On Tuesday, the Official Trustee of the Rural Municipality of Murray River passed a resolution supporting a study into the possibility of forming a new municipality in the Southern Kings area. The same resolution was adopted by the Rural Municipality of Murray Harbour on Saturday.  The area would encompass the two rural municipalities and the fire districts of the Murray River and Murray Harbour fire departments. The resolution states that both municipalities are concerned about their ongoing viability, and interested in exploring the funding, economic development and tourism opportunities that a larger municipality could bring to the area. They’re also interested in studying the costs and benefits of incorporating the two communities and their two fire districts into one new sustainable municipality of approximately 3000 residents in the Southern Kings area.  

Charlottetown Police have released a couple of pictures as part of their investigation into a home break-in last month.  It was about 7:00 pm on Oct 28th when a home on Forest Drive was broken into, with the culprit getting in through a basement window. Police are looking for the public’s assistance, and ask anyone with information regarding the individual in these photos to contact them or PEI Crime Stoppers.

The southeastern P.E.I. rural municipalities of Murray River and Murray Harbour have taken the first step in a process to explore the possibility of amalgamating.

P.E.I. Minister of Health Mark McLane says some new nurses have been caught in clerical limbo when it comes to receiving a recent recruitment incentive, but the province is committing to getting them their money.

As the group plans new builds in Tyne Valley, O'Leary and Three Rivers, it's working to change a commonly held perception that its homes are a form of poverty relief.

The number of bats on the Island has dropped drastically in the last decade, and there is little indication that they will recover.

The Liberal government’s fall economic statement
acknowledges the cost-of-living crisis weighing on Canadians but offers few new measures to tackle it while pledging to keep deficits in check.
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland presented her fiscal update in the House of Commons Tuesday, stressing the pressure inflation and a slowing economy are putting on federal finances.
As the Liberals face pointed criticism for their spending by the Opposition Conservatives, the update also outlines new fiscal anchors to show restraint, including setting a new goal to keep
deficits below one per cent of Canada’s GDP beginning in 2026-27.
The federal government projects the deficit for the current fiscal year to come in at $40 billion, largely unchanged from its spring budget forecast, with deficits shrinking, but not disappearing, over five years.
The update adds $20.8 billion in new spending since the spring budget over five years, with some new measures designed to boost the housing supply, including rental units and affordable housing.

People with mobility issues now have another option for getting around Charlottetown. Marcel Archambault says demand wasn’t there to keep the service running in 2014 but he's giving it another shot.

Health care infrastructure and housing lead increases in spending in another record capital budget for P.E.I., which was tabled in the legislature by Finance Minister Jill Burridge Tuesday.

Health P.E.I. is looking at consolidating outpatient services in the West Prince region, a move that has O'Leary residents worried about losing yet another health-care service in their community.

The TransCanada Highway at Orwell in eastern P.E.I. will be closed briefly on Tuesday to let crews remove an overturned tractor-trailer from the side of the road.

The COVID-10 pandemic forced P.E.I. courts to go virtual for many appearances by people accused of crimes. It was a change that ended up saving time and money, while cutting down on safety risks.

Queens District RCMP responded to a two-vehicle head on collision in Mount Albion on Friday at 9:30pm. No serious injuries were reported but a 39 year-old Head of Hillsborough man was arrested at the scene for impaired driving and will appear in court January 3rd to answer to impaired driving charges.

Funding is now available for agriculture operations across PEI that are facing extraordinary costs in restoring and rebuilding infrastructure due to Hurricane Fiona.

The PEI Agriculture Fiona Recovery Fund is open to agricultural operations that experienced significant infrastructure damage on insured assets from Hurricane Fiona and were not able to fully rebuild or replace the infrastructure through disaster relief supports. The program is available through an $8.5M investment from the Federal Government through ACOA.  It will be administered by the PEI Department of Agriculture.

More information, including how to apply, will be available on the PEI Agriculture Fiona Recovery Fund webpage in the coming days.

