It has been a long few months for communters going along County Rd 8 also known as West Front Street in Stirling, Ontario. There were multiple detour routes set up in the tiny town but a lot of the bigger trucks such as transports/tractor trailers, dump trucks and others had to take the long way around the town and then turn back on to County Rd 8. It is with great pleasure we can say this evening, that the road has reopened and for the businesses along W Front Street it is now business as usual. The section of County Rd 8 in Stirling aka West Front Street has fully reopened with not a fence or construction vehicle in sight. Also in other news, The Stirling Theatre has once again opened for business as well. Tonight in the small town there were vehicles lining the streets, and the restaurant Jimmy's in town known for their delicious pizza and their iconic fish and chips, was absolutely packed. Things are looking up for the businesses in Stirling and dare we say it, maybe even "back to norma"l. Thanks for reading and trusting us with your news folks, we won't let you down. 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

Hello Folks, we are in for some nasty weather this afternoon moving into this evening. A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued by Environment Canada for much of Southern Ontario. There are multiple cities and municipalities that should expect extreme weather and harsh conditions from thunderstorms evolving in our areas. The weather report reads the following " issued at 4:16 p.m. EDT, Environment Canada meteorologists are tracking a cluster of severe thunderstorms capable of producing strong wind gusts, up to nickel-size hail and heavy rain. This cluster of severe thunderstorms is located from Corbyville to Orland, moving southeast at 40 km/h. Hazard: Nickel-size hail. Locations impacted include: Belleville, Trenton, Consecon, Rednersville, Victoria, Ameliasburg, Melville, Corbyville, Rossmore and Demorestville and more Take cover immediately, if threatening weather approaches. Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. Large hail can damage property and cause injury. Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors! The Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management recommends that you take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches. 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. For more information: https://www.ontario.ca/page/be-prepared-emergency. " Stay safe out there today folks and if you have to drive, drive with extreme caution and make sure to give yourself extra braking distance. 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

For all of those that are still craving delicious, tender and tasty ribs, this one is for you! The Ribfest and Craft Beer Show is happening on Friday, September 9th from 4PM to 9PM and on Saturday, September 10th from 12PM until 9PM, leaving the last day to be on Sunday, September 11th from noon until 6PM. The event will take place at the Memorial Centre in Kingston. Admission is free! Make sure to come out and enjoy some live music! Live Music Schedule: Friday: 4:30pm - 6:30pm Clem Chesterfield 7:00pm - 9:00pm Texas King Saturday: 12:15pm - 1:45pm Lotus Shaker 2:15pm - 4:30pm Sleezer 5:00pm - 9:00pm Tonekats Sunday: 12:15pm - 2:15pm Jon Jones 3:00pm - 6:00pm Celtic Kitchen Party There is no price to attend and listen to some of these amazing bands either, however you may want to enjoy some amazing ribs, cornbread or other tasty treats, such as a "Texas Tornado" or the signature "Bloomin Onion". Whatever you crave, there is something for everyone at The Ribfest and Craft Beer Show in Kingston. 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

Today we will see A LOT more rain the usual in the Belleville Area. This will also affect several areas nearby. Environment Canada issued a "Special Weather Statement" at 1:22pm today. It reads the following: Special weather statement in effect for: Belleville Consecon Eastern Northumberland County Frontenac Islands Kingston Madoc Napanee Odessa Picton Quinte West Sandbanks Park South Frontenac Stirling Sydenham Tamworth Tweed " Locally heavy rainfall today. Slow-moving showers and thunderstorms with local rainfall amounts of 30 to 50 mm are expected. Upgrades to Rainfall Warnings may be required. Heavy downpours can cause water pooling on roads. Localized flooding in low-lying and urban areas is possible. For information concerning flooding, please consult your local Conservation Authority or Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry office. Visit Ontario.ca/floods for the latest details. 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." Please when out and about today folks take extra time when planning your trips, everyone wants to arrive at their destination safely and with such a large amount of rain being expected in our area, the roads will be wet and slippery. Pay extra attention when driving to other drivers' actions and use extreme caution in hazardous conditions with reduced visibility. Message For The Readers: If you have a story you want to share with the world (a personal story, news event, public safety issue, etc.), feel free to let us know all about it and if you like send some pictures to help us get your message across to the public. You can send videos and photos to us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/smalltownproductionscanada 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

