Nearly two years after the war in Ukraine began, NATO's Secretary General was in Troy, AL on Wednesday visiting a plant that manufactures antitank missiles.  Troy Public Radio's Emily Mosier filed this report on his visit for NPR's Hourly Newscast.

"NATO Chief Visits Lockheed Martin Plant in Troy" - TPR's Emily Mosier for NPR - Feb. 1, 2024

This is my news report for 91.1 The Globe on February 27, 2024.

Globe News 2-27-24

This is the news report I did for 91.1 The Globe on March 6, 2024.

Globe News 3-6-24

The Northumberland Land Trust is partnering with Ducks Unlimited Canada to purchase a large parcel of land near Brighton.

The conservation groups are looking to preserve the 300 acre Biddy Creek wetlands, located south of Highway 401.

The Land Trust is fundraising until January, needing $190,000 for the purchase of the land and to conduct surveying and biological work.

Doug McRae, a Board Member with the Northumberland Land Trust says the wetland is largely an untouched ecosystem, containing Black Cherry, Oak, Birch, Maple, Cedar, and White Pine.

CFWN News Reporter Dan Jones reports on why this land purchase is significant for the Northumberland Land Trust.

Biddy Creek Wetland Fundraiser

The Cenotaph in Castleton Ontario could soon see beautification efforts after a local resident raised concerns to Cramahe Township Council about its appearance.

Ten years ago, the Council restored a World War 1 Monument in Colborne, 10 kilometers south of Castleton, but did not touch the cenotaph to the north.

The Castleton Cenotaph may see upgrades, maintenance or sidewalk improvements. Council has appointed two representatives to work with local residents on the project.

Funding being considered include a federal grant application through Veterans Affairs Canada and possibly using existing Township funds.

The upgrades, if approved, are anticipated to be completed before the 2025 Remembrance Day ceremonies.

Castleton Cenotaph Restoration

Impaired driving statistics are rising slightly in Cobourg Ontario over the past three years, with 2024 rates already those from last year. According to local police, blood-alcohol levels of those arrests is also going up.

This is concerning for local law enforcement, say police officers, as they gear up for their annual Christmas R.I.D.E. enforcement checks.

While the Ontario Provincial Police have already begun their campaign, the Cobourg Police Service will launch Operation “Red Nose” with the YMCA Northumberland later this week.

CFWN News Reporter Dan Jones reports.

Cobourg DUI Stats

The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada and the Cobourg Fire Department have teamed up to provide much needed lifesaving equipment to local firefighters.

Just over $32,000 was donated to the Cobourg Fire Department to purchase seven additional fire-resistant jackets and pants, aimed at decreasing firefighters exposure to carcinogens, by providing clean outerwear between calls for service.

An ice water rescue suit was also bought for Lake Ontario rescues. Fire Chief Ellard Beavan stated the donation is significant as the new equipment is already in use.

Cobourg Fire Department Donations

Cobourg Police leadership and its Board will continue an investigation into alleged workplace harassment allegations.

Last month, a local online news agency published an unverified, anonymous letter, claiming to be from a member of Cobourg Police.

The letter of allegations was forwarded to the Inspectorate of Policing, but the Inspector General declined to investigate because the letter was anonymous.

However advice from legal counsel suggests that leadership continue its probe to determine the merit of the allegations.

As CFWN news reports, Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf will consult a third-party police agency to investigate.

Cobourg Police Misconduct Allegations LJI

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.

Legion Of Honour

The almost one month old Canada Post strike is not only impacting potential Christmas gift delivery, but also donations to charities.

The holiday season is known for giving, where a non-profit agency can see between 20 to 50 percent of its annual revenues made in the final six weeks of the year. As well, those who donate towards the end of December, can maximize tax incentives for the current calendar year.

The Alzheimer’s Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton is pivoting from its mail campaign to utilizing social media, email and phone calls in an effort to get donations.