Housing Minister Sean Fraser said Monday the federal government is considering a series of measures to curb the number of Airbnb and other short-term rental units on offer to boost the supply of homes available to rent.

'If somebody wants to dance with me, I'll dance with them,' volunteer says about Dancing with Parkinson's program.

The annual Yuletide Gala Auction was held at the Delta Prince Edward in Charlottetown to raise money for medical equipment at the QEH hospital.

Premier Dennis King issued a statement Monday on Transgender Day of Remembrance.  King says Transgender Day of Remembrance is a solemn occasion dedicated to honouring and remembering the lives of transgendered individuals who have lost their lives because of violence, discrimination and hate.  He says it’s an important day to pause, reflect, and learn about the systemic challenges and prejudice that transgender people face in their daily lives.   King adds that as a society, we must remember that we are all people – no matter who you worship, who you love, or how you identify – no one deserves to live in fear, be threatened, or experience violence or harm.   The Premier says that he hopes that all Island residents pause on Monday to show their support and continue to learn and come together to exemplify acceptance and love for all.

A Snow Squall Watch is in effect for Kings County for Monday night and Tuesday.  Upwards of 10 to 15 cm is possible in the heaviest bands of snow squalls.  Environment Canada warns that visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow, and accumulating snow may results in poor road conditions.

Premier Dennis King is noting that as the province celebrates National Child Day, the province is pushing through legislative reforms that recognize the rights of children.  King says province’s legislature is now considering reforms to its Child, Youth and Family Services Act.  The legislation has been drafted to make it clearer for the courts and anyone else involved in child protection cases that the best interests of the child must take precedence over any other consideration.  Among other things, the legislation limits the time a child can be in temporary care of the province, and changes departmental rules to permit services to youth in care until they’re 25, rather than 21.

The College of Registered Nurses and Midwives has issued a disciplinary order against the final member of a trio of Queen Elizabeth Hospital staff who took an ambulance for a drive last year.

A group of researchers wants to look into how making testing for sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs) more accessible can impact the health of Prince Edward Islanders.

PEI Crime Stoppers has held its annual Officer of the Year awards event, recognizing Municipal Police Officers, RCMP Officers and Department of Public Safety Officers who have given exceptional performance in the line of duty. PEI RCMP Corporal Travis Gallant was presented with the RCMP Police Officer of the Year Award; Sgt. Dale Corish of Summerside Police Services was awarded the Municipal Police Officer of the Year Award; and Constable Trent MacSwain, a member of the Department of Justice and Public Safety – Conservation Enforcement team, was presented with the Peace Officer of the Year Award. 

The Adventure Group has received an $8,500 grant from the Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund to support Cognitive Behavioural Therapy training. The Adventure Group says Cognitive Behavioural Therapy training allows it to build capacity and increase supports within the organization to the most vulnerable populations within the community. It says that, in addition, it allows front-line staff to help improve mental health and wellness coping strategies.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will table the fall fiscal update on Tuesday, which is expected to focus on housing and affordability. 

The outlook comes as the Liberal government struggles to regain favour with Canadians feeling overwhelmed and angry about the rising cost of living. 

But, ahead of any announcement, and with little money to spend, Freeland has tried to temper expectations. 

The finance minister has been relatively tight-lipped on any details but has repeatedly said measures will be geared toward addressing housing and affordability. 

P.E.I.’s environment minister says the province will look to expand its own single-use plastics ban now that a Federal Court of Canada judge has ruled a ban Ottawa wanted to impose is 'unreasonable and unconstitutional.'

A P.E.I. man is hoping to convince 100 of his neighbours to join him in a radon testing challenge. It's part of a national initiative raising awareness about the radioactive gas while gathering data on radon levels across the country.

A dance class in Charlottetown is pairing volunteers with people with Parkinson's disease. It gets them to move their bodies in an effort to alleviate some of the symptoms of the disease.

P.E.I.'s chief veterinary officer is advising horse owners to take precautions after an outbreak of equine herpes in Nova Scotia.

