The Intelligencer (Belleville)
UNITED WAY RAISES RECORD $2.256 MILLION IN ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
With another record campaign complete and a difficult goal still to meet, United Way Hastings and Prince Edward staff are already planning for another year of hard work. The charity's 2025 campaign raised $2,256,387, organizers announced Thursday in...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
ONTARIO FUNDING NOT KEEPING PACE WITH COSTS LUKE HENDRY
Ontario municipalities continue to fall behind as revenue fails to keep pace with rising costs, a point underscored in Hastings County's latest operating and capital budget. County councillors on Tuesday endorsed the budget while calling for...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
HOW OLYMPIC FIGURE SKATERS DESIGN THE PROGRAMS YOU SEE AT THE MILAN-CORTINA
Olympic figure skaters Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud began searching for the right music a year ago Belleville-born Michaud grew up Trenton; Pereira is from Milton. The pair is based in Brantford. They would listen in their car and through their...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Trenton's National Air Force Museum has new exhibits, Family Day fun
Many new exhibits have landed at the National Air Force Museum of Canada. Visitors of all ages can have fun learning about aviation and military history during special activities planned for Family Day, Feb. 16, and March Break. Family Day is “Be an...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
OLYMPIC DAREDEVIL
Brighton's Hallie Clarke takes part in the skeleton women's training session at Cortina Sliding Centre during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo on Wednesday, Feb. 11. The heats were scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
Read Full Story (Page 1)
QUINTE'S TRENNT MICHAUD, PARTNER LIA PEREIRA FIFTH IN OLYMPIC PAIRS FIGURE SKATING
Quinte native Trennt Michaud and his pairs skating partner, Lia Pereira, on Sunday shattered their personal-best score in their Olympic debut in Italy, finishing fifth in the team event. Michaud was born in Belleville, grew up in Trenton, and...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
`ANDY' ANDERSON WAS BELLEVILLE LEGION PRESIDENT, VOLUNTEER, RCAF
Harry “Andy” Anderson, a past president of Belleville's Royal Canadian Legion branch and a veteran of peacekeeping service, has died. The Prince Edward County resident, who was 96, died peacefully Jan. 22 at Trenton Memorial Hospital, his death notice...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
REPATRIATION CEREMONY HELD IN TRENTON FOR SOLDIER WHO DIED IN LATVIA
Family members, military personnel, and other dignitaries on Tuesday stood quietly on a snow-swept tarmac as the body of a Canadian soldier returned to Canada. Gunner Sebastian Christian Halmagean, 24, died Jan. 29 at Camp Labrie on Ceri military base...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
34TH ANNUAL POLAR PLUNGE RAISES OVER $40K FOR HOSPITAL
A large gathering of community supporters filled Lion's Community Park in Campbellford on Saturday afternoon for the 34th annual Polar Plunge, raising an impressive $40,000 for Campbellford Memorial Hospital. Cool ambient air temperatures didn't deter...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
MISSISSAUGA MAN PRAISED FOR SELFLESS HEROISM IN HIGHWAY 401 PILEUP
A man being hailed as a Good Samaritan for leading stranded motorists to safety in a burning 17-vehicle pileup on Highway 401 Tuesday near Trenton is downplaying bystander accounts of his bravery and heroism. The Mississauga owner of a trucking firm...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
WOMAN RESCUED FROM FIERY HIGHWAY 401 PILEUPS INVOLVING 21 VEHICLES
Quinte West Fire Chief John Whelan said it is extremely fortunate there were no fatalities in multiple-vehicle pileups in whiteout conditions on Highway 401 around 8 a.m. Tuesday. An initial collision between four vehicles in westbound lanes about a...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
POLAR VORTEX STORM DUMPS LARGEST SNOWFALL ON BELLEVILLE IN 53 YEARS
Record snowfall overnight Sunday dumped 37 centimetres of snow on Belleville and area, the largest single snow event to hit the city for the same date of Jan. 25 since 1973, according to the CFB Trenton weather station. City residents awoke early...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Belleville chiefs: Fund homelessness intervention and new approaches
Belleville-area emergency services chiefs are calling for new approaches and government funding for interventions to curb the rising human and financial costs of homelessness-related issues. Police Chief Murray Rodd said some form of mandatory...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
More people linked to primary health care in Hastings-Prince Edward
Ontario government efforts to attach residents without a family physician to primary health care appear to be making progress to fill a doctor shortage in the Quinte region and beyond. Ontario's Primary Action Plan efforts in Hastings and Prince...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
SWORN IN
Newly elected members of Bay of Quinte Mohawk council were sworn into their roles as leaders in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory January 12. Council will be led by Chief R. Donald Maracle (standing) and Coun(s). Chris `Hockey' Brant, Kurtis `Chip' Brant,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
FAIRGROUNDS ON SCHEDULE
Workers continue their structural steel construction of the new Belleville Agricultural Society facility Wednesday, Jan. 14 on Black Diamond Road off of Highway 37 in Belleville. The project is on schedule for completion this summer, city staff...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
CHARLES STREET CORDONED OFF
Belleville firefighters, Elexicon workers and Belleville Police closed off Charles Street Wed., Jan. 14 to keep the public clear of a damaged hydro pole leaning into the street. No word on the cause as of press time.
