North Kawartha Mayor Carolyn Amyotte speaks with Peterborough County OPP staff sergeant Chris Galeazza in May 2021 about the three stretches of Highway 28 in North Kawartha that have the most collisions, the reasons why, and the intention to have the three stretches designated as community safety zones where speeding fines are doubled. (kawarthaNOW screenshot of Facebook video)
Police have identified the two people who were killed in a head-on crash on Highway 28 in North Kawartha Township on Saturday afternoon (August 21).
Claudio Benetti, 64, and Janice Benetti, 65, both of Stoney Creek, were pronounced dead at the scene after a collision involving two vehicles at around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Another person, presumably the driver of the second vehicle, was transported to a Toronto-area hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police have provided no update on this person’s condition.
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Police continue to investigate the collision and are asking any witnesses, or anyone with dash camera footage of the incident, to call the Peterborough County OPP Detachment at 705-742-0401 or the non-emergency line at 1-888-310-1122. If you wish to provide information anonymously, contact Crime Stoppers Peterborough & Northumberland at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at stopcrimehere.ca.
The collision happened at Big Cedar, south of Woodview, on a stretch of Highway 28 known for its high volume of traffic, especially during the summer months, along with a high number of accidents.
This past May, North Kawartha Mayor Carolyn Amyotte spoke with Peterborough County OPP staff sergeant Chris Galeazza about collision “hot spots” on the highway, the top five reasons for collisions, and more.
It's Spring in North Kawartha and that means the return of many things: hummingbirds, blackflies and crazy traffic on Highway 28. Peterborough County OPP Staff Sargent Chris Galeazza joins me in my latest video update to talk about Highway 28 'Hot Spots', the top 5 reasons for accidents, and how North Kawartha Township's upcoming request for Community Safety Zones is an effective way to address our highway safety concerns.
“On this highway alone, there are three significant hot spots — the hamlet of Big Cedar, Woodview where we are today, and up the highway in Apsley,” Galeazza said, adding the top five reasons for collisions on the highway are animal strikes, speeding too fast for conditions, inattentive driving, following too closely, and driver fatigue.
Amyotte, who is also chair of the North Kawartha police services board, said the township will be requesting the provincial government designate the three stretches of Highway 28 as “community safety zones”.
Through a 1998 regulation under the Highway Traffic Act, municipalities can request areas on provincially maintained highways be designated as community safety zones. In the zones, which are identified through signage, many set penalties are doubled — including for speeding and careless driving.
Here’s an update on COVID-19 cases in Ontario as well as in the greater Kawarthas region.
Ontario is reporting 639 new cases today, with the seven-day average of daily cases increasing by 18 to 581.
Toronto is reporting a triple-digit increase of 124 cases. Of Ontario’s remaining 33 health units, 12 are reporting double-digit increases — Peel (97), Hamilton (64), Windsor-Essex (36), Middlesex-London (32), Durham (30), Ottawa (27), Simcoe Muskoka (19), Halton (18), Brant (15), Niagara (11), Waterloo (11), and Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (11) — and 4 (including 3 in northern Ontario) are reporting no new cases at all.
Of the new cases, 74% are people who have not been fully vaccinated (64% have not received any doses and 10% have received only one dose) and 19% are people who have been fully vaccinated with two doses, with the vaccination status unknown for 6% of the cases.
The number of hospitalizations has increased by 26 to 204, but (as is always the case on weekends) more than 10% of hospitals did not submit data to the daily bed census, so the number of actual hospitalizations is likely higher. The number of ICU patients has climbed by 10 to 151, and the number of ICU patients on ventilators has increased by 3 to 82.
Ontario is reporting no new COVID-related deaths.
Almost 20.5 million vaccine doses have been administered, an increase of 22,589 from yesterday, with over 9.7 million people fully vaccinated, an increase of 15,652 from yesterday, representing just over 66% of Ontario’s total population.
COVID-19 cases in Ontario from July 23 – August 22, 2021. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU admissions in Ontario from July 23 – August 22, 2021. The red line is the daily number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of hospitalizations, and the purple line is the daily number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 vaccinations in Ontario from July 23 – August 22, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily doses administered and the green line is the cumulative number of people fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccine. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com
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In the greater Kawarthas region, there are 35 new cases to report over the past 2 days, including 15 in Hastings Prince Edward, 11 in Kawartha Lakes. 5 in Peterborough, and 4 in Northumberland. There are no new cases in Haliburton.
