The community survey is an opportunity for residents to have a say in the priorities that will help guide OHT-N and its partners over the next five years.

“We’re planning for the future of health care in Northumberland, and we don’t want to do that without hearing directly from the people who live here,” said Ram Puva, Executive Lead, OHT-N. “If you’ve had a positive experience with the health care system, faced challenges accessing care, or have an idea about what could work better, we are looking for your input.”

The survey asks residents to share their perspectives on health care needs in Northumberland County, barriers they may have experienced when accessing services, and where opportunities to improve care and services may be.

OHT-N is a partnership of health care providers, community organizations, patients, caregivers and other partners working together to improve how health and social services are planned and delivered across Northumberland County. The organization’s current strategic plan is entering its final year, making community input an important part of planning what comes next.

“Our community has a wide range of experiences with health care, and we know there isn’t one perspective that represents everyone,” said Puva. “We want to hear from people in communities across Northumberland, including people who may not regularly interact with OHT-N or other health care organizations.”

The survey takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete and is open to Northumberland County residents. Responses are confidential.

The survey closes on Friday, September 4, 2026.

Residents can complete the survey by CLICKING HERE.

Residents are also encouraged to share the survey with family, friends and others in their community who may want to contribute.

For those interested in learning more about the work of the Ontario Health Team of Northumberland and the progress made with its partners across the county, OHT-N’s latest annual report is available by CLICKING HERE.

On July 11, 2026, police received a report of an incident involving two inmates at Warkworth Institution.

The victim was transported to a local hospital with injuries.

As a result of the investigation, a 38-year-old male was charged on August 19 with:

• Assault causing bodily harm
• Assault with a weapon
• Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose
• Uttering threats.

The accused is due to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg in October.

The Belleville Downtown Blues Festival will be back on Friday night and Saturday, September 11 and 12.

And Juno Award winner Angelique Francis will be the feature performer in this, the fourth edition of the
festival.

Francis leads the Angelique Francis Trio and plays various instruments as the group performs mostly original material.

Bridge Street between and Front and Pinnacle Streets will be closed for the festival on Saturday and restaurants in the immediate area (Dinkel’s, Kafana, The Lark, Bourbon Pizza) will be offering specials for the event.  Those can be seen on the festival website (link is below in the article).

Carol Feeney, along with local musician Tony Vani, are the main organizers of the festival and Feeney says that along with live music, there will be live workshops as well, featuring professional musicians
providing demonstrations, tips and information – current and historical – about the blues music scene.

Children’s activities will also be offered.

There is no admission charge to the festival but as always, donations in the form of cash and/or  non-perishable foods for Gleaners Food Bank are encouraged and food bank volunteers will be on site throughout the event.

Jodie Jenkins, representing Gleaners, said the Blues Festival has been a welcome fundraiser, stressing that thousands of residents use Gleaners regularly and the demand keeps growing.  The fundraising goal is $10,000.

Bay of Quinte riding MPP Tyler Allsopp and Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis thanked the volunteers who make the festival possible, stressing it’s these events that bring people to the downtown and boost the local economy.

Opening night Sept 11 Market Square:

The Fabulous Tonemasters 7 to 9 p.m.

September 12;

MainStage on Bridge Street closed between Pinnacle and Front.

Sweet Pete and the Heat from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The Blues Harvest Band 2:30 p.m. t0 4 p.m.

Jay Blues Trio 5 p.m.to 6:30 p.m.

Juno Award Winner Angelique Francis 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Workshops at The Kafana:

Kenny Pauze at 2 p.m.:   The History of National Guitars

Zebulum Barnow and Graham Flett:  The role of drums and piano in blues

Belleville Club 2 – 3:30 p.m. Tim Cambell

Kids Activities 1 to 4 p.m.: balloon artist Chrisopher the Twistopher and face painting by Carol Bauer

Best Western offers a Downtown Blues two-day stay package for visitors.  Check out downtownblues.ca. For more info contact Carol Feeney carol.feeneyhg@gmail.com or 613-885-8314.

Carol Feeney, who along with local musician Tony Vani, organized the festival. (Photo: Quinte News)

This investment is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by ensuring the next generation of skilled workers have access to the world-class training they need to land rewarding, good-paying careers in the skilled trades. By expanding capacity and gaining access to local, high-quality training, Ontario is unlocking its economic potential and preparing workers with the skills needed to deliver Ontario’s $236 billion plan to build the homes, highways, hospitals, schools and critical infrastructure that will protect Ontario workers and communities.

“Ontario is building energy independence in the face of ongoing economic uncertainty,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “This new training centre will prepare more workers with the skills employers need to build, maintain and modernize the projects that will power our province and fuel economic growth for decades. By investing in workers today, we are helping secure good-paying jobs, attracting investment and keeping Ontario competitive for years to come.”

