LOCAL HEADLINES

Whether you’re tapping your toes to the music or dancing along to a variety of Big Band tunes, the upcoming Beat the Winter Blues concert will give you a break from the bitter cold and a chance to warm up with local talent.

Stop Violence Against Women (Stop VAW) is hosting a series of community information sessions across Perth County from January through May.

The Stratford Irish continued to produce mixed results as they tried to remain in contention for a spot in the Outlaw Tournament, while focusing on building chemistry for the playoffs.

During deliberations for last year’s budget, Mayor Martin Ritsma warned of “gray skies” for Stratford.

Nine years after Derek Ritz was last seen at a home in Sebringville, in the Township of Perth South, at around 1 a.m. on Dec. 31, 2016, investigators with the Stratford Police Service are hoping to entice first-hand witnesses to come forward with new information that could close the City of Stratford’s only cold case.

According to local poet Heidi Sander, the response to her national Canada Is Our Poem poetry contest was nothing short of overwhelming.

The U16 AAA Huron-Perth Lakers resumed tournament play after Christmas, participating in the 31st Toronto Marlies Holiday Classic. The Lakers played in Group C of the Tavares Conference during the round-robin.

The Stratford Hunter Steel Warriors have reached their halfway point of the season. Through 27 games, the team is 17-6-2-2, good for fifth in the Western Conference. Statistically, the team has mixed results. They have the third-worst goals in the conference with 96, and the third-least goals allowed with 72.

Every year at the end of December, Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma accepts an invite to have breakfast with all the men who live in the much-decorated River Gardens Retirement Residence.

The Stratford Police Service has welcomed a new four-legged team member aimed at supporting first responders and community members across Stratford, St. Marys and Perth South.

The Stratford District Secondary School Junior Bears claimed their second tournament of the season by taking the Western University Purple and White Junior Boys Tournament in London on Jan. 4.

A powerful mix of freezing rain, rain and persistent snowfall kept road conditions difficult this holiday season.

The official grand opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting for Cuyuni Creates took place earlier this week, with local budding artists and community members gathering to celebrate a new art gallery and co-creating studio located at 315 Front St., Unit 5.

The Stratford U18 Warriors are still in good spirits after winning the Ajax Winterlude Tournament on Dec. 14.

Lights On Stratford will feature art installations made by fourth-year University of Waterloo students.

Stratford Walking Tours, in collaboration with C.O.R.E. Nature Experiences, presents the “Spread Your Wings” tour where families can enjoy a family-friendly, bird-timed outing.

On Aug. 1, 2024, Stratford faced a rare and violent crisis as Stratford police received multiple 911 calls reporting gunshot victims and an active shooter on Bradshaw Drive in the city’s north end. Within minutes, six Stratford police officers arrived at the scene.

Optimism Place continues to promote its Not Ok. campaign, which raises awareness that intimate partner violence (IPV) is a widespread issue, both nationally and in local communities.

The Stratford Irish lost for the third time in four games, falling 5-3 to the Strathroy Jets at the William Allman Memorial Arena on Dec. 13.

In the dark of winter, a bright light shines through when the Stratford Winter Film Festival (SWFF) returns with its third annual event. Beginning Jan. 30 and spread over two weekends, co-founders Leslie Marsh, Craig Sangster and Bruce MacInnis are thrilled to bring the third edition to the Stratford City Hall auditorium.