Dr. Drone and RN Robot? Probably not, but less dramatic forms of artificial intelligence are evolving quickly. As the technology becomes more mainstream, experts say rural Canadians desperate for health care may have the most to gain.

The PEI Marathon began with four events this morning at Confederation Landing Park.

Alex Nueffer of Halifax won the 10K in 30.17.

The top Islander was Samuel Berube of Charlottetown in 37.59.

The top female finisher was Kate Savage of Lombardy, Ontario in 41.06.

The 5 K was won by Jesse Shields of O’Leary in 18.59.

Soraya Player of Donagh was the top female finisher in 21.16.

Ryan Bulger of Charlottetown won the 2K wheelchair event in 16.14.

Wan Yu Kaye Chan of Summerside finished in 36.44 in the 5 K walk.

There’s a Parking Forgiveness program for the month of October in Charlottetown. During October, if you receive a parking meter ticket in Downtown Charlottetown you are eligible to have it forgiven, using a purchase receipt of $35 or more from a downtown business. Another program will run in December. This is for meter violations only…. parking garages and lots don’t apply.

It’s PEI Marathon weekend.

Here’s the schedule of events:

SATURDAY:

5K Run  8.00 a.m. Founders Hall

10K Run  8.15 a.m. Founders Hall

Wheelchair 2K   8.00 a.m.  Founders Hall

Kids Fox Trot      Confederation Landing Park (for kids up to 14)  

Registration:  10-10.45 a.m.

Heats:  11 a.m./11.15 a.m.

SUNDAY:

Full Marathon. 7.00 a.m.  Confederation Centre (double loop course). 26.2 miles

Half Marathon  8.00 a.m.  Province House (start & finish) 13.1 miles

16K  8.00 a.m.  Province House

Corporate  Team Relay 7.00 a.m.  Great George & Grafton

There are also walks at various distances

Details at www.peimarathon.ca

There are some road closures in Charlottetown on Saturday morning, Water St. will be closed between Prince St. and Haviland St., from 7 to 11 a.m.; Haviland St. / Rochford St. closed between Water St. and Kent St., from 7 to 11 a.m.; and Victoria Park Roadway, from 7 to 10:30 a.m.  Traffic delays are expected along the route from approximately 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. and will impact Queen Elizabeth Dr., Charlotte Dr., Edinburgh Dr., Brittany Dr., and Maplewood Cres.

The UPEI Faculty Association says staffing numbers at the university aren’t keeping pace with enrolment, which is causing some challenges for students who need certain courses to earn their degrees.

A boil-water advisory due to a water main leak earlier in the week now been lifted at Queen Charlotte Intermediate School in Charlottetown.

The consequences of the wet weather on P.E.I. this summer will extend into the fall, with Island outdoor enthusiasts hit with at least two bummers: muted leaf colours and an army of ticks.

Health P.E.I. has brought back masking requirements for staff who work with patients as COVID-19 cases surge on the Island.

It’s PEI Marathon weekend, with races in the various categories spread over the two days.  On Saturday, there’s the 10K Run, 10K Walk, 5K Run, 5K Walk, 2K Wheelchair, and the Kids Fox Trot Event.  On Sunday, it’s the Jacob Simmons Full Marathon; the Team Relay, Half Marathon Run, Half Marathon Walk, 16K Run and 16K Walk.  Keep in mind there will be some road closures to allow for the events.  In Charlottetown on Saturday, Water St. will be closed between Prince St. and Haviland St., from 7 to 11 a.m.; Haviland St. / Rochford St. closed between Water St. and Kent St., from 7 to 11 a.m.; and Victoria Park Roadway, from 7 to 10:30 a.m.  Traffic delays are expected along the route from approximately 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. and will impact Queen Elizabeth Dr., Charlotte Dr., Edinburgh Dr., Brittany Dr., and Maplewood Cres.

The minimum price for self-serve gasoline was down 3.5 cents to $1.62 cents per litre Friday morning.

Health PEI says visitor restrictions are in effect at five long-term care households where new outbreaks of COVID-19 have been declared.  The outbreaks are at Summerset Manor’s Gable and Terra Rosa households; Prince Edward Home’s Valour Hall and Blue Heron households; and Wedgewood Manor’s Land household. With the addition of Land household, all of Wedgewood is now under an outbreak declaration.

During this time, visitors to these households are restricted to three partners-in-care for each resident, with only one partner-in-care present at a time.

The federal and provincial Health Ministers have concluded their meetings in Charlottetown.  PEI Health Minister Mark McLane hosted his fellow ministers for two days of meetings on the Island.  As the meetings closed on Thursday, Federal Health Minister Mark Holland said that Canada intends to tackle its health workforce shortage by making it easier for nurses and doctors to practice in other provinces.  That includes streamlining credentials for internationally trained health workers and the creation of a new nursing retention program. 

