LOCAL HEADLINES

Alison High, Valley Heights Secondary School principal and cheerleading coach, received special recognition May 6th at the Norfolk Invitational Cheerleading Championship in Waterford. A long-time cheer coach, High will be retiring this year from her administration position at VHSS, but plans to continue coaching the Bears... at least for one more year.

Nancy Lester has participated in MS Walks for the last 27 years. This year her goal is to raise $10,000 in MS Walk donations by May 31st, and surpass the $250,000 fundraising mark over the 28 years. “I’m going to get on the phone and get around the next couple of weeks and work on it pretty hard,” said Nancy, who will be walking 2 km with husband Larry Lester in this year’s Simcoe-Norfolk MS Walk.

The Waterford Lions are inviting kids of all ages to join them at their upcoming Touch-A-Truck event on Saturday, June 13. This year it will be held downtown at the Waterford parkette on Alice Street – right beside the Golden Pond. The 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. hands-on family event is a one-of-a-kind experience and one that the kids – young and old – are sure to remember. Not only will there be fire trucks but some ‘big rigs’ used to service their vehicles, assorted trucks, along wit

What’s in a name? Well, in Norfolk at least, there’s plenty of potential for confusion. A new policy approved at the May 12 council-in-committee meeting seeks to end that confusion, as town staff are bringing together rules for similar but different naming conventions. The new rules seek to clarify the purpose and process for naming, as well as the difference between commemorative naming and sponsorship.

Pollinators play an important role in nature, in gardens, and in agriculture. But thanks to climate change, habitat destruction, pesticides, and other factors, pollinators are showing declining numbers. Fortunately, incorporating pollinator plants into gardens and landscapes can help. Kevin Kavanagh and Dylan Cowan of South Coast Gardens were the featured presenters at Norfolk Nature’s May speaker event, held at the Simcoe Recreation Centre May 12. In their talk, Kavanagh

It now appears recording at Norfolk County meetings will be open to everyone, though councillors returned the issue back to staff over some confusion regarding the potential requirement for media accreditation.

On May 11, 2026 the bodies of a 7-year-old child and a 53-year-old adult from Norfolk County were found deceased in Lake Erie near St. Williams, wearing life jackets. The bodies were reportedly discovered by a passing boater, and then recovered by the Coast Guard. OPP West Region Sgt. Ed Sanchuk delivered the news of this immense tragedy to the community in his West Region public Facebook video, expressing his deep condolences, stating “As a father, I can’t imagine what you

Honda Canada GDR Fox Racing Team introduced its 2026 lineup to a packed room of motocross media on Tuesday, May 12. Round 1 of the eight-stage Triple Crown Series kicks off June 7 at Wild Rose MX in Calgary, followed by races in Manitoba (June 14) and Quebec (June 28), before arriving at Gopher Dunes, near Courtland, on July 5.

Whether you are a history buff, a fan of scenic nature, or just someone who grew up around the area, it is likely that you have heard about the Backhouse Mill. The Backhouse Mill has been an important and cherished landmark in Norfolk for centuries. While the Millhouse was retired from its original duty of providing the community with flour in 1956, its legacy and importance continues nonetheless. In 1998 the Backhouse Mill was designated a National Historic Site since it i

The gap from first to fourth was close, but the Waterford District High School cheerleaders finished on top at the May 6th Norfolk Invitational Cheerleading Competition in Waterford. The four-school competition included full stunt cheerleading with tosses, pyramids, cradles, rolls and twists on full mat floors, in a gymnasium filled with enthusiastic spectators. Second last year after winning the inaugural Norfolk championship, Waterford W

When his daughter was just learning to talk, Michael Columbus remembers getting ready one evening to head out and the toddler asking: ‘Is daddy going to another meeting?’ That daughter now has her own career, working municipally in neighbouring Haldimand County. It shows just how long Columbus’ political career has spanned. But in a few short months, the Ward 3 Norfolk councillor won’t have to trudge off to any council meetings or read any lengthy agenda packages.

New native trees and shrubs being planted at Turkey Point are primarily a restoration effort and should not impact beach access or recreational areas. Marie Steiner, a divisional coordinator in the office of the CAO, provided information to Norfolk council at the May 12 council-in-committee meeting after public questions arose from the work

Dave Horton acknowledges there has been a personal need in his desire to organize the local Simcoe-Norfolk MS Walk, although he admits it is time for him to step back as the lead. “My wife, Judy, has had MS (multiple sclerosis) for 47 years,” said Horton. “She has done remarkably well.

Norfolk residents will have a chance to test drive their new waste carts when the county moves over to its new collection program later this year. Eventually those who wish to exchange their carts for a different style will have to pay a $50 fee, however, for the first six months they’ll be given the opportunity for a free exchange after

A steady stream of plant enthusiasts visited Simcoe and District Horticultural Society’s annual Plant & Garage Sale on May 9, featuring 18 vendors in the Norfolk fairgrounds parking lot. “Fantastic variety,” said Bill Yeager, a lifetime horticultural society member. “Dozens and dozens of varieties.”

A Norfolk councillor got her wish to reconsider a previous decision made regarding potential de-designation of a Peel Street property, but in the end, council’s original decision stood. At the April 28 Norfolk meeting, Coun. Kim Huffman requested a reconsideration of the decision they made at a meeting on March 24. At the time, councillors supported a request from the owner of 45 Peel Street in Simcoe - the old post office - to have staff look at removing the heritage design

Ongoing threats and legal action against Norfolk County are continuing to take a toll on the municipality, both financially and for county staff personally.

We're Canadian and the weather can't stop us when we're on a mission, so rain did not put a damper on the cleanup plans for the Waterford Heritage Trail. On Saturday, April 25, volunteers gathered by the old Train Station with tools and garbage bags in

Grant Haven Media publications were big winners at the Ontario Community Newspaper Association awards. Held in Collingwood on April 24, the Better Newspaper Competition is an annual event that pits community newspapers against each other in a wide variety of categories.

After months of winter, gardeners are anxious to be getting into their flower beds. There's nothing like the colours of spring, so if you're looking to add some new colour to your flower beds then you'll be happy to know the Waterford and District Horticultural Society is holding