Charlottetown Police have responded to twelve possible impaired driving complaints since Thursday, and four of those resulted in charges being laid.

A 67 year old Charlottetown man is facing an impaired charge after police got a call Thursday afternoon about a possible impaired driver at a convenience store on St Peters Road.  Police say he provided breath samples that were over twice the legal limit.

A 35-year old Cornwall man was charged with impaired after being pulled over early Thursday night near the North River Causeway.  He provided breath samples that were twice the legal limit.

Shortly before midnight Thursday night, Charlottetown Police conducted a traffic stop on St Peters Road and a 25 year old Charlottetown man was charged with impaired.

At about 9:30pm Saturday night, Police responded to an impaired driver complaint in East Royalty.  They located the vehicle and driver and a 43 year old Charlottetown man was charged with impaired after providing breath samples that were over twice the legal limit.

A report commissioned to assess how ready P.E.I.'s health-care system is to support a new medical school at the University of Prince Edward Island also lays out how the province is struggling to meet the current needs of Island residents.

Ally Getson has volunteered with the P.E.I. Humane Society for years, caring for more than 200 animals. The kittens adore her, and humane society staff say they don't know what they'd do without her.

To report outages you can call 1-800-670-1012.

Just a few months from now, Dr. Michael Gardam will trade Prince Edward Island for Prince Edward County in Ontario. Gardam announced his pending resignation as CEO of Health P.E.I. in July, and is just days away from exiting the position.  

A Clermont, P.E.I., man originally charged with criminal negligence causing death has been sentenced to five and half years in prison for drug offences.

The RCMP’s major crime unit has taken over the investigation into a missing 17-year-old from eastern P.E.I.

The RCMP says its Major Crime and General Investigations Unit have taken over the Tyson Blair MacDonald missing person file.   The Mounties say that based on information investigators have gathered, Tyson’s disappearance is now being investigated as a Criminal Code Investigation.  Police say they are not defining the offence at this point in time, but can say that they are investigating it as a crime. Few details of the investigation are being released at this time in order to protect the integrity of the investigation.  Over the last three days, investigators have deployed RCMP Drones, and Police Dog Services to search for Tyson.  Other RCMP Units assisting in the investigation include the Forensic Identification Section, RCMP Provincial General Investigation Section, Queens, Prince and Kings District RCMP, and the Division Criminal Analysis Section.   As RCMP are actively searching rural areas, a large police presence may be noticed by residents in Kings County.  The RCMP says that at this time, they do not require any tips on the unknown woman and the Honda Civic mentioned in Saturday’s update.

As for questions that have been raised regarding why an Amber Alert has not been issued in this case, the RCMP says that the use of Amber Alerts is strictly confined to cases where police have clear information indicating that a child is in imminent danger. They says that in this case, based on known information at the time, police did not have the needed criteria to issue an Amber Alert. A missing person is not an option in the alert ready system unless it is an Amber Alert.

Prince Edward Islanders interested in introducing a new-to-Canada family to some local Christmas traditions still have a little time to register for a program put on by Immigrant and Refugee Services Association P.E.I.

A new report on the future of energy in PEI has been compiled based on feedback received from hundreds of Islanders and over 60 community, energy and environmental stakeholders.  The information in the PEI Energy Blueprint – What We Heard Report is to help with an updated energy strategy for the province, — a strategy which would guide future policy direction for electricity and other energy uses as the province looks to achieve net zero by 2040.  Government plans to use the report in compiling a new energy strategy for PEI that is consistent with the province’s environmental and social priorities. The strategy is planned to be released in 2024.

On Sunday at 5:00 PM, West Prince RCMP responded to a report of counterfeit money being found along the road on Main Street in Alberton. Hundreds of notes were seized including $100, $50 and $20 notes. All of the notes are identifiable as counterfeit as they have Chinese characters on them. Police have not received any reports of anyone passing these counterfeit notes.  Anyone in the area who handles currency while conducting their business or work should be on the lookout for suspicious currency.  If you do come in contact with counterfeit currency, or think you have, report it to your local police. If you unknowingly accept counterfeit currency as legal tender, you cannot be reimbursed.

