MUSKOKA — As Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare ramps up its pandemic response, CEO Natalie Bubela expressed her “confidence” in the “dedicated team” of hospital doctors and staff to handle the “extraordinary” health challenges ahead to protect all patients and workers. In a statement Wednesday afternoon to Muskokans, she issued her assurance in: “I would like to […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com TORONTO — Today dawns a new economic reality in Ontario, when most non-essential workplaces have been ordered to close their doors as the corona virus pandemic wave builds. All but the most necessary businesses and services have been told to allow employees to work from home allowing operations to continue as […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com BRACEBRIDGE — Bracebridge’s council is about to turn temporary powers over to a non-elected official tomorrow in response the pandemic. At a special council meeting — to be held electronically Thursday, March 26 — Mayor Graydon Smith and councillors could temporarily delegate authority to CAO John Sission “to exercise any discretionary […]
GRAVENHURST — Traffic was rerouted at the CN track on Brock Street at Bethune Drive Monday as work to move the wigwags took place. After the siding track through town was removed at the old Train Station last year, new Transportation Canada regulations meant the safety crossing arms had to be placed closer to the […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com TORONTO — Home hydro users can do laundry and wash dishes during the day without worrying about breaking the bank. The province has cut rates in half to evening hour prices for the next 45 days. They say that to support Ontarians through the COVID-19 crisis, the Ford government is providing […]
MUSKOKA — Local long-term care homes have new powers to manage COVID-19. Residents are prevented from leaving their homes to visit families. The province says a new law will also free up more space in long-term care home by moving people out of hospitals who no longer need hospital care. Ontario says it is taking […]
HUNTSVILLE — Social distancing is taking a front seat on Huntsville Transit buses. As of now only six riders will be allowed on a bus at any time, who must sit at least two metres apart. And passengers must hand-sanitize when they board the free buses. This may result in riders needing to be prepared […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — In a bid to protect waste collectors and handlers, major changes to Muskoka’s blue box and green bins are now in place that affect all residents. Effective immediately all garbage, recycling, and green bin organic material must be bagged, sealed and placed securely inside bins — do not put […]
SIMCOE MUSKKOA — The public clamour for more clarity around regional cases of COVID-19 garnered a positive response from the much challenged local health unit. Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) said Monday it currently has 10 confirmed cases of the corona virus. It says there are two hospitalizations and two deaths among the 10 cases now […]
Call is music to soothe aching souls. An online music performance by the Cory Band from Rhondda Valley in Wales is inspiring musicians and bands at home to practise together while self-isolating. Gerry Gerhart It Huntsville musician Gerry Gerhart says it’s possible to play together over the internet using a service called eJamming. He’s encouring the in-hiatus Muskoka Concert […]
GRAVENHURST — The importance of social distancing has never been more important. And the guys at Neviss Electrical Systems in Gravenhurst took it to new heights Monday afternoon, while doing pole duty on Bay Street. Remember to keep two (2) metres apart when walking in public — even when with family members. It may soon […]
TORONTO — At midnight Tuesday only essential workplaces will be allowed to stay open the next 14 days in a rare restriction on civil rights. Grocery stores, pharmacies and takeouts are exempt. And according to Prime Minister Trudeau today, he said he has no tolerance for people who don’t abide by the new rules. He […]
GRAVENHURST — Mayor Paul Kelly offered an updated report Monday on the town’s COVID-19 response. He remains in self isolation after returning from Saint Martin March 10. Find a link to his video message to the community at: Community Video Update: March 23/2020
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — MAHC is preparing for the worst by limiting patient services. Only urgent procedures and appointments will take place. If you do not receive a call from Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare, your appointment is not cancelled. CEO Natalie Bubela says in a release Monday morning that in an effort to keep […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com TORONTO — Here’s the first step to how you can see if you may have the corona virus. Ontario has launched an online checklist. The enhanced and interactive self-assessment tool asks some simple questions. It will help determine if people are negative or it will provide them with guidance on where to […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com BRACEBRIDGE — The new norm in Parry Sound-Muskoka is “Noman Miller.” Your veteran Tory MPP — who is the son of former premier and health minister Frank Miller — is on the job at the heart of the Ford government’s coronavirus fight. The folksy politician formerly known as nice guy “Norm […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com BRACEBRIDGE — A tweet by the mayor about people flocking to Muskoka to escape the COVID-19 threat has him in hot water. Sunday he had to apologize for his flippant, careless and insensitive remarks. Saturday on Twitter, he said: “I think we’ve got a lot of people heading up here to […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com TORONTO — Families should check with their child care centres Monday after the province said Sunday it will allow some to reopen to support health care and frontline workers during this COVID-19 outbreak. And the province is also providing online courses for students stuck at home, as well as using its […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — Hospital workers got a great shout-out from someone who knows the pandemic pressures they’re under first hand. The king of local beer and spirits sales heaped high praise on them after the leukemia survivor suffered a severe setback decades after putting it in the remission penalty box. Tony King […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — Today Ontario gave hospitals the ability to cancel and postpone services to free-up space and valuable staff, identify staffing priorities, and develop, modify and implement redeployment plans over the next two weeks. It means hospitals in Huntsville and Bracebridge will see major changes immediately for patients and by deploying […]