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Wellington Advertiser Logo

Saturday, January 10, 2026 | Vol 59 Issue 02

Community News
  • Elections 2025
    • Federal Election 2025
    • Provincial Election 2025
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Jessica Lovell

Reporter

Santa Claus is coming to Mount Forest for a ‘night before Christmas’

Jessica Lovell November 26, 2024Community News

MOUNT FOREST – It’s not Christmas Eve, but it will be “the night before Christmas” when people gather for the Mount Forest Santa Claus Parade on Dec. 6.

Children’s Foundation in need of donors to ‘Adopt-A-Family’ this holiday season

Jessica Lovell November 21, 2024News

GUELPH – The Children's Foundation of Guelph and Wellington currently has approximately 300 families still waiting to be adopted though its annual Adopt-A-Family support program.

Veterinarian honoured for leadership in agricultural community

Jessica Lovell November 21, 2024News, Rural

GUELPH/ERAMOSA – It was farming that inspired Rob Swackhammer to become a veterinarian, and now his work and volunteerism in the field has earned him an award named for his mentor.

Solar panels coming to three county housing buildings in Guelph

Jessica Lovell November 20, 2024News

GUELPH – The county’s joint social services committee has endorsed a recommendation that would see solar panels installed on the roofs of three county-owned residential buildings at a cost of more than half a million. 

Arthur Santa Claus parade theme includes snow

Jessica Lovell November 20, 2024Community News

ARTHUR – Even if there’s no snow in the forecast, people just might get to see some snow of sorts at the Arthur Santa Claus Parade on Nov. 30.

Township council approves sale of road allowance, endorses two provincial funding applications

Jessica Lovell November 20, 2024News

BRUCEDALE – Guelph/Eramosa Township held its regular meeting of council on Nov. 4. The meeting was brief, but included the following highlights:

Child care recruitment campaign leads to increase in number of home providers

Jessica Lovell November 18, 2024News

GUELPH – An effort by the County of Wellington to increase the number of licensed day care providers in Guelph and the county seems to have paid off.

Wellington North decides to scrap dog licensing in 2025

Jessica Lovell November 13, 2024News

KENILWORTH – Wellington North Township is doing away with dog licences.

Public meeting looks at rezoning rural lands for Mennonite school in Damascus

Jessica Lovell November 12, 2024News

KENILWORTH – Wellington North council is considering an application to rezone a property in Damascus to facilitate the development of a Mennonite church, cemetery and school.

Wellington North council eyes 3.5% tax rate increase in 2025 budget

Jessica Lovell November 8, 2024Community News, News

KENILWORTH – Wellington North council is hoping to shave at least one per cent off the 4.5% tax rate increase initially proposed during a Nov. 4 budget presentation.

Wellington Rural Water Quality Program celebrates 25th anniversary

Jessica Lovell November 7, 2024News, Rural

WELLINGTON COUNTY – The Wellington Rural Water Quality Program, which was launched in 1999, offers grant money as well as technical assistance to farmers and landowners to implement a variety of different types of projects that improve and protect water quality.

County remembrance ceremony highlights sacrifices of young soldiers

Jessica Lovell November 6, 2024News

ABOYNE – While Remembrance Day has not yet arrived, around 100 people gathered at the Wellington County Museum and Archives on Nov. 5 to pay tribute to individuals from Wellington County who lost their lives in various wars and conflicts.

Cost concerns raised in discussion of Erin, Brucedale roads garage projects

Jessica Lovell November 6, 2024News

GUELPH – Wellington County is moving ahead with the next steps to replace its roads department garages in Brucedale (in Guelph/Eramosa) and Erin, despite concerns raised by some councillors about the potential costs.

OPP salary increases mean ‘very significant’ rise in county policing costs

Jessica Lovell November 5, 2024News

GUELPH – Salary increases for OPP officers will likely result in tax increases for Wellington County residents. The policing contract is expected to rise to $20.4 million in 2025.

Wellington Heights student takes the cake in college baking competition

Jessica Lovell October 31, 2024Community News, News

WATERLOO – Mount Forest teen Brodie Oliver is thanking his grandmother for the inspiration after he was part of a team that won a baking competition at Conestoga College that comes with a prize of free tuition.

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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.

Fergus family welcomes New Year’s baby at Groves

FERGUS – With a new year comes a new baby for the Molinary family of Fergus — the first of the year born at Groves Memorial Community Hospital.

Firefighters respond to fire behind Elora Brewing Company

ELORA – Elora and Fergus firefighters responded to a fire call in the alley behind the Elora Brewing Company at 107 Geddes St. at around 4:30am on Jan. 7. 

See all Centre Wellington area articles.

To avoid getting sick over holidays, get your shots now: public health

GUELPH – Local public health officials are echoing a statement from the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, to get flu and COVID-19 shots before the holidays arrive.

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 Dufferin County area articles.

Erin man creating map platform encouraging community connection

ERIN – People will be able to browse local businesses and upcoming events, share information, and offer and request help with a map-based online platform called LocalXP. 

