Latest news with #PortStanley
CTV News
6 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
‘There was some growing concern': Extreme heat events potentially impacting Lake Erie conditions
Extreme heat waves are impacting the Great Lakes and may have negative impacts on the health of the ecosystem. CTV London's Gerry Dewan reports. Local researchers are keeping an eye on Lake Erie temperatures, with warmer conditions creating potential risks. It was a surge in the lake's average surface temperature that caught Mike McKay's attention, with those temperatures reaching around 27 degrees Celsius, 'Last week there was some growing concern, as the temperatures were starting to reach what had been, in recent years, the highest temperature for mid-July. That was (established) 2020.' McKay is the director of the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research at the University of Windsor. He told CTV News that extreme heat warnings issued by regional health units in late June and early July were also impacting the lake. Overnight temperatures in the 20s offered little relief and contributed to a rare phenomenon known as hypoxia. According to McKay, 'Hypoxia is when usually deeper waters in the lake lose their oxygen.' PORT STANLEY BEACH A boat passes near the beach at Port Stanley on July 23, 2025. (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London) That can have three impacts; the first is discoloured water in the drinking water supply, not dangerous but also not pleasant. It can also contribute to the blue-green algae, with farm fertilizer stored in sentiment on the lakebed getting stirred up and feeding the algae. McKay said the third issue is the detrimental impact on small creatures that are an important part of the food chain. 'Which really is what drives the impressive fishery we have in Lake Erie. Lake Erie has roughly 2 per cent of the water in the Great Lakes, but about 50 per cent of the fish,' explained McKay. 'So, the commercial fishery on the Canadian side, the massive recreational fishery on the U.S. side.' The average surface temperature has slipped to 24 degrees this week, but with another surge in high temperatures expected, McKay said he and other researchers will be closely watching the impacts on Lake Erie.
CTV News
6 days ago
- CTV News
Barricaded person in Southwold Township charged with multiple counts of drug trafficking
A heavy OPP presence has gathered on Bush Line, just west of Mill Road, near Port Stanley, Ont. on July 16, 2025. (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London) A person barricaded at a Bush Line address has been charged after they were taken into custody on Wednesday. Officers, including members of the Tactical Response Unit, surrounded a house in Southwold Township just before 6:30 a.m. After the standoff, the 38-year-old man of Elgin County was taken into custody. The man was charged with: Robbery with Theft Uttering threats - Cause death or Bodily Harm Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking - Fentanyl Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking - Cocaine Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking - Methamphetamine Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking - Hydromorphone Possession of a Schedule IV substance for the purpose of Trafficking - Nabilone Possession of Ammunition contrary to Prohibition Order The accused will appear in court in St. Thomas on July 17.
CTV News
16-07-2025
- CTV News
Heavy police presence near Port Stanley
A heavy OPP presence has gathered on Bush Line, just west of Mill Road, near Port Stanley, Ont. on July 16, 2025. (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London) A heavy OPP presence has gathered on Bush Line, just west of Mill Road, near Port Stanley, Ont. Members of the of Tactical Response Unit were among the officers on scene. The focus of their attention is a rural property on the south side of Bush Line. A long lane leads to the to a collection of buildings on the property. A police negotiator could be heard on a loudspeaker calling out to someone on the property. They warned repeatedly that the house was surrounded and called on the person to come out peacefully. This is a developing story. Further updates will be provided once available.
CBC
15-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
Did someone say beach? Port Stanley ups the beach game with comfort and accessibility
Port Stanley's two beaches are already well-known spots to plunk down in the sand, but now beach-goers are going to see something new on the Lake Erie shoreline. The first are rubber mobility maps, called Mobi Mats, that make crossing the sand easier for people with mobility issues. They're back again on Main Beach and, for the first time this year, at Little Beache. "We wondered why there wasn't the same accessibility guaranteed on Little Beach," Chris Phibbs of the Port Stanley Village Association (PSVA) said. She's been walking her dog at Little Beach every morning and always stops to ask people what they think. The Mobi Mats are meant to assist people with mobility devices, but they have been popular with everyone, she said. "I talked to a grandparent with a kid in a stroller who was thrilled because she could easily get down toward the shore," she said. "I've spoken to a young mom with a couple of kids in a wagon—easy to get down to the shore." From high school project to legit business Over on Main Beach, inspired by the seasides of Europe and a school project, The Lounger Life is back for the season. The youth-run company rents out blue-and-white lounge chairs, and this year is offering cabanas. Twin brothers, Malcolm and Donovan Murray, started The Lounger Life two years ago when they were 16-years old. They'd travelled to Europe and noticed that chair rentals were a standard service on many beaches, but sorely lacking in Canada. At the time, Donovan was taking a business class at school and this was his idea for a project. The first year was slow with only a few sales a day, Malcolm said, but since reopening this summer they're selling out nearly every weekend. "I'm pretty sure we had the most sales in one day this week," he said. "So there's obviously growth there, and we're super excited for more," he said. "It's awesome to see because we've put a lot of time into the business and it's really good to see that people are really enjoying it," he said. The Lounger Life has 35 cabanas and over 100 lounge chairs in their inventory, and the teenagers now employ six other people to handle the set-up and tear-down. The municipality has been very supportive of the business, according to Malcolm. "They really like the idea because it makes things a lot more accessible for seniors and people with disabilities, and just general convenience for the public." The brothers aren't sure yet what the future holds for The Lounger Life, but they expect to be bringing it back for at least the next few years, Malcolm said.
CTV News
11-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
MLHU extends heat warning well into next week
The beach in Port Stanley, Ont. on Sunday, Sept 5, 2021. (Brent Lale/CTV London) The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) is advising the community to prepare for another stretch of hot weather. A heat warning has been issued Friday, extending possibly to Thursday, July 17. Daytime temperatures are forecast to be high, with little relief overnight. Extended Heat Warnings are issued when one or more of the following criteria are met: Environment and Climate Change Canada issues a forecast calling for a daytime high of 31 degrees or higher and a forecast low of 20 degrees or higher for three consecutive days or longer, or Environment and Climate Change Canada issues a forecast calling for a Humidex of 40 or higher for three consecutive days or longer, or Environment and Climate Change Canada Forecasters anticipate that actual temperatures and humidex values in London and Middlesex County will reach the thresholds noted above. A list of cooling centres in the City of London can be found online.
