TARA COLLUM | Contributing columnist After a costly $600 million election that has widely been decried by some as a total waste of money, we are no better off, and nothing has changed. Two years ago, there was a federal election; but in the times of COVID and quarantine, it seems so much longer ago […]
RUSTY DRAPER | Contributing columnist When I entered the Draper family 75 years ago, I came out of the birthing canal expecting some great and wonderful things that would accompany me through the pages of life. Talent and skill describe related properties, but they’re not exactly the same. Talent comes naturally, while skill is something […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — New Ontario capacity limits on large gatherings indoors and outdoors won’t affect Muskoka where 3 new COVID cases today are among 21 in the region. They numbers end the week at 79 total cases in Simcoe and Muskoka after 141 last week and 197 the week before. The 3 […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — How do you describe Muskoka’s cavalcade of colours? That’s Alex Smyth’s job for AMI TV. A host of Postcards From …, he’s in Muskoka this week putting in to words the iconic beauty of the Canadian landscape best captured by the Group of Seven. While tens of thousands of […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — Nobody realistically expected COVID to end soon — save for some overly optimistic politicians and anti-vaxxers. But with daily numbers riding roller-coasters coast to coast, 16 cases in Simcoe-Muskoka today — up 3 from yesterday — come as Ontario also saw an increase to 677 from 463. Seven more […]
PARRY SOUND-MUSKOKA — Riding hospitals will receive more than $16 million from the province to cover past, present and future costs related to daily COVID operations. Funding that will put Muskoka’s two hospitals on “solid financial footing moving forward,” says it retiring president and CEO, Natalie Bubela. Funding includes $8,432,300 for the West Parry Sound […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — As vaccine passport opens doors today, Simcoe-Muskoka is reporting 18 new COVID cases and 30 new variants since yesterday. Four of the positive tests come from Muskoka: Bracebridge woman, 45-64, with close contact, who reported yesterday with a first episode Sunday Huntsville man, 35-44, is under investigation, after also […]
MUSKOKA — A Gravenhurst hunter who pleaded guilty to hunting wild turkey without a licence has been fined $2,000. Paul Girard also pleaded guilty to an additional count of hunting turkey without a licence, two counts of transporting illegally obtained wildlife and two counts of using a firearm to hunt turkey that is not permitted […]
LETTER TO EDITOR: I read that Gravenhurst leaders say they are re-active rather than proactive. Are they responsive to complaints? Not in my opinion. I have complained year over year regarding the dangerous situation at the intersection of Main Street and Muskoka Rd. S. The height of the shrubbery on the town boulevard prevents drivers […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — After a federal election that was about the pandemic, government management and the people’s response, 17 new COVID cases today in Simcoe-Muskoka is a reflection of more of the same. Just 1 of Tuesday’s cases was in Muskoka, a Huntsville man aged 45-64, who is under investigation after reporting […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com PARRY SOUND-MUSKOKA — It will be four more years of local Conservative federal representation by Scott Aitchison as the MP easily won re-election last night. The incumbent as expected won back his seat, while Justin Trudeau and the Liberals won national re-election in unofficial results that saw little change — and […]
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 […]