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- Huron County Newsletter #51
Huron County Newsletter
Week of December 15th to 21st, 2024
🎄Happy Holidays from the Huron County News team. 🎄
Thank you for checking out the Huron County Newsletter and have a great week.
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Blyth Festival 2025
The 2025 season of the Blyth Festival runs from June 18 to September 20.
Click here for a list of this year’s shows and information.
Rural Ontario Institute Introduces 2024 Rural Change Makers
by Bob Montgomery
The Rural Ontario Institute is excited to announce the 2024 young leaders of change who have begun their leadership learning journey together through the Rural Change Makers program.
Rural Change Makers Program Manager Melanie Bidiuk says the program has been running for several years under different names but this is the fourth year under the Rural Change Makers name. She explains the members come together to build leadership skills and rural economic development skills. From there they will identify practical applications of those skills and the creation of…
Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook/Water Safety Message
The following Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook/Water Safety message was issued by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) on December 16th at 2:30 p.m.
Warm temperatures and up to 10 millimetres of rain, risk of minor flooding.
Watershed residents are reminded to stay away from waterways.
An approaching warm front is to be followed by rainfall of up to 10 millimetres to the Ausable Bayfield watershed area over the next 36 hours.
The forecasted rain (starting December 16, 2024) and temperatures remaining above freezing over the next several days will melt most of the snowpack. Snow survey data collected by ABCA staff over the last three weeks has…
North Huron Man Charged – Police Seeking Witnesses And/Or Video
Huron County Ontario Provincial Police is investigating a series of incidents that took place in the Village of Blyth, Township of North Huron between Saturday, November 30th, and Sunday, December 1st.
Huron County OPP received information that an individual had trespassed and committed offences on several properties in Blyth. As a result of the investigation, a North Huron resident has been charged.
The 27 year-old resident of from North Huron has been charged with…
by Bob Montgomery
Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookies offered a new way to spread kindness during the holiday season and now, United Way Perth-Huron is celebrating a donation of $7,764 to the organization’s Urgent Needs Fund.
“We’d like to thank Dan Moynihan and his staff in Blyth, Clinton and Seaforth, the volunteers who helped us decorate cookies and all the people who bought them,” said Michelle Millar, United Way Perth Huron Manager of Community Development in Goderich and area and Southern Huron. “Thanks to the…”
Pictured (L to R): Barry Hutton, Katie Schneider, Leigh Melady, Jessica Xu, Joyce Jones, Beth Blowes and Dan Moynihan. Photo courtesy of United Way, Tim Hortons
Intimate Partner Violence Investigation Results In Charges
On December 12th, 2024, members of the Huron County Ontario Provincial Police investigated a matter involving intimate partners in the Township of Howick.
As a result of the investigation , OPP learned that the involved suspect had allegedly committed criminal acts against their partner. A 26-year-old individual from North Perth has been charged under the Criminal Code with the following offences:
Assault - Spousal
Mischief - Domestic
The accused was processed and later released from custody with a court date scheduled for the Goderich Ontario Court of Justice on January 13, 2025.
Victims of intimate partner violence are not alone. If you or someone you know needs support, there are local resources available to help. One organization you can contact is Victim Services of Huron at www.victimserviceshuron.ca or by calling toll free at 1-866-863-4108, or 1-519-600-4108.
The OPP can be reached anytime, anywhere in the Province of Ontario at 1-888-310-1122, or 911 in an emergency.
Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a secure web tip at P3tips.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
Important Year-End Giving Information
by Bob Montgomery
As 2024 draws to a close, many supporters are preparing their year-end contributions to the Sunset Community Foundation. To ensure your donation qualifies for inclusion in your 2024 tax return, we’re sharing important updates and deadlines to help you avoid delays—especially as the Canada Post strike ends, mail services are expected to resume soon, with significant backlogs…
The Municipality Of North Huron Is Looking For A New CAO
by Bob Montgomery
Dwayne Evens had been North Huron's CAO for the past seven years but the municipality announced on November 20th that he was leaving.
