News

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Candidates have made their pitches over the past month and now its decision day for Ontario voters. Here’s what you need to know before voting. Voters must be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen and an Ontario resident to cast a ballot. Polls open at 9 a.m. and close at 9 p.m Your polling station is listed on your voting card. Or you find your assigned polling station on the Elections Ontario website by entering your postal code. Assistive voting is available at your local election office by appointment. If you received your voting card you will need to bring it to your polling station and a piece of identification with your name. If you did not receive your voting card, you can still vote. You will need to bring a piece of identification with your name and current residential address.

A winter weather travel advisory calling for heavy snow and freezing rain on Thursday morning is in effect for Belleville, Quinte West and Northumberland County. Environment Canada’s weather alert stated there will be reduced visibility at times in heavy snow.

The South East Health Unit (SEHU) Board of Health has approved the first budget for the newly-amalgamated agency. The SEHU Board of Health approved its first operating budget as a merged entity comprised of the former Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH), Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health (KFLAPH), and Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit (LGLDHU). The 2025 budget of $60,277,410 was prepared using the financial information and 2025 budgets from the three legacy health units, as well as a transfer of $1,490,000 in voluntary merger funding from the Ministry of Health to support the hiring of term staff and consultants to assist with the merger process. The budget includes municipal funding increases of six per cent for HPE, one per cent for KFLA, and five per cent for LGL municipalities to address rising operational costs and needs in the community. These increases were previously approved in the legacy agencies individual 2025 budgets.

Canada’s National Defence says PFAS were spotted during routine environmental monitoring work at CFB Trenton. PFAS, short for poly- and perfluoroalkylated substances, were found at the former firefighter training area, former fire hall, former maintenance buildings and other areas at the base. The manufactured chemicals are used in a variety of consumer and industrial products, including firefighting foams. In a release, the Department of National Defence (DND) says the PFAS impact at 8 Wing/CFB Trenton are largely linked to historical use of aqueous film-forming foams at the Wing. As a precaution, the DND is expanding its testing at 8 Wing/CFB Trenton to better understand the sources and extent of PFAS at the Wing and surrounding areas.

Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, his wife and their dog were found dead in their New Mexico home, authorities said Thursday. Foul play was not suspected, but authorities did not release circumstances of their deaths and said an investigation was ongoing. Hackman, 95, was found dead with his wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog when deputies preformed a welfare check at the home

Sports

The Winnipeg Jets extended their franchise-record win streak to 11 games, topping the Ottawa Senators 4-1

Conor Garland scored his second goal of the game at 4:28 of overtime to give the Vancouver Canucks a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings

Gabbie Hughes capped a two-goal effort with the winning score 36 seconds into overtime as Ottawa Charge earned a hard-fought 5-4 overtime win against the New York Sirens.

Tyrese Haliburton had 33 points and 11 assists to help the Indiana Pacers beat the Toronto Raptors 111-91