As most of you may have noticed it is another scorcher out there today. The Heat Warning that was in effect for Saturday & Sunday has been extended until Tuesday. The following report comes from Environment Canada at 6:15am this morning. Heat Warning in effect for: Belleville - Quinte West - Eastern Northumberland County Cobourg - Colborne - Western Northumberland County Extreme Heat is expected to continue today. With the Humidex today temperatures are expected to reach approximately 40 degrees. Relief from humidity and cooler temperatures are expected on Tuesday (hopefully) Hot and humid air can also bring deteriorating air quality and can result in the Air Quality Health Index approaching the high-risk category. Watch for the effects of heat illness in your friends and loved ones: Symptoms Include; swelling, rash, cramps, fainting, Fatigue, heat stroke and the worsening of other possible health conditions. Make sure to drink plenty of water even before you feel thirsty and stay in a cool place. Check on older family members, friends and neighbours. Make sure they are cool and drinking water frequently. Never leave children, senior citizens or pets inside a parked vehicle on a hot day. In rare circumstances, these situations have resulted in death due. Outdoor workers should take regularly scheduled breaks in a cool place and stay hydrated. (Heat warnings are issued when very high temperature or humidity conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion) 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

Hello and good afternoon folks, We may be in for another evening of crazy weather in the Belleville Area, as well as in the surrounding towns and cities (Kingston, Picton, Napanee, etc.) The weather advisory went out this morning at 11:18 AM but we have yet to see any thunderstorms forming in our area. We are starting to see winds pick up as of 3:56 pm this afternoon. The Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in place until 2:30AM on Friday, July 29th. This indicates storms will be a possibility until this time. We advise folks to plan ahead for the evening and minimize driving if possible during a weather event such as a severe thunderstorm. If the storm does hit us this evening we can expect, nickel-sized hail, which can potentially cause damage to personal property (houses, vehicles, storage sheds, etc.). It is advised that winds up to 90km an hour are also possible. It is recommended to secure any loose belongings you or your family may have lying around the yard. There has not been a tornado warning issued as of yet, we will update you all as quickly as we can if this thunderstorm progresses into a tornado. 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

Live Concert Happening Friday June 24th in Keene at The Keene Centre for The Arts Kathleen Lovett and her Kat House band will be taking the stage come Friday June 24th. Come and witness her powerful voice as well as the top notch band playing all sorts of different tunes. Its a night of fun filled entertainment you won't want to miss. For more information visit https://keenecentreforthearts.square.site or simply visit the event section on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/keenecentreforthearts/events. Get your tickets now before they sell out as they are going fast! 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

Earlier this morning in Napanee at the Canadian Springs bottled water supplier, a gas leak was discovered by a caller to 911. Police have evacuated the area until the leak is able to be repaired and is under control. Police will notify the tenants and employees when it is safe to re-enter the premises. 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 Saturday morning reports started to come in from various sources stating the major outage with the Rogers and Interac networks that affected a large majority of infrastructure in today's society has been resolved in most if not all areas. Folks are beginning to gain the ability to call, if you have not already regained your ability to call it should be up and running again shortly according to statements from rogers themself on their website thanking customers for their patience and informing them their service should be back online and restored shortly. It is truly a crude awakening to how reliant we are on modern technology as a society and that everything from our schedules, to our work and stores, need the modern-day internet to run as they normally do and it is incredible to see how much not having it can hinder a store's productivity, efficiency and cause a little bit of mayhem amongst its customers who have grown ever more reliant on the debit and Interac system. Yesterday banks saw an all-time high compared to previous months in the traffic flow at their ABMs and Tellers inside the banks themself. UPDATE: Rogers will be automatically crediting all customers on their accounts due to the inconvenience. Link for Donations: We truly appreciate any and all donations. We are not funded by any government funding, Your donations help us to keep everyone informed and allow us to cover more area, to get the news to you all as quickly as we can :) https://square.link/u/3N7yXqU6

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