As many wonder how long the winter will drag on, the comforting faint call of spring smiles upon us. I will introduce you to the many wonders our earth provides us with that you can find in your own backyard or pantry to cure these winter blues and get ready for a wonderful spring and summer. Herbs and spices are nature's most powerful medicine that improves one's health physically and mentally! And to know the basics and how to utilize nature to the best of its abilities. The first step is to determine your need for wanting to use these herbs. As certain herbs are meant for certain purposes such as; stronger immunity, improved gut health, stress reducers, enhanced rest, and increased antioxidant intake. All of these are vital in our daily lives and here are some herbs and how to use them to get you started! While there are multiple versions of these recipes, it is encouraged that you get creative and just go for it! *Please be advised that everything requires moderation and taking too much of anything natural or not can be dangerous.* Garlic (Allium sativum) = a powerful herb that offers many benefits but for this recipe we're focusing on its immune support and antioxidant properties (1) that will cut that flu or cold to bits. Recipe: Garlic Honey (2) Bold and powerful garlic combined with the rich and sweet taste of honey Ingredients: 1 garlic bulb Raw honey *fun fact honey is packed full of helpful antioxidants and nutrients* Mason jar with lid Steps: Peel garlic cloves and break up and chop the cloves Add the raw chopped garlic to to mason jar Add the raw honey and fill until all garlic is covered *do not fill to the top.* Cover mason jar and shake to stimulate the fermentation process Once it settles, slightly loosen the mason jar lid and store in a dark and cool area. Take one teaspoon a day and enjoy *Stores for up to 3 months* Turmeric = a powerful spice that aids in digestive issues, anti inflammatory and many other benefits. This recipe is focusing on utilizing the amazing digestive properties it provides. Recipe: Turmeric tea (3) A fiery blend of warmth with notes of sweetness and just the right amount of sourness zing! Ingredients: Ground Turmeric (2 teaspoons) Lemon juice (1 teaspoon) (fresh or bottled) Honey Black pepper (optional) Water Kettle Steps: Add turmeric to cup Bring water to a boil Add hot water to cup Add honey for sweetener as much as you desire Add 1 teaspoon of Lemon juice Pinch of black pepper Sip and enjoy! Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) = a fresh herb that is a natural stimulant, decongestant and soothes sore throats. (4) Recipe: peppermint lemon iced tea (5) Refreshing flavor of sweet mint and lemon with warm flavors of honey. Ingredients: *this recipe is based off another but includes my own adaptations to it* 1 cup peppermint leaves water Lemon Honey Ice Pitcher glass Steps: Bring water to a boil and steep peppermint leaves for about 20 minutes Let cool Strain the tea and add to pitcher Cut up lemon slices (as much as desired) and add to pitcher Add honey for sweetness, as much as desired Add ice and stir Pour and enjoy! Chamomile = a flowery herb that is dried up and packed full of antioxidants, promotes better quality of sleep and comforting calming effects. (6) Recipe: Chamomile and lavender latte (7) Warm soothing chamomile bathed in creamy oat milk with sweet hints of honey and lavender. Ingredients: *this recipe is based off another but includes my own adaptations to it* (1/2 cup) Unsweetened vanilla oat milk (regular or any other milk substitute) Loose dried chamomile and lavender (or use 1 bag of chamomile and lavender tea blend) Honey Cup Steps: Steep loose dried chamomile and lavender, strain and leave to side Warm oat milk (regular or other milk substitutes) Add honey to oat milk (as much as desired) Add ½ of the steeped chamomile and lavender tea to milk and honey (or add the tea blend, steep and stir) Sip, relax, and enjoy! Link for Donations: If you end up liking any of these recipes or enjoy Smantha's vast knowledge of the environment, please show your support for her by donating to the link below. https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLMNHE4G0R7FP/checkout/QUZTTZ3RY433OOZ7WP22CTLM References 7 impressive benefits of garlic. EverydayHealth.com. (2021). Retrieved March 10, 2023, from https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/potential-benefits-of-adding-garlic-to-your-recipes-and-meals/ Herbal Academy. (2019, October 7). DIY Garlic Honey for cold & flu season preparation. Herbal Academy. Retrieved March 10, 2023, from https://theherbalacademy.com/diy-garlic-honey/ Bryan, A. L., & Bryan, L. (2022, December 27). Easy turmeric tea. Downshiftology. Retrieved March 10, 2023, from https://downshiftology.com/recipes/turmeric-tea/ Groves, M. (2023, March 10). 12 science-backed benefits of peppermint tea and extracts. Healthline. Retrieved March 10, 2023, from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/peppermint-tea New, E. (2018, December 27). Ice cold peppermint tea. The Frugal Farm Wife. Retrieved March 10, 2023, from https://www.frugalfarmwife.com/article/cold-peppermint-tea/ Elliott, B. (2017, August 18). 5 ways Chamomile Tea Benefits Your Health. Healthline. Retrieved March 10, 2023, from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/5-benefits-of-chamomile-tea#TOC_TITLE_HDR_4 BODi. (2022, November 9). Chamomile and lavender oat milk latte. BODi. Retrieved March 10, 2023, from https://www.beachbodyondemand.com/blog/collagen-chamomile-tea-latte

