Shelley Kline, Chair of the LSE CAC, on CBC Metro Morning radio, produced by Mary Wiens, July 28th, 2023

CBC Metro Morning July 28th, 2023, KLINE Ontario Line Competition

WATD NEWS: Supporting Children in Crossfire, an Irish nonprofit, Brian and Aidan describe their training and goals to raise funds while biking Paris2Nice.

Children in Crossfire: We work in partnership with local organisations in Tanzania and Ethiopia to improve the lives of the most disadvantaged young children, with a particular focus on Early Childhood Education (ECE).

In Ireland, we work in schools and with the general public to raise awareness of global justice issues, and advocate for increased investment in ECE.

WATD Brian & Aidan

The Northumberland YMCA is opening a new fitness, swimming and hockey facility in Campbellford Ontario this week. The doors to the Sunny Life Recreation and Wellness Centre open Wednesday at 6:30 AM. The 64,000 square foot facility features an NHL-sized ice pad, conditioning room and two pools.

“I’m over the moon excited,” said Leanne Clarke, Interim General Manager of Health, Fitness and Aquatics for Northumberland YMCA. “This is a project that has been in the works for 20 years.” She says says some aquatics programs will be offered starting Wednesday, while fitness classes will commence in December.

CFWN News Reporter Dan Jones spoke with Kathryn Harrison, Manager of Marketing, Communications and Media Relations for Northumberland YMCA and Clarke about the new facility and the excitement in Campbellford.

Northumberland YMCA Campbellford Opening

Construction of 35 emergency spaces and ten transitional housing units at the Warming Center in Cobourg is now complete. A residency occupancy permit has been issued. It is expected that people can begin accessing the emergency spaces later this week, while consideration for transitional housing is taking place. Occupancy of the housing units is expected in the New Year.

However, two people who may access services at the facility have mixed reactions to its potential benefits. CFWN news reporter Dan Jones spoke with Lara Robertson, who is skeptical, while her partner Dave Scott is looking forward to seeing what is offered.

Warming Space Lara Dave

A Northumberland County-based media production company is producing a documentary series, detailing the testimonies and stories of veterans of Cobourg Legion Branch 133.

Eelay Media is producing a six-part, ten minute documentary series, featuring 12 stories of the unique history of veterans. Production began in October, and the series is expected to be broadcast next year.

One story will feature Cobourg’s oldest veteran James “Jimmy” Keeler, who fought in the Korean War. Another episode examines the contributions of Fern Blodgett Sunde, who was the first Canadian woman wireless radio operator in the Navy on the M/S Mosdale during the Battle of the Atlantic. 

Executive Producer Mark Johnston spoke with CFWN News Reporter Dan Jones regarding the development of the series and how production is going.

Marc Johnston Legion Of Honour

Northumberland County is set to open 132 new child care spaces in the next few weeks, including removing 50 children from the waitlist this week.

Fifty new spaces will open this week in Cobourg, Port Hope and Warkworth, part of a broader initiative set by the Ministry of Education, which indicated a need for 404 child care spaces by the end of 2026 in Northumberland County.

Child care providers are also in the process of hiring ten more staff across three facilities to help ensure that the remaining 82 spaces open as soon as possible. Operators will also be able to access $1.7 million in federal and provincial funding for renovations, equipment and supplies for facility upgrades.

CFWN News spoke with Northumberland County Early Years Services Manager Lesley Patterson. She says the additional child care spaces are huge for the county.

Northumberland - Child - Care - Spaces - LJI

Pamela Hemphill believed the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump. She believed it so much, that on the 6th January 2021, she joined thousands of others and entered the Capitol building in Washington in an attempt to take it back. 

Pamela was convicted for her role in the insurrection - and served two months in prison. Since then, she has changed her mind. She says she doesn't believe Donald Trump lost that election, and that she was 'brainwashed' by a 'cult'. 

This week, she started working with her lawyer to find a way to reject Donald Trump's offer of a pardon.

This is Pam's story...

Meet the Jan 6th rioter who refuses Trump's pardon

An act of generosity and the charm of a therapy dog, has helped to distribute meals to seniors and first responders over the Christmas holidays. 

In the fall, Northumberland County Paramedics and their Community Paramedicine Therapy Dog “Ivy Joules” created a calendar. The pictures each month feature Ivy putting smiles on peoples faces. 

The paramedics raised more than $1000, which was donated to a Cobourg restaurant, which has a history of giving back to the region. Ketch’s Korner crafted 25 holiday meals in December, with a further 27 meals set to be delivered next month. 

Paramedic Chief Susan Brown spoke with CFWN news reporter Dan Jones about the 2025 calendar.

Northumberland Therapy Dog Calendar - LJI

Five Counties Children’s Centre is celebrating 50 years of helping children with physical and developmental challenges.

Over the next year, Five Counties will share testimonials from former clients from the past five decades and host parties in each of the areas it serves.

One of these people is Mike Hannah, a former child client with the organization in the 1980’s, who was born with cerebral palsy. Hannah credits Five Counties for helping him develop his love for sports.

Five Counties CEO Scott Pepin says while the agency is marking 50 years of service, the celebrations are about honouring the achievements of former clients.

Five Counties 50th Ann. N at 5

It’s a friendly competition between two mayors with junior hockey teams.

Bob Crate, Mayor of Trent Hills in Northumberland County and Mayor Sherry Sanis of Selwyn have challenged their respective communities to collect as many pop can tabs as possible.

The Campbellford Lions Club and a local church will sell the aluminum tabs to help fund their Seeing Eye Dog Program.

Throughout 2025, residents can donate their tabs at any Trent Hills Thunder or Lakefield Chiefs game.

While the winner gets bragging rights, the losing mayor must wear the winning team’s hockey jersey to a council meeting and a hockey game between the two clubs.

Mayor Crate says the challenge is going great, and community support is growing.

Pop Can Tab Callenge N at 5

I am a political multi-media journalist since 2006. I have covered three territorial and three provincial elections, three federal elections, 2009 Western Premiers Conference, multiple Northern Premiers Forums and 2016 Council of the Federation Conference.

In my previous position with Missinipi Broadcasting in Regina, I was the Legislative Affairs reporter and Station News Director

Broadcaster / Documentary-maker / Northerner / Catch me on Times Radio, Saturday and Sunday, 10pm-1am

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