead to another surge in measles cases just as the number of new cases starts to drop off.

Provincial police say Friday the 13th has seen five crashes involving motorcycles. A 32-year-old man, wanted in connection with an alleged road rage incident last month, is now facing drug and weapons charges. The winner of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation's Spring 50/50 is a long-time supporter of the fundraiser. Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government broke its legal, record-keeping obligations in discussions around its controversial Greenbelt plans. The federal government is urging Canadians in the U.S. to stay away from protests. Fishing is free in Ontario this weekend for father's day.

Noon News for Friday, June 13, 2025

Home sales bounced back a bit last month in Chatham-Kent providing a much-needed boost in the region, hundreds of classic car enthusiasts will be heading to One Classic Car Drive in Blenheim tomorrow morning for another round of RM's Cars and Coffee, and the Gordie Howe International Bridge is 95 percent done.

Five people from Chatham are facing drug and weapon charges after a search turned up about $81K worth of drugs. Fire officials are reporting that three CK police officers suffered smoke inhalation at a fire on Tuesday. Friday the 13th will see more bikers on the road than normal. The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation's spring 50-50 winner is George Kernohan from Morpeth. Hundreds of antique cars, trucks, motorcycles, and tractors will be on display in Mitchell's Bay this Saturday. A Canadian dentist is among the dead after a plane crash in India. The City of Toronto has found a low-tech, green way to deal with invasive weeds... goats.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has confirmed a Canadian is among the dead after a plane crash in India, hundreds of antique vehicles will be on display in Mitchell's Bay this weekend, and the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation's 50/50 fundraising draw is closing at just over $50,000.

It sounds like Canada and the US are making some progress in trade talks, a driver from Chatham has been charged after a crash in Sarnia, and there are only a few hours left before the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation's 50/50 draw.

An investigation is underway following a crash between an ambulance and a pickup truck Wednesday morning. A 45-year-old Chatham man has been charged after he allegedly broke into a home and assaulted a woman. There's an open house in Thamesville to talk about Hydro One's new Longwood to Lakeshore transmission line project. Ontario has launched a new online tool for students and job seekers looking for work during an uncertain economy. the Rea and Bona brand of Genoa Salami has been recalled after it was linked to a salmonella outbreak. The Chatham-Kent Barnstormers were recently ranked second in the IBL's power rankings, and closer Garret Day was named one of the league's pitchers of the week.

No injuries were reported after a crash involving an ambulance and a pickup truck in Chatham, there is an open house in Thamesville today to talk about Hydro One's new Longwood to Lakeshore transmission line project, and the defence is wrapping up its closing arguments in London in the sexual assault trial of five former members of Canada's world junior hockey team.

The number of suspected drug-related deaths or opioid overdoses in Chatham-Kent is down so far this year when compared to the final three months of 2024, the Capitol Theatre in Chatham is pulling in some recognizable names as it celebrates its 15th season this fall, and cross-border travel dropped again in May according to Stats Canada.

Chatham fire crews were called to the Maple Court Apartments on Pine Street Tuesday afternoon.  American companies will now have a tougher time getting municipal contracts in Chatham-Kent.  Wheatley, Thamesville, and Wallaceburg will share a 385-thousand dollar grant to help mitigate the risk of climate change. A 32-year-old woman is facing a pair of charges after she allegedly broke into a home in Chatham while intoxicated and assaulted the homeowner.  Ontario provincial police have pulled more than 40 kilograms of fentanyl off of the street. Canada has invited Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the upcoming G7 Leaders Summit.

Ontario provincial police have pulled more than 40 kilograms of fentanyl off of the street, a 32-year-old woman is facing a pair of charges after she allegedly broke into a home in Chatham while intoxicated and assaulted the homeowner, and three communities in Chatham-Kent have been selected to take part in a province-funded environmental project.

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is reaching out to the federal government for help fighting back against a planned expansion at the Dresden landfill, dust control services are coming back to Chatham-Kent, and closing arguments are underway at the Hockey Canada sexual assault case in a London courtroom.

Plans have been drawn up for a new park in downtown Wheatley and the municipality wants to know what you think. Ontario has seen six babies born with measles since the outbreak began. CK Public Health is reporting a new measles exposure site. A year of cell phone free class rooms has seen positive results. Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will meet its 2% defence spending target by next March. Closing submissions are underway in the trial of five players from Canada's 2018 World Juniors Hockey team.

Officials with the Wheatley Task Force and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent are looking for feedback on plans for a new park in Downtown Wheatley, Ontario's top doctor is giving another good reason to get the measles vaccine, and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board is calling the union that represents its striking workers back to the bargaining table.

Some speed limit signs could be changing around Chatham-Kent, Provincial Police are investigating after a body was found near Leamington yesterday morning, and Downtown Chatham will be a busy place this afternoon with a pair of convocation ceremonies taking place at the Capitol Theatre.

Wildfire smoke is affecting the air quality in Chatham-Kent. Shovels are finally in the ground for a housing project in Chatham that was proposed four years ago.  A 34-year-old man is facing charges after a Chatham store was reportedly robbed at knifepoint. Canada's unemployment rate ticked up to 7 per cent in May. Canada's Liberal government tabled some landmark legislation Friday afternoon. Folgers Coffee will soon be off the shelves at Loblaw grocery stores.

A housing project years in the making is finally coming to fruition in Chatham, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent is planning for future urban growth and development but there are some challenges and barriers in the way, and the Carney government is ready to table legislation to remove interprovincial trade barriers.

A tragic update in Ontario's latest measles report, phase two of the new regional park on Bear Line Road in Chatham should done by the end of the year, and municipal officials in Chatham-Kent are exploring all of their options for fighting against the expansion of a landfill just outside of Dresden.

Local leaders and residents in Chatham-Kent are disappointed with Bill 5 passing through the Ontario legislature. A 27-year-old man has been sentenced to two more years behind bars for a shooting in downtown Chatham two years ago. Three dozen people have been arrested, including a 38-year-old from Chatham-Kent, in a province-wide child sexual exploitation investigation. Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health has announced the death of a baby in southwestern Ontario, partly because of measles. An open house is underway in Tilbury to talk about the route that was chosen for Hydro One's Longwood to Lakeshore transmission lines.

Noon News for Thursday, June 5, 2025

A controversial bill has passed at Queen's Park despite strong opposition from MPPs and Indigenous communities, Bothwell will be buzzing with the sound of chainsaws over the next four days, and no power outages to report this morning after some strong storms rolled through last night.

The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority has issued a flood outlook for the area. A horse has died after a barn caught fire south of Chatham Tuesday night. No one was hurt after a home in Chatham caught on fire. Dorothy Wright-Wallace is Chatham-Kent's 2025 Senior of the Year. Bank of Canada's key interest rate is holding steady at 2.75 percent. The Chatham-Kent Barnstormers will honour a pair of baseball greats this month.

A horse has died after a barn caught fire south of Chatham, Chatham-Kent fire crews were called to a second fire yesterday, and two of the most prolific baseball names to come out of Chatham-Kent are set to receive special recognition from the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers this month.

Morning News for Wednesday, June 4, 2025

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.