Wednesday, June 22, 2022
Southpoint Sun - 7
Emergency response phase ends at Wheatley site after 294 days Firefighters from Station #20 Wheatley, Station #19 Tilbury and Station #1 Chatham responded to a gas leak and explosion at 15 Erie Street North in Wheatley on the evening of August 26, 2021. The aftermath and impact of that event has had a seismic effect on the local and wider community and brought untold disruption to families and businesses in that area. Over the past months, nearly every firefighter in Chatham-Kent has been on scene around the clock to maintain a presence and ensure the safety of the community, alongside engineers, paramedics and police officers. There have been many updates as to the work taking place to locate the source of the gas that led to the explosion and the work to plug abandoned wells in the area, with firefighters being on scene with the continued event for the last 294 days. The emergency phase of this incident opened last year and closed at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 16, 2022 by Station Chief Greg Hodgson and the firefighters of Wheatley. Chief Hodgson and his team were on the front line of dealing with this situation for over a year in all, in addition to continuing to fight fires in
homes, attend accidents, medical calls, and the other emergencies to protect their community. They attended 93 additional emergencies during this time. Safety advisors have worked in the background to calculate the risks and reduce the evacuation zone accordingly, with two such reductions in previous months. The fact that wells have been capped and equipment remains on scene to manage any releases facilitates these small contributions to normality as the community begins the process of recovery and healing. Advisors have now reviewed the systems in place and have guided the decision that the firefighters no longer need to be present at the site 24/7. They will be onsite when work is taking place to deal with any situations that may arise. Outside of these hours, police, security and the industry hazardous materials technicians will be present to keep the scene safe and secure. The incident is not over. This is another cautious step to provide reassurance and response to the community. You will continue to see firefighters in the area and the team at Station #20 Wheatley remains available, as they
always are, to leave their beds, homes, jobs and family meals when their pagers go off to get to the station and respond as quickly as they can to protect their community. “I want to take this moment to recognize the work of everyone who is collaborating and striving to bring stability to the town of Wheatley,” said Chief Chris Case. “But I am compelled to recognize and be humbled by the dedication and commitment from all the firefighters, officers, fire dispatchers and chiefs of Chatham-Kent who have answered the call to be present and ready to deal with threat, supported by our case workers, economic development officers and a team of municipal volunteers.” WORK CONTINUES Work crews have completed driving a conductor pipe into the bedrock at the APEC 3 site at the northern end of the municipal parking lot off Chestnut St. Work will begin on APEC 1 early next week. Work has already been completed on APEC 2 (also known as the Tait Well). The Wheatley team will be coordinating requests from those still evacuated up until the work starts.
Carrousel of the Nations June 25
The Leamington Lebanese Club will host a portion of Week 2 of the Carrousel of the Nations event being organized by the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County. Week 1 included primarily Windsor locations, but Week 2 branches out into the county with a Polish Village in Colchester, and the German and Lebanese Villages at the Leamington Lebanese Club on Highway 77. The Colchester location at 697 Fox
Place will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Leamington location will be open on Saturday, June 25 only. The German Village will feature German dancers, schnitzel on a bun, Oktoberfest sausage and German pretzels. The Lebanese Village will feature belly dancers, Lebanese music and a Lebanese buffet. Both villages run from 3 pm to 10 pm.