Growing up in Prince George, I have seen the doors open to many new beloved small businesses. Sadly, I have also seen those same doors close not too shortly after they opened. Prince George British Columbia is a town filled with wonderland-like winters, unique attractions such as the Train Museum, The Ancient Forest, and many beloved family-owned small businesses. Over the past few weeks, I had the pleasure of speaking with several small business owners in town. I have been curious to see if there is a common consensus among the local business owners. Currently, the cost of living is giving a lot of families a run for their money. Rising food costs, rising gas prices, everything seems to be slowly but steadily going out of reach. The cost of living for a family of four a month is roughly $8,200. Adding in a family-owned business brings on a whole new array of expenses. Speaking with the people who provide essential services and create a wonderful part of our community, brought to light a common problem. Small Business owners of Prince George feel unsupported, unheard and a little bit afraid of what the future holds. The downtown core of Prince George used to be where many would set up shop. Currently the streets have been neglected and are becoming overrun with crime, addiction and homelessness. Causing many citizens and business owners to feel uncomfortable and unsafe just walking downtown. Let alone running their business. Many wonder what City Council will do to help solve these issues. Many wonder if City Council is even aware of the issues that desperately need fixing. Many wonder if City Council cares about the issues at hand. Sponsored Advertisement I spoke with Gwen owner of Paws for Pur located on 15th avenue. She has dealt with her fair share of issues pertaining to small business ownership. Gwen started her business to educate and help other animal owners. By discovering that commercial chew is detrimental to your dogs health. She created a solution from her passion for pets. You can check out their products here . While speaking with Gwen I could hear the concern in her voice. Like many citizens and small business owners, we have great concern for what our future holds. With new mayor Simon Yu, Prince George has hope that our downtown core will be addressed and the small business owners will feel supported. Through speaking with the business owners of our quaint little town. It became clear that Prince George needs an action taker. A problem solver. Someone who is willing to take the time and resources to fix the issues that are not so easy to solve. Will Simon Yu be that person? Link for Donations Help support non-biased and honest journalists like Alannah. She is dedicated to sharing honest and trustworthy news with you all. Help support her and her journalistic efforts by donating to the link below: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLMNHE4G0R7FP/checkout/JYTSNUSYL7OD5SMGEXM4RCN6

