Stormy weekend ahead 🌨️

IN THIS ISSUE

➡️ Two new flight routes announced

➡️ Police briefs

➡️ Flee market in Stratford this weekend

QUICK HITS

🆘 New Access PEI Locations: The province is moving forward on a promise to open two additional Access PEI locations in the capital region. A tender for office space and fit-up for a Cornwall location was posted yesterday. The plan shows space for six service counters. Also posted yesterday was an announcement that the new location at Royalty Crossing (former Charlottetown Mall) will open on March 13. It will be located near the mall’s food court.

✈️ YYG to YOW and YEG: Jet-setters will soon have new non-stop options out of Charlottetown to Ottawa and Edmonton. Porter Airlines announced this week that it will fly daily between Charlottetown and Ottawa beginning mid-May until at least October. Return tickets to Ottawa will start around $300, but prices quickly ascend if you want to check a bag, or even carry one on. Beginning mid-June, WestJet will connect Charlottetown to Edmonton each Wednesday for the summer. Both routes will arrive and depart late afternoon to early evening, a nice change from the early morning or midnight options Islanders are stuck with currently.

🏘️ Stratford STR Bylaw: Stratford council heard last week that the town wants to finalize a short-term rental bylaw this year, and will hire a consultant to ensure the work is done. No details were discussed on what restrictions are being considered, but there seemed to be a general consensus that any new rules would not come into force until next year at the earliest. The consultant will also be tasked with completing the town’s street vendor bylaw.

HEALTH & TECH

Automated Menus

Feeding hospital patients seems straightforward, but in reality, it’s a time-consuming complex balancing act that’s starving for improvement. Each patient has a unique diet based on allergies, nourishment requirements, doctor-specific instructions, and even preference.

Currently, staff manually calculate all requirements to ensure patients are provided a menu that aligns with their needs, but also offers the patient some choice. Health PEI is now seeking a technical solution to automate the process. The system would customize each menu based on an electronic patient file that’s preloaded with dietary restrictions. The menu would either be printed or made available to patients on a tablet.

Aside from saving staff oodles of time, the system will also help reduce food waste by sending orders to the kitchen as they’re submitted, eliminating the guesswork around food preparation. 

Health PEI hopes to have this system in place sometime this summer.

WARM UP WEDNESDAY

The coffee carafe is empty, folks. Warm Up Wednesday was fun, but all promotions go stale. Stayed tuned for something new.

Over the last seven weeks Island Edition gave away $5 coffee cards to 30 of you, five prizes went unclaimed. A special thank you to John Dunphy of Target Tours for sponsoring the promotion (he filled the carafe early on), and thank you to everyone who took part by sharing the newsletter. ❤️

POLICE BRIEFS

🚔 A 32-year-old woman was arrested in Cornwall yesterday (Tuesday) for driving while impaired by cannabis. Bad enough, but RCMP only discovered she was high after stopping her for driving 74 km/h through a 40 km/h school zone. Via @RCMPPEI on Twitter.

💊 A 71-year-old man from out Tracadie way (Millcove) attempted to flee from police in Charlottetown as officers conducted what they call a targeted traffic stop on Allen Street last Friday. The man wasn’t able to get far due to heavy supper-hour traffic. Following his arrest, officers used a warrant to search his home, yielding speed pills, cocaine and cash. On top of charges related to these offenses, the man is also facing drug possession charges following his arrest just over two weeks ago on January 24. Via Charlottetown Police Services.

👮 A 52-year-old Nova Scotia man was arrested in Sherbrooke (north of Summerside) after RCMP received a complaint of a suspicious person trying to get into a cottage. After locating the man, police learned he has warrants issued for his arrest in Nova Scotia, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador. Via RCMP.

#PEIslandEdition

Snowy Dunes 🐚 

Boston/PEI-based photojournalist Angela Rowlings got the scoop on snowy dunes in Cavendish this week. This photo is one of a short series Angela captured in Cavendish and North Rustico while enjoying the nice weather this week. Angela’s Instagram is worth a follow, but you should also check out her website – she has an impressive portfolio of photojournalism work, including her photo essay about Boston's first black, first female mayor.

Tag @PEIslandEdition or use #PEIslandEdition to get your post featured in Island Edition!

COMMUNITY CORNER

❄️ Stratford Winterfest: The Stratford Youth Centre has a weekend packed with family-friendly activities planned. Kicking it off will be a flea market this Saturday from 8AM - Noon. Tables are $10 each, admission is $2. An indoor fun fair will be held Sunday and Monday from 1:00 - 5:00, which includes inflatables, games, mini golf, a canteen, balloon twisting, face painting, free entertainment and more. Admission is free, but activities require tickets or a $10 bracelet. Funds raised go toward the youth centre. Full details, including information on renting a table for the flea market, can be found on this Facebook event listing. All events take place at Stratford’s Town Centre.

🔄 Roundabout Details: Beautiful Kings County is getting a new roundabout, this one at the Victoria Cross intersection west of Montague. Anyone interested in learning about the plan is invited to an information session this evening (Wednesday, Feb. 15 from 7-9) at Cavendish Farms Wellness Centre, 21 Sullivan Drive, Montague.

🥞 Pass The Syrup: Friendly reminder of the Charlottetown Y's Men's Club annual pancake breakfast this Tuesday, Feb. 21 from 6:30 AM to 8:45 AM at Smitty's Family Restaurant. Tickets will be available at the door or through club members. Proceeds support Y’s Men’s community projects.

Send a quick message if your organization would like to publish a quick PSA. There's no charge for these. Max three per-issue.

WEATHER

Wednesday

🌤️ H2°C 🌡️ L 0°C 
💨 SSW 13 km/h, gusting 30

Thursday

🌦️ H8°C 🌡️ L 0°C
💨 WSW 19 km/h, gusting 46

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