Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com PARRY SOUND — More details are emerging today of a deadly boating crash Aug. 24 2019 on Lake Joseph as the trial of Linda O’Leary opened up in a provincial courtroom here. The wife of Kevin O’Leary, who was in court this morning, has pleaded not guilty to careless operation of […]
MUSKOKA — Rain or shine the fire ban continues. Muskoka six municipal fire chiefs remind everyone that their recent total fire ban order remains in effect. While some areas of Muskoka received some scattered precipitation today and last Thursday before the weekend, other areas received very little. They say no fires of any type are […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — It was men and women — boys and girls — everyone in motion this weekend, after Friday’s first wave of summer Ontario openings sweeps across the province. The sea change in Muskoka tourism was evident everywhere as Simcoe-Muskoka reported 10 COVID cases Sunday and province 530. In towns and […]
GRAVENHURST — A disturbance call yesterday afternoon has led to police to charge a local man with drug possession. Police say they got a call to Ridge Road Saturday, June 12, where they found several parties involved in a verbal argument. As a result officers arrested and charged a 35-year-old John-Paul (J.P) O’Hara, of Gravenhurst, […]
My family isn’t local to Muskoka, we moved to the area in 1979. I always thought I was from “The City.” But that isn’t technically true, we moved to Gravenhurst from Scarborough. I went to York University — and that isn’t really in Toronto, either. It’s part of North York. Living on my own for […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — Break out the patio lanterns. A dreary Friday didn’t dampen enthusiasm for Ontarians who were happy to sit this one out — outdoors. Thanks to another zero sum gain for Muskoka, as Simcoe was stuck with all 26 of the region’s COVID cases. That’s just over a third of […]
HUNTSVILLE — Lockdown restrictions may be lifted today, but limits on large gatherings still exist. A group of 18 found that the hard way yesterday when they amassed almost $16,000 in fines. Provincial police said Friday that officers charged them late Thursday afternoon. They say that on June 10, at 5:30 p.m., officers responded to […]
MINDEN — An auto accident here has led to numerous charges including impaired driving, drugs and illegal firearms possession against a Gravenhurst man. Provincial police from the Haliburton OPP laid the charges after a single-vehicle collision. They say that on Wednesday, June 9, officers responded to a single vehicle collision on Gelert Road in Minden […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com PARRY SOUND-MUSKOKA — Can the orange and the green topple the blue? Or can the reds come up the middle? That’s the scenario shaping up for a year from now as the NDP, Greens and Liberals take aim again at MPP Norm Miller in the June 2, 2022 provincial election in […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — A better day on local COVID fronts. Only 8 cases in Simcoe — and none in Muskoka. That’s according to the health unit this afternoon, a number that’s half the 16 the province reported this morning. As importantly is the region has surpassed 60 per cent of residents with […]
I’ve been having a lot of conversations about the mass burial site in Kamloops. My friends and family are discussing what we did and didn’t learn in school about Indigenous history. Issues close to home require a lot of thought and reflection that go beyond an angry tweet, or reposting a meme. One story that’s […]
BRACEBRIDGE — A budding young Grade 6 poet here has helped the Muskoka Habitat for Humanity affiliate raise $11,700 for a Bala build next spring. He was a runner-up in a national contest in which 170 local kids submitted entries to the queston: “What does home mean to you?” A record 12,000 students from grades […]
SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — The local labour council is helping a post-secondary student continue her education by awarding her its first scholarship. The North Simcoe Muskoka District Labour Council (NSMDLC) will assist Samira Schenker, of Magnetewan, who is in her second year at the University of Ottawa, with a $500 grant. “We know how financially out-of-reach post-secondary […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — Another day, another number worth worrying about after a few days when it looked like the tide has turned. Twenty per cent of today’s declining regional COVID cases were in Muskoka. That’s 5 of 25, according to updated reports this afternoon from the Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit. As usual, […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — No matter who’s counting — COVID’s days are numbered. This morning the province reported 4 cases in Simcoe-Muskoka. This afternoon the health unit says it’s 13 — with a man in Gravenhurst aged 35-44 who had close contact after being reported yesterday with a first episode June 3. The […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — The Ontario Fire College (OFC) may be closed and the OPP’s neighbouring canine training centre went to the dogs over a year ago. Now it’s anchors aweigh for the police marine training centre at the same north-end waterfront site, which closed its doors to firefighters in March. This is […]
GRAVENHURST — Two local drivers face impaired charges after police RIDE checks here on Bay Street — including one late last night. Provincial police report that on Monday June 7, at 11 p.m., officers were conducting a RIDE check program when they say a vehicle attempted to flee upon seeing police. Officers were able to […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com BRACEBRIDGE — Dozens of Muskoka’s largest spawning fish have been dumped and found rotting in the south branch of the Muskoka River near the Ontario Power Generation (OPG) station. And Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) officials are looking for help from witnesses in finding the poachers. Conservation officers located […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — Three weekend Muskoka COVID cases come as the province plans to reopen the economy further Friday. The two young women and man are among 32 people testing positive according to the health unit this afternoon. Public Health Ontario reporting just 25 cases this morning. They are: Gravenhurst woman, 18-34, […]
Photos by Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — It’s hard to picture a sunset not worth a thousand poems. And why a walk about the Muskoka Wharf is a golden opportunity to stare in to a gorgeous dusky abyss. A perambulate that’s as pleasing to the eyes of photographers craving to capture digital drama with […]