LOCAL HEADLINES

If you’ve ever called someone on Christmas morning to ask how to cook a turkey, there’s a decent chance you’ve already met Mike Miles — or at least heard his sigh on the other end of the phone. The Paris resident, armed with 28 years in the food service industry and a dry wit as sharp as his favourite kitchen knife, has finally put all those “how do I” answers into one place: his debut book Let’s Start with Boiling Water.

Paris is about to welcome back one of its biggest summer celebrations — and this year’s Paris Drinks Fest is shaping up to be its biggest yet. On August 15 and 16, the sixth annual festival will fill the grounds beside the Two Rivers Stadium beside the Syl Apps Community Centre with the sounds of Sam Roberts Band, Matt Mays, and a stacked lineup of talent including Born in the Eighties, Shania Twink, Shebad, Trash Panda Brass, The Wild High, Absolute L

Getting around Paris these days feels a bit like solving a puzzle with missing pieces. With detours crisscrossing town, drivers are resorting to creative—and often frustrating—routes to navigate their daily commutes. One increasingly popular workaround to bypass the bottleneck between Dundas and William via Willow Street is the scenic detour through Green Lane. But that option is now off the table too, adding to the mounting frustration. Last week, the County announced yet

The Paris Predators U13 Girls Softball team wrapped up their South Oxford League season with the year-end tournament in Innerkip from Aug. 8 to 10 — finishing on a high note despite a challenging win-loss record. The girls opened the tournament against the league’s top team, Embro, and held their own in a hard-fought battle. Clara delivered solid pitching through all three innings, keeping the game competitive before Paris

After three months of extensive renovations, one of Paris’ most cherished dining spots, Scott’s Family Restaurant, is ready to welcome customers back with a refreshed atmosphere, a few new menu twists and the same warm traditions locals have loved for decades. New owner Rana Ahluwalia officially took over the restaurant from former owner Kim Dammeier in December 2024, following the passing of longtime operator Scott Dammeier two years ago. Scott was the heart of the restaura

A week after a CN Rail train derailment in Paris, County of Brant officials say the incident has prompted a review of emergency response protocols, though no major gaps were identified. In a detailed response to The Paris Independent, the County’s Emergency Response Team said its Emergency Management Program is regularly reviewed by the Emergency Management Program Committee, which meets quarterly to assess training needs, recommend updates and refer changes to council.

A long-time Paris retirement home will close its doors this fall, leaving dozens of residents and their families scrambling to secure new accommodations. Grand River Estates, formerly known as Penmarvian, announced Friday it will cease operations Nov. 28, giving residents the minimum 120 days’ notice required under Ontario’s Retirement Homes Act.

A 12-year-old with deep Paris roots is making a name for herself on the national stage — and now she’s in the running for Athlete of the Year. Olivia Millar, of Mitchell, Man., is the great-granddaughter of the late Ted and Shirley Pelton, lifelong residents of Paris, and the only great-great-granddaughter of Pete Lavoie, founder of Paris Little League Park. Her family’s sporting legacy runs deep, and she’s carrying it forward in her own way.

A century of service, sacrifice, and community will be honoured in a once-in-a-lifetime celebration next year, as The Royal Canadian Legion prepares to mark its 100th anniversary in October 2026. Originally chartered in the fall of 1926 under the name The Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League, Paris Branch 29

The focus of this week’s editorial is Pinevest Homes. Following our July 16th edition, which featured two subdivision applications presented to Brant County Council on behalf of the Paris-based builder, a reader reached out with a pointed question: “Who are they? I know they have an ‘office’ downtown, but where is their main office and exactly how do they contribute to our community? Pinevest has made a good living here and I'd like to know how they are putting back into our

The Paris Predators U11 Girls Softball team wrapped up its season with a gutsy fourth-place finish this past weekend, showing resilience, heart, and steady development throughout their final tournament. The action opened Saturday morning against Innerkip, with Kaylee Carr setting the tone from the mound. Carr struck out three of the first five batters, giving Paris a chance to respond offensively. And they did

A train derailment involving approximately 24 railcars occurred early Friday morning in Paris, prompting a swift response from emergency crews but resulting in no injuries or hazardous spills. The derailment happened shortly before 6:00 a.m. along the CN Railway line between Oak Park Road and Market Street, however, business owners in the area reported the occurrence near the Dundas Street bridge by No Frills. CN Rail initially reported the incident as two derailed container

Brant County is looking for a partner to breathe life back into a piece of Canadian architectural history. The municipality is inviting people to submit expressions of interest for a “public-private partnership” which would “support the redevelopment of the Bawcutt Centre,” according to the municipality’s bids and tenders page.

A young athlete from Paris, Ont., is making waves on the world disc golf stage. Brooklyn O’Krafka, 14, proudly represented Canada at the 2025 PDGA Junior Disc Golf World Championships held last week in Emporia, Kansas, where she placed second overall in the girls’ 15-and-under division.

The Ontario government is investing an additional $12.5 million to support the planning and development of a new hospital under the Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS), paving the way for expanded health services in Brantford, Brant County, Six Nations of the Grand River, and surrounding communities.

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.

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.

A proposed 71-unit townhouse development on West River Road sparked significant concern from some residents during a County of Brant Council Planning meeting held July 8. The development, proposed by Pinevest Homes through MHBC Planning on behalf of West River Developments Inc., would rezone the vacant property at 73 West River Road from R1-58 to a site-specific RM1 zone. The plan also includes a public park zoned OS1, a new private street network, and visitor parking.

The Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, visited the County of Brant on Thursday for a prestigious High Tea event hosted by Mayor David Bailey at the historic Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead.

The Lions Park Amphitheatre came alive last weekend as the Paris Performers’ Theatre showcased part one of THEATRE BRATS: A Festival—an energetic celebration of short plays and mini monologues performed by the talented youth of the PPT Drama Club, with support from Paris Performers’ Theatre members.