CKNow Daily
What's Happening in Chatham-Kent Today — Thursday, October 22
A Thamesville farm cat dispute, $473K from OLG for hosting the casino, and new fencing at the Highgate fairgrounds
By CKNow··7 min read
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Morning, CK. It's a warm, sunny day with a high of 19°, once the early fog clears. A Thamesville family and a cat rescue are at odds over six farm cats, and the municipality is getting a $473K casino payment from OLG. Here's your Thursday rundown.
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⛽ Gas Prices
Regular: Chatham stations run from 169.3¢/L at the Shell on Junction Ave to 170.9¢ at most stations, with the Mobil on Grand Ave E higher at 179.5¢. Blenheim is 169.4¢ to 171.9¢, Charing Cross is 169.5¢ to 169.7¢, Dresden is 170.5¢ to 180.9¢ and Thamesville is 172.9¢. Lowest around is Moraviantown First Nation at 140.9¢ to 142.8¢, with one station there at 154.7¢.
Diesel: Chatham is 259.3¢ to 259.9¢ at most stations, with the Petro-Canada on Grand Ave W at 269.9¢ and the Mobil on Grand Ave E at 287.3¢. Blenheim, Charing Cross and Thamesville are 259.9¢ and Dresden is 261.9¢. Moraviantown is lowest at 229.4¢ to 234.9¢.
☀️ Weather
A mild, sunny day, with fog patches dissipating in the morning. It's 7° at 8 AM, 10° at 10 AM, 14° at noon, 18° at 2 PM and a high of 19° around 4 to 5 PM. The wind becomes north at 20 km/h late in the morning, and the UV index is 4, which is moderate. The evening is clear, with 14° at 7 PM, 11° at 9 PM and 9° at midnight. Tonight brings a few clouds, with fog patches developing after midnight and a low of 6°.
🐈 Major Story — Thamesville Family and Cat Rescue Dispute Six Farm Cats
A Thamesville family says six of their farm cats were taken to Wandering Whiskers Cat Rescue and that the rescue won't give them back, according to CK News Today. Dean Patterson says a visitor saw a woman pick up the cats, while the rescue says a woman found them on a road and dropped them off. The family says it asked for the cats back and was refused, and worries they could be treated as unowned because they aren't tagged, microchipped or on vet records.
The rescue confirms it has six cats, which it says were recovered from a busy roadway. It says it has to verify ownership and that a general photo isn't enough. It also reports the cats have respiratory infections, lice, ear mites, worms and fleas, and are getting vet-supervised treatment, so it says they aren't stable enough to move. The rescue says it is negotiating a conditional release that would require ongoing treatment, microchipping and reimbursement of vet bills, with no costs finalized. The family says Chatham-Kent police told them they can ask the rescue to return the cats but can't force it. Read more at CK News Today →
🎰 Major Story — Chatham-Kent Gets $473K From OLG for Hosting Cascades Casino
Chatham-Kent is receiving just over $473,000 from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, according to CK News Today. OLG pays the municipality every three months for hosting Cascades Casino Chatham under a contribution agreement. This payment is slightly lower than the previous one of nearly $474,000.
Since 2001, the municipality has received more than $22 million from OLG. MPP Trevor Jones describes the money as a share of local casino revenue meant to invest in and enhance the community. The article doesn't name specific projects the money will fund. Read more at CK News Today →
🌾 Major Story — Highgate Fairgrounds Gets $15K for New Fencing
The Highgate District Agricultural Society has received $15,000 from the FCC AgriSpirit Fund for upgrades and repairs at the Highgate fairgrounds, according to CK News Today. The volunteer-run society owns and operates the grounds, including the playground, red barn, 4-H barn and ball diamonds.
The money went to fencing. The society replaced the fence around the 4-H show ring and added new fencing around the parking lot, with the work finished by the end of September ahead of the annual fall fair. Secretary-treasurer Cory Gosnell says the group relies heavily on operating grants and financial support. It was one of 17 projects the fund backed in Ontario this year. Read more at CK News Today →
📰 Today's Quick Stories
🏫 School board launches five-year plan. The Lambton Kent District School Board has introduced its 2026/27 to 2030/31 strategic plan, which trustees approved on Oct. 6. It is built around three priorities, learning, well-being and trust, with belonging as the foundation. The board says it was shaped by input from students, staff, families, First Nations partners and community groups, and will guide annual planning and resources. Sydenham Current
🏥 CKHA honoured for organ and tissue donation. Chatham-Kent Health Alliance received a Hospital Achievement Award from the Trillium Gift of Life Network for its 2025-26 work supporting organ and tissue donation, recognizing its conversion rate and eligible approach rate. Sydenham Current
🥫 Fill the Bus food drive in Wallaceburg. The Salvation Army of Chatham-Kent will hold a Fill the Bus food drive at the Wallaceburg No Frills on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 8 AM to 2 PM. The Wallaceburg food bank is the recipient, and the Salvation Army says stores and organizations across Chatham-Kent are taking part. Sydenham Current
📦 YouTuber living in a storage container for charity. A Chatham-Kent YouTuber named Davey is spending seven days in a portable storage unit to raise money for charity. He started on Monday, Oct. 19 and plans to stay until Monday, Oct. 26. CK News Today
🧘 Adult yoga tonight. Cathy Cogghe's adult yoga class is on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 6:30 PM at Rootling Studio. Register on the studio's website, rootlingstudio.ca. Sydenham Current
🚓 Police blotter. Chatham-Kent Police's latest release lists 392 calls for service, 31 reportable calls and 2 arrests. One was a 26-year-old Chatham man arrested at about 6:39 AM Tuesday on Third Street; police allege he broke court-ordered conditions to stay away from a woman. The allegations have not been proven in court. CK Police
🗳️ The CKNow Election Tracker. Find your ward, your candidates, and your voting location all in one place, with local coverage on each candidate. No AI involved: every detail comes word-for-word from local news and the candidates themselves. Check it out at cknow.ca/vote
📌 Community Bulletin
Post yours free at cknow.ca/bulletin
🙋 Volunteers Wanted — Chatham-Kent Boards & Committees. The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is accepting applications from residents interested in serving on local boards and committees. Applications are open through October 30 at 2 PM. Learn more →
🎃 Halloween Bash at the Barn — Blenheim. Head to Red Barn Brewing on October 23 for a Halloween fundraiser supporting the Children's Treatment Centre Foundation of Chatham-Kent. Live music, costumes and more. Event details →
🐴 TJ Stables Trick or Treat Trail and Story Time — Chatham. Join TJ Stables on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 1 to 4 PM at 837 Gregory Dr. E. for a Halloween afternoon for younger families. Wear your costume, explore the whimsical woods, collect candy, visit the gingerbread house and meet unicorns, fairies, witches and friendly farm animals. There's a story time station, candy in a haystack, a unicorn meet and greet, pony rides and a scavenger hunt. Bring your own trick-or-treat bag. $30 per child; adults enter free.
