LOCAL HEADLINES

The heart of the “Friendly Village” will once again come alive with sights, sounds, and the sweet scent of apples as St. George Applefest celebrates its 41st year on September 20 and 21, 2025. Recognized as one of the Top 100 Festivals in Ontario by Festivals and Events Ontario, Applefest continues to draw thousands of visitors eager to experience one of the region’s most anticipated fall traditions. Locally, it has been honoured with the Salute to Brant Businesses Award for

Back-to-school means back-to-football at Paris High, where the Junior squad has hit the field early to sharpen skills and welcome new players from Grade 8. The coaching staff, led by second-year and Paris High alumnus Mackie Fergus is excited about this year’s team roster. One key position for any football team is having an experienced quarterback, and Coach Fergus is happy to have one in Owen Stewart, who played with the Brantford Bisons this summer.

Keeping with my stay-cation plan, a recent cat-sitting job for my daughter in Toronto offered the opportunity to do a couple of fun things in Ontario's capital.  While I had vowed to never buy, or do anything I found on Facebook, the ads for Little Canada were consistently popping up. After a little research on their official website, I asked my friend

It was a season full of progress and little moments but the Paris Predators U15 Boys Softball team finally got their big moment — and it couldn’t have come at a better time. After a slow start and months of building chemistry, the team came together in dramatic fashion in their final game of the year, defeating Lynden B 9-8 in extra innings.

Patients visiting the Brantford General Hospital Emergency Department (ED) will notice a significant change beginning last week, as the waiting room, triage, and patient registration areas have been relocated to the former See and Treat space. The move is part of the hospital’s multi-year Emergency Department Renovation Improvement Project. Enhanced wayfinding and signage have been installed to guide patients, visitors, and staff through the temporary changes. Despite the re

Laughter, memories and the sound of bagpipes filled the Best Western Brantford last week as the Grand River Women’s Probus Club celebrated its 25th anniversary. More than 110 members attended the milestone gathering.

Rubyyy Jones Cultural Correspondent  Grace Auslebrook-Smith was crowned the 2025 Paris Fair Ambassador last Thursday evening, edging out...

At just seven years old, Paris resident Ayodeji Olajide is already making his mark in children’s literature. Inspired by his parents and driven by his own imagination, Ayodeji has published two books before even starting Grade 2, with a third and fourth already underway. His debut, Ayodeji’s Amazing Adventures, released in February 2025, is a vibrant collection of stories that carry young readers through jungles, space, and neighbourhood heroics. His second, The Cheerful Pai

The Paris FC U15 Boys soccer squad has wrapped up a dream season, capturing not one, not two, but three major titles in 2025, marking a stunning rise for the club from “worst to first.” Coached by longtime mentor Peter Polillo, with assistant coach Bruno Squeo and manager Nadine Dmetruic, the boys captured the Tiamo Cup, the Heart of Caledon Tournament, and the prestigious

After two decades serving the local hobby community, Paris Junction Hobbies will close its doors this fall. Owners Bill and Joan Henwood, along with their son David, announced last week that the business at 300 Grand River Street North will permanently close on October 31, 2025. The couple is retiring, while David is moving on to other commitments.

As new subdivisions sprout and construction equipment hums daily across Paris, many residents are quick to complain that the town is "growing too fast." Social media platforms amplify these concerns, with posts and threads painting a picture of an out-of-control expansion. Yet, a closer look at the numbers over the past 184 years reveals a different narrative: Paris has weathered far more dramatic growth spurts in its history.  

County of Brant representatives joined municipal leaders from across Ontario at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference in Ottawa from Aug. 17 to 20. Mayor David Bailey, Councillors David Miller and John MacAlpine, Chief Administrative Officer Alison Newton, and General Manager of Operations David Mellor attended the annual event, which brings together municipalities from across the province to hear from keynote speakers, take part in workshops and meet

At just 13 years old, Paris resident Jace Santos is quickly making a name for himself in the world of martial arts. Santos began his journey in combat sports at the age of six, starting with three years of Tae Kwon Do before se

When we think about war, we tend to think about men in combat. But not so many people know about the role of the women who helped to win the Second World War. And some of those women came from Paris. We have heard about the “Rosie the Riveter” stereotype, of women taking the place of men to work in shops and factories to keep the wartime economy going. But in addition, many women, including women from Paris, played a significant role by serving in the Canadian military. 

Last week in our Progress Meets Patience editorial, we touched on the growing frustration over detours and overlapping roadwork, including the much-used workaround via Willow Street and Green Lane. At the time, the County’s notice to affected residents and businesses said the Dundas Street East intersection would close August 11 for about a week, with Green Lane closed for two to four weeks.

As the Labour Day long weekend approaches in Brant County, antique aficionados are eagerly anticipating a unique tradition - the 25th annual Paris Road Antiques Multi-Vendor Antique Market & Artisan Fair taking place from August 29th to 31st. While some locals may link this holiday with the Paris Fair, for numerous antique enthusiasts, the focal point lies in the yearly antique extravaganza on Paris Road.

The City of Brantford and County of Brant have officially opened 174 Trillium Way, a 49-unit affordable housing development aimed at easing the region’s growing housing crisis. The one- and two-bedroom units are available to singles, couples, small families and seniors. The building is a key deliverable of the Mayors’ Housing Partnerships Task Force Affordable Housing Action Plan — a joint effort between the two municipalities to address what both say is an urgent need for a

Two Paris high school students have been recognized for their exceptional commitment to service, leadership and community involvement, as the Kiwanis Club of Paris-Brant, in partnership with the Kiwanis Foundation of Canada, presented its second annual Service Scholarship. It was rebranded the Paul Thomson Service Scholarship this year after his passing. During the club’s monthly meeting on Aug. 11, Secretary Sheila Moore introduced recipients Sherin Dedo and Trudeau Gulati.

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