August 17, 2020

August 17th is the 230th day of the year. There are 136 days remaining until the end of the year

Premier Doug Ford announced on Friday that gyms can increase capacity.

As of Saturday morning gyms and rec centres capacity will be increased to 50 people at one time for each indoor sport or fitness room, with physical distancing of at least two metres expected.

Ford said the move is being made to help gyms reopen and get more employees back to work.

Arenas, multipurpose facilities, dance and yoga studios will also be subject to the changes.

Many of our gyms and fitness centres are operated by small business owners and they are struggling. To help them get back on their feet we’re making changes so they can safely serve more people at once.

Learn more: https://t.co/lrIRCgEsV5 pic.twitter.com/F2wK5thWac

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) August 14, 2020

In case you missed it on Friday, Canadian and U.S. officials have agreed to keep the border between the two countries closed to non-essential travel for another month.

The restrictions on recreational travel will remain in place until at least September 21st.

Tourists and cross-border visits remain prohibited. As it stands, the agreement exempts the flow of trade and commerce, as well as temporary foreign workers and vital health-care workers such as nurses who live and work on opposite sides of the border.

We are extending the reciprocal restrictions at the Canada-US border for another 30 days, till Sept. 21, 2020. We will continue to do what’s necessary to keep our communities safe.

— Bill Blair (@BillBlair) August 14, 2020

The Toronto Raptors begin defense of their championship this afternoon when the NBA Playoffs tip off.

The number 2 seeded Raptors will play the 7th seeded Brooklyn Nets today at 4 on Sportsnet.

Here’s the full schedule:

• Game 1: August 17, 4pm (Sportsnet)
• Game 2: August 19, 1:30pm (TSN)
• Game 3: August 21, 1:30pm (Sportsnet)
• Game 4: August 23, 6:30pm (TSN)
• Game 5: August 25, TBD (Sportsnet)
• Game 6: August 27, TBD (TSN)
• Game 7: Aug. 29, TBD (Sportsnet)

There’s a Blood Donor Clinic tomorrow at the Chatham-Kent YMCA from 1-7 and again on Saturday from 9-1.

Only donors with appointments will be allowed.

Book your appointment now at Blood.ca, use the apps or call 1-888-2-DONATE!

The first-ever Sour Patch Kids store has just opened in New York City to celebrate the brand’s 35th anniversary.

The new Sour Patch hub offers a wide range of colourful and limited-edition merchandise like mugs, t-shirts, socks and beach totes.

You can even create your own mix of Sour Patch flavours.

Of course, most of us can’t make the in-person visit to the store you can go online and create your very own personalized Sour Patch Kid mix pack and they will ship it to you.

Categorised in: 5 Things You Need To Know

This post was written by Chris McLeod