Mark Clairmont

GRAVENHURST — If it’s beginning to look like Christmas, it’s going to sound a lot like the holiday season this weekend Dec. 7-8 here at the the Anglican and United churches in Gravenhurst. One of the most anticipated weekend concert events this month in south Muskoka is the Elderberries’ annual two-day, back-to-back carol fest. Saturday […]

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com BRACEBRIDGE — While MPP Graydon Smith was busy announcing his “Griswolds” Christmas awards last week, his ministry was being was singled out in four of the six violations of the Ontario Environmental Bill of Rights. Ontario Greens Deputy Leader Matt Richter released the following statement in response to the Auditor General’s […]

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — Six days in to the worst snow storm in 15 years, Gravenhurst’s mayor says if Hwy. 11 wasn’t closed it would be a different story. “We wouldn’t be here today,” said Heidi Lorenz. “That’s the nucleus of this problem.” She blamed inexperienced drivers who couldn’t handle the amount of […]

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — This weekend’s storm was the worst to hit south Muskoka in 15 years in terms of length and intensity. Not since Dec. 10-12 of 2009 has anywhere near this amount of snow hit the area with the enormous “lake effect” wallop of Nov. 28-Dec. 1. And that was just […]

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — A tip of the hat to those who helped right the Segwun yesterday after 140 cm of snow listed her port side some 45 degrees onto the dock. President John Miller posted this thank you online this morning: “As many of you know, the RMS Segwun listed over significantly […]

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — As the big dig continues there’s good news along Central Ontario’s main street highway this morning. Police say snow clearing efforts are continuing on Hwy. 11 between Hwy. 60 in Huntsville and West Street in Orillia. And that northbound lanes of Hwy. 11, from West St. Orillia, are expected […]

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — GPS detours that have redirected vehicles onto alternate routes to bypass the highway closures have unfortunately caused more chaos. The OPP said tonight in an update this has led to Cooper’s Falls Road and Housey’s Rapids Road becoming impassable, as several vehicles are now stuck in the snow. In […]

MUSKOKA — Friday’s first snowfall, which meant a cancellation of buses, has now led to the full closure of all Muskoka Trillium Lakelands District School Board schools. In an email notice to parents and guardians Sunday, they said: “We hope that you are well and were able to stay safe during the extreme winter storm […]

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — As rays of sun shone this afternoon offering some hope, Gravenhurst town officials met with provincial emergency officials, including Emergency Management Ontario representatives, the OPP, District of Muskoka representatives, Elexicon staff and neighbouring municipal representatives. That’s the latest today from the Town of Gravenhurst as of 4:30 p.m. Sunday. […]

SEVERN TOWNSHIP — Police charged a driver with multiple offences early today after locating a vehicle in the ditch in Severn Township. On Dec. 1 at 12:52 a.m., OPP from Orillia were conducting patrols in the area of Highway 11 and Centre Avenue when they located a vehicle stuck in a ditch on a ramp […]

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — “It’s all hands on deck. We will get through this. We always do. It’s not tough times, it’s tough people. Gravenhurst has shown that time and time again.” That was Mayor Heidi Lorenz this morning as Gravenhurst grappled with a massive weekend storm that dumped well over a metre […]

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — Day 3 of a massive winter storm has led Gravenhurst to declare a state of emergency overnight. More than a metre of snow since Friday that led to Hwy. 11 south of town being closed and travellers rescued off the road prompted the move, said Mayor Heidi Lorenz in […]

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — Winter is a lot like death. You know it’s coming — but it’s always a surprise when you wake up to it. As it was again this morning when Muskokans were awash in a blanket of overnight white. So much for a green Christmas? Even though it’s less than […]

BRACEBRIDGE — Winter’s first big dump had police responding to an impaired driving report. As a result officers charged a driver after stopping him before noon this morning. They say that on Nov. 29, at 10:15 a.m., they responded to a concern from a member of the public about a possibly impaired driver in the […]

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — After months of digging, piping and paving, phase 2 of the Bay & Beyond-schedule reconstruction is due to reopen within days of winter’s first snowfall overnight. Two-way traffic is expected to resume late Thursday or early Friday between Greavette Street and Cherokee Lane with just a few more signs, […]