Deer tick surveillance, cannabis stores, ‘Minion Medics’

Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall

Weather forecast for Monday, October 30, 2017

Today – Becoming cloudy this morning with 40 percent chance of showers late this morning and early this afternoon. A few showers beginning this afternoon. Wind southwest 20 km/h gusting to 40 increasing to 40 gusting to 60 this afternoon. High 8.

Tonight – A few showers ending this evening then cloudy with 40 percent chance of showers. Wind southwest 40 km/h gusting to 60 becoming west 20 gusting to 40 this evening. Low plus 3.

Deer tick surveillance

Field sampling for blacklegged ticks was conducted this past spring and summer by a team of researchers from the University of Guelph.

They visited Longwoods Road, C.M. Wilson and Two Creeks Conservation Areas as part of an ongoing surveillance project funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The aim of this research is to understand the changing distribution of Ixodes scapularis (also known as the blacklegged tick or deer tick) and the risk of Lyme disease in southern, eastern and central Ontario.

They shared their results with the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA).

Each conservation area was surveyed for ticks by ‘tick dragging’.

This method involves dragging a one-metre-squared white flannel blanket over the forest floor and overlying vegetation for 3 hours.

The blanket is examined every three minutes and all life stages of the tick (adults, nymphs and larvae) are removed and counted.

If adults and nymphs are collected, they are tested for the agent that causes Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi), and four other pathogens that the tick can transmit.

Field sampling conducted with the LTVCA did not detect any blacklegged ticks at this time.

This suggests that the current risk of Lyme disease from blacklegged ticks in this area is low, LTVCA officials stated.

However, the blacklegged tick population has been expanding in Ontario and ongoing monitoring of this area, such as submission of any ticks found by the public to the local health unit, is recommended.

Even though no ticks were collected, the public is encouraged to practice tick safety when they are out in the conservation areas, enjoying nature.

This includes wearing long, light-coloured pants and shirts, applying DEET and conducting a thorough ‘tick check’ when you get home.

No woodland area is ever considered zero risk for blacklegged ticks since they can be introduced by birds and other mammals.

According to the Ontario Government website, “Blacklegged ticks live in woodlands, tall grasses and bushes… They are most commonly found in areas along the north shores of Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. Not all blacklegged ticks carry Lyme disease. A tick must be infected by the bacteria causing Lyme disease in order to pass it on to you. While the probability is low, it’s possible to encounter an infected tick almost anywhere in Ontario. Ticks are most active in the summer months, but can be found at any time of the year when the temperature is above freezing.”

For more information on Lyme disease, please visit:

– Public Health Agency of Canada

– Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care

– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

– Your local public health unit is also a valuable source of information, including preventative education for the public.

Ontario identifying cannabis store locations

Ontario continues to prepare for the federal government’s plan to legalize cannabis by July 2018 by working with municipalities to identify possible store locations.

In September, the province announced a safe and sensible framework to govern the lawful use and retail distribution of cannabis as a carefully controlled substance. This framework includes the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) overseeing retail sales through new stand-alone stores and online ordering.

Last week, letters were sent to all municipalities in Ontario to share the next steps for establishing retail stores. The process will be led by the LCBO, working closely with the government and local communities.

“It is critical that in establishing a new, legal retail system for cannabis we protect our youth and combat the illegal market,” stated Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance, in a press release.

“Municipalities are essential partners in our efforts to distribute cannabis across the province. As we move forward with retail implementation, officials from the Ministry of Finance and the LCBO will meet with municipalities that have been identified for potential sites to discuss concerns and next steps in this initiative.”

In accordance with the province’s safe and sensible approach, two primary considerations will be used to guide the identification of municipalities where stores will be located:

– To achieve geographic distribution of stores across the province

– To reduce the number of illegal stores, including dispensaries, currently in operation

– The LCBO will utilize guidelines to identify specific store locations with the objective of ensuring that youth are protected and the illegal market is addressed. This includes ensuring stores are not located in close proximity to schools.

Once a prospective store site has been identified by the LCBO, a notice will be posted online and at the location to let the public know that a space has been selected for a proposed storefront. Before any decisions are made, there will be an opportunity for the public to ask questions and provide feedback on the proposed location.

“Hearing from municipal leaders and the public is key to ensuring that the needs and interests of communities are reflected in our safe and sensible approach to cannabis legalization,” stated Yasir Naqvi, Attorney General of Ontario.

“Working with municipalities will ensure that decisions about potential store locations are guided by our shared goals of protecting young people and keeping communities safe.”

Under the proposed approach, approximately 150 standalone stores will be opened by 2020, including 40 stores by July 2018 and rising to 80 by July 2019.

