Latest / North Shore News / February 20th, 2026

Transcript

February 20th, 2026 · North Shore News

0:07
Welcome to North Shore News and Interviews on
0:10
Amherst Island Radio. Each week we keep you updated
0:14
on newsworthy events, happenings and conversations
0:17
that we've had with people in the local community
0:20
and beyond. While ALTO looks to bring a high
0:26
-speed train through rural parts of Ontario,
0:29
a citizen -led committee in the area has been
0:31
compiling concerns and complaints from area residents.
0:34
The committee, Save South Frontenac, has a group
0:36
on Facebook and a website where residents can
0:39
voice their concerns. Mainly, the committee is
0:41
against the idea of bringing the high -speed
0:43
train through the area altogether. They also
0:45
voice concerns about property rights, environmental
0:48
impacts, and noise levels. ALTO is currently
0:50
looking for public input about the project with
0:52
ways to participate on their website. They say
0:55
they're committed to working with communities
0:56
to identify potential impacts and address them
0:58
through design and mitigation. The company also
1:01
noted the importance of the participation and
1:03
involvement of indigenous peoples at every stage
1:05
to support the federal government's commitment
1:07
to advance reconciliation. With trains reaching
1:10
speeds of 300 kilometers per hour or more on
1:13
approximately 1 ,000 kilometers of mainly electrified
1:16
tracks, Alto claims it will connect millions
1:18
of people living along the Toronto to Quebec
1:20
City corridor. The company says its priority
1:22
is to minimize impacts on private property by
1:25
following existing corridors, such as highways,
1:28
railways, utility corridors. and lot lines whenever
1:31
possible. Once an alignment is defined, the company
1:33
says it will be able to identify the properties
1:35
that could be involved. Katie Koopman, one of
1:37
the committee leaders, spoke about their concerns.
1:40
Our concern as citizens of this community we
1:44
love has a lot to do with how the building of
1:49
such a project will affect both people and place.
1:53
People in terms of having properties, expropriated,
1:58
livelihoods. devastated the use and enjoyment
2:02
of the spaces we love the trail systems like
2:06
the Cataraqui trail but then also the idea of
2:10
place we move here for a reason for peace for
2:13
some quiet and to raise children and what we
2:18
might think is a safer environment to be more
2:22
integrated into nature and so we think about
2:26
how this project is going to devastate the Frontenac
2:30
Arch Biosphere, which is a UNESCO heritage site.
2:36
The idea of this has stirred a lot of emotions,
2:40
including grief, thinking about the loss of all
2:44
of this. And listening to community members share
2:48
their stories with us as a committee, people
2:51
are losing sleep. They're not sure if they should
2:56
be renovating their house. They're worried about
3:01
losing investments. And so what our community
3:04
or our committee, sorry, is trying to do is to
3:08
create a platform for South Frontenac residents
3:13
to be able to voice their opinions and their
3:19
concerns, but also to provide advocacy tools.
3:23
to make some noise and let the government know
3:26
that this is not acceptable by us. Coopman spoke
3:30
about Alto's public consultation process. They
3:33
were only hosting open houses in the cities that
3:37
were going to get an actual stop or station.
3:40
So we made some noise and they heard us and they
3:44
honored a request, which was great. to have an
3:47
open house here in South Frontenac. Gord Bolton
3:50
and I are committee leads of, say, South Frontenac,
3:54
so we have phone chats almost every single day,
3:57
looking at what our, you know, re -evaluating
4:00
what our role and goal is, purpose as a committee,
4:03
how we can extend our reach. I reached out personally
4:07
to Peter Paz from Alto, and they were very receptive
4:13
of our idea Koopman detailed the outcome of the
4:16
committee's meeting with Alto and spoke about
4:18
their experience at Alto's open house in South
4:21
Frontenac. We had a meeting and their team was
4:24
very receptive. allowing for us to not even just
4:29
bridge that sort of divide and share space, but
4:34
also to have free range. We were able to conduct
4:36
our own survey with community members. We were
4:39
able to identify ourselves as Save South Frontenac
4:45
team members at the event. to be able to engage
4:49
freely and to also put our own posters up advertising
4:54
our own open house. It was very cordial. The
4:58
turnout was. Impressive. There was probably close
5:02
to 600 people that went through the first half,
5:06
I think, is what I heard. Alto noted where property
5:09
rights are required for the project, owners will
5:12
be compensated at market value for the property
5:14
being acquired, as well as for potential losses
5:16
and reasonable third -party fees incurred. Noting
5:19
concerns about environmental impacts, Alto said
5:22
the project will be subject to a federal impact
5:24
assessment that will evaluate environmental effects
5:26
and mitigation measures before any final alignment.
