Chatham-Kent news

• Storm wreaks havoc across CK; Ribfest shutdown, resuming Saturday

  04-07-2026 04:46 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  A powerful storm, prompting tornado warnings from Environment Canada, wreaked havoc across Chatham-Kent early Friday night.The gusting, swirling winds and deluge of rain sent people scrambling for cover, who were enjoying the first night of Chatham-Kent Ribfest in downtown Chatham’s Tecumseh Park.The storm toppled trees and blew over tables and structures erected by vendors.Ribfest organizer Chris Glassford said everything was going well; the sun was out, the band 40 Hours Over was perfor
  
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• Belgian exchange student turns award into generous gift for fellow student

  04-07-2026 15:51 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  A Belgian exchange student has been recognized for her technical skills along with teamwork, sportsmanship and generosity.Thea Givair, who recently completed Grade 12 while attending John McGregor Secondary School, received the Mechanic’s Hand Tool Award given annually to the top student in the Transportation Technology class, said a Lambton Kent District School Board media release.The award recognizes excellence in academic achievement, technical skills, responsibility, initiative, teamw
  
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• CK Votes: Melissa Harrigan running for council in South West Kent

  04-07-2026 14:12 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  Name: Melissa HarriganAge: 39Ward: 1Why are you running for council?I am running because I believe deeply in our communities and the people who call them home and I see the strength, resilience, and potential of our small towns and rural communities. It has been a privilege to serve as a councillor for the last two terms, and I want to continue to bring a positive, collaborative voice to the table to move our communities forward, together.What are some important issues you plan to address if el
  
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• Storm slams Chatham-Kent, leaves path of damage: 'Pretty crazy'

  04-07-2026 04:46 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  A powerful storm swept through Chatham-Kent Friday night leaving a line of damage in its path along Communication Road between Blenheim and Shrewsbury.“It kind of seems like a tornado touched down here,” said Sara Coutts, referring to an uprooted tree and other trees toppled on the property of her childhood home where her mother still lives.The Chatham resident said no one was home when the storm swept through, but a family friend called Saturday morning after seeing the damage at t
  
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• Storm slams Chatham-Kent, causes chaos at Ribfest: 'Pretty crazy'

  04-07-2026 04:46 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  A powerful storm swept through Chatham-Kent Friday night, toppling trees, flooding roads and forcing people to run for cover at an outdoor festival.The gusting, swirling winds and deluge of rain sent people scrambling for cover at Chatham-Kent Ribfest in downtown Chatham’s Tecumseh Park.Powerful winds toppled trees and blew over tables and tents erected by vendors.Ribfest organizer Chris Glassford said everything was going well before the storm hit: the sun was out and the band 40 Hours O
  
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• CKHA Foundation celebrates committing $1.1 million to local health care

  03-07-2026 22:43 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation is celebrating more than $1.1 million being committed to local healthcare over its past fiscal year.The foundation recently announced, in a media release, the $1,114,578 committed to the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance from April 1, 2025 to March 31 was made possible through the generosity of donors, businesses, service clubs, community organizations, volunteers and event participants across the municipality.The remarkable investment will support vital e
  
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• Woman punched, choked and threatened with hammer: police

  03-07-2026 17:47 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  A man faces several charges after a woman was assaulted, Chatham-Kent police say.A woman, who had been punched, choked and threatened with a hammer, reported the assault a day later, on Thursday at 1 p.m., at police headquarters.A 42-year-old Wallaceburg man is charged with assault, assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, police said.He was transported to police headquarters and held for bail, police said. Man arrested for break and
  
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• PHOTOS: Life's a beach, especially when it's hot!

  03-07-2026 16:25 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  The hot, sticky July temperatures have arrived in Chatham-Kent and there is no sign of the temperatures cooling off anytime soon. Many people are finding a great way to cool off is to spend time at one of the great beaches across Chatham-Kent. A popular spot in the summer is the beach at Erieau along the shore of Lake Erie. Here are some photos taken on Thursday of people enjoying the beach. Photos by Ellwood [email protected]
  
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• 30th anniversary of historic Tony Cohen Freedom Walk stopping in Chatham-Kent

  02-07-2026 17:50 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  The Tony Cohen Freedom Walk 2026 will visit Chatham-Kent for three days as part of the 30th anniversary of his historic 750-kilometre journey retracing one of the routes travelled by freedom seekers along the Underground Railroad.Cohen walked from Maryland to Canada in 1996 “to honour the courage and determination of those who risked everything in search of freedom,” said a media release.Cohen is returning accompanied by the Harriet Tubman Journey to Freedom sculpture, a 2.7-metre (
  
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• Dave Epp named rural development shadow minister

  02-07-2026 16:47 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  Chatham-Kent–Leamington’s federal representative was recently appointed as the official Opposition’s shadow minister for rural development.MP Dave Epp, who has served the riding since 2019, said he was “honoured and grateful” for the chance to take on the role.“It is a welcome opportunity to now advance and advocate not only for the people of Chatham-Kent–Leamington, but for rural and remote Canadians from coast to coast to coast,” he said in a re
  
