Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — MPP Graydon Smith respects Auditor General Shelley Spence, but says her complaints in a scorching report last week about his Ministry of Natural Resources office “were mostly administrative matters” — and happened “during a severe firefighting season.” Yet his local political rival Matt Richter, a Green Party deputy leader, […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — A break and enter and a police chase from Bracebridge that ended in a wild neighbourhood pursuit here yesterday has led to several charges against two northern Ontario men yesterday around noon. Provincial police charged the men after they attempted to flee several officers. They say on Friday, Dec. […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — MAHC and the Ministry of Health are already well in to talks about plans and a submission for Muskoka’s two new hospitals. During this morning’s Alexander transitional care beds announced we caught up with Cheryl Harrison, Muskoka Algonquin president and CEO, for an update on last month’s 1.3 stage […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — A three-way partnership with MAHC and the province will open seven short-term transitional care beds at the new Alexander Muskoka Residence. At an announcement here at the home this morning, owner Leonard Ohja, MPP Graydon Smith and Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare CEO and president Cheryl Harrison said it will allow […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — Whew! That was a really “bad” one. But think this was something? For many today their memories are frozen in last Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Some also remember 2022 as a doozy. We don’t particularly. But according to Environment Canada on Thursday-Friday Dec. 10-11 in 2009 we had over […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — Two of December’s favourite events are a s-no-w-go Saturday and Sunday. Flurry forecasts and safety fears prompted both organizers to cancel and possibly postpone. “Sincere consideration is given to all persons currently dealing with power outages, heavy snow removal and the clearing of roadways. As more snow is forecast […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — A state of emergency here will continue until the town has the appropriate resources to deal with the cleanup, it says. However the focus is now shifting toward recovery and a return to overall normal operations with about 90 per cent of roads now open to two-lane traffic. As […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — If you’re still not out — or you haven’t got power, food, heat or hope — here’s a quick peek at what’s been going on since last Thursday. Join me as I take a snapshot or two of what’s been going on that last 168 hours. It’s been “bad.” […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — You know the weather is getting better when the forecasters are wrong again. Huntsville and Lake of Bays only receive 6 of 30 cms predicted last night. But they were ready for the worst in north Muskoka after their southern neighbours horrendous experience. Getting dug out after days of […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — As Mother Nature’s unrelenting white cap continues here, Huntsville and Lake of Bays are getting the worst taste of south Muskoka’s winter with 30 cms falling up north. Residents can call the Town of Huntsville at 705-789-1751 and press 2 or report a non-emergency concern online by visiting Huntsville.ca. Due […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — Back in the good ol’ era when newspapers were still all hard copy, Gravenhurst briefly had three at one time. Believe it or not. The Gravenhurst News, Banner and Leader. Readers woke up on April 1, 1981, to a fourth one. The ‘Gravenhurst Banlea’ featured a “shocking” front page […]
GRAVENHURST — If it’s beginning to look like Christmas, it’s going to sound a lot like the holiday season this weekend Dec. 7-8 here at the the Anglican and United churches in Gravenhurst. One of the most anticipated weekend concert events this month in south Muskoka is the Elderberries’ annual two-day, back-to-back carol fest. Saturday […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com BRACEBRIDGE — While MPP Graydon Smith was busy announcing his “Griswolds” Christmas awards last week, his ministry was being was singled out in four of the six violations of the Ontario Environmental Bill of Rights. Ontario Greens Deputy Leader Matt Richter released the following statement in response to the Auditor General’s […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — Six days in to the worst snow storm in 15 years, Gravenhurst’s mayor says if Hwy. 11 wasn’t closed it would be a different story. “We wouldn’t be here today,” said Heidi Lorenz. “That’s the nucleus of this problem.” She blamed inexperienced drivers who couldn’t handle the amount of […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — This weekend’s storm was the worst to hit south Muskoka in 15 years in terms of length and intensity. Not since Dec. 10-12 of 2009 has anywhere near this amount of snow hit the area with the enormous “lake effect” wallop of Nov. 28-Dec. 1. And that was just […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — A tip of the hat to those who helped right the Segwun yesterday after 140 cm of snow listed her port side some 45 degrees onto the dock. President John Miller posted this thank you online this morning: “As many of you know, the RMS Segwun listed over significantly […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — As the big dig continues there’s good news along Central Ontario’s main street highway this morning. Police say snow clearing efforts are continuing on Hwy. 11 between Hwy. 60 in Huntsville and West Street in Orillia. And that northbound lanes of Hwy. 11, from West St. Orillia, are expected […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — GPS detours that have redirected vehicles onto alternate routes to bypass the highway closures have unfortunately caused more chaos. The OPP said tonight in an update this has led to Cooper’s Falls Road and Housey’s Rapids Road becoming impassable, as several vehicles are now stuck in the snow. In […]
MUSKOKA — Friday’s first snowfall, which meant a cancellation of buses, has now led to the full closure of all Muskoka Trillium Lakelands District School Board schools. In an email notice to parents and guardians Sunday, they said: “We hope that you are well and were able to stay safe during the extreme winter storm […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — As rays of sun shone this afternoon offering some hope, Gravenhurst town officials met with provincial emergency officials, including Emergency Management Ontario representatives, the OPP, District of Muskoka representatives, Elexicon staff and neighbouring municipal representatives. That’s the latest today from the Town of Gravenhurst as of 4:30 p.m. Sunday. […]
