Things are heating up

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Gooood morning Bay of Quinte! We’re here with BOQtoday. The newsletter that’s more fun to open than a chocolate bunny — except you don’t have to bite the ears off first.

Let’s get into it.

Experience The Difference

Presented By Thairific

Thairific offers more than just food truck services; we provide full catering for private dinners, office lunches, or holiday gatherings.

Whether you're hosting a small team lunch or a large party, we can accommodate your needs with a customizable menu that includes a variety of dishes—from savoury appetizers to mouthwatering entrees. Follow us on facebook and instagram to see our delicious food and offers.*

News Notes

🚒 Quick-thinking crew saves infant
Last week Belleville Fire’s D Shift – Pump 2 crew saved the life of a 6-month-old child during an emergency call. The department called it “operational excellence” — and we couldn’t agree more. (Belleville FD Facebook)

🏥 🚑 Brighton’s putting its money where the medicine is
The town just pledged $500,000 toward expanding Trenton Memorial Hospital’s ER, backing a 7,000-sq-ft upgrade to meet growing demand — emergency visits have jumped 25% in the last three years. The funds will roll out in annual installments through 2029.

📚 Big changes at Loyalist College
After a years-long delay, hundreds of part-time and sessional faculty at Loyalist College are officially unionized — part of a historic Ontario-wide vote where 88% said yes to joining OPSEU, per The Intelligencer. It’s the first time in provincial history the college system is wall-to-wall unionized.

At the same time, the college has started a two-year restructuring process, with 15 full-time faculty released this month and more cuts coming as suspended programs wind down. Loyalist says all students will still graduate as planned, and efforts are ongoing to stabilize staffing and finances.

Local Biz

🖋️ New ink shop with heart
East Coast Tattoo has officially reopened at 238 Dundas St. E. in Trenton. Owner Isabelle Payan built the space as a mix of artistry and healing — they even partner with Victim Services to remove unwanted tattoos and run INKED for Three Oaks each November. The story's powerful, the vibe’s welcoming, and yeah... I’m still scared of getting a tattoo. Full story.

Unplug & Recharge

Presented By I-Float Spa

This local float spa is changing the way people relax—helping them de-stress, sleep better, and relieve pain effortlessly.

If you’re constantly feeling drained, dealing with sore muscles, or just need a break from the chaos of daily life, floating might be exactly what you’re looking for. A one-hour float in a weightless, sensory-free environment has been shown to reduce stress, improve sleep, and even enhance creativity.

Try a float session and experience total relaxation—mind and body. Book now.*

Events

What’s on this week

Tuesday
Belleville Dragon Boat Club Open House | 5-7 p.m.| The Foster Ward Community Centre, Belleville | Free
Learn the ropes of dragon boating at this open house on Tuesday, April 15.

Buck(ish) Shuck Oysters at The Local Social House | 3-10 p.m.| The Local Social House, Belleville | Free
Raspberry Point oysters hit the bar every Tuesday from 3 p.m. ‘til close.

Wednesday
Creative Fibres | 5:30-7:30 p.m.| Belleville Public Library, Belleville
A casual meetup for fibre artists of all kinds on Wednesday, April 16.

Thursday
50+ Centre Open House & Orientation | 10:30-11:30 a.m.| Belleville
Explore programs, meet members, and tour the 50+ Centre on Thursday, April 17.

"Rock Bottom": A Romantic Comedy by Peter Paylor | Theatre in The Wings, Belleville (CAD)
A hilarious local comedy about love, detours, and bears — playing April 17–20.

Saturday
Gowan - Strange Animal 40th Anniversary | 7:30-10 p.m.| The Empire Theatre, Belleville (CAD)
Celebrate 40 years of Strange Animal with Gowan live on Saturday, April 19.

Announced

Bellevegas 7 – The Power Connection | May 10, 7:30–9:30 p.m. | Maranatha Church, Belleville
A 14-piece band brings the horn-heavy hits of Chicago, Steely Dan, Tower of Power, and more to life — full event details here.

_{Note: Events may be cancelled or have changed times. Be sure to see our event calendar and reach out to the venue before going.}

🔗 To see more info on these events and many more, hit the button below

Hosting an event? Submit it to our calendar here.

Looking to feature an event? Go here.

City

Belleville Council Meeting ⚖️
Belleville City Council will convene on Monday, April 14 at 4:00 p.m. in Council Chambers (Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre). The agenda includes a $759K budget adjustment for Hastings County services, adoption of a new harassment and discrimination policy, repeal of the city's garage sale by-law, and funding approval for the CN Yardmen Memorial. Council will also consider vendor agreements for this year's Pop-Ups on the Bay. A closed session is scheduled at 3:00 p.m. to discuss HR and personnel matters. View the full agenda here.

🎧 Big ideas, now recording
Quinte West Library just launched The Idea Box — a creative studio at the Trenton branch where you can podcast, record, or live out your SmartLess dreams. It’s pro-grade, solo- or guest-friendly, and debuting at the Community Connections Expo on May 10. Just book a quick training first.

Let’s get growing

Presented by Quinte Landscaping Services

Spring is here and if your lawn’s looking more “meh” than “magnificent,” it’s time to call in the pros. Quinte Landscaping Services knows exactly how to turn patchy, pale grass into the thick, green showstopper your neighbours will low-key resent. They handle all the dirty work — you just kick back and take the credit.

Barbecue season’s almost here. Let’s make your lawn the main event.*

Sports

Quinte Red Devils = certified OHL talent factory
The Quinte Red Devils saw five players drafted in this year’s OHL Priority Selection — good for 1.65% of all picks across Ontario and placing them in the top 10 programs province-wide. Zoom in on the OMHA alone, and Quinte made up a whopping 8.2% of all players drafted, landing them top 3 in the entire association.

Here’s the Red Devils roster that just punched their OHL tickets:

🏒 Sens Fan Night is going full send
The Belleville Sens are throwing their biggest party of the season on Saturday, April 19, and you’re invited. It’s Fan Appreciation Night, aka the last home game, aka your chance to high-five players on the red carpet, snag free stuff at the gates, and maybe even win a $500 Bay of Quinte staycation if your Plinko game is strong. The Sens dropped the full scoop here — now go plan your outfit, because it’s going to be packed and loud.

Hot Links

Parents, your April Canada Child Benefit payment is coming early — expect it by April 17, with up to $648 per child landing ahead of the weekend. Here’s how much you could get and why it’s arriving sooner this month.*

Ryan Reynolds is asking Cobourg to rename its arena after 9-year-old Grace Bowen — a local hockey player whose legacy has raised $400K for pediatric cancer. Here’s why it matters.*

Got mice? HSHPE’s Barn Cat Program pairs semi-feral cats with barns that need pest control — see if you're a fit.

🛒 Hey small business owners! Promote your biz for just $50. Our a la carte storefront makes it easy to get seen by thousands—no contracts, no fluff. Start here.

Love pickleball and running the show? Pickleplex Belleville is hiring a full-time General Manager to lead club ops, events, and member vibes — check it out if you’ve got the chops.

Rent in Canada is wild — but depending where you live, you could get up to $1,600 back just for being a tenant. Here’s how renters can cash in before the April 30 deadline.*

Weather

Weather

Monday
13°C 🌡️ 5°C | 🌦️ Cloudy with late showers | 60% | SW 19 km/h

Tuesday
8°C 🌡️ -1°C | 🌧️ Breezy with a few showers | 70% | NW 28 km/h

🌡️ View current weather here.

🚗 See live traffic here.

⛽ Check out local gas prices here.

Signing Off

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