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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
This could happen on any day and the time of day is really insignificant. It’s something we’ve all seen with a certain degree of delight. It’s the walking of a dog. It matters not the size of the animal. Some dogs come the size of a colt and others come so small they look more […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — Four people in Gravenhurst and 5 in Muskoka Lakes end the week as being among 32 COVID cases the health unit is reporting this afternoon. They bring to 113 the number of Simcoe-Muskoka residents this week, which is down from 207 last week and 305 the week before. And […]
GRAVENHURST — A local man is to appear in bail court tomorrow after being arrested and charged today following multiple thefts from vehicles this morning. Police say that on Thursday June 3, near Phillip and First streets, they received several complaints from the public. They say that thanks to the information from witnesses, officers who […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SOUTH MUSKOKA — Getting out on the road after the lockdown is a little bit easier between Bracebridge and Gravenhurst this week. Commuters — long haulers, shoppers and stay-cationers — between the twin towns are finding the path to reopening a little smoother thanks to some hot pavers and private highway […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — Only 258 kids in Muskoka, aged 12-17, have been vaccinated. The health unit says — in response to an enquiry by MuskokaTODAY.com — that that’s 7.5 per cent of the 3,445 eligible youth in the district as of yesterday, the same day Premier Doug Ford was criticized for saying […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — Now that schools won’t reopen a couple of Muskoka COVID cases seem trivial today. But you’d have to ask the two men, both aged 45-64, how they feel: A Gravenhurst resident who under investigation after reporting yesterday with his first episode May 31. And a person from Muskoka Lakes […]
MUSKOKA — A millimetre or two of rain today hasn’t put a damper on Muskoka fire chiefs who issued an extreme fire rating. They say that with a lack of sufficient rainfall and extremely dry conditions, they have issued a total Fire Ban for Muskoka and the Fire Danger Rating is now set at extreme. The total ban on […]