Elwood Varty, a father of six and grandfather of nine from Campbellford, Ontario, won the top prize of $100,000 in the OLG Dream Draw Lotto Max draw on May 3rd. After playing the lottery for decades, Varty’s winning ticket, purchased at RX Drug Mart on Grand Road, finally brought him his first major victory. Despite his disbelief, Varty’s wife initially thought his win was a joke. He plans to save his winnings for the time being.
Five individuals were transported to hospitals following a two-vehicle collision on Highway 7 in Lindsay, Ontario, on Monday morning. The incident, involving a car and an SUV, occurred around 11:13 a.m., resulting in road closures and a thorough investigation by the City of Kawartha Lakes OPP. Four individuals were taken to Ross Memorial Hospital with minor injuries, while one person sustained serious injuries and was transported to a Toronto hospital. The cause of the collision remains under investigation, and witnesses or individuals with video footage are urged to contact the City of Kawartha Lakes OPP detachment for assistance.
The Ontario government is introducing legislation to eliminate the ability for people to place Notices of Security Interest (NOSIs) for consumer goods on the land registry system. NOSIs have been fraudulently used to scam homeowners, and the new legislation aims to protect residents from this type of deception. The proposed bill also includes a mandatory 10-day cooling-off period for the purchase of new freehold homes, public disclosure when builders cancel purchase agreements, and an expansion of the Condominium Authority Tribunal’s jurisdiction over disputes.
A recent report by the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR) paints a grim picture of food insecurity in its jurisdiction. The report reveals that low-income households in Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, and Haliburton counties struggle to afford basic necessities, including healthy food.
The Shagreen snail, previously believed to be restricted to two islands in Lake Erie, Canada, has been discovered on the mainland near Woodstock, Ontario. The sighting, confirmed by snail experts using photographs uploaded to the iNaturalist app, marks an exciting development for the endangered species. Scott Gillingwater, a biologist with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, initially spotted the snail and uploaded its images to the app, where it was correctly identified as a Shagreen snail. The discovery suggests that the snail’s range may be wider than previously known, sparking hopes for recovery efforts. Gillingwater emphasizes the need for further surveys to gather more information about the mainland population and its habitat, which may provide insights into the species’ decline and aid in conservation efforts.
Residents in Bancroft, Ontario, spent Thursday cleaning up after a beaver dam break flooded sections of the town on Wednesday evening. The flooding impacted several streets in the east end of the community, including Woodview Lane north of Highway 29 and east of Highway 62, leading to road damage and flooded residences and businesses. The town reported that some streets have since reopened, but Cleak Avenue between Woodview Lane and Madawaska Street remains closed due to road damage. The North Hastings Community Cupboard food bank was spared from the flooding and remains open. Bancroft has experienced springtime flooding in the past, often due to snowmelt and spring rains impacting the Gull River, but the beaver dam break has caused significant flooding this year.
Two men from Lindsay, Ontario, are facing multiple drug trafficking charges after a raid on a home in the early hours of Thursday morning. Police seized a quantity of drugs with an estimated street value of $5,200 during the raid, which was executed with the assistance of the OPP’s tactics and rescue unit, emergency response team, and community street crime unit. The two men, ages 35 and 41, were arrested and each charged with possession of a Schedule 1 and a Schedule 2 substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine, other opioid). They were held in custody and are scheduled to appear in court in Lindsay.
Ontario is overhauling its compensation system for injured migrant workers. The changes affect workers who cannot return to their previous job due to an injury but can work in other roles. Previously, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) paid workers 85% of their salary if they were unable to return to their job but clawed back money earned from other work. This was deemed unfair to migrant workers who often earn less in their home countries than they would if they worked the same job in Ontario full-time. The WSIB is reviewing 50 claims dating back to 2007 and will likely pay out millions in retroactive compensation.
The suspension of admissions at a Peterborough long-term care home has drawn attention to systemic challenges within the sector, according to advocacy groups. Inspections by the Ministry of Long-Term Care revealed improper care, neglect, and staffing issues, pointing to underfunding and a shortage of personal support workers as major concerns. Both the Ontario Association of Residents’ Councils (OARC) and Concerned Friends emphasize the need for more proactive inspections and increased funding to address these systemic issues and ensure the well-being of long-term care residents.
Le Boat, the leading boat rental provider in Europe, has announced its expansion into Canada, featuring a new marina and cruising route along the historic Trent-Severn Waterway. This expansion includes a brand-new facility located at Horseshoe Bay Marina in Peterborough, Ontario, offering easy access to the waterway. Le Boat welcomes families and pets, making it an ideal summer getaway option. The company will offer a fleet of Horizon Cruisers from $2,800 CAD per week, ranging from two to four-bedroom boats. There will be no requirement for a boating license, as Le Boat provides comprehensive training. The cruising season begins on May 17th, coinciding with the Victoria Day Long Weekend and the unofficial start of summer.