5:28
The company also noted that field studies are
5:32
underway to establish baseline noise levels and
5:34
additional data will be collected as route selection
5:36
progresses. Kingston City Council recently voted
5:39
9 -2 in support of having the high -speed rail
5:41
built in Kingston, with a local station added
5:43
to the line. But as Council discussed the proposal
5:46
and heard from senior representatives of Alto,
5:48
support grew for a new route along the Highway
5:50
401 corridor. The company told Kingston City
5:53
Council that the current public consultation
5:55
period is part of a development phase that is
5:57
set to last until until 2029. After that, also
6:00
will be reporting to the federal government and
6:02
they will make the final decision to continue
6:04
the project or not. Koopman spoke about Kingston
6:06
City Council's decision. Their tone at the council
6:10
meeting brought some relief. I think they finally
6:14
started to understand the implications of their
6:18
desire for a train that could harm their northern
6:21
neighbors. They started to take that seriously
6:24
and that is being reflected. in their current
6:28
position on where a train should be located.
6:32
We know that Kingston needs reliable rail. We
6:36
want to take advantage of that ourselves. But
6:39
we want the least impact possible and the maximum
6:43
benefit. Because if there was a train that went
6:46
through the southern corridor, South Frontenac
6:49
residents will not benefit at all. We will be
6:53
in the loss. For Amherst Island Radio and the
6:56
Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This
7:00
is North Shore News. Loyalist Township Council
7:11
agreed to support Quinty Conservation in applying
7:14
for funding from the Green Municipal Fund as
7:16
part of Growing Canada's Community Canopies Initiative.
7:19
Outreach and Stewardship Coordinator with Quinty
7:21
Conservation Lindsay Nash explains what the organization
7:24
is looking to do with the funding. Quinty Conservation
7:27
alongside the Quinty Urban Forest Network is
7:31
proposing to be the lead applicant for the GMF
7:34
fund. By doing this we are providing our 18 member
7:39
municipalities the option to leverage funding
7:43
and staff support for planting projects, both
7:47
existing and proposed, as long as the trees haven't
7:50
been planted by the time that we obtain the funds.
7:55
So as lead, Queenie Conservation will focus on
7:58
planting a diverse range of native tree and shrub
8:01
species. Nash spoke about what Queenie Conservation
8:04
expects from its partners. Queenie Conservation's
8:07
expectations in working with municipal partners
8:10
and private interest groups would include a letter
8:13
of support from council, a financial contribution
8:15
of 50%, a tree planting budget with the source
8:18
of funding identified, the identification of
8:21
existing and proposed programs so I can apply
8:24
it to the grant. And then identification of sites
8:28
where an increase in tree canopy would be beneficial,
8:31
either on private or public lands, and any data
8:35
or current tree canopy studies to support or
8:38
identify the need for trees. So in exchange,
8:40
Queenie Conservation will coordinate administrative
8:42
and logistical aspects of the application. We
8:45
will assist with leveraging additional funding
8:47
where possible. We'll act as a liaison between
8:50
municipalities, local interest groups, and the
8:53
funders. and then we will also submit the final
8:56
reporting. Nash explained the application timeline.
