Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall

Weather forecast from Friday, February 16, 2018 to Monday, February 20, 2018

Today – Cloudy. Becoming a mix of sun and cloud this afternoon. Wind northwest 30 km/h gusting to 50. Temperature falling to minus 4 this afternoon.

Tonight – A few clouds. Wind northwest 20 km/h becoming light this evening. Low minus 11.

Saturday, February 17 – A mix of sun and cloud. Wind becoming southwest 20 km/h near noon. High zero.

Saturday night – Cloudy with 40 percent chance of flurries. Low minus 4.

Sunday, February 18 – A mix of sun and cloud. High plus 2.

Sunday night – Cloudy periods. Low minus 2.

Monday, February 19 – Cloudy with 70 percent chance of rain. High 10.

Monday night – Cloudy with 70 percent chance of rain. Low 8.

Author Jacqueline Garlick holding Writing Workshop at Wallaceburg Branch

Jacqueline Garlick will discuss her experience in becoming a published author as well as her latest books at the Wallaceburg Branch, Chatham-Kent Public Library, on Thursday, March 8 at 6:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. Please register online at search.ckpl.ca or call 519.627.5292.

Jacqueline Garlick has developed a Writer’s Series of books to guide writers in developing their writing skills called “Tick-Tock Plot” and “Tick-Tock Edits”. Join Jacqueline at the library as she speaks in-depth about taking the grief and stress out of story creation and developing your skills to publish your work.

Jacqueline Garlick is the author of a young adult steampunk trilogy “The Illumination Paradox”. She has received a LYRA award and Indie B.R.A.G. Medallion for her books. She also writes under the name Jacquie Gee. For more information on Jacqueline visit her webpage www.jacquelinegarlick.com.

To find out more about programs and events at Chatham-Kent Public Library, visit www.ckpl.ca.

Library seeking local writers for Author Festival

Calling all Chatham-Kent authors! Chatham-Kent Public Library invites you to join us for the “Read Local: CK Author Festival” this May.

The “Read Local: CK Author Festival” will be held at the Chatham Branch on Saturday, May 5 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The Festival will be an opportunity for authors to meet readers and aspiring writers, connect with other local authors and to promote and sell their books.

Anyone from Chatham-Kent who has written and published a book, in print form or as an ebook, is welcome to apply. Due to space limitations, all authors are asked to submit an application to be considered for this event. Authors who have participated in past Read Local: CK Author Festival events are welcome to apply; however, preference will be given to authors who have not participated before. The application can be found on the Read Local: CK Author Festival page at www.ckpl.ca. Applications are due by Friday, March 16. Authors can also contact the library for more information at 519.354.2940.

This year we are pleased to have Chatham native and well-known author, Ray Robertson attending the Festival as a guest speaker. Mr. Robertson will share about his new book, ‘1979’ which is set in Chatham.

To find out more about programs and events at Chatham-Kent Public Library, visit www.ckpl.ca.

Family Day Municipal Holiday Hours

Municipal offices and most services will be CLOSED Monday, February 19, 2018 in recognition of Family Day.

Other services are scheduled as follows:

EMERGENCY SERVICES – Police, Fire and Ambulance are operational 24 hours a day, every day, and are accessible by dialling “911” for emergency calls only.

LIBRARIES – All branches of the Chatham-Kent Public Library usually open on Monday will be open Monday, February 19. Administration offices will be closed.

RECREATION FACILITY OPERATIONS – All arenas will be open during normal operational hours. Blenheim Gable Rees Rotary Pool and Wallaceburg Sydenham Pool will be closed for normal operational hours but will be open for FREE swims 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (space limited – arrive early)

CULTURAL SERVICES – The Thames Art Gallery and the Chatham-Kent Museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Box Office and Cultural Centre will be closed.

CHATHAM CAPITOL THEATRE – Will be open for movie showings at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

CEMETERY OPERATIONS – During this time, Cemeteries staff will be available on call for funeral homes who are in need of at-need lot sales or interment orders.

GARBAGE AND RECYCLING – Collection services will be delayed by one day the week of February 19th. Please refer to the Recycling and Waste Collection Guide for further details.

TRANSFER STATIONS – The Harwich and Wallaceburg Transfer Stations will be closed Monday, February 19th. All other transfer stations will be open regular hours.

LEAF & YARD DEPOTS – All Leaf and Yard Depots will be closed.

PROVINCIAL OFFENCES COURT- The Provincial Offences Court will be closed on Family Day and will re-open on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. Please note that during office closures fines can continue to be paid on-line at www.paytickets.ca

CK TRANSIT – All CK Transit services closed.

HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES BUILDING – The Health and Family Services building will be closed on February 19, including the offices of Employment and Social Services, Housing Services, Child Care and Early Years, and Public Health. Essential after-hours Public Health services are available by calling 1-866-446-8207.