Introduction London, Ontario is a city located in southwestern Ontario, Canada. The housing situation in London, Ontario has been a matter of concern for some time, with the city facing issues such as high rental prices, homelessness, and a lack of affordable housing. In this topic, we will take an in-depth look at the current housing situation in London, Ontario, including rental prices, homeless shelters, and potential solutions to address the issue. Renting Prices The cost of renting in London, Ontario has been on the rise in recent years, with the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city hovering around $1,200. This is a significant increase from just a few years ago when the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment was closer to $800. The rising cost of rent is largely due to the high demand for rental properties in the city, with many people looking for affordable housing options. The demand for rental properties has led to a shortage of available units, which has further driven up rental prices. In addition, the increasing cost of utilities and property taxes has also contributed to the rise in rental prices. The high cost of renting in London, Ontario has made it difficult for many people, particularly those with lower incomes, to find affordable housing. Homeless Shelters Another issue that has contributed to the housing situation in London, Ontario is homelessness. Homelessness has been a growing problem in the city, with many individuals and families struggling to find a place to call home. There are a number of homeless shelters in London, Ontario that provide temporary shelter and support services for those in need. One of the primary homeless shelters in London, Ontario is the Salvation Army Centre of Hope. This facility provides emergency shelter for men, women, and families, as well as a range of support services, including meals, counseling, and job training. The London Homeless Coalition is another organization that works to address homelessness in the city. This group works to advocate for affordable housing solutions and to provide support services for those in need. Possible Solutions To address the housing situation in London, Ontario, there are several potential solutions that could be considered. One approach would be to increase the supply of affordable housing in the city. This could be accomplished through a number of measures, including government subsidies for housing construction, zoning changes to allow for more multi-unit residential buildings, and the development of partnerships between the government and private sector to fund affordable housing projects. Another potential solution would be to provide more support services for those who are struggling to find housing. This could include job training and placement services, mental health and addiction treatment, and financial counseling to help individuals and families get back on their feet. A third approach would be to increase public awareness of the issue of housing affordability and homelessness in London, Ontario. This could be done through public education campaigns, media coverage, and community events. By increasing awareness of the issue, more people may be motivated to get involved and work towards finding solutions. Conclusion The housing situation in London, Ontario is a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted approach to address. Rental prices are high, making it difficult for many people to find affordable housing, while homelessness is a growing problem in the city. To address these issues, a number of solutions could be considered, including increasing the supply of affordable housing, providing more support services for those in need, and increasing public awareness of the issue. By working together, the community can take steps towards creating a more affordable and equitable housing situation in London, Ontario. Link for Donations Help support non-biased and honest journalists like Anjum. He is dedicated to sharing honest and trustworthy news with you all. Help support his journalistic efforts by donating to the link below: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLMNHE4G0R7FP/checkout/SL3BIITD3LBYVXUWXNOE3I2V

At approximately 1pm Fire crews responded to a blaze at 745 English Settlement Road in Quinte West early Friday afternoon. Sources say that the owner of the property was welding when the fire broke out, and a detached garage was reported to be fully engulfed in flames. There were 2 propane tanks on scene that were safely removed by emergency personnel including police and firefighters. Fortunately, there were no injuries during the fire. Link for Donations: We are solely independent with our news and our only funding is your amazing donations to the link below. If you value non-biased and truthful news based on facts, please anything helps us keep you informed and in the know https://square.link/u/3N7yXqU6

