County responds to COVID-19
Councillors and staff continue to work amid pandemic Last Thursday, Mayor Steve Ferguson declared a state of emergency in Prince Edward County. This was to demonstrate a show of support for the provincial government’s declaration, which occurred the previous week, as well as to align with the municipalities of Quinte West and Hastings. “We wanted […]
Businesses feel bite of COVID-19
Closed doors or reduced operations follow health warnings Many businesses across the County have been forced to close or to curtail their operations in the wake of health recommendations to slow the spread of the COVID-19 disease. The hospitality industry has been particularly hard hit, with room bookings being cancelled and restaurants either closing or […]
Road woes
County completes roads needs assessment, recommends path forward At last Thursday’s Committee of the Whole meeting, council was presented with the dismal state of the County’s road infrastructure. The County’s roads are deteriorating faster than they can be maintained. Based on staff road evaluations in 2019, the replacement costs to improve road conditions from poor […]
Quarantine
Story: Corey Engelsdorfer Events and buildings across the County close amid COVID-19 concerns What started as an outside lingering worry has now hit close to home. This week, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) notified municipal leaders that there are more than 35 probable but not-yet-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Bay of Quinte region […]
Celebrating women
Women entrepreneurs in the spotlight at Drake fundraiser Over 20 women entrepreneurs in the County’s food and beverage industry gathered at the Drake Devonshire to celebrate International Women’s Day on Sunday, March 8. Chefs, winemakers, beer brewers, cider makers, and restaurant owners or operators provided a selection of delectable foods as well as drinks, including […]
Bright future
Story: Corey Engelsdorfer Sandbanks Winery acquired by industry mogul A romantic dinner wouldn’t be complete without a bottle of Sandbanks Baco Noir. The wine has become one of the most popular Bacos in the province, and was what put Sandbanks Estate Winery on the map. Each year, thousands of visitors flock to the winery on […]
Taxing
Story: Corey Engelsdorfer Prince Edward County moving forward with Municipal Accommodation Tax At a special Committee of the Whole meeting last Wednesday, council was presented with a special report on the implementation of a Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT). The 4 per cent tax will be charged on all roofed accommodation stays of less than 30 […]
Seedy Saturday
Lure of seeds draws hundreds to PECI Gardeners of all stripes leapt at the opportunity to get a jump on spring at the 11th annual Seedy Saturday event held on, appropriately, February 29—Leap Day. With 30 vendors to draw interest, a wellstocked seed swap table and a series of informative presentations, there was something for […]
The sweetest season
Producers gear up for Maple in the County High above the ground, photoreceptors in the tiny maple leaf buds sense the gradual increase in daylight hours, triggering the creation of hormones that eventually work down towards the roots where they stimulate the production of an enzyme that cleaves apart starch molecules into sugar. Warm days […]
Flood preparedness
High water level threat looms this spring Mayor Steve Ferguson was blunt in his assessment of the possibility of flooding along the shoreline of the County this spring. “There is nothing any level of government can do fast enough to make a significant impact for the spring of 2020,” he said during an open house […]