Online distribution will also be available to service all regions of the province.

The government will evaluate how this approach is working throughout the rollout to ensure that the goals of safe, responsible sales of cannabis and elimination of the illegal market are achieved.

More details:

– On October 19, Ontario brought together provincial law enforcement, public health experts, municipal licensing officials, local police and fire representatives, First Nations, and the federal government to participate in Ontario’s Cannabis Legalization Enforcement Summit to identify issues and find solutions that will work for communities across the province.

– Ontario is proposing to set the minimum age to purchase recreational cannabis at 19 years old, the same as alcohol and tobacco. This minimum age would also apply to possession and use.

Business and Community Excellence Awards tickets available

The Wallaceburg & District Chamber of Commerce is holding their 20th annual Business and Community Excellence Awards on Thursday, November 2 at 6 p.m.

This event recognizes businesses and individuals in the Wallaceburg and district area.

Tickets are $60.

They can be purchased online, here. Learn more about the event, here.

The finalists are as follows (in alphabetical order):

Agricultural Award

– Kerr Farm Market

– Serkka Farms

Technology Award

– AarKel Tool & Die Inc.

– Jennen Family Farm Market

– Sydenham Current

Environmental Award

– Sydenham Field Naturalists

– Walpole Island Heritage Centre

Business of the Year

– Oaks Retirement Village

– Subway (Dave McCready)

– Union Gas

Entrepreneur(s) of the Year

– Aaron Hall

– Fran Betts & Jeanette Matak

– Melissa Gaylard

Chip Gordon Community Builder Award

– Bill Wolsing

– Wallaceburg Splash Pad

– Wallaceburg Arts Council

Community Inclusion Award

– pAshion Salon & Spa

– Rulmeca

– Star Janitorial

Young Professional Award

– Ashley Oughtred

– Eleena DeBakker

– Nick Cadotte

Volunteer of the Year

– Don Verhagghe

– Judy Bacchus

– Karen Debergh

Citizen of the Year

– Chris Young

– Dave Babbitt

– Gayle Stucke

Wallaceburg BIA Award

– Recipient: Wallaceburg Fireworks Committee

ChamberChoice Award

– Jason & Cindy Mallette

– Krystal Gyuricza

– Nick Cadotte

Community Living Chatham-Kent receives FOCUS accreditation

FOCUS Accreditation is pleased to announce that Community Living Chatham-Kent has been successful in its bid to be accredited by FOCUS Accreditation for four years from October 2017 – October 2021.

Community Living Chatham-Kent (CLC-K) is a non-profit, charitable organization providing services and supports to more than 550 people who have an intellectual disability and their families in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

Although CLC-K has been accredited by another accreditation body in the past, this is their first onsite validation with FOCUS Accreditation.

FOCUS Accreditation looks at all aspects of how an organization provides services – from how people are supported to the effectiveness of the operations. FOCUS Accreditation sent a team of five people to review Community Living Chatham-Kent’s services on-site, for three days.

The team observed how services were provided, reviewed data, and collected input from various people who have a stake in the services being provided. Many strengths were identified at Community Living Chatham-Kent by the FOCUS Validators.

Cheryl Whiteman, FOCUS Executive Director said, “Community Living Chatham-Kent has successfully achieved its first FOCUS Accreditation Award. Congratulations to the entire organization for its dedication to the principles and practices of Quality Improvement. Community Living Chatham-Kent is described by stakeholders both internal and external to the organization as effective in its service delivery, innovative, compassionate and celebrated in its commitment to the sector.”

“Community Living Chatham-Kent’s willingness to voluntarily be scrutinized by an outside organization demonstrates a genuine commitment to excellence. We are very pleased to have been granted a four-year accreditation,” states Ron Coristine, Community Living Chatham-Kent Executive Director.

About FOCUS Accreditation

FOCUS is a non-profit accreditation agency for community service organizations. Created in Ontario, Canada, by the very people who use and work in these services, FOCUS reflects the culture and expectations of community service organizations in Ontario.

FOCUS accredits the whole organization, not just select programs within. The standards reflect best practice in the way services are provided as well as the effectiveness of how the organization operates. An organization that meets FOCUS’ standards can be viewed as an organization that focuses on the people it serves, and on high quality service delivery. FOCUS has accredited over 45 organizations and works with over 60 groups. A full list of
accredited organizations is on our website www.focusaccreditation.org

Photo of the day

Our Minion Paramedic Team is at @CKSafetyVillage for today’s Safe Treating Event. pic.twitter.com/3PB8DVEP7o

— Chatham-Kent EMS (@CK_EMS) 28 October 2017