LOCAL HEADLINES

Scoop ran into an old friend, the captain of the Paris Mounties that Scoop coached in the late eighties. This old friend had a personal and truly moving story to tell. Scoop would like to share it with his dear readers of the Paris Independent.

If you’ve ever driven down Washington Street and felt a chill run down your spine, don’t panic, it’s just Hallowe’en spirit at work. More specifically, it’s the handiwork of Tiffany and Bernie Martin, the Paris residents who have turned their love of the spooky season into a full-blown community tradition known as the South Ward Scare.

The closure of a subsidized retirement residence in Paris points to a flaw with public housing, says a Brant County councillor. In August, Grand River Estates announced it would permanently shut the doors at 185 Grand River St. N. in Paris at the end of November, displacing up to 45 residents, many of whom need additional support.

The County of Brant is moving forward with plans to relocate two of its fire stations following a presentation to the Administration and Operations Committee on October 21. Consultant Tim Beckett of Behr Integrated Solutions, who has been working with Fire Chief Darren Watson and the County of Brant Fire Department over the past several months, presented the findings of a Fire Station Location Study, including a recommendation stemming from the County’s Fire Master Plan.

When Paris resident Drew MacDonald drives the nearly 100 kilometres from his hometown to Toronto, it’s not your average commute. By the time he parks near Rogers Centre, he’s stepping into one of the most intense workplaces in Canadian sports, the Toronto Blue Jays clubhouse. MacDonald, the team’s Major League Assistant Athletic Trainer, is responsible for keeping players healthy, managing injuries, and maintaining the steady calm that’s vital through the grind of a 162-game

The County of Brant is planning two modest reductions to its curbside waste-collection services beginning in 2027, changes that staff say will save about $110,000 a year while still providing residents with free disposal options.

Last Thursday, the 2-2 Senior Panthers faced the winless side of North Park Collegiate. The Panthers opened the score three minutes into the first quarter when Ian Souliere scored a touchdown.  North Park followed up with a missed field goal to score a single point (Rouge). The first quarter score was the Panthers leading North Park 6-1.

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.