An additional 26 cases have been resolved in the region including 16 in Hastings Prince Edward, 4 in Kawartha Lakes, 3 in Peterborough, and 3 in Northumberland.
The number of active cases has increased by 6 in Kawartha Lakes, by 2 in Peterborough, by 1 in Northumberland, has decreased by 2 in Hastings Prince Edward, and remains the same in Haliburton.
There are currently 80 active cases in the greater Kawarthas region, an increase of 7 from August 20, including 38 in Hastings Prince Edward (23 in Belleville, 11 in Quinte West, 2 in North Hastings, 1 in Central Hastings, 1 in Prince Edward County, and 1 in Tyendinaga & Deseronto), 20 in Kawartha Lakes, 15 in Peterborough, 6 in Northumberland, and 1 in Haliburton.
Since the pandemic began in the greater Kawarthas region, there have been 1,666 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (1,629 resolved with 22 deaths), 1,225 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (1,160 resolved with 58 deaths), 967 in Northumberland County (944 resolved with 17 deaths), 127 in Haliburton County (125 resolved with 1 death), and 1,237 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties (1,187 resolved with 12 deaths). The most recent death was reported in Hastings Prince Edward on July 28.
Firefighters battle a blaze on Station Street in downtown Bancroft on August 23, 2021. (Photo: Stuart Thomson)
Firefighters battled a blaze, reportedly preceded by an explosion, in the Town of Bancroft on Monday afternoon (August 23).
The explosion and fire happened at a multi-unit building on Station Street in downtown Bancroft.
Witnesses report hearing a loud explosion at around 12:30 p.m.
Residents watch from the park across the road as firefighters work to extinguish a blaze at a multi-unit building on August 23, 2021. (Photo: Stuart Thomson)
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Witnesses report hearing a loud explosion at around 12:30 p.m.
Around 20 occupants of the building have been displaced but there were only minor injuries, according to police.
Station Street was closed to traffic and residents of nearby buildings were evacuated while firefighters fought the blaze.
Clouds of smoke rise from a multi-unit building on Station Street as firefighters battle a blaze that was reportedly preceded by an explosion on August 23, 2021. (Photo: Stuart Thomson)
This story has been updated to remove incorrect information about the location of the fire.
Alt-country and indie pop singer-songwriter Lauryn Macfarlane is the Peterborough Folk Festival's 2021 Emerging Artist. (Photo from laurynmacfarlane.com)
The Peterborough Folk Festival has announced Lauryn Macfarlane as the festival’s 2021 Emerging Artist Award recipient.
Organizers made the announcement Saturday night (August 21) at the Rolling Grape Vineyard in Bailieboro — the final night of ‘We Can Do This’, a series of ticketed live music concerts in place of the festival’s traditional free weekend celebration at Nicholls Oval Park — where Macfarlane opened for Donovan Woods and Chantal Kreviazuk.
Raised in Peterborough, the alt-country and indie pop singer-songwriter moved to Montreal in the fall of 2019, where she’s working on her debut EP. She released her second single “Nowhere Town” earlier this year, following up her first single “Friendly” — both of which will be included on the EP.
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“I grew up going to the festival so to be named the emerging artist for this year feels like a very full circle moment,” Macfarlane writes on her Facebook page.
“Thank you to everyone that came out to Rolling Grape Vineyard, bought a ticket, braved the heat and listened,” she adds. “Such an attentive, supportive, beautiful audience, and a beautiful night. This was my first show back since February 2020 and I couldn’t have asked for a better return to live music.”
In the past, Mafarlane has performed at the Peterborough Folk Festival, has opened for JJ and The Pillars, Heaps (Formally The Kents), Kane Miller, and Nefe and, in February, recorded a performance for the virtual Hillside Festival in Guelph. She recently signed with Artist Group International agent Adam Countryman, whose client list has included Arkells, A Tribe Called Red, Half Moon Run, Lights, and more.
VIDEO: “Nowhere Town” – Lauryn Macfarlane
Mafarlane joins a long list of Peterborough-area musicians who have received the Emerging Artist Award, starting with Millbrook’s Serena Ryder in 2001. The recipient of the festival’s annual award, which recognizes emerging young local talent deserving of attention, is selected by a committee who assess applicants on skill, dedication, and artistic merit.
For more information about Macfarlane, visit her website at laurynmacfarlane.com..
