WELLINGTON COUNTY – From tragedies that touched the community to a highly anticipated federal election and everything in between, 2019 was an eventful year for local news.
The following is a summary of the articles that received the most page views on the Advertiser’s website over the past 12 months.
1. Employee, 63, charged in Nov. 19 bomb threat at Fergus Walmart
On Dec. 11, three weeks after a bomb threat at the Fergus Walmart closed the store and placed a nearby school in a “hold and secure”, police charged a 63-year-old female employee with uttering threats, falsifying information and mischief.
2. Police arrest 18-year-old suspect in armed robbery at Sussman’s.
On Dec. 2 an 18-year-old from Wellington North turned himself into police at the Teviotdale station. Earlier that day, just before 11am, police were called to an armed robbery at Sussman’s clothing store on George Street in downtown Arthur. Arthur schools were placed in a “hold and secure” as a result of the incident.
3. Federal election 2019: final local results.
On Oct. 21 the Advertiser provided up-to-date vote counts for the election in the ridings of Perth-Wellington and Wellington-Halton Hills. The ridings were eventually won by Conservative incumbents John Nater and Michael Chong, respectively.
4. Man dies from ‘serious trauma’ at Fergus store.
Emergency crews were called to the Fergus Zehrs at about 6:45pm on May 31, where a man died due to severe injuries. Sources said the wounds were self-inflicted with an item found in the store. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
5. Police seek help to locate 19 puppies stolen from local farm
Police were looking for help on Dec. 14 to locate 19 puppies stolen from a barn on Sideroad 11 in former Pilkington Township the previous afternoon while the owner was running errands. The 10-week-old puppies include three red/apricot golden doodles, four golden doodles and 12 black lab/shepherd/doodle mixes.
6. Death at Elora Gorge not considered suspicious
Police said the death of a man at the Elora Gorge on Aug. 29 is not considered suspicious. Emergency crews responded to a call for an injured person in the gorge below the David Street bridge at about 4pm that day.
7. No one injured, area deemed safe following collapse of Queen’s Hotel roof
The roof of the old Queen’s Hotel on George Street in Arthur collapsed on Dec. 7, but luckily no one was injured. No debris fell on the sidewalk or street. Officials said the building, which is at least 140 years old, would have to be demolished.
8. Noble sentenced to seven-plus years in connection with fatal impaired crash
On Jan. 24 Ethan Robert Noble, 22, of Harriston, was sentenced to seven years and five months in jail in connection with a two-vehicle crash on July 11, 2018 that claimed the life of Palmerston’s Darren More. Though he initially faced 15 charges following the crash, Noble pled guilty to five charges, including driving while impaired by drug causing death.
9. Erin man dies after school bus, car collide head on
Brandon Adams, 21, of Erin, died from his injuries after a car and school bus collided head-on on Wellington Road 124, west of the village of Erin, on Aug. 15.
10. Two children hit by vehicle at Elora campground
A 7-year-old boy and five-year-old girl were struck by a reversing vehicle at the Elora Gorge Conservation Area and taken by air ambulance to a Hamilton hospital. They were later listed in stable condition.
TOP ARTICLES BY CATEGORY
The following is a list of the Advertiser’s top online stories for each category on its website.
News: Employee, 63, charged in Nov. 19 bomb threat at Fergus Walmart, Dec. 11.
Arts: Harriston setting for independent horror/thriller film, Dec. 5.
Sports: Local lacrosse players make Team Ontario, July 3.
Rural: Breakfast on the Farm returns for third year, June 13.
Business: Potter Foundry to be relocated 75m to the west, Aug. 28.
For more information or to view any of the full articles, visit www.wellingtonadvertiser.com.
