LOCAL HEADLINES

“I’ll meet you at Rankin’s!” was a popular invitation in late 19th and 20th centuries Stratford. Those five little words brought together generations of Stratford families and friends to enjoy good times and the many special treats at Rankin’s that included everything homemade from meals to ice cream and hand-rolled candies.

A northwestern Stratford neighbourhood will be slowing down this fall.

Several members of the 1985-1986 Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) Sutherland Cup champion Stratford Cullitons gathered for a special weekend. On July 24, the team participated in a golf tournament at the Stratford Country Club, and on July 25, they toured the William Allman Memorial Arena, then known as the Stratford Arena during that historic season.

Public health units across the region are calling on all levels of government to address growing concerns about food insecurity in Ontario.

After establishing the City of Stratford Home Child Care Program in March, city council has approved the prices for the new licenced child care agency.

City staff will soon be preparing information and a report ahead of initiating discussions with the province on transport trucks in the downtown core.

After a successful, if frenetic, first year, the warming centre will be back next winter.

The Stratford 15U Nationals endured the lingering smog and humidity to put on a clinical display, going 5-0 and winning the SMBA 15U Tournament at Stratford National Stadium last weekend.

Avondale United Church, in collaboration with the Goderich Celtic Roots College and Festival, will be bringing East Coast tunes to Perth County.

Two years after three Stratford residents were temporarily banned from all city property, some questions have been answered – for some.

At first, there was only one person willing to get up and dance, but by the end of their show at the Stratford Perth Museum July 19, Toronto’s Lemon Bucket Orkestra (LBO) had everyone up on their feet rocking out to their fast-paced beat.

When it comes to Stratford’s housing crisis, leadership remains focused on supportive housing as the most cost-effective, empathetic strategy.

The Shakespeare Falcons U-15 tier one softball team capped off an unforgettable season by capturing the 2026 Provincial Women’s Softball Association (PWSA)’s grand championship, earning the title of the top U-15, tier one team in Ontario.

In recent years, the story of Stratford’s Kroehler Furniture Factory’s women’s softball team and their championship-winning 1953 season – the same year that saw the opening of the Stratford Festival – has become the stuff of local legend.

Perth County is celebrating the first anniversary of its "Shareworthy Moments" project, which has encouraged visitors and residents to capture and share photos at destinations across the county.

If readers have worked with Legos at one time or another, they will have enjoyed watching two new apartment buildings being constructed on McCarthy Road in Stratford.

You may have noticed a colourful new addition along the south shore of Lake Victoria over the last week. New tulip chairs have been installed by Destination Stratford to add character and colour to the waterfront. The versatile chairs also provide comfortable seating at several locations along the lakeshore.

The Stratford U18 Boys Strikers challenged the Southwest District Soccer League’s top team, Kitchener U17 TFC, pushing them to the brink but ultimately unable to maintain their late lead, ending in a 2-2 draw at Cowan Field on July 20.

Earlier this month, the Stratford Police Service used drone technology to locate a missing person in Perth South.

The streets of downtown Stratford were bustling with lots of pedestrians as the Downtown Stratford Business Improvement Area (BIA) held its annual sidewalk sale on July 11.