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Loyalist College students to get expanded health, dental coverage
Loyalist College students – and possibly their families – this fall will see a major improvement in health care benefits after a student-led effort to increase coverage. “This was mostly a student government-run initiative,” said Mustafa Alali, who is...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
HOMELESSNESS: ADVOCATES SAY FUNDING FOR EARLY INTERVENTIONS WOULD HELP
Ontario and Canada could help ease the impact of homelessness-related issues in Belleville by funding more early-intervention programs, local advocates say. Mayor Neil Ellis' Understanding Homelessness Task Force met Jan. 7 online. Guest speakers...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
BELLEVILLE FIREFIGHTERS EXTINGUISH HOUSE FIRE IN FREEZING DRIZZLE CONDITIONS
Belleville Fire and Emergency Services responded to a house fire in a punishing, constant drizzle of freezing rain that coated everything in its path Tuesday evening. Firefighters quickly went to work on scene to extinguish a blaze in a single-family...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Batawa Ski Hill enjoying `good start to the season'
Ski enthusiasts big and small are flocking to Batawa Ski Hill to take advantage of excellent snow conditions as the popular downhill ski and snowboarding venue enjoys a strong start to the winter season. For weeks, thousands of visitors have filled...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
MAYOR NEIL ELLIS SHARES OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK FOR BELLEVILLE'S PROSPECTS IN 2026
Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis and city councillors rang in the new year Thursday with optimism for 2026 as an ambitious time ahead to build for the future. In his New Year's Levee address at Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre before a large crowd, Ellis...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
ICY FORECAST SUNDAY PROMPTS QUINTE MUNICIPALITIES TO DECLARE `SIGNIFICANT WEATHER EVENT'
Weather forecasters advised Quinte residents Sunday morning to brace for a wet and messy wintry onslaught packing high winds, ice and rain late in the day and into Monday morning. The storm front was described by some as a “bomb cyclone” which can...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Brenda Snider retires: 20 years of working with volunteers
Brenda Snider has volunteered for a new role: that of retiree. After 20 years with what is now the Volunteer and Information Centre of Hastings and Prince Edward Counties, or Volunteer and Information HPE, she will finish work Dec. 31. “Honestly, I'm...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all from Santa Claus and The Intelligencer. Peace and goodwill to our readers this Yuletide season and in the New Year.
Read Full Story (Page 1)
FESTIVE REFLECTIONS
Melting ice floating on the Moira River in warming 4C temperatures on Wed., Dec. 17 made for some festive holiday reflections beneath the Bridge Street bridge in Downtown Belleville. Temperatures were forecast to remain relatively warm for the season...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
SALVATION ARMY BELLEVILLE MAKES URGENT APPEAL FOR CHRISTMAS KETTLE DONATION
Uncertain economic times, higher costs of living and a shortage of volunteers are exacting a big toll on this year's Christmas Kettle Campaign hosted by the Salvation Army Belleville. Richard Smith, Kettle campaign coordinator, said on Tuesday in an...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
City managers in three cities share homelessness challenges with Mayor's Task Force
If there is a way to untangle the complex web of unhoused, mental health and addictions challenges facing municipalities across Ontario, Belleville's new Understanding Homelessness Task Force may just be the path forward to make it happen, suggests...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
BRIDGE HUB SEEING GAINS; NEW SITE OPENING IN SPRING
The Bridge Integrated Care Hub's new permanent site in Belleville is nearing completion as its leadership reports making progress helping clients – some of whom have found housing. Hub officials on Friday gave news media a tour of The Bridge's future...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
ALBERTA CLIPPER CLOBBERS QUINTE
An Alberta clipper not normally seen before the official start of winter in the region walloped Quinte late Tuesday and into Wednesday creating havoc on roadways. In a Yellow weather advisory, Environment Canada said “heavy snow and blowing” snow...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
CLEARING THE DRIVEWAY
Residents across Belleville were busy Sunday digging out from under seven centimetres of snow forecast by Environment Canada throughout the day. Harley Hill used his four-wheeler with a snowplow attachment to clear the large driveway at his Queen...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
ONTARIO MUST DECLARE INTIMATE-PARTNER VIOLENCE AN EPIDEMIC: AGENCIES
Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government must declare intimate-partner violence to be an epidemic, a Belleville audience heard Friday. Dec. 6 marks the anniversary of the so-called Montreal massacre, the killing of 14 women by an anti-feminist...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
SOUTHEAST PUBLIC HEALTH: OFFICIALS STAND BY PLANS AMID UNCERTAIN TIMES
