Podcasts about chatham kent

The Ontario Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has ended its investigation into sexual assault allegations involving Chatham-Kent police after the complainant stopped cooperating.  The Chatham-Kent Hospice has received accreditation for another 3 years. Around 250 people came out to the WISH Centre in Chatham on Saturday for East Side Pride's 16th Annual Breakfast with Santa. The Detroit Red Wings held off the Calgary Flames 4-3 for their fourth straight win. Canada's women's hockey team lost 10-4 to the U.S. in game three of the Rivalry Series. 

The snow and rain has cancelled school buses in all zones in Chatham-Kent today. Schools are still open. An $8.8 million corn and soybean packaging and processing plant is coming to Blenheim. A routine patrol in Blenheim led to a short police pursuit and ended with a local man facing multiple charges. The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority is pushing back against the province's proposal to merge 36 conservation authorities into seven regional agencies. Chatham-Kent's Travis Konecny got his 500th NHL point as the Philadelphia Flyers beat San Jose 4-1. 

A bail hearing is underway for a man accused of sexually assaulting three teens and one young woman in Chatham-Kent and Sarnia-Lambton in 1997. Chatham-Kent police have charged a 19-year-old woman following a road-rage incident. Just over $28,000 was raised for the Children's Treatment Centre Foundation of Chatham-Kent thanks to the LoveWish Christmas Tree Raffle. The Toronto Maple Leafs blanked Tampa Bay 2-0, while the Detroit Red Wings shut out the Vancouver Canucks 4-0. Canada's training-camp roster is set for the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championship.

Environment Canada issued a special weather statement Tuesday morning for heavy snow. Park Avenue West in Chatham has reopened following a water main break. A couple of Chatham murder trials have hit snags with issues including trial delays, venues, and new lawyers being brought in. A Chatham-Kent man is in custody after police say they linked him to two separate break-ins reported over the weekend. Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health  reports that COVID-19 and RSV activity is low in the province but cases of the flu are steadily growing and expected to peak this month. Air Transat is set to suspend all flights Tuesday, ahead of Wednesday's strike deadline.

CK police are asking for help tracking down a man in connection with a theft at The Home Depot on Pioneer Line. A Chatham-Kent police officer is in the spotlight after a recent viral video. The province is providing $20M to improve safety at childcare centres. Access to primary healthcare is improving in Canada, but a recent survey shows that there's still a long way to go. A new "express entry" immigration category for foreign-trained doctors is opening up. Air Transat may start suspending flights as of Monday, as the clock ticks down on a strike deadline.

Chatham-Kent police assisted the OPP after a report of a man holding a handgun in a vehicle on St. Clair Road in Wallaceburg. CK police are asking for the public's help in identifying a man believed to be involved in a theft at a store on Pioneer Line. A viral social media post is shining a light on a local cop. Fewer than 100 homes were sold in Chatham-Kent last month, well below recent November averages. A new "express entry" category for foreign-trained doctors is opening up. U.S. President Donald Trump seems non-committal when it comes to trade talks with Canada.

Reach Out Chatham-Kent employees and volunteers are trying to end misinformation surrounding some of the work they do when helping the homeless. While Next Generation 9-1-1 is now live at Chatham-Kent police and fire, the evolution of the system continues. Rondeau Provincial Park will be closed again this weekend for another Deer cull. If you bank at Loblaws, EQB, which runs the digital EQ Bank, is acquiring PC Financial. Industry Minister Melanie Joly says the feds will serve Stellantis with a notice of default. Canada and Ontario have agreed to a one-year extension of the Canada-wide early learning and child care agreement.

School buses in zone 7 are cancelled today. Local EQAO results show students in Chatham-Kent and Sarnia-Lambton made steady gains, especially in reading and writing. Canada's latest food price forecast warns grocery bills will keep climbing next year, with Ontario expected to be hit harder than most. Fergie Jenkins and Doug Melvin have been named to the Baseball Hall of Fame's 16-member Contemporary Baseball Era Committee. The Chatham Maroons downed LaSalle 5-1 to pick up their fourth straight victory, and Chatham-Kent's Travis Konency had a goal and an assist in the Philadelphia Flyers' 5-2 win over Buffalo. 

