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- Huron County Newsletter #55
Huron County Newsletter
Week of January 19th to 25th, 2025
Good day,
This week, we’d like to highlight the importance of giving back to our community through initiatives like the United Way’s Coldest Night of the Year campaigns. These walks support individuals in our region experiencing hunger, homelessness, and hardship. If you’re able, consider registering for a walk or supporting a participant to help make a difference.
Thank you for checking out the Huron County Newsletter and have a great week.
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Owner Of The Albion Hotel In Bayfield Says The Damage To The Hotel Was More Serious Than He Originally Thought
by Bob Montgomery
The roof of the Albion Hotel in Bayfield collapsed on December 8th.
The owner of the hotel, Jeff Graham, says it looked bad enough then, but he's found the damage is more extensive than he originally thought it was. Graham says when he first walked into the hotel all of the drywall was still up and looking good in the upstairs. Graham later realized they had forgotten there was about…
The Albion Hotel, a few days after the roof collapsed.
Huron County Still Waiting For Response From Federal Government On Funding For Transportation Feasibility Study
by Bob Montgomery
Huron County is still waiting for a response from the Federal Government regarding their application for funding on a feasibility study for a transit system.
Economic Development Officer Chris Watson says the issue for them is that because Huron County hasn't had a transit system of their own that serves the entire county in the past, they want to make sure the service they install meets the needs of Huron County residents. Watson says in larger urban centres their transportation systems are for students or just generally easing congestion. In Huron County it's more likely to be targeted to people who can't afford their own vehicle, or maybe seniors who are too old to drive but still have to go shopping or go to things like doctor's appointments.
Watson says another challenge is that funding that had been provided by the Federal Government to transit systems like the Huron Shores Transit System in Grand Bend expires at the end of March, so a number of transit systems are now looking to the municipalities for support.
Webinar: Searching for Grey Township’s Black Pioneers
by Bob Montgomery
Huron County Museum's Curator of Engagement & Dialogue, Sinead Cox will be conducting a webinar next week about her continuing research into the James family’s journey from the United States to Nova Scotia to Ontario.
Cox says the webinar will shine a light on some of the things that were going on in Grey County as settlers started to arrive in the northeastern part of the county in the 1850's, 60's and 70's. Cox says the research started about a decade ago when they were doing an exhibit on migration stories about people who moved into the county, and this particular story is about people who ultimately left the county. The family was a black Canadian family from…
Huron Manufacturing Association Members Donate Surplus And Scrap Materials To Local High Schools
by Bob Montgomery
Two members of the Huron Manufacturing Association have recently donated significant amounts of material to local high schools.
Huron Manufacturing Chair, Larry Livingston, says over the past year his employers, Cap Products, have donated about a thousand pounds of raw material to the two high schools in Clinton, and Huronia Welding and Industrial Supplies has donated thousands of dollars in welding materials to 6 or 7 schools. Livingston says he started the Bridges to Manufacturing program a few years ago but it's just started gaining traction recently.
Livingston says the school boards and the ministry do a very good job of providing the schools with big equipment. But the schools…
Intimate Partner Violence Investigation Results In Charges
On January 14th, 2025, members of the Huron County Ontario Provincial Police investigated a matter involving intimate partners in the Municipality of Huron East.
As a result of the investigation, OPP learned that the involved suspect had allegedly committed several criminal acts against their partner.
A 54-year-old individual from Huron East has been arrested and charged under the Criminal Code with the following offences:…
First Annual United Way Perth Huron Keys For Community Results Are In
by Bob Montgomery
From September until December participating local car dealerships across Perth Huron donated $25 from each sale to United Way Perth-Huron's annual Keys for Community campaign.
United Way Director of Resource Development Susan Faber says this was their first Keys for Community Campaign and the idea was actually shared with them by the United Way in Prince Edward County. She says they reached out to car dealerships in Huron and Perth and were very pleased with the results for the first year.