8:59
My timeline for this grant is right now I'm going
9:03
to municipal councils to obtain support to apply
9:07
it as lead applicant. This is important because
9:10
I cannot apply for this grant as lead without
9:13
support of council. We can partner with other
9:17
private interest groups like schools. Rotary,
9:22
stewardship councils, churches, those kinds of
9:25
groups who usually do tree planting projects
9:29
regularly. So by the end of March is when I'd
9:33
be looking for municipalities to respond to me
9:36
with project participation and a general project
9:39
outline what they want to do and what they have
9:42
going on. And then by the end of April, I'm planning
9:45
on formally applying for the fund with a professionally
9:49
reviewed planting plan and an urban forestry
9:51
grant coach, which would be supplied by the GMF
9:55
fund. Nash went on to note when things would
9:57
move forward. So there's about a six to eight
10:00
month waiting period. after applying before hearing
10:04
back, which would put us at tree planting for
10:07
fall of 2026 or spring of 2027. Now we do have
10:12
a period of two years before to use up the grant.
10:15
So we do have a little bit of wiggle room in
10:18
that regard. And then for the following years,
10:21
we would maintain and monitor the planted trees.
10:24
Nash spoke about eligible initiatives under the
10:26
grant. Funding opportunities are for long term
10:29
and permanent tree tree planting and forestry
10:33
intention and it's actually a really wide range
10:36
of tree planting projects that would qualify
10:39
for this grant and that includes street tree
10:42
planting, urban planting, park tree planting,
10:45
riparian planting, forest restoration, and reforestation
10:50
on both public and private lands. A maintenance
10:53
plan and a survival assessment report are required
10:57
following each project, so as long as they can
11:00
be assessed after planting, then that would make
11:03
it eligible. Nash noted why it makes sense to
11:06
work with a number of municipalities. So this
11:08
is a 50 % match cost share grant with a minimum
11:13
project cost of $50 ,000. Now, a lot of our municipalities
11:17
and private interest groups don't have $50 ,000
11:20
to put forth for tree planting, which is the
11:24
benefit of all grouping together for this grant.
11:28
So half of the budget would be covered by the
11:30
GMF fund, and the other half could come from
11:33
either municipal budget. Other funds could come
11:36
from private interest groups that may do fundraising.
11:40
And other grants, we can stack grants as long
11:44
as they're not funded by the Two Billion Trees
11:46
program or Trees Canada. Nash explained why tree
11:49
planting initiatives are good for the community.
11:51
Implementing a watershed -wide tree planting
11:54
initiative through different levels of partnership
11:57
creates capacity for the community to work together
12:00
while supporting climate resilience close to
12:02
home. There's many benefits to planting trees,
12:06
specifically climate resiliency through flood
12:09
retention, which is a big interest of Queenie
12:12
Conservation. But then trees also provide many
12:16
other benefits, including reducing carbon dioxide
12:19
from the air and producing oxygen, which is good
12:22
for physical health. Trees reduce heat island
12:25
effects in urban areas. They cool buildings in
12:28
the summer with shade and provide wind breaks
12:30
to buildings in the winter. Connecting with nature
12:33
and trees improves mental health. And planting
12:36
a diverse native tree species promotes healthy
12:39
soils and habitats for a wide range of insects,
12:42
birds and mammals that reside in the Quinty area
12:46
specifically. So this aligns really well with
12:49
Quinty Conservation's vision to advance watershed
12:52
knowledge and collective actions to strengthen
12:55
our natural ecosystems. For Amherst Island Radio
12:58
and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted
13:01
Evans. This is North Shore News. Greater Napanee
13:13
Council ended its 30 -day review period for their
13:16
2026 budget at a special meeting, therefore adopting
13:19
the new budget. Staff's report noted a 5 .8 %
13:22
tax increase for 2026, with the levy totaling
13:25
just over $17 .3 million. As a part of the 2026
13:29
budget process, staff were required to follow
13:31
the new strong mayor legislation. Under this
13:34
legislation, the mayor has a responsibility to
13:36
introduce a proposed budget to Council and the
13:38
community by February 1st. Council then has 30
13:41
days to rev - and make changes. Council can shorten
13:44
this period by resolution if they're done making
13:46
changes, and at the end of the revision period,
13:48
the budget is deemed adopted and does not require
13:51
a bylaw or resolution to put it into effect.