While the province claims that Ontario students aren't meeting educational standards, the local public school board asserts that students are showing consistent growth. A wanted 37-year-old man is in custody after trying to cross the border. Chatham-Kent police have charged a 36-year-old man with theft after he was reportedly caught with stolen items. The Tim Hortons' Holiday Smile Cookie campaign raised just under $20K for Chatham Goodfellows. The Auditor General is slamming the province for actions taken without considering Ontario's Environmental Bill of Rights.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

Headlines say “buyer's market,” but you still see SOLD signs everywhere. Both can be true—and today I show you where and why across Ontario and Southwestern Ontario.What you'll learn:-A boots-on-the-ground snapshot: rates easing, listings piling up, and how months of inventory (MOI) changes buyer leverage.-City & corridor reads we're seeing in real time: London–St. Thomas, Sarnia–Lambton, Chatham-Kent, and lakefront/rec markets like Grand Bend and Port Stanley.Action steps for each audience:-Buyers: lock rate holds, hunt value, negotiate credits/repairs, and strike when the math works.-Sellers: price with precision using last 2–4 weeks of comps, pre-list inspections, and pro staging.-Investors/Builders: duplex & small multi plays, builder incentives, VTBs, and small infill where absorption supports it.-Dates to watch this month (permits, labour, housing data, fiscal update) and how those signals could shift momentum.My team covers residential, commercial, investment, and agricultural across Southwestern Ontario. We're in the field daily—before the headlines—so you get what's actually moving, not just what's trending.Tell me your city + price band in the comments and I'll reply with a submarket read. Want off-market, farm parcels, or builder-grade intel? DM “PRIME.”Subscribe for next week's Field-Ready breakdown.

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. 

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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 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.

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. 

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.

A three-vehicle crash involving tractor-trailers has closed the westbound lanes of Highway 401 near West Lorne. Communities across Chatham-Kent will mark Remembrance Day with parades and ceremonies today. A young dancer from Chatham-Kent is set to represent Canada at the 2026 Dance World Cup in Ireland. The Detroit Pistons rallied to beat Washington 137-135 in overtime for their seventh straight win. 

A single-vehicle crash involving a transport truck has closed the eastbound lanes of Highway 401 near Rodney. Base Line will be closed to drivers between Fraser Road and Prince Albert Road as of Thursday. There are closures across the municipality on Tuesday as Chatham-Kent marks Remembrance Day. Health Experts believe Ontario could be in for a "very tough" flu season this year. U.S. Senators have voted to reopen the government after a shutdown that has gone on for more than 40 days. Major League Baseball has changed the way people can bet on the sport following the indictments of two Cleveland pitchers.

A snow squall watch is in effect for Chatham-Kent as lake-effect snow off of Lake Huron could drop 15-30 cm by Tuesday morning. A 40-year-old man is facing charges after a seven-hour standoff in Chatham. Starting today, the westbound lane of King Street West in Chatham will be closed west of Lacroix Street. The Chatham-Kent Salvation Army is getting ready to send out its red kettles in Chatham this week and in Wallaceburg next week. The Chatham Maroons beat Listowel 3-2, the Toronto Maple Leafs lost 5-4 to Carolina, and the Detroit Lions downed Washington 44-22.

Chatham-Kent's snow squall watch has ended, but we could still see some winter weather on Monday. After almost 30 years, Canada has lost its measles elimination status. A recent review of studies of the temporary foreign worker program in Canada is making recommendations to improve conditions for migrant workers. Another periodic deer cull will soon take place at Point Pelee National Park.

Drivers in Chatham-Kent are being warned to be careful on the roads, as some messy weather is on the way. A traffic stop in Wallaceburg has led to multiple drug charges against four people. A 46-year-old woman is facing an impaired driving charge after police say she backed into a hydro pole. The 'Feed the Hunger' event is back for its second year since the COVID-19 pandemic. Canada has lost its measles elimination status.

King Street West will face some closures starting next week. Homebuyers in the Chatham-Kent area were spoiled for choice in October as a record number of homes were put up for sale. A new website is being launched by the RCMP aimed at making it easier for victims of fraud and cybercrime to report what happened to them. The federal government budget survived its second confidence vote in the House of Commons on Friday. A new poll suggests one in five Canadians has skipped paying a bill so they could eat.

