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Wellington Advertiser Logo

Friday, December 19, 2025 | Vol 58 Issue 50

Community News
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News

New COVID-19 modelling shows Ontario at ‘dangerous point’

Mike Wilson January 13, 2021COVID-19, News

WELLINGTON COUNTY – Local residents should be "very concerned" about new provincial COVID-19 modelling and act immediately to help avoid the worst-case scenario. That was the message relayed by Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health on Jan. 12.

Province declares state of emergency and issues stay-at-home order, restrictions

Advertiser Staff January 12, 2021COVID-19, News

TORONTO – Due to a rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 cases across Ontario, and the corresponding strain placed on the health care system, the province has declared a second state of emergency and introduced more strict lockdown measures.

Driver taken to Hamilton hospital with serious injuries after rollover

Advertiser Staff January 12, 2021News, Police

CENTRE WELLINGTON – Emergency crews were called to the scene, on Highway 6 between the 4th and 6th lines south of Fergus, just before 7am on Jan. 12.

Mount Forest man charged with robbery, theft

Advertiser Staff January 11, 2021Community News, News, Police

MOUNT FOREST – Wellington County OPP officials say that on Jan. 2 at about 10am, someone returning to their vehicle in a parking lot at a business on Main Street near Queen Street in Mount Forest noticed a suspect in the driver's seat.

WDGPH reports 192 new COVID-19 cases over weekend

Chris Daponte January 11, 2021COVID-19, News

WELLINGTON COUNTY – Despite a province-wide lockdown imposed on Dec. 26, the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) region continues to set records for new and active cases of COVID-19.

High school class creates website to help struggling restaurants

Advertiser Staff January 8, 2021Business, COVID-19, News

FERGUS – A local high school class has developed an online resource to help Centre Wellington restaurants that have suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Paramedic tests positive for COVID-19

Advertiser Staff January 8, 2021COVID-19, News

GUELPH – Guelph-Wellington Paramedic Service (GWPS) officials stated in a Jan. 8 press release the paramedic contracted the virus while caring for a patient.

Paramedics using remote monitoring to help with COVID-19 outbreak at Caressant Care

Joanne Shuttleworth January 8, 2021COVID-19, News

WELLINGTON COUNTY – A program launched by local paramedics in 2016 to monitor patients with chronic diseases in their homes, is helping to fill a gap in staffing at Caressant Care in Arthur as COVID-19 is spreading through the facility.

Minto ponders north Wellington partnership on updating of local cultural plans

Patrick Raftis January 8, 2021Community News, News

MINTO – Officials here will approach other north Wellington municipalities about the possibility of working collectively to update their cultural plans.

Seventh Wellington County resident has died of COVID-19

Chris Daponte January 8, 2021COVID-19, News

WELLINGTON COUNTY – An 89-year-old man from Centre Wellington, a long-term care resident at Caressant Care Arthur since 2019, got sick on Dec. 26 and passed away on Jan. 5 from the virus.

Twenty charged by OPP during annual Festive RIDE campaign

Advertiser Staff January 8, 2021News, Police

WELLINGTON COUNTY – Officials say the local campaign, which ran from Nov. 26 to Jan. 2, led all West Region OPP jurisdictions in alcohol-related driving charges.

Cultural Roundtable group developing plan to help non-profits through pandemic

Patrick Raftis January 8, 2021COVID-19, News

MINTO – An action plan to help local non-profit groups recover from COVID-19 pandemic impacts is under development here.

Special meeting planned for Harriston Flood Mitigation Study

Patrick Raftis January 7, 2021Community News, News

MINTO – The final version of the Harrison Flood Mitigation Study will be presented to council here on Jan. 26.

Online-only learning extended to Jan. 25 at all Ontario elementary schools

Advertiser Staff January 7, 2021COVID-19, News

WELLINGTON COUNTY  – About one hour after the local health unit instructed all schools in the region to continue with online-only learning until at least Jan. 24, the province mandated the two-week extension across Ontario.

Bridge hails arrival of vaccines in region as promising sign

Patrick Raftis January 7, 2021COVID-19, News

MINTO – Mayor George Bridge hailed the arrival of COVID-19 vaccine in the region as a step toward eventually controlling the ongoing pandemic.

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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.

New Year brings expanded rules for carbon monoxide alarms for homeowners, landlords

CENTRE WELLINGTON – A carbon monoxide alarm may not make it on anyone’s Christmas wish list, but come the new year, they’re required on every floor in many homes.

Children’s play space officially opens at county museum

ABOYNE – After almost 18 months, a children’s play space has officially opened at the Wellington County Museum and Archives.

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 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.

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.

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.

Food prices to rise 4 to 6% next year as food bank visits skyrocket: report

GUELPH – Whether it’s inflation, global conflict, energy costs, trade impediments or climate change – to name just some of the factors academics are blaming – one thing is for certain: food prices will continue to rise according to the 16th annual Canada's Food Price Report.

Guelph resident wins Lottario draw

GUELPH – Johann Bowen of Guelph won $827,972 in the May 3 Lottario draw.

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.

Rink project at PMD Arena in Drayton to cost $3 million

MAPLETON – The replacement of the rink and refrigeration system at the PMD Arena in Drayton will cost Mapleton $2,944,782, and be completed by Ball Construction Limited. 

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. 

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.

Experts offer tips on managing grief, mental health issues during holidays

WELLINGTON COUNTY – The holiday season can be filled with joy, laughter and love, but for some it can also be isolating, depressing and include pressures that negatively impact their mental health.

Canadians feeling high financial pressure anticipate little relief in 2026

ONTARIO –  Trees all around the country are being lit and the holiday rush is upon us. But new data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds the festive feeling is likely a touch brighter for some than others.

See all Wellington County area articles.

Wellington North approves budget, 3.2% tax levy increase

WELLINGTON NORTH – Wellington North council has approved the township's 2026 budget, including a tax levy increase of 3.16%. 

Holstein parade draws crowds Dec. 13

HOLSTEIN – The guest of honour hitched a ride on a wagon pulled by horses during Holstein’s Santa Claus Parade on Dec. 13.

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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