C-K couple wins $1M, firms can cash in, winter driving 101

Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall

Weather forecast from Friday, January 26, 2018 to Sunday, January 28, 2018

Today – Mainly sunny. Wind southeast 20 km/h becoming southwest 30 gusting to 50 early this afternoon. High 7.

Tonight – Becoming cloudy late this evening. 40 percent chance of showers overnight. Wind southwest 30 km/h gusting to 50. Low plus 4.

Saturday, January 27 – Cloudy. 40 percent chance of showers in the morning. A few showers beginning in the morning and ending late in the afternoon. Wind west 30 km/h gusting to 60. High 7.

Saturday night – Cloudy periods with 30 percent chance of rain showers or flurries. Low minus 4.

Sunday, January 28 – A mix of sun and cloud with 30 percent chance of rain showers or flurries. High plus 4.

Sunday night – Cloudy periods. Low minus 4.

Kent Bridge couple wins $1 million lottery prize

Andrew and Mary Ellen Van Zelst (OLG)

Andrew and Mary Ellen Van Zelst, from Kent Bridge, won the Guaranteed $1 Million Prize from the December 23 LOTTO 6/49 draw.

“The idea of retirement doesn’t seem so scary anymore,” Andrew said, in a press release from the Ontario Gaming and Lottery Corporation.

Andrew, a production manager, discovered the win when he checked his tickets on the Ticket Checker during a stop at the gas station.

“I was very surprised when I saw the $1 million on the screen,” he said.

“I thought the machine was broken. I asked the gentleman beside me to have a look when I rescanned my ticket. Once the words ‘$1 million’ flash on the screen he wanted to shake my hand.”

Andrew then went home to share the good news with Mary Ellen, his wife of 30 years.

“When I walked in the door, I asked her if I could retire next week,” he said.

“I was in the middle of cooking dinner and I said, ‘Sure. You can retire’ thinking he was joking,” Mary Ellen, a lab manager, said.

“When he went on to tell me that we had to go to Toronto because we won $1 million with LOTTO 6/49, I stopped stirring my noodles and started to cry.”

The parents of one daughter plan to purchase a new truck and a new recliner and to travel more.

“We are going to sit down and figure out our next steps. We feel very blessed,” Andrew said.

The winning ticket was purchased at Daisy Mart on Grand Avenue in Chatham.

Local firms can cash in on technology

Five area entrepreneurs will be receiving $15,000 each in support and a chance to win $10,000 thanks to ScaleUp Technology Accelerator Program, a joint effort of Libro Credit Union in partnership with Ontario Trillium Foundation and Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs and Windsor Essex Capital Angel Network (WECAN).

WEtech Alliance, one of the eighteen Regional Innovation Centres in the province of Ontario, funded by the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs, is the group accepting applications for the program.

The program is open to Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent tech businesses. The deadline to apply for the March-June cohort is February 5. A second cohort will take place from August to November. Applications and program information can be found at http://www.wetech-alliance.com/scaleup.

Businesses selected will receive four-months of intensive business mentoring plus in-kind services valued at $15,000 plus access to a global network of support plus the opportunity to pitch for a $10,000 top prize in front of the Windsor Essex Capital Angel Network (WECAN).

The program evolved from the successful Libro StartUP program and is looking for startups that have moved beyond ideation and product/market fit – with advantage given to startups which have achieved early sales.

“We are building upon a successful partnership with WEtech Alliance forged through the Libro Prosperity Fund, one that supports innovative startup entrepreneurs and aligns with our purpose of growing prosperity across southwestern Ontario,” stated Lori Atkinson, Libro’s regional manager of Essex-Kent, in a press release.

“This innovative partnership is born out of a passion for community and a commitment to supporting the growing community of tech startup entrepreneurs in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent,” stated Yvonne Pilon, President and CEO of WEtech Alliance.

“This is a great program and I encourage any tech businesses in Chatham-Kent to consider submitting an application,” stated Stuart McFadden, Acting Director of Economic Development Services in Chatham-Kent.

“We are working closely with our colleagues at WEtech Alliance and plan to offer more support, like this program, to those businesses throughout the community involved in the tech sector in the future.”

Winter driving 101

(OPP)

In light of the most recent extended closure of the 402 Highway several weeks ago, the OPP reminds all motorists on the importance of checking weather patterns before you go. Predictable is preventable.