Women’s Network P.E.I. is going to use some new provincial funding to expand Still Visible, a peer-support group made up of senior women.

Oscar Waugh will be part of the East Wiltshire Warriors basketball team forever. His jersey was retired and will hang in the school in honour of the student, who died this summer after an 18-month battle with cancer.

The search continues for a missing teen, 17-year old Tyson Blair MacDonald.  A missing person notice was first issued by Kings District RCMP on Friday, and then on Saturday police released some updated information in the efforts to locate Tyson.  RCMP say that Tyson was last seen on Thursday at 7:15 pm in Caledonia getting into a vehicle described as a dark black or possibly dark blue, 4-door Honda Civic 2010-2012 model. It is believed to have yellow, after-market fog lights, and has black steel rims similar to those used for winter tires. The vehicle has a “G” driver permit sticker on the windshield. The side windows are very dark tinted.  The female he was last seen with is described as Caucasian with a slim build and dark shoulder length hair, and wearing a tank top. The flower tattoo on her forearm is a black tulip with two leaves on one side and one leaf on the other. She apparently has another smaller tattoo of unknown description on her shoulder.  Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Tyson Blair MacDonald, or who has seen the described vehicle, is asked to contact Kings District RCMP at 902-838-9300.

A wind warning is in effect for all of P.E.I., and that could lead to travel troubles for people leaving or entering the province, as well as some early incidents of flying reindeer.

Environment Canada has issued a wind warning for all three counties in PEI.  We are expecting wind gusts to 70kh by late Monday morning and then to 90kh in the evening before diminishing to 40 gusting to 60 after midnight.

There is a Wind Warning Advisory in effect on the Confederation Bridge, covering a period from 12 noon Monday through 3:00am on Tuesday.  During that timeframe it’s possible that traffic restrictions may have to be put in place on the bridger because of the winds.

With the gale force winds in the forecast, Northumberland Ferries has cancelled all sailings for the day on Monday between Wood Islands and Caribou.

'Nanny' Shirley Affleck has volunteered for decades in her home community, and currently runs the breakfast program at Mount Stewart school. She's loved by many, especially by kids at the school who say she's simply the best.

UPEI researchers are looking for alternatives to fossil fuels and they're looking to waste products as one source, including potato peelings, sawdust and an invasive aquatic species called tunicate to create hydrogen.

Batten down the hatches. Environment Canada has issued special weather statements for all three counties on P.E.I.

The new gathering is about blending Mi’kmaw culture with Christmas traditions as part of a movement to reclaim the community’s customs and teach them to the younger generation.

The Lobster Fishers of PEI Marketing Board says the price for the lobster is up compared to last year.

Board chair Charlie McGeoghegan says live lobster is selling for as much as 11 dollars and 50-cents a pound which is up from $6.50 and $7.50 last year.

He says the jump in prices is partly because catches are down for fishers in New England, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

McGeoghegan says demand is up, especially from Asian markets.

The province is providing $75 million to accelerate the construction of nearly 400 new housing units across the Island.  The original budget was $65 million but demand has risen.

Twenty developers will access a preferential ten year, 2% interest rate for the construction of 280 units in urban areas in Charlottetown, Cornwall, Stratford and Summerside.  There will be 113 units built in rural areas. That will give a grand total of 393 new units.

Since launching the Housing Challenge Fund in 2022, the province has invested $122.7 million to accelerate construction of 613 new units and 45 subdivisions across PEI.

Housing Minister Rob Lantz says solutions are needed to promote and support new housing developments in many communities. He says the new projects will improve the Island’s vacancy rate.

Kings District RCMP continue to search for a missing teen, 17-year old Tyson Blair MacDonald. He  was last seen on Thursday at 7:15 in the evening in Caledonia. A vehicle Tyson was last seen getting into is described as a dark black or possibly dark blue, 4-door Honda Civic 2010-2012 model.

