For the thousands of drivers who travel back and forth across the Hillsborough Bridge every day, there has been lots to see lately along the Stratford waterfront. A new wooden boardwalk is being installed where the sewage lagoons used to be.

CBC P.E.I.’s annual campaign in support of local food banks is underway in the leadup to the holidays.

A 10-year-old girl from Prince County is the new Easter Seals P.E.I. ambassador for 2024.

A white 2008 Toyota Tundra has been taken from the garage of a Bloomfield mechanic. Its owner, Melinda Piche, says a locket containing some of her father's ashes was hanging from the rearview mirror and she wants it back.

Michelle Hughes will always remember the long trip through the corridors of P.E.I.'s biggest hospital to get a CT scan after she collapsed in August of 2021.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation has launched its annual Friends for Life campaign to raise funds for the many medical equipment needs of the QEH.  Those needs include a CT scanner for the QEH Emergency Department.  A CT scanner is used for the diagnosis of critical illness, injuries and trauma.  Right now, transporting a patient from the emergency department to the hospital’s CT scanner involves navigating through three hallways, many corners and several doorways.  Having a scanner within the emergency department would improve patient safety, including allowing quicker access to essential brain imaging for stroke patients.  The cost for a CT scanner is $1.3-million, and the QEH Auxiliary kicked off the campaign with a gift of $100-thousand.

The P.E.I. government announced a low-interest loan program for early childhood education facilities to expand this week, and Wendy Foote of Appleseed Childcare in Montague is thrilled.

A Murray Harbour Councillor has been fined $500 over a sign that he posted on his property denying the existence of residential school graves.  John Robertson had displayed the sign ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Robertson must pay the fine by Friday and has been suspended from Council for a period of six months.  He must also write a letter of apology.

One of the owners of a private hockey school in North Rustico says the ‘chaos and uncertainty’ around the town’s new rink resulted in a significant drop in enrolment, cutting the school’s revenue in half this year.  

RCMP on PEI are urging Islanders to be vigilant after an increase in break-and-enter incidents over the past several days.
They say the spike in reported cases mostly involves entry into outdoor buildings, sheds, and unlocked vehicles.
Police say several incidents were reported in the Cornwall and Stratford areas.
The Mounties say people can take precautions, such as using good locks on outdoor buildings, and installing motion-sensor lights.

Lieutenant Governor Antoinette Perry was called to the legislative chamber in the Coles Building Wednesday to give royal assent to more than 30 bills and bring the fall sitting of the PEI Legislature to a close.  It was a short session with 14 sitting days, and featured the $368.8 million Capital Budget.  But it was a session dominated by issues surrounding the Community Outreach Centre, health care and the housing crisis.  

The 2024 Easter Seals PEI Ambassador is ten year old Lucie Gallant of Sherbrooke. 

Lucie is a Grade 5 student at École-sur-Mer in Summerside. Her parents are Melissa and Chris and she has a younger brother Jackson. Diagnosed on the autism spectrum, Lucie has experienced social and cognitive challenges but is excited to help increase awareness about neurodiversity and the power of optimism with her motto: ‘With a positive mind you can do extraordinary things.’  

An East Royalty woman worries the removal of on-street parking in her cul-de-sac of Elena Court will prevent future care workers from being able to help her. The City of Charlottetown says the way people were parking was a public safety risk.

Over the course of the 14-day stretch, the biggest financial item on the agenda was the capital budget — which saw $368.8 million budgeted to purchase, expand or maintain provincial assets like roads, hospitals, schools, equipment and much more.

Murray Harbour councillor John Robertson has been fined $500 over a controversial sign he posted on his property in southeastern P.E.I. two months ago.

The University of Prince Edward Island says it’s making good on a commitment it made more than a decade ago to two women who came forward in 2012 with complaints of sexual harassment against the university’s former president.

Hockey P.E.I.’s Hockeywell program has helped hundreds of families get young players started with needed equipment over the last dozen years, and there’s always one area where supply has some trouble meeting demand.

Charlottetown mortgage broker Steve Swyer is getting a lot of calls these days from clients wondering how they are going to manage their mortgage renewals.

Summerset Manor in Summerside has declared an outbreak of COVID-19 on its Horizon Household.  Patients on these households will be limited to three partners-in-care, with one visitor at a time. All partners-in-care will be asked to follow the current infection control measures. Visitors are reminded to not visit if they are experiencing any symptoms of respiratory illness.

The City of Summerside has reached a milestone in growth and development, as it surpasses the $100 million mark in building permits issued year to date. The new record surpasses the previous $73 million-dollar high total.  The City says that at a time when housing volatility remains top of mind, the diversity of this year’s development permits is very encouraging with over $68M of the $100M total being directly related to major housing development projects. 

