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Wellington Advertiser Logo

Friday, December 5, 2025 | Vol 58 Issue 49

Community News
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Chris Daponte

Editor

Public health: ‘The moment the vaccine arrives, we are ready’

Chris Daponte December 23, 2020News, Opinion

WELLINGTON COUNTY – The region's top doctor says public health can start vaccinating residents within 24 hours of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine from the province.

Province-wide COVID-19 lockdown to start on Dec. 26

Chris Daponte December 21, 2020News

WELLINGTON COUNTY – What little hope remained for a traditional holiday season was quashed on Dec. 21. That afternoon Premier Doug Ford announced a province-wide lock down, starting in Dec. 26, to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

WDGPH reporting 133 new COVID-19 cases over weekend

Chris Daponte December 21, 2020COVID-19, News

WELLINGTON COUNTY – With a province-wide shutdown looming, public health is again reporting more than 100 new weekend cases of COVID-19 in the region.

Over 100 cases of COVID-19 reported over weekend in WDGPH region

Chris Daponte December 14, 2020COVID-19, News

WELLINGTON COUNTY – The latest weekend report from public health shows a 23% weekly increase in active COVID-19 cases, while the number hospitalized with the virus is up from 11 to 16.

Province moving WDGPH region to red COVID-19 alert level on Dec. 14

Chris Daponte December 11, 2020COVID-19, News

WELLINGTON COUNTY – Local politicians and health officials warned for weeks that it could happen - and now it has. On Dec. 11, the province announced it is moving the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) region into the red (control) level of its COVID-19 alert system, effective Dec. 14.

Sacrifices today could save lives tomorrow

Chris Daponte December 10, 2020Editorials

“If you don’t think that COVID’s real right now, you’re an idiot.”

WDGPH region likely moving to red COVID-19 alert level on Dec. 14

Chris Daponte December 9, 2020COVID-19, News

WELLINGTON COUNTY – Medical Officer of Health Dr. Nicola Mercer has recommended the move in meetings with Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams.

Fergus Lions Reliable Ford Toy Drive raises $8,000

Chris Daponte December 7, 2020News

FERGUS – Due to COVID-19 restrictions, officials did not collect toys and focused solely on gift card and cash donations during the campaign, which ran from Nov. 16 to Dec. 2.

Public health reports 100 new COVID-19 cases across region over weekend

Chris Daponte December 7, 2020News

WELLINGTON COUNTY – The most recent report marks a significant increase in cases over the previous two weekends, when new cases in the region totalled 76 (Nov. 30) and 75 (Nov. 23).

Santa coming to Elora to visit children, raise funds for church steeple

Chris Daponte December 2, 2020News

ELORA – Santa Claus will soon be visiting Elora with the dual purpose of trying to buoy Christmas spirit and raise money to preserve a local church.

New reporting shows concentration of COVID-19 cases in north Wellington

Chris Daponte December 1, 2020COVID-19, News

WELLINGTON COUNTY – On Dec. 1, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health's (WDGPH) online COVID-19 dashboard showed about three quarters of the county's cases are in Wellington North, Mapleton and Minto.

Public health reports 76 new COVID-19 cases in region

Chris Daponte November 30, 2020COVID-19, News

WELLINGTON COUNTY – For the second weekend in a row, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) is reporting over 70 new cases of COVID-19 in the region.

Outbreak to be declared over at Palmerston nursing home

Chris Daponte November 27, 2020COVID-19, News

GUELPH – Public health officials are expected to declare that a COVID-19 outbreak is over at the Royal Terrace Long-Term and Residential Care facility in Palmerston.

Public health reports fifth COVID-19 death in Wellington County

Chris Daponte November 26, 2020COVID-19, News

WELLINGTON COUNTY – A man in his 90s from Wellington County has died due to COVID-19. The death, reported on Nov. 26 by Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH), is the third COVID death in the county this month - and the fifth since the outset of the pandemic.

Police seek help to locate missing Wellington North man

Chris Daponte November 26, 2020News, Police

WELLINGTON NORTH – Police are looking for help to locate a Wellington North man who has been missing for up to 18 days. Levi Edward Larter, 30, was last seen at his home on the evening of Nov. 8.

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Hanover theatre casting for School of Rock

HANOVER – Based on the hit 2003 film, School of Rock the musical follows Dewey Finn, a failed wannabe rock star who is down on his luck. 

Hanover Community Players thank all who made Bare, Bear Bones a success

HANOVER – Hanover Community Players are offering “A big thank you to all of our audience members who took the time from their busy schedules to attend and support our Bare, Bear Bones shows.”

