LOCAL HEADLINES

St. Marys council has reversed course on its previous decision to remove all concrete structures at the West Quarry, voting recently to retain and fence off the site’s six large industrial pillars as part of this year’s cleanup and revitalization work.

Despite concerns from the St. Marys Pickleball Association about public perception should there be a loss of trees and green space at the Water Street courts, St. Marys council voted Feb. 24 to proceed with plans to expand the existing facility rather than begin searching for alternative sites.

The Stratford & District Chamber of Commerce holds many events during the year, including the monthly Business After 5 (BA5) networking gatherings for its members.

The sixth annual edition of St. Marys’ Coldest Night of the Year fundraising walk was the biggest one yet, with 157 walkers, 29 teams, 37 volunteers and $52,855 raised.

St. Marys council has finalized its 2026 community-grants allocations, making several adjustments to the recommendations brought forward earlier this month and redistributing funds after removing a grant for the St. Marys Ringette Association.

On Feb. 25, downtown St. Marys was full with folks who turned out for the same purpose – to sample soups and vote on their favourite.

For anyone who has ever thought, “I should really write that down someday,” St. Marys writer, poet and editor Kate Orland Bere is thinking someday might just be this spring.

Clocks spring forward at 2 a.m. this Sunday, March 8, and the St. Marys Fire Department is reminding residents to install fresh batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms when they change their clocks.

The St. Marys DCVI Senior Girls Volleyball team captured the championship banner in the WOSSAA in an instant classic of a match against London Christian High (LCH) on Feb. 26.

The inconsistency and complacency plaguing the St. Marys Lincolns reached a tipping point after losing to the LaSalle Vipers on Feb. 25, prompting the Lincolns to finally get back on track in back-to-back games against the Stratford Warriors on Feb. 27 and the Listowel Cyclones on Feb. 28.

The Stonetown Electric U9 LL Boys Red St. Marys Rock left the Stoney Creek Family Day Hometown Winterfest tournament Feb. 13-15 with the silver medals.

Wednesday, Feb. 25, was Pink Shirt Day, an annual event created to acknowledge and put a stop to bullying.

Members of the St. Marys Kinettes presented cheques to the organizations that benefitted from the club’s recent Fill the Fridge Draw at their monthly meeting last week.

On Feb. 28, the curtain closed on the 20th annual Thorndale Dinner Theatre.

After 20 years as Thorndale’s postmaster, Jocelyne Rioux will retire on March 10.

St. Marys resident Greg George was downtown in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on Feb. 22, finishing an eight-day stay at a friend’s condo.

Intimate partner violence doesn’t usually begin with bruises – it begins with control. That was the message Sydney Touzel shared with attendees at a Feb. 17 Stop Violence Against Women (Stop VAW) community information session in St. Marys, where she spoke candidly about surviving an attack in 2020 and the subtle warning signs she wishes more people understood.

The Easter Bunny is making a stop at Country Roots Fresh Market next month, with photos, an egg hunt, games and spring-themed activities for families to enjoy.

After closing a public survey on Feb. 23, the St. Marys Museum will use community input to help shape its 2026-2031 strategic plan and ensure it meets local needs.

As both a counsellor and a mother of two, Shalyn Dussiaume-Good of St. Marys knows how challenging it can be for children to regulate their emotions.