News

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Canada has responded to new tariffs from the US with retaliatory import taxes of its own – after warning of an “existential threat” from its neighbour. US President Donald Trump has imposed 25% tariffs on products entering the US from Canada and Mexico – which became effective overnight – and has increased a levy on goods coming from China. Canada has responded with tariffs on tens of billions of dollars’ worth of products imported from the US. Its provincial leaders have suggested going further. Trump says he is protecting US jobs and manufacturing, and trying to prevent illegal migration and drug trafficking. But experts say he is likely to push up prices for consumers in the US and abroad. The three countries targeted are America’s top trading partners, and the tit-for-tat measures have also prompted fears of a wider trade war.

Damages in yesterday’s fire in South Marysburgh is now estimated at $50,000. Search for the cause of the fire is continuing. No injuries were reported after Prince Edward County firefighters extinguished a blaze at a home in South Marysburgh on Monday morning. Firefighters from Stations 1 and 3 were called to County Road 17 near Milford. The homeowners escaped the blaze

The search for the cause is continuing following a garage fire on Monday night in Belleville. Belleville Firefighters responded to a call about a structure fire on Alnet drive at 6:42 pm. A quick response helped to confine the fire to the garage. There was some smoke damage in the rest of the home. All occupants were evacuated prior to fire department arrival but one person was checked by Hastings Quinte Paramedics for smoke inhalation. Fire prevention officers have been called in and the fire is under investigation.

A Belleville man with a history of mental illness has been found not criminally responsible in the death of his wife. 68-year-old Michael Danese was arrested on a charge of 2nd degree murder in March of 2021. Susan Rosenberg-Danese died after receiving a knife wound at a home on Plaza Square on March 9th of that year. On Monday at Belleville Superior court, he was found Not Criminally Responsible (NCR) on account of mental disorder, a verdict agreed upon by both the Crown and the Defence. An agreed-upon statement of facts showed that Danese suffered from two serious mental health episodes before this incident. He had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and had been prescribed medication. As a result of the verdict, a warrant of committal is to be signed, and he will stay at Central East Correctional Centre and to be taken to Ontario Shores when a bed is available at the mental health facility. Justice Kristin Muszynski also imposed a DNA databanking order.

Construction activity in Belleville over the first two months of the year is similar to 2024. The city’s building department issued 26 permits with a construction value of $6.8 million last month. In February of last year there were 35 permits worth $6.8 million. The city did earn less in building permit fees and development charges last month. It pulled in $40,000 in building permit fees and $58,000 in development charges. In February of last year, building permit fees were worth almost $54,000 while development charges were worth almost $246,000. Year-to-date construction activity is estimated at $10.4 million while, during the first two months of 2024, it was valued just shy of $10.7 million.

Pope Francis had stabilized enough Tuesday after two respiratory crises to be taken off noninvasive mechanical ventilation and receive just high flows of supplemental oxygen, as he continued his more than two-week long fight against double pneumonia, the Vatican said. Francis, 88, woke up and was resuming respiratory physiotherapy after sleeping through the night, the Vatican said. The Vatican said as of Tuesday morning, Francis no longer needed to wear the mechanical ventilation mask that covers his nose and mouth to pump oxygen into his lungs and was just receiving supplemental oxygen through a nasal tube.

Sports

The schedule is set for the first rd matchup between the Wellington Dukes and Stoufville Spirit is set… First game 730 pm Stouffville Saturday and 4 pm Sunday at home. The two teams finished with identical records in the regular season.

Fabian Zetterlund scored in the fourth round of the shootout as the San Jose Sharks battled back from a two-goal deficit in the third period to stun the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 on Monday and snap an eight-game slide.

Tom Wilson fought Brady Tkachuk late in the first period, scored on the power play in the second and assisted on Martin Fehervary’s goal in the third to help the Washington Capitals end their season-worst losing streak at three games by beating the Ottawa Senators 5-4 on Monday night in a shootout.

Mike Matheson scored at 1:21 of overtime to lift the surging Montreal Canadiens to a 4-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Monday.

Team Carruthers lost its first game at the Brier following a 7-3 loss to Team Canada to wrap up Day 4 action at the Brier in Kelowna