EXETER – Medical students from the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University will begin their learning and training with South Huron Hospital during Discovery Week 2025
 We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, or<a title="Video Centre"href=/video-centre/>tap here to see other videos from our team</a>.Play VideoArticle contentFor the past 27 years, as part of Discovery Week, all first-year medical students at Western have participated in immersive one-week placements in health-care settings across Southwestern Ontario.
During their placements at South Huron Hospital in Exeter, medical students will be exposed to teamwork and collaboration within a non-urban setting and will have opportunities to discover all the community has to offer.
“We are incredibly grateful for the continued collaboration with partners who welcome our medical students into their communities and provide them with unparalleled first-hand experiences,” said Dr. Victor Ng, assistant dean of distributed education with Schulich Medicine and Dentistry. “Together, we’re training and inspiring a cohort of physicians who are eager and prepared to practise in small and mid-sized communities across Ontario.”
From June 2 to June 5, Schulich medical students are welcomed as temporary members of the Exeter community, giving them the opportunity to meet patients, experience the unique health-care systems and interact with colleagues, getting a fulsome experience of what a day in the life of a local health-care provider looks like in Exeter.
During Discovery Week 2025, more than 190 Schulich Medicine students will be placed in more than 30 participating communities from Windsor to Owen Sound.
“Through Discovery Week, Schulich medical students will develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for rural regional medicine and health-care providers,” said Dr. Ng. “Many return to practise in the communities they trained in.”
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Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in Huron County are looking for tips or witnesses after a sexual assault was reported on Friday
but police released a report of a sexual assault that took place on the McNaughton-Morrison Trail near the town of Exeter
Anyone who may have been in the area during that timeframe and may have seen anything unusual
or with security camera or video footage to share
Anonymous tips <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.cstip.ca">may be submitted</a> to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)
Soybeans and Wheat all finished lower to begin the week
thousands of students in grades 5 to 8 from across the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) will gather for an unforgettable day of motivation
and excitement at this year’s Empowerment Day
Owen Sound City Council will formally address the province’s Strong Mayor powers at its upcoming May 12 council meeting
100 Women Who Care Grey Bruce proudly launched their 2025 giving season by presenting their largest donation to date — an impressive $33,200 — to Victim Services Bruce Grey
The township is encouraging residents to join the &quot;no mow May&quot; movement
which leaves dandelions and clover for pollinators to feast on while other food sources are low
Over $300,000 is being shared among five different festivals and events in Perth-Wellington
SOUTH HURON – In light of an upcoming meeting hosted by the Huron Health System
the future of local health care was raised at South Huron council’s April 22 meeting
 We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, or<a title="Video Centre"href=/video-centre/>tap here to see other videos from our team</a>.Play VideoArticle contentCouncil’s agenda included an update from chief administrative officer Rebekah Msuya-Collison on the five priorities that have been identified for council’s 2023-2026 term
They include: planning for and managing sustainable growth; the master fire services plan; recreation/community amenities; infrastructure investment and the asset management plan; and community safety and well-being
Wendy McLeod-Haggitt wondered if council should be including the topic of health care during future priority discussions
Her comments come with news that the Huron Health System (HHS) is hosting a public engagement session June 11 in Bayfield
The HHS consists of South Huron Hospital and Goderich’s Alexandra Marine and General Hospital
The June 11 meeting at the Bayfield Community Centre is part of the HHS master planing process which will focus on the development of health-care services and the potential of a new hospital to meet the communities’ needs
Where that potential hospital might be located has been a recent point of discussion in the community
McLeod-Haggitt said she’d like to see HHS president and CEO Jimmy Trieu attend a future council or committee of the whole meeting to inform councillors of the health system’s plans
She also said she’d like to see HHS host a public engagement session in South Huron in addition to the June 11 Bayfield meeting
Msuya-Collison said she has spoken to Trieu and he said there will be sessions planned for South Huron
and he is willing to attend a future South Huron council or committee of the whole meeting
Mayor George Finch encouraged everyone to attend the June 11 HHS meeting in Bayfield
Council has approved a recommendation from the South Huron heritage advisory committee to purchase and install commemorative plaques for town hall in Exeter and Huron Park’s Stephen Township Arena.