See all Bruce County area articles.

Guelph Wish Fund for Children launches Season of Wishes campaign

FERGUS – If you need a reason to smile, look no further than Rowan Black, a bubbly four-year-old from Fergus who sports his signature red eyeglasses and an infectious smile.

Council gets first look at benefits, challenges of starting public transit system

ELORA – It’s not feasible yet, but a township study indicates a good proportion of people in Centre Wellington would like and would use public transit if it was available.

See all Centre Wellington area articles.

Province mandates new ‘student and family support offices’

WELLINGTON COUNTY – All Ontario school boards must open “student and family support offices” by next September.

Public health’s infection control training program gaining popularity

GUELPH – What started as a measure during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the spread of infection in long-term care and congregate setting homes, has become a regular program at Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health.

See all Dufferin County area articles.

Erin draft budget proposes 2.5% tax increase

ERIN – Town staff presented the 2026 draft budget to Erin council on Nov. 27. It includes a proposed 2.5% tax increase to cover total operating expenses of $10.5 million and capital expenditures close to $9 million.

Window Wonderland event kicks off festive season in Erin

ERIN – Erin’s Main Street came alive on Nov. 21 as residents and visitors took to the street for the town’s Window Wonderland event.

See all Erin area articles.

Enbridge, Grand Valley fire department partner on Safe Community Project Zero

GRAND VALLEY – On Nov. 4, Enbridge Gas Ontario and the Grand Valley and District Fire Department worked together to improve home safety and attempt to bring fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths down to zero.

‘Gourd’ times to be had at this year’s Grand Valley Fall Fair

GRAND VALLEY – “Gourd” times are sure to be had at this year’s Grand Valley Fall Fair.

See all Grand Valley area articles.

Hanover Community Players Drama Camp a success

HANOVER – The Hanover Community Players Drama Camp took place in July with mask making, drama games and auditions and a play.

Holstein to host an afternoon of bluegrass entertainment

HOLSTEIN – Residents of Holstein can look forward to an afternoon of bluegrass at the Love’s Sugarbush located at 392098 Grey Rd 109, on Aug. 17.

See all Grey County area articles.

Guelph Wish Fund for Children launches Season of Wishes campaign

FERGUS – If you need a reason to smile, look no further than Rowan Black, a bubbly four-year-old from Fergus who sports his signature red eyeglasses and an infectious smile.

Holiday Giving Guide to be released Nov. 28

GUELPH – The University of Guelph is almost ready to release its Holiday Giving Guide and officials are reporting significantly higher participation this year. 

See all Guelph area articles.

Guelph/Eramosa acquiring new tractor

BRUCEDALE – Guelph/Eramosa council has awarded the purchase of a new compact tractor to DeBoer’s Equipment in Salem. 

Wellington, Guelph police services launch Festive RIDE campaign

ROCKWOOD – The season of holiday parties and clinking glasses is fast approaching — and so are Festive RIDE programs. 

See all Guelph/Eramosa area articles.

Joseph Racinsky rides blue wave to Queen’s Park

WELLINGTON-HALTON HILLS – The blue wave that swept across Ontario Thursday night, swept across Wellington-Halton Hills as well as Progressive Conservative candidate Joseph Racinsky was elected with a sweeping majority. 

Health care, roads, voter turnout, local knowledge dominate discussion at Aberfoyle debate

ABERFOYLE – The debate hosted by the Optimist Club of Puslinch on Feb. 20 gave voters the opportunity to ask their own questions.

See all Halton area articles.

Youth pack shoeboxes to help kids through Operation Christmas Child

HANOVER – Lita Ernest, a young member of 1st Hanover Guides, worked hard this season to organize the packing of Operation Christmas Child (OCC) shoe box gifts with her troop.

See all Huron County area articles.

Mapleton residents will vote online, by phone in 2026 municipal election

MAPLETON – Residents here will be voting online and by phone in next year’s municipal election. 

One person dead following three-vehicle crash near Moorefield

MAPLETON – Police say emergency crews responded to the collision, on Wellington Road 10 between Booth Street (Concession 8) and Concession 6, at about 8:30am on Dec. 2.

See all Mapleton area articles.

Minto’s draft capital budget totals close to $17 million

MINTO – The town’s 2026 draft capital budget totals just under $16.9 million and is split into three priority groups. 

Hundreds attend Harriston Santa Claus parade

HARRISTON – The Harriston Santa Claus parade took place on Nov. 22.

See all Minto area articles.