Chatham-Kent police is reporting a $1.66-million budget surplus in 2024. Knights of Columbus members recently gathered in Tilbury to distribute more than 200 boxes of brand-new winter coats. The federal budget has survived its first vote in the House of Commons. Chatham-Kent's Travis Konecny had a goal and an assist to lead the Philadelphia Flyers past Nashville 3-1, and Chatham's Ethan Jordan has won the Larry Haylor Award as the Most Valuable Player in the OUA.

The provincial government has provided an optimistic look at its economic future despite the uncertainty with U.S. tariffs. The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority GM is waiting for more details on the province's plan to merge conservation authorities. Chatham-Kent police have arrested a woman wanted in connection with an August break-in. Over $38,000 dollars was raised at last month's "Handbags for Hospice" fundraiser. A hockey mom is pushing for bleed control training after her son suffered a near-fatal injury on the ice.

Homeowners in Chatham-Kent could be looking at an almost 5 per cent property tax rate increase. Chatham-Kent residents are frustrated after council voted against revisiting the decision on whether the municipality should opt out of hosting new wind-energy projects. Workers at New Rubber Technologies in Tilbury say they haven't been paid for weeks. The Chatham Maroons beat London 7-4 for their seventh straight win, and the Toronto Maple Leafs have won three straight after beating Utah 5-3.

If you take Keil Drive for your morning commute, you might want to consider an alternate route on Wednesday morning. The new federal budget includes major investments in infrastructure, productivity and competitiveness, defence and security, and housing. Chatham-Kent has plans to meet with York1 regarding the proposed Dresden landfill. A Tilbury woman, charged with first-degree murder, has been released on bail. The union that represents full-time support staff at Ontario's public colleges says its members ratified a new three-year agreement.

A man charged in connection with a deadly crash near Tilbury will be back in court next month. The federal government is refunding almost all the money Chatham-Kent spent to build 50 transitional cabins. Chatham-Kent's mayor is hoping more funding for affordable housing will be included in the next federal budget. Chatham-Kent Council has postponed allocating a surplus of Hydro One funds. William Nylander had two goals and an assist as the Toronto Maple Leafs rallied for a 4-3 victory over Pittsburgh. Over 18.5 million Canadians, nearly 45 per cent of the country, watched some or all of Game 7 of the World Series between the Blue Jays and Dodgers. 

With three fewer councillors on the next Chatham-Kent council, $75,000 in annual surplus funds from the Hydro One Councillor Ward Funding Program could be redirected into a reserve. Thamesville is honouring its veterans with a nightly video-projection tribute. One person is dead after a school bus carrying 42 people rolled over on Highway 401 in London. The Chatham Maroons beat Strathroy 6-3 for their sixth straight win. 

The federal government is refunding almost all the money spent to construct 50 transitional cabins in Chatham. Chatham-Kent police arrested a woman in connection with an assault that happened on Halloween. A Chatham man is facing serious charges after police say he made multiple attempts to hurt another man. Registration is now open for one of Ontario's major winter Ag Conferences. The provincial government has announced a $26.7M investment in support of survivors of gender-based violence. A Chatham-Kent resident is $100,000 richer thanks to a scratch ticket.

The way ward funds are allocated in Chatham-Kent could be changing next term because of a trimmed-down composition of Council. Registration is now open for the Southwest Ag Conference. For the third year in a row, the St. Clair Catholic District School Board has reported an increase in enrollment. Mark Carney's government will table its first budget on Tuesday as Canada struggles with the fallout of the trade war with the United States. A Chatham retiree has 100,000 reasons to celebrate after winning at Instant Bingo.