Recipients of the award are given showcase spots at the festival and receive a trip to the Folk Music Ontario annual conference, where they have the opportunity to meet artistic directors, other musicians, agents, and funders.
Here’s the full list of recipients (no award was given in 2020 due to the pandemic):
Here’s an update on COVID-19 cases in Ontario as well as in the greater Kawarthas region.
Ontario is reporting 722 new cases today, with the seven-day average of daily cases increasing by 30 to 564.
Toronto and Hamilton are reporting triple-digit increases of 170 and 101 respectively. Of Ontario’s remaining 32 health units, 11 are reporting double-digit increases — Windsor-Essex (88), York (70), Peel (63), Durham (39), Middlesex-London (26), Simcoe Muskoka (25), Ottawa (23), Waterloo (23), Halton (22), Niagara (15), and Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (10) — and 5 are reporting no new cases at all.
Of the new cases, 68% are people who have not been fully vaccinated (61% have not received any doses and 11% have received only one dose) and 22% are people who have been fully vaccinated with two doses, with the vaccination status unknown for 6% of the cases.
The number of hospitalizations has dropped by 34 to 178, but (as is always the case on weekends) more than 10% of hospitals did not submit data to the daily bed census, so the number of actual hospitalizations is likely higher. The number of ICU patients has climbed by 11 to 141, and the number of ICU patients on ventilators has increased by 1 to 79.
Ontario is reporting 2 new COVID-related deaths, with none in long-term care homes. There have been no COVID-related deaths of residents in long-term care homes since August 3.
Over 20.4 million vaccine doses have been administered, an increase of 33,535 from yesterday, with more than 9.7 million people fully vaccinated, an increase of 22,811 from yesterday, representing almost 66% of Ontario’s total population.
COVID-19 cases in Ontario from July 22 – August 21, 2021. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU admissions in Ontario from July 22 – August 21, 2021. The red line is the daily number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of hospitalizations, and the purple line is the daily number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 vaccinations in Ontario from July 22 – August 21, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily doses administered and the green line is the cumulative number of people fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccine. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
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Numbers are unavailable for Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, Northumberland, and Hastings Prince Edward as the respective health units do not issue reports on weekends.
For Saturday, the Ontario data shows 6 new cases for Hastings Prince Edward Public Health, 2 new cases for Peterborough Public Health, and no new cases for Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit. Regional numbers for Saturday and Sunday will be confirmed in Monday’s update.
As of August 20, there were 73 active cases in the greater Kawarthas region, including 40 in Hastings Prince Edward (19 in Belleville, 14 in Quinte West, 3 in Prince Edward County, 2 in North Hastings, 1 in Tyendinaga & Deseronto, and 1 in Central Hastings), 14 in Kawartha Lakes, 13 in Peterborough, 5 in Northumberland, and 1 in Haliburton.
Since the pandemic began in the greater Kawarthas region, there have been 1,661 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (1,626 resolved with 22 deaths), 1,208 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (1,153 resolved with 58 deaths), 962 in Northumberland County (938 resolved with 17 deaths), 130 in Haliburton County (127 resolved with 1 death), and 1,219 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties (1,168 resolved with 12 deaths). The most recent death was reported in Hastings Prince Edward on July 28.
A road closure sign on Highway 28 near Woodview following a head-on collision in February 2019. (Photo courtesy of Geri-Lynn Cajindos)
A deadly stretch of Highway 28 has claimed more lives.
Two people are dead and one is seriously injured following a serious collision on Highway 28 near Big Cedar Lake Road, south of Woodview, on Saturday afternoon (August 21).
Peterborough County OPP report two vehicles were involved in a head-on collision at around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.
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Two people were pronounced dead at the scene and one person has been transported to a Toronto-area hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Police are not releasing the names of the people who died until their next of kin have been notified.
Highway 28 remains closed while the OPP documents the scene. Detours are in place on Highway 28 at Northey’s Bay Road and County Road 36.
The closure will remain in place for several hours while police investigate.
Here’s an update on COVID-19 cases in Ontario as well as in the greater Kawarthas region.
Ontario is reporting 689 new cases today, the highest daily increase since June 5 when 774 cases were reported. The seven-day average of daily cases has increased by 16 to 534.