By Anjum Sahid Regular exercise is crucial for both physical and mental health. It can help individuals maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, and promote overall well-being. However, sticking to an exercise routine can be a challenge for many people. One way to stay motivated is by setting realistic goals that are achievable and meaningful. It's important to choose a goal that aligns with your interests and priorities, and start with small steps that can be built upon. For example, if you want to lose weight, start with 20 minutes of moderate exercise three times per week and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts as you get stronger. Another strategy to stay motivated is by finding an exercise that you enjoy. People are more likely to stick with an exercise routine if they find it fun and enjoyable. There are a variety of exercises that can be done, from running, cycling, swimming, hiking, yoga, and more. Trying out different exercises and finding what works best can help you find a routine that you look forward to doing. When it comes to the benefits of exercise for mental and physical health, Andrew D. Huberman, a neuroscientist at Stanford University, has conducted research that provides insight into the connection between exercise, the visual system, and the stress response. For instance, his research suggests that stress can reduce the number of synapses in the visual cortex, making it harder for people to distinguish between different patterns of light. However, certain neurons can be stimulated to improve the ability to distinguish between different patterns of light. This finding highlights the importance of exercise in reducing stress and improving cognitive function. Furthermore, Huberman's research has found that the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, plays a critical role in regulating behavior. When activated, people become more alert and vigilant but can also become more anxious and less social. Blocking the activation of the sympathetic nervous system can decrease anxiety levels and improve social behavior, indicating the importance of exercise in reducing anxiety levels. In conclusion, incorporating exercise into a daily routine can promote physical and mental health, improve mood, and reduce stress and anxiety. By setting realistic goals and finding exercises that are enjoyable, people can stay motivated and experience the benefits of exercise. Understanding the science behind exercise, as shown in Andrew D. Huberman's research, can provide additional motivation to make exercise a regular part of your routine. Link for Donations Help support non-biased and honest journalists like Anjum. He is dedicated to sharing honest and trustworthy news with you all. Help support his journalistic efforts by donating to the link below: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLMNHE4G0R7FP/checkout/SL3BIITD3LBYVXUWXNOE3I2V

Hello folks, we hope you are all doing well. It seems we are in for another storm tonight going into tomorrow morning. Environment Canada has issued an extreme snowfall warning. Please see their public weather alert below: There is a winter storm warning in effect for various areas surrounding Belleville Ontario. "It will be a significant winter storm with dangerous travel conditions expected tonight. Non-essential travel strongly discouraged. Hazards: Significantly reduced visibility due to heavy snow and blowing snow. Total snowfall accumulations of 15 to 25 cm. Snowfall rates of 4 to 6 cm/h possible. Rapidly accumulating snowfall creating hazardous travel conditions. Timing: This evening into Saturday morning. The most dangerous conditions are expected late this evening into early overnight. Discussion: A Texas low is expected to bring heavy snow and strong winds to a large swath of southern Ontario. Snow will begin this evening and quickly become heavy at times. Heavy snow in combination with strong easterly winds will create significantly reduced visibility and hazardous travel conditions. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow. Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow. Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #ONStorm. Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. If visibility is reduced while driving, turn on your lights and maintain a safe following distance."

As our world continues to advance our knowledge does too, however in order to harness all the benefits of these changes we must be mindful in order to sustain our goals. Whether you believe in Climate Change or not there are specific examples of change seen throughout our environment that seem to be negative consequences due to waste that is created by us as a species. There have been numerous lectures on the subject of Climate Change and as a result, there has been a wealth of knowledge accumulated on how we affect the world around us. Climate change is said to be due to the increase in pollution, as well as a mass amount of man-made greenhouse gases collecting into our atmosphere. This results in uncommon patterns in weather during our regular 4 seasons here in Canada, and a loss of biodiversity as a result. Fortunately, there is a mass increase in awareness of our environment through many organizations working to raise even more awareness. They are also working hard to find solutions to protect the environment and all of us in it. The University of Guelph is one of these organizations. The university advocates for the environment by making sustainability a lifestyle for its students on and off campus. Over the past year, the University of Guelph has been collecting data to measure, track and report their progress on their sustainability practices. Using the internationally recognized framework, called STARS.(Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment and Rating System). And the university of Guelph manages to earn a gold STARS rating placing them in Ontario's top four sustainable universities! The university has created outstanding practices to help eliminate the school's eco-footprint as a whole as well as to ensure the best for their students. For instance, their energy system ensures the reduction of emissions and no wastage of heat due to their century-old energy system that allows the school to capture any waste heat and use it towards warming 11 other buildings on campus. The University also provides a bike area where students can attend campus via bike and even learn to utilize the campus bike repair shop where students can fix their bikes, but it does not stop there, all the delicious meals students can have are locally and sustainably sourced, with plant-based options, and no sign of single-use plastic in sight, at every restaurant/dining option on campus. The University of Guelph not only provides excellent education and sustainable practices for their students but they ensure each student does their part along with many opportunities to join environmental clubs and bring forth new and innovative ideas to protect our environment for many more generations to come. Link for Donations: We are solely independent with our news and our only funding is your amazing donations to the link below. If you value non-biased and truthful news based on facts, please anything helps keep our journalists out there reporting. Journalists like Samantha. https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLMNHE4G0R7FP/checkout/QUZTTZ3RY433OOZ7WP22CTLM

