Owen Sound Sun Times

About 10 firefighters put out a seven-acre grassfire above the West Rocks, where smoke poured through and over the rocks and crossed the Sunset Strip early Friday night. Inter Township Fire Chief Jeff Gautreau confirmed Sunday that his firefighters put out the fire and were cleaned up within 90 minutes of a 7:41 p.m. call. […]

Some have turned to writing during the pandemic or been thinking about starting. If they were to ask Ginger Press book publisher Maryann Thomas to publish their book, as some have, at this point she has two years of publishing commitments lined up already, she said Saturday. “What’s happened in the past year is that […]

Some cottagers on leased land in the Sauble Beach area await a second vote by Saugeen First Nation members after a “failed” earlier vote left the cottagers in doubt about their continued use of their cottages. Something went wrong with a March 5 vote concerning whether to approve a new five-year lease for 87 cottage […]

Eleanor Pauling turned isolation and loneliness into a positive when she decided to use her time to paint pictures and donate them for auction to the Salvation Army. When you’re 83 and live alone, you already spend a lot of time by yourself, she said in an interview Saturday. COVID-19 made it worse, until she […]

Grey Bruce Health Unit reported nine more cases of COVID-19 as of midnight Friday. The update came in the health unit’s daily situation report, which reported five new cases in Owen Sound, two in Saugeen Shores and one each in Blue Mountains and West Grey. That brings the cumulative total for Grey-Bruce to 919 cases, […]

There’s a suspected outbreak of COVID-19 at Beaver Valley Community School in Thornbury, Grey Bruce Health Unit announced in a news release Friday night. There is “interim evidence of transmission from person to person” but officials await more test results. No bus routes are involved. A notice on the school’s website dated Friday said the […]

Canopy Growth’s proposed acquisition of The Supreme Cannabis Company includes the 7Acres cultivation facility in Tiverton. Thursday’s acquisition announcement said the plant near Kincardine has “a demonstrated capability of consistently producing premium flower from sought-after strains at low cost with significant potential for scaling.” The Supreme Cannabis Co.’s 7Acres “hybrid-greenhouse cultivation facility” was first licensed […]

Ontario’s ombudsman has elected not to review 21 meetings held over the past five years that Bruce County’s own review found were potentially closed to the public improperly. Ombudsman Paul Dubé officially informed the county of his decision in a March 26 letter, included in Bruce County council executive committee agenda on April 1. “The […]

The Grey Bruce Health Unit reported eight new cases of COVID-19 Friday. Three of the newest cases were found in Owen Sound, two in The Blue Mountains, and single cases were reported in Saugeen Shores, Hanover and Arran Elderslie. There are now 78 active cases in the region including 19 involving a variant of concern. […]

Nearly $5 million of federal, provincial and municipal funding is being spent to improve Lion Head’s Community Centre and Arena. MPPs for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound and Huron-Bruce announced more than $12 million in combined funding for 10 approved local community infrastructure projects Thursday. The funding is part of the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure program stream […]

A 77-year-old married father of three and grandfather of six is $2 million richer after purchasing a winning Ontario 49 lottery ticket in Kincardine. Kincardine resident Richard Butler’s March 17 win was announced April 8 by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation in a news release. “I couldn’t believe I won. I had to check […]

If all goes to plan, soccer players will head back to the pitch in Owen Sound this summer. The Owen Sound Minor Soccer Association (OSMSA) board of directors has developed return-to-play protocols in anticipation of a house-league regular season beginning June 1. Player registration began April 5 and will run until April 23. Players born […]

Are you looking for a rewarding career? Employment opportunities abound in Grey and Bruce counties, with a number of exciting openings in labour and manufacturing, skilled trades, food, real estate and more. Check out these local employers that offer on-the-job training, competitive compensation, and a few perks, too! Troy Life & Fire Safety Ltd. […]

The Grey Bruce Health Unit believes it currently holds the national record for most vaccines administered at one mass immunization centre over the course of a single day. There were 3,498 COVID-19 vaccines administered at the “Hockey Hub” mass immunization centre in Hanover Wednesday. On average, 350 people were vaccinated per hour from 8:30 a.m. […]

One thousand words have earned the Bruce Peninsula Predators minor hockey association $10,000. The Predators were one of 10 nationwide winners of the first Kruger Big Assist $10,000 prize to help cover the cost of registration for hockey families in need. The Canadian paper-product manufacturer (Purex, Scotties, SpongeTowels) is donating a total of $150,000 this […]

Owen Sound has added the first two electric vehicles to its fleet – a move city hall says represents a “positive step” in reducing the city’s carbon footprint. The two Hyundai Kona Electric sub-compact sport utility vehicles were purchased for the city’s building division from Collingwood Hyundai, which submitted the lowest of three compliant bids […]

