LOCAL HEADLINES

Drivers making their way down William Shakespeare Street in the village of Shakespeare may find themselves stopping for a second look – and with good reason.

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.

After recent reports that nearly half of Ontario’s Grade 6 students failed to meet the provincial standard in math, the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) and the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) report it’s not all bad news.

The Tavistock Assistance Program (TAP) has supported individuals or families 146 times, to date, in 2025.

Oxford County’s young beef producers made their community proud at the 103rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, bringing home strong placings and valuable experience from one of the largest youth livestock competitions in the country.

With Christmas fast approaching, staff at the Tavistock Scotiabank branch are once again stepping up to support local families through their annual fundraiser for the Tavistock Assistance Program (TAP).

Churches across Tavistock, New Hamburg, Wellesley, Milverton and surrounding communities spend the entire year helping people in need.

New Hamburg may have dropped its first game of the weekend at home, but the Firebirds roared back with a road victory over division-leading Woodstock on Saturday night to take sole possession of third place in the Doherty Division.

All 11 of Tavistock’s Team Unity synchronized skating teams took to the ice on Saturday, Dec. 5, for the annual Team Unity Gala.

After winning six of their first seven Ontario Elite Hockey League (OEHL) games, Tavistock has dropped four straight following a 6-5 home-ice loss to Elora on Saturday night.

United Way Oxford’s annual 12 Days of Giving event has returned. The event, which started on Dec. 1 and runs until Dec. 12, encourages community members to show their Local Love by sharing 12 ways to give back to Oxford County and directly support those in need.

Wellesley council has officially dug into the township’s 2026 draft budget, which was introduced at council’s first budget meeting Nov. 27 with a proposed levy increase of 4.99 per cent, inclusive of growth.

Santa Claus was easily the most popular visitor in Tavistock on Saturday as children lined up after the Men’s Club Santa Claus Parade for a chance to share their Christmas wishes.

Tavistock’s Santa Claus Parade on Saturday was another tremendous Men’s Club event, helped along by perfect weather and a fresh layer of snow from two days of wintery conditions.

This year’s Santa Claus parade in Tavistock came with an extra helping of community spirit as East Zorra-Tavistock (EZT) marked the 50th anniversary of amalgamation with a free barbecue for everyone along the route.

Six exceptional individuals pursuing careers and leadership roles in Ontario’s agriculture sector have been recognized by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) with scholarship awards of $2,000 each.

The Wellesley North Easthope Agricultural Society, organizers of the annual Wellesley Township Fall Fair, has asked Wellesley council to consider reinstating annual funding support for the fair.

The Grassroots Response to the Ukrainian Crisis group hosted one of its cultural gatherings at the Ukrainian Cultural Hub in New Hamburg last week.

Theatre Wellesley’s recent production of The Curious Savage by John Patrick drew large crowds despite the weather, bringing in more than 100 people to each performance.

Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School (W-ODSS) has wrapped up its fall production of Silver Dagger by David French.