2021 - THE YEAR IN REVIEW - JULY

A Day of Reflection brought out these riders on July 1.

A day of reflection

Flag waving and fireworks of years past were not on the minds of many Canadians this July 1, but was instead a day spent in quiet reflection on the recent tragic revelations in Canadian history.

For four local residents, it was spent on horseback wearing orange coloured t-shirts in honour of the more than 1,000 unmarked graves found at locations of former government-sponsored residential schools in Canada.

Michelle Stein of Leamington said that she wanted to do something to honour the children, “to show their lives — every child’s life — matters.”

Hospital staff pulls off surprise wedding

When Junior Bickford was admitted to Erie Shores HealthCare on the evening of May 24, he fully expected to be released in time for his wedding on the weekend of June 28, but when his knee surgery infection took longer to heal than expected, they moved the wedding back to July 3.

On Friday, July 2, with no release from hospital still in sight, Junior made a comment to one of the staff that he had to once again postpone his wedding.

Big Boyz fishing tournament returns to Wheatley

For the first time since 2018, the Big Boyz fishing tournament hosted by the Southwest Outdoors Club will be held exclusively at the Wheatley Harbour.

The 17th annual event will take place over five days, from July 29 through August 2.

Last year’s event was cancelled due to COVID and the 2019 event had to be held out of Leamington because the Wheatley Harbour had extensive dock damage due to high water levels.

Provinces ushering in Step 3 Friday

Five days earlier than expected, Ontario will enter Step 3 on the Road to Reopen on Friday, July 16.

That announcement was made last Friday and was met with cheers and relief from small businesses across the province.

The latest step allows indoor dining with no capacity limits, provided tables are spaced six feet apart. This is a welcomed step for the hospitality industry.

Wheatley evacuates again

According to Chatham-Kent Fire, a hydrogen sulphide detector at 15 Erie Street North was activated just after 8 am Monday, July 19, prompting yet another evacuation in downtown Wheatley.

As of press time, personnel from Wheatley and Tilbury fire stations are on scene along with Chatham-Kent Police. Both Enbridge and Entegrus had personnel on scene Monday to shut off natural gas and hydro to 23 residences and 13 businesses, displacing about 52 people.

Homelessness committee presents to council

The Leamington Homelessness Committee recently conducted a survey of the municipality’s homeless population and they’ve brought the results of that survey to Leamington Council.

At the Tuesday, July 13 meeting, Alissa Enns and Carolyn Warkentin addressed council with a Powerpoint presentation outlining the struggles and barriers that the homeless face in the community.

Islanders presentation at meeting helps plight

A public meeting last week hosted by the West Region Transportation Task Force appears to have been the tipping point to getting the Pelee Island ferry issues solved.

Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald is co-chair of the task force along with Marta Leardi-Anderson of Owen Sound Transportation. MacDonald took the chair for this particular meeting and said members of the committee, including Leardi-Anderson, were very impressed with the Islanders’ presentation.