Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — As Simcoe and Muskoka enter the orange zone Monday — with tighter health restrictions — is it time for Muskoka to sever health ties with Simcoe? MPP Norm Miller “thinks that makes sense” — and has told Premier Doug Ford. With just 5 per cent of the 1,837 local […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — In an emergency, any charged up cell phone — connected or not to a service provider and cell phone plan — can be used to dial 911. But if you’re in an abusive relationship — and a shared phone is broken or you can’t or are denied access to […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — BARRIE — COVID meet M*A*S*H. With chilling news about pandemic predictions on the eve of a vaccine, Simcoe-Muskoka’s go-to health care centre opened a parking lot medical army surgical hospital as the coronavirus goes from worse to worst. And they prepare for “second and future waves.” As Simcoe-Muskoka cases […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — After a disappointing first kick at the can, Climate Action Muskoka’s (CAM) is buoyed by a new district staff initiative. CAM says in a release that its “ambitious” climate emergency resolution is headed back to council as part of the district’s New Leaf: Muskoka’s Climate Strategy. Councillors on Muskoka’s […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com HUNTSVILLE — A huge step in the transition of Fairvern Nursing Home to a District of Muskoka-run LTC facility came today with provincial approval for 64 new beds to be built at the old hospital here. Fairvern is currently a 76-bed long-term care home operated by a not-for-profit board of directors. […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — As dire national modelling emerged today, the number of new COVID cases in Simcoe and Muskoka this week topped 200. That’s with 39 more people testing positive, Friday Nov. 20, in the local health unit’s area of responsibility. There were 34 reported cases yesterday. There were no new deaths […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — Ask and ye shall receive. That’s the Rotary/Fabricare free winter coat giveaway next week. A first-come, first-served, no questions asked handout Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 3-6 p.m. in Gravenhurst, Bracebridge and Huntsville. With a taste of winter already and COVID compounding the collection and distribution of donated parkas […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — With more dire pandemic predictions and stay-in-place shopping advice, the Gravenhurst Rotary Club’s TV-Internet Auction is timely and helpful way to shop locally. And no masks are required if Christmas shopping at home. And thanks to hundreds of generous community donors who responded in record numbers this year — […]
BRACEBRIDGE — A 19-year-old Bracebridge woman was airlifted to a Toronto hospital with “life-altering injuries” early this morning after a single-vehicle accident. Another Bracebridge woman, 23, faces impaired driving charges. Police responded to reports of a single vehicle collision on Nicholls Road in Bracebridge, Friday Nov. 20, at 3 a.m. They say officers arrived and […]
BRACEBRIDGE — The YWCA is putting a positive spin on the pandemic by moving into new headquarters in less than two weeks. On Dec. 1 the local charity that champions positive change for women and girls will be located at 205 Manitoba St., in the plaza north of Oliver’s Coffee. They are currently on Ecclestone […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — A middle-aged woman and a man 80+ — both from Muskoka Lakes Township — are just two of 32 cases of COVID-19 being reported today as the running total hits one shy of 1,800. The two Muskoka residents are under investigation as to the cause. The Simcoe Muskoka District […]
MUSKOKA LAKES — The health unit is urging caution to residents and visitors on the north side of Bass Lake, in Township of Muskoka Lakes, after a confirmed blue-green algae bloom was discovered. The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit said today, Nov. 19, people should exercise caution where blue-green algae is visible and to take […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com BRACEBRIDGE — “We’re politicians, not doctors,” admits Jill Dunlop, the Simcoe North MPP who said this morning she “differs” with her own medical officer of health when it comes to transparency concerns that some physicians have about being able to share the pandemic advice they’re giving the government. “Every decision we […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — A daily drop in COVID cases locally today — at 18 — still sees Simcoe-Muskoka with 135 people testing positive this week. That’s down from 31 for the day Tuesday. And one more death since yesterday. None of the new cases were in Muskoka. Also today, the Simcoe Muskoka […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — Simcoe-Muskoka went up and Ontario down today in COVID accounting. The local region — which is now in Ontario’s yellow protect COVID zone — posted 31 new cases Monday Nov. 17 and the province 1,249. Quebec and Manitoba were also down at 982 and 270 cases respectively. A Gravenhurst […]
BRACEBRIDGE — Three Pines staff members remain in isolation after one of them tested positive as of Saturday. It says the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) advised the District Nov. 14 that a staff member from the Pines Long-Term Care Home has tested positive for COVID-19. This positive result was not an outcome of […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — What a difference a few days makes. And not just in weather. Wednesday, Remembrance Day, the parade square around at the local cenotaph was virtually void — save for 14 legionnaires bravely cloistered inside, lest anyone forget. By order of the legion command — on the recommendation of public […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — COVID is “definitely going to get worse before it gets better.” And “a third wave always follows a second.” That’s the stark messages delivered this morning to Gravenhurst Probus members in a virtual briefing from one of the country’s top medical advisers. Dr. Andrew Morris, a Muldrew Lake cottager, […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — If you needed any more proof that the pandemic is going to make winter worse, latest local stats confirm everyone’s worst fears. Today the health unit reports 86 positive tests over the weekend. Two of them are women from Muskoka. One is aged 45-64 in Bracebridge. The other is […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — It was a dark and stormy night …. “It was a crazy day, all day and night,” said one person on social media. Yesterday’s winds whipped up a nasty night and day for residents across much of southern Ontario Sunday as wild gusts knocked down their usual trees and […]