Latest news with #WindsorEssex
CTV News
11 hours ago
- Health
- CTV News
Ruscom River blue-green algae bloom deemed safe
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) has confirmed Ruscom River is safe after announcing a blue-green algae bloom in the water. The results were within a range that was deemed safe. According to WECHU, the test determines if the bloom is releasing toxins at the time the sample was taken. It notes, though, that just because a test results in safe levels or a negative result, it doesn't mean the bloom isn't dangerous. 'Blue-green algae can turn toxin production on and off in response to different environmental factors,' WECHU wrote in a news release. 'The WECHU continues to remind residents to avoid contact with water that is discoloured or has scum on the surface.' If you make contact with discoloured or scummy water, you should wash the skin with soap and water or rinse thoroughly with clean water to get rid of any harmful substances. The following precautions should be taken if you live near a bloom: Do not drink or use water for food preparation, including infant formula Use an alternate source of safe drinking water, such as bottled water, for the duration of the bloom Do not boil and drink water that may contain blue-green algae because toxins are not destroyed by boiling and boiling may increase toxins Do not swim and avoid water sports where a bloom is present Do not allow children and pets to play in the water or drink lake water during a blue-green algae bloom. If the level of toxins is high, they may suffer serious health risks, including death.
CTV News
16 hours ago
- CTV News
LaSalle has lowest Crime Severity Index in Ontario municipal police services
LaSalle has lowest Crime Severity Index out of Ontario municipal police services, according to Statistics Canada. Stats Can released police-reported crime statistics for 2024 on Monday. Included in this batch of data is the Crime Severity Index (CSI). Of the 43 municipal police services in Ontario, LaSalle ranked #1, with the lowest Crime Severity Index of 21.26, representing a 15.8per cent decrease from the year prior. T This is also significantly lower than the provincial average of 60.69. LaSalle also ranked #1 within Windsor-Essex. This does not include all municipalities policed by the OPP, just the ones in Essex County. More stats are available online: Crime severity index and weighted clearance rates, police services in Ontario
CBC
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
Caldwell First Nation to offer tours of traditional sites en route to first pow wow on new reserve
Caldwell First Nation will hold its first ever pow wow on its new reserve in Leamington next month — and people will be able to take bus tours en route that will showcase the community's history. The Caldwell First Nation Pow Wow Bus Tour will take 105 riders on a free 90-minute tour along the Windsor-Essex shoreline, during which Caldwell First Nation guides will take them to village sites, trading posts and trails that helped sustain the people for thousands of years. "Our people have touched every square foot of this region and left lasting and sometimes invisible imprints," said Chief Nikki van Oirschot in a news release announcing the tours. "People in our region can take this opportunity to learn about the incredibly rich, sacred and historic First Nation sites." Members of the First Nation began moving to the reserve last summer after securing a $105-million land claim settlement in 2011 and acquiring 80 hectares of land, which were officially designated a reserve in 2020. Holding the first ever pow wow on the new lands "means everything to us," said Coun. Randy DeGraw. "This is so exciting for all of us. … We have fought very hard to get our land back. We have it, and we have people living on the reserve now. So the next step of course is to have this competition pow wow and to celebrate." It's especially important for the community to hold the event for the youth, DeGraw added, because it will inspire them to host their own pow wows as well. DeGraw said a particularly beautiful aspect of the event is the coming together of the First Nation and its neighbours. "What we're hoping to do is plant a little seed with this pow wow, and every year watch it grow a little more and more," he said, "and the unity between First Nations and the surrounding communities coming together." The pow wow is a competitive event that will feature drummers, singers and dancers from other nations who will compete for prizes, DeGraw said. The grand entries take place at noon and 6 p.m on Aug. 9 and noon on Aug. 10. The Caldwell First Nation Pow Wow Bus Tour will depart Windsor at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9 and at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 10. Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island is providing a promotional sponsorship to the project. The collaboration marks the first step in what will hopefully be "a long and meaningful collaboration on Indigenous tourism," said Gordon Orr, CEO of the tourism organization in the news release. "We're honoured to walk alongside a nation so rich in stories, wisdom and heritage, and we're excited to help open more doors for visitors to engage with and learn from their incredible legacy." Riders will board the bus at Destination Ontario – Ontario Travel Information Services at 110 Park St. E. in Windsor.
CTV News
a day ago
- CTV News
All aboard! Windsor launches first Powwow Bus Tour
There's a new way to be educated and embrace Indigenous culture in Windsor-Essex. Caldwell First Nation is joining forces with the Windsor Port Authority and Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island to provide 105 people with free member-led bus tours on Saturday, Aug. 9 and Sunday, Aug. 10. The tour route will take riders along the Windsor-Essex shoreline to highlight many hidden and ancient Indigenous sites enroute to the Caldwell First Nation Reserve in Leamington. Upon arrival, the riders experience the first ever Competitive Pow Wow on the new reserve. The Powwow is a traditional gathering featuring Grand Entry of the First Nations, drumming, dancing competitions, Indigenous crafts, and tasty food. Powwow Bus Tour riders will board the bus at Destination Ontario – Ontario Travel Information Services, located at 110 Park Street East, Windsor. Purchasing a Powwow ticket via the website is required to reserve a spot on the bus tour. You can do so here. Powwow tickets are $10 per person. Children under eight and seniors over 60 receive free admission but still need to reserve their tickets online. You will be refunded the cost when the bus arrives at the Powwow. Space is limited to 105 riders for the bus tour.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
WECHU warns of blue-green algae bloom
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) is issuing a precautionary notice to residents based on initial laboratory results of a blue-green algae bloom in the region. WECHU reports the bloom is in the Ruscom River in the area of Trepanier Road and Lakeshore Road 129, in between St. Joachim and Comber. While initial chemical analysis does not show the presence of Microcystin related toxins within the samples collected, toxicity may increase due to the algae identified in the bloom. The health unit said residents on the municipal drinking water system can continue to drink the water. Routine water testing is done by the municipal water treatment plant and at this time there are no concerns. 'As a reminder, wind and water conditions may move the blue-green algae bloom towards other areas. Residents and visitors are urged to take a cautious approach and protect themselves, their children, and their pets from potential health risks,' says Dr. Aloosh, Medical Officer of Health. Residents that use wells or cisterns that draw water directly from the Ruscom River in the area of Trepanier Road and Lakeshore Road 129 (such as private cottages with wells) are advised not to drink the water unless they are routinely testing for microcystins using a licensed lab and results show levels less than 1.5 ppb. What is blue-green algae? Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) are microscopic organisms that occur naturally in freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers and streams in the late summer and early fall. They are usually present in low numbers but can rapidly increase in warm, shallow, undisturbed surface water that gets a lot of sun. When this happens, they can form blooms that discolour the water or produce floating scum on the surface of the water. These blooms can make the water appear bluish-green, can form solid looking clumps, and may contain toxins, called microcystins, that can be dangerous to human and animal health. Contact with microcystins can produce negative health effects in humans such as skin and eye irritations and if ingested can lead to headaches, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
