Good Friday morning. We hope you are keeping warm during this decidedly cold spate of spring weather. We lead today with an update on the Eastern Ontario Regional Network's Cell Gap Project, after an update was provided to the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville.
Elsewhere in the area, a young Akwesasne athlete is recognized as a hometown hero, while the achievements of a Cornwall native are also honoured.
Housing dominates the headlines in Kingston, with a new Habitat for Humanity build on the way, as well as a new homeless shelter. And Belleville's chamber of commerce bestows honours on the president and CEO of Loyalist College. These and other stories from our newsrooms across the region can be found below. |
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The top stories from across our region |
A wireless communications tower stands near a Canadian flag in Belleville. The Eastern Ontario Regional Network and Rogers Communications have announced 32 new towers are now online across the region, with more to come. PHOTO BY LUKE HENDRY/The Belleville Intelligencer |
Upgrades are coming to cell coverage
A regional organization formed to improve connectivity is working to bring improved cell coverage to the area. Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) has been undertaking the project of enhancing cell service in the area since 2021.
This initiative is called the Cell Gap Project, and its goal is to achieve 99 per cent coverage in Eastern Ontario where people live, work and travel on major roadways so that they can make and receive cellphone calls. “In 95 per cent of that same footprint area, we’re looking to introduce standard definition, which is the ability to support web browsing and social media-type services,” said EORN CEO Jason St. Pierre in a presentation to the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. “In 85 per cent of that footprint we’ll have high definition, which can support things like video streaming and video conferences.” |
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From left to right: Saint Regis Tribal Council members sub-chief Agnes Jacobs, sub-chief Benjamin Herne, Carey Terrance, Chief Donald Thompson Jr., Chief Michael Karoniatens Conners, and sub-chief Derrick King on Wednesday May 7, 2025 on Kawehno:ke. PHOTO BY SHAWNA O'NEILL/Cornwall Standard-Freeholder |
Carey Terrance Jr. presented with hometown hero award
AKWESASNE — Recognized as a hometown hero in community conversation and praise on social media, Carey Terrance Jr. was officially recognized for his accomplishments with a ceremony on Wednesday night.
Hundreds filled the A’nowara’ko:wa Arena on Kawehno:ke during the Akwesasne Thunder home opener game against the Nepean Knights, where guests also attended to see Terrance.
Dignitaries spoke about the 20-year old athlete, who signed a three-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks last month. Terrance has spent the last year of his career further developing his skills as captain of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Erie Otters but was originally drafted in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, chosen in the second round as 59th overall pick by the Ducks.
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City and Guilds London Institute fellowship bestowed to Cornwall native
The list of accomplishments for Cornwall native Robert W. Robertson continues to grow.
Currently the president and CEO of the University College of the Cayman Islands, Robertson learned last month that he was the recipient of a fellowship from the City and Guilds London Institute. In the highest recognition bestowed by the City & Guilds, Robertson was recognized for having demonstrated outstanding professional and personal achievements in skills development, workplace training, and workforce readiness initiatives. |
The Cornwall Standard-Freeholder newsroom would love to hear from you. To reach just this newsroom, email csf.news@sunmedia.ca. |
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The Portland Community Hall and Library is set to open later this month. PHOTO BY TOWNSHIP OF RIDEAU LAKES |
Portland Community Hall and Library set to open The Township of Rideau Lakes is ready to open a new facility in Portland.
At its meeting on Monday, the township council unanimously voted to name the new building the Portland Community Hall and Library. Council felt that this name clearly outlines the building’s function, and will serve as a welcoming location for generations to come. |
Rideau Lakes gets grant for emergency preparedness
The Township of Rideau Lakes is getting a boost from the provincial government to help prepare for and respond to emergencies.