Arrests have been made and charges laid in regards to the incidents of arson this past weekend in Scotchfort, Donaldston, and Stanhope .  A 19-year-old man was charged on Monday with arson in connection with the incident at a home in Scotchfort. He has been remanded in custody and will be facing additional charges in relation to the cottage fires in Donaldston and Stanhope.  Meanwhile, a youth was arrested and appeared in court Tuesday on charges of break, enter and arson in regards to the cottage fires in Donaldston and Stanhope. The investigation is continuing.

Much of the focus in the PEI legislature on Tuesday was on Maritime Electric’s rate increase application with the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission. The utility is looking to recover the $37-million in costs it faced as a result of damage from Hurricane Fiona, and has applied to IRAC for rate hikes of about 2.4 per cent by March 1st, 2024, for residential clients. In the legislature, both the Liberal Opposition and Third Party Greens raised questions suggesting Maritime Electric could have better protected its power lines before the storm, and said that Islanders should not have to bear the costs of the Fiona recovery for the utility.  Energy Minister Steven Myers says it’s ridiculous to fault Maritime Electric for every tree that fell on power lines during Fiona.  He also voiced disappointment with the federal government’s rejection of the PEI Government’s request for assistance under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements program.

Despite some calls for a full ban of the practice, Environment, Energy and Climate Action Minister Steven Myers says it seems unlikely P.E.I. will put an end to all trapping of animals.

The Atlantic Chapter of the Canadian Congress of Black Parliamentarians met in Charlottetown this week, with one member saying the goal is to tell the region 'We're here, we're organized and we want to be part of the solution.'

Maritime Electric's rate increase proposal was a hot topic in the P.E.I. legislature Tuesday as opposition parties asked the provincial government to intervene and make the utility fund its own post-Fiona costs.

Government amendments mean Islanders will qualify for one paid sick day after 12 months on the job, two days the next year and three days after three years of service.

A 19-year-old man and a person under the age of 18 have been charged with arson following fires in northern Queens County, P.E.I., over the weekend. 

Hikers and cyclists sharing P.E.I.’s Confederation Trail with ATVs may be possible in theory, but Island Trails is concerned that practically it is not.

Some Charlottetown city councillors continue to express doubts about the Native Council of P.E.I.'s harm reduction program, which for four years has been providing services for Islanders with drug addictions.

A group on P.E.I. wants the provincial government to ban snaring and trapping in the province, citing the number of people and pets who have been caught in the devices in recent years.

Outbreaks of COVID-19 have been declared on the Sunset household of Charlottetown’s Beach Grove Home and at the Seascapes Harbour household of Alberton’s Maplewood Manor.

Patients on those households will be limited to three partners-in-care, with one visitor at a time. All partners-in-care will be asked to follow the current infection control measures. 

The RCMP is offering some safety tips as you plan for your holidays.  It says you can protect yourself from frauds and scams by protecting your PIN when using bank and debit machines; monitor your bank and credit card statements daily for any unauthorized transactions; and be cautious of unsolicited emails or calls, especially those requesting personal information.  Also, keep your vehicle from becoming a target by not leaving valuables in your car; park in well-lit areas and busy parking lots; and lock your vehicle.

A coroner’s inquest into the death of 47-year-old Kenny Hoddinott wrapped up on Monday with five recommendations from the jury.  The Newfoundland man died at the Provincial Correctional Centre in Sleepy Hollow in December 2021 from a cardiac event, just hours after being
detained for public intoxication.  The recommendations from the jury include one that there should be a defibrillator available in all wings of the correctional centre, and that consideration be given to having a camera in all cells.  There had been no inquest planned after Hoddinott’s death, but Justice Minister Bloyce Thompson said in January 2022 an inquest was needed to provide transparency and prevent future deaths at the correctional centre. 

Maritime Electric is seeking approval from the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission to increase electricity rates to recover costs associated with Hurricane Fiona damages.  Maritime Electric estimates its costs for the Fiona restoration were $37-million and it’s filed an application with IRAC seeking approval to recover these additional costs from ratepayers beginning March 1st of 2024. If approved, the Fiona-related costs will result in an incremental annual cost increase of approximately 2.4% for customers effective March 1, 2024 until February 28, 2029.   In its application, Maritime Electric indicates that to this point, there’s been no support from the PEI Government after the federal government denied it access to a disaster relief fund.  The Utility says that if any government funding is received to help with recovery costs, that would be used to offset costs so that customers don’t have to pay as much.

Maritime Electric has applied to the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission to recover $37 million in Fiona restoration costs through a customer rate increase that would come into effect in March.

One man is in custody in relation to an attempted arson in Scotchfort, P.E.I., on Saturday evening. No charges have been laid yet, police say.

