West Prince Graphic

RCMP lay several charges Island-wide

Thu, 05/24/2012 - 11:40

“Canada Road Safety Week”, an enforcement-driven initiative designed to increase public compliance with safe driving measures and ultimately, to save lives took place last week including the holiday weekend, May 14-21. Part of the activities involved targeting enforcement in the areas of impaired driving, occupant restraint use, all aspects related to aggressive driving such as speeding and distracted driving (using hand held devices while driving). There were a total of eight seatbelt and one hand-held device charge in Prince County during that time. Aggressive driving in Prince County was flagged as the highest across the Island by RCMP, as charges reached ...

Prices up for spring season lobster

Thu, 05/24/2012 - 10:42

After receiving statements for the first two weeks of Spring lobster season, PEI harvesters are still finding a gap exists on prices being paid across the Island. Prices paid for Canner lobsters are up to 75 cents per pound lower in some areas. A difference of up to 70 cents per pound is also being experienced in the Market lobster segment. The Prince Edward Island Fishermen’s Association (PEIFA) is conducting internal price comparisons with members across the Island. This is in addition to the Province of PEI Weekly Fish Price Report. ...

Thu, 05/24/2012 - 09:17

Six West Prince residents received something very special recently for their extraordinary lifetime accomplishments - Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee citations and medals, named in honour of the Queen’s 60 years on the Throne. The medals were presented at a lavish ceremony held at the new Alberton Town Hall Wednesday, May 23. In front of a packed audience of family, friends and wellwishers, National Revenue Minister Gail Shea, holding a painting of Queen Elizabeth II, presented the medals to, from left, Joyce Pearl MacDougall, O’Leary, Eva Rodgerson, O’Leary, Tracy Doyle-Arsenault, Tignish, Perley Hardy, Alberton, Arnold Joseph Gaudet, Tignish, and Heidi ...

Kitchen fire strikes Alberton apartment building

Wed, 05/23/2012 - 15:30

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 ...

Wed, 05/23/2012 - 12:48

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 ...

Wed, 05/23/2012 - 05:15

By Cindy Chant cindy@peicanada.com ...

Westisle could miss out on renovations

Wed, 05/23/2012 - 05:15

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. ...

Wed, 05/23/2012 - 05:15

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. ...

Wed, 05/23/2012 - 04:15

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. ...

Wed, 05/23/2012 - 04:15

By Cindy Chant cindy@peicanada.com ...

Low turnout surprises board officials

Wed, 05/23/2012 - 04:15

By Cindy Chant cindy@peicanada.com Low attendance shown by parents, students and teachers came at a surprise to school officials recently at a planned public meeting to address the latest announcement to discontinue the Intensive French program. ...

Wed, 05/23/2012 - 04:15

The Town of Alberton held a Victoria Day bash on Monday at the Stone Station Gazebo under blue, cloudless skies. But this wasn’t any ordinary garden party the Town was also celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee (60 years on the throne) and dozens of commemorative flags and pins were distributed. Elmsdale youngster Jack Rennie, left, his brother, Oliver Rennie and his grandmother Nola Rennie, were proud to wave their flags during the life entertainment. Earlier, trees and shrubs were planted at the new Town Hall on Emma Drive, courtesy of the province’s Greening Spaces program. Jim ...

Wed, 05/23/2012 - 04:15

By Jim Brown jim@peicanada.com Ear-piercing sirens could be heard in the parking lot outside Bloomfield Elementary School on May 16, but no lives were at risk. ...

Alberton pharmacists wins prestigious award

Wed, 05/23/2012 - 04:15

By Cindy Chant cindy@peicanada.com The 2012 Takeda Magnum Opus Award for PEI was recently awarded to Alberton pharmacist Mary Ellen Rennie. The Award is presented to a pharmacist who are leading the way by completing specialty educations or training to expand their professional practice. This past February, Ms Rennie opened her own pharmacy, The Medicine Shoppe, and hasn’t looked back since. Each province, a winner is selected and receives $1,000 that is donated in their name to the pharmacy school alma mater, advanced training program or disease-based charity of their choice. Ms Rennie chose to donate her winnings to the Prince Edward Island ...

Alberton firefighters seeking new pumper truck

Wed, 05/23/2012 - 04:15

By Jim Brown jim@peicanada.com ...

Wed, 05/23/2012 - 04:15

Westisle Composite High School teachers and students are preparing for the 10th Annual Food Drive set for May 31 from 5-7pm. As many as 20 teachers and 60 students will be collecting non-perishable food items throughout West Prince, rain or shine, which will be donated to the West Prince Caring Cupboard. Residents are encouraged to leave their donation on their doorstep if they will not be home during the collection time. From left: Grade 12 students Madeline MacIntyre, Emily Gray, Dominic Harper and Matt MacLean recently gathered the first food item donations, who hope to top last years record. ...

Tue, 05/22/2012 - 11:18

The 4th Annual Roy Chaisson Fishing derby went off without a hitch May 6 as 58 registered anglers participated at Long Creek, Mill River. Ronnie Bernard came up the winner by catching a five pound 10 ounce trout, followed by Charles Chaisson with a two pound eight ounce and Ray Chaisson rounding out the day with a 10 ouncer. The fundraising event brought in $893 where all proceeds are donated to the IWK. In photo from left are: Charles Chaisson with his second place winning fish, Carson Chaisson, Jelissa Chaisson and Nadine Chaisson. Cindy ...

Tue, 05/22/2012 - 11:11

Westisle Composite High School sent one of its’ largest contingents ever (12 students) to the 2012 Skills Canada national competition in Edmonton, May 13-16. The students, under the direction of teacher-coach Irwin Campbell, were part of a 40-person Island delegation. The Westisle students, at front, are Kaitee McNeill (hairstyling) and Jeffrey Richard (robotics). In the second row, from left, are Julia Ross (job interview), Emma McAlduff (electronics), Jordan MacDonald (prepared speech), Trace Handrahan (robotics) and Logan LeClair (robotics). In the back row, from left, are Jordan Hardy (carpentry), Andrew Doucette (welding), Brett Dumville (electrical wiring) and Brandon Wilson (robotics). Missing ...

Tue, 05/22/2012 - 11:03

By Cindy Chant cindy@peicanada.com Organizers are putting the final touches on the popular Festival in the Park, being held in Tignish May 27 from 1-4 pm. The annual IWK fundraiser collected as much as $9,000 last year from record setting crowds. ...

Tue, 05/22/2012 - 10:04

The Alberton Lions Club held its annual lobster draw recently at the Alberton Save Easy store, with lucky winners claiming dozens of pounds of the tasty crustaceans just in time for Mother’s Day. Drawing the winners, from left, were Darren LeClair, the Alberton Save-Easy’s grocery manager and Grant Milligan, president of the Alberton Lion’s Club. The first place prize of 30 pounds of lobster was won by Bernie Gallant of St Eleanors, while a Tignish woman, Barb Doucette, claimed the second prize of 20 pounds and Blair Duggan, of Alberton, finished third, winning 10 pounds. Money from the annual draw, ...