13:54
Treasurer of IT and Financial Services with the
13:56
town, Ellen Hamill, spoke about staff's work
13:58
on the budget. Overall, given the circumstances
14:00
that the municipality had faced throughout the
14:02
budget year, we were quite pleased with the ways
14:04
that the budget had come together. We think we've
14:06
covered a lot of needs that the municipality
14:08
had in 2026, primarily in our capital, our operation.
14:12
operating is really just trying to maintain status
14:14
quo while incorporating the overall budget pressures
14:18
that come with that. We're all seeing that in
14:20
our day to day and our costs just continue to
14:21
rise. So operating was really just status quo
14:25
while capital saw some good investment into our
14:29
assets that were in need of replacement. Mayor
14:32
Terry Richardson spoke about the budget and projects
14:34
they were able to fund. It was very easy to understand
14:38
and we covered a lot of ground in this budget.
14:41
You know, we've We've increased our heavy fleet
14:44
is something that we had to do. But in the same
14:46
time, we've also been able to do some fun stuff,
14:49
which is to redo a soccer pitch, which has been
14:53
long overdue, which we've talked about for the
14:55
last two or three years and haven't been able
14:56
to do it. And the other thing is, is in town
14:59
trails. We're going to create some in town trails,
15:01
which we've had a lot of conversations about.
15:04
Hamill explained the timeline of staff bringing
15:06
the budget to council. These presentations came
15:08
after a lot of collaboration and work between
15:10
the finance team, CLT, and the mayor, and there
15:14
were a number of pre -budget reports that were
15:16
given to members of council to help ease some
15:18
of the discussions that we had on those days.
15:21
During those meetings council was presented with
15:23
the operating and capital budgets along with
15:25
the enhancements that were both included in the
15:27
proposed budget but also those that we were not
15:30
able to include in the proposed budget while
15:32
trying to keep in line with the mayor's budget
15:34
directive and also keeping the tax rate increase
15:36
at a level that we felt council would become
15:38
comfortable with giving the significant pressures
15:41
that we were facing this year. So in that budget
15:44
proposal we had an overall tax levy of 17 .3
15:47
million dollars which results in a 5 .8 % tax
15:53
increase. It is worth noting that a large portion
15:57
of that was directly related to the cost of the
15:59
OPP while the remainder highlighted the needs
16:02
of the municipality. The town's portion of the
16:03
operating budget was largely focused on maintaining
16:06
our existing services while prioritizing health,
16:09
safety, and our legal requirements. The capital
16:12
budget, on the other hand, was funded... The
16:15
portion that was funded through the levy saw
16:17
significant investments into fire services and
16:20
replacements of our heavy fleet and equipment,
16:23
all which were well beyond their useful life.
16:26
Under the new strong mayor legislation, staff
16:28
worked closely with the mayor to draft the 2026
16:30
proposed budget presented to council in January.
16:33
Hamill explained more of this process. In addition
16:36
to the capital levy, the budget also included
16:39
a number of projects that didn't come directly
16:41
from the taxpayer. And that was requested. also
16:44
come out of the mayor's budget directive. So
16:46
we looked at ways to include investments that
16:50
didn't hit the levy and didn't hit the taxpayers
16:51
directly. And some of those included upgrades
16:55
to the soccer field, the in -town trail development
16:58
and revitalization of Market Square. So those
17:01
were funded through things like non -tax revenues
17:04
like DC's reserves, dedicated parkland funds
17:07
and the sale of underutilized lands and properties.
17:11
As an amendment to the proposed budget, Councillor
17:13
Bill Martin asked that the town add $3 ,000 to
17:16
the Waste Diversion Advisory Committee's operating
17:18
budget to enable the committee to engage in waste
17:20
diversion promotion, education and engagement
17:23
efforts. Martin explained his request. The reason
17:26
I asked to have this put back into the budget
17:28
is that our Waste Diversion Committee has various
17:32
projects in mind to try to get people into recycling
17:37
mode a little more and possibly a composting
17:40
situation and also just to educate people on
17:43
the new recycling system and if we can get more
17:46
recycling out of garbage. Martin explained why
17:49
$3 ,000 would be worth it for the town. Basically,
17:52
what I'm saying is, I'd appreciate it if council
17:55
would look at this not as an expense item, but
17:59
as an investment in the community. It doesn't
18:02
affect the levy because I'm proposing that it
18:05
comes out of the stabilization reserve fund.