CFWN News explores how the strike is affecting local charities.

Postal Strike Donations

The Township of Alnwick/Haldimand Municipal Council has a contracted a needs of assessment of the Grafton arena building and property to help determine the arena’s future.

A request for proposals was issued last fall, following a Parks and Recreation Department report identified serious issues with the arena, which threatened to cancel the entire winter season.

Sierra Planning and Management was awarded the $72,000 contract. The same company was awarded a contract in 2018 to conduct a similar assessment on the arena.

The needs report will examine not only the potential for a new arena, but possibly refurbishing the existing building.

A report on the arena’s options is expected by the end of March.

Grafton Arena Needs Assessment Report

A new warming space for the homeless is now open in Cobourg. The facility at 310 Division Street will offer client’s a warm place to rest, do some laundry, have a shower or get something to eat. While the full facility is not completely open, construction is underway for housing supports and a resource center, where people can access online services.

Northumberland County and the Town of Cobourg have been in negotiations in creation of a bylaw to allow operation of the site, as a special license was needed.

CFWN News Reporter Dan Jones toured the facility and spoke with Bill Smith, the Manager of Homeless Services for Northumberland County about what the warming space has to offer.

Cobourg Warming Space

Seven-hundred and fifty drivers were stopped by Cobourg Police during the festive R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) program in late November and December.

Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf says in his monthly report to the Cobourg Police Services Board meeting Tuesday that over the course of three R.I.D.E. check weekends three roadside screening tests were conducted and two three-day license suspensions were issued.

Yet despite the education awareness to impaired driving, VandeGraaf noted that six motorists were charged by his officers since December, including three in January.

The Northumberland County detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police reports 14 drivers were charged with D.U.I. during its checkstop campaign. CFWN’s Dan Jones reports that VandeGraaf is raising alarms to the increase in impaired driving rates.

Cobourg - Jan. - DUI - Report - LJI

It was a quick backtrack for the Town of Cobourg Council on it’s religious declarations policy.

Last autumn, citizen Bob LeDrew, who is an atheist, requested that the town declare March 23 as Atheism Awareness Day. Last November, Council declared December as Christian Heritage Month.

He claims he was denied that request, suggesting Cobourg’s Flag Raising and Proclamation Policy does not allow for religious declarations.

LeDrew argued that atheism is not a religion, and that Council’s November declaration opened the door to other religion’s demanding their own declarations.

He explained that Northumberland County is becoming less religious, citing a 2021 Statistics Canada religious diversity report suggesting that approximately 45 percent of the County’s population has no religious affiliation, up from 25 percent from 10 years ago.

Council voted to rescind the Christian Heritage Month declaration Wednesday. 

Cobourg Religious Declarations Policy-LJI

This is my edited audio report submission for the module JSM170 Multimedia Methods Portfolio

Tackling the rising tide of single use PPE

Mike Murrell is an award-winning on-air personality and producer.  He has two bachelor's degrees. One in broadcasting, and another in history. He also has a master's degree in military operational arts and sciences.  His lists his influences as Billy West, Mel Blanc, Don LaFontaine, Marty Brenneman, Steve "Goldie" Goldstein, Bob Uecker, Al Michaels, Harry Shearer, and John Holmberg.

Mike is a retired Army Officer.

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

Troy Public Radio is proud to serve its listeners in the tri-state coverage area of central and southeast Alabama, southwest Georgia and the Florida Panhandle. Our network offers world, national and regional news, arts and cultural programming and is affiliated with National Public Radio, Public Radio International, the Associated Press and the Alabama Broadcasters Association.

Troy Public Radio also broadcasts in HD (Hybrid Digital). Our HD service is provided free to listeners (HD receiver required to receive HD stations). HD 2 broadcasts a mix of classical and jazz while HD 3 broadcasts BBC World News. All of the Troy University Public Radio stations and HD channels offer listeners a commercial-free radio experience.

New tracks tagged #News report