In addition, photos with small descriptions of South Huron’s heritage-designated properties will be hung in the South Huron Rec Centre.
Responding to a question from McLeod-Haggitt, who asked if photos and descriptions of heritage properties should also be displayed in the Stephen Arena, Coun. Aaron Neeb, who sits on the heritage committee, said he believes the intention is to display photos in community centres across the municipality next year.
“The members of the committee have a number of really cool heritage photos of the area,” he said.
As part of its annual review of chief administrative officer Rebekah Msuya-Collison, council approved the CAO’s pay for 2025 to be $183,855 annually, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025.
A report to council indicates that the performance review committee of Mayor George Finch and councillors Ted Oke and Marissa Vaughan have been meeting with Msuya-Collison for the past four months as part of the completion of the annual review.
“As has been our practice in previous performance cycles we have solicited feedback from all members of council as an integral part of this review,” the report says. “The committee is pleased to report from the commentary and feedback received that our CAO’s performance has met and exceeded the priority objectives as set by council in the first and second quarters of 2024.”
Councillors passed motions declaring the 2025 Exeter Ram Rodeo and Kirkton Rumble as municipally significant events.
They also approved in principle a special event permit, waived $800 in fees and approved a noise bylaw exemption for Saturday, Aug. 9 from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. for the rodeo, scheduled to take place Aug. 8-10.
This is the 27th anniversary of the event, and a report from staff estimates it will attract 1,500 to 2,000 people per day.
This is the second year for Kirkton Rumble, scheduled for June 21 at the Kirkton-Woodham Community Centre. The event celebrates motorsports and includes a car show, vendors and more.
SOUTH HURON – A newly-formed volunteer group has plans to bring Canada Day celebrations back to South Huron
 We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, or<a title="Video Centre"href=/video-centre/>tap here to see other videos from our team</a>.Play VideoArticle contentJonathon Roulston of the Huron Togetherness Project spoke at South Huron council’s April 22 meeting to inform councillors of some of the activities the group is planning for the June 27-29 weekend to mark Canada Day.
Currently in the process of becoming a registered charity, Roulston said of the Huron Togetherness Project, “Our mission is simple but meaningful: To bring our community together, rekindling the connection and spirit that has been missing in recent years.”
Plans for the weekend prior to Canada Day include concerts, fireworks, a car show and parade, a bike rodeo, youth activities, an art class, community organization kiosks, a corn hole tournament and more.
Roulston requested permission from the municipality to hold the activities on properties such as the library parking lot, downtown parkette, the South Huron Rec Centre fields and rodeo ring. They also asked that concerts be allowed to run until midnight on June 27-28, and requested use of the Ag Building to house a concert stage during the weekend.
Council made no decisions at the April 22 meeting. Chief administrative officer Rebekah Msuya-Collison said the municipality will work with the group through the process and a report will come back to council with the requests.
Roulston said a growing list of community partners and individuals are helping with the event.
“We’re excited about the momentum this project is gaining, and hopeful that with the support of council and the community we can bring something truly special to South Huron this summer,” he said.
“It sounds very promising,” Mayor George Finch said. “There’s lots of opportunity there.”
Organizers hope to keep the festivities free, with the exception of a participation fee for the corn hole tournament. Donations to local mental health initiatives and the Huron County Food Bank Distribution Centre will also be accepted.
EXETER – Two upcoming concerts from the South Huron Community Choirs will celebrate Canada and its songs through the ages
 We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, or<a title="Video Centre"href=/video-centre/>tap here to see other videos from our team</a>.Play VideoArticle contentThe South Huron Community Choirs – consisting of the Adult Choir, the Handbells and the Kids Choir – will present Songs of Our Land on Friday, May 2 at 7 p.m. at Exeter United Church and Sunday, May 4 at 3:30 p.m. at Kingsfield-Zurich Mennonite Church in Zurich.
While music director Dr. Richard Heinzle chose the Canadian theme for the shows last summer, he says it fits in well with the current feeling of patriotism in light of the tariff war with the United States.
Heinzle chose the theme when he heard Song of the Land as sung by Susan Aglukark. From there, Heinzle decided to base the choirs’ spring concerts around Canadian songs and composers.
After singing O Canada and God Save the King, the Adult Choir will kick off the show with We Rise Again, written by Nova Scotia composer Leon Dubinsky and described by Heinzle as “a very Canadian piece.”