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BLENHEIM
48 Talbot Street West
519-676-8106
S AV I N G S
LEAMINGTON
RIDGETOWN
519-322-0245
519-674-3613
107 Erie Street N. Suite 1
INVESTING
RETIRING
COMMUNITY OUTREACH FOR FIREFIGHTERS
Leamington Fire Services has been spending every Thursday out in the public at various locations educating residents on fire safety in recent weeks. The crew has open houses at the fire station every Tuesday in addition to the community outreach they are doing on Thursdays. Here, the fire crew was set up at the Lakeside Marina on Thursday, June 16. From left are Fire Inspector Scott McCallum, firefighter Stefan Pretli, firefighter Tim Weil, firefighter Iman Dominguez and firefighter Colton Horne. Look for the fire trucks on Thursday between 11 am and 1 pm in the community. SUN photo
OPP welcome new detachment commander Inspector Angela Ferguson is the new Detachment Commander for the Essex County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). Inspector Ferguson officially took over command of the Essex County OPP Detachment on June 1 after serving as the interim Detachment Commander in Brant County. Inspector Ferguson brings with her a wealth of policing experience and knowledge. She has been a member of the OPP for 15 years and she has served in various detachment roles. Inspector Ferguson is a certified Pub-
Community Calendar
SATURDAY, JUNE 25 ST. JOHN’S ANGLICAN CHURCH YARD SALE & MARKET - Saturday, June 25 from 10:00 a.m. til 2:00 p.m. Lots of space for vendors selling household goods, crafts etc, $10 per table. Donated goods welcome. All proceeds for support of St. John’s Church Ministries. Contact 519-326-3111 or email office@stjohnleamington.
SUNDAY, JUNE 26 TAKE WHAT YOU NEED EVENT hosted by St. John’s Community Clothing Angel Cupboard, on Sunday, June 26 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Free clothing for men, women & children at St. John the Evangelist, 60 Erie St. N., Leamington, 519326-3111. Covid-19 precautions please (masking, social distancing). THURSDAY, JULY 7 WHEATLEY TWO CREEKS ASSOCIATION WILL MEET at the Two Creeks pavilion on Thursday, July 7 at 6:00 p.m. All new members welcome. Membership $5. TUESDAY, JULY 19 Digital Safety with OPP Constable Katherine Burt - 11:00 am at Kingsville Community Centre 1860 Division Rd. N. Learn how to recognize frauds and scams on email and phone. Participants get a copy of Digital Safety For The Non Tech Savvy book. Free Admission. Register: admin@kingsvillecentre.com or 226-773-5830 THURSDAY JULY 28 Coffee House with Joe Perry & Friends - 6:30-8:30 at Kingsville Community Centre 1860 Division Rd. N. Musicians, singers, poets and story tellers and all are welcome. Fun, free, family friendly eveing of music and refreshments. ONGOING ERIE SHORES TOASTMASTERS MEETING in person at 6:00 pm every other Wednesday at SEACLIFF MANOR - Theatre Room, 30 Seacliff Dr. E., Leamington. Develop your Communication and Leadership Skills in a positive, friendly environment. Next meetings are June 22, July 6 and 20. Visit a meeting and see how you like it! For more info Email: ErieShoresTM@yahoo.com Facebook: Erie Shores Toastmasters or go to ErieShores. toastmastersclubs.org.
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lic Order Unit Commander/Incident Commander and a graduate from the University of Windsor and Western University. “It is an extreme privilege to become a member of the Essex County OPP and work alongside an incredible team of dedicated and professional officers,” said Inspector Ferguson. “I look forward to expanding our collaborative work with our community partners and stakeholders to enhance the public safety and wellbeing of the citizens who work, play, visit and reside here.”
KINGSVILLE COMMUNITY CENTRE CAFE - Open Tuesdays & Thursdays 9am to noon. Free Cookies, coffee & Wifi, 1860 Division Rd. N. Kingsville.
TAI CHI - Tuesdays & Thursdays 10:00 a.m. Free drop-in program at Kingsville Community Centre. Join us for gentle flowing stretching and movements. 1860 Division Rd. N. Kingsville. PLAY THE UKULELE WITH LIONEL KNIGHTS - Every Monday beginning June 6 at St. John’s Anglican Church in Leamington. Bring a music stand and your own uke if you can. There will be limited ukes available for use. Cost is $5 per session, which goes to the St. John’s kitchen to help with their programs. Call Lionel at 519-398-9645 for more info.