18:08
$3 ,000 is a small amount, and it's going to
18:13
show a return as far as I'm... I can almost guarantee
18:17
council that it's going to show a return in the
18:19
long run. I know our waste diversion committee
18:21
has spent hundreds and hundreds of hours researching,
18:26
making contacts with other communities. And if
18:30
we can get more out of garbage, more into recycling,
18:34
our bill at the end of each quarter or each month,
18:37
I'm not sure what we get billed at, but would
18:40
be more just because our weights are going to
18:42
decrease. That's what we've been working on.
18:45
We need the three thousand dollars in the budget.
18:47
Like I say, for educational purposes, we need
18:50
to need that to achieve our goals of waste diversion.
18:54
Mayor Terry Richardson showed his support for
18:56
the request, which was ultimately approved. The
18:59
timing on this is probably probably very good
19:02
with the change in the recycling process that
19:05
we have, not just in this municipality, but in
19:07
the province as well. So many. help that we can
19:10
get to to try and get that message out. I think
19:12
this is probably not a bad thing. After the town's
19:15
January budget meetings, a 2026 budget consultation
19:18
page on Let's Talk Greater Napanee was launched.
19:21
According to staff, there were no questions or
19:23
comments submitted by the public. For Amherst
19:25
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
19:28
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. The
19:41
Southeast Health Unit office in Napanee will
19:43
be continuing its lease in a smaller capacity
19:45
at a lesser rate. Originally, they were going
19:47
to close at the end of March. The health unit
19:49
has now agreed to reduce their footprint within
19:51
the building by approximately 75 percent. As
19:54
their lease agreement is based on square footage
19:56
occupied, this has reduced their rent from approximately
19:58
$1 ,825 to $430 for the final 20 months of the
20:04
agreement term. The town's clerk, Jessica Walters,
20:07
explains why staff believe this is in the best
20:09
interest for the community. In short, the health
20:11
unit is now, they had initially given us a notice
20:14
of termination effective March 31st. The budget
20:17
was presented on the assumption that they would
20:19
no longer be in there after that date. They have
20:22
subsequently submitted a request to continue
20:25
their lease but on amended terms with a reduced
20:28
footprint in the building and therefore reduced
20:30
cost. Staff believe this is in the best interest
20:33
of the community because it would let us maintain
20:35
the vaccine clinics and the fridge for well water
20:39
testing and any other services they might wish
20:42
to offer there through that office space. CAO
20:45
Matthew Grant explains the reduction in space
20:47
and why he supports them staying open. Myself,
20:50
Mr. Brown and Ms. Walters met with the public
20:54
health team. And so it does represent a significantly
20:57
reduced footprint within the building. It's essentially
21:02
a room to keep the vaccines as well as the the
21:07
front reception area. And as a building tenant,
21:10
it still allows them access to the large meeting
21:14
space to run vaccine clinics. So I'm quite supportive
21:19
of it. I do know that the the public health unit
21:22
has had some challenges to navigate since they've
21:27
merged the different units into one single unit.
21:32
And so as they're looking to reduce costs wherever
21:35
they can, this was a way they felt they could
21:38
do that while still maintaining service to the
21:41
community. And generally this results in people
21:45
not having to travel to Kingston for vaccines.
21:47
And I think that's where the win is for residents.
21:51
Councillor Bill Martin expressed a concern he
21:52
had about neighbouring communities using the
21:54
service. I think we have to do it just to maintain
21:57
the services to our residents. But it concerns
22:00
me that we're always asked to pay for a service
22:04
for other communities because this is going to
22:06
be used by more than just Napanee residents.
22:10
It's gonna be, you know, it's Kingston, Frontenac,
22:13
LNA, Prince Edward County, you know. So I'm concerned
22:17
about that part of it actually that we're paying,
22:20
our taxpayers are paying for a service for other
22:23
communities. But like I said, I don't want our
22:25
residents to lose any services either. Grant
22:28
noted the benefits and said they wouldn't be
22:30
paying for other municipalities. I don't know
22:32
that we're necessarily. paying us for other municipalities.