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• Call about pepper spray threat leads to weapons, drug charges

  02-07-2026 16:29 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  A woman faces numerous weapons and drug charges after a clash involving pepper spray in Wallaceburg on Wednesday, said Chatham-Kent police.Officers were called to a Gillard Street address at 7:46 p.m. regarding a threat made to pepper spray a person, police said.A suspect was located and arrested, police said.During the arrest, police found a firearm and suspected fentanyl, police said.A 37-year-old Chatham-Kent woman is charged with:Uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm Two counts of
  
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• Residents come out to celebrate Canada

  01-07-2026 22:53 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  Despite the extreme heat Wednesday, residents were marking Canada’s birthday with a number of events throughout Chatham-Kent.In Wallaceburg, the museum hosted its annual celebration with various activities, vendors and entertainment for all ages, as well as an air-conditioned building in which to cool off.Henry Van Haren, president of the Wallaceburg and District Historical Society, admitted the temperatures were a bit “oppressive” for everybody, but was still happy people mad
  
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• Heat wave continues in Chatham-Kent

  01-07-2026 20:29 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  A heat warning that has been in place for Chatham-Kent and many parts of Ontario this week remains ongoing.Environment Canada expects scorching temperatures to continue through Friday, and possibly into the weekend.Highs of 35 to 37 C are expected, with humidex values feeling like the mid-40s. Minimum nighttime temperatures of 21 to 25 C will provide little relief from the heat.Plan outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day, and limit direct exposure to the sun and heat.Wear lightw
  
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• Gilberts: Canada Day, formerly Dominion Day, in 1919 was Peace Day

  01-07-2026 17:00 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  Editor’s note: This article originally ran in 2019 taking a look back at what Canada Day was like 100 years before.As we celebrate Canada’s birthday, I thought it might be interesting to go back to see what kinds of festivities were taking place in Chatham in 1919. In scrolling through the microfilm, I stopped at June 28, a few days before what was then called Dominion Day. The headline jumped out at me – the Versailles Peace Treaty, in the Hall of Mirrors, was signed the same
  
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• New rental renovation bylaw in Chatham-Kent aims to deter renovictions

  30-06-2026 21:44 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  Chatham-Kent council has adopted a rental renovation licence bylaw that is aimed at reducing the incidents of renovictions that could unjustly evict tenants from affordable housing.The new bylaw, passed at the June 22 council meeting and slated to go into effect Oct. 1, puts a large onus on landlords to prove if needed renovations to units require tenants to move out.It has been widely reported that landlords across the province have misused N13 applications, under the Residential Tenancies Act
  
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• Thamesville resident wins $44K in CKHA foundation 50/50

  30-06-2026 21:34 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  A Thamesville woman has won the grand prize in the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation’s Igniting Healthcare Retro 50/50.The foundation team recently surprised Kristine Ellis at her home with the news that she was $44,430 richer.“I’ve always supported the hospital 50/50s because it’s local. You know the money is staying here and helping people in our own community,” Ellis said in a release.“We’ve had family members cared for at the hospital, so you
  
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• Province announces $4.7 million for Chatham-Kent, Leamington hospital upgrades

  29-06-2026 22:00 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  The province will release $4.7 million in funding for upgrades and repairs at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance and Erie Shores HealthCare in Leamington.This funding is part of Ontario’s broader investment of over $266 million through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund to support infrastructure upgrades, maintenance and repairs at 126 hospitals.CKHA will receive $3.5 million, with Erie Shores receiving $1.2 million, according to a recent announcement.“Our local hospitals are essentia
  
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• Man accused of pulling pocketknife, stabbing car door

  29-06-2026 19:31 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  A Chatham man faces multiple charges after a person threatened a motorist with a pocketknifeA 54-year-old Chatham woman was on Grand Avenue West Friday morning when a man approached her vehicle, produced a pocketknife, uttered threats and stabbed the driver’s side door of the vehicle, police said. He left the area.Officers located a suspect on Ursuline Avenue.A 31-year-old Chatham man is charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, uttering threats and mischief of less tha
  
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• Crash involving vehicle and scooter leaves two with critical injuries

  29-06-2026 16:01 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  Chatham-Kent police continue to investigate after a weekend crash involving a vehicle and a scooter left two people with life-threatening injuries.The collision, Saturday at about 10 p.m. at the intersection of Richmond Street and Inshes Avenue in Chatham, involved a single motor vehicle operated by a 38-year-old Chatham man, with one passenger, and a motorized scooter with two occupants: a 41-year-old man and 28- year-old man, both from Chatham, police said.The motor vehicle was travelling eas
  
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• Soccer fever hits Chatham for Taste of CK

  28-06-2026 17:42 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  With fans worldwide glued to their TVs and phones for the FIFA World Cup, local players were also taking to the pitch, as part of the Taste of Chatham-Kent.The Portuguese Canadian Social Club of Chatham hosted its annual soccer tournament Saturday at the fields near the public utilities commission.“The soccer fever is high and real right now,” club president Carlos Pisquem said. “It’s really, really exciting. In between people playing, they’re talking about the gam
  
