LOCAL HEADLINES

It’s too early to know what Brant County’s tax hike will be next year, but a long-term property tax forecast shows some of the 2026 budget pressures.  The plan looks at the county’s anticipated capital projects, operating expenses, and revenue across the next 10 years, and the impact those projects could have on property taxes each year. The 2026 forecast is 13.6 per cent — the highest anticipated across the decade.

The goal of Homes of Heroes is to place a sign in front of every home in Paris where veterans lived when they enlisted or where they are living now.  So, the Homes of Heroes committee is very proud that Jason Hotte agreed to place the first sign in our campaign to honour our Paris veterans. Jason is a resident of Sensity and known among all the staff for his enthusiasm for history. He has a special interest in learning about veterans and the impact of their service. 

In the early afternoon of October 14, a longtime volunteer in our town was the target of a brazen distraction-theft scheme carried out in broad daylight, in a municipal parking lot, serving a stark reminder that no one is immune, even in our close-knit community. Between 12:45 and 1:12 pm that day, Edith, a stalwart volunteer with the Paris Horticultural Society, was working on the flower beds behind the Council Chambers parking lot in downtown Paris. 

October is Cyber Security Month across Canada and this year’s theme is Get cyber safe – for future you. The federal government’s campaign aims to set Canadians up for a safer and easier future by shedding light on the practical benefits of cybersecurity that can prevent people from becoming victims.

Many team sports are wrapping up their regular seasons, with playoffs on the horizon—an exciting time for athletes, classmates, and families alike. This fall’s warm weather could quickly shift and become a factor for outdoor sports.

The County of Brant has confirmed that Amazon will construct a 200,000-square-foot delivery station in the Rest Acres Road and Highway 403 corridor adding a major addition to the community’s growing logistics and industrial sector.

The first official night of the Paris Legion Women’s Dart League took place on October 16, 2025, and it was nothing short of spectacular! The energy, laughter, and excitement filled the Legion from start to finish. Many of those who attended the pre-season warm-up games had already predicted this would be a fantastic year—but the official kickoff exceeded everyone’s expectations. With golf season winding down, the dart season began with incredible enthusiasm and a record-brea

The County of Brant has announced that longtime volunteer and sports advocate Jack Tolhurst will be inducted into the 2025 County of Brant Sports Hall of Fame in the Builder category. Born in St. George in 1924, Tolhurst devoted much of his life to developing youth hockey and baseball in his hometown and beyond. He was a founding member of both the St. George Minor Hockey Association and St. George Minor Ball, serving for many years on the executive boards of

County of Brant Councillor Christine Garneau has announced her resignation from council, citing an “irreconcilable conflict” between her duties as an elected official and her professional responsibilities.

The County of Brant is exploring a new land-use planning framework that could significantly change how development applications are reviewed and approved. At its October 14 meeting, council received a presentation from Dillon Consulting on the potential introduction of a Community Planning Permit System (CPPS), a tool designed to combine zoning bylaw amendments, site-plan approvals and minor variances into a single, streamlined process If adopted, the county-wide system wou

A new community event aimed at breaking the silence around menopause has struck a chord with local women, selling out within weeks of being announced. The ‘All Things Menopause’ evening, organized by Jennifer Smith and Alix Consorti, a local nurse practitioner, was created to fill a gap in local health education and provide a safe space for open discussion about a stage of life that affects millions of Canadians.

Ever since I became a columnist for The Paris Independent, the heart of this town has pulsated through the stories, images, and delightful anecdotes shared to me by our readers. Each submission exudes a common sentiment - a profound love for The Paris Independent and a commitment to vocalize it. With the conclusion of golf season, I've decided to embark on a journey of sharing these cherished narratives with all our readers.

Paramedic budget talks between the City of Brantford and County of Brant have stalled over less than $257,000. The sticking point is whether to operate with the current level of service next year or a reduced level of service.

Saturday, October 4 marked the second annual The Other Paris Fashion Week (TOPFW) presented by KLK Paris, Rebel & Royal, and Big Cityyy Arts. It was a dazzling showcase of local fashion and wearable art at the #ForParisCentre, held as part of Ontario Culture Days 2025. This year’s event featured two runway shows highlighting 12 designers, most of them local to Brant, along with a vibrant fashion and art market, a pop-up red carpet, and a fleet of photographers. The success of

The reconstruction of Dundas Street East in Paris continues to progress, but the project is now expected to take longer than originally planned. The County of Brant has confirmed that L82 Construction Ltd. remains the contractor executing the work. The company was the original bidder awarded the project through a tender process, with a bid price of $7,840,897.50.

In most relationships, one spouse typically makes most or all the household financial decisions and manages the family’s finances. While this can be fine while both spouses are alive, what happens if the person who manages the finances dies first?

It all started one night over dinner when I looked at my family and said, “What if we hosted a Butter Tart Fest in Paris? Do you think anyone would actually come?” Turns out, the answer was a very sticky yes.

Coming into last Thursday’s game, there was a consensus that BCI, with their massive roster and previous year’s league champions, just might be favored to win this game. Head Coach Head Ed Kelly and the Panthers players had differing views. For those who only watch the NFL, the “tush push,” where everyone pushes the ball carrier forward, is illegal in Canadian football. In fact, if the “tush push” happens in Canada, the penalty for this infraction is called a Tandem Buck! Coa

Alectra Energy Solutions, a division of Alectra Utilities, is proposing to build a 75-megawatt Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the County of Brant’s municipally owned lands at the Paris Waste Transfer Station. The proposal was presented during a public open house held October 9 at the Brant Sports Complex. Attendance was limited, with only a few residents present alongside councillors, County staff and Brant Municipal Enterprises CEO Darryl Lee. One attendee noted tha

Could a batch of sourdough cinnamon buns from a small Paris bakery be the Toronto Blue Jays’ secret playoff weapon? Staff at Little Paris Bread Co. aren’t saying for sure but they’re not ruling it out either.