Led by UBC Millwright Local 2309, the new 44,986-square-foot training centre will provide classroom and hands-on training in millwright skills such as welding, rigging, alignment and industrial maintenance, along with certifications in areas like working at heights, confined spaces and equipment operation. Participants will train on modern, industry-standard equipment and technologies, including turbines, conveyor systems, welding equipment and robotic technologies, gaining the practical experience and safety skills needed to build careers installing, maintaining and repairing the machinery and equipment that keep Ontario’s manufacturing, construction, energy and industrial sectors moving.

“This project is about investing in people and creating opportunities for the next generation of millwrights,” said John Baker, Business Manager of UBC Millwright Local 2309. “With the support of the Ontario government’s Skills Development Fund Capital Stream and the Millwright Regional Council, we are building a training facility that will ensure workers develop the skills needed to build Ontario’s future.”

To date, Ontario has committed $139.6 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Capital Stream to expand and modernize training facilities across the province. These investments are protecting workers and strengthening Ontario’s workforce by connecting people to in-demand careers, supporting employers and building a more competitive, resilient economy.

“Strong communities are built around places where everyone can take part. Making our local Best & Bash arena more accessible is a practical investment that helps ensure children, seniors, people with disabilities, and families can enter and enjoy this important community space with greater independence and dignity,” said Ric Bresee, MPP for Hastings—Lennox and Addington. “Accessibility and good design should not be afterthoughts. When we build and improve public spaces with everyone in mind, we create facilities that work better for the whole community. I’m so pleased to see the Ontario government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Gaming and Multiculturalism’s Ontario Trillium Foundation, make this investment, helping make that vision a reality right here at home.”

The Town of Greater Napanee’s vision is to make sure that residents, both those currently residing in the town, and those who will move to the town in the future, are provided with opportunities to thrive. As part of this vision, it is committed to enhancing opportunities that improve residents’ quality of life, including expanded recreation opportunities, and greater access to municipal facilities for people of all ages and abilities.

“The addition of accessible doors at the Best & Bash Arena is an investment in both our facility and our community,” said Deputy Mayor Brian Calver. “By making the arena more accessible, we are helping to ensure residents and visitors of all ages and abilities can participate in recreational and community activities.”

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province.  In 2025-’26, OTF invested nearly $107 million in 746 community projects. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.

To support scheduled upgrades, some pool change rooms will be temporarily unavailable:

• Men’s pool change room: closed Aug. 29 to Sept. 5
• Women’s pool change room: closed Aug. 29 to Sept. 5
• Family change room: closed Sept. 6 to Sept. 12

During these closures, guests and clients who require change room facilities may use the second-floor change rooms. When the men’s and women’s pool change rooms are closed, the family change room will also remain available. When the family change room is closed, the men’s and women’s pool change rooms will be available.

All other areas of the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre will remain open during the pool closure.

Registration for fall aquatic programs opens at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, August 31 for City of Belleville taxpayers and at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 3 for non-taxpayers.

Fall aquatic programming, including recreational swims, swim lessons and aquafit, will begin on Monday, Sept. 21.

Looking for more information?  Use one of these easy options:

1. Online at belleville.ca/recreation
2. In-person at Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre, 265 Cannifton Rd.
3. By phone at 613-966-4632

Boyce has been serving as councillor in Sidney Ward since being elected in the 2022 municipal election.

Before that, Boyce was a longtime councillor in Belleville, serving over four terms from 2003 to 2018.

There are now eight people in that ward running to earn the council seat.

Candidates must file their nomination papers with the city clerk before the close of nominations on Friday, Aug. 21, at 2 p.m.

The CSC says the individual’s name has been anonymized in accordance with a court-ordered publication ban to protect the identity of the victim(s).

At the time of death, the inmate was 78 years old and had been serving a six-year sentence since August 1, 2024.

The inmate’s next of kin has been notified.

Belleville Police received a report from a youth who stated they were hiding in a residential backyard in the city’s east end after being chased and threatened by another youth on Tuesday night.

Officers responded and located the complainant, who was not physically injured but expressed concerns for their safety.

As a result of the investigation, police determined there had been an ongoing pattern of harassment and threatening behaviour.

The investigation led to the arrest of a 15-year-old female from Belleville.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the identity of the accused cannot be released.

The accused was charged with:

• Criminal Harassment (two counts)
• Uttering Threats to Cause Bodily Harm (two counts)

The accused was released on an Undertaking with conditions and is scheduled to appear in court in November 2026.

At the time of the arrests on Thursday, Ontario Provincial Police seized a quantity of suspected cocaine and Canadian currency.

One of the individuals was also found to be in possession of a prohibited device.

A third person was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant.

Subsequently, officers executed search warrants at two residences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

During the searches, police located another individual wanted on an outstanding warrant and seized an additional quantity of suspected cocaine.

As a result of the investigation, officers seized approximately:

• 25 grams of suspected cocaine
• $345 in Canadian currency
• Drug trafficking paraphernalia

Thirty-seven-year-old Danielle Girard of Campbellford has been charged with:

• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000

Forty-six-year-old Ronald Trafford of Campbellford has been charged with:

• Possession of a Schedule I substance – cocaine
• Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition

Both accused are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in November 2026.