North Huron Reeve Paul Heffer says the municipality has hired the Toronto firm of Waterhouse Executive Search to help them find a new CAO. He says their interim CAO will be Carson Lamb, who is currently their clerk. They understand it could take six to eight weeks to find a new CAO. They have four options to consider and decided unanimously to go with Waterhouse Executive Search.
Heffer says there isn't much more that he can say at this point. Council did go into a closed meeting last night to discuss litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality. Former CAO Dwayne Evens has not been available to discuss the situation at this time.
Livery Centre For The Arts Asks Goderich Council For Funding
by Bob Montgomery
The Livery Centre for the Arts in Goderich has run out of room and they're asking Goderich council for a little help.
Goderich Mayor Trevor Bazinet says the centre is asking for $35,000 and that request will be referred to budget as well as to the Heritage Committee because they have a reserve fund that falls in line with that request. He's hoping they can help out too. Bazinet adds they'll be starting the budget talks very soon.
The centre is in fact a victim of its own success. They've run out of room as their popularity grows. They need money for a feasibility study on how much it would cost to build an expansion to the existing building and Bazinet says that will cost around $80,000. They do have some of their own money set aside and they're applying for a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation as well.
Bazinet says they're very happy in their current location but it is very crowded now and they're limited in what they can do at one time because they just don't have room to do more. There is more land there for them to expand and the additional space would make it much more efficient and allow them to get more done. Bassinet says the community is behind them, but it is going to take some money.
A Huron Perth Flag Football Team Is Hoping To Build On Last Year's Success In 2025
by Bob Montgomery
The Huron Perth Flag Football League was launched in September of last year with about 95 players from six to sixteen years old by Melanie & Dave Levinson.
Melanie Levinson says they're hoping to build on that this year. Their season ran for eight weeks with a year-end tournament on November 2nd. Their games were played on Saturday mornings at the Exeter Community Soccer Field, behind the arena. She says they didn't start accepting registrations until the end of June so they were surprised with how many players they got and they're hoping to exceed that this coming year. This year they're going to be extending the age to…
Experience Ontario 2025 Is Now Open For Applications
by Bob Montgomery
The provincial government has announced the launch of the Experience Ontario 2025 program for festivals and events taking place between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026.
Lisa Thompson's office says the application period is now open and applications will be accepted until December 30, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered for funding.
Experience Ontario is a competitive funding program to support eligible in-person festivals and events that will have an economic impact and generate increased visitor spending. Thompson's office says applications will be measured against program criteria and there is no guarantee of funding, including for past recipients. They are also pleased to announce that the program will be launched through a new online portal platform in Transfer Payment Ontario. The portal has been designed to improve the application process with enhanced functionality and streamlined questions for applicants.
Information about the program and how to apply is available here. Please also see the Experience Ontario Application Guide. Applicants should read the Experience Ontario 2025 Application Guide, watch the program overview video and consult with their Regional Advisor to discuss their event proposal or email [email protected] with questions.
New Habitat For Humanity Home Is Under Construction In Goderich
by Bob Montgomery
There have been a few delays but a new Habitat for Humanity home is now under construction on Anglesea Street in Goderich.
Habitat Executive Director Cheryl Jefferson says the footings, foundation and basement walls have all been done and Royal Homes has set the shell of the main floor, which means the roof is done, but kitchen cupboards still have to go in, doors and trim on the interior all have to be put on, flooring has to be done, painting has to be done, the basement has to be insulated and drywalled. The exterior has to be…
Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity
Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance Extends Emergency Department Hours At Clinton Public Hospital
The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance is pleased to confirm that Clinton Public Hospital will be extending its Emergency Department hours in the New Year.
Starting January 20th the Emergency Department will operate from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, an increase from the current hours of 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
“As part of a regional system of emergency care, our Clinton Public Hospital Emergency Department Team continues to provide outstanding care to those served and the HPHA remains committed to ensuring responsible access to safe and timely care,” said Andrew Williams, President and CEO. For emergencies or serious medical issues, community members are advised to call 911.
