Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com BRACEBRIDGE — Ever wonder where Muskoka got its name? Patrick Boyer talks about it in his latest Modern History of Muskoka podcast Saturday, May 9. He says “my purpose is to put familiar Muskoka events in their larger context.” Boyer says Muskoka is named after Chief Musquakie, a member of Canada’s […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com ORO — Look … up in the sky. It’s the Snowbirds. Operation Inspiration is expected to fly into Simcoe Country this afternoon just before 5 p.m. today. But with a few flurries this afternoon that’s up in the air. The national COVID-19 aerial salute is due to land at Lake Simcoe […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com PORT SYDNEY — What’s good for the goose is not good for the ganders. Or at least the Easter Bunny. Our colleagues in the press report that Premier Doug Ford slipped up to his Port Sydney cottage Easter weekend. Just a quick pit stop to check on his pipes, he said. […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com BRACEBRIDGE — As mental health and youth mental health week ends, there was exciting news on the housing front for young Muskokans “who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.” Nancy Alcock, chair of the district’s community and planning services, said a supportive housing and services “hub” to be built in […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — United they stand — divided they say we’re not. Muskoka politicians afraid to bite the hands that feed them got their marching orders Wednesday and are beating the unity drum by pitting those concerned about COVID-19 cottage visits as un-Canadian local yokels. Are they right? In a rare joint […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — Much ado about nothing new. Doug Ford’s teleconference Wednesday with Ontario mayors and municipal officials offered little help or guidance on the cottagers coming-out controversy. The hyped “heart-to-heart” meeting between the premier and district and regional representatives on how to handle boatloads of seasonal residents into Muskoka — and […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com HUNTSVILLE — COVID-19 testing for the 102 residents here at the Fairvern long-term care (LTC) home continues today. Executive director Carolyn Zacharuk told MuskokaTODAY.com this morning that testing went well yesterday for the 75 staff. The testing is all being done in-house by staff and the nasal swabs are being couriered […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com HUNTSVILLE — The latest person from Muskoka confirmed with COVID-19 is a Huntsville retirement resident in her 90s. “I can confirm that Chartwell Muskoka Traditions Retirement community has one resident confirmed as positive for COVID-19,” Sharon Ranalli told MuskokaTODAY.com in an email resply today. “We appreciate the media helping us share […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — After a slow start the first week, Muskoka’s two Muskoka COVID-19 assessment centres (AC) now report they have assessed and tested almost 1,000 people for the coronavirus. Janine van den Heuvel, executive director of the Algonquin Family Health Team co-ordinating the sites in Bracebridge and Huntsville, says as of […]
HUNTSVILLE — A man and woman from Huntsville are in hospital this morning after a southbound collision of their car and a transport on Hwy. 11. Provincial police say that on Thursday, May 7, at 9:40 a.m. Huntsville OPP, Huntsville Lake of Bays Fire Department and Muskoka Paramedics Services responded to the collision at the Lindgren […]
BRACEBRIDGE — A Gravenhurst man reportedly “passed out” in his vehicle Tuesday faces a charge of operation of vehicle while drug-impaired. Provincial police say that on May 5, at 8 p.m., they received a report of a man who appeared to be passed out in the driver’s seat of a vehicle in a parking lot […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — The scare terror about Ontario cottagers driving COVID-19 out of the GTA — where Premier Doug Ford says it’s centred — is dividing experts and politicians. On the eve of a much anticipated meeting with Muskoka mayors about how to approach May 24, Haldimand-Norfolk is a test case. It’s […]
MUSKOKA — Weeks after mounting deaths at Ontario LTCs, the province has finally ordered COVID-19 testing for all residents and staff at The Pines in Bracebridge and Fairvern Nursing Home in Huntsville. The District of Muskoka says in a release late this afternoon, that as part of Ontario’s pandemic priority, all residents and staff at […]
GRAVENHURST — Occupants of a house here on Hwy. 11 south held a garage fire in check with a garden hose this afternoon until firefighters quickly arrived to put it out. The Gravenhurst Fire Department tweeted Wednesday, May 6, that Stations 1 and 2 firefighters responded to the blaze at 1:20 p.m., on the southbound […]
SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — Good Samaritans are travelling every street and back road in Muskoka. Whether it’s food or financial assistance, grocery shopping or pick-up and delivery or home-made masks, there’s no shortage of help from public and NGOs for those in need. If you’re in need somebody will help you. Or those who fall through the […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — Premier Doug Ford, who took a swipe today at “almost half” the medical officers of health (MOH), said there is “no order — and there won’t be,” telling cottagers to “stay away” from Muskoka May 24. “Be prepared — they’re coming,” he said in a daily news briefing from […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — Reaction to news yesterday that the province may soon lift its social restrictions order on cottagers wasn’t too widely welcomed in Muskoka. Social media was buzzing with comments reflecting the threat of social and political fireworks (the fiery ones are under a total fire ban) Victoria Day weekend May […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — “There’s only so long you can hold back taxpayers from going to their cottages.” Memo to Doug Ford: They’re already here. But the premier — who said today he’s in talks with Muskoka mayors about opening the flood gates for May 24 — still believes they shouldn’t be. He […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — Just when you thought it was going to be safe to come to Muskoka — floodwaters are on the rise. For more than a week water levels on Lake Muskoka have reportedly been rising and the complaints are just now starting to surface to levels not seen in a […]
HUNTSVILLE — A May day police chase through downtown early this morning has led the three charges, including impaired driving, against a Huntsville man. Provincial police say that on Friday, May 1, at 2:45 a.m., officers tried to stop a car driving in the town’s business core. They say that as the driver fled police, […]