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Wellington Advertiser Logo

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 | Vol 58 Issue 50

Community News
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Chris Daponte

Editor

Fergus parade to be replaced with ‘Santa Claus Cruise’

Chris Daponte October 26, 2020COVID-19, News

FERGUS – The traditional Fergus Santa Claus Parade is not happening this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But Fergus residents can rest assured that Saint Nick will still be paying local children a visit in early December.

Guelph courthouse closed due to ‘HVAC concern’

Chris Daponte October 23, 2020News

GUELPH – Officials say the closure of the Wyndham Street courthouse here is related to "an HVAC concern" and not an employee testing positive for COVID-19 earlier in the week.

‘Man from Toronto’ scene filmed in Elora

Chris Daponte October 22, 2020Arts & Entertainment, News

ELORA – On the morning of Oct. 21, traffic was stopped intermittently on Mill and Metcalfe streets, as well as on the Jack R. MacDonald pedestrian bridge, as a drone filmed a scene for the movie 'The Man from Toronto'.

Beer Store employee in Erin tests positive for COVID-19

Chris Daponte October 22, 2020COVID-19, News

ERIN – The employee last worked at the store on Oct. 13, Beer Store officials stated in an Oct. 22 press release.

Man charged with attempted murder in Fergus stabbing

Chris Daponte October 21, 2020News, Police

FERGUS – A local man is charged with attempted murder after he allegedly stabbed a woman in a home here on Saturday.

Residents, schools, businesses asked to participate in ‘Jammies for Hayden’ event

Chris Daponte October 16, 2020Community News, News

WELLINGTON NORTH – A little girl who passed away one year ago continues to inspire many in this community - and beyond - to make a difference.

Suspects try to steal vehicle then ram into it when confronted by homeowner

Chris Daponte October 15, 2020News, Police

GUELPH-ERAMOSA – Police are asking for help to identify two women and a man that stole two vehicles and tried to steal a third before ramming into it when confronted by a homeowner. 

COVID-19 outbreak declared at Guelph retirement home

Chris Daponte October 13, 2020COVID-19, News

GUELPH – Public health officials have declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Village of Arbour Trails Retirement Home.

Local, provincial officials urge precautions to ‘contain second wave’

Chris Daponte October 9, 2020COVID-19, News

WELLINGTON COUNTY — On the same day the province announced certain COVID-19 hotspots would be reverting to stage two restrictions, local public health officials urged residents to buckle down during the pandemic's second wave.

Scott Cherrey returns home after officiating NHL playoffs

Chris Daponte October 8, 2020News, Sports

KITCHENER – After a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” in Edmonton, NHL linesman Scott Cherrey is “just excited to get home to regular life – at least as we now know it.”

Province introduces new public health restrictions, changes to COVID-19 testing

Chris Daponte October 2, 2020COVID-19, News

TORONTO — The province is requiring that masks be worn in all indoor settings and is transitioning to appointment-based testing, pausing social circles and, in some regions, placing more restrictions on bars, restaurants, gyms and event facilities.

New COVID-19 assessment centre opens Oct. 6; Fergus centre expands hours

Chris Daponte October 2, 2020COVID-19, News

WELLINGTON COUNTY – The new COVID-19 assessment centre in Harriston will open on Oct. 6 and the Fergus centre is now offering expanded hours.

Paul Walker remembered as ‘a pillar in our community’

Chris Daponte September 30, 2020News

ELORA – Paul Walker will be remembered as a tireless volunteer and community advocate who was always thinking of others.

Ontario could see 1,000 new COVID-19 cases per day in October

Chris Daponte September 30, 2020COVID-19, News

TORONTO – The data, released on Sept. 30, also shows an increase in cases across all age groups – not just in young people, as seen over the past month. Across Ontario, coronavirus cases are doubling every ten to 12 days.

Public health confirms first school-related cases of COVID-19

Chris Daponte September 26, 2020COVID-19, News

GUELPH – Officials have confirmed there are now three school-related cases of COVID-19 in the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) region.

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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.

St. David Street in Fergus to open by Christmas: township

FERGUS – Despite the snow and sub-zero temperatures that have come early this year, work on St. David Street North in Fergus is still expected to be completed by Christmas.

Belwood and District Lions Club sponsor annual Breakfast with Santa

BELWOOD – It was a snowy Saturday morning Dec. 6 and the Belwood Community Hall was filled with wide smiles and happy chatter as hundreds of people attended the annual Breakfast with Santa sponsored by the Belwood and District Lions Club.

See all Centre Wellington area articles.

