Things You Need To Know!

January 10, 2025 10:31 am Published by

Road Closures: Dundas St. & Waterloo St. Intersection

Starting Monday, January 13, lane reductions will begin at Dundas St. and Waterloo St. for private utility work.

Key Details:

– Duration: Until Friday, March 14, 2025

– Expect delays: Use alternate routes when possible.

– Transit updates: Check the LTC website for detours.

 

Fanshawe Hosts Realistic Emergency Training This Weekend

On January 11 and 12, Fanshawe College will transform its London Campus into the hot-spot of a massive emergency training exercise, Trauma and Treatment.

Throughout the weekend, expect to see emergency vehicles, simulated crises, and teams of students in action. Fanshawe is notifying the community in advance to prevent unnecessary alarm.

The event offers second-year Paramedic students hands-on experience responding to mock emergency scenarios with “patients” played by Acting for Screen and Stage students. Over 100 students from various programs; such as Nursing, Public Safety Communications, and Office Administration, will join forces to recreate lifelike scenarios.

Participants include:

  • Local paramedic services from Middlesex-London, Oxford, Elgin, Norfolk, and Perth counties

  • The London Fire Department

  • HB Beal Secondary School students, who will apply realistic injury makeup

Fanshawe stands out as one of the few post-secondary institutions offering training on this scale, preparing students for high-stakes careers in emergency response.

If you’re near Fanshawe’s London Campus this weekend, rest assured, what looks like a 2 day long crisis, is actually an educational experience in action.

Was $52k Well Spent on a New Logo?

The Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) spent more than $52,000 on advertising to showcase its new logo, a rebranding effort pitched as “nearly cost-free.” But was it?

  • $12,000 went to double-sided sign rentals at schools last summer, plus permits.

  • $15,899 funded a fall campaign with even more signs and permits.

  • $24,794 paid for bus and transit ads in London and Woodstock.

Despite claims that the logo, designed internally, would cost little, Acting Director of Education Bill Tucker questioned the decision. With a $7.6 million deficit, cuts to special education, field trips, and staff positions, it really makes you wonder if this was a top priority?

The timing doesn’t help the situation. The Ministry of Education is already auditing the board over alleged misspending, including a $38,000 Toronto trip and a flower-arranging session at a professional development day.

As the board undertakes a comprehensive spending review, the question remains: when schools are cutting staff and programs, is rebranding worth the cost?

By: Danika Watson

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This post was written by Kate Wright