COMMUNITY ANGEL CLOTHING CUPBOARD OPEN WEDNESDAYS by appointment only, 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Call 519-326-3111 to book your appointment. All are welcome! Free! St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 60 Erie St. N., Leamington. Donated gently used clothing for men, women and children of all ages. KINGSVILLE COMMUNITY CENTRE CAFE Open Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:00 am to noon. Free Coffee, Free Cookies & Free Wifi. 1860 Division Rd. N. Kingsville. KINGSVILLE COMMUNITY CENTRE TAICHI - Tuesdays & Thursdays 10:00 am - Free drop-in program. Join us for gentle flowing stretching and movements. 1860 Division Rd. N. Kingsville. KINGSVILLE COMMUNITY CENTRE YARN SOCIAL - Tuesdays 10:00 am, Free drop-in program. Bring your knitting or crochet project, share patterns and more. 1860 Division Rd. N. Kingsville. JOIN THE KINGSVILLE FRIENDLY CLUB TO PLAY CARDS every Tuesday and Friday afternoon, 12:45 p.m., at the Unico Community Centre, 33 Beech St., Kingsville. Tuesday is euchre, bridge, cribbage. Friday is euchre, bridge, pepper. Must be 50+ years of age to join. If interested, drop in any Tuesday or Friday. KINGSVILLE COMMUNITY CENTRE GUITAR WELLNESS - Thursdays 4:00 pm, Free drop-in program. Group guitar lessons to enhance physical, emotional and spiritual wellness. 1860 Division Rd. N. Kingsville. IF YOU WANT TO DRINK, THAT’S YOUR BUSINESS If you want to stop, we can help. Call Alcoholics Anonymous: 519-999-1234.
MELO CLINIC & PREGNANCY CENTRE, 75 Erie Street South, Unit 103, Leamington, offers free and confidential services provided by registered nurses. Pregnancy tests, STI testing & treatment. Call 24/7 for confidential support 519326-0612. Business calls 519-326-3821. www. pregnancycentre.net. T.O.P.S. - Take Off Pounds Sensibly - Meetings are held every Tuesday evening at the Leamington Half Century Centre, 160 Talbot St. E. Weigh-in from 6:00 - 6:45 p.m. Meeting 7:00 - 7:30 p.m. First meeting is free. For more inforamtoin call Joan at 519-326-2388. Everyone welcome. COMMUNITY TAKEOUT IS AVAILABLE at Leamington United Church, 4:00 - 5:00 pm every Monday. St. John’s Anglican Church also has takeout meals available every Wednesday from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Food is available from St. Vincent De Paul at St. Michael’s Parish 226-340-7233, Salvation Army Food Bank, The warming Cross at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Food Cupboard at St. John’s Anglican church, The Bridge (ages 14-24), Food Pantry at Parkdale Variety, neighbourhood pantry at Erie South and Marlborough and the Angel Pantry at St. John’s Anglican Church. All are free. All are welcome.
MUSICIANS AND SINGERS WANTED at the Leamington Half Century Club to join in the weekly singalong every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Drop in if interested (160 Talbot St. E.). Call 519-326-2521 for more info. ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT SOMEONE’S DRINKING? Al-Anon Family Groups meeting information: 519-790-7739 or www.alanonwindsoressex.com STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH? Reach out to Hope 4 Me Peer to Peer Support Group. Virtual and in-person meetings available. Contact Tracy, Sue or Nancy at hope4mepeer@ gmail.com for information about the group. KINGSVILLE COMMUNITY CENTRE WELLNESS COUNSELLING By appointment 1860 Division Rd. N. Kingsville. Register: kim@ kingsvillecentre.com or 226-773-5830. RANDY ATKINSON FUND provides money for extras that OHIP doesn’t pay for or to help with unexpected expenses for cancer patients (e.g. hospital parking etc). If you, your group or organization would like to have a speaker explain the fund and its availability in this area, call 519682-2580.
