LOCAL HEADLINES

The New Hamburg Board of Trade has welcomed Lillianne Dunstall as its new president for 2026, a milestone year marking the organization’s 75th anniversary.

“The beautiful thing to see was 3,000 people showed up from across the country.” That’s how Oxford MP Arpan Khanna described his top takeaway from the Conservative Party of Canada’s national convention in Calgary last weekend.

Teams of walkers across Wilmot and Wellesley townships and the surrounding areas are raising pledges and gearing up to once again venture out into the cold for this year’s Coldest Night of Year fundraiser in New Hamburg.

Instead of tossing broken household items into the trash, residents of Wilmot and Wellesley townships were invited to learn how to fix them at the Nith Valley EcoBoosters Repair Café in New Hamburg on Saturday, Jan. 31.

The Ontario government has recognized Elgin-St. Thomas and Oxford County as age-friendly communities for their contributions to more inclusive physical and social environments for aging adults.

Wilmot Township councillors and members of the public had their first opportunity to ask questions and comment on the 2026 budget last week.

At the Jan. 28 Region of Waterloo council meeting, a preliminary list of solutions to address the Mannheim Service Area water constraint was presented.

When local sports fans think about standout athletes, their minds often go to hockey rinks, ball diamonds or gym floors, but one of Perth County’s most accomplished competitors is making his mark in a very different arena.

Wilmot Township has taken another step toward replacing its aging New Hamburg fire station after council approved the next planning phase for a new, purpose-built firehall on Neville Street.

The Brunner post office has long been an important part of Mornington Township and the wider Perth East community, thanks largely to the dedication of longtime postmaster Mariette Frijters.

The name Mathieson is well known and highly respected throughout Stratford and Perth County, and in education circles, it is often associated with longtime Milverton teacher Carolyn Mathieson.

Viktoriia Makarova, a Ukrainian artist and designer, recently took part in the Brush Off – 13th Edition at THEMUSEUM in downtown Kitchener on Saturday, Jan. 31.

The Wilmot Heritage Antique Fire Brigade continues to thank area residents for their ongoing support through its monthly cash raffle, which helps ensure the long-term preservation of the township’s firefighting history.

The Tavistock Braves extended their win streak to six games following a perfect weekend with three victories in three days.

The Tavistock Royals will meet Erin in the first round of the Ontario Elite Hockey League’s (OEHL) South Division playoffs, and it might be coming at just the right time.

Tavistock’s Scotiabank is once again inviting area residents to stock up on reading material and puzzles while supporting a local cause through its annual book and puzzle sale.

The annual Rural Ontario Municipalities Association (ROMA) Conference was held last week in Toronto, and many area politicians attended the three-day event.

This winter has been the most volatile and dangerous for Oxford County and Wilmot Township motorists, leading to a record number of collisions. But, according to one member of the Oxford Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachment, it doesn’t need to be that way.

As part of its plan to protect Ontario and keep communities safe, the provincial government is supporting firefighters in Wilmot Township with a $49,560 investment through the Fire Protection Grant.

The Township of Wellesley’s Community Improvement Plan (CIP) continues to play a role in supporting local businesses, heritage properties and community spaces with several projects completed in 2025 through the program’s financial incentive grants.