Credit Valley Conservation named one of Canada’s greenest employers

MISSISSAUGA  – Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) has been named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for the sixth consecutive year.

See all Mississauga area articles.

Grand Valley business donates to food bank

ORANGEVILLE – Staff members from Grand Valley’s Clover Farm grocery store recently presented a $10,000 cheque to representatives from the Orangeville Food Bank’s Dufferin Food Share.

School board explores bringing IB diploma program to Wellington, Dufferin

GUELPH –  Some parents and students would like the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma program to be offered in Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) schools in Wellington and Dufferin counties. 

See all Orangeville area articles.

All Aboard Palmerston hosts Kris Kringle market downtown

PALMERSTON – All Aboard Palmerston held its annual Kris Kringle Market on Nov. 20. 

Annual Santa Claus parade returns to Palmerston

PALMERSTON – Community members may hear jingle bells on Dec. 6 as a certain jolly man is coming to town for the Palmerston Santa Claus Parade.

See all Palmerston area articles.

Over $6.6 million in OMPF funding to be split by seven local municipalities

PERTH-WELLINGTON –  On Nov. 24, Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae announced over $6.6 million for local municipalities through the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) for 2026.

MPP Rae announces over $20 million in housing enabling infrastructure funding

PERTH-WELLINGTON – Matthew Rae, MPP for Perth-Wellington, announced the province has provided four municipalities with over $20.4 million through the Ministry of Infrastructure’s Housing Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF) program.

See all Perth County area articles.

Municipality hopes natural gas heating can come to Puslinch

ABERFOYLE – Enbridge Gas found a supportive audience at the Puslinch council meeting on Nov. 19 as it explained its plans for natural gas expansion across the province and possibly into the township.

Santa Claus arrives in Puslinch with reindeer – and joy

PUSLINCH – Puslinch was the first in Wellington County to hold its Santa Claus parade and the streets were lined with locals on Nov. 23 ready to greet the big guy.

See all Puslinch area articles.

Province releases fall economic statement

TORONTO – The Ontario government released its fall economic statement last week (Nov. 6) with a smaller than projected deficit of $13.5-billion – less than the $14.6 billion forecasted in this year’s budget, but still well above the $1.1 billion deficit carried in 2024-25.

Cheering from the big screen at World Series game

TORONTO – Callum Sweeting was on the big screen at game one of the World Series at the Rogers Centre in Toronto on Oct. 24.

See all Toronto area articles.

Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy announces youth theatre camps

WATERLOO – The Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy has announced its lineup of march break and summer camps for 2026. 

Seniors get a digital boost with funding from Retired Teachers of Ontario

KITCHENER – For some seniors, especially those with cognitive challenges, technology can feel overwhelming. 

See all Waterloo Region area articles.

Christmas tradition threatened by weather extremes: tree growers report harsher droughts

WELLINGTON COUNTY – Christmas tree growers in Wellington County and across southwestern Ontario are rethinking long-standing farming practices, and adapting how they farm to increasingly extreme weather patterns, including more drought events and intense rainfalls.

Guelph Wish Fund for Children launches Season of Wishes campaign

FERGUS – If you need a reason to smile, look no further than Rowan Black, a bubbly four-year-old from Fergus who sports his signature red eyeglasses and an infectious smile.

See all Wellington County area articles.

Council supports 3.2% tax increase in Wellington North

KENILWORTH – Taxpayers in Wellington North will likely see a 3.16 per cent increase in township property taxes next year. 

Drain work awarded for $330,000

KENILWORTH – Two contractors have been selected to complete work on the George Kirkness Municipal drain in Asbridge. 

See all Wellington North area articles.

Editorial

In the darkness

Where there is one, there are usually more. That was the advice handed down in the truck as we headed off to practice. A good-sized buck ambled across the road not far from our farm.

Betcha

It was a long shot, but when the soccer ball landed in the dog kennel it was time to pay up.

Time for action

Yet again, serious accidents have occurred in the valley of Highway 6 where it intersects Wellington Road 22 and 8th line.

Columnists

Critic’s 1925 novel caused a sensation in Elora

By Stephen Thorning

The following is a re-print of a past column by former Advertiser columnist Stephen Thorning, who…

Riverfriends

By Kelly Waterhouse

His face said it all. Crushed.  Sad. Grateful. Lost. It was over. And with it, a very beautiful piece of his generous, joyful essence that I unabashedly adore. 

‘Honest John’ McGowan combined farming, business, politics

By Stephen Thorning

The following is a re-print of a past column by former Advertiser columnist Stephen Thorning, who…

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