A fire which started in the kitchen of a five-unit apartment building on Church Street early Tuesday evening forced several residents to spend a day away from their homes. Fortunately, nobody was injured in the fire. Alberton Fire Chief Kenny Ramsay said the cause was traced to the unit’s stove, where food was being cooked. The unit's occupants were outside when the fire started. The fire was quickly extinguished said Fire Chief Ramsay, adding firefighters from neighbouring departments were also dispatched. “We got it under control in five to 10 minutes.” The Alberton Fire Chief said the unit’s gyprock was scorched and appliances ruined.  Fire Chief ...

Firefighters raced to the scene of a blaze that consumed 150 to 200 tires on O’Leary’s Willow Avenue early this morning and led to the demolition of part of the former Clover Farm building. The fire was considered an act of arson. Fire Chief Ronny Phillips said firefighters from O’Leary, Miminegash, Alberton and West Point were called to Willow Avenue, as well as members of the Tignish Fire Department, who were sent back before they arrived. Firefighters were dispatched at 12:30 am and were at the scene till at least 5 am this morning. Fire Chief Phillips added the tires were sold by ...

 By Jim Brown jim@peicanada.com   Long awaited Westisle Composite High School renovations, which could exceed a million dollars when they are finally undertaken, may be further delayed by the Province’s decision to amalgamate the Island’s two English language school boards. The renovations would likely involve trades and technology. ...

 By: Cindy Chant cindy@peicanada.com   For 85 year old Daisy Waite of O’Leary, finding a 112 year old letter, written by her grandfather is just part of the mystery. The envelope, sent from New Hampshire simply read: “Mrs Ralph Inglis, Poplar Grove, Lot 12” and included a two cent stamp. ...

 By Cindy Chant cindy@peicanada.com   ...

 They are not yet even announced, but already plans for 2014 celebrations to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the meetings of 1864 are a whipping boy for government waste. 

It began with a leaked draft document in The Guardian, which outlined a potential $75 million year long celebration. The province and the federal government would each throw in $30 million, with the City of Charlottetown and corporate sponsors each chiming in $7.5 million. Funding would be spread over three years.

Potential events range from a Montreal-Toronto hockey game, mega concert and inanely a return to the Island of Cirque du Soleil (did no one think of the million dollars we lost the last time they showed up?) 

 By Jim Brown jim@peicanada.com   A Grade 2 class at O’Leary Elementary School raised enough funds in an Earth Day challenge to “adopt” an Arctic fox and a caribou through the World Wildlife Fund. ...

 The recent decision by the provincial government to consolidate hemodialysis services in Summerside and Charlottetown by closing the units in Alberton and Souris will have a huge impact. It will have an impact not only on the health of those currently receiving the treatment, but also on their financial situation and on the lives of their families and friends. Dialysis patients already have to deal with weakened health and the stress their condition and this life-saving treatment create. In making this decision the government has made their situation worse. It simply isn’t right. ...

 By Cindy Chant  cindy@peicanada.com   ...

 It is spring. It is the time of the dandelions and other broadleaves in the lawn. It is the time for some people to mow like crazy or for others to be down on hands and knees to dig out the initially beautiful invaders. A private person cannot any longer buy powerful poisons, for very valid safety reasons. Unfortunately, at least in PEI, it is still legal to hire a contractor to do that job for you by means of applying poisons and similar chemicals, which will kill the broadleaves, but not hurt the lawn. Right up to the property line, ...