The Employment Resource Centres located at 240 King St. W., Chatham and 786 Dufferin Avenue, Wallaceburg will be closed on February 19. For Homeless Emergencies please contact the Chatham-Kent Homeless Response Line at 519-354-6628

PUBLIC HEALTH CLINIC SERVICES – Public Health Clinic Services, located at 177 King St. E., Chatham will be closed.

RIVERVIEW GARDENS – Reception and administrative offices will be closed February 19, but services, activities and visiting hours continue as normal. Nursing staff can be reached 24/7 by calling 519-352-4823.

PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION (PUC) at 325 Grand Avenue East will be closed Monday. The emergency call number is 519-352-6300.

ENTEGRUS at 320 Queen Street will be closed Monday

Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Services Altered for Family Day Holiday, February 19, 2018

Some healthcare services offered at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance’s Chatham and Wallaceburg sites will be altered on Monday, February 19, 2018 in recognition of Family Day.

Routine X-rays, electrocardiograms (EKG) and ultrasounds will not be available on Monday, February 19, 2018. These departments will be staffed to meet the needs of inpatients and emergencies.

Out-Patient Rehabilitation Services at the Chatham and Wallaceburg sites, the Diabetes Education Centre and the TIA and CAD clinics will be closed on Monday, February 19, 2018.

Pulmonary Function Labs, Chatham and Wallaceburg sites, will be closed Monday, February 19, 2018.

Chatham-Kent Mental Health and Addictions Program Out-Patient Department will be closed on Monday, February 19, 2018. For any immediate crisis, please call the crisis line at 1-866-299-7447 to speak with a Mental Health First Response Team Member.

Out-Patient Lab Services will be closed on Monday, February 19, 2018.

The Pre-Surgical Screening Department will be closed on Monday, February 19, 2018.

The Patient Appointment Office and the Health Records Department will be closed on Monday, February 19, 2018.

Elston Pharmacy, located at Chatham site, will be closed on Monday, February 19, 2018.

Ambulatory Care Departments, Chatham and Wallaceburg sites, will be closed on Monday, February 19, 2018.

The Oncology Department will be closed on Monday, February 19, 2018.

The Business Office and Cashier’s Office will be closed on Monday, February 19, 2018. Please note there are two bill changers in the building to accommodate change for coin.

Hemodialysis Care will be open on Monday, February 19, 2018.

The Emergency Departments at the Chatham Campus and Wallaceburg sites will remain open 24 hours daily.

Canada’s Special Envoy to Myanmar update on Rohingya crisis

The Honourable Bob Rae, Canada’s Special Envoy to Myanmar, issued the following statement on his recent visit to Bangladesh and Myanmar:

“I have recently returned from visiting once again the large Rohingya camp in Bangladesh, and have spoken with senior officials in that country and in Myanmar. I also visited the town of Sittwe in central Rakhine State, and joined a number of diplomats and UN officials on a daylong helicopter tour of the north of Rakhine.

“Everything I saw last week has reinforced the deep challenges facing the Rohingya population in Myanmar, the need for accountability for potential crimes against humanity, and the urgency of greater co-operation and action.

“The monsoon season will hit within the next two months, and a recent report has estimated that as many as 100,000 people living in the camps in Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh could be directly impacted by the heavy rain. Funding is also a critical issue for the year ahead in the camps.

“The agreement that has been signed by the governments of Bangladesh and Myanmar calls for the secure and voluntary return of refugees who can establish their ties to Myanmar.

“While the building of reception centres and transition centres is laudable, these alone will not lead to a voluntary return to northern Rakhine. It will take a much more sustained approach on the part of the government of Myanmar, and a demonstrated willingness to take on extremist elements that are clearly opposed to the return of the Rohingya and their integration with full citizenship and human rights in Myanmar.

“The unwillingness of the government of Myanmar to allow full international access to Rakhine is also a severe challenge to any sense of confidence about security. This has to change.

“My aerial tour of northern Rakhine State revealed the full extent of the destruction of the Rohingya communities. This tour took place at the same time as there were further revelations about the execution of many Rohingya men. The rule of law requires that investigations be carried out by agencies beyond the control of the military. This basic standard is still not being met, and the incarceration of two Reuters journalists for exposing these executions cannot be justified.

“The international community must do whatever it can to ensure a strong, common approach to all aspects: camp conditions in Bangladesh; the difficult situation in Myanmar itself; and the need to deal with those responsible for crimes against humanity. More lives will be lost if we fail this challenge.”

World news

Remembering those who lost their lives in the Florida school shooting

Local police say no known ties between shooting suspect and white supremacist group

The Florida shooter legally bought the AR-15 he used to kill 17 people

Columbine is no longer one of the 10 deadliest mass shootings in modern US history

FDA approves first-ever blood test to evaluate concussions

Former Trump campaign aide Rick Gates nears plea deal with Mueller, CNN reports

It's the Year of the Dog!