Jordan Snobelen

GUELPH - Wellington County treasurer Ken DeHart provided an updated overview of Wellington County’s proposed 2024 budget and a 10-year forecast of capital demands at a special meeting on Jan. 8.

WELLINGTON COUNTY – Police say the Province of Ontario has paid $50,000 for a tip that helped solve the investigation into the death of Lucas Shortreed.

GUELPH – Former Mount Forest resident Chester Lewis, 21, was handed jail sentences on five counts of arson, two vehicle thefts, and one count of assault with a weapon. Eight additional charges were dropped.

CENTRE WELLINGTON – Salem resident John Hirdes is one of 78 appointees to the Order of Canada. On Dec. 28 Governor General Mary Simon announced the order's new members, who are recognized for contributions that enrich and improve the lives of others.

WELLINGTON COUNTY – Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong has been granted full participant status in an inquiry expected to begin next month looking into foreign interference in Canada’s past two federal elections.

DRAYTON – There were 60 north Wellington seniors who conquered a steep learning cuve and ovecame tech hurdles to master digital devices as part of a seniors training and support program that ran for its second year in 2023.

TORONTO – As the provincial government introduces legislation it claims will help bring an end to puppy mills, some animal advocacy organizations say the bill doesn’t do nearly enough.

ARTHUR – A little over a month ago Rachelle Dionne stood outside in her bare feet watching smoke billow from the George Street apartment where she had lived with her partner Randy Schnurr for seven years.

KENILWORTH – Wellington North council approved the 2024 budget at a Dec. 11 meeting.

CENTRE WELLINGTON - After some early questions and concerns from Centre Wellington Fire and Rescue Services about fire risk with a proposed battery-based energy storage facility near Belwood, prevention officer Jason Benn says the service is comfortable if the facility is approved here.

ERIN – Council here passed the town’s 2024 budget on Dec. 14, incorporating changes previously discussed at a Dec. 6 meeting.

GUELPH – Charges against longtime Wellington OPP Sgt. Michael Dolderman were withdrawn at the request of Crown attorney Jason Nicol in Guelph court earlier this month.

GUELPH – Former Belwood resident Kyle Gemin has been handed a life sentence for murdering his 74-year-old grandfather George Gemin in 2020, and will serve 15 years behind bars in a federal prison before he’s eligible for parole.

MISSISSAUGA – The province’s Special Investigations Unit has found no grounds to criminally charge a Wellington OPP officer in connection to a man’s injuries following another incident involving officers punching and seriously injuring a person.

ARTHUR – The looming summertime closure of the Arthur Senior Citizen Hall by Wellington North, following a council decision and the expiry of a 10-year lease, is forcing some local groups to search for new meeting places, or face an end to local activities and meetings.