Southeast Public Health leaders are standing by their vows to maintain or improve services in cost-effective ways, though they acknowledge uncertainty amid their ongoing merger changes in Ontario's public health sector. “There's a lot of changes...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
CHRISTMAS CELEBRANTS STAY REAL WITH FRESH CONIFERS FROM BELLEVILLE TREE STAND
Pining for a real, freshly cut Christmas tree to spruce up the homestead this holiday? Yuletide shoppers weren't disappointed on the weekend as they walked the perennial Switzer's Christmas Trees stand at the northeast corner of College and Street and...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Southeast Public Health closure plan prompts criticism, concerns
The Southeast Public Health plan to close satellite offices is facing opposition by some elected officials in those areas. Some area leaders have, however, reserved comment beyond saying they are watching the situation and hoping to continue to...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
BANCROFT FIRE LEAVES CANADIAN ARMY VETERAN HOMELESS BEFORE CHRISTMAS
A Canadian army veteran is homeless as Christmas approaches after an aggressive fire razed his home to the ground east of Bancroft Monday night. William Hodson lost everything in the fire including two of his three dogs. He attempted to save his pets...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
BELLEVILLE POLICE BOARD INSISTS 15% BUDGET HIKE IN 2026 CRITICAL FOR OFFICE
A standoff may be in the offing between Belleville Police Services Board and city council following a 2026 city police operating budget increase of 15 per cent proposed in the new year. While the double-digit increase is nothing new given a raft of...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Amalgamation revisited: Hastings County to press Ontario for funding
Some Hastings County municipalities are again considering amalgamation but saying they need provincial funding to evaluate the potential pros and cons. County council's finance committee – comprised of all councillors – voted Nov. 18 to request a...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
PRE-WINTER BLAST DUMPS RECORD SNOWFALL ACROSS QUINTE REGION
A pre-winter blast gnarled traffic and set a new daily snowfall record in Quinte on Sunday. Long lines of traffic were bumper to bumper on stretches of Highway 401 from Grafton to Belleville late Sunday as a storm moving through the region dumped...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
OPERATION RED NOSE REVS UP TO GET DRIVERS HOME SAFELY DURING HOLIDAYS
Operation Red Nose Quinte based in Belleville is shrinking its coverage area this year for a more streamlined volunteer operation to ensure Yuletide revelers make it home safely without drinking and driving. It's also reducing its hours from 8 a.m to...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
BUDGET 2025 MET WITH MIXED REACTIONS BY MPS MALETTE, KRAMP-NEUMAN
Political reactions were mixed in and around Quinte after Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne presented his first federal government budget on Tuesday in Ottawa. `Budget 2025: Canada Strong' delivered in the House of Commons calls for $141...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
WEAR A POPPY, SUPPORT A VETERAN, DURING LOCAL POPPY CAMPAIGN
The 2025 Belleville Poppy Campaign is under way until Remembrance Day ceremonies across the region on November 11. And organizers are asking for the public's donations to support veterans who have served their country and community. The flower is a...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
High-speed rail gets supportive reception from Hastings County
Hastings County councillors had more questions than concerns after council's first briefing on a proposed high-speed railway between Toronto and Quebec City. The federal proposal was announced Feb. 19. A new Montreal-based Crown corporation, Alto,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
CN YARDMEN MONUMENT HONOURS RAILWAY WORKERS
The Yardmen's name has long been taken down from the exterior cladding atop Belleville's storied hockey arena. But not forgotten are the unstoppable 50-50-draw fundraising efforts in the 1970s by former Belleville Yardmen workers who raised the $3...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
`TRUNK OR TREAT' EVENT DRAWS THOUSANDS
Halloween came a little early to Belleville with thousands of parents and their children garbed in festive costumes hunting for candy on Saturday afternoon. But they weren't scouring city neighbourhoods and banging on doors on the perennial nighttime...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
BELLEVILLE POLICE RELEASE FOUR-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN
Belleville Police unveiled a new four-year strategic plan to create a more visible, responsive and engaging police service to meet increasing needs by city officers and the public for safer streets amid the trials and tribulations of a city facing...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
FLAMES ENGULF WORKSHOP NORTH OF FOXBORO
After putting out a tractor trailer fire early Tuesday, Belleville firefighters were dispatched hours later to a structure fire north of Foxboro. Firefighters arrived shortly after noon and were met with a fully involved fire in a workshop. The fire...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
BAY OF QUINTE YACHT CLUB LIFT-OUT
It was a busy Saturday, Oct. 18th for members of the Bay of Quinte Yacht Club in Belleville as Hastings Crane Rental operators were on hand at Victoria Park to lift dozens of sailboats from marina waters for storage before the cold weather flies....
