Breakins in Prince Edward County

A large haul of tools and money taken in two breakins in Prince Edward County.

The O-P-P say nine-thousand dollars worth of tools were stolen from a shed at a home on County Road two in Hallowell very early yesterday morning. The equipment includes a chainsaw, a welder, a gas impact nailer and a cordless drill. There was also a breakin yesterday at a house on County Road eight, east of Picton.. Thirty-five-hundred dollars cash was taken. Anyone with information about either incident is asked to call Prince Edward O-P-P or Crime Stoppers.

“Helmets on Kids” in Quinte

More than 260-children in the Quinte area are a lot safer because of the “Helmets on Kids” campaign. Local lawyer Chris Bonn brought the program, supported by the Ontario Trial Law Association and community partners, to Quinte.
It has already distributed 70-safety helmets to five schools in Quinte West. and, the remainder were distributed to community partners this week.
The Hastings and Prince Edward School Board, Hastings Children’s Aid, and Childrens Mental Health will decide what children in need should get the safety gear. The presentation took place at the Belleville Police Service Children’s Safety Village. Statistics show that wearing a bicycle helmet can reduce the risk of a brain injury by up to 88-percent.

Bancroft teacher honoured

A secondary school teacher in Bancroft will be recognized by the Ontario Teachers’ Insurance Plan.

The provincial teachers federation will present the plan’s seventh annual Teaching Awards to three educators from across Ontario at a reception in Toronto today.. North Hastings High School teacher Colleen Drew-Baehre was selected for connecting her students to their natural environment. The Toronto Star teacher award will also be presented at the ceremony.

Take Back the Night in Belleville

The annual march drawing attention to the need for safer streets for women is set for Belleville this evening.

The “Take Back the Night” rally begins in the Market Square, behind City Hall, at six o’clock. Women and children will walk along Front Street, Victoria Avenue and Pinnacle Street, ending back at the square. There will also be music and a poetry reading.

NQW Greens acclaim federal candidate

Ralph Torrie of Cobourg has been acclaimed the Green Party candidate for the next federal election in Northumberland-Quinte West.

Torrie, an energy and environmental policy expert, was named at last night’s nomination meeting in Cobourg. The meeting was triggered by the resignation of Stan Grizzle, who had served as the nominated candidate since March, 2009.

Wellington arena solar panels

Solar panels on the roof of the new Wellington arena will be discussed by Prince Edward County’s committee of the whole today.

The President of a company interested in the proposal will make a powerpoint presentation when the commitee meets at Shire Hall in Picton at one o’clock. The issue of ice allocation at the arena on Wednesday nights is also on the agenda.

Picton area man helps in Pakistan

A Picton-area man hopes to return to Pakistan this fall to help the charity Global Medic with relief efforts in the flood-ravaged country.

Rick Campbell was in northern Pakistan for two weeks in August, helping install a water purification system outside a mosque. He says there was mud and garbage all over the roads, a result of several heavy rains. The former medic says Global Medic had to tell residents of the community the fresh water was for everyone, and not just those who lived near or attended the mosque.

Fall furnace safety tips

With cooler temperatures on the way, Quinte area fire departments are reminding homeowners of the importance of maintaining their heating appliances.

Quinte West Senior Fire Prevention Officer Greg King says furnaces should be cleaned by a professional once a year. Wood stoves, and their chimneys need more attention if soft or unclean wood is being burned. King says chimneys can be blocked by a bird’s nest, resulting in carbon monoxide gas backing up into the home, and there can also be creosote buildup.

Thursday a Soaker in Quinte?

It could be another wet day in Quinte. Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for parts of the region, forecasting as much as 40 millimetres of rain in some areas. The area covers Prince Edward County, Kingston, Brockville, Ottawa, Prescott and Cornwall. The rain comes from the remnants of tropical storm Nicole which is also hitting parts of the U-S eastern seaboard.

Early estimates place the extreme eastern regions around Cornwall as receiving at least 30 to 40 millimetres of rain.

The Ottawa area is supposed to get 20 or 30 millimetres. Environment Canada says if Ottawa gets that much rain today, the rainfall total for September may surpass the previous record of 173 millimetres set in 1945.

Candidate Pheiffer Focusses on Downtown

One Belleville Council Candidate is proposing a University Campus to help revitalize the Downtown core. James Pheiffer launched his campaign in the parkette next to Greenley’s Bookstore yesterday and says he would also like to see free parking in the riverside lots. There are 14 candidates seeking six spots on Belleville council.