The union representing P.E.I. school bus drivers says maintenance issues have been persistent with some of the province's new electric buses, and when they break down, they are being taken out of commission for longer than traditional vehicles.

Visitors to Victoria Park in Charlottetown can now go on a guided walk focusing on invasive species. The Invasive Species Council says the goal is to help property owners recognize harmful plants and insects, and give them the knowledge they need to get rid of them.

The son of former P.E.I. Premier Jim Lee says the time following his father’s passing has been filled with learning, as Islanders reach out to share their condolences. 

Health ministers from across the country wrapped up two days of meetings in Charlottetown Thursday, and the federal side is taking home what it calls five 'concrete' priorities as a result of it.

Prince Edward Island has recorded its first rabies case in an animal in more than a decade, after a bat was seen behaving strangely in a Queens County house.

Hundreds of patients of Harbourside Health Centre in Summerside will be without a primary health-care provider for the next few months as Health P.E.I. searches for more doctors and nurse practitioners.

CBC drone pilot Shane Hennessey captured these images through the morning fog near Tenmile House, P.E.I.

The mayor of Charlottetown says everyone has a responsibility to 'lower the temperature' as the rhetoric over the province's Community Outreach Centre on Euston Street heats up.

Health PEI says there’s currently a shortage of physicians and nurse practitioners at the Harbourside Health Centre in Summerside – as a result, patients are being reassigned to new providers in the area to maintain service, while approximately 700 will temporarily be without an in-person provider over the next one to four months.  Andrew MacDougall, Executive Director of Community Health and Seniors Care with Health PEI, says that for the past two years, staff at the Harbourside Health Centre Patient Medical Home have provided care to more than 4,500 patients, despite the departure of three physicians and ongoing recruitment challenges.  MacDougall says that while the small team at Harbourside has been going above and beyond to support the healthcare needs of the centre, the staff can’t continue at that pace, it’s not sustainable.  While most patients will be accommodated immediately, a total of approximately 700 patients will not have an in-person healthcare provider right away, as they are gradually assigned to new health care providers. In the meantime, these patient will have access to virtual care through the Health PEI Virtual Care program, beginning Monday.  

Charlottetown has increased fees for people offering short-term rentals on platforms like Airbnb.

Roderick "Junior" Gould, chief of Abegweit First Nation, speaks at a council meeting in Murray Harbour, P.E.I., after a local councillor put up a sign on his property questioning unmarked Indigenous graves at residential schools.

The federal and provincial governments have announced investments to help Charlottetown Metal Products reach new markets and support growth in the food processing industry.

Egmont MP Heath MacDonald announced a total federal contribution of nearly $2 million, while the Province is also contributing $150-thousand.

The funds will help Charlottetown Metal Products establish an Innovation Center for the development and testing of energy efficient hygienic food processing equipment.  The

project is to create an estimated 33 jobs.

Funding is now available to help with clearing trees knocked down by Fiona on essential forest access roads and on small woodlots that may pose a fire risk.  The Hurricane Fiona Forestry Recovery Program is open to small forestry businesses and woodlot owners who were not eligible for assistance under previous programs. The program is supported by investments by $125,000 from the provincial government and a $975,000 investment from the federal government.   You can apply online at the Hurricane Fiona Forestry Recovery webpage.

Queen Charlotte Intermediate School is under a boil order as yesterday was shut off and there was a loss in water pressure in the school due to a water main break. The boil order is in effect at Queen Charlotte until an updated water sample test is completed and checked.  Today, the school will be supplying bottled water for drinking purposes and will continue until the water is within acceptable guidelines. The school will post signage and use the PA system reminding students and staff not to drink the water. It is considered safe for hand washing; however, hand sanitizers are provided in washrooms as an added precaution.  The City of Charlottetown is advising residents in the area of North River Rd. and McGill Ave. that the Water and Sewer Utility is repairing the water main leak and it’s resulted in a temporary disruption of water service to customers.  When service is restored, customers may experience temporary air and/or water discolouration. 

The sign on Coun. John Robertson's property called into question unmarked Indigenous at former residential school properties, and asked to "redeem Sir John A's integrity."

The Provincial and Territorial Health Ministers met in Charlottetown on Wednesday.  They discussed Primary Care, Mental Health and Addiction, Human Resources challenges in the health sector, Public Health priorities, and next steps regarding Digital Health and Health Data.  The  Ministers also heard a presentation from the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians.  The Ministers will meet with their federal colleagues on Thursday.

Premier Dennis King issued a statement Wednesday on International Day of the Girl — which is a day to recognize girls’ rights, celebrate their potential, and to acknowledge the challenges and risks that girls face around the world.  The day takes place during Women’s History Month. King says the steps we take towards gender equality, eliminating gender-based violence and promoting women’s equal enjoyment of human rights affects the future of girls. He wants the province to lead by example and empower girls in Island communities.