Read Full Story (Page 1)
DEADNERSVILLE BECKONS PATRONS SEEKING A FAMILY FRIENDLY HALLOWEEN OUTING
If you love the spine-tingling experience of being frightened out of your wits during the Halloween season, Lorne Holditch may just have the up-close and personal experience you won't soon forget. The retired Air Canada worker is inviting all to...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
ROSSMORE-AREA HOUSE FIRE'S CAUSE DEEMED NOT SUSPICIOUS
Prince Edward County officials say the cause of the Oct. 14 fire that destroyed a Rossmore-area home could not be determined but is not considered suspicious. Fire tore through the large home on Davidson Road, off Massassauga Road, during the noon...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Quinte's Trevor Norris named Ontario's Tourism Champion of the Year 2025
Trevor Norris, Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board's senior manager of Destination Development, has been named 2025 Tourism Champion of the Year by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario. Norris will be feted at the Ontario Tourism Awards of...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Trenton fire displaces nine people, kills two dogs, razes home
Nine people are without a home after a fire Thursday morning tore through a 19th-Century house on Trenton's Queen Street. Quinte West Fire Chief John Whelan said no serious injuries to people were reported, but the fire in the two-storey,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Ford rejects mayors' appeals to keep municipal speed cameras
Premier Doug Ford is doubling down on his pledge to ban automated speed enforcement cameras when his majority government resumes sitting Oct. 20 at Queen's Park. In a rebuttal to a letter signed by 22 mayors and municipal leaders asking for the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
MAYOR ELLIS SUPPORTS MAYORS' LETTER URGING PREMIER FORD KEEP ONTARIO SPEED CAMERAS
Some members of Belleville city council are joining a chorus of mayors and municipal leaders across Ontario urging Premier Doug Ford to compromise on a planned bill to nix automated speed enforcement speed (ASE) cameras. Twenty-two leaders across...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS SEEKS DONATIONS AMID UPGRADES
City caretakers of the city's annual Festival of Lights display are making a public appeal for donations to help support one of the highlights of the year-end holiday season in Belleville. The illuminated attraction at Jane Forester Park fronting...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
NATIONAL DAY OF TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION IN BELLEVILLE AWASH IN ORANGE SHIRTS
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation supporters donned orange shirts and buttons in Belleville on Tuesday to observe the continued struggle by Canada's Indigenous people for parity on historical lands. Coun. Sean Kelly, chair of Belleville's...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Prince Edward County wineries grapple with `severe drought'
Prince Edward County's 29 wineries are facing “severe drought” conditions experienced only once every 10 years on average, according to Agriculture Canada's latest report. Jutting out from the north shore of Lake Ontario, it's estimated the county has...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Debut of Beautiful View Music Festival packs downtown venues
For the second consecutive weekend, downtown Belleville amped up with another Saturday spectacular event, where Beautiful View Music Festival made its sounds-tothe-ear debut, bringing a showcase of live entertainment, rocking five establishments in the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
United Way campaign launches with goal of $2.4M this year, $3M in 2028
United Way Hastings and Prince Edward campaigners have launched their annual funding drive with a big goal and an even bigger plan to help residents in need. Not only are they hoping to raise $2.4 million by January: they've set a goal of raising $3...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY BEGINS DEMOLITION OF OLD BELLEVILLE POLICE STATION
Habitat for Humanity's historic housing project on the site of Belleville's former police station is now underway. The charity is about to demolish the building at 93 Dundas St. E. to make room for Habitat Village, a tower of 66 affordable,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
BLUES FESTIVAL AMPS UP SOULFUL RHYTHMS DOWNTOWN
Belleville's annual Downtown Blues Festival returned with grooves, kicking off on Friday night with a headline performance of '60s and '70s classic upbeat blues hits by Shawn Dore Big Blues Band from Kingston. According to organizers, Dore and his band...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Some OPSEU claims at Loyalist College `false,' ministry spokesperson says
