SIMCOE MUSKOKA — With a return to school possible, the health unit is urging kids 12-17 to get vaccinated. Thousands of new appointments will become available at 8 a.m. Saturday and the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) is encouraging youth ages 12 -17 to book their first dose in June with the expectation that […]

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — When Tom Black answers the call now it won’t be for a fire, accident or medical call. It’ll be on one the more than 100 antique telephones he collects — including one he’s rebuilding from 1882. The Hamilton firefighter retired Tuesday after a 23-year career. But not without a […]

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — As the region hits the 50 per cent mark for vaccinations, the health unit reports 43 cases in Simcoe today. None in Muskoka. But one previous case in Huntsville was moved to another health unit. That brings the week’s total cases to 147 — down from 303 last week […]

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — It’s a case of half full rather than half empty. The people of Gravenhurst have spoken and the staff and council have responded. After a huge outcry last week over the town’s plans to close the Muskoka Beach Park again this summer, saner heads have prevailed as staff heard […]

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — Call it doctor’s orders. If outdoors is essential to your health and well-being — as provincial pandemic experts preach — then sunny rays aren’t wasted days, but the perfect antidote for seasonal affective disorders brought on by COVID. Or as your mom used to say: “Get outside and play […]

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — As Doug Ford waits on doctors to give him the go-ahead tomorrow afternoon to open schools, Simcoe-Muskoka’s health unit is reporting 29 COVID cases this afternoon. The province said that number this morning was 47. However, only one case was from Muskoka, a Huntsville man aged 14-34 whose contact […]

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — With 29 cases today in Simcoe — none in Muskoka — the region is “ready” for schools to re-open May 31 if the province agrees with the advice of its top health official. “I’d welcome it now,” Dr. Charles Gardner said this afternoon, adding that though it’d just be […]