2021 - THE YEAR IN REVIEW - JUNE

Flags lowered for residential school victims

Local municipalities, including Leamington, Kingsville and Chatham-Kent, are flying their flags at half-mast this week and into next, to honour the 215 children who perished at the Kamloops Residential School.

The remains of 215 children were unearthed last week, prompting officials and Canadians at large to wonder if other former residential schoolgrounds hold the same secrets.

Gas leak causes state of emergency in Wheatley

Emergency crews are still on scene in downtown Wheatley as the gas leak crisis of 2021 moves into its sixth day.

What started with a local resident calling in a strong rotten egg odour last Wednesday, June 2, eventually became a state of emergency for the village.

As many as 27 residents have been displaced as officials work toward a solution.

Patio opening at The Beach House in June.

Beautiful day for Blessing of the Bikes

You may have seen many motorcycles out for a ride on Sunday, June 6 with the annual Hogs for Hospice Blessing of the Bikes.

The event, held in partnership with the First Lutheran Church in Kingsville, ran from 11-1 p.m. at the church located on Spruce Street.

“Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Blessing of the Bikes included fellowship, bands and a barbecue,” said Rick Dawson, technical and communication leader for the church, “but for the second year in a row, it was scaled down to a drive-thru blessing and ride.”

Hospital eases visitor restrictions

Based on the increased vaccination rates across Essex County and Chatham-Kent and a decrease in regional COVID-19 infection rates, Erie Shores HealthCare (ESHC) has eased visitor restrictions at the hospital, effective last Thursday, June 3.

Vaccine rollout provides shot in the arm for businesses

With COVID-19 vaccinations rolling out all across the region, the Ontario Roadmap to Reopening has reached Step 1, with Step 2 within reach in a little over two week’s time.

Last Friday, Step 1 arrived three days earlier than expected, ushering in open patios and allowing retailers who had been deemed non-essential to open their doors to limited patrons.

Neighbours tired of speeding motoroists

Residents in the southernmost part of Leamington are tired of speeding cars, squealing tires and careless drivers.

In particular, the neighbours along Forest Avenue near Seacliff Park have had enough.

Froggy and Lisa Plourde have lived in their house on Forest Avenue for 14 years and they say that traffic has increased dramatically in recent times.

“It’s quadrupled in the last few years,” said Froggy. “The weekends are absolutely crazy.”

Evacuation order lifted in Wheatley

After 17 days of uncertainty and being displaced, 27 Wheatley residents and several business owners were allowed back into the their homes and buildings on Saturday, June 19.

The June 2 detection of sour gas closed several businesses and forced residents out of their homes as Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff declared a state of emergency.

Minor soccer prepares for summer season

Soccer balls will be kicked this summer after all. Leamington Minor Soccer has announced that they will be holding a summer season of soccer starting July 12 at the local soccer pitch.

According to association Vice President Bob Rumble, they are looking forward to cautiously opening the season.

Ontario moves into Step 2 early

Last week, the provincial government announced that the province would be moving into Step 2 of the Roadmap to Reopen beginning today, Wednesday, June 30.

With regard to gathering, residents are now allowed a maximum of five people indoors and 25 outdoors under the guidelines.