Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — Those needing any more excuses for the fight of their lives need only add 200+ to the count. That’s the number of frontline staff MAHC expects to add when Muskoka’s new hospitals open. “Predominantly unionized positions,” they say. That’s critical for municipal development in Huntsville, Bracebridge — and emerging […]
Photos and story Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com BRACEBRIDGE — Most people came for the last skate or to regale in the glory days of the Memorial Arena — and Community Centre as it was first known in 1949. Jim Hammond came hunting souvenirs this morning. With his screw driver he found what he wanted. A […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — “Progress,” a “conciliatory position,” a new petition and an “urgent appeal” to support equal acute care. That’s this week’s messages from the Save South Muskoka Hospital committee, following Wednesday’s talks between Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare, doctors and employee partners on hospitals redevelopment. “The joint consultations indicates that progress has commenced […]
Photos and story Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com BRACEBRIDGE — The last league and shinny games at the Memorial Arena last night were as stark a difference as dreams of making the NHL one day. One minute you’re on top of the world like the U18 Local League champions and the next you’re a beer leaguer […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com BRACEBRIDGE — “Through the Eras” was an apt description for Skate Muskoka’s 75th and final figure skating show at the Bracebridge Memorial Arena. And Diane Lloyd and her daughter Susan were with them all the way. The former skating coaches — Diane 30 years starting in 1969 and Susan in the […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — There may be at least some key movements on the hospitals front. A closed meeting Wednesday night in Utterson between the MAHC board and credentialed staff associations members indicates the two opposing sides may yet find more middle grounds, several sources tell MuskokaTODAY.com. Doctors in south Muskoka said this […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com BRACEBRIDGE — Dan Brooks and I were reminiscing this morning about being defence partners 55 years ago at the Roger Crozier-Ron Ingram summer hockey school here. We were on the same ice with Mayor Rick Maloney for the final regular public skate two days before the Bracebridge Memorial Arena closes. The […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com BRACEBRIDGE — Chub Downey would be proud and impressed. His cup is going to the Lakeland Blacks a deserved U15 Local League champion — even though it probably could have/have been shared with their Muskoka Chrysler Red opponents. On the second last night of hockey at the Bracebridge Memorial Arena Wednesday, […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — Within hours credentialed staff at Muskoka’s two hospitals will face off with MAHC management in life and death talks on neutral ground in Port Sydney. That’s the ironic halfway point between Huntsville and Bracebridge where once there could have been a mega hospital. An announced willingness on both sides […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com BRACEBRIDGE — As the clock ticks down to Saturday’s final two public skates at the Bracebridge Memorial Arena, the last figure skating carnival takes to the ice tonight. After 75 years the Bracebridge Figure Skating Club presents its last show, which over the decades has thrilled residents, families and provided a […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — Public pressure has forced MAHC to re-consider its hospitals redevelopment plan and numbers, which would have taken beds and obstetrics away from south Muskoka in 2031-32 moving them to Huntsville. They are now willing to consider more “inpatient beds and labour delivery” at their site in south Muskoka. No […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — What’s best for Muskoka and/or its two hospital host communities? That’s a new strategy opponents of MAHC’s redevelopment plan are pondering as they’ve formalized efforts to fight for two independent hospitals. Call it divide and conquer. That’s all in their latest update Monday. Over the weekend they had representation […]
BRACEBRIDGE — Police are asking the public’s help in changing the pattern of drivers continuing to risk safety by choosing to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol after five people were charged March 16-23 in south Muskoka. On Friday March 16 at 5:15 p.m. officers responded to reports of a two-vehicle collision on […]
HUNTSVILLE — A beer bust has a local man facing several suds charges. OPP at Huntsville have laid multiple charges following an investigation into stolen beer kegs early last week. On Monday March 14, at 2:30 p.m., police were called regarding a suspicious male trying to return kegs to a local brewery. Officers began an […]
BRACEBRIDGE — A north end Hortons, near Walmart, was the victim of a break-in early last week in which a thief crawled in the drive-thru window in the middle of night stealing a small amount of cash. Police are investigating the B&E on Depot Drive at the intersection with Taylor Road Monday, March 18, which […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — Who made the final divisive decisions on MAHC’s new hospitals? As a jury these 12 board members weighed information and — like Easter apostles — are preaching two separate and very distinct Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare sites a decade from now. According MAHC’s website, they’re volunteers who “plays a key […]
MUSKOKA — A Gravenhurst man is among three people charged after winter drug investigation that led to $300,000 in street drugs being confiscated in drug raids Wednesday and Thursday. In early 2024 the OPP’s Muskoka Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) conducted an investigation into drug trafficking through-out the District of Muskoka. On March 20 and 21, with the assistance of the Central Region Tactics and Rescue Unit, the […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — With winter clinging on and ice finally out, Rotarians were celebrating this week as work finally on their 85th anniversary signature community project. Rotary Rocks the Barge work began this week with the town’s Rotary Gull Lake Park cordoned off for the next few months as worker dig into […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — Jenn Armishaw met her birth mother “one time.” And was “right with her at the very end of her life.” That’s how Armishaw named the “Christine’s Place” free walk-in pregnancy resource centres after her mom. Yesterday she opened a second office in Gravenhurst after 14 years in Huntsville at […]
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Last week the government warned Ontarians to be on the lookout for bears waking up from hibernation earlier than usual as a result of an extremely warm winter. Ontario’s Natural Resources Minister (and habitual climate change downplayer), Graydon Smith, said: “I’m not worried about it, but I think people should take […]
