Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall

Weather forecast for Thursday, March 1, 2018

Today – Cloudy. Rain beginning early this morning then changing to snow late this afternoon. Rainfall amount 15 to 25 mm. Snowfall amount 2 cm. Wind northeast 40 km/h gusting to 60. High plus 4.

Tonight – Snow ending after midnight then cloudy. Amount 5 to 10 cm. Wind northwest 30 km/h gusting to 60. Low minus 2.

Winter weather returns

Winter weather makes its return, as a special weather statement remains in effect by Environment Canada.

Rain is expected to change to snow today.

Forecasters say a strengthening low pressure system will track towards the Great Lakes today.

As it gets closer, rain possibly heavy at times, is expected to spread into Southwestern Ontario early this morning, with total rainfall amounts of 15 to 25 mm forecast by late afternoon.

Due to the nearly saturated conditions from recent rains and snowmelt, impacts from this rain are possible in some areas.

As the low pressure system passes by just to the south of the region, brisk northerly winds will begin to pull in colder air.

Thus rain will change over quickly to snow late this afternoon or early evening.

The snow may fall heavily at times this evening with accumulations of up to 10 cm or so possible by later tonight.

Driving conditions will quickly deteriorate as the rain changes over to snow later today.

Motorists should plan for extra time to reach their destination due to low visibility in heavier snow and accumulating snow on untreated roads.

Conditions should improve overnight as the weather system responsible moves away from the area.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada.

To report severe weather, send an email to ec.cpio-tempetes-ospc-storms.ec@canada.ca or tweet reports using #ONStorm.

FREE meals in March

Here is a list of the FREE meals taking place in Wallaceburg during the month of March:

Job Fair – Dietary Aides

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has multiple vacancies for a casual call-in Dietary Aide at our municipal long-term care home, Riverview Gardens.

They will have:

– Pre-interviews held at the job fair

– Dietary Department Managers present to answer questions

– Details will be provided for the Food Handler certificate and Food Service Worker program

– Refreshments provided

– Tours will be available

No career profile application form is required, however please bring an up-to-date resume in with you along with proof of qualifications.

Candidates must possess a secondary school graduation diploma or equivalent education (i.e. G.E.D.), have a current Food Handler certificate (Public Health Unit), and have completed or be enrolled in the Food Service Worker program.

Applicants who do not have the Food Service Worker Course can get more information at the Job Fair.

The salary range is $17.29 to $23.36 per hour plus 15% in lieu of benefits and 4% vacation.

The job fair will be held on Friday, March 2 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the main floor of Riverview Gardens located at 519 King Street West, Chatham, Ontario.

Parking is available off of Roberston Avenue beside Riverview Gardens.

To view the job posting, click here.

Rexall Foundation donates $5,000 to CTC Foundation’s Butterfly Building Campaign

On Wednesday, February 21, members from Rexall gathered at the Children’s Treatment Centre to present a cheque for $5,000 in support of the Butterfly Building Campaign.

The demand for specialized therapy for children and youth with special needs is growing in Chatham-Kent, with one in nine CK children accessing the CTC-CK for physiotherapy, speech therapy, audiology, adapted recreation, music therapy, social work, occupational therapy, autism services, and respite. The Butterfly Building Campaign will support building a larger, state-of-the-art facility that will better accommodate the growing caseload.

This is the second significant donation the CTC-CK has received from the Rexall Foundation, who focuses their giving on enhancing the health and well-being of Canadian communities. The Rexall Foundation’s $5,000 is earmarked to support the new building’s Adapted Recreation program.

“The CTC-CK’s Adapted Recreation program allows children and youth with special needs to enjoy quality recreation opportunities, while being physically active” Stated Donna Litwin-Makey, Executive Director of the Children’s Treatment Centre.

“Adapted Rec also assists participants with physiotherapy goals and strengthening, communication and social skills, transitions, and turn taking- all transferable skills allowing for more participation in recreation programs outside of the Centre and throughout the community”.

The CTC-CK is the only organization in Chatham-Kent with 70 years of experience providing specialized, quality therapy to children and youth with special needs in our community. Support from business like the Rexall Foundation help ensure that the CTC-CK can continue helping Chatham-Kent children and youth participate in life to the fullest.

Transport Canada suspends Island Express Air’s Air Operator Certificate

On Wednesday, Transport Canada suspended Island Express Air’s Air Operator Certificate. The suspension prohibits the company from providing commercial air services. The department took this action in the interest of public safety due to the airline’s February 23, 2018 accident in Abbotsford, BC and its contraventions of the Canadian Aviation Regulations.

In light of these threats to public safety, Transport Canada will not allow Island Express Air to resume its commercial air service until it proves it can keep its operations consistently compliant with aviation safety regulations.

Transport Canada takes aviation safety seriously and expects all air operators to fully comply with aviation safety regulations. The department does not hesitate to take action when regulatory non-compliance is identified. We will continue to monitor Island Express Air’s actions as the company works towards compliance with aviation safety regulations.