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• Soccer fever hits Chatham for Taste of Chatham-Kent

  28-06-2026 17:42 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  With fans worldwide glued to their TVs and phones for the FIFA World Cup, local players also were taking to the pitch, as part of the Taste of Chatham-Kent.The Portuguese Canadian Social Club of Chatham hosted its annual soccer tournament Saturday at the fields near the public utilities commission.“The soccer fever is high and real right now,” club president Carlos Pisquem said. “It’s really, really exciting. In between people playing, they’re talking about the gam
  
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• PHOTOS: Wide array of treats at butter tart festival

  27-06-2026 22:42 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  The second-annual Tart and Soul Butter Tart Festival brought out the crowds to Sons of Kent Brewing Co. in Chatham on a beautiful Saturday.Featuring over a dozen bakers from across Ontario, there was a wide variety of treats available, as well as entertainment, vendors and craft beer.Founded by Doug Robbins, also known as Dougthefoodie, the festival started as an idea to celebrate the famous Canadian dessert, with people having the chance to sample and vote for their favourites. (Trevor Terflot
  
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• Chatham native receives prestigious medical award

  27-06-2026 17:01 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  A Chatham native recently received a prestigious medical award from the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry.Dr. Alexandra Ferrara was presented with the Leonora Sheppard Award in Family Medicine, which recognizes a family medicine resident who demonstrates outstanding clinical excellence.The honour is designated for a resident who is committed to providing comprehensive community family medicine and plans to build their practice in Ontario following the completion of their program.“
  
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• Angling legend Steve Clapper bringing friends to Canadian Tire Mitchell’s Bay Open

  26-06-2026 23:02 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  If area anglers win the upcoming Canadian Tire Mitchell’s Bay Open bass tournament they will have extra bragging rights.Four successful professional American anglers will be in the field of 85 boats that will be fanning out across Lake St. Clair during the tournament being held July 10-11.Ohio residents Alex Redwine and Jeremy Reese and Michigan residents Mark Modrak and Mike Trombly are fishing the Mitchell’s Bay Open for the first time thanks to U.S. freshwater fishing legend Stev
  
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• Model search attracts young Chatham-Kent people hoping to be discovered

  26-06-2026 21:16 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  Plenty of young people took the opportunity to see if they have that special look at a model search held in Chatham on Friday.Toronto-based ANM Management was set up in the One Hundred King mall taking photographs and doing interviews people. The agency has done well here with two of its top models — Alexis Carrington and Emily Van Raay — coming from Chatham-Kent.Chatham resident Ashlyn Cormier, 26, who is friends with Carrington, was one of the people who came out Friday at the urg
  
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• CK VOTES: Steven Burritt running for council in Ward 5 Wallaceburg and area

  26-06-2026 18:16 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  Name: Steven BurrittAge: 47Ward: 5 Why are you running for council? I decided to run because I think the smaller communities need better representation and not lose what little resources we have in our area, as the default should not be to accept Chatham is the best option especially when not everyone has the option of just going to Chatham. What are some important issues you plan to address if elected? I would like to address infrastructure: filling pot holes, maintaining and fixing roads and
  
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• Ontario can approve York1’s plans for Dresden dump site ‘at any time’

  26-06-2026 16:27 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is investing resources to prevent a Toronto-area company from reopening a former dump on the edge of Dresden, but its efforts could be for naught if the Ontario government exerts its power.Municipal officials held a public meeting in Dresden Wednesday to provide an update on where its fight to oppose plans by York1 Environmental Waste Solutions Inc. to operate a recycling and waste facility at 29831 Irish School Road, less than one kilometre from Dresden.While p
  
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• Maple City Climbing offers fun, challenge for all skill levels

  26-06-2026 16:02 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  A rock climbing enthusiast turned his passion into a business by opening Maple City Climbing in Chatham.Owner Jacob Singleton was travelling to Windsor or London to rock climb, but after children came along he joked his wife “put the kibosh to me travelling so much to climb.”She suggested he start his own business.Singleton said he’s met people at other climbing gyms who live in Chatham who were also travelling to enjoy the activity.Patrick Giroux, 20, has become a regular at
  
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• Man charged after citizen, cop assaulted

  24-06-2026 21:39 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  A man faces charges after a citizen and a police officer were assaulted, Chatham-Kent police said.A man tried to enter a residence on Fourth street in Chatham on Tuesday before 10 p.m., police said. A man inside the residence was spat on while trying to close the door to the intruder, police said.Officers located a suspect nearby, who was uncooperative and fled, police said. The suspect was located again and was aggressive toward officers, police said.While being transported to police headquart
  
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• CKHA still making investments while getting back on financial track

  24-06-2026 21:26 via chathamdailynews.ca
  
  The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance has been working to right the financial ship while still making health care investments to serve the community and more are planned.The health alliance slashed its deficit to $6 million from $13.5 million while having $11.9 million in the bank, an increase of $2.3 million, when its fiscal year ended March 31, reporters learned during a meeting with hospital leadership.The health alliance’s long-term debt of $9.2 million also is a drop of nearly $1 million,
  
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