GRAVENHURST — Janet O’Connell has a big job ahead of her. The Muskoka Tourism Marketing Agency’s new executive director will have to navigate rough waters as businesses struggle with the pandemic’s second wave. “My fellow board members and I have great confidence that Janet is the right person to lead Muskoka Tourism during our recovery […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — Family, friends and members of the business community are “shocked” and mourning the sudden passing yesterday of Audrey Van Petegem. The busy and active Gravenhurst and Muskoka community leader died of a heart attack Sept. 15. She had just turned 58 in June, her husband Scott Harkness said this […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com BARRIE — A complex Ponzi investment scheme involving point of sale debit terminal — originating here in 2012 — that duped 515 people out of $56 million has led to fraud charges against a local man. Charles Debono was in court in Barrie today after being deported from the Dominican Republic. […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — So why did McDonald’s close Friday when they learned an employee has the coronavirus? Shouldn’t they? And why less than 24 hours later did they re-open? Were all other employees tested? Did they get a clean bill of health? And what about their customers and the public? Good questions, […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com HUNTSVILLE — As Ontario topped 300 reported new COVID cases today, an 80+ Huntsville man is among them. The cause was close contact. He was among 13 people listed in the daily 1 p.m. count released by the local health unit. That’s the second highest recent number of cases for the […]
ORILLIA — Gun calls are on the rise — again. Not only in cities — but especially in the country at this time of year, remind provincial police. So expect to hear more random shots fired in the coming months as men and women in orange vests and camo prowl the rural landscape for small […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — Round 2. Grade 9 students take centre stage today as schools open for the next wave of COVID learners enter the academic world. As their elementary brothers and sisters begin week two with two more days of classes, senior students like Troy Pedwell, whose going into grade 12, was […]
HUNTSVILLE COVID DRIVE-THRU SEPT. 14 Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com HUNTSVILLE — A controversy over closing the first COVID assessment centre here has led to at least a one-day drive-through Monday, Sept. 14. And sparked memories of a bloody feud over the failed “one hospital” plan that had Bracebridge and Huntsville squabbling over which patients in […]
GRAVENHURST — A workplace outbreak of COVID-19 that closed the McDonald’s here yesterday lasted just one day. The fast food restaurant ceased operations Friday after an employee reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus. Saturday morning they were back open for business after a thorough cleaning by an outside contractor.
Where were you 19 years ago today? I got an urgent call from a neighbour: “Turn on your TV ….” The first plane was down and the second and third were still in the air. Not for long. The rest of that day in 2001 was a bit of a blur — now. Muskoka TODAY […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com HUNTSVILLE — Two more people here have tested positive for COVID-19 — bringing Huntsville’s count this week to three — and Muskoka’s total to 41. Both were listed in an update this afternoon by the health unit as acquiring it through close contact. One is a male aged 45-64 and the other […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — The start of school this morning was much as expected for students at GPS — with the only dark cloud hovering filled with a sprinkle of rain. Jace Chambers was 35 minutes early. Max Diemert was jumping up and down with excitement — and a cool new haircut. Carlee […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — Putting up your hand to go the washroom will be a big deal when some elementary students return to classes starting tomorrow. Teachers will only allow a few at a time — to go. That’s just part of the new school year that begins Tuesday, Sept. 8, with a […]
Dear Editor: This Labour Day, as we pause to recognize the historic contributions of working people in Canada, it feels like there is little to celebrate yet much to hope for. This COVID-19 crisis has been very hard for workers across the country, and Orillia, Muskoka and the communities around them are no different. We’ve […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — Muskoka has had six new COVID-19 cases the past week, as signs of a second wave of the pandemic emerge on the eve of a return to school. This as Ontario added 169 cases yesterday, Saturday — the most in one day since July 24 — and makes it 10 straight […]
GRAVENHURST — Congratulations to Christina Delarosbil, of Gravenuhurst, for winning $150,000 with THE BIGGER SPIN INSTANT game (Game #2130). On Mother’s Day, the 53-year-old married mother of three went to the retailer when she uncovered her chance to spin in-store. “I was shocked,” she shared, while at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to pick […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com BRACEBRIDGE — The 3S Smart Mask, made in Bracebridge, received $2 million today from Premier Doug Ford. The Ontario government the money from the Ontario Together Fund to the company, Smart Safe Science, to make lighter, breathable, and more comfortable face masks. It’s expected to help the company create 50 local […]
PARRY SOUND-MUSKOKA — Labour Day weekend will be wet — if not wild following yesterday’s deluge and as water levels are high for this time of year. That’s the weather forecast for the next week that has the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry – Parry Sound District advising residents and visitors to be careful […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — The “growing gap in food security” in Gravenhurst — which has GAP looking into a community wellness centre — got a couple of big financial donations again this week. They received $3,000 in proceeds from a Muskoka Drive-In movie night Wednesday, organized by the Kahshe Lake Ratepayers’ Association (KLRA). […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com WINDERMERE — Terry Fox may have stopped his Marathon of Hope in Thunder Bay in 1980 — after passing through Muskoka. But legions of his supporters since then have carried on his hopes till 2020. They have raised more than $700 million worldwide to fight cancers like the one that claimed […]