LOCAL HEADLINES

The OWHA-Southern Tier-II Consolation Semifinal series between the Stratford Humphrey Fleet Service U18 AA Aces and the Oakville Hornets is tied after two games, following a 3-3 draw on March 23 at the Stratford Rotary Complex.

The Huron-Perth U16 AAA Lakers are set to compete in the renowned OHL Cup in Toronto from March 30 to April 4.

The City of Stratford has released its annual report on the remuneration and expenses of its councillors. Over $470,000 was paid in 2025 to its 11-member council.

Perth County councillors received a combined total of nearly $211,000 in remuneration in 2025, along with $39,425.66 in travel and professional development expenses, according to the county’s annual statement of remuneration and expenses received by council at its March 19 meeting.

The Humane Society of Kitchener-Waterloo and Stratford Perth (HSKWSP) saw record participation from businesses on the Pastry Path as part of the Bake for the Animals Campaign, and raised lots of dough for animals in need.

In a unanimous decision, Stratford city council has agreed to compose and send a letter supporting “provincial consultation and transparency regarding potential changes to English public school board governance.”

The WOSSAA Junior Boys AAA Champions, Stratford District Golden Bears and the WOSSAA Junior Boys AA Bronze Medalists, St. Michael Warriors, had strong representation in the Junior Boys and Senior Boys Huron-Perth Athletic Association (HPAA) All-Star Basketball games held in Mitchell on March 25.

The Harrington and Area Community Association is hosting a concert at Harrington Hall, 539 Victoria St., Embro, on Sunday, April 19 at 2 p.m. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. and snacks, soft drinks and desserts will be served to guests.

There is a young man who now lives with his family in Shakespeare, who tries to do his best when it comes to keeping streets, sidewalks and roads in Stratford in very good condition, but sometimes it seems like an uphill battle against the weatherman.

John McDonald, the six-foot Scott called “StoutMac,” mapped the area and laid out Stratford itself with one of the most attractive plans in Upper Canada.

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Huron Perth Addiction and Mental Health Services will begin a two-phase move to a new office later this month as the first step toward providing easier access to, and more space for, its services in Stratford.

The GOHL Western Conference Quarterfinal series between the fourth-seeded Stratford Hunter Steel Warriors and the fifth-seeded London Nationals is heading to a deciding game after the Warriors were unable to close out the series in Game 5 on March 20 and Game 6 on March 22.

A Speak to Lead Showcase for Women will take place at Here For Now Theatre on March 29, where 10 women from across the region will come together to share their signature talks.

Art, music and community support will come together once again later this month when Holy Trinity Anglican Church (formerly St. James Anglican Church) hosts the Stratford Music and Art Sale, a fundraiser in support of the church’s food-bank ministry.

Local manufacturer Schaeffler Group has become the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN)’s newest incubator. As Raed Kadri, head of OVIN, told the Times, the partnership is an exercise in future-proofing Ontario’s position as a global leader in the automotive industry.

Despite a petition from two neighbours, Stratford city council has opted to proceed with the presented Queen Street reconstruction plan – which will see two blocks of the western sidewalk removed.

It is with great excitement that Meghan Seamen, owner and artistic director of the well-established OnStage Dance Studio, announces the new OnStage Gymnastics Club opening later this summer. This new endeavour is the first dedicated facility for gymnastics in Stratford and will answer the burgeoning demand in the community.

On March 15, The Girl Who Cried Pearls, a Canadian animated short film directed by Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski and available through the National Film Board (NFB), won the Best Animated Short Film award at the 98th Academy Awards. Stratford’s Colm Feore narrated and voiced the film. He sat down with Stratford Film Festival director Megan Smith-Harris for a Q-and-A about the project just a day before the Oscars. Below is an excerpt from the conversation, edited for cla

The Stratford Humphrey Fleet U18 AA Aces opened their OWHA Southern League Tier-II Championship Semifinals against the Oakville Hornets at the Joshua Creek Arena in Oakville on March 12. Stratford led 2-0, but Oakville responded with three unanswered goals in the second period to take the lead 3-2 into the third period. The Aces tied the game in the third period and settled for a 3-3 draw, picking up a point to open Game 1 of the series. Charlotte Hines led the Aces with two

Feline Friends Network of Stratford is celebrating 20 years of growth and helping cats and kittens in need.