Broken bridges
Belleville-County connection will be tested by repairs in 2017 It’s 5:30 on a Monday afternoon, rush hour, and an ambulance comes screaming across the Norris-Whitney bridge on Highway 62, making its way past heavy traffic and into Belleville. It’s a tight squeeze, especially with the railroad bridge construction blocking the road on Belleville’s side of the […]
Done deal
Stage now set for accommodation review committees to begin closing schools The Hastings-Prince Edward District School Board (HPEDSB) moved a step closer to closing schools on Monday approving the longterm capital and accommodation plan on Monday evening—without any discussion or debate. The long-term capital and accommodation plan, first tabled in June, prescribes the framework by which the […]
Dust up
Soot coats neighbours of Picton Terminals as frustration with expanding development deepens When Anne Taylor and Jack Vanderholst arrived at their summer home on White Chapel Road for a Thanksgiving dinner with the family, they found their pool and every horizontal surface of their home covered in a fine, black soot. The black powder was petroleum coke, […]
29 trees
Councillors wander deep into forest but come out empty handed By most accounts the reconstruction of Main Street in Picton has gone as well as could have been hoped. There has been a steady dialogue between Shire Hall and Main Street businesses. Signs, advertising and notices have kept residents and visitors current on developments and detours. And […]
Still gated
Councillors want County to take down gate across Pleasant Bay Road, but staff urge prudence Several councillors are calling for the municipality to take down the gates that barricade Pleasant Bay Road. Roy Pennell wants the municipality to send a backhoe to this Hillier road and tear out the padlocked gates. “The County has to […]
Clown assault
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Prince Edward County Detachment is currently investigating an assault that occurred in Macaulay Village. On the 15th of October 2016 at approximately 04:27 AM, a male called police, indicating he had been punched in the face by an unknown person dressed in a clown costume. The victim was transported to […]
Harvest extravaganza
Holiday family fun in the orchard Colin and Dianne Campbell are the owner/operators of the Campbell’s Orchards on Rednersville Road. For the past 34 years, they have geared up with friends and family to host the biggest weekend of their season on their farm—Thanksgiving. This year, the Thanksgiving Harvest Extravaganza was true to the Campbells’ […]
When MPAC visits
Rising farmland prices likely means higher property taxes Prince Edward County raises about $30 million each year through taxes on about 12,000 properties—an average of $2,500 in taxes payable per property. But not all property is created equally, so these taxes aren’t divvied up equally either. The province has determined that the share each property pays […]
Bounty
County grape and fruit growers emerge from summer of drought with exceptional harvest What doesn’t kill you, it would seem, makes you stronger. Perhaps tastier. The months-long drought and heat that gripped Prince Edward County this summer has caused hardship and suffering for many farmers. Fruit growers, including grape growers, however, are quietly breathing a massive sigh […]
Not pot
Wellington’s industrial hemp farmer A drive up Belleville Road from Wellington this summer led folks past PEC Farms and a curious sight—acres of hemp fields lining the road between County Road 1 and Gilead Road. The plants are easily recognizable, and with news of potentially legalizing marijuana in Canada, they definitely got people talking. PEC Farms owner […]