Erin council passes budget with 3.8% tax hike

ERIN – It wasn't a unanimous decision, but town council here has approved the 2026 budget with a tax rate increase of 3.8 per cent – up from the 2.5% originally proposed.

See all Erin area articles.

Grand Valley community chills out for charity

GRAND VALLEY – The 35th edition of the Grand Valley Lions Club Polar Bear Dip took place at Stuckey Park in Grand Valley on Jan. 3.

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.

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.

Catholic school board seeking feedback on 2026-27 school year calendar

GUELPH – The Wellington Catholic District School Board seeks input on its proposed calendar for the 2026-27 school year, with a Jan. 12 deadline for submissions.

Trustees conflicted over name for new Guelph school

GUELPH – Though there are no rivers in sight, the new high school in Guelph has been named Two Rivers Secondary School.  

See all Guelph area articles.

Sacred Heart Catholic School to get $2.5-million addition

ROCKWOOD – After several attempts to secure expansion funding, Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School in Rockwood is getting a $2.5-million addition to replace portables and accommodate 72 students at the growing school.

Rockwood streets lined for Santa Claus parade

ROCKWOOD – The Rockwood Farmers’ Santa Claus Parade of Lights on Dec. 11 drew a large crowd.

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.

Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser expands to include Mapleton

MINTO – Mapleton will be joining Minto this year to raise funds at the Coldest Night of the Year event.

Art camp coming to Moorefield Community Centre on Jan. 30

MOOREFIELD – The Township of Mapleton is holding an Art Mayhem Camp at the Moorefield Community Centre on Jan. 30. 

See all Mapleton area articles.

Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser expands to include Mapleton

MINTO – Mapleton will be joining Minto this year to raise funds at the Coldest Night of the Year event.

Seniors Centre for Excellence brings dining program to Harriston

HARRISTON – Seniors are invited to lunch and story telling at the Harriston United Church, at 57 Young St. W. in Harriston, on Jan. 14. 

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.

Rae announces over $700,000 for police

PERTH-WELLINGTON –  On Dec. 11, Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae announced the province will spend over $700,000 to fund local police service programs. 

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.

See all Perth County area articles.

Family Day Winter Classic returns to Puslinch Feb. 14-16

PUSLINCH – Organizers are encouraging residents to bundle up and join the Optimist Club of Puslinch for one of the community’s favorite Family Day traditions. Since 2013, the Optimist Club has hosted a weekend packed with fun and community spirit for all ages. 

Hazardous waste depot moves to Aberfoyle

ABERFOYLE – The mobile household hazardous waste depot has moved to the Aberfoyle waste facility for the month of January and will be open to Wellington County residents on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays between 8am and 4pm. 

See all Puslinch area articles.

Government satisfaction scores fall like winter snow as Canadians blanketed in cost-of-living challenges

TORONTO – The year 2025 ends much the way it started: with political and economic turmoil that has persisted in some form or another for the duration, with Canada and the United States continuing to fail to reach a trade deal, and that relationship strained. 

Kenilworth cowgirl wins big at Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

TORONTO – Kaitlyn Wagg remembers clearly the first time she made the trip from her hometown of Kenilworth to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. 

See all Toronto area articles.

String of thefts at Rare Charitable Research Reserve’s Springbank Farm Hub

CAMBRIDGE – A recent series of thefts at the Springbank Farm Hub has resulted in the loss of essential equipment and left a mark on both operations and community spirit.

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. 

See all Waterloo Region area articles.

Catholic school board seeking feedback on 2026-27 school year calendar

GUELPH – The Wellington Catholic District School Board seeks input on its proposed calendar for the 2026-27 school year, with a Jan. 12 deadline for submissions.

Missed recycling pickups frustrate residents amid countywide collection woes

WELLINGTON NORTH - Complaints to Wellington County about missed blue bin collections have nearly doubled in recent weeks, with rural areas hit hardest. Circular Materials, the group now in charge of collection under the province's new operating model, has blamed the weather for delays.

See all Wellington County area articles.

Missed recycling pickups frustrate residents amid countywide collection woes

WELLINGTON NORTH - Complaints to Wellington County about missed blue bin collections have nearly doubled in recent weeks, with rural areas hit hardest. Circular Materials, the group now in charge of collection under the province's new operating model, has blamed the weather for delays.

Smokey the cat looking for his forever home

ARTHUR – Smokey, a cat at the Arthur Animal Rescue, is on the hunt for a safe barn or busy workshop where he can patrol, supervise and help keep critters under control, with a warm spot to curl up when he’s off-duty.

See all Wellington North area articles.

Editorial

Snow man

As Wellington County faces a more traditional winter, replete with bus and event cancellations, outdoor workers and their good deeds came to mind.

Out with the old, who knows about the new

As the year ends, the best of hopes is wished for 2026.

So this is Christmas

It is a bit of a novelty to publish a newspaper on Christmas Day.

Columnists

Rivalry

By Kelly Waterhouse

Over the holiday season, I had inquiries asking if Santa Claus delivered my San Francisco 49ers George Kittle jersey.

News from the Mapleton Township area in 1958, 1983

By Stephen Thorning

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

American woman acquitted in Harriston shooting

By Stephen Thorning

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

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