Blackburn News Chatham

Two brothers from Chatham-Kent are headed to federal prison for several years after admitting to running a "high-level" drug operation. Two men are facing arson charges following a fire at a business in Chatham. The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation's 36th Annual Christmas Wish Tree campaign is underway. The Toronto Maple Leafs beat Florida 4-1, the Detroit Red Wings beat Boston 5-4, and the Toronto Raptors edged Portland 121-118.

Three major battery storage projects could be coming to Chatham-Kent, bringing new jobs and millions of dollars. Chatham-Kent police have arrested a wanted man following a disturbance call.  The Chatham Goodfellows have declared another successful Porchlight Campaign. If you run a small business, the final Canada Carbon Rebate payments for 2024-25 should be in your bank account soon, if not already. Canada has an agreement to join the European Union's Security Action for Europe, opening up new markets to Canada's defence companies and encouraging more investment. Four of the five hockey players, acquitted of sexual assault charges earlier this year, now have player contracts.

Three battery storage energy projects could be coming to Chatham-Kent. It was another strong showing for Chatham's annual porchlight campaign. There are no plans to move Dresden's Lambton Kent Composite School. Authorities have seized thousands of kilograms of illegal drugs and millions of dollars in an initiative to disrupt organized crime in Canada. Erie Shores Health Foundation has launched a new monthly giving program called Care 365. Cal Foote, who was acquitted of sexual assault in a high profile trial earlier this year, has signed a deal with the AHL's Chicago Wolves.

Roads are a little slippery this morning in Chatham-Kent after some snow fell overnight, but crews are out, and drivers are reminded to drive to the conditions. The local public school says there are no plans to move Lambton Kent Composite School in Dresden because of the proposed landfill project. Chatham-Kent councillor Rhonda Jubenville will now face a two-month pay suspension, reduced from the original three. The Next Generation 9-1-1 system is up and running in Chatham-Kent. The Detroit Pistons rallied to beat Atlanta 99-98. 

It doesn't look like the cap on the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund for Chatham-Kent is going away anytime soon. A 20-year-old from Blenheim is facing numerous charges following reports of a dangerous driver in Harwich Township. Broccoli florets sold under the Your Fresh Market brand are being pulled from store shelves across Canada. Algoma Steel has issued about 1,000 layoff notices because of pressure from U.S. tariffs. A recent Time Magazine article quoted a satirical Canadian news article as a fact. The Head Coach of the PWHL's Ottawa Charge has announced that she has breast cancer.

Ontario's Ministry of Infrastructure is defending the cap put on Chatham-Kent for the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund. Tariffs and pay suspensions are on the agenda tonight at the CK Council meeting. Hundreds of volunteers will be going door-to-door Monday night to make sure local families have a chance at a great holiday. Some precut broccoli florets are being pulled from the shelves for possible salmonella contamination. With the holiday shopping season now in full swing, small business owners are watching to see whether Canadians put their money where their mouth is.

The 79th annual Rural Urban Awards were handed out by the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce. The Ontario Provincial Police is looking for new auxiliary constables. The Chatham Goodfellows annual Porchlight Campaign is tonight. The Chatham Maroons have won three straight after getting by Sarnia 3-1. The Toronto Raptors dropped their second straight, falling 116-94 to the Knicks. Josh Allen threw for a touchdown and ran for another as the Buffalo Bills downed the Steelers 26-7.

A broken windshield was the saving grace of two women, who were in a vehicle that ended up in Lake Erie. Construction is set to start on the Chatham-Kent Community Hub next week. The president of the Chatham-Kent Association of Realtors believes the province is severely hurting the municipality due to a lack of funding. Two Chatham high school students will have their artwork displayed at Queen's Park next year. U.S. President Donald Trump says he'll permanently pause migration from poorer nations after two National Guard members were shot in Washington, D.C.