A spokesperson for Ontario's minister of colleges and universities is disputing union claims made at a Belleville rally against cuts at Loyalist College and other institutions. In an e-mail to The Intelligencer, Bianca Giacoboni, the press secretary...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
HUNDREDS AT LOYALIST COLLEGE RALLY IN SUPPORT OF ONTARIO COLLEGES
A crowd of several hundred people at Belleville's Loyalist College on Wednesday vowed to fight cuts there and at other Ontario colleges. Members of the Ontario Public Service Employees' Union, or OPSEU, rallied outside the campus' main...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
`WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE WHAT IS COMING NEXT YEAR'
The year-long hard work, dedication, and planning by the Belleville Agricultural Society committee members and volunteers came to an end on Sunday evening as the 202nd Quinte Exhibition's gates shut for the last time at the old Belleville...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Ontario Fire College trains firefighters
For a moment, it almost appeared as if the rear of Belleville Fire Station 2 was on fire Thursday afternoon as plumes of smoke could be seen rising above the roof by passersby on Moira Street. The thick smoke, however, was part of a fire-training...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
FOUR DAYS OF FALL-FAIR FUN BEGINS THURSDAY
The second oldest fall country fair in Ontario gets under way Thursday as Belleville Agricultural Society organizers usher in the event's 202nd year. Set for the old city fairgrounds in Belleville's west end, all manner of midway amusement rides,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL DRAWS NINE TEAMS FROM ACROSS ONTARIO
Bursts from an air horn rang out across the water on Saturday to signal the start of races by nine teams competing in the 17th annual Belleville Dragon Boat Festival at Victoria Park. Nearly 200 participants paddled for all they were worth in teams of...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Forest fire risk and burning bans continue
Recent rainfall has yet to end forest fire risk in much of Ontario, authorities warn, and local bans on all open-air burning remain in effect across Hastings and Prince Edward Counties. Belleville, Quinte West, and the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
INDUSTRIAL PARK EXPANSION CRITICAL FOR BELLEVILLE'S PROSPERITY
Anchored centrally in the Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal geographic triangle on Highway 401 and the CN railway corridor, Belleville has long enjoyed its hard-earned success convincing world-class commerce and industry to sink roots locally despite its...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL'S CROWDS SOAK IN THE SUMMER `VIBE'
On Saturday, the Caribbean Festival parade wended its way from Zwick's Park into Belleville's Downtown District with thousands of festival goers welcoming revelers garbed in elaborate costumes, colourful floats and hypnotic music and beats into the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
BELLEVILLE SENATORS INK NEW CONTRACT WITH CITY TO EXTEND CAA ARENA LEASE
It looks like the Belleville Sens are here to stay. With two years left in their existing contract with the City of Belleville, Michael Andlauer, the owner of American Hockey League team Belleville Senators, has agreed to ink a new CAA Arena lease for...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
In-kind boost by city helps Belleville Caribbean Festival move ahead
The fourth annual Belleville Caribbean Festival has been granted a last-minute reprieve by the city to stave off a small, but notable, financial shortfall only days before the event this weekend. City council voted 6-2 in favour of approving a request...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL RETURNS AUGUST 15-17
Belleville Caribbean Festival is returning for its fourth year, promising a vibrant celebration of Caribbean culture, music, food, and community from Friday, August 15 to Sunday, August 17, 2025, held at three different venues. Kicking off on Friday,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
BELLEVILLE RESTAURANT TO BE REINSPECTED IN WAKE OF DUMPSTER VIDEO
Belleville's North China Buffet restaurant on Wednesday remained closed after local health unit officials ordered the disposal of food deemed unsafe – and said restaurant staff then retrieved that food from a dumpster. The South East Health Unit's...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
ROCKFEST ROCKS
Empire Theatre owner and Rockfest promoter Mark Rashotte and Jake Clemons perform on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Rockfest. For more photos, please see
Read Full Story (Page 1)