UPDATE: The Winter Storm has started in parts of Ontario. Please stay safe everyone. Hello folks, we are expecting a nasty mix of rain and/orsnow on Wednesday night leading into Thursday. It is a very good possibility that buses may be cancelled. Environment Canada has issued the following Special Weather Statement regarding the possibility of what we hope is the last winter storm of the season. The Special Weather Statement can be found below: "Special Weather Statement Issued by Environment Canada Issued at 6:10 PM EST Wednesday 22 February 2023 Winter Storm Warning in effect for: Barrie - Orillia - Midland Belleville - Quinte - Northumberland City of Hamilton City of Toronto Dufferin - Innisfil Dunnville - Caledonia - Haldimand Elgin Grey - Bruce Halton - Peel Huron - Perth Kingston - Prince Edward London - Middlesex Niagara Oxford - Brant Peterborough - Kawartha Lakes Sarnia - Lambton Simcoe - Delhi - Norfolk Waterloo - Wellington Windsor - Essex - Chatham-Kent York - Durham Winter storm conditions tonight. Hazards: Snow, heavy at times, and ice pellets. Total amounts of 15 to 25 cm. Accumulations may be lower for areas toward Lake Ontario that experience mixing with ice pellets and freezing rain. Risk of freezing rain. Light ice accretion is possible, especially from Highway 401 to Lake Ontario. Timing: Continuing to Thursday morning. Discussion: Light snow will become heavy at times early this evening. Snow may mix with ice pellets and freezing rain tonight, though snow is expected to remain the predominant precipitation type. Snow or any wintry mix will taper off Thursday morning to patchy freezing drizzle. Another wintry mix of precipitation is possible Thursday afternoon into Thursday evening. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow. Take extra care when walking or driving in affected areas. There may be a significant impact on rush hour traffic in urban areas. If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop. Public Safety Canada encourages everyone to make an emergency plan and get an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight. For information on emergency plans and kits go to http://www.getprepared.gc.ca. Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #ONStorm. With this evening's winter storm, the conditions will be extremely favorable for ice buildup on the roadways. It is advised to drive with extreme caution and in the event of a winter storm, if you have to drive give yourself extra time & braking distance when traveling on the roads. Be safe folks and if the special weather statement changes to a weather advisory or warning, we will be sure to let you know. Thanks for reading and until next time. Link for Donations: We are solely independent with our news and our only funding is your amazing donations to the link below. If you value non-biased and truthful news based on facts, please anything helps us keep you informed and in the know https://square.link/u/3N7yXqU6

The annual Belleville WaterFront Festival starts today in Zwick's Park. There will be lots of fun rides, games and food from all different vendors. Thee are also retail vendors set up along the parking lot. If you and your family are looking for a fun, jam-packed festival happening this weekend, look no further than Belleville's WaterFront Festival. The link for the schedule can be found at https://www.bellevillewaterfrontfestival.com/events.php?fbclid=IwAR1cYEfqXr0Aa9nNTO3J9R_qKEa9ObuDqOZb22Hr32-6mIfaBZjDP3yZ41k Link for Donations: Help support local journalism in your community. Every dollar goes to helping secure our freedom of speech and to ensure freedom of the press. We believe the news should be free to access for everyone and are against subscription-based services. We do not accept any funding from other organizations including the government. This is to ensure our news is non-biased. https://square.link/u/3N7yXqU6 We also accept E-Transfer donations at adam.briggs@smalltownproductions.ca