Toronto is reporting a triple-digit increase of 130 new cases. Of Ontario’s remaining 33 health units, 13 are reporting double-digit increases — Peel (94), York (86), Hamilton (69), Middlesex-London (52), Windsor-Essex (41), Durham (36), Halton (28), Waterloo (23), Simcoe Muskoka (22), Ottawa (19), Niagara (18), Brant (15), and Southwestern (12) — and 6 (5 of which are in northern Ontario) are reporting no new cases at all.
Of the new cases, 62% are among unvaccinated people, 20% are among fully vaccinated people, 9% are among partially vaccinated people, and 9% are unknown.
The number of hospitalizations has climbed by 15 to 212, the highest number of hospitalizations since June 28 when 218 were reported. The number of ICU patients has decreased by 5 to 130 and the number of ICU patients on ventilators has increased by 1 to 78.
Ontario is reporting 1 new COVID-related death.
Over 20.4 million vaccine doses have been administered, an increase of 46,629 from yesterday, with more than 9.7 million people fully vaccinated, an increase of 31,641 from yesterday, representing 65.8% of Ontario’s total population.
COVID-19 cases in Ontario from July 21 – August 20, 2021. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU admissions in Ontario from July 21 – August 20, 2021. The red line is the daily number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of hospitalizations, and the purple line is the daily number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 vaccinations in Ontario from July 21 – August 20, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily doses administered and the green line is the cumulative number of people fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccine. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
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Numbers are unavailable for Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, Northumberland, and Hastings Prince Edward as the respective health units do not issue reports on weekends. Regional numbers for Saturday and Sunday will be included in Monday’s update.
As of August 20, there were 73 active cases in the greater Kawarthas region, including 40 in Hastings Prince Edward (19 in Belleville, 14 in Quinte West, 3 in Prince Edward County, 2 in North Hastings, 1 in Tyendinaga & Deseronto, and 1 in Central Hastings), 14 in Kawartha Lakes, 13 in Peterborough, 5 in Northumberland, and 1 in Haliburton.
Since the pandemic began in the greater Kawarthas region, there have been 1,661 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (1,626 resolved with 22 deaths), 1,208 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (1,153 resolved with 58 deaths), 962 in Northumberland County (938 resolved with 17 deaths), 130 in Haliburton County (127 resolved with 1 death), and 1,219 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties (1,168 resolved with 12 deaths). The most recent death was reported in Hastings Prince Edward on July 28.
Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for the weekend for much of the greater Kawarthas region, including southern Peterborough County, southern Kawartha Lakes, and all of Northumberland.
Hot and humid conditions expected to continue Saturday (August 21) and Sunday and then possibly into early next week.
Maximum temperatures are expected to reach 31°C, with humidex values ranging from 36°C to 40°C. There will be little relief overnight, with a low of 21°C.
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On Sunday, afternoon temperatures Sunday may be a degree or so lower than on Saturday. However, temperatures may once again rise to the low 30s early next week.
Hot and humid air can also bring deteriorating air quality and can cause the Air Quality Health Index to approach the high-risk category.
The risks are greater for young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses and people working or exercising outdoors.
Drink plenty of water even before you feel thirsty and stay in a cool place.
Seek a cool place such as a tree-shaded area, swimming pool, shower or bath, or air-conditioned spot like a public building.
Never leave people or pets inside a parked vehicle.
Here’s an update on COVID-19 cases in Ontario as well as in the greater Kawarthas region.
Ontario is reporting 650 new cases today, the highest daily increase since June 6 when 663 cases were reported. The seven-day average of daily cases has increased by 20 to 518.
Toronto and Peel are both reporting triple-digit increases of 136 and 113 respectively. Of Ontario’s remaining 32 health units, 10 are reporting double-digit increases — York (63), Windsor-Essex (58), Hamilton (55), Middlesex-London (39), Durham (25), Waterloo (25), Ottawa (22), Niagara (22), Halton (19), and Simcoe Muskoka (15) — and 4 are reporting no new cases at all.
Of the new cases, 66% are among unvaccinated people, 16% are among fully vaccinated people, 10% are among partially vaccinated people, and 9% are unknown.
The number of hospitalizations has jumped by 21 to 197, the highest number since July 7 when 201 hospitalizations were reported. The number of ICU patients stands at 135, an increase of 8 since the number was last reported on August 17, with the number of ICU patients on ventilators at 77, a decrease of 1 since the number was last reported on August 17.
Ontario is reporting 2 new COVID-related deaths.
