There were multiple reports of a shooting this morning in Belleville, Ontario at approximately 2am. Cops were immediately called to the Northway Restaurant Plaza but unfortunately, the shooter has not yet been located. There is going to be a large number of officers in the area while the investigation continues. There has been a statement released stating there is no risk to public safety as this was likely a targeted attack on an individual. There were reports of a young male taken to the hospital by hastings paramedics this morning with multiple gunshot wounds and his condition is currently unknown The public is advised to stay away from the area to allow the investigation to happen with minimal disruptions. . 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

Poutine Feast is right around the corner for the city of Belleville. It will be taking place in Zwick's Park just beside The Bay Bridge and near the Band Shell/Concert Area. The Festival Organizers Facebook page has stated it will run from 1PM to 11PM from Thursday July 28th to Saturday July 30th. The hours will be slightly different on Sunday being from 1PM to 8PM. The Festival will feature various kinds of poutine, some vendors and live music. The best part is that it is completely FREE, that's right completely free (except for the poutine of course). It is a family-friendly event so make sure to bring your loved ones (If they can't make it, bring them an out-of-this-world poutine) We can't wait to see the turnout, I'm sure it will be huge! Make sure to swing by early so you don't miss your chance to get some incredible poutine at Poutine Feast. 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

A Heat Warning has been issued by Environment Canada for much of Southern Ontario today including Belleville. It is expected for temperatures to reach the higher 30s today with a possibility of it climbing to 40 degrees celsius. The Heat Warning/Advisory is in effect for 48 hours with temperatures expected to cool off by Thursday. It is recommended to stay indoors and not to venture outside for too long during the Heat Warning, especially if you are a senior or young child. If you find yourself outside today or tomorrow make sure to stay hydrated and seek shade often as prolonged exposure to high temperatures can cause heat stroke/exhaustion. Symptoms can include but are not limited to; dizziness, fainting, nausea or vomiting, hyperventilation and extreme thirst. Lastly, this is a reminder to double-check your cars folks! Do not leave your child or pet in a vehicle today as in rare circumstances, a child/animal locked in a car has resulted in death with high/extreme temperatures. 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

An anonymous tenant from the Belleville Area has come forward explaining their family's rental/living conditions over the past year. It all started on March 25th when the landlord approached several families with N11 forms and a cash offer to buy out their tenancies. A few families declined to leave their homes but according to our source, 9 families did indeed take the offer and vacate the premises. They stated "3 units remained in our building at this time". The current occupant and their family of the apartment building have lived in the building for 10 plus years, they have always been on time with their rent, all members except their two children work and they are searching desperately for a 3 bedroom apartment which seems impossible to find in the Belleville Area. The family's rent is currently $838 since it is only allowed to go up the legal amount each year the unit is occupied. Most 3 bedrooms today go for $2500 or more. They are currently working 2 full-time jobs . With rent being in excess of 80 percent of a family's income in today's market and the recent rental spike not even a family with two jobs can afford a 3 bedroom apartment in today's society. After our tenant and their family refused to sign the N11 form they were presented with, the landlord started making claims the building was unsafe and that they could not stay. The family's unit has no water damage, no mould and no structural issues once so ever. She claims it is because of lack of care as well as improper and low efforts with maintenance that the other units are in such a damaged state. The family now has to deal with constant construction around the building, hot water being turned off without notice and holes in the wall due to needing to access the water pipes without proper notice yet again. Our family is still holding on strong and refuses to give up their home as they were offered $2000 compensation but in today's rental market, that is not enough for first and last often hitting at least $3000 or more, quite often hitting $4000. The landlord attempted to be very intimidating after our family's interaction, he states "I will be back with an N13 form" and is constantly saying they stress him out solely because they will not leave. An N13 form is a form to evict a tenant temporarily because of demolition. Our tenant has yet to be delivered an N13 form and the landlord has since then stated demolition will not be needed. Landlords are also getting very deceptive in today's world and using legal loopholes to try and get tenants to vacate if they are paying under market value for rent. This tenant has seen units that once were around the same price as theirs going for much more, This landlord in specific claims to be a co-worker/contractor of the company but on the letterhead on the paperwork, he is addressed as "President" which would imply he is indeed the head of the property's new ownership. With rental rates being at an all-time high, it is no surprise landlords are trying to capitalize on the market as it sits today. A landlord is allowed to evict a tenant for renovations but must offer compensation for temporary accommodations and offer the unit to the existing tenant first at the same rate. They are also allowed to evict if they require the property personally for one year but we have seen incidents where landlords use these clauses as a way to get tenants out, and in turn, they rent out at a later date with a higher rent per month. Something needs to be done and if you or anyone you know is renting and are at risk of losing your home, we are planning on making a documentary as we are acquiring interviews of tenants in this situation, contact us so we can hear your story and help spread it to the world. 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

Ribfest is set to return to the Quinte West Area on August 5th, 6th and 7th. According to the organization's Facebook page, it will run from 4PM to 10PM on Friday, 12PM to 10PM on Saturday and lastly 12PM to 6PM on Sunday. There will be lots of food for everyone, as well as live music. The festival will be at Centennial Park in Trenton. Ribfest is set to pop up in Belleville at Zwick's Park on August 19th, 20th & 21st. It should be set up near the band shell just beside the bridge and pop-ups on the bay. There will be a ton of things to try and a lot of fun to be had. It is a family-friendly event so make sure to bring the whole crew along. It'll be a day filled with tasty treats and memories that are made. The times for Belleville and Quinte West seem to be the same according to the Festival's Facebook page in the hours of operation section 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 fair returns this year in Campbellford! There are a ton of live events happening including, music, a demolition derby, tractor pulls and so much more! For a few years now the town has not had its annual fair and we're sure locals are just as excited as we are. There will also be carnival food, games to play and rides to be ridden. There will be a ton of fun for the entire family. Some vendors may have debit machines available but it is advised to bring cash. The fee to enter the fair this year will be $10 for adults and $5 for kids ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and under get in for free. A midway bracelet for rides this year cost $25 in advance or $35 at the fairgrounds. The demolition derby this year is happening on Friday and Saturday (as seen in the schedule below). The prize for 1st place is $1000, the prize for 2nd is $500 and lastly, the 3rd place prize is $100. There are a ton of great things happening this year at the fair and we wanted to share the full schedule with you all. The schedule for the fair can be found in the picture below: This is the official schedule posted by the Campbellford Fair Society 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