It was a year of tragedies and triumphs.
When human kindness showed. When Canadian’s opened their arms to not only help strangers around the world coming to a foreign country, but townships and families opened their doors to stranded strangers.
When one person from Roseneath felt so strongly about his convictions, he left Canada to fight on the front lines of Ukraine for over six months. And is going back again.
It was a year where the opioid crisis became even more clear to residents. Encampments, drug poisonings and vigils. The crisis is real. A town, province, country and beyond need to find a solution.
Violence happened on the streets in our small towns. A brazen daylight deadly shooting in downtown Cobourg – stabbings. Port Hope Police initially stated a homeless man had been “severely beaten up,” before succumbing to his injuries. But when OPP took over the investigation they called it, “suspicious.”
A Cobourg man continued to feed the birds in the winter of 2022 stating they have very little food.
A pickup truck was struck by a train west of Colborne. Miraculously the man only received minor injuries.
A transport truck travelling on Highway 401 had its front drivers side window smashed by a flying turkey. The driver of the transport was taken to hospital with minor injuries after the bird landed in his lap. The turkey ended up apparently unscathed as well.
Parking tickets in various parts of Cobourg skyrocketed to a $160 fine.
A former Cobourg man along with his friends continues to raise funds for Muscular Dystrophy in honour of his two brothers.
Over 200 passengers were stuck on a VIA Rail train at Cobourg for 12-hours. VIA Rail has said very little about the situation.
Five Northumberland OPP Officers “Walked for the Wounded” by walking 42-kilometres from Hastings to Cobourg.
When a severe winter storm him, homeless gathers in the bus terminal on Albert Street in Cobourg only to be evicted two days later. Volunteers later created a shelter at St. Andrew’s Church where everyone was welcome – except police.
Parades finally came back, much to the delight of everyone. The Waterfront Festival along with Highland Games brought some normalcy to what have been strenuous years of COVID.
Blue Rodeo was welcomed back at the Cobourg Community Centre.
Cobourg Rotary had to delay their 100th anniversary for a year, but there were many celebrations in 2022 surrounding it.
A Port Hope crossing guard was honoured for her years of service.
Tragically five students from India were killed on Highway 401 in Quinte West.
Thousands of truckers descended on Ottawa to protest the Federal Government.
Volunteers continued to clean-up the Highway of Heroes twice a year in honour of Canada’s fallen soldiers.
Kelly’s Homelike Inn celebrated their 90th anniversary in Cobourg owned by the same family.
Cobourg Police and by-law officers were issued body worn cameras.
The seven feathers indigenous crosswalk was redone on Albert Street after it quickly faded the year previous.
A photo showing the kindness of a OPP officer comforting a young child that had been involved in a collision on Highway 401 resonated with readers.
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Officers along with OPP had to deal with a moose along County Road 28 north of Port Hope. The moose was tranquillized and taken to the far north where it was safely released.
At the end of the December a severe winter storm brought roads and highways to a near standstill with whiteout conditions. Vehicles were left on roadways while people where brought into strangers homes to seek comfort from the storm.
Today’s Northumberland was there – covering the news in all hours of the day.
We are proud to be apart of this community.
Cecilia Nasmith, Jeff Gard, Gail Foster, IT person Jim Corkery and myself Pete Fisher
We are accountable, we will ask the questions that need to be asked and we are here for you.
Please continue to support local journalism – support Today’s Northumberland.
Let’s all hope for sunny skies and a peaceful New Year for 2023.
Please – stay safe – be kind.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