A 61-year-old PEI man has been charged under the Tobacco Tax Act after a traffic stop on November 16th in New Brunswick.  Officers from New Brunswick’s  Department of Public Safety seized about 115-thousand contraband cigarettes in the Campbellton area. The minimum penalties for having illegal tobacco range from just under 300 dollars to four thousand dollars depending on the quantity seized.  The tobacco seized has a provincial tax value of about 29-thousand dollars and a federal excise tax value of 18-thousand dollars.

Charlottetown Police are looking for the public’s assistance and witnesses in the investigation of a collision at the intersection of Belvedere and University Avenue.

It happened at about 6:15pm on November 17th – a cyclist traveling north on University Ave on the sidewalk, proceeded to cross Belvedere Ave. and was struck by a vehicle that was turning right from Belvedere Ave. onto University Ave.  Police say the cyclist sustained minor injuries.

A burgundy/red sedan, that appears to be a Mazda, is captured on video at the intersection of Queen St and Belvedere Avenue in the left turning lane. It proceeds to University Avenue, turns right then turns right again into the Superstore parking lot.

Two Islanders are among dozens of people across Canada and many more in the United States made ill by cantaloupe contaminated with salmonella.

Queens District RCMP are investigating 5 suspicious fires that occurred over the weekend.  At about 11:00 p.m. on Friday, RCMP responded to two cottages on fire in the Donaldston area. East River, Charlottetown and North Shore Fire Departments were also dispatched to the scene. The PEI Fire Marshal was called in, along with RCMP Forensic Identification Services, and RCMP Major Crime Unit.  Then, on Saturday at approximately 6:30 p.m., Queens District RCMP responded to another fire at a cottage in the Stanhope area. Witnesses called 9-1-1 after seeing the cottage fully engulfed in flames. North Shore Fire Department was on scene and again the PEI Fire Marshal, RCMP Forensic Identification Services, and RCMP Major Crime Unit were asked to assist, along with RCMP Police Dog Services.  Also, on Saturday night, the RCMP responded to a home in the Scotchfort area after a homeowner called 9-1-1 to report suspicious burn marks around their home. The home sustained only minor damage and no fire services were called in.  Then finally, RCMP were advised by Parks Canada early Sunday morning that a lifeguard building was destroyed by fire at Stanhope Beach. All of the incidents are being investigated by Queens District RCMP, RCMP Major Crime Unit, RCMP Forensic Identification Services, and the Office of the Fire Marshal.

There is a Wind Warning Advisory in effect on the Confederation Bridge.  It indicates wind conditions expected Monday may result in traffic restrictions on the Confederation Bridge from about 9:00am to about 8:00pm.  Due to weather conditions, Northumberland Ferries has cancelled all sailings for Monday.

Northumberland Ferries has cancelled all crossings Monday, with high winds forecast to continue all day.

A new federal report is calling for better monitoring of the commercial fishery in Canada, saying DFO's failure could put some stocks in danger. The P.E.I. Fishermen's Association says timely data will become even more critical because of the impacts of climate change.

Originally, no inquest was going to take place, but justice Minister Bloyce Thompson said in early 2022 he had changed his mind.

Thousands of spectators bundled up along the streets of Charlottetown Saturday night for the annual Santa Claus parade.

A wind warning advisory has been issued by the Confederation Bridge on Monday morning at 9.00 until 9.00 in the evening.  Wind gusts of 50 to 80 are expected tomorrow and 10-15 mm of rain is possible as a system heads up from the south.

The Charlottetown Christmas Parade on Saturday evening down University Ave. was another huge success despite the very cold evening. Santa Claus made his first appearance of the Holiday Season in front of thousands including many youngsters who were waiting to get a glimpse of Santa. 

The Christmas Parade and official tree lighting at Confederation Centre held on Friday night ushers in the start of the joyous season.

Xandra van der Geer has been thinking about creating a garden for mental health for the past few years.

The provincial government is looking at how often motor vehicle inspections should be held.  Right now it’s annually for all  vehicles in the province. 

In some places like Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, inspections happen every two years.

Minister of Transportation Ernie Hudson says a review is underway but there are some things to consider such as insurance rates.

Some motor vehicle repair places believe the annual inspection should be kept which keeps older vehicles safe for PEI highways.

A motor vehicle inspection costs $30 each year.

Islanders can have their say on the 2024-25 operating budget by taking part in pre-budget consultations.  You can submit your ideas by emailing [email protected]; or by taking part in an online survey; or by registering for virtual consultations.

  Finance Minister Jill Burridge says it’s an opportunity to share your thoughts and potential solutions, whether it’s about housing, healthcare, education, our economy, or anything else you think that government should be prioritizing.  The deadline for submissions is December 22nd.