Rideau Lakes is receiving $28,724 through the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant, a provincial initiative that aims to strengthen local emergency planning by funding local emergency management training, purchasing critical equipment and improving infrastructure to make communities more resilient. |
The Brockville Recorder & Times newsroom would love to hear from you. To reach just this newsroom, email rzajac@postmedia.com. |
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Representatives from the City of Kingston and Habitat for Humanity Kingston Limestone Region held a ground-breaking ceremony to launch the latest Habitat for Humanity building project in Kingston on Thursday, May 8, 2025. SUPPLIED PHOTO |
Habitat for Humanity announces new building project in Kingston
Habitat for Humanity Kingston Limestone Region broke ground on a new building project in Kingston Thursday morning.
Construction on a semi-detached structure at 225 – 225 Wilson Street will begin by the middle of May and will provide two local families with safe and affordable homes, according to a press release issued May 8.
Habitat for Humanity helps families buy homes, paving the way for long-term financial security and independence. They do this with a “geared-to-income” mortgage plan where the non-profit agency carries, if not all, a portion of the mortgage at zero-per-cent interest.
The release went on to say that with the help of donors, workers and community partners, Habitat Kingston has helped more than 25 families get into modest homes since 1994. |
Sydenham Road property in Kingston to become city homeless shelter KINGSTON — The city is planning to convert a Sydenham Road property into a new modular emergency homeless shelter.
Council approved the purchase of 924 Sydenham Rd. Tuesday night for $2.45 million and up to $65,000 in closing costs. The money is coming out of funds earmarked in the 2025 budget for housing and homelessness services. |
The Kingston Whig-Standard newsroom would love to hear from you. To reach just this newsroom, email whig.local@sunmedia.ca. |
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Loyalist College president and CEO Mark Kirkpatrick, shown in January in his Belleville office, is this year's recipient of the Belleville Chamber of Commerce president's award. PHOTO BY LUKE HENDRY/The Belleville Intelligencer |
Loyalist College prez honoured in Belleville chamber's annual awards
Loyalist College’s top administrator has received the Belleville Chamber of Commerce president’s award. Outgoing chamber president Chris Auger on Thursday night presented the award to college president and chief executive officer Mark Kirkpatrick. It was among the honours bestowed during the 161st-annual President’s Dinner in the ballroom of Belleville’s Ramada by Wyndham. |
The Belleville Intelligencer newsroom would love to hear from you. To reach just this newsroom, email tmeeks@postmedia.com
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A Palestinian child walks with a stuffed bear recovered from the rubble of a destroyed building following Israeli bombardment in Khan Yunis on June 21, 2024, in the southern Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. PHOTO BY EYAD BABA/AFP via Getty Images |
Humanitarian response is collapsing in Gaza
“In Gaza, there is no end in sight to the killing and misery,” António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, told the UN Security Council during an April 29, 2025 debate on the situation in the Middle East.
“The ceasefire had brought a glimmer of hope — the long-sought release of hostages and delivery of life-saving humanitarian relief,” Guterres said. But that hope was dashed when the ceasefire collapsed in March.
“For nearly two full months, Israel has blocked food, fuel, medicine and commercial supplies, depriving more than 2 million people of life-saving relief,” the secretary-general continued. “The humanitarian situation throughout the Gaza Strip has gone from bad to worse to beyond imagination.”
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), looting has become a daily occurrence in Gaza as supplies dwindle. |
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Prescott officials on Monday did a grand reveal of a new fire truck, in front of Town Hall. Pictured, from left, are Fire Chief Renny Rayner, Coun. Tracey Young, Mayor Gauri Shankar, Coun. Leanne Burton, Coun. Lee McConnell, Coun. Justin Kirkby, and firefighter Ryan Sobhie. SUBMITTED PHOTO |
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The Piano Man
He didn't start the fire, but musically speaking, it's still burning, with memorable hits including his signature song Piano Man, Uptown Girl, and An Innocent Man.
Pop and rock legend Billy Joel, singer, songwriter and hit machine, was born on this date in 1949 in the Bronx. |
Do you have questions or concerns about today's news, or feedback on our coverage? We want to hear from you. Please write to us at easternontario@postmedia.com |
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