“This Week Uncut” Tackles Local News, Leadership Changes, and Environmental Concerns in Charlotte County

The weekly public affairs program This Week Uncut on CHCO-TV explored several pressing policy and governance issues across Charlotte County in its latest episode, co-hosted by Vicki Hogarth and Nathalie Sturgeon.

The broadcast opened with news that The Courier—a newspaper founded in 1865—has resumed print distribution following a one-year hiatus. Now operating as a nonprofit under CHCO-TV’s ownership, The Courier is being offered free of charge to readers.

“It’s free now,” Hogarth explained. “We’ve transitioned it into a nonprofit model, so it’s supported by donations and advertising, not subscriptions.” She emphasized that the monthly print edition is intended to complement CHCO’s online coverage. “It’s not going to be breaking news. That’s for online. So our website, chco.tv, will still be your home for breaking news.”

The program then turned to changes at the St. Stephen Youth Centre, where longtime director Debby Lord has formally stepped down. Contributor Lukas Kohler shared insight into Lord’s gradual transition out of the role: “She was trying to retire for a while. She kept being pulled back in. I think her heart’s just so much a part of that Youth Centre.” The centre’s new director, Amanda Harrington, will also be joined by a service dog trained to support youth in therapeutic settings.

Environmental concerns dominated the next segment. The hosts read from a letter in which the Town of St. Stephen requested provincial action regarding discoloured discharge and odours in the lower Saint Croix River. In its written response, the province dismissed local reports as anecdotal and declined to commit to immediate water testing. During a recorded council meeting, one councillor voiced frustration: “I am totally disgusted with this report. Bottom line is, we said, ‘Thank you,’” adding that the town may pursue third-party water testing if the province won’t step in.

The episode also highlighted the latest inductions into the Greater St. Stephen Sports Wall of Fame. Honourees included athletes and builders from five different sports. The board paid tribute to the late Joe Peters, founder of the Wall of Fame. “He was the founder. It was his idea, it was his vision,” said board member Dawn Walker, noting the ceremony took place on what would have been Peters’s birthday.

In the final segment, Hogarth and Sturgeon turned to intergovernmental affairs ahead of this week’s First Ministers’ Meeting in Saskatoon. Contributor Aidan Raynor interviewed New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt, who said she plans to advocate for federal cost-sharing on clean energy infrastructure and improved interprovincial trade routes. The hosts noted that they’ll continue to track the meeting’s outcomes, particularly concerning job creation and environmental policy in the region.