It’s believed to have yellow, after-market fog lights, and has black steel rims similar to those used for winter tires. The vehicle has a “G” driver permit sticker on the windshield. The side windows are very dark tinted. 

A female he was last seen with is described as Caucasian with a slim build and dark shoulder length hair, and wearing a tank top.  Anyone with information is asked to contact Kings District RCMP at 902-838-9300.

A toy drive organized in honour of a Hunter River grandmother is growing — as demand for help increases.

Gerard 'Smitty' Smith learned to skate at 16 and is still going at 81. He's been a regular fixture in sports across P.E.I. over the years. We caught up with Smitty during one of his games in the lunchtime league in Summerside.

RCMP are searching for 17-year-old Tyson Blair MacDonald who was last seen in Caledonia.

Before any festivities happen, the P.E.I. Fire Marshals Office wants you to take some precautions to prevent a fire from ruining your holiday cheer.

A former funeral director who stole more than $425,000 for prepaid funerals was back in court in Charlottetown on Friday as victims and families told the court how they’ve been impacted by his crimes.

The family of a woman who was killed in a collision last weekend says she was a kind and thoughtful person. And they urge Islanders to consider the consequences before getting behind the wheel.

MacDonald is described as 5-foot-9, has short light brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing black sweat shirt and grey pants.

MacDonald was last seen with an unknown female of a similar age with dark hair and a flower tattoo on her left arm. He was getting into a dark colored civic with tinted windows. He made indications that he was going to Charlottetown.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Tyson Blair MacDonald is asked to contact Kings District RCMP at 902-838-9300.

The price of lobster is up compared to last year, says the Lobster Fishers of P.E.I. Marketing Board.

The Province says that beginning January 1, 2024, child care fees across PEI will drop to $10-a-day for all Island children attending Early Years Centres and licensed Family Home Centres.  Under the Canada-PEI Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, the federal and provincial governments committed to bringing the average fees for regulated child care to $10-a-day per child.  The Province will be exceeding its commitment by investing additional dollars to make $10-a-day the standard child care fee at all EYCs and licensed FHCs in the province, and achieve the milestone ahead of the national target.

The COVID-19 outbreak on the Sunset household of Charlottetown’s Beach Grove Home has been declared over.    

Health PEI is thanking the staff for managing and limiting the COVID-19 outbreak within the facility.   

Visitors are encouraged to wear a mask inside the facility and to not visit if they are feeling ill. 

Shortly before 2:00am on Thursday, Charlottetown Police responded to a break and enter in progress at a home on St Peters Road.

As Police arrived on scene, they found a woman in the driveway leaving the property.  She was detained while other Officers spoke with the home owners.  It was learned that they had been sleeping when they heard a window break, and got up and saw a woman at the bottom of the stairs exiting the front door.  The woman was then arrested.  A 32 year old Charlottetown woman has been charged with break and enter. 

Charlottetown Police say that a six week investigation has resulted in drug and other charges being laid.

On November 25, the Charlottetown Police Services Street Crime Unit attempted a targeted vehicle stop on Green Street, but the driver did not stop and fled from Police.  Police say that while the driver was fleeing, a quantity of drugs was thrown out of the vehicle window and recovered by Police.   Officers ended the pursuit for safety reasons.  On December 11, Street Crime Unit members located the suspect walking on University Avenue.   After a short foot chase, the man was arrested and taken into custody.  Police seized 82 grams of cocaine, 43 grams of crystal meth, two cell phones and five thousand dollars cash.

A 48 year old Charlottetown man has been charged with Possession for the purpose of trafficking; Trafficking cocaine; Trafficking methamphetamine; Resist arrest; Flight from Police; Dangerous Driving.  He’s been released with conditions and will soon appear in Provincial Court.

Economic growth, housing and affordability will be the focus of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s annual meeting with provincial and territorial finance ministers today.  Governments are facing growing pressure to address the housing crisis by finding ways to get more homes built and faster.  The ministers are also expected to talk pensions, even though Alberta has paused public consultations on creating its own pension plan.  