The president of the Chatham-Kent Association of Realtors is calling on the Ontario Government to remove its cap on Chatham-Kent for the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund. Work on the new Chatham-Kent Community Hub is expected to begin next week, and it will impact traffic in the area. John McGregor Secondary School is celebrating as two of its students have been selected to display their artwork in a prestigious art showcase. The Canadian economy rebounded in the third quarter, rising 2.6% year-over-year. The federal government says the Liberal party remains united despite the departure of Culture Minister Steven Guilbeault. The death toll from the Hong Kong apartment complex fire has risen to 128, and authorities say about 200 people are still unaccounted for. 

Former environment minister Steven Guibeault has resigned from cabinet. Today is the deadline to apply to be a part of Chatham-Kent's new Encampment Advisory Committee. The Holiday Smile Cookie campaign in Tilbury raised $6,300 for the Tilbury Information and H.E.L.P. Centre and the Tim Hortons Foundation Camps. A tough loss for the Detroit Lions as they fell 31-24 to the Green Bay Packers on American Thanksgiving. 

CK Police have taken more than $21K worth of drugs off the streets. A wanted 31-year-old man was found after police say he crashed an ATV into a building. Environment and Climate Change Canada has made some changes to its weather alert system. An expert panel thinks the Ontario government should tighten its definition of an e-bike. Canada's Earthquake Early Warning system is now working in Quebec and Eastern Ontario.

Chatham-Kent council has approved its 2026 budget, settling on a 4.63 per cent tax increase. Business owners in downtown Chatham say ongoing vandalism is driving customers away. The Ottawa Redblacks have re-signed Chatham wide receiver Ethan Jordan. William Nylander scored in overtime as the Toronto Maple Leafs got by Columbus 2-1. The Toronto Raptors have won nine in a row after edging Indiana, while the Detroit Pistons' 13-game winning streak came to an end as they lost to Boston. The Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly signed righty Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210-million deal. 

Chatham-Kent's former Integrity Commissioner has recommended that a councillor lose two months of pay for breaching the code of conduct. CK council will discuss the 2026 budget again on Wednesday night. A 19-year-old man has been charged after his partner was attacked and injured. The Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation has received another sizable donation from a longtime donor. Ontario's budget watchdog has some troubling news about manufacturing in the province.

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement because of wind gusts up to 80 km/h. That's also prompted the local Conservation Authority to issue a safety bulletin for the Lake Erie shoreline. Chatham-Kent's proposed tax hike has been slashed by 3.96 per cent, thanks to a $2-million reduction. Chatham-Kent police say auto thefts are down, but pickup trucks are still the top target for thieves. The Board of Trustees for the St. Clair Catholic District School Board has approved the sale of a former school to Chatham-Kent. Canada's most decorated female Olympian, simmer Penny Oleksiak, is facing a two-year ban for an anti-doping rule violation. 

A special weather statement calling for strong wind gusts is in effect for Chatham-Kent. A rally to end violence against women was held in Chatham on Tuesday. Chatham-Kent has been selected for a pilot project that hopes to curb violence and extremism in Canada. A recent list ranking the best restaurants in Canada included one in Chatham. The Ontario NDP have filed an ethics complaint against the Labour Minister over the Skills Development Fund. Ottawa and the provinces have raked in almost $5.5B in cannabis tax revenue since the drug was legalized in October 2018. Four more people have been arrested in connection with the October heist at the Louvre Museum.

A polar vortex is set to hit Canada next week. Chatham-Kent is one of 10 communities chosen to take part in a nation-wide pilot project. Centro Wood Fired Kitchen was recently named in OpenTable's Top 100 restaurants in the country. The Ontario government is introducing changes to beef up penalties for dangerous driving causing death. The National Farmers Union wants Ottawa to set up a 10-year pilot project that would ensure they receive an annual income of at least $50,000. Purolator estimates that it will deliver 52-million packages across Canada during the holiday season. Let us know if you've already started your holiday shopping on our daily poll.