United Way Executive Director, Ryan Erb says they're very grateful for the six dealerships that participated in the campaign. “We appreciate their commitment to helping us build a better community with the help of their customers. Their…”
Intimate Partner Violence Investigation Results In Charges
On January 14th, 2025, members of the Huron County Ontario Provincial Police investigated a matter involving intimate partners in the Municipality of Central Huron.
As a result of the investigation, OPP learned that the involved suspect had allegedly committed several criminal acts against their partner.
A 33-year-old individual from Waterloo has been arrested and charged under the Criminal Code with the following offences:…
Huron County Warden Says Roma Conference Close To Setting A Record
by Bob Montgomery
Huron County Warden Jamie Heffer says close to 1,900 people attended this week's Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference in Toronto.
Heffer says one of the most important parts of the conference for him was the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus delegation and the opportunity to hear from the Minister of Rural Affairs and Huron-Bruce MPP, Lisa Thompson, about the Rural Economic Development Strategy and the government plan to put ten million dollars into the program over the next two years. Heffer says that funding will…
Search Warrant In Central Huron Yields Illegal Drugs
An investigation conducted by the Huron County Ontario Provincial Police Major Crime Unit, Huron-Perth Community Street Crimes Unit and West Region OPP Emergency Response Team resulted in the seizure of illegal drugs and offence-related property. Criminal charges have been laid against two Central Huron residents.
An investigation initiated in December 2024 by members of the Huron County OPP Major Crime Unit led investigators to an address in Central Huron.
On Monday, January 20th, a search warrant was executed on Albert Street in the Town of Clinton which resulted in the seizure of illegal drugs and related property. Two individuals have been…
World Wetlands Day Is February 2, 2025
by Bob Montgomery
World Wetlands Day takes place on Sunday, February 2, this year.
The theme for this year is ‘Protecting wetlands for our common future’ with a message to ‘value, protect and inspire.’
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) Wetlands Specialist Angela Van Niekerk says it's amazing how fast the local dragonflies, turtles, frogs and birds move into the constructed wetlands, once the habitat is provided. She shares that they have lost a lot of wetlands in the past but they're working hard to protect the ones that they do have and local landowners are working with the ABCA to create their own wetlands. In the last year, 11 landowners have…
Newcomers To Canada Can Learn To Curl At The Vanastra Curling Club
by Bob Montgomery
Newcomers to Canada are invited to learn to curl at the Vanastra Curling Club on February 1st.
Huron County Immigration Partnership Manager Mark Nonkes says everyone who's new to Canada is invited and there will be volunteers there to teach them how to play one of Canada's favourite winter sports. Nonkes says this is the third year they've run the event and people have told them in the past it's the first time they've even seen the event, let alone play it, but they always ask…
Photo courtesy of Huron County Immigration Partnership
United Way's Coldest Night Of The Year Returns To North Huron On February 22nd
by Bob Montgomery
United Way Perth-Huron invites people in northern Huron to register for the third annual Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) walk.
It's a family-friendly winter fundraising event in support of local individuals experiencing hurt, hunger and homelessness. “We’re looking forward to this year’s walk,” said Lisa Harper, United Way’s Manager of Community Development for Northern Huron and Huron East. “Chronic homelessness is still at the forefront in the region and funds raised during the Coldest Night will help address this pressing issue. We invite everyone to walk and help us reach our $30,000 goal.”
This year’s Wingham Walk happens on Saturday, February 22, as well as a choice to…
Photo courtesy of United Way Perth Huron - Walkers from last year’s Coldest Night of the Year in Wingham
by Bob Montgomery
Break the silence on this important phase of life by joining the Huron County Museum for Navigating Menopause, an engaging and informative evening that will help women learn how to thrive through this time in their lives.