Fees at regulated child-care centres on P.E.I. are set to drop in the new year, the province announced Friday.

Thursday night in front of his family and friends, Oscar Waugh's jersey was retired. the 15-year-old died this past summer after an 18-month battle with cancer.

The price of most fuels fell overnight Friday after the regular weekly price review from the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission.

The cruise ship terminal at the Port of Charlottetown got a holiday makeover for the first Make-A-Wish Trees of Joy event held in P.E.I. The event included the reveal of trees that were specially decorated in honour of seven Island children living with critical illnesses. 

The Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce and its Board of Directors have announced the appointment of Bianca McGregor as the new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 15, 2024.   Bianca McGregor is from Montague, and brings extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector, most recently serving as Executive Director of the Island Nature Trust.  Prior to her work with the Trust, she spent over a decade in PEI and Western Canada in senior management roles – including at the RCMP Heritage Centre, Canadian Mental Health Association, and Health Canada .  She also has experience as an entrepreneur in a family-owned jewellery business. 

On December 6, Prince District RCMP arrested a 71-year-old West Prince man for possession of stolen property in connection to a stolen Jaguar. This Jaguar was stolen out of Ontario’s York Region in April of 2023. It’s the second stolen Jaguar recovered by Prince District RCMP in a week, and police say the two possession of stolen vehicle files are related. The 71-year-old man will appear in Summerside Provincial Court on February 14th  to answer to a charge of possession of property obtained by crime. A separate arrest of a 47-year-old man and 40-year-old woman was made on December 3 and the first Jaguar was recovered along with 0.5kg of cocaine. 

A report suggests the new medical school under construction at UPEI could face a shortage of
instructors.
A review commissioned by Health P-E-I and U-P-E-I says there could be more demand for physician instructors than there are doctors currently employed in the health-care system.
The outgoing head of Health P-E-I is continuing to raise red flags.
Dr. Michael Gardam says those doctors would be required to care for existing patient loads while doing double duty as instructors.

The Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission has approved decreases in gas, furnace oil and diesel prices.  The price of gasoline decreased overnight by 3.0 cents per litre.  The price of furnace oil went down by 2.0 cents per litre, and the price of diesel decreased by 2.5 cents per litre.  

Including taxes, pump prices for regular self-serve gasoline now range from 154.6 to

155.7 cents per litre, and prices for diesel are between 194.2 and 195.4 cents per litre.  

The maximum price for furnace oil is 138.6 cents per litre.  

Propane price adjustments range from no change to an increase of 2.1 cents per litre. Propane prices now range from 80.8 to 83.9 cents per litre.

‘Tis the season for scams, and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre wants to help ensure Islanders don’t become victims.

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is changing its name to better represent its sizeable contingent of Maritime-based teams. The league announced Thursday it will be known as the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (la Ligue de hockey junior Maritimes Quebec in French).

Nova Scotia RCMP, with help from Queens and Prince District RCMP in PEI, have charged a man with Stunting and Flight From Police after an incident in Oxford Junction. On December 3rd at about 2:40pm, Nova Scotia RCMP stopped a vehicle on Highway 104 that was clocked going 186 km/h in a 110 km/h zone. The driver, who was identified by police, fled from the officer during the traffic stop.  Nova Scotia RCMP notified New Brunswick and PEI RCMP of the vehicle heading in their direction.  At about 4:00pm, the vehicle was spotted by PEI RCMP and a high risk traffic stop was conducted on Capital Dr. in Charlottetown where the suspect was safely arrested.  The driver, a 25-year-old man from Charlottetown, was charged and his vehicle was towed and license suspended. He was later released and will appear in Amherst Provincial Court in February.

A crosswalk used by youth in Stratford, P.E.I., is a little safer now thanks to their peers. The Town of Stratford's youth council was successful in getting a button-controlled flashing light to help slow traffic at a popular crossing.

As community organizations work to keep up with the increasing demand some people are taking extra steps this year to help Islanders deal with rising costs over the holidays.