LOCAL HEADLINES

The well-loved restaurant the Common, located at 80 Wellington St., is asking for community support following a fire that caused significant smoke damage throughout the space.

Rally Fore the Cure’s 24th annual charity golf tournament raised over $13,357 for the mammography department at Alexandra Marine and General Hospital (AMGH).

On July 16 the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival and College received $55,000 in support from the Ontario government’s Experience Ontario program.

Was he there, or wasn’t he? As Oxford County Archives prepares for a book launch next week, one of the most interesting stories told in ‘Growing Stronger Together: A Celebration of Oxford County’s Past’ is whether Elvis Presley signed his name on a wall.

Bridge Street plan to be implemented over time

One of St. Marys DCVI’s longest-tenured teachers and coaches, Ian Moore, announced that this past school year would be his last, with Moore retiring from the school after over two decades. Moore explained the people around him made his career a special journey.

The week of July 14 brought an exciting happening for a St. Marys resident and her family as building started on the new pocket (“tiny”) home in her backyard, providing an affordable residence for her daughter thanks to a charitable organization called Home Suite Home Affordable Housing (“HSH”).

As the town works to take ownership of the properties known collectively today as East Ward Park, the land’s former purpose as three of the town’s earliest settler cemeteries is coming back to haunt current park users.

Two longtime Girl Guide leaders are preparing to retire after an extraordinary combined 75 years of service to the Paris District, leaving behind a legacy of mentorship, adventure and unwavering community spirit.

City vows to improve communication during next phase

There isn’t much in this world that could convince 700 people to sit outside in the summer sun for a few hours on one of the hottest days of the summer, made hotter by several very active, nearby barbecues.

Transportation ministry to be consulted on crosswalk

The Red Rock Construction U16 OBA St. Marys Rockies captured the gold medal at the Cardinal Classic tournament in St. Thomas July 4-6.

St. Marys musician Max Smith is looking forward to playing one of his favourite summer festivals, Lucknow’s Music in the Fields.

As wildfires continue to force the evacuation of residents of northern, eastern and western Manitoba to southern cities like Brandon and Winnipeg, one St. Marys resident was on the ground in Brandon assisting evacuees as part of the Red Cross response.

Oscar Martinez’s affable nature has earned him the Spanish nickname ‘Muneca’ - ‘Doll’ in English - among his Sandy Shore Farms compatriots. But for the next year at least, the Mexico City native has also gained the title of ‘Norfolk’s Biggest Jerk.’

Despite bouts of challenging weather, the 2025 Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Summer Games concluded as a resounding success in Brantford and Brant County from July 10 to 13. Lindsay Hamilton and Geno Reda of TSN co-hosted the opening ceremonies at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre. The Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, delivered a keynote address touching on the theme of unity and perseverance.

As Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae said, pound-for-pound, the Stratford Festival punches above its weight – which is why the Province of Ontario has awarded $250,000 to the local theatre company in one-time funding.

Ongoing generous support from a proud community partner provides the Alexandra Marine and General Hospital (AMGH) Foundation with a $10,000 donation.

SKARB Inc., an innovative building materials company, is pleased to announce it has received a minor variance approval from the City of Stratford, paving the way for a new 30,000 square foot industrial manufacturing warehouse at 9 Humber St.