Chatham-Kent's council meets tonight to discuss the 2026 budget. Harriet Jacobs, an Indigenous educator from the Wallaceburg area, is being remembered as a groundbreaking advocate for her community. The Zonta Club of Chatham-Kent is holding its annual "Say No to Violence Against Women" Rally on the Bridge today. The Detroit Pistons held off Indiana 122-117 for their 13th straight win, while the Toronto Raptors beat Cleveland 110-99 for their eighth straight win. 

A 43-year-old man has been charged with mischief, theft, and trespassing after an incident at a Chatham business. A rash of shattered windows and doors in Chatham has led to mischief charges against two people. The municipality has released next year's curbside garbage and recycling pickup schedule. Bail could be harder to get in Ontario if new legislation is passed. The 'Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act' has been passed by the Ontario government. Some popular yogurt drinks have been recalled because of the possible presence of plastic. The Intercounty Baseball League is making several changes ahead of next season, including its name.

Chatham-Kent police arrested a 43-year-old man after officers were told he was spotted on the roof of a Chatham business. A 50-year-old man from Stoney Point has been arrested and charged by the OPP. Bail could be harder to get in Ontario if new legislation is passed. Canadian Industry Minister Mélanie Joly is headed to Asia to discuss defence investments and shore up non-U.S. exports. Prime Minister Mark Carney says he's in no hurry to resume trade talks with the U.S. Multiple flavours of Yoplait's YOP drinkable yogurt are being pulled from the shelves because of the potential presence of plastic pieces. The Chatham Barnstormers will no longer be playing in the Intercounty Baseball League, instead, they'll compete in the Canadian Baseball League.

The founder and longtime president of the Chatham-Kent ATV Club is stepping down after 10 years at the helm. Prime Minister Mark Carney is in no hurry to resume trade talks with U.S. President Donald Trump. Yoplait has recalled several of its drinkable YOP yogurts across Canada over concerns they may contain pieces of plastic. The Chatham Maroons doubled up Pelham 4-2 to snap their two-game slide, while Jaymyr Gibbs ran for a 69-yard touchdown in overtime as the Detroit Lions rallied to beat the Giants 34-27.

A 25-year-old Chatham-Kent man has been arrested following a months-long investigation by CK's Internet Child Exploitation Unit. Rondeau Provincial Park will be closed this weekend as officials work to thin the deer population. Two Chatham-Kent residents were recently recognized at the National Philanthropy Day Awards ceremony. The Federal government is set to release a report about the national pharmacare plan on Friday. Prime Minister Mark Carney has wrapped up his trip to the Middle East with a huge investment from the United Arab Emirates. CK's Holiday ARTsale is back at ARTspace as of November 21. Chatham's Jessie McPherson has officially made the PWHL as a goalie for the Toronto Sceptres.

Chatham-Kent police believe there are more than 100 victims in a recent voyeurism investigation in Chatham, Windsor, and London. A man accused of sexually assaulting three teens and one young woman in Chatham-Kent and Sarnia-Lambton in 1997 has been denied bail again. Food banks and service groups in Chatham-Kent are feeling the pinch ahead of the holidays. Chatham's Ethan Jordan won the Hec Crighton trophy as the Most Outstanding Player in U Sports football. The Chatham Maroons lost 7-5 to Elmira, the Toronto Maple Leafs fell 3-2 in overtime to Columbus, the Detroit Red Wings were shutout 5-nothing by the Islanders, and Chatham-Kent's Travis Konency had two assists in Philadelphia's 3-2 overtime win against St. Louis. 

A trustee on the Lambton-Kent District School Board is warning that the newly passed Bill 33 could erase her role. No injuries are being reported after a fire at a house in Chatham. Chatham-Kent police have kicked off their annual Festive R.I.D.E. campaign. The Toronto Raptors have won five straight and nine of their last ten after beating the 76ers 121-112, and the Whealtey Omstead got by the Walpole Island Wild 3-2 in PJHL action. 

