Summer Edition: Port Hope fire chief wins prestigious award

Summer Edition: Port Hope fire chief wins prestigious award

Back in June, Port Hope’s Fire Chief received top honours from a provincial organization. The Ontario Municipal Fire Prevention Officers Association named Jason Williams the 2026 Fire Chief of the Year. It was a huge honour for him and for the municipality. His distinguished career spans decades, with him working mainly as an investigator for the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office and in various other roles along the way. He gave the interview on the cusp of presenting a comprehensive wildland fire management plan for the Ganaraska Forest. Council adopted it. With all the wildfires burning across the country, his timing seemed spot on.

Summer Edition: Viritual hiring project continues promotion, says executive director

When we think of virtual reality, we often think of computer-based gaming. But in April, the Northumberland Manufacturers Association and nVenture launched a pilot program to use this technology to help hire workers. Many people leave a manufacturing job within 90 days. This is mainly because they don't understand what is expected once they are hired. This leads to high turnover in factory jobs, which is costly and discouraging for both employees and employers.

Summer Edition: Community safety remains a key issues in upcoming municipal election

Community safety is often an issue during municipal elections. Police performance elicits a range of responses. This is especially true these days. It is a particularly hot topic in Cobourg, but not exclusively. Port Hope police face many similar issues. Some of the rural municipalities also face challenges under the OPP. Budget time is always tense, igniting its own set of challenges. On today’s show, you will hear a familiar voice. It is former Cobourg Chief Paul VandeGraaf speaking just before he retired in May. It is an opportunity to track the evolution of many of the highly charged issues, see the throughline to today, and hear the candidate promises.

Summer Edition: Alto High Speed Rail facing new hurdles as local MPP raises concerns

Just this week, the Ontario government said it is rethinking its support for a high-speed rail project after the federal government rejected its plans to expand Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto. Eleven MPPs from eastern Ontario, including our own MPP David Piccini, released a statement questioning the Alto High-Speed Rail project. This interview revisits a conversation done in March with Trent Hills Mayor Bob Crate. The Alto High-Speed Rail project has him and his council very upset. So are many residents in Trent Hills. One proposed route goes straight through the heart of the municipality, impacting the village of Hastings and Campbellford, along with the surrounding area. Opposition to the rail project has gained momentum since this interview, including Alderville band council and many other residents and municipalities along the proposed routes across the province and Quebec. Have a listen and think about the Ontario government’s demands in the context of the local disapproval. Will this turn the tide?

Summer Edition: Major human trafficking bust in Halton a reminder of issue in Northumberland

Earlier this week, arrests were made in the largest human trafficking case in the history of Halton Regional Police Service. Nine individuals were arrested and 85 criminal charges laid. It is a stark reminder of the exploitation taking place across Ontario, the country and the world. The accused are alleged to have used coercion, deception, manipulation, and psychological harm to maintain control and influence over the victims. In April, Jocelyn Enright, prevention education and community engagement coordinator for the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre, talked about human trafficking in Northumberland County, especially along the Highway 401 corridor. Girls as young as 11-years-old are being recruited into sex work. Her organization had just lost a $1`75,000 grant from the federal government to prevent recruitment and help those who wish to leave sex work. Take a listen and hear the hidden tragedies in our area.