22:36
I think the benefit is maintenance of vaccine
22:39
clinics here, which will primarily be for our
22:41
residents. I would say the only benefit other
22:45
municipalities may be getting is that the vaccine
22:49
supply chain in this immediate area of 41 and
22:53
the like will come through Napanee. But I don't
22:56
anticipate that other municipalities will be
22:58
getting a direct benefit from the use of our
23:01
space other than that. Mayor Terry Richardson
23:04
showed his support for the health unit staying
23:06
open, but noted a concern as well. I'm hopeful
23:08
that our staff aren't going to do any more than
23:11
what they're doing now. Obviously, the concern
23:14
is if it's not staff five days a week, there's
23:17
a possibility there. But I'm sure Mr. Grant and
23:19
the senior leadership team will be monitoring
23:21
that fairly closely. And it's a little bit refreshing
23:24
in the fact that the health unit has now realized
23:26
that. It's important to have a brick and mortar
23:29
type of facility within our community that you
23:32
just cannot do it remotely. For Amherst Island
23:34
Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm
23:37
Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. The farmers
23:50
market at Market Square in Napanee will have
23:53
a covering thanks to the Rotary Club of Napanee.
23:55
The structure comes as a gift from the club to
23:58
the town. Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture
24:00
with the Town of Greater Napanee, Chris Brown,
24:03
spoke about the Rotary Club's plans and the timeline
24:06
for the project. They are seeking to work with
24:08
Town Council and staff as well as the Market
24:10
Square Advisory Committee to develop plans and
24:12
fundraise for a structure to be erected outside
24:14
at the back of Town Hall. on the portion of the
24:17
property off Centre Street to provide a cover
24:19
slash roof over the section that is earmarked
24:22
for the farmers market and other activities.
24:24
Town staff have met with the Rotary Club on multiple
24:27
occasions, bounced some feedback back and forth.
24:30
This covered roof would be the Rotary Club's
24:34
gift to the town to underscore their club's centennial
24:37
year in 2026. Rotary Club intends to contribute
24:42
a minimum of $125 ,000 over the course of five
24:45
years, which is very exciting. The next step,
24:49
so both parties agree to aim for a construction
24:52
start date in late 2026 following consultation.
24:56
We're hopeful that we can get a lot of the design
24:58
work completed this year. with a completion as
25:01
soon as reasonably practical. Brown detailed
25:04
how the process will take place. Once approved,
25:07
the MOU will influence design work, which will
25:10
be undertaken simultaneously with the Town Hall's
25:13
interior renovation project. As part of the design
25:16
process, many stakeholders including the Market
25:19
Square Advisory Committee, the Heritage Committee,
25:22
Rotary Club of Napanee and the LNA Chamber of
25:25
Commerce will collaborate to bring a final recommendation
25:28
to Council for approval. When the design and
25:32
costing have been determined, the town and the
25:34
Rotary Club of Napanee will enter into a contribution
25:37
agreement that will finalize some of these terms
25:40
and conditions. Mayor Terry Richardson showed
25:43
his support for the project. This is an exciting
25:45
time when we started talking about the revitalization
25:48
of the market square. You know we weren't sure
25:52
where we were going with this but now all of
25:53
a sudden all the pieces are starting to fall
25:55
into place here so I think this would be a great
25:58
addition to the back of Town Hall and it's going
26:01
to complement our market which is hit the road
26:05
running this year and only going to get better.
26:08
For Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
26:10
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
26:14
News. This February, the Lenox and Addington
26:25
County General Hospital Foundation invites the
26:27
community to express their gratitude and celebrate
26:29
the care provided by health care professionals
26:31
in the area through the Grateful Patient program.
26:34
This program is a way to honor nurses, doctors,
26:37
technicians and staff who make a difference in
26:38
patients' lives every day. All throughout February,
26:42
caregivers and teams that are chosen to be recognized
26:44
will have their name proudly displayed on a heart
26:46
on the Foundation office window. Donations through
26:48
the Grateful Patient program directly support
26:50
critical hospital needs, such as new equipment
26:53
and patient -focused improvements. Past contributions
26:56
have made a significant difference, including
26:58
upgrades to emergency department monitors and
27:00
enhancements to diagnostic imaging services.