Over 20.3 million vaccine doses have been administered, an increase of 45,748 from yesterday, with just over 9.7 million people fully vaccinated, an increase of 29,364 from yesterday, representing 65.6% of Ontario’s total population.
COVID-19 cases in Ontario from July 20 – August 19, 2021. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU admissions in Ontario from July 20 – August 19, 2021. The red line is the daily number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of hospitalizations, and the purple line is the daily number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 vaccinations in Ontario from July 20 – August 19, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily doses administered and the green line is the cumulative number of people fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccine. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
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In the greater Kawarthas region, there are 19 new cases to report over the past 2 days, including 7 in Hastings Prince Edward, 7 in Kawartha Lakes, 3 in Peterborough, and 1 in Northumberland. There are no new cases in Haliburton.
There is 1 new COVID-related hospitalizations in Kawartha Lakes.
An additional 12 cases have been resolved in the region including 3 in Kawartha Lakes, 3 in Northumberland, 3 in Hastings Prince Edward, 2 in Peterborough, and 1 in Haliburton.
The number of active cases has increased by 4 in Kawartha Lakes, by 1 in Peterborough, and by 1 in Hastings Prince Edward, and has decreased by 2 in Northumberland and by 1 in Haliburton.
There are currently 73 active cases in the greater Kawarthas region, an increase of 3 since yesterday, including 40 in Hastings Prince Edward (19 in Belleville, 14 in Quinte West, 3 in Prince Edward County, 2 in North Hastings, 1 in Tyendinaga & Deseronto, and 1 in Central Hastings), 14 in Kawartha Lakes, 13 in Peterborough, 5 in Northumberland, and 1 in Haliburton.
Since the pandemic began in the greater Kawarthas region, there have been 1,661 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (1,626 resolved with 22 deaths), 1,208 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (1,153 resolved with 58 deaths), 962 in Northumberland County (938 resolved with 17 deaths), 130 in Haliburton County (127 resolved with 1 death), and 1,219 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties (1,168 resolved with 12 deaths). The most recent death was reported in Hastings Prince Edward on July 28.
The beach at Sandy Lake in Trent Lakes. (Photo: Michael Hurcomb)
Every Friday during swimming season, we post The Beach Report™ — our weekly report of the results of water quality testing at beaches in the greater Kawarthas region — and update it throughout the week as conditions change.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, public health officials recommend staying home if you feel sick, visiting a beach close to your home to avoid unnecessary travel, bringing hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes, and maintaining at least two metres of physical distance from other beach-goers.
As of Thursday, August 26, the following beaches have been posted as unsafe for swimming:
Omemee Beach – Emily/Omemee (City of Kawartha Lakes)
Rotary Head Lake Beach – Dysart et al (Haliburton County). Note: this beach is closed.
Sandy Bay Beach – Alnwick Haldimand (Northumberland County)
Harwood Waterfront & Dock – Hamilton (Northumberland County)
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Below are the complete results of water quality testing at beaches in the City and County of Peterborough, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, Northumberland County, and Hastings County and Prince Edward County.
In the City of Peterborough, Peterborough Public Health Inspectors sample the beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead every business day, and public beaches in the County of Peterborough are sampled at least once a week (except for Chandos Beach, Quarry Bay Beach, and White?s Beach which are sampled at least once in June, July, and August).
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit provides weekly testing results for beaches in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Northumberland County. Testing is based on the most recent test results from the provincial lab in Peterborough for water samples taken from these beaches.
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health provides weekly testing results for beaches in Hastings County and Prince Edward County.
During the summer, local health units sample water at area beaches and test for bacteria such as E. coli to determine if the water quality at a beach is safe for public use. Popular beaches, like the beach at Roger’s Cove in Peterborough’s East City, are tested every business day while most other beaches are tested weekly. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
Important note
The following test results may not reflect current water quality conditions. Water samples can take one to three days to process and heavy rainfall, high winds or wave activity, large numbers of waterfowl near a beach, or large numbers of swimmers can rapidly change water quality.
You should always check current conditions before deciding to use a beach. You should also monitor other factors that might suggest a beach is unsafe to use, such as floating debris, oil, discoloured water, bad odours, and excessive weed growth.
kawarthaNOW.com offers two enews options to help readers stay in the know. Our VIP enews is delivered weekly every Wednesday morning and includes exclusive giveaways, and our news digest is delivered daily every morning. You can subscribe to one or both.
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