LOCAL HEADLINES

Waterloo Region Community Legal Services (WRCLS) is once again offering rural mobile legal clinics to support residents in Wellesley and Wilmot townships.

Mayor Natasha Salonen has tabled Wilmot Township’s 2026 budget, and if passed as is, ratepayers would see a 9.7 per-cent increase in their property tax bill.

Wilmot Township has acted on recommendations from a report by making changes to its administrative team.

Residents of Wilmot and Wellesley will have a new waste removal system in March.

After the success of its first Repair Café last November, New Hamburg based environmental group the Nith Valley Ecoboosters (NVEB) will host a second iteration of the event that will once again offer locals a chance at giving their broken items a chance at new life.

Perth County council has officially dug into this year’s draft budget, which carries a proposed tax-levy increase of 7.93 per cent, inclusive of growth.

Tavistock connections were easy to spot at Saturday’s Soups On fundraiser in Stratford, where residents from the village and surrounding area turned out in strong numbers to support the Alzheimer Society of Huron-Perth – and where a Tavistock-made soup quickly became one of the most talked-about offerings of the day.

Two longtime employees at PeopleCare Tavistock were recognized last week for their exceptional dedication and years of service to the community’s long-term care home.

Members of the Shakespeare Optimist Club gained a deeper understanding of Parkinson’s disease during their monthly dinner meeting last week thanks to a candid and informative presentation from local resident Ron Harrison and his partner, Barb Myers.

Grassroots Response to the Ukrainian Crisis kicked off 2026 with a celebration of culture and community, welcoming residents to a flavourful cultural event.

Students at North Easthope Public School near Amulree received hands-on lessons in farm safety last Friday thanks to a visit from Wellesley–North Easthope Fair Ambassador Claire Koch and Junior Fair Ambassador Chloe Scott.

To reduce liability and winter-maintenance expectations at dog parks in the township, Wellesley council has approved a service-level change that will see local dog parks left largely unmaintained during winter months.

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

Hillcrest Mennonite Church west of New Hamburg was the setting Saturday for a milestone celebration marking the 90th birthday of Mary Ellen Zehr.

The Tavistock Ministerial Association hosted its monthly High Noon luncheon last week at Grace United Church, drawing a strong turnout for a meal, fellowship and an eye-opening presentation on global health issues.

December brought a welcome surprise for Jeffrey Honey of Kitchener, the latest winner in the Wilmot Heritage Fire Brigade’s monthly 50/50 draw, based in Baden.

Tavistock Braves forward Yann Raskin stole the show at the Provincial Junior Hockey League’s (PJHL) South Division All-Star Game on Sunday afternoon.

The U11 B New Hamburg Huskies team is doing some important work off the ice to support a Canadian organization helping other kids play the game.

The Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School (W-ODSS) junior boys picked up a strong 51-28 win over Elmira District Secondary (EDSS) on Jan. 6.

Beginning this month as part of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, the Alzheimer Society of Huron Perth is providing several opportunities for locals to learn virtually about Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, memory and aging, and more.