💼 Local Jobs
Recent Chatham-Kent postings on Job Bank:
Chef, Links of Kent Golf Club. $70,000 to $85,000 a year. Details →
Restaurant manager, Satellite Restaurant. $20 to $24 an hour. Details →
Visiting nurse, VON Canada. $29.41 to $41.34 an hour; two more VON visiting nurse postings list $26.29 to $29.35. Details →
Draftsperson, Franklin Terrazzo Company. $20 to $28 an hour. Details →
Farm and produce work, Pain Court. Kejay Farms is hiring a general farm labourer and Nature's Finest Produce a fruit and vegetable grader, both at $17.95 an hour. Farm labourer · Grader
Part-time bartender, Wallaceburg Moose Lodge 1156. Smart Serve required, weekends. Drop your resume at 110 Duke Street.
More openings. This week's roundup lists postings from TD Bank, Fairfield Park and Five Star Tool and Die. Details →
🎉 Coming Up
Today, Thu., Oct. 22 — Book Bedazzling, 6 PM, Tilbury library branch. Adult yoga with Cathy Cogghe, 6:30 PM, Rootling Studio (register at rootlingstudio.ca).
Every night — Wallaceburg Hometown Bingo, 1416 Dufferin Ave. Doors open at 5 PM, bingo starts at 7 PM.
Fri., Oct. 23 — Bash at the Barn Halloween Bash, 7 PM, Red Barn Brewing, Blenheim ($50). Eye 4 Art opening reception, 7 PM, Thames Art Gallery (free). Haunted Museum, 7 PM, Wallaceburg & District Museum. "Pipe Organ Plus One" concert, 7:30 PM, First Christian Reformed Church, Chatham. Parabolus: Complete TOOL Experience, 8 PM, Kiwanis Theatre ($51.35). Tom Arnold: My Crazy X-Wife, 8 PM, Capitol Theatre ($55-$70).
Sat., Oct. 24 — Chatham Farmers Market, 9 AM to 2 PM, 100 King St. W. House & Haven Vintage Barn Market, 10 AM, Octagon Barn (free). The Garage Gallery, 10 AM, Blenheim (free). Spooktacular Halloween Party, 11 AM, Camlachie Community Centre (free). Battle for Recovery, Walpole Island, 770 Tecumseh Rd. (community lunch at noon). First Baptist Church free community meal (moved to this date). Mary Webb Centre for the Arts Open House, 2 PM, Highgate. Wallaceburg Haunted Museum, 7 PM ($5). 80's Gone Wild: A Tribute to Hair Bands, 7 PM, Kiwanis Theatre ($38.50). Forever Seger, 7:30 PM, Capitol Theatre ($49.72). Sun., Oct. 25 — Capes & Crowns CK, 11 AM, Everest Convention Centre. A Taste of Ireland, 6 PM, Capitol Theatre ($64.16-$109.21).
Wed., Oct. 28 — Master Forger Paint Night: Doris McCarthy, 6 PM, Thames Art Gallery ($40). Free Movie Night: Minions and Monsters, 7 PM, Capitol Theatre (free).
Thu., Oct. 29 — Halloween Bingo, 6 PM, Legion Branch 642, Chatham ($10). Barn Laughs, 7:30 PM, Red Barn Brewing, Blenheim ($25). Oct. 29 to Nov. 1 — Wallaceburg Halloween Town Fair, Glen Mickle Park. Fri., Oct. 30 — Escape the Milner House: Shadows After Sunset, 5 PM, Milner Heritage House ($75). Sat., Oct. 31 — TJ Stables Trick or Treat Trail and Story Time, 1 to 4 PM, 837 Gregory Dr. E., Chatham ($30 per child, adults free). Golden Pumpkin Event, 4 PM (free).
See the full lineup at cknow.ca/events →