Two suspicious fires in two weeks sparked an arson investigation by Saugeen Shores police and fire officials, who are asking for the public’s help. At 1:38 a.m. Wednesday a passerby called 911 to report a structure fire in a rural property in a triangle at Highway 21, Carlisle Street and Bruce County Road 3, the […]

Even before Ontario’s new state of emergency and stay-home order was announced, this year’s 41st annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake event had moved online or to other home-based options. But it’s still going to be fun, said Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Grey Bruce event promoter Cala Bryans. The Bowling Alley on 10th Street West, just […]

A local effort to curb speeding on the Bruce Peninsula has spawned a provincial campaign aimed at tackling stunt driving on Ontario’s roads. The newly formed Regional Road Safety Committee (RRSC), established in response to Bruce Peninsula Safe Communities’ work to address excessive speed concerns on Highway 6 north of Wiarton, is launching the DRIVES […]

“The risks are greater and the stakes are higher.” Ontario Premier Doug Ford opened the provincial government’s third pandemic-era emergency order announcement with that statement Wednesday afternoon. A provincewide “stay-at-home” order will go into effect Thursday and will remain in place for at least four weeks. The emergency order requires Ontarians to remain at home […]

Cellphone-based location technology should help Owen Sound police and fire dispatchers send help faster to emergencies in the city and in the many other communities they serve. The Earth has been mapped into three-metre-by-three-metre squares by using Global Positioning System technology for the location app what3words. After the free app is downloaded to a cellphone, […]

A man charged with attempted murder after shots were fired in Tobermory March 31 had his case adjourned to Monday in bail court. He remains in custody. David William Hillyer, 39, of Stokes Bay Road in Northern Bruce Peninsula, made a brief video appearance in a virtual bail court presided by a justice of the […]

Tobermory resident Corey Oliver said someone shot at his house, then fired a shotgun at a vehicle he and another man were in when they gave chase on March 31. Grey Bruce OPP announced Tuesday a man was in custody, charged with two counts of attempted murder using a firearm, recklessly discharging a firearm, uttering […]

Owen Sound parks officials say they’re continuing to monitor Kelso Beach Park after a destructive beaver gnawed down trees along the shoreline. Adam Parsons, manager of parks and open space, said the path of destruction – marked by pointed, chewed up stumps and fallen trees – was created last fall, but is being noticed by […]

COVID-fatigue is leading to a high rate of close contacts and rising local case counts, according to Grey Bruce’s medical officer of health. Dr. Ian Arra said the pandemic-high 500 active close contacts his contact management team followed last week represented about half the outfit’s total capacity. Tuesday, that figure was down to 400 high-risk […]

A bicycle donation and safety program in Owen Sound is giving bikes, helmets and reflectors to children from families from other countries who have settled in the city. So far there are 29 children aged three to 17, mostly from Kurdish parts of Syria, some from Eritrea and India, on a bike waiting list. Another […]

Local youth have created an initiative aimed at lifting the spirits of adults with serious mental illnesses, while giving students something to do over the April break. Canadian Mental Health Association Grey Bruce’s “Good Deeds” project, developed by the organization’s 2020-21 co-op students, invites area youth to craft messages of “love, hope and connection” and […]

Health and safety measures on Owen Sound Transit buses are working to prevent the spread of COVID-19, public works and engineering director Dennis Kefalas told council. “To date, I would say that we haven’t had any issues related to COVID. The system seems to be working,” he said. The comments came after clerk Briana Bloomfield […]

The Grey Bruce Health Unit reported six newly confirmed COVID-19 cases Monday. Two of the newest cases were found in South Bruce Peninsula while Owen Sound, Southgate, Northern Bruce Peninsula and Grey Highlands each recorded a single case. Meanwhile, six COVID-19 cases were referred to the Grey Bruce Health Unit from other public health regions […]

Owen Sound has decided to stick to a 1.5 per cent pay hike for council members this year despite one councillor’s proposal to freeze the wages for 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Council narrowly defeated, in a 5-4 vote, Coun. Marion Koepke’s motion March 29. “In recognition of COVID still affecting our finances, I […]

How safe do you feel walking alone in your neighbourhood after dark? That’s one of the questions asked in an online survey seeking to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on Grey-Bruce residents’ perceptions of safety and well-being. The survey, which can be accessed by visiting the Bruce and Grey Community Safety and Well-Being Plan […]

Owen Sound council didn’t end up voting on a councillor’s proposal to provide matching grants to help downtown restaurants – hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic – with the cost of setting up temporary patios this summer. Coun. John Tamming withdrew his motion at the March 29 meeting after city officials said they received legal […]

Knowing how important it is for Grey Bruce residents with life limiting illness to be with their loved ones and healthcare professionals, Jessica Rayner won’t let COVID-19 stop her from supporting the local hospice residence. “Chapman House was where my mother, Sandra Rayner, spent her last days, surrounded by our family. The annual Hike for […]