The choirs will also pay tribute to legendary Canadian jazz pianist and composer Oscar Peterson with a rendition of his Hymn to Freedom, written in the early 1960s during the Martin Luther King Jr. era. Heinzle noted 2025 marks 100 years since Peterson’s birth in Montreal.
A note of humour will come to the concert with a performance of Wade Hemsworth’s Black Fly Song, written in the 1940s after Hemsworth was tormented by black flies while working in northern Ontario.
“It’s quite a fun song,” Heinzle said, adding there are lots of lyrics for the choir to work through.
Heinzle has also arranged a medley of Canadian folk songs for the upcoming shows, which will include both familiar and unfamiliar numbers, he said, adding he’s included an Inuit lullaby.
The Handbell Choir will perform an arrangement of The Maple Leaf Forever, as well as a traditional Welsh song called Ar Hyd Y Nos, and O God Beyond All Praising.
The Kids Choir, in its second season with the South Huron Community Choirs, is a popular addition to the shows, Heinzle said. This time around the children, under the direction of Katherine Neeb, will perform songs including a traditional Canadian sea shanty called Donkey Riding, Hina Na Ho as made famous by Aglukark, and more. Neeb will also perform a solo, and the choirs will be accompanied by Lori Danylchuk.
Heinzle, who was born in Austria and moved to Canada with his family in 1982, said he hopes there will be a feeling of unity at the concerts.
“We hope to get a big audience so they can hear all the songs of Canada,” he said.
Tickets are available at the Hansen’s Your Independent Grocer courtesy desk and the Exeter Animal Hospital in Exeter, as well as the Pine Dale Motor Inn and The Garden Gate Gifts and Florals in Grand Bend. For full ticket information visit southhuronchoirs.ca.
SOUTH HURON – South Huron Mayor George Finch said he is “shocked” at the amount of authority the province is proposing to give him and 168 other mayors in its latest rollout of ‘strong mayor’ powers
The matter arose at the April 22 South Huron council meeting with a report from chief administrative officer Rebekah Msuya-Collison.
The ‘strong mayor’ legislation gives additional powers to mayors including:
While South Huron council unanimously passed a motion endorsing a letter from Saugeen Shores opposing the ‘strong mayor’ legislation, Msuya-Collison said in her report that “the Municipal Act does not allow a municipality to ‘opt out’ of the strong mayor powers … even if they are not being used by the mayor.”
The province said in a press release that strong mayor powers will help “streamline local governance” and help municipalities deliver on provincial priorities including building homes and infrastructure.
Coun. Marissa Vaughan said while a letter from the province refers to the new powers making municipalities “more accountable,” she said she struggles with that statement, and isn’t clear why the new rollout of the powers is happening.
“I just don’t see the incentive and the accountability for these municipalities that are on this list,” she said.
Deputy Mayor Jim Dietrich expressed concern about the new powers being proposed for mayors, and added that the May 1 effective date “gives us absolutely no time to look at any of this.”
He added, “Another concern of mine is the province just keeps shoving more stuff down to us. They’re pushing this down to the lower tier, and I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, but it could be depending on who your mayor is, and that scares me. I sat here a long time and we seem to have gotten along very well the way it is, so I’m definitely not in favour of moving this forward.”
Coun. Aaron Neeb said the proposed legislation seems to be targeted around development but he’s uncomfortable with the rule of majority being eroded under the ‘strong mayor’ powers.
“It’s, again, ultimately up to our mayors to decide whether or not they wish to use that power or not if this does come to pass,” Neeb said. “And I don’t necessarily agree with it, but I also can see the potential of how it could move development forward in the right hands.”
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack said in a press release, “Heads of council are key partners in our efforts to build homes and infrastructure across the province. By extending strong mayor powers to these additional municipalities, we are providing mayors every tool at our disposal to empower them to get homes and infrastructure built faster. Mayors know their municipalities best, and we support them in taking bold actions for their communities.”
To this, South Huron Mayor George Finch responded, “I would suggest that members of council collectively know their municipality best.”
Finch said he was shocked by the powers mayors are given under the legislation and, reading from a prepared statement, said, “I strongly believe in open and transparent government and democracy, but above all else, I believe in full accountability of an elected official and municipal employees.”
