New schools
Chaos and concerns cloud first day for some parents Last week, kids got to see a new school situation for the first time and, for some, there were some unpleasant surprises. During an open house on Thursday, some parents confirmed their concerns that Queen Elizabeth, with a smaller yard and smaller building than Pinecrest, would […]
Hopping in
County hops crops growing as craft beer booms The chatter of nature in the big sky, green earth farmland outside Hillier is interrupted by the sudden burst of a noisy motor. Behind the drive shed at Pleasant Valley Hops, a machine processes long strings of the frilly green fruit, separating them from the vine. The […]
Behind the berm
Community group challenging Picton Terminals’ zoning in courtroom this October Neighbours of Picton Terminals, and those living on Picton Bay and those folks who get municipal drinking water from the bay are increasingly alarmed at the industrialization of the property. While the shallow port has a long history of receiving salt, many feel the amount […]
Roads gap
Council wants to know more about County infrastructure Roy Pennell wants council to go on a County roads tour—not so much to lobby for this or that road to be fixed—but rather to help him and his colleagues understand how some roads are chosen for repair and others are neglected. But his fellow councillors were […]
Making room
County wants to build affordable housing, but not for vacationers At a planning meeting last week, County council learned about a new initiative from the province to encourage municipalities to allow for second units to be built on residential properties. It’s billed as a way to increase affordable housing stock at a time when both […]
Conundrum
Community ponders what to do with 2 Ross street For the second time, a group of concerned residents gathered to discuss the Picton town hall in the Picton town hall. The community space perched above the former firehall in Picton is about to be thrown into limbo as the County waits on a decision from […]
Enter the dragons
Scaled back event draws seven enthusiastic teams to Wellington The high lake level threw havoc into the Wellington Lions Club’s plans for its annual dragon boat festival this year. “We didn’t know until three weeks ago that we could even have a festival,” says Janet Marissen. “So we didn’t really push getting our teams because […]
Rocking at the Essroc
Headliner David Wilcox draws in huge crowd to arena The Essroc Arena held its first ever music concert last Friday night, attracting over 1,500 people to see rocker David Wilcox. The concert was a joint venture between the County and MillPond Music and Entertainment, and fulfils the County’s mandate to host live music events in […]
Chefs with Hart
Fundraiser benefits Sick Kids GIFT program With his ready smile and twinkling eyes, Hartley Bernier looks like any typical eight-year-old—until you notice the plastic tubes leading to an IV pole and a bag of fluid. Hartley was born with intestinal failure and has endured 17 surgeries since birth. Prior to 2002, babies such as Hartley […]
Bike friendly
Council will develop a plan to make the County a cycling-friendly place In the ’80s, when Bloomfield’s bike lanes were repainted as parking spots, Bloomfield Bicycle Company’s Rick Willing protested by lying in the street. It seems silly now. The County has since allowed the bicycle company to use two of the parking spots in […]