The Grey Bruce Health Unit added another nine cases of COVID-19 on Sunday. The cases confirmed in the 24-hour period prior to midnight on Saturday, included three in Huron-Kinloss, two in the Blue Mountains and one each in Owen Sound, Southgate, Chatsworth and Arran-Elderslie. There have now been 858 confirmed cases of the virus in […]

Owen Sound business owners forced to shut down once again said they are feeling frustrated and tired, but remain hopeful there is light at the end of the very long tunnel. Under the provincewide 28-day emergency brake shutdown, which came into effect Friday at midnight, in-person shopping is still being permitted at reduced capacities at […]

Organizers of the Grey County Kiwanis Festival of Music are ensuring the music of local children and youth plays on in 2021. After last year’s festival was cancelled as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, the event is back in virtual form in its 89th year. “There was a strong desire to see that we could […]

Grey-Bruce added 10 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, while the number of active cases in the two counties increased to 71, the highest it has been during the pandemic. The new cases, recorded in the 24-hour period prior to midnight on Friday, included three in Owen Sound, two each in Huron-Kinloss and Hanover and […]

Many facilities around Grey-Bruce have begun closing for the expected 28-day provincial COVID-19 shutdown. Owen Sound announced on Thursday that the Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre would be closed as of midnight on Friday. Owen Sound Minor Hockey coaches were notifying players that their season would be ending about two weeks earlier than had been […]

Blue Mountain Resort is wrapping up its ski season after confirming with the province that ski hills are included in the province’s latest shutdown. The lifts and all other activities at the resort in The Town of the Blue Mountains were to close effective midnight on Friday. “We were hoping to continue with the season […]

A Brampton man who was arrested with loaded firearms in Owen Sound on Wednesday has been charged with 26 firearm and drug-related offences. At 10 a.m. on Wednesday, members of the Owen Sound Police Service concluded a complex fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking investigation with the arrest of 35-year-old Daniel Anderson, police said in a news […]

With criminal charges behind him, Cameron Gardiner said he’s happy to be free and alive. After a home invasion in which two intruders died by gunshot on Jan. 22, 2019 in Collingwood, police charged him with second-degree murder. A judge later reduced the charges to manslaughter and the Crown withdrew those charges Tuesday. “It’s good […]

The Women’s Centre Grey Bruce has launched its anti-human trafficking program to support young victims and survivors of human trafficking in the community. Known as Our Place, the program will partner with community agencies to provide numerous supports including counselling, outreach, housing for youth, along with an educational component in local schools. Paula Carnakie, a […]

Grey-Bruce is one of only two regions in Ontario going from the green zone to shutdown Saturday morning. Ontario Premier Doug Ford made the announcement at a news conference Thursday afternoon. The increased provincewide restrictions will last “at least” four weeks, he said. For regions already in the grey-lockdown zone, not much will change. However, […]

Charges against Cameron Gardiner were withdrawn in a case that began after two men who invaded his Collingwood home in early 2019 were shot dead. Initially Gardiner was charged with second-degree murder in the deaths of Dean Copkov and Donovan Bass on Jan. 22, 2019. In November a judge committed him to stand trial on […]

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization recently unveiled a new five-year strategic plan for taking the organization beyond the planning and site selection stage. The report is titled Implementing Adaptive Phased Management 2021 to 2025 and is available online. The NWMO is also inviting Canadians and Indigenous people to fill out an online survey to help […]

Active COVID-19 cases and high-risk contacts continued to climb in Grey-Bruce Wednesday. According to the Grey Bruce Health Unit’s daily situation report Wednesday, 65 cases are active in the region including 16 cases involving variants of concern. The health unit’s case and contact management team are now following 532 high-risk contacts, according to Wednesday’s report. […]

South Bruce Peninsula’s mayor said the town will place barricades along Lakeshore Boulevard North in Sauble Beach to mitigate a safety hazard after a judicial review revoked its work permit to cut back the sand dunes. Jackson said the work to install the barricades along the shoulder of the road will begin “fairly soon” though […]

A priest who lived in Hanover was sentenced Wednesday to 21 months in jail in the Superior Court of Justice in Walkerton for sexually abusing a child. Mervin Perera, 73, was found guilty Jan. 30 of touching a girl for a sexual purpose, after a trial in Walkerton. He appeared in person in a Walkerton […]

Georgian Bluffs is looking at a proposed 3.46 municipal tax rate increase in 2021. On Tuesday, Georgian Bluffs council held a public meeting where staff presented this year’s draft budget, which includes a proposed tax rate increase of 2.5 per cent over 2020, when combined with county and education rates. For the average home assessed […]

Owen Sound is extending its temporary Midtown bus route until Sept. 30. The city’s fifth bus route was added at the beginning of February to take people on essential trips during the pandemic and to help alleviate increased demand resulting from ridership limits due to COVID-19 protocols. The route travels along and stops at many […]