Finch said South Huron’s staff are “the best in the business, and I see no value in exercising these powers on staff whatsoever.”
He said the municipality must follow provincial policy, but added, “We do not work as individuals, but rather as a collective. These new authorities make me even more accountable to the province and to the people that elected us. Greater responsibility means more accountability, which I am no stranger to.”
He said he would only use the new powers “if I believe council is not acting in accordance with policy or is making decisions not in the best interests of this municipality. But just because the authority is there does not mean I have to use it … and I see no reason to use them at this time.”
To Finch’s comments, Dietrich responded, “You’re not going to be the mayor forever and ever, so I guess my only concern is the next mayor, or the next mayor … There’s a lot of power there as far as hiring and firing people, and doing the budget. I still have a grave concern over this.”
“And I share your concerns, quite honestly,” Finch said. “I have no power in telling the government not to give me that power, but I look to you as members of council to be visionary and give me no reason to have to even consider using it, and I’m trusting that that would never happen. So I really see it as a tool in my toolbox that I’ll probably never hopefully have to use. But if I have to, there will be discussion ahead of time.”
Finch said there’s no reason for any mayor “to even contemplate” restructuring South Huron’s staff. As for the budget, he said he sees it as a council decision.
“It is a great amount of responsibility,” he said of the ‘strong mayor’ powers. “I am actually quite shocked to see the amount of authorities that they have given me, but I trust the fact that they’re hoping that mayors will be accountable enough to make the right decisions.”
“I hope I never have to use those powers. I really don’t see where I would, but … Let’s hope we never have to cross that bridge.”
Later in the meeting all six members of council in attendance (Coun. Ted Oke was absent) passed a motion supporting an April 14 letter from Saugeen Shores that expressed opposition to the province’s latest plans to expand the ‘strong mayor’ powers. The letter will be forwarded to Premier Doug Ford, Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson and all municipalities in Ontario.
SOUTH HURON – Work continues on the update of South Huron’s official plan
with the document expected to go to Huron County council for final approval in the first quarter of 2025
Planner Celina McIntosh provided background on the review of the municipality’s official plan, which began with a March 27 public meeting. Since that point, the municipality has hosted community tables, open houses and a committee of the whole meeting to engage with more than 225 people.
“The official plan is the document which sets the long-term vision for South Huron, specifically in terms of where and how development may occur,” McIntosh said.
“The review provides us with an opportunity to make sure the document reflects the current and future goals and needs of the community as we adapt to changing issues and conditions,” she said.
Turning to development, McIntosh said, “A major component of the South Huron official plan is balancing the protection of agricultural lands while ensuring there’s adequate designated lands for future growth over the next 25- to 30-year planning horizon.”
The official plan directs development to fully serviced areas in Exeter and greater Grand Bend.
Proposed changes in the official plan include adding 15 acres of employments lands in Centralia between the existing urban boundary and the former Dashwood Industries lands, reducing the urban settlement area of Crediton by 50 acres, adding 75 acres of residential lands to east Exeter and adding 40 acres of urban lands along the east side Highway 21 north of Grand Bend, as well as 130 acres of residential lands along County Road 81/Mollard Line southeast of Grand Bend.
Regarding the proposed reduction of the urban settlement area in Crediton, McIntosh said it would more accurately reflect the amount of land needed for projected growth in the village. It’s proposed the land be designated agricultural.
She noted there are existing municipal services for the site, which “can be developed for residential purposes easily, appropriately and efficiently.”
Baker said Don de Jong of Tridon Group is looking to buy those lands north of Victoria Avenue and east of King Street to develop a residential community, which would include land-lease properties. The conceptual plan proposes 99 single detached dwellings, 60 street townhouse dwellings, 240 units in a land lease development including a private community centre and private roads, two parks, a stormwater management pond and municipal roads.
In a report, Baker said, “The applicant is proposing to include a land lease within the development to provide more affordable housing in the community. The intent is that the smaller proposed lots would accommodate modular housing.”
de Jong said the proposed development includes an “affordable component” and he spoke of the potential for trails and pedestrian access.
“We can really do something here that’s a little more unique if we get the full opportunity of the land,” he said. “We’re quite excited by it actually; it’s going to be great.”
