Wednesday, December 8, 2021
Wheatley investigation making slow progress WHEATLEY — The most recent updates out of Wheatley indicate some slow progress and new realizations are taking place in the evacuation area. As families and businesses are finding their way back into their buildings for a one-hour assessment and valuables expedition, experts are still attending to the blast site, with demolition and removal of hydro lines set to begin this week. It is expected by the end of this week that the MJ’s Pizza building, Wheatley Hotel and what remains of The Pogue will be razed and excavated. Chatham-Kent issued their latest media update on Friday, December 3. Three Areas of Poten-
tial Environmental Concern (APEC) have been identified. APEC 1 is the area near The Pogue and Wheatley Hotel. APEC 2 is the reported location of the abandoned Tait Well (Well 000981), which was located using ground penetrating radar and electromagnetic geophysical surveying. APEC 3 is a vent on the northwest corner of the municipal parking lot near Elm Street. Analysis of the gas samples taken from APEC 1 and APEC 2 indicates the gas source closely matches gas from a producing natural gas well in the region. To date, H2S (hydrogen sulphide) has been detected near APEC 1 during gas leak events and was
accompanied by flowing water. It was also detected in extremely low concentrations near APEC 2 immediately following the latest gas leak event on November 21. The source of H2S may be related to an unidentified gas source (thermogenic) from depth. It is also possible that the H2S is biogenic in nature and is generated from stagnant water close to surface mixing with gas that is migrating along a subsurface pathway. The goal for the next phase of the investigation is to confirm if a lateral pathway exists between APEC 1 and 2 and to confirm whether there are any other sources of gas.
Southpoint Sun - 19A
BANNER PRESENTED TO FIREFIGHTERS
WHEATLEY — Members of the Wheatley Fish Fest committee visited the local fire hall on December 1 for a presentation of the banner that has been circulated in the community and has gathered over 2,500 signatures. The banner thanks the Wheatley volunteer fire brigade for their tireless effort protecting the town during the downtown sulphide gas emergencies. A donation of $500 was also gathered for the Wheatley Disaster Relief Fund. Spokesperson Hilary Hyatt congratulated and thanked the members on hand for their service. The committee is also working hard behind the scenes to again bring back the Fish Fest next summer. Committee members, from left, are Hillary Hyatt, Heidi Omstead, Jodi Mummery and Jocelyn Jones. In front is Jr. Fire Chief Jerrett. SUN photo by Greg Coulter
Jingle Bell Run this weekend REGIONAL — The 27th Annual Jingle Bell Run, Walk and Wheel goes this weekend and is hosted by Ken Knapp Ford in support of Community Living Essex County. The Virtual Jingle Bell Run, Walk and Wheel offers a 2K walk/run, a 5K walk/ run, and a 10K run. Participate anywhere and anytime between December 10-12, 2021. Bring your family or social circle together, get festive, get active and get your jingle on. Run, walk, or wheel in your neigh-
bourhood, at your favorite park or trail, or on your treadmill. You can virtually join this wonderful event and get rewarded with a Race Kit that includes a blanket, water bottle, vehicle ice scraper and more. No worries about parking. No long porta potty lines. There is no start gun or nervous, pre-race chitchat with other runners. There’s not even an official starting line. Registration is open until December 9 at www.communitylivingessex.org.
Kingsville bustling with holiday activities KINGSVILLE – Residents and visitors to Kingsville can look forward to some fun Christmas activities on Satur-
PLAYING DEC 10 - 16
HOUSE OF GUCCI (14A) Fri 3:40 6:50 Sat & Sun 12:40 3:40 6:50 Tues & Thurs 6:50
ENCANTO (G)
Fri 4:00 7:00 Sat & Sun 1:00 4:00 7:00 Tues & Thurs 7:00
GHOSTBUSTERS (PG) Fri 3:50 7:15 Sat & Sun 12:50 3:50 7:15 Tues 7:15
SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME Thursday December 16th at 6:45
84 TALBOT ST E LEAMINGTON 519.326.3849
day, December 11. Unfortunately, due to the new Windsor-Essex County Health Unit’s recent letter of instruction limiting indoor gatherings, the crafts and photos with Santa at Lakeside Pavilion has been postponed. Toys for Tots – Fill A Fire Truck is happening from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Kids can also visit with Santa from 10 a.m.-12 noon. Drop off your unwrapped donated toys in their original package. Please don’t include stuffed animals due to COVID and allergies. Donations are being given to Leamington and area Toys for Tots to provide toys to the less fortunate children in the area at Christmas. Help decorate the Christmas tree between 2-4 p.m. at the Carnegie Arts and Visitor Centre on Division St., but
make sure you are social distancing. You can also leave your decorations at the Carnegie Centre and they will be placed on the tree on your behalf. Kingsville Fire and Rescue will be there with their trusty ladder to help reach the top half of the wildlife tree. Bring animal friendly ornaments if possible. Hop on the Kingsville Express Train from 5-8 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until January 4. Circle around the upper bowl of Lakeside Park to see the magnificent Fantasy of Lights display while sipping hot chocolate. Pay the conductor $2 per person or $5 per family of four. Children under age 2 ride free. On December 11, train rides are free, courtesy of Migration Hall.
LIONS CLUBS HELP WHEATLEY
WHEATLEY — The Village Resource Centre and the Wheatley Area Food Bank were recipients of a generous donation by the five local Lions Clubs on Saturday, December 4. The clubs represent the Leamington, Wheatley, Kingsville, Tilbury and Chatham branches. In addition, young Ethan Maes, above, collected money by raking leaves and earned enough to purchase items for three Christmas gift baskets for three Wheatley children. Here, Ethan displays the gift baskets with his grandparents Fred and Debbie Cross (Kingsville Lions Club), and Susan Fulmer (kneeling) of the Village Resource Centre looking on. Submitted photo
Legions, community groups okayed for small-scale gambling PROVINCIAL — The Ontario government is establishing new charitable gaming options that will make it easier for people to honour heroes and support their communities at Royal Canadian Legion branches and other local service clubs across the province. The province is offering a new, free social gaming licence that will allow legions and other local community groups to host small stakes games like bridge, euchre and bingo. Legions and charities will also benefit from new opportunities to fundraise through progressive jackpot (loonie and toonie) raffle lotteries. “Legions are there for veterans and our communities when we need them, and it is important we do all we can to help them thrive,” said Donna Skelly, Parliamentary Assistant to Attorney General Downey and Member of Provincial Parliament for Flamborough-Glanbrook. “These new features will give people
more ways to support vibrant communities while honouring heroes and enjoying the company of family and friends.” Legions and other community groups can apply for the social gaming licence through the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario’s online portal as of December 1. “Ontarians have always stepped up to honour heroes at their local Royal Canadian Legion branches – not only on Remembrance Day, but all year long,” said Attorney General Doug Downey. “By making these common-sense changes to allow service organizations like Legions to host small stakes games and hold more raffles, we are providing more options for people to support veterans and their communities.” Progressive jackpot raffles will be licensed by local municipalities or First Nations with an Order in Council and will become available in the coming weeks.
