Jordan Snobelen

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 Michael Dolderman were withdrawn at the request of Crown attorney Jason Nicol in Guelph court earlier this month.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.

GUELPH – A jury has found Palmerston resident Michael Hurst guilty of sexually assaulting two more women in a trial that concluded on Dec. 7.

ERIN - A second iteration of Erin’s draft 2024 budget was presented to council during a special meeting held on Dec. 6. Council voted to use reserve dollars to reduce a proposed 5% tax increase.

WELLINGTON COUNTY – The dreary weather that ushered in the first Saturday of December, officially “Christmas Tree Day” in Ontario, didn’t seem to slow business for local growers and retailers.