LOCAL HEADLINES

Residents of Perth County’s four lower-tier municipalities, Stratford and St. Marys reported a total of 80 coyote sightings and encounters in the first year of Perth County’s coyote tracking and public-education program.

The Stratford Hunter Steel Warriors continued to build on their winning streak with wins over the St. Thomas Stars and the Sarnia Legionnaires.

The holiday season is often seen as a time of joy and togetherness. But for many people living with domestic violence, it can bring added stress, isolation and an increased risk of harm.

Huron-Perth Lakers U16 AAA defenceman Colten Van Geffen says he's a shutdown defender who plays his best after Toronto Maple Leafs Simon Benoit, and his future ambitions are inevitable if he plays efficiently.

At the most recent Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA)’s board of directors meeting on Nov. 25, Brian Petrie, mayor of Ingersoll and one of the UTRCA’s directors, warned that municipalities need to wake up.

For those finding that the holiday season comes with mixed feelings, including grief, Avondale United Church is offering a quiet space of reflection.

A private company’s bid to house a battery storage system in Stratford has gotten preliminary permission from Stratford city council.

After recent reports that nearly half of Ontario’s Grade 6 students failed to meet the provincial standard in math, the Huron Perth Catholic District School Board (HPCDSB) and the Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB) say it’s not all bad news.

The U18 Stratford Warriors looked to end their regular-season losing skid when they faced the St. Thomas Jr. Stars on Dec. 6 at the Stratford Rotary Complex.

Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault and Annie Turcotte.

The Stratford Irish looked to climb back up on the contention ladder as they faced the last-place Woodstock Lakers and the division-leading Alvinston Killer Bees on the weekend.

Destination Stratford is pleased to once again support the Winter Music Pop-ups that will keep residents entertained throughout the winter season from December to March. With 14 venues planning events there will be something for everyone’s tastes and styles.

The U18 Stratford Warriors have endured a tough stretch to start the season. During the past week, the Warriors hosted the London Jr. Knights at the Rotary Complex on Nov. 26 and were outmatched in a 5-1 blowout loss. On Nov. 29, the Warriors squandered the lead in the third period to lose 5-3 to the Woodstock Jr. Navy Vets.

After the shortest budget deliberations in recent memory, the 2026 City of Stratford budget was approved with a projected tax increase of 3.19 per cent – the lowest in recent years. That figure translates to an approximate rise of $172 annually ($14 monthly) on an average home valued by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) at $317,000.

When Logan Johnson walked into the November Willi-Brawl Cocktail Competition, he wasn’t expecting to win – mostly because he’d never competed before. But by the end of the night, the Stratford bartender walked away with first place and a big moment for the Relic Lobby Bar.

Although at this time of year there is no shortage of performances featuring portrayals of Ebenezer Scrooge and his epiphanous, midnight meetings with three ghosts who help him discover the true meaning of Christmas, there is one such performance in Stratford unlike all others.

The aroma of pancakes, sausages and warm conversation filled the Community of Christ Church hall last weekend, as neighbours and friends gathered for the church’s monthly community breakfast.

Being an ally is one of the most important things to be for a queer loved one, but being an ally is more than just accepting their orientation or saying that it’s fine. To be a true ally means to understand that how they think and feel is different, to stand up for them no matter what, to accept that there are things that you may not know and to take the step to learn what you can. Stratford-Perth Pride is offering a class for those who want to learn, Acronym for Allies. 

Two affordable housing projects are going back to the drawing board. At the most recent Stratford city council meeting on Nov. 24, council voted to cancel the request for expressions of interest (RFEOI) for two City of Stratford-led affordable housing projects at 38 Coriano St. and 161 East Gore St.

On a blustery Nov. 29, the Stratford Irish were looking to keep pace with the Alvinston Killer Bees as they hosted the Tilbury Bluebirds at the William Allman Memorial Arena.