27:03
Donations can be made online at www .lachfoundation
27:08
.com slash donate dash now or by contacting the
27:12
Foundation Office at 613 -354 -3301, extension
27:18
4400. Stories about caregivers or a team who
27:21
went above and beyond can be shared by visiting
27:23
lacghfoundation .com slash stories. Participants
27:28
in the Grateful Patient program not only recognize
27:30
the care they've received, but also help ensure
27:32
that the Lennox and Addington County General
27:34
Hospital continues to provide top quality health
27:36
care for everyone in the community. This news
27:38
story comes from the Beaver for Amherst Island
27:41
Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative. I'm
27:44
Ted Evans. This is North Shore news. Nominations
27:56
are open for Loyalist Township Civic Awards until
27:59
Monday, March 9th, 2026. Residents are encouraged
28:02
to nominate a person or organization that deserves
28:05
to be celebrated for their meaningful contributions
28:07
to Loyalist Township. That includes community
28:09
champions or groups who have volunteered their
28:11
time and made a positive impact in the community
28:13
through projects, initiatives, events, or goodwill
28:16
service. The Township celebrates the impact of
28:18
volunteers, nonprofit organizations, and dedicated
28:21
individuals who shaped the heart of the community.
28:23
These champions lead the way whether it's by
28:25
organizing events that bring neighbors together,
28:27
mentoring youth to reach their full potential,
28:29
or driving environmental initiatives that protect
28:32
our natural spaces for future generations. Through
28:34
their passion and commitment, the township thrives
28:36
as a vibrant, welcoming, and resilient place
28:39
to live, work, and grow. Nominees must be a resident
28:41
of, business owner within, or directly serve
28:44
Loyalist Township. The same individual group
28:46
or non -profit organization can be nominated
28:49
for multiple categories, but will only receive
28:51
recognition for one award per year. Award categories
28:54
are Citizen of the Year, Junior Citizen of the
28:56
Year, Senior Citizen of the Year, Organization
28:59
of the Year, and Resilient Community Award. Nominations
29:02
can be submitted online and applicants are encouraged
29:05
to provide thoughtful submissions that highlight
29:07
achievements and contributions. Eligibility requirements,
29:11
category criteria, and nomination forms are available
29:14
at www .loyalist .ca slash civic awards. This
29:19
news story comes from the Napanee Beaver. For
29:21
Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
29:23
Initiative I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
29:27
News. Loyalist Township is reminding residents
29:38
stormwater ponds are not safe for any type of
29:40
winter recreation. These ponds have constant
29:43
water movement, incoming runoff and fluctuating
29:45
water levels that prevent ice from forming evenly
29:48
or safely. Ice may look solid but can be extremely
29:51
thin in hidden areas. Snow can cover weak or
29:54
unstable spots and winter salt applications entering
29:57
the ponds can weaken ice and speed up melting,
30:00
even during very cold temperatures. The township
30:02
reminds parents and guardians to take a moment
30:04
to speak with your children about the dangers
30:06
of walking, playing, or skating on stormwater
30:08
ponds. Loyalist Township does not permit recreational
30:11
activities on or near stormwater ponds at any
30:14
time of year. These facilities are designed for
30:16
water management, not recreation, and can be
30:19
hazardous, especially in winter. For Amherst
30:21
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
30:24
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. A seasonal
30:38
overnight parking reminder for Loyalist Township.
30:41
From December 1st until March 31st, 2026, parking
30:44
is prohibited on any road or street in Loyalist
30:47
Township between 1 a .m. and 7 a .m. This restriction
30:50
is in effect regardless of weather conditions.
30:53
Vehicles in violation of this by -law will be
30:55
ticketed. For more information, visit Loyalist
30:57
.ca. For Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
31:01
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
31:05
News. This has been North Shore News and Interviews.
31:11
If you have an idea for a story or want to create
31:14
stories for the show, consider joining our volunteer
31:17
team. Contact Amherst Island Radio for more details.