Local health unit first in Ontario to offer avian flu vaccines

GUELPH – Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) was the first health unit in Ontario to administer the H5N1 vaccine to humans in the fight against avian influenza.

Report says it costs $273 per week for family of four to eat healthy

GUELPH – Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health put a human face on its annual Nutritious Food Basket report outlining the real cost of eating a healthy diet in Guelph and Wellington County.

See all Dufferin County area articles.

Two health workshops in December at EWFHT

ERIN – December will be light on community workshops at the East Wellington Family Health Team as only two workshops are on offer.

Erin Legion hosts 3rd annual Christmas Market

ERIN – Shoppers could find hand-crafted and unique gift ideas at the Erin Legion’s 3rd annual Christmas Market on Dec. 6.

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.

Local health unit first in Ontario to offer avian flu vaccines

GUELPH – Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) was the first health unit in Ontario to administer the H5N1 vaccine to humans in the fight against avian influenza.

Possession, trafficking charges after police stop

GUELPH – An Eden Mills woman and Guelph man  are facing drug charges following a traffic stop.

See all Guelph area articles.

Guelph/Eramosa passes budget with 2.7% tax rate increase

BRUCEDALE  – Gyelph/Eramosa council has passed the municipality’s 2026 budget, which will include a 2.71 per cent tax rate increase for 2026.

Province gives green light to controversial ‘Hidden Quarry’ after 13-year saga

GUELPH/ERAMOSA – The province has green-lit a new aggregate operation 13 years after James Dick Construction first applied to tap into a dolomite deposit at the so-called “Hidden Quarry” southeast of Rockwood.

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.

Township considering dike extension to reduce Drayton flooding

MAPLETON – Flooding has been an ongoing problem in Drayton for many years, and Mapleton councillors agree something needs to be done about it. And that “something” could cost $4.3 million over 10 years. 

Festivities flooded Drayton for Santa’s parade

DRAYTON – Santa and Mrs. Claus prepare to make their grand entrance at the fire hall following Drayton’s festive parade on Dec. 5, ready to greet excited children and their parents

See all Mapleton area articles.

Another cyclist dies after being struck by a vehicle

MINTO – The most recent incident took place on Dec. 9 at about 5:30pm. Emergency crews responded to a collision between two vehicles and a cyclist on Highway 9 near Anna's Lane, just outside Harriston.

Minto water rate rising 4%; wastewater going up 2%

MINTO – Minto residents can expect their wastewater rates to increase by two per cent next year. 

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.

Santa Claus parades through Palmerston

PALMERSTON – Crowds lined Palmerston’s main street on Dec. 6 to watch this year’s Santa Claus Parade. 

Minto hosting annual New Year’s Eve party

PALMERSTON – The Town of Minto, Minto Fire and the Palmerston Lions Club have joined forces to host Minto’s annual Fire and Ice Family New Year’s Eve Party.

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.

Cardiac director: pace yourself when shovelling snow this winter

KITCHENER  – As heavy snow hits the region, local emergency departments are preparing for a spike in cardiac events. 

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. 

See all Waterloo Region area articles.

County food banks seek donations to meet growing need

WELLINGTON COUNTY – The rising cost of living, compounded by annual holiday expectations, has left many county residents struggling to make ends meet.

Local health unit first in Ontario to offer avian flu vaccines

GUELPH – Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) was the first health unit in Ontario to administer the H5N1 vaccine to humans in the fight against avian influenza.

See all Wellington County area articles.

Louise Marshall Hospital Foundation to ‘light up’ hospital until Dec. 23

MOUNT FOREST – The Louise Marshall Hospital Foundation is hoping to once again make things a little brighter for the staff and patients who will be spending time at the hospital this holiday season.

Dentists pledge $40,000 to new pool

MOUNT FOREST – McFarlane Family Dental of Mount Forest has committed $40,000 to the construction of the new Mount Forest outdoor pool, specifically two lifeguard chairs.

See all Wellington North area articles.

Editorial

Season of giving

Helping others is contagious this time of year.

The pickpocket

Travel anywhere crowds form and tourists are warned to watch for pickpockets.

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.

Columnists

To Santa

By Kelly Waterhouse

Hey Big Guy, I hope this letter finds you jolly and that your reindeer are healthy and ready for the epic Christmas Eve world tour, where I know children anticipate your mysterious arrival and the subsequent leaving of presents. 

Fergus widow horrified at empty grave of husband

By Stephen Thorning

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

Palmerston railroad worker proved hard to track

By Stephen Thorning

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

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