A 41-year old man is being investigated for driving while impaired by drugs after a single vehicle crash in Summerside Tuesday morning.

At about 9:30am, Summerside Police received a 9-1-1 call

reporting that a truck had hit a light pole in the traffic circle at the north end of Granville Street.

The driver wasn’t injured but did show signs of being impaired by drug. He was arrested at the scene and later failed an examination by a drug recognition evaluator.

Samples of the driver’s blood were taken and have been sent for analysis.

Late 2027 – that’s the estimated completion date now for a new $114-million Mental Health and Addictions Acute Care Facility and Life Skills Centre that will replace the current Hillsborough Hospital. It will be the anchor building for the mental health and addictions campus and provide facilities for hospital-based mental health, addictions and substance use treatment. Construction is to begin early next year.  Early 2024 is also when construction is to begin on a new $16-million Mental Health and Addictions Wellness and Transition Centre.  It will be home to several existing provincial programs such as the Addictions Intensive Day Treatment Program and the 12-bed Addictions Transition Program, as well as new programs such as a long-term Mental Health Transition Program. It is expected to be completed in 2026.

Food banks across Prince Edward Island say they are feeding more people than ever before and don't anticipate the need slowing down any time soon.

A water main leak in Charlottetown Wednesday afternoon has caused a temporary water shut off for residents in the area of North River Road and McGill Avenue.

In the midst of what many are calling a national health-care crisis, provincial and territorial health ministers began a two-day series of meetings in Charlottetown Wednesday.

Prince Edward Island's new mental health and addictions campus in Charlottetown, which includes the replacement for the Hillsborough Hospital, will now not be finished until 2027.

The latest annual report from the Atlantic Lottery Corporation shows legal gambling to be like many other businesses in two key ways: Profits are up coming out of the pandemic, and more customers are preferring to do things online. 

Former Prince Edward Island Premier Jim Lee has passed away at the age of 86.

Lee was born and educated in Charlottetown and was a graduate of Saint Dunstan’s University. He entered politics in 1975 by winning a by-election following a successful career in business and real estate development. Lee served as a Cabinet Minister in several portfolios in the government of the late Angus MacLean, and succeeded Premier MacLean as PEI’s 26th Premier in 1981, serving as Premier through to 1986.

During his time as Premier, he represented PEI at the First Minister’s table during the negotiations around patriation of the Constitution and establishment of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Some of the foundational achievements of the Lee government include the construction and opening of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the Atlantic Veterinary College.

Premier Dennis King issued a statement offering condolences, saying Jim Lee was a people person who loved politics and was a proud Islander who was driven by a desire to help improve the quality of life for Islanders.

James (Jim) Lee, the former premier of Prince Edward Island who was in office when both the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the Atlantic Veterinary College opened, has died at the age of 86.

A Charlottetown restaurant has been ordered to pay $15,000 to a former server who says she was sexually harassed on the job.  

Officials with the Department of Health and Wellness responded to lawmakers' questions about health-care recruitment during a meeting of the standing committee on public accounts Tuesday.

RCMP were on the lookout for an individual possibly impersonating a peace officer over the Thanksgiving weekend. Turns out it was an off-duty officer concerned about a pedestrian's safety. CBC's Jane Robertson breaks down what happened and how people can stay safe.

The deadline is closing in for the P.E.I. government to meet the City of Charlottetown's conditions for the Park Street Emergency Shelter to continue running for another year.

The Mayor of Murray Harbour says a member of village council won’t step down after the councillor displayed a sign on his property denying the existence of residential school graves.  Senator Brian Francis, Abegweit First Nation Chief Junior Gould, and Murray Harbour Mayor Terry White have all called for John Robertson to resign from his seat on council.  But White says Robertson has informed him he will not quit despite calls to do so from all the other members of council.  Mayor White says the village council has launched an investigation into the matter, which could result in Robertson being fined or suspended.

Federal Seniors Minister Seamus O’Regan has announced an investment of nearly $500-thousand to fund twenty five projects to support seniors across PEI.   O’Regan made the announcement at the Crapaud Community Curling Club, which is one of the recipients, and will be using funding to purchase heat pumps, so seniors can continue to curl and take part in social events and community programming at the club’s facilities. 

A new project in the city of Charlottetown is trying to grow small forests faster, using high density planting and native species. The technique is called the Miyawaki method, named for the Japanese ecologist and botanist who developed the idea of mini forests, and how to grow them, in the 1970s.

As P.E.I. awaits the government’s new population strategy, concerns have been raised by all parties that the growing number of people continues to outpace the expansion of essential services.

Doctors in western P.E.I. hope a new community health centre will not only improve patient care in the area but also help recruit and retain health-care workers.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has issued its final report after its investigation of why MV Confederation ran aground last September off Caribou, N.S.