The suspects accused of setting fire to an affordable housing complex in August 2024 will have their day in court next year. Council has passed a motion to explore ways to prevent unauthorized ATV use and damage at the CASO recreational trail. A 35-year-old Chatham-Kent man has been arrested in connection with two dozen vehicle-related offences over a two-month span. Bill 33, the Supporting Children and Students Act, was passed in the Ontario Legislature on Wednesday. The Ford Government is expanding its home renovations energy-saving program. Roughly $35K was brought in for the Chatham's Children's Treatment Centre at a recent fundraiser.

Chatham-Kent is heading to court after York1 Environmental Waste Solutions claimed its planned Dresden landfill doesn't need zoning or planning approvals. The Kent Agricultural Hall of Fame welcomed its five newest inductees. The Chatham-Kent ATV Club's annual Feed the Hunger event was a success, raising over $5,000. The Toronto Maple Leafs beat St. Louis 3-2 in OT to snap their five-game losing streak. The Detroit Red Wings doubled up Seattle 4-2, and the Detroit Pistons beat Atlanta 120-112 for their 11th straight win. 

Chatham-Kent Council was presented with two very different realities at the transitional cabin site in Chatham. Chatham-Kent Public Health is reminding residents who have private water wells to test their drinking water regularly. The federal budget was close, but it passed in the House of Commons. The Detroit Pistons beat Indiana 127-112 for their 10th straight win, while the Toronto Raptors have won eight of their last nine after getting by Charlotte 110-108.

One person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries following a two-vehicle crash on Highway 401 near Ridgetown. Chatham-Kent Council will discuss purchasing the former St. Ursula School on Lacroix Street in Chatham tonight. The federal budget faces a third and crucial vote today. The Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie Campaign is back for a third year. The Chatham Maroons beat Caledonia 10-6 for their fourth straight win, while the Detroit Lions lost 16-9 to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Chatham-Kent Police have charged a 33-year-old man with voyeurism and are looking for more potential victims. Chatham-Kent Council will decide Monday whether to buy the former St. Ursula School property on Lacroix Street and turn it into affordable housing. A donation to buy new outdoor play and sports equipment is helping students at St. Anne Catholic School in Blenheim stay active. Carter Chadwick scored twice to power the Chatham Maroons to a 2-1 win in Hamilton. The Toronto Maple Leafs lost 4-3 in overtime, while the Detroit Red Wings won 6-3. 

Four more CCTV cameras will be coming to Chatham's downtown. A 35-year-old woman has been charged with assault after allegedly pushing over a 63-year-old woman. A 21-year-old man faces charges of assault with a weapon and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose after an argument went too far. A new doctor is joining the CKHA's Obstetrics and Gynecology department. The Prime Minister was in Prince Rupert, B.C., on Thursday to announce the latest slate of nation-building projects. Canada's in the running to headquarter a new bank dedicated to financing defence projects.

No injuries were reported following an incident that led to a charge of assault with a weapon. Chatham-Kent Health Alliance has expanded its dedicated OB/GYN team. Let us know if you've had surgery at a private clinic in Ontario. A new poll shows that most Canadians support major items in the federal budget. Canada is in the running to headquarter a new bank dedicated to financing defence projects.

The Ontario Health Coalition alleges that some private health clinics have been charging for procedures covered by public healthcare. Several Chatham-Kent first responders have been recognized for their quick actions in helping a man in distress on Canada Day. Sisters Hayden and Hannah Heinhuis from CKSS won gold in girls' doubles at the OFSAA tennis tournament.

The Children's Treatment Centre Foundation of Chatham-Kent has received a $110K gift from the James A. Beattie Foundation. A 23-year-old Wallaceburg man is facing weapons charges after police say a gun was found in his vehicle. CK police have arrested a man who they say just can't stay away from a Chatham business. A new survey shows that many Canadians are feeling anxious about spending money this Christmas. There are more holiday job postings this year, but there is also more competition for those jobs. Some Canadians continue to boycott travel to the United States, and their economy is paying the price.