Early this morning Rogers Network went dark due to an unknown source behind the outages. The services affected are Mobile, Internet and TV. Interac systems in stores across Canada are also facing an outage of unknown origin according to an official BMO Representative. Some citizens are saying it could be the result of a solar flare, some are saying it could be a cyber attack on our infrastructure from Russia, and some are also saying it could be a janitor that knocked a cord loose in the main server room. We urge you to let us know what you think it is in the comment section below. Also, stay tuned as we are planning an interview segment to be aired in regards to what the public thinks could be the cause of these network outages. UPDATE: Some users are also experiencing issues with E-Transfer services as well such as TD Bank. Link for Donations: These donations help us keep the bigger news agencies honest, the more we can cover, the less they can hide. News should always be non-biased and based on facts. https://square.link/u/3N7yXqU6

A Tornado hit a small town in Ontario on July 24th only leaving nothing but havoc and destruction for the citizens of Marmora, Ontario and neighbouring communities nearby. The Tornado formed very quickly and touched down in Marmora Ontario officially as reports have said. It also caused damage in Marmora, Madoc, Rockdale, Antinolite and Tweed, as well as Cordova in the Havelock area. Marmora saw roofs and houses being ripped apart, as well as trees down on the roads. Rockdale saw much of the same but there were also trailers flipped on their side with the extent of injuries being unknown. There was also damage to homes in Antonolite and Tweed. Trees were down in all of these communities causing issues with downed power lines, creating power outages. Thankfully very few injuries were reported at the time of the tornado and emergency crews including hydro one as well as other power generation companies are working hard and diligently to restore hydro and the roadways in the area. If you have a story you want to share from the tornado feel free to contact us or put it in our comment section. Stay safe and positive everyone. Our hearts go out to all of those affected in the Tornado/Storm last night whether it is damage to property, themselves or their vehicles. Please if you have a friend or family member in these areas call, text, or email and check in on them. Link for Donations: Help support local journalism in your community. Every dollar goes to helping secure our freedom of speech and to ensure freedom of the press. We believe the news should be free to access for everyone and are against subscription-based services. We do not accept any funding from other organizations including the government. This is to ensure our news is non-biased. https://square.link/u/3N7yXqU6 We also accept E-Transfer donations at adam.briggs@smalltownproductions.ca

The Canadian National Exhibition returns to Toronto, Ontario this summer. It is set to take place from August 19th to September 5th and it boasts a ton of events for the festival. The grounds open on the first day at 10AM. The grounds for the CNE will open at the same time every day that the exhibition is scheduled to take place. The main difference is Labor Day where instead of closing at 12AM like the rest of the duration, the exhibition is set to close at 9PM on Labor Day. (admission/entry is cut off at 5PM on Labor Day) The event runs for several days and the events are not to be missed! The CNE has a HorseCapades show that is free and set to take place just prior to the exhibition opening. Almost as an opener for the event. You can see and interact with some horses from July 31 to August 18 the shows are at 11:30AM and 1:00PM. There is also the Super Dogs show that runs daily during the 2022 CNE at 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m., & 6:30 p.m. Mondays thru Thursdays, and 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m., & 6:30 p.m. Fridays thru Sundays. The CNE also has an airshow that is a must-see running from September 3rd to the 5th. The event also showcases a gaming garage, live music at several locations as well as some amazing exhibits and competitions. This exhibition dubbed the Canadian National Exhibition is one of the most visited events that happen in the Toronto Area. They get approximately 1.4 million people visiting each year and with the previous restrictions behind us or at least mostly, they are anticipating just as much traffic this year if not more, being the first year of reopening since the pandemic. For more information on the CNE and to get tickets online visit https://www.theex.com/ Link for Donations: We are solely independent with our news and our only funding is your amazing donations to the link below. If you value non-biased and truthful news based on facts, please anything helps us keep you informed and in the know https://square.link/u/3N7yXqU6