TARA COLLUM | Contributing columnist When I was in high school singer Sinead O’Connor caused a firestorm when she used her musical guest appearance on Saturday Night Live to tear up a picture of the pope, and say, “Fight the real enemy.” Her actions didn’t spark any investigation only outrage and backlash. She was instantly […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — As fourth wave fears rise — and regional cases remain below provincial thresholds to step forward — 3 Georgian Bay travellers under 18 with COVID isn’t good news for the third long weekend of the summer. They are among 8 new cases the health unit reports Friday — five […]
GRAVENHURST — Police divers are continuing their search today for a canoeist on Sparrow Lake who went missing early yesterday morning. The seasonal resident’s canoe was found on the lake later in the day. And police asked the public if they had seen him. Ian Walker, 56, of Toronto, was with his family at their […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — Regional COVID cases last week were up for the first time in 13 weeks — by 44 per cent. The rise to 23 from 16 may seem slightly negligible with only 7 more people testing positive. Or it’s a viral sign that summer’s half over — the way the […]
MUSKOKA LAKES — A motorcyclist was airlifted to a Toronto hospital early yesterday afternoon with what police describe as “life-altering” injuries after colliding with a car on Peninsula Road. All four people involved in the crash were taken to hospital. Provincial police, Muskoka EMS and Muskoka Lakes Fire responded to the collision on Muskoka Road […]
MUSKOKA — Starting today eligible patients at Muskoka’s two hospitals can now have two family or friends visit their bedside while they wear ‘visitor’ stickers to identify them. Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) said in a release Monday, July 26, that it is “pleased to expand limited visitation for inpatients as pandemic-related restrictions loosen across Ontario.” […]
MUSKOKA — The province is providing up to $763,000 to Muskoka Lakes and Georgian Bay townships to connect 843 households in Parry Sound-Muskoka that are either un-served or under-served by high-speed internet. “I am very pleased to see this investment in increasing internet accessibility across Ontario,” said MPP Norman Miller said in a release today. […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — The week begins the way it ended — with 8 cases reported today by regional health officials. That’s the same number as Friday — but with a bit of twist. Muskoka accounted for 2 of the new cases. They were: Gravenhurst male, under 18, with close contact, reported July […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GIFU, Japan — So close — yet so far … for now. Bracebridge Olympian Natalia Hawthorn “dreamed” of being at Friday’s Olympic Opening Ceremonies to “celebrate and enjoy it.” But like the rest of the world she watched here on a Japanese TV and wildly cheered the handful of her Canadian […]
GRAVENHURST — Police are investigating a “mischief” that occurred sometime overnight on Monday July 19, 2021 on Theatre Road in Gravenhurst. They say unknown suspect(s) used spray paint to write very derogatory words on the pavement in front of the Drive-In Theatre where a Muskoka Pride event was being held on Tuesday. Town of Gravenhurst […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — En garde Ontario. As COVID cases creep up, the province is positioned back in a defensive posture after weeks of lunging steps that have won it battles — if not the war. Simcoe reported 8 cases today (Public Health Ontario said it was 10). That’s after a week in […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — Are vaccines private? Or do you have a right to know if the person next to you — or the store clerk or waiter — been vaccinated once or twice? That’s the question for today. As cases climb, vaccinations stall. Today Ontario numbers jumped to 185 — but with […]
MUSKOKA — Electronic building permits in Gravenhurst and Bracebridge are among $1.4 million in projects the province is funding in Muskoka as part of a municipal modernization program. Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark was in Bracebridge today with MPP Norman Miller, Bracebridge Mayor Graydon Smith and Gravenhurst Mayor Paul Kelly to highlight 13 […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — Three COVID cases in Simcoe today are among 135 being reported in Ontario. Two are in Barrie and 1 in Collingwood and are among 7 this week. Public Health Ontario also reports 4 new deaths province-wide. Once again there were no deaths in Muskoka, which last reported a case […]
BRACEBRIDGE — Booming real estate is paying off big time for the Children’s Foundation of Muskoka. Muskoka realtor and businessman Dave Smith, of Chestnut Park Real Estate in Baysville, recently made good on his commitment to donate a portion of his commission to the foundation. The property recently sold was one owned by foundation president […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — With more than 1 in 4 residents in the region still unvaccinated, look for teen influencers to spread the word among peers urging them to get jabbed in the middle of their tattoo. Dr. Charles Gardner acknowledged today what the province says about Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSOKA — If you spotted a red moon last night, don’t worry. It’s not a reflection of wild fires in northwestern Ontario. Or the fact that it was 52 years ago today that American Neil Armstrong took “One small step for man and one giant leap for mankind,” by setting foot […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — The first weekend of the latest COVID opening in Ontario sees 7 new cases in Simcoe. Two of them yesterday and none in Muskoka the past three days. There was also 1 new death in Simcoe. Today the health unit hosted a pop-up vaccine clinic in Gravenhurst, at the […]
RUSTY DRAPER | Contributing columnist My dad has been gone now for more than 40 years and I’ll remember him for many wonderful reasons. He had an incredible work ethic and tried to instil the same in me. I don’t believe I ever passed my father’s litmus test. I always thought I excelled much better […]
TARA COLLUM | Contributing columnist When I was younger one of my favourite movies was “Splendor in the Grass,” starring Natalie Wood as a teenage “good girl.” She has a nervous breakdown when Warren Beatty’s character can’t be with her because she’s a good girl, and instead he sets his fate after being with a […]