YEAR IN REVIEW – TOP 10 STORIES OF 2019
Our look back at the Top 10 Stories of 2019 is sponsored by Riversite Realty:
10 – Dresden Night Markets
A night market filled the streets of downtown Dresden not once, but twice once again this year. A projected 20,000 people came to the community in the summer and the holiday season was celebrated in style in December. It was a great display of community pride and unity for both of these events. Hats off to the organizers for making both events a great success.
Dresden Night Market attracts 20,000 people
Christmas Night Market 2019 fills downtown Dresden
9 – Attempted Murder in Wallaceburg
Early in the morning on February 26, police responded to a shooting in Wallaceburg. A 33-year-old man has been arrested and charged with attempt murder in connection with the shooting. He was held in custody pending a bail hearing. The victim, an 18-year-old woman, sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Police investigating ‘serious’ incident in Wallaceburg
Update: Shooting in Wallaceburg
8 – Sam’s Hotel Closes
A brand new Indigenous child care centre is set to be built at the location of the former Sam’s Hotel on Dufferin Avenue in Wallaceburg.
Indigenous child care centre coming to Wallaceburg
7 – Police Officer Helps With Baby Delivery
On July 9, 2019 at approximately 12:48 p.m. the communication center received a call from a male party stating his wife was in labour and the baby was not waiting. At 12:51 p.m. Constable (Gary) Oriet was on scene and assisted with the delivery of a feisty baby girl.
Officer assists with baby delivery in Chatham-Kent
Baby Zara reunites with Chatham-Kent police officer
6 – Natural Gas Expansion in Chatham-Kent
Minister of Infrastructure Monte McNaughton announced in March that the Province of Ontario is expanding access to natural gas in Chatham-Kent. McNaughton, along with MPP Rick Nicholls, made the announcement on Monday morning at Cedarline Greenhouses outside of Dresden.
Natural gas expansion announced in Chatham-Kent
Minister announces natural gas expansion (Video)
Natural gas expansion underway in C-K
5 – Goodbye Lakers, Hello Thunderhawks
The Wallaceburg Lakers Junior ‘C’ Hockey Team made some big announcements during an open meeting on Thursday night, June 6, at the Wallaceburg Legion. Before a crowd of 20-plus people, team officials announced they’ll be changing the name of the squad to the Wallaceburg Thunderhawks.
Goodbye Lakers, hello Thunderhawks
4 – Lianne Rood Wins Twice
It was a big year for Lianne Rood.
She first won the Conservative Party nomination in Lambtonb-Kent-Middlesex back in March.
Lianne Rood wins LKM Conservative nod
She followed it up with a decisive election victory in October.
Rood wins in LKM, Liberals capture minority
3 – Climate Change Emergency
It was a year filled with flood watches, flood warnings and two state of emergencies across Chatham-Kent.
Chatham-Kent Council also unanimously declared a Climate Emergency in the community.
The Municipality also began work on a Climate Change Action Plan.
2 – Otter Creek Jam Fest
Canadian rockers Tom Cochrane with Red Rider and Trooper performed LIVE in Wallaceburg on the Civic Holiday weekend at the inaugural Otter Creek Jam Fest.
Sights & sounds from Otter Creek Jam Fest
Cochrane ‘excited’ to rock Otter Creek Jam Fest
Trooper is ready to ‘raise a little hell’ in Wallaceburg
1 – ‘Never, Ever, Ever Give Up’
On Friday afternoon, June 7, over 100 people from Wallaceburg and the surrounding area gathered together to support one of their own.
Volunteers created and donated a bench, in honour of Hayden Foulon.
As part of a list of all of her dreams, Hayden wished to have something named after herself, and Wallaceburg made this happen.
Engraved on the bench is the saying: “Never, Ever, Ever Give Up.”
Full story, here.
After a courageous battle with leukemia, Hayden passed away in October.
She was seven-years-old.