HPHA is dedicated to ensuring safe, high-quality, responsibly accessible care for all patients and remains grateful for the community’s ongoing support. For further updates and information about services, please visit www.hpha.ca.
County Of Huron Congratulates Successful Starter Company Plus Program Grant Recipients
by Bob Montgomery
The Starter Company Plus program is administered by the County of Huron and provides business training, advisory support, and grant opportunities of up to $5,000 for eligible participants to start, expand, or buy a business.
The 2024 program awarded 11 businesses a total of $37,250 in grant funding. “Completion of this program represents significant hard work and commitment, immense creativity, and a true entrepreneurial spirit,” said Director of Economic Development, Vicki Lass.
Of the 23 applicants for the 2024 program, twelve were accepted to…
Back Row: Matt Good, In-Power Generator Servies Inc., Keifer King, Kings Crown Detailing, Mark Bridge, Bluevale Auto Repair, Jonathan Cucksey, Maitland Heights Apiaries
Front Row: Ally Campbell-Main, A Life That’s Good, Taylor Jones, JT Creative Works, Jacob Bjerg, JT Creative Works, Leonie Dolmage, Lunar Lounge Salon, Amanda Miltenburg, Ashfield Speech & Language, Hayley Bettles, Small Town Paralegal, Sarah Williamson, Huron County Landscaping.
Photo courtesy Starter Company Plus program
Huron East Mayor Presented County Council With A Possible Solution To The Shortage of Day Care At This Week's Council Meeting
by Bob Montgomery
The demand for more day care is growing in Huron County and in most of the province.
Huron East Mayor, Bernie MacLellan suggested a possible solution to the growing demand at this week's county council meeting. He had a discussion with the director of the Avon Maitland District School Board and one of things they discussed was the province's interest in any possible reciprocal programs between municipalities and school boards. So MacLellan brought Huron East's Recreation Director, Lissa Berard, into the discussion.
Berard had an idea that would…
Gateway Centre of Excellence In Rural Health Awarded $20,000 Grant From Libro Credit Union
by Bob Montgomery
The Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health recently accepted a $20,000 grant from Libro Credit Union in support of the SHARP Simulation Lab.
The cheque presentation ceremony marked a significant milestone in advancing healthcare training in rural communities. The SHARP Simulation Lab is a cornerstone of the Skilled Healthcare Attraction & Retention Program, designed to enhance the skills and capabilities of healthcare professionals in rural areas. This grant from Libro Credit Union will facilitate the…
Left to right: Nancy Simpson (Gateway CERH Secretary), Debb Finch (Libro Advice & Services Co-ordinator), Breanne Stafford (Libro Regional Manager), Larry Reinhart (Libro Owner Council Representative), Michael Mask (Libro Owner Experience Representative), Gwen Devereaux (Gateway CERH President), Karissa Eckert (Gateway CERH Marketing & Administration Co-ordinator).
Photo courtesy of Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health.
Weekly Trivia Questions
This best-selling author of young adult fiction is from the Egmondville area and attended Central Huron Secondary School. They have written multiple official Star Wars books.
a) David Yates
b) E.K. Johnston
c) George Lucas
d) Hunter S. Kerouac
Huron is becoming well-known today for wineries and breweries, but was perhaps better known in the past as a 'dry county.' In November of what year did Huron County residents vote to repeal the Canada Temperance Act for good, finally ending Huron's long 'dry' run?
a) 1936
b) 1962
c) 1949
d) 1959
Answers to last week’s questions:
What Stanley Cup winning hockey player from Zurich was named as the head coach of the Montreal Canadiens in 1939, but tragically drowned in Lake Huron before the season commenced?
a) Bill Barilko
b) Charles Albert ‘Babe” Siebert*
c) Jack “Newsy” Leswick
d) Howie Morenz
“Huron Shines in ‘99” was the slogan for what agricultural event hosted near Dashwood in 1999?
a) International Plowing Match*
b) The National Farm Machinery Show
c) Agroexpo
d) A Tractor Pull
Questions courtesy of ‘Museum Quiz’ from ‘connectedcountyofhuron.ca’