The storm of 2010 saw 237 motorists stranded on Highway 402 for extended periods of time. Fortunately there was no loss of life attributed to the incident. There was however a tangible important realization of having a personal safety survival kit while driving available at all times.

Winter in Ontario can be quite fierce at times even in southern Ontario. Lake effect snow off Lake Huron often causes blinding whiteout conditions caused by heavy snow fall and blowing winds. It is exactly these types of conditions that caught many drivers off guard in 2010 resulting in a significant rescue mission.

OPP encourage all motorists to ensure they have an emergency travel kit in their vehicle to be used in such situations. A kit should include a warm blanket, additional winter clothing, boots, non-perishable snacks, bottled water, water proof matches and a candle and a metal container to place the candle in while in use. Motorists are always encouraged to carry a fully charged cell phone to be used in emergencies, and to always keep the fuel tank of the vehicle above half full.

“Nothing can be more overwhelming than being stranded in a winter storm,” stated OPP Sgt. Dave Rektor.

“Feelings of fear and anxiety are quite normal. The best way to survive being stranded is – to be prepared. Being safe, warm, nourished and able to communicate with rescuers will help to mitigate negative feelings and reduce anxiety while waiting for help to arrive.”

The OPP encourages all motorists to always “know before you go” when traveling during winter months and to never call 911 for road or weather conditions.

Premier makes statement about Patrick Brown allegations

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne made the following statement on Thursday:

“I first want to say that the young women who have shared their experiences are very brave. It was very courageous for them to step forward. In my heart, I hope that they are finding the supports that they need now. They did a very difficult thing, and they’ve been carrying this for years. There’s an impact to them. I hope they are safe. I hope they are surrounded by loved ones today.

When I heard these allegations, I was shocked. And when I came to work this morning, I wanted to talk to people around the province who are reading this news and wondering what is going on.

I know there are many like me — people who are outraged and saddened that in 2018 we are still struggling to come to terms with the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault in our society. There are people in their living rooms, at their workplaces, reading the newspaper or listening to the radio. There are young people seeing the news on their iPhones and their devices.

There are obviously lots of questions that are going to come forward in the days ahead. Right now, I am thinking about this in my role as a mother, as a daughter, as a leader. It is really important that we understand how deeply troubling these behaviours are to human beings — to people.

There are parents all over the province who sit on the edge of their kids’ beds at night, and they talk about and try to sort through what’s going on in the schoolyard or what happened on a date — and how to handle those situations. Those are the real questions. That’s why I wanted to make a statement this morning about the role we all must play in figuring this out as a society.

We have to sort this out together. We have to take responsibility. We have to be vigilant.

But we can’t just assume that people coming forward will change everything. That alone is not going to create the change that we need to see. We all have to be vigilant, and we have to shine a light in all parts of our lives to create those safe places that we know are possible.

At Queen’s Park, we’ve worked very hard to put training in place, and make sure that there are procedures and that everybody knows what those procedures are. But I think what we need to understand today is that even as we’ve made big changes in this province and put in place new laws and rules, it’s still not enough. There’s still more that we have to do. When we brought out the policy on sexual assault and violence, it was called ‘It’s Never Okay.’ And on the last page of that action plan it said ‘To be continued,’ because we knew in our hearts that there was going to be more to do.

Today I stand with all of the people, all over the province, who are trying to create those safe places. I recognize that I am in this with so many people. We all have a responsibility, and will continue to work together to create that safety for you — whoever you are, and wherever you are in Ontario.”

Dresden Kinsmen fish fry and dance on Saturday

The Dresden Kinsmen are holding a fish fry at the Dresden Arena on Saturday, January 27 featuring entertainment from Toast & Jam.

The doors open at 5 p.m.

Dinner is being served between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., and it will feature all you can eat perch and chicken wings.

Tickets are only $30.

They are available at McKellar’s Flowers and Gifts, Bob Ellis Motors, Hughson Automotive and from Kinsmen members.

The money raised at this event goes to support the following programs at Kinsmen Park, including the baseball diamond, tennis courts, toboggan hill, the Dresden Santa Claus Parade, Easter Egg Hunt and the Pet and Hobby Parade.

World news

If you have a suggestion, story idea, column idea, or if you want to say hello… drop me an e-mail at aaron@sydenhamcurrent.ca.

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