Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — As masked voters lined up to cast ballots today, the pandemic, vaccines, choice and change were on most people’s minds at polling stations. This as 8 Muskoka residents over the weekend tested COVID positive among 59 regional cases the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) is reporting. Monday the […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com PARRY SOUND-MUSKOKA — Voters lined up early today as polls opened for the federal election. At the Gravenhurst Legion dozens snaked around the building onto Veterans’ Way. Within an hour it was easy to walk in the back door and vote. With more than 21,000 votes already cast in advance polls […]
TARA COLLUM | Contributing columnist I recently read an article by an NPR reporter who caught a breakthrough COVID case after being vaccinated. While the case was mild, in that he didn’t need to be hospitalized, he was sick for five days and lost his sense of taste. His personal experience showed me the importance of […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — Nigel Hollidge believes a Taboo “renovation” will make it “the single most important golf course to play in the Muskoka region.” Most golfers and Canadian pros already agree it’s by far one of the best north of Toronto. Since it opened 20 years ago its magnificent 18 holes on […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — A young woman and older man in Muskoka are among 25 new regional COVID cases Friday, as weekly cases ended at just under half what they a week ago. The Gravenhurst man, aged 65-74, had close contact before reporting yesterday, but with a first episode last Saturday, Sept. 11. […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — COVID’s last mile is fraught with twists and turns at every border. As Alberta Premier Jason Kenney flip-flops on vaccine passports and Quebec orders health care workers to be fully vaccinated or be suspended, a rise in local cases shows no one is immune. Simcoe reports 26 cases and […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — Noisy motorcycles — and trucks — that roar through town like freight trains don’t catch the ear of the OPP like this. A constant bane on this community, disturbingly-loud mufflers are a civil annoyance not held in check by responsible police and bylaw peace services. Police in other towns […]
BRACEBRIDGE — A school safety enforcement inspection program has led to an impaired driving charge against a man on his way to work near the high school. Police say that s school returns and there is an increase in students traveling on foot and bicycle as well as on school buses, provincial police have been […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — With 100 per cent of local COVID cases now Delta variants, the health unit is reporting 30 more cases today. Three are from Bracebridge, aged 18-34, two men and one woman. All are under investigation after reporting yesterday with first episodes the day before. And 19 of the 30 […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — Forget the political divide across the country, the real divide is in vaccines. It’s pitting Canadian friends, neighbours and families. And the threat has Ontario worried about fake vaccine exemption print-outs, which come as the province will require some public certification proof a week tomorrow; and it has Alberta […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — Two weeks after a fatal fire left a mom of five dead, police and the Ontario Fire Marshal have yet to say what happened. The mayor says he is committed to inspections of apartments to prevent another “tragedy.” The town’s chief building official says they and the bylaw department […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — Five Muskoka COVID cases reported over the weekend are among 74 for the region. The health unit says that since Friday its three-day total includes the following cases in its north end: Bracebridge woman, 35-44, under investigation after reporting Sept. 11, with a first report Sept. 10 Huntsville boy, […]
Photos, story Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — A return to swimming, riding and running drew 500 Olympic distance triathlon competitors here this weekend. MultiSport Triathlon Canada held only its second event of the season as it welcomed the swimmers, cyclists and runners — along with cheering family and friends. Saturday was warmer than Sunday, […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — There weren’t a lot of close finishes yesterday as the Georgian Bay Rowing Club returned to Gull Lake Rotary Park. Only family photo finishes. In fact not only were the racers spaced out in the blue water — but the heats featured staggeringly long gaps between races due to […]
RUSTY DRAPER | Contributing columnist Well, it’s hard to believe, but here we are officially into September, the month that says goodbye to summer and ushers in my favourite season of the year. The only disappointment that shatters me a tad, is the knowledge that autumn is the precursor of what comes next. I never did […]
TARA COLLUM | Contributing columnist There wasn’t a cloud in the sky Sept. 11, 2001. I made it all the way to school before I heard one word about it. A girl asked me if I was following the news, about planes attacking the World Trade Centre towers in New York City. I thought her […]
BRACEBRIDGE — A 24-year-old woman is dead after an off-road dirt bike accident this afternoon. Provincial police and the OPP Technical Traffic Collision Investigation (TTCI) unit are on scene investigating after the accident Saturday, Sept. 11 just before 12:30 p.m. They say officers responded to the single vehicle collision involving the off-road vehicle on a […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — Looking for a chance to spread your wings without impacting your friends and loved ones? Saturday at Gull Lake Rotary Park the Georgian Bay Rowing Club is hosting a regatta with rowers from across Ontario. The Muskoka Fall Classic is a great opportunity to experience the feel of the […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com PARRY SOUND-MUSKOKA — Voting got underway today — and “no,” you don’t need a vaccine passport to cast your ballot for the advance polls on this weekend. But you should have at least one — if not two — by now. However, expect line-ups as normal COVID health and safety protocols […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com PARRY SOUND-MUSKOKA — The unvaccinated Green Party candidate going door-to-door says he’s “not anti-vaccine.” And he “might get it eventually.” We caught up with Marc Mantha yesterday as he was delivering food for Gravenhurst Against Poverty. And we asked him why. “That’s absolutely right,” he said without hesitation. “The reason is […]