A local man is facing charges following an intimate partner violence incident in Chatham.

The Chatham-Kent Police Service said officers were called to a Chatham address regarding a dispute on Wednesday shortly after 8 p.m.

While specific details about the incident have not been released, police said one person was assaulted and required medical treatment.

A 31-year-old Chatham-Kent man has been arrested and is now charged with assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon, and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm. He was later released from custody with conditions and a future court date.

Trained volunteers are now providing comfort, a nurturing touch and companionship to newborns through a new program at Chatham-Kent’s hospital.

The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance has launched a Newborn Cuddle Program within its Women and Children’s Program, which aims to support newborn babies whose parents or families are not able to be at their bedside during extended stays.

Volunteers in the program work under the direction of the health care team and provide cuddling and comforting interaction when appropriate. Each volunteer is specially screened and trained in infant safety, infection prevention, and confidentiality.

Parents or guardians are informed about the program and provide consent before their child participates.

According to CKHA officials, research has shown that positive, nurturing touch can support infant development and well-being, including helping babies regulate stress, sleep and physiological responses.

For more information about the Women and Children’s Program at CKHA, click here.

The Wolves will be howling in Wallaceburg once again next week.

Tuesday, September 15 marks the annual Aaron Van Dorsselaer Grand Slam as Community Living Wallaceburg’s Wallaceburg Wolves Baseball Team will take on Team Select Finishing in their end-of-season game.

Organizers say the team battled heat and rain once again this season, but continued to show up each week with enthusiasm, determination, and team spirit. Players have enjoyed taking their turns at bat, rounding the bases, building their skills and, most importantly, sharing in the camaraderie that makes their team so special.

In memory of her late husband Aaron, Rachel Van Dorsselaer will be throwing out the first pitch at Wallaceburg’s Kinsmen Park at 4:30.

The public is invited to cheer on the Wolves and their opponents. The game will be followed by a free barbecue, sponsored by Select Finishing.

An arrest has been made after a young child was left home alone in Chatham.

The Chatham-Kent Police Service said officers were called to a Chatham home at around 11 p.m. on Wednesday regarding a child who may have been left home alone.

Police arrived and located the child inside the unlocked home with no supervision.

A caregiver returned to the home while police were at the scene and was arrested.

A 31-year-old Chatham-Kent woman has since been charged with abandoning a child. She was later released from custody and will answer the charge in court in December.

Incoming councillors could have an updated expense policy when they start their new term.

Council will vote Monday on approving a new Council Expense Policy, as the current document has not been updated since July 2005.

In the motion, Council Coordinator Meredith Cadotte explains the updates “modernize the municipality’s framework for council expenses by introducing clearer rules on eligible and ineligible expenses, stronger financial controls, formal spending oversight, provisions for constituent communications and public engagement activities, and guidance for municipally issued technology.”

Items that were updated or added to the policy include a detailed allocation of funds, eligible and ineligible expenses, transportation, accommodations, IT equipment and services, town halls, the release of expense information and councillor meal allowances.

The policy sets meal allowances at $15 for breakfast, $25 for lunch and $40 for dinner. Meals provided as part of an event or registration would not be eligible for the per diem.

While the public will be able to request councillor expense information, the municipal treasurer will also be providing council with an itemized statement of remuneration and expenses paid to council members in the previous year by March 31.

The policy would also allow the municipal clerk to reallocate any unused funds that are equally distributed among council members to other councillors who may be able to use them for conferences, events and educational programs related to their role as council members. Any unused funds cannot be carried forward or used in future years.

The updated policy continues to have councillor budgets managed by the Municipal Governance Area, with the Mayor’s budget will continue to fall under the Mayor and CAO’s office.

A local politician has been given a new role at Queen’s Park as the provincial government positions itself for Canada’s trade war with the United States.

Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP Trevor Jones was named the new Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development on Thursday as Premier Doug Ford made several changes to his cabinet. Jones previously served as the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, a role he has held since March 2025.

The Labour Ministry was formally helmed by Northumberland–Peterborough South MPP David Piccini, who has since been named the new Minister of Infrastructure.

Piccini has been under investigation by Ontario’s integrity commissioner since December 2025 following an auditor general report that raised questions about his handling of the $2.5 billion Skills Development Fund.

Ford’s cabinet announcement on Thursday included several other changes to provincial ministries. Sam Oosterhoff will lead the Agriculture Ministry in place of Jones, Kinga Surma is now the Treasury Board president, Brian Saunderson is the new Minister of Sport, and Zee Hamid was named Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming.

The position of Associate Minister of Artificial Intelligence Adoption has also been created, with Vijay Thanigasalam leading that portfolio. The Associate Minister of Auto Theft and Bail Reform position has been eliminated.

Chatham-Kent is celebrating cultural diversity and inclusivity as part of its annual Welcome Week.

Now through September 20, the Chatham-Kent Local Immigration Partnership will be hosting several events to celebrate newcomers to the municipality and help them feel at home.

A flag raising was held at the Civic Centre on Thursday morning, officially kicking off festivities designed to foster belonging and strengthen community connections.

Other events under the Welcome Week banner include the Crime Stoppers Children’s Safety Expo at St Clair College, Games Day with the Canada Homestay Network at Turns and Tales in downtown Chatham, and Franco Fun in Pain Court.

Welcome Week wraps up next Sunday with a community showcase at Chatham’s Kingston Park.

The Chatham-Kent Local Immigration Partnership is made up of 39 community organizations and stakeholders that develop and support the implementation of local settlement strategies.

CLICK HERE for a link to the full schedule of Welcome Week events.

A Chatham-Kent man has been charged following a traffic stop in St. Clair Township.

The Ontario Provincial Police said officers stopped a vehicle on Smith Line near Highway 40 at around 2:30 a.m. on Sunday. A reason for the stop has not been released.

The driver, a 19-year-old Chatham-Kent man, was arrested at the scene.

He is now charged with being a novice driver with a blood alcohol level over zero and driving with a blood alcohol level over the legal limit. The accused was also issued a 90-day driver’s licence suspension, and his vehicle will be impounded for seven days.

He will answer the charges in court next month.

As Chatham-Kent’s election campaign shifts into high gear, municipal officials are once again reminding candidates and volunteers about the rules surrounding election signs.

Since August 27, candidates have been allowed to place campaign signs on selected municipal property, but are still required to follow Chatham-Kent’s election campaign sign by-law.

Officials say signs cannot be placed between sidewalks and the road, called the outer boulevard under the by-law. Signs also cannot be placed near intersections or other locations as this could block a driver’s or pedestrian’s view.

Residents who have concerns about the location of an election sign are asked to report them through the Municipality’s Customer Service team. Concerns can be reported by calling 3-1-1, emailing ck311@chatham-kent.ca or using the Municipality’s online service request system.

Municipal staff are monitoring sign placement and responding to concerns reported by the public.

A celebration of Indigenous culture is taking place this weekend.

The Harvest Moon Pow Wow runs Saturday and Sunday at Highbanks Park on Walpole Island First Nation.

The festivities include drumming, dancing, vendors, and more.

The gates open both days at 10 o’clock with grand entries at noon. Admission is free, donations are welcome.