It has been quite the year for the people of Kemptville and area.
COVID-19 affected every part of life for residents of North Grenville and beyond, from the first case recorded in Leeds Grenville, to business closures, to Doug Ford lifting restrictions in time for the May 24 weekend. However the most read story of 2020, while dealing with the pandemic, was how it impacted our lives. News of a province-wide fire ban were some our most read stories in 2020, with residents wondering how it would impact them. The ban was lifted just in time for the May long weekend.
While COVID-19 dominated the 2020 headlines, it wasn’t all there was. 2020 was also the year the new Eastern Ontario Correctional Complex made headlines. The surprise announcement by Premier Doug Ford sparked backlash in Kemptville, with protests organized by locals throughout the fall. A meeting in November between residents and Corrections Ontario attempted to clear the air about the new facility, which you can read about here.
Top stories this year included the story of Lindsey Vergette-Lamoureux and Darsey O’Hara. Vergette-Lamoureux was diagnosed with stage four cancer and O’Hara planned to have a final farewell journey to Hawaii. You can read the couple’s story here.
A number of homicides also made the news this year. The murder of a woman in Kemptville made headlines in July. The murder of Audrey Hopkinson was also one of our most read stories. Later in the year, charges were laid against a woman in Cornwall who collided with a vehicle on the 401 and lead to the death of 22-year-old Richard Hesse-Andre. That article can be read here.
Finally, an article about headlines in 2020 would not be complete without mention of North Grenville’s celebrity Turkey, Van Turken. The fugitive turkey caused a stir on Facebook after being spotted multiple times around the intersection of 44 and 43. Footage was also captured of the wayward turkey harassing members of the Municipality of North Grenville. As a result, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry attempted to capture her, with mixed results. Eventually the turkey was released and is now living her best life on a nature preserve. You can read Van Turken’s story here.
Written by Trevor Smith-Millar