Maxime Bernier, the leader of the People’s Party of Canada is visiting PEI today. He will hold a meet and greet in the Upton Room in the West Royalty Community Centre from 5-7 this evening. There will be a question period where the audience can address the leader.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chyrstia Freeland will provide a fall fiscal update on Tuesday as the cost of living dominates Canadian politics.

It’s expected her address will focus on housing and affordability as Canadians continue to struggle with high prices.

The federal Liberals caution there is not much money that can be spent.  Freeland says they won’t be able to do everything to rectify the situation.

The GST has been lifted on charges for rental developments and in Atlantic Canada including PEI, the carbon tax has ended for the next three years on home heating oil.

Conservative leader Pierre Pollievre has called on the government to scrap the carbon price and bring down interest rates and inflation by balancing the budget.

Last Wednesday morning, about 9:15 a woman walking on the Confederation Trail in Summerside between Greenwood Drive and South Drive was bitten by a medium-large size dog. 

The dog mostly dark in color but with some white colored fur. The dog was leashed and was being walked by an unknown woman.

The woman who was bitten received minor injuries as a result of the bite and police are interested in speaking with the owner of the dog involved.

Anyone with information in relation to this incident is asked to call Summerside Police Services.

The QEH Foundation Yuletide Gala raised over $363-thousand on Saturday night.

The funding will be used to help purchase priority medical equipment for the hospital.

The Gala was held in the ballroom at the Prince Edward Hotel. Presenting partner Cavendish Farms announced continuing its sponsorship for the next two years. 

Over 250 attended the event.

A wet and windy Saturday saw Charlottetown and Kings County receive 35 mm of rain.  Summerside was even higher at 38 mm.

More rain is forecast for Wednesday. 

The Confederation Bridge had a wind advisory in place most of the day.  Traffic is running smoothly this morning.

Members of the trans, two-spirit and non-binary community and their allies will gather at the Beaconsfield Carriage House in Charlottetown on Sunday to support and celebrate transgender people.

Summerside Police are trying to find a missing person.

Kahleel Williams, a 27 year old man was last seen on Monday morning in the Jennifer Street area.  He is 5-11 and 180 lbs.  If you have any information contact Summerside Police Services or PEI Crime Stoppers. 

A wind and rainfall warning for Queens and Kings counties  for Saturday beginning around noon and continuing to midnight. 

Wind gusts to 70 or more possible this evening though midnight.

Up to 50 mm of rain which could cause flash floods and water pooling on roads and localized flooding. 

There is a wind advisory on the Confederation Bridge that goes until about 11.00 Sunday morning.

Northumberland Ferry sailings are on time this morning. 

A signature was discovered scrawled on a hidden beam during the renovation of Province House National Historic Site. Descendants of the building's architect, Isaac Smith, had a chance to see it themselves and match it to historical documents.

Organizers of some of Prince Edward Island's famed pre-Christmas craft sales say there has been an increase in the number of people selling their wares — lots of them getting into it for the first time.

Vendors across the province say 2023 was one of the busiest years yet for Island weddings, and they're expecting the trend to continue in 2024.

The town council of Stratford, P.E.I., has taken the first step toward allowing stacked townhouses in the community.

With Health P.E.I. planning to recruit hundreds of internationally trained nurses in the next year, the agency is also on the hunt for places for them to live.

Families can use the Charlottetown facility from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the third Sunday of every month until June 2024.

Prince Edward Island's ombudsperson is now investigating the province's mobile mental health services, after a committee of MLAs grew concerned about how a lack of co-ordination may have contributed to the death of Tyler Knockwood.

A Liberal MLA wants to know why, as people struggle with high food prices, the government didn't use the entire budget of a seniors food pilot program.

The province's Community Outreach Centre in Charlottetown continues to spark debate inside and outside the legislature. CBC's Cody MacKay explains why that is — and what the government hopes to do with the outreach centre.

The P.E.I. government says it's been harder than anticipated to develop a new program to provide caregiver grants that could let many Islanders age at home rather than need a bed in a care home or hospital.