LOCAL HEADLINES

The 18+ Open A St. Marys Snipers earned the top prize at the Snipers’ Ringette Tournament hosted in St. Marys Dec. 12-14.

The Cherry Hill Carpentry-McKinley Hatchery FUN3 St. Marys Snipers (Hibbert) earned the silver medal at the Snipers Ringette Tournament Dec. 12-14 in St. Marys.

When it comes to weather, Canadians love to reminisce of storms of the past and share stories. The winter of 2024-25 was a mixed bag of heavy snowfalls, winds, thaws and frigid temperatures.

On Jan. 1, 2001, West Nissouri Township and North Dorchester Township merged to form the Municipality of Thames Centre, making 2026 its 25th anniversary.

The Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan made its return to St. Marys over the weekend, allowing locals to visit Father Christmas himself. 

For the third year in a row, St. Marys council has appointed Coun. Brogan Aylward – the youngest member of council – as deputy mayor.

St. Marys’ Gilly’s Pubhouse has won the People’s Choice Award for Best Burger in the United Way Perth-Huron’s (UWPH) Ultimate Burger Battle fundraiser competition. 

To honour her son’s memory, Anna Maria Iredale has turned grief into purpose by helping others and advocating to reduce stigma around substance use.

The Stratford Police Service (SPS) is among several local police forces that will receive a funding boost from the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General to support their unique, community focused programs that help better protect the communities and people they serve.

The St. Marys Rotary Club held its last meeting of the year on Monday, Dec. 12, during which members welcomed inbound exchange student Samir Zogbi, who delivered a presentation about his home country, Argentina.

St. Marys businesses, industries and institutions (ICI) that rely on Bluewater Recycling Association’s (BRA) curbside recycling pickup will see some minor changes as the province’s producer-responsibility residential recycling program comes into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

Despite a snowy day, many parents and students showed up to the Legion on Thursday night to give recognition to the winners of the National Youth Remembrance Contest.

The Town of St. Marys declared a significant weather event Thursday afternoon in response to a significant snowfall and mechanical breakdowns with the town’s operating fleet.

The work to help the Town of St. Marys raise funds in support of the New Community Commons revitalization of 14 Church St. N, the former Mercury Theatre, has officially begun after an ad-hoc fundraising advisory committee held its first meeting Dec. 3.

The 2025 deputy warden and deputy mayor of West Perth, Dean Trentowsky, has officially accepted the gavel and chain of office as Perth County’s 2026 warden.

The King family, in partnership with the Kinsmen Club of St. Marys, once again welcomed the community to their display this year while hosting Santa for the weekend.

Giving Tuesday on Dec. 2 was another one for the books. The efforts of the hardworking committee paid off in spades as the community banded together to make the day one to remember.

When Dan Troyer, owner of Troyer’s Spices in St. Marys, dropped off donations of spices and chives at Stratford’s Local Community Food Centre, he saw the excitement from the organization.

There’s always something to do at the St. Marys Public Library thanks to the diverse array of drop-in programming available nearly every day of the week.

The Stratford and Perth County Community Foundation (SPCCF), an organization dedicated to philanthropic giving and serving as the steward of funds earmarked for local charitable causes, is looking for new board members to support its mission across Stratford, St. Marys and Perth County.