Sinead Cox is the Curator of Engagement and Dialogue at the Huron County Museum and she says they're very excited to be hosting the first travelling session for Navigating Menopause. Cox says it's something that affects half of the population but there is a great deal of misinformation and lack of education about menopause. They're looking forward to an informative discussion that provides women with information and helpful resources and let them know they're not alone.
The museum is pleased to partner with…
United Way’s Coldest Night Of The Year Walk Returns To Goderich And Area On February 22nd
by Bob Montgomery
Lead sponsor Jayden’s Mechanical invites everyone to register for the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) Walk.
United Way Perth Huron's Manager of Community Development for Goderich and Area, Michelle Millar says this year’s theme is “change the tune,” which speaks to the opportunity they have to impact the lives of vulnerable local people by putting one foot in front of the other. Their goal is $135,000.
“We’d also like to celebrate Goderich Town Councillor Randy Carroll,” added Millar. “Out of more than 10,000 walkers across Canada, Randy is currently ranked first with over $15,000 raised, which is amazing. We’d love to see someone…”
Photo courtesy of United Way Perth Huron
From left to right. Back Row: Bernice Glenn, Michelle Millar, April Selkirk
Front Row: Manoj Medavarapu, Beth Blowes, and Vicky Parent
Missing: Mary Bruce and David Mackechnie
Intimate Partner Violence Investigation Results In Charges
One person is facing multiple charges in the Municipality of North Perth.
On December 27th, 2024, members of the Perth County Ontario Provincial Police launched an investigation following a report of intimate partner violence.
A 51-year-old male resident of Listowel is charged with the following Criminal Code offences:…
United Way’s Coldest Night Of The Year Returns To Exeter On February 22
by Bob Montgomery
United Way Perth-Huron and lead sponsor Hayter’s Farm invite people in Southern Huron to register for the sixth annual Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY).
“We’re excited to have the Coldest Night of the Year back again this year,” said Michelle Millar, United Way Perth Huron’s Community Development Manager for Southern Huron. “United Way Perth Huron continues to work on the issue of homelessness locally and funds from Coldest Night help us ensure available programs and services can continue to have a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable people. Let’s walk together and achieve our $50,000 goal.”
This year’s Exeter CNOY happens on Saturday, February 22. Check-in begins at 4 p.m. at the Exeter Christian Reformed Church with opening ceremonies scheduled for 4:45 p.m. A light meal will be served at 6 p.m. Walkers can choose…
Photo courtesy of United Way Perth Huron
Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance Unveils New Cancer And Medical Care Clinic And Pharmacy At Stratford General Hospital
by Bob Montgomery
The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA) proudly celebrated the completion of the Cancer and Medical Care Clinic and Pharmacy with a ribbon-cutting ceremony today at Stratford General Hospital.
The state-of-the-art facility offers advanced treatment options in a brighter, more comfortable, and accessible environment. As a satellite program of the Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre at London Health Sciences Centre, the Alliance clinic serves over 3,500 patient visits annually, including chemotherapy treatments and supportive care for cancers such as breast, prostate, bowel, and lung, among others.
During today’s unveiling event, attendees had the opportunity to…
Photo courtesy of HPHA
Weekly Trivia Questions
What is the name of the British colonization company responsible for settling much of Huron County in the early 19th century?
a) WalMart
b) The Canada Company
c) Hudson’s Bay Company
d) Eaton’s
What historic road, constructed in the 1820s and 1830s, extending from Guelph to Goderich, opened up Huron County to settlers and commerce, solidifying the area’s importance in the province?
a) The Huron Road
b) Bluewater Highway
c) London Road
d) Main Street
Answers to last week’s questions:
Goderich is the oldest Canadian light station on Lake Huron and first consisted of just a pair of range lights. Around what year was the light station established?
a) early 1890s
b) early 1830s*
c) late 1870s
d) late 1820s
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II sold the Goderich lighthouse and surrounding land to the town of Goderich for the sum of one dollar. In what year did the transaction take place?
a) 2003*
b) 1985
c) 1977
d) 2015