Sara Fraser

Mikey Perry of Brackley Beach, P.E.I., has won the Island's&nbsp;first medal of the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Alberta.&nbsp;

Perry beat&nbsp;teammate R.J. Hetherington to take a bronze in the 50 kg division of the men's individual judo&nbsp;event.&nbsp;

"We knew we were getting a bronze either way," said Team P.E.I. chef de mission Jo-Anne Wallace, on the phone from the medal ceremony in Red Deer.&nbsp;

P.E.I. had four athletes in bronze medal matches in judo Tuesday, she said.

Meet P.E.I.'s youngest 2019 Canada Winter Games athletes

Meet Keegan Crawford and Spencer Freeze, the Island's youngest athletes competing in this year's Canada Winter Games.

'They're the two youngest members of team P.E.I. this year for Canada Games so that's pretty exciting,' says coach Duncan Crawford.

young archers - canada games

'They're the two youngest members of Team P.E.I. this year for Canada Games so that's pretty exciting,' says coach Duncan Crawford.

In the genes? How 12 McQuaid cousins have played their way onto Canada Games teams

Sports officials on P.E.I. say one Island family likely holds a provincial record. Four McQuaids are heading to this year's Canada Winter Games, bringing to 12 the number of McQuaid first cousins who have competed for P.E.I. at the games over the years.

Squash player Grace, hockey player Matthew, and synchronised swimmer Victoria are among the 12 McQuaid first-cousins to make a P.E.I. Canada Games team.  

McQuaid athletes 

Squash player Grace, hockey player Matthew and synchronised swimmer Victoria are among the 12 McQuaid first cousins to make a P.E.I. Canada Games team.  

"It's so wonderful, everybody's so excited and it's just a real boost for the rest of the week," Wallace said. "It really is very exciting for our team."&nbsp;

Bronze medal winner Mikey Perry receives his award Tuesday night in Red Deer. 

Mikey Perry Judo bronze winner PEI 

Wallace then passed her phone to Mikey's mother,&nbsp;Trish Gregory.&nbsp;

She said watching the medal match was "stressful," because her son was fighting an opponent from the same province.

"So it's hard when you know both of the kids out there — very emotional."&nbsp;

The match went into overtime, Gregory said, until Mikey scored a point.&nbsp;

Mikey was "ecstatic" with the win, his mother said.

"He was very emotional. I think it took him quite a while for it to sink in that he won."&nbsp;

Perry attends Stonepark Intermediate School in Charlottetown.&nbsp;

"We all know that medals aren't everything, but it's a nice bonus when Team P.E.I. can pick up a medal at the games," Wallace said.&nbsp;

Early start to winter keeping food bank and fuel company busy

An early start to cold temperatures on P.E.I. this winter has people paying for more fuel to heat their homes, which could be impacting their grocery budgets.

An Upper Room Food Bank volunteer stacks food on the shelves to help keep up with higher demand during the colder winter months.

The Upper Room Food Bank

Fire prevention tips from an expert

Heating equipment including space heaters, wood stoves and propane fireplaces are the biggest fire risks this time of year, says Charlottetown Fire Inspector Winston Bryan.

Charlottetown Fire Inspector Winston Byran says there are simple, easy ways to prevent house fires. 

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Charlottetown Fire Inspector Winston Bryan says Islanders should have their flues cleaned regularly to prevent fires. 

Winston Bryan, Charlottetown Fire Inspector 

Mikey Perry's match with his teammate R.J. Hetherington was 'really close,' says Perry's mother, Trish Gregory.

P.E.I.'s first Canada Winter Games medal comes in judo

'Very exciting for our team'

'A nice bonus'

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