News from around St. Marys.
By Pat Payton St. Marys Minor Hockey Association recently announced eight of its 10 Major Award winners for the 2019-20 season. “Although we are not able to present these awards in person right now, we hope to host a recognition event when we can safely return to the arena,” SMMHA president Kristene McCurdy told the…
“Recycling right” even more important amidst COVID-19 By Spencer Seymour, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Ken Bettles, Perth South Director of Public Works, noted that Bluewater Recycling Association (“BRA”) has provided their new collection schedule, and that starting in June, Perth South collections will be moved to Thursdays. The first Thursday collection for Downie area will…
By Mary Smith The St. Marys Independent has reached a milestone this week with the publication of its 1000th issue. Our community weekly newspaper is only a couple decades old. However, remarkably, it not only has survived but also continues to thrive in these turbulent times for newspapers. Inevitably, there have been ups and downs.…
The St. Marys Station Gallery is presenting their first ever Virtual Exhibition which will feature the water colour art of London-based artist Joanne Vegso. Forced to close its doors and cancel exhibitions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Station Gallery curator Cameron Porteous is resolved to keep art in St Marys alive with online exhibitions until…
By Spencer Seymour, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The COVID-19 pandemic has kept Town of St. Marys lifeguards, child care staff, Guest Services attendants, Library staff, and Canteen staff out of work…nearly 100 employees in total, according to the report filed with Town Council this week by Director of Community Services Stephanie Ische. Despite the smaller…
St. Marys native spearheads drive to get more PPE for local healthcare workers By Pat Payton Kevin McCotter is a good example of what one person can do in these difficult times. The St. Marys native, who now calls Toronto home, dropped off 1,050 surgical masks at St. Marys Memorial Hospital early last week. McCotter,…
By Frank Doyle Even I am impressed! If anyone had told you twenty years ago that in the year 2020 the St. Marys Independent would be the lone local newspaper, you would have had few believers. So how did we get here? Here is some background and facts to help explain this achievement. Growing up…
By Colin Burrowes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter As of April 23, Huron-Perth Public Health says 1,179 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the area with 39 residents testing positive, 881 results returning negative and 259 tests still pending. Dr. Miriam Klassen, Medical Officer of Health for Huron-Perth, said the number of deaths due to COVID-19…
At this time, I am more than seven months through my Rotary exchange, having departed from Toronto airport at 8:00 a.m. on August 14. After connecting through Panama, I arrived at Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz, Bolivia at 10:30 p.m. that night, greeted by my first host family, who welcomed me with a…
MVP Kyle Curtin headed for Jr. ‘A’ League in Alberta? By Pat Payton St. Marys Lincolns are advertising for a new assistant coach. Cole Stewart recently informed the Lincs that he is leaving the team after one season with the GOJHL club. Stewart, a former Mitchell Jr. ‘C’ Hawks’ coach, was in charge of the…