GRAVENHURST — A massive fire that destroyed a cottage under construction early Monday — causing $2.5 million damage — saw the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office investigating the Lake Muskoka blaze. Gravenhurst firefighters, who got the call about 8:30 a.m. off Muskoka Road 169 at McKenzie Road (just west of the Creative Plate Eatery restaurant), managed […]
GRAVENHURST — Recent rains have resulted in the open burning ban being rescinded as of July 14. The Gravenhurst Fire Department tweeted today that: “The weather over the weekend has improved conditions throughout our community to the point where the OPEN BURNING BAN has been RESCINDED.” They say the Fire Danger Rating is now set […]
GRAVENHURST — The heat’s on those who spark fires now. The Forest Fire Danger Rating has been elevated to “Extreme” for the Town of Gravenhurst. That means a total fire ban is now in effect. So “absolutely NO burning at any time, including fires for cooking or warmth,” says a fire department release Friday afternoon. Fire […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — Mail call. Canada Post is converting a number of old community mail boxes around town. The exact number is unknown — even to the local downtown post office here where a worker said: “We don’t know, we just get new keys in the mail” to distribute. And — please […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — A day at the beach is nothing like last year, says Jon Hagan. Not at Gull Lake Rotary Park Beach, for sure, where he and his lovely yellow lab Simon were wading in the water. He noted not only the absence of large crowd that a year ago would […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — If masks are required inside public spaces, what about outside? The health unit, which is calling for everyone to where them indoors — effective July 13 (if not sooner) strongly urges everyone to wear face coverings now to keep COVID-19 in check. A check today with the Simcoe-Muskoka District […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — If you haven’t got a mask — or worn one yet — it’ll be mandatory next week. And the new “regulation” could cost you if you don’t. The region’s top health official has ordered mandatory face covers for anyone entering a business or indoor public setting to fight the […]
GRAVENHURST — The public beach at Gull Lake Rotary Park has a clean bill of health now. A “swim advisory” the past two weeks was lifted this afternoon, Tuesday June 7. Swimming was still allowed during the hot days before and after Canada Day, but caution was urged when going under water or swallowing water due […]
HUNTSVILLE — A $300,000 fire late yesterday morning had firefighters from stations in Huntsville and Port Sydney responding to heavy smoke and flames at a waterfront property. The Huntsville/Lake of Bays Fire Department says the structure fire on Camp Newport Road was called in at 11 a.m. Fire prevention officer Mike Vadlja says in a […]
MUSKOKA LAKES — Police are continuing to investigate the death Sunday of a Toronto man, who was involved in an accident with a personal water craft. On July 16 police identified Michael Cohen, 58, as the victim. They say the investigation is ongoing and the names of the involved parties are being withheld. On July […]
LETTER TO EDITOR: ED. NOTE: Mark Verbeek celebrated 30 years with the Muskoka Paramedic Services on June 6. Two days later he and his wife were in a serious traffic accident that offered him a personal perspective on his career as a victim. He offers his insights and thanks to fellow first responders in a […]
MUSKOKA — Muskoka rocks! If you’re a fisher for sure. Rock bass are one of the district’s top catches if you’re a fisher — or fish person. With free fishing the next two weeks you, too, can be catch “a big one.” Muskoka has been renowned as a fishing destination for more than a century […]
GRAVENHURST — Pushed by the pandemic, businesses are finally taking it to the streets. Years after customers have called for curbside service, more merchants are reaching out to the public. And it’s service with a smile. If you could see behind the servers’ masks — you’d see a big grin. Street meat has new meaning […]
BRACEBRIDGE — Play safe but keep your distance. That’s the message Bracebridge park wardens will take to the beach starting July 6, as public parks and beaches open and a new norm settles in. They say in a release Friday that following similar directives in other municipalities in Ontario, The Town of Bracebridge is redeploying […]
PARRY SOUND-MUSKOKA — As Ontarians slowly get moving again, local public transit users across the riding can feel a little safer knowing the seats they sit in while commuting around town will continue to be sanitized as the pandemic continues. In addition to ongoing efforts by municipalities to keep buses clean, MPP Norman Miller says […]
HUNTSVILLE — Another hot weekend comes with s swim advisory at the Port Sydney Beach on Mary Lake — one of the best large public swim areas in Muskoka. The Town of Huntsville has been notified by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit that an advisory has been issued for the popular waterfront. An advisory […]
GRAVENHURST — With the price of gas back on the rise, police are continuing to investigate a gas-and-go theft on Hwy. 11 north at the Skyways Restaurant by the airport. A driver pumped almost $250 worth of fuel into his pickup truck June 22 at 2:30 p.m. Police say the licence plate attached to the […]
MUSKOKA — A major break and enter police investigation involving multiple vehicle thefts across Central Ontario and the GTA is now in the hands of the Crown. Provincial police say the Muskoka Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) completed Project Axle, a probe that spanned multiple months involving thefts of various equipment across Muskoka, Simcoe County, […]
GRAVENHURST — Watch for live concerts at the local drive-in this summer. Thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Salesforce, Peter’s Players is putting on shows at Gravenhurst’s outdoor theatre. Peter Swanek and his wife Michellee are among 62 grant recipients from the Canadian Business Resilience Network Small Business Relief Fund. […]
GRAVENHURST — An Orillia man was airlifted to Toronto with life-threatening injuries Tuesday, after ditching his motorcycle while not wearing a helmet. Provincial police say officers are investigating the crash June 30 at 8 p.m. on Southwood Road in Gravenhurst. They say a nearby resident called 911 after the man who was riding without a […]