It's a rainy day in Birderland. It's October 30, 2025 and I am writing this on night before Halloween.  I won't claim that this is going to be a spooky episode, but there are one or two scary birding stories from our guest Liam Ragan.  Liam broke the record for a Vancouver Island, British Columbia Big Year, but beyond that, he does a lot of fine conservation work out west, for the Rocky Point Bird Observatory.  His job gave him the freedom to travel around the island while also allowing him to go after his Vancouver Island Big Year record. But enough about Liam.  Time to get back to me. As you may have ascertained, I just love talking about birds and myself, not necessarily in that order.  If I didn't cut out all of my personal stories, these podcasts would be twice as long, and nobody wants that.  That being said, and the reason for a two month gap between episodes, is that I have been on the road birding nearly every day since the end of August.  On August 29, I finally got my first Wilson's Warbler of the year at Long Point and later that afternoon a Buff-breasted Sandpiper at in the sod fields of Brant County.  A week later I was back at the Long Point Field Staton for a very rare Townsend's Warbler. That same afternoon I rushed to Staynor, Ontario for a Ruff. All the while I was planning my trip out west to see the Whooping Crane migration for the first time, in Saskatchewan.  That had been a dream trip of mine since beginning birding in 2012.  I had seen Whooping Cranes where they winter in Texas, in Wood Buffalo National Park, where they breed in Northern Alberta and in between, a couple of others in Florida and Michigan.   Finally, on September 30, 2025, after a four day drive, I saw my first flock of migrating Whooping Cranes in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, just north of Saskatoon.  I met up with my friend Gavin McKinnon and his birding group and we all got to enjoy these marvelous, but endangered birds.  I then headed down to Grasslands National Park, but made a stop in Swift Current for a Broad-billed Hummingbird that had been visiting feeders and Josie's back yard.  This bird went north instead of south and was enjoying the cool autumn weather of southern Saskatchewan.  Alas, it's fate is unknown, as it likely never found its way back to the southern United States.  The next morning I got to Grasslands National Park as the sun was coming up and after an hour found what might have been the last remaining Burrowing Owl in the park.  The rest had headed south for the winter.  Back in Ontario, I've been seeing fall specialties like Red Phalarope and Nelson's Sparrow and chasing rarities like Purple Gallinule, Western Cattle-Egret and Little Blue Heron.     With those birds I surpassed my best Ontario species count ever.  We also had two super rare birds, a Graces Warbler, which I was a day late for in Algonquin Provincial Park and a Gray Kingbird in Chatham-Kent.  I wasted no time with that one and raced down the highway to see it.  A new Lifer for both my Ontario,(386) and Canada,(496) lists.   I am exhausted from all the driving, chasing and even just recounting of these stories, not to mention editing this very podcast.  So, it's time to relax, clear your mind of birds and chases and lists and such and listen to Liam Ragan's story of his Vancouver Island Big Year, where he will recount his stories of birds and chases and lists and such on this very podcast.  He even has a few scary tales from the west coast of Canada, as is fitting for a Halloween episode.  So, Happy Halloween, happy birding, and may the Ravens and crows stay away from your eyeballs, while you enjoy yet another episode of The Big Year Podcast. Links: https://friendsofmidway.org/explore/wildlife-plants/birds/albatrosses/laysan-albatross/wisdom-the-albatross/ https://www.birdability.org https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/06/21/that-time-the-us-almost-went-to-war-with-canada-218881/

The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit is warning of an increase in drug overdoses over the past few weeks. They suspect the cause is fentanyl mixed with Xylazine, commonly referred to as "tranq." Environment Canada says there is a chance of showers this morning, but it will clear up before kids head out to trick-or-treat tonight. Chatham-Kent police and O.P.P. are reminding everyone to stay safe this Halloween. Lucas Raymond scored in the shootout as the Detroit Red Wings beat L.A. 4-3, and game 6 of the World Series is tonight in Toronto. 

Will the Jays wrap it up  Friday night, or will the World Series go to Game 7? The LKDSB Board of Trustees is sending a letter to Ontario's Minister of Education about issues with the Dresden Landfill. Chatham-Kent police have arrested a pair of alleged mischief makers through the use of CCTV footage. A ceremony was held by Chatham's Legion on Friday to kick off the annual Poppy campaign. The first meeting between the Canadian and Chinese leaders since 2017 was pragmatic and constructive. Another U.S. tariff is set to come into effect on Saturday.

Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff says he spoke to the CEO of Enbridge Gas, and the company is not leaving Chatham-Kent anytime soon. The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance is celebrating the addition of a new fluoroscopy and X-ray machine. The U.S. Senate passed legislation yesterday nullifying American tariffs on Canada. The Toronto Blue Jays are just one win away from winning the World Series after beating the L.A. Dodgers 6-1, to take a 3-2 series lead. 

A major political rift has developed in Chatham-Kent as the sitting mayor is accusing a mayoral opponent of spreading misinformation about the CK Hub. Operation Cover Up looks a little different this year in Chatham-Kent. The Toronto Blue Jays shook off their epic 18-inning loss to beat the L.A. Dodgers 6-2, and even the World Series at two. Chatham-Kent's Travis Konecny scored his 200th career goal as Philadelphia beat Pittsburgh 3-2 in a shootout.