Skip to content

News Update, 8:00am, Wednesday February 18th, 2026

News Update, 8:00am, Wednesday February 18th, 2026
News Desk
Feb 18, 2026 | 8:36 AM

Good Wednesday morning, February 18th. Happy hump day. Freezing rain or ice pellets changing to snow, windy and the temperature will be cold. Minus 2 will feel minus 9. The dollar 73.28 cents U.S. and Stacey Englehart. A messy mix of freezing rain and snow set to hit the province. An orange freezing rain warning issued for Owen Sound, Blue Mountains, Northern Grey County. And we did have a fog advisory, but Environment Canada now says freezing rain mixed with snow will lead to significant ice buildup. Add the gusty winds, and that means tree damage could cause utility outages. Roads and walkways will become slippery and icy. Be careful if you're walking or driving. A portion of the Georgian trail is temporarily closed. The town of Blue Mountain said the closure will allow construction on a stormwater project. So the trail now fully closed between Gray Road 19 and Lakeshore Road East, it could take a few weeks. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre said an Ontario MP does not speak for the party after he slammed Canada on U.S. TV. Jamil Giovanni said Canada was having, quote, an anti-American hissy fit. Poilievre said Canadians are legitimately upset about tariffs imposed by the U.S. government. The episode comes as Canada prepares for talks on the Continental Trade Agreement. And Canadian Muslims are preparing to mark the start of Ramadan today. And for the first time in two decades, Canada's approximately 1.8 million Muslims mark the full month of Ramadan in winter. It follows the lunar calendar and shifts every year. Light 99, 3 Sports, Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League, Mifford Knights host West Nipissing tomorrow, 7.30. At the Olympics, Canada struck gold on day 11 as day 12 gets underway. Ontario speed skaters Ivani Blondin, Isabelle Weidman, and Quebec's Valerie Maltet won gold in the women's team pursuit, marking the first time since 2010 that a country earned a top spot at back-to-back Olympics. Canada's men's curling team secured a playoff spot after defeating Great Britain. Canada will play Italy today. Also on tap today, Courtney Sirot chases another short track speed skating medal. Canada's men's hockey team returns to action in the quarterfinals to face Czechia in a rematch of their tournament opener. Canada's men are 3-0 so far. Mark McMorris wants a fourth Olympic medal when he competes in the snowboard slopestyle. And in the delayed women's snowboard slopestyle final, Lori Blouin will look to return to the podium after a fourth place finish in 2022. The event was pushed back because of snow. Canada has 12 medals on day 12, 3 gold, 4 silver, and five bronze. JD will keep you posted on the forecast throughout the morning. From the Light 99.3 News Center, I'm Stacey Englehart.