Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com TORONTO — “As the latest modelling confirms, without taking immediate and decisive action COVID-19 cases will spiral out of control and our hospitals will be overwhelmed.” So said Premier Ford today, as he strengthened enforcement of Ontario’s stay-at-home order, effective Saturday at 12:01 a.m., that also imposes new travel restrictions everyone […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com ORILLIA — Stay home … or pay the price, say police. The Ontario Provincial Police want the public to be aware of actions being taken to help limit the transmission of the COVID-19 virus, including restrictions on inter-provincial travel. The province has announced further restrictions on outdoor activities and gatherings. As […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — It’s going to get worse before it gets better. That goes for COVID cases and restrictions as Simcoe-Muskoka reports 133 cases today — 7 of them in Muskoka. The third wave could be a tsunami according to Friday’s modelling says the province, as escalating restrictions on the public and […]
GRAVENHURST — A bail hearing was held this morning for a man police charged with armed robbery at the McDonald’s Tuesday morning. Jason McIntyre, 32, of Gravenhurst, was held in custody until this morning after police said he “brandished” a gun at the fast food restaurant, as first reported here by MuskokaTODAY.com three days ago. […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — With Ontarians moving the goalposts, COVID’s endgame for Simcoe-Muskoka remains a summer stretch. Certainly with another 121 cases today, according to the health unit — and 118 by all provincial accounts. So Premier Doug Ford warns be prepared for a curfew. No wonder, as the province had another record […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — So much for a reprieve. A day after one case in Muskoka, the health unit reports 11 more today. They are among 89 Wednesday, according to the Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU). Five are in Huntsville (107 in total now), three in Gravenhurst (55), two in Muskoka Lakes (61) […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — A single Gravenhurst case today is no cause for celebration in Muskoka, says Dr. Charles Gardner. Not with 85 cases the past 24 hours across the region. (The province posted 102 this morning). And a weekend cluster in Lake of Bay that is of “concern” to the medical officer […]
GRAVENHURST — A middle-aged man is in custody today facing weapons charges after showing a handgun at the McDonalds this morning. He was peacefully arrested at a nearby residence on James Street after surrendering to police, who say there was no other public safety issue. Sergeant Steve Mihills, of the OPP detachment at Bracebridge, tells […]
GRAVENHURST — James Street was closed in both directions here late this morning for a police investigation at a home near the ballpark. Neighbours reported seeing an armed OPP emergency response team (ERT) member dressed in camouflage. Officers closed the west section of the road between Fernwood Drive and the North Muldrew Lake Road. A […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — More than two dozen Muskoka COVID cases are being reported this afternoon by the health unit. This as all Ontario kids will move to online learning starting next week as the province said today it is keeping schools closed after this week’s spring break — with no date for […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — Another record-setting day sees Simcoe-Muskoka top 100 COVID cases again today. The 101 people who tested positive for the coronavirus Saturday is the second straight day region has reached triple digits after 124 Saturday. That makes the weekend toll 225. This as Ontario says it recorded a record 4,456 […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com HUNTSVILLE — “Prince Phillip was always a big part of our lives,” says Kim Gerhart, who grew up in Brighton, England. The 68-year-old retired Huntsville CCAC worker is a distinguished Duke of Edinburgh’s Award recipient and who was presented to the prince as a teen after she completed the three levels […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — Reminiscences of Prince Philip have sparked memories on social media of his day visit in Gravenhurst with Queen Elizabeth in 1959. Gravenhurst Archives chair Judy Humphrey passed along a great little newspaper clipping about the “Flower girls for Royal visit.” It may have come from the Gravenhurst Banner or […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — Give me a break! That’s the shocked response today, as Public Health Ontario (PHO) is reporting another 113 COVID cases in Simcoe-Muskoka. PHO doesn’t break down numbers for Muskoka and Simcoe. That will come Monday when the Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) reports in cases for Friday, Saturday and […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — Fears that COVID is striking younger people comes home as two more Muskoka men are among the latest 100 regional victims of the virus today. The Gravenhurst and Huntsville residents, both aged 18-34, are under investigation after being first reported yesterday and the day before, with first incidents April […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — Prince of a guy. That’s how Gravenhurst and Muskoka residents are remembering Prince Philip who died this morning. He was 99. In 1959 he and Queen Elizabeth II made a short stop in Gravenhurst, on July 4, to christen the new Barge at Gull Lake Park. It was a […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com BRACEBRIDGE — The rubber hit the road yesterday when Premier Doug Ford shot back at critics who said they were “playing politics” over his refusal to offer COVID paid sick leave days. His pro-business government is being accused of giving to and taking from workers. While it offered more vaccines for […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — Getting a vaccine shot is getting easier — but it still takes time, effort as possibly travel. And if you can travel to another community, under new stay-at-home orders going to medical appointments is an acceptable reason to leave your home. A five-minute call to the provincial hotline yesterday […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — Day 1 of the latest stay-at-home order sees the province reporting 124 COVID cases in Simcoe-Muskoka this morning — while the health unit countered in the afternoon with 84. A Bracebridge man, 45-64, is under investigation after first being reported yesterday, following a first episode the day before. The […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE MUSKOKA — A steady stream of people coming and going at local vaccination clinics are showing signs of some public ease after weeks of angst. Local provincial sites organized by the health unit — in association with primary physicians and paramedics — are doing brisk business. This as the province shifts […]