“The goal, really, is to provide substantial increases in housing affordability and range of housing, not only in Crediton but South Huron as a whole,” Baker added.
She said there is market demand for such a project and requested the lands be retained as part of the Crediton settlement area in the new official plan.
Housing affordability was also discussed at other points in the meeting, and McIntosh said the most noted concerns from the community during public consultation were housing and affordability.
“The plan seeks to promote strategies to deliver more affordable housing, whether it be through church conversions, revitalized downtown spaces, intensification of underused spaces, community partnerships” and more, she said.
Written comments from the public included Grand Bend residents who expressed concern about possible residential expansion west of Highway 21 north of the village. Manager of planning Denise Van Amersfoort said the plan does not direct growth toward that area, which she said doesn’t have a great potential for residential intensification.
McIntosh said no major changes are recommended for the municipality’s agricultural policies, but she spoke of the need to continue to protect those lands.
“Protecting and enhancing these assets is key for the municipality’s long-term prosperity,” she said.
Flexibility in the municipality’s agricultural policies have allowed for additional residential units on farm land, as well as on-farm labour housing, the staff report said.
South Huron mapping has been updated and the plan continues to direct development away from natural hazards such as flood-prone areas, McIntosh said.
Planners had hoped to present a final version of the official plan at a South Huron council meeting for adoption in February, followed by county approval in March, but that timeline may be delayed depending on when South Huron schedules another meeting for public input into the plan.
is taking a leap and moving to Exeter’s Main Street in the coming weeks
 We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, or<a title="Video Centre"href=/video-centre/>tap here to see other videos from our team</a>.Play VideoArticle contentThe organization has called its Dashwood location home since 1972
but co-executive director Katie Fox said the wheels are in motion for the agency to move into its new location at 392 Main St
though no official moving date had been set yet
Fox said the organization will be more centrally located to serve those accessing its services
cutting down on the commute for many individuals served by Community Living who meet with the administrative team
programs and services will remain unchanged
Fox said discussions about the future of Community Living South Huron started during COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns
when the organization began reflecting on its services and consulting with those they serve
“What people supported told us was most important was time with people
relationships and meaningful experiences,” she said
“That wasn’t necessarily tied to this building in Dashwood anymore.”
Fox said Community Living South Huron has transformed its services to fit a more individualized
smaller location that was formerly the home of Sunday Morning will be a better fit for the team
“People now are out and about doing what they want with whom they want
so we would be closer to community partners
to the businesses in town that people supported shop and work at
“We’re really looking forward to foot traffic
Fox said they hope to be able to participate more in South Huron’s community
aiming to become involved with other local groups to act as a voice for those they serve
we hope to really leverage our presence in the community to be able to give back to the community
because the people we support are incredibly talented people who have gifts and talents and interests to share with the community,” she said
“It’s really important that we put ourselves back into the story because we’re constantly tasked with doing more with less
“We need to bring awareness to the fact that there are a lot of people who don’t get the support that they need to be successful in their lives if we don’t exist or have to close our doors.”
As for the future of the building in Dashwood
Fox said a decision hasn’t been made about its fate
though the organization aims to include providing a space for the Arc Angels Thrift Store and the OneCare Day Away program as part of whatever path is chosen
“There’ll be more opportunities for people here in this building,” she said
Fox said the agency is planning an open house on May 21 from 1 p.m
while also celebrating Community Living Month
SOUTH HURON – South Huron council has agreed to provide annual financial support to the Huron Shores Area Transit (HSAT) system
 We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, or<a title="Video Centre"href=/video-centre/>tap here to see other videos from our team</a>.Play VideoArticle contentThe system had been fully funded by the province’s Community Transportation Grant Program, but that funding stops at the end of March, so the administering municipality, Lambton Shores, has been approaching other involved municipalities about providing funding to keep the service going.
Lambton Shores has committed to fund the system with an annual average contribution of $72,244 over the next five years, while Bluewater has committed to an annual average of $45,601. Lambton Shores has also pledged $50,000 to keep the system running through the end of April while long-term funding is put in place.
At its March 17 meeting South Huron council approved a contribution of $316,672.75 over the next five years, an annual average of $63,334.55.
The municipality’s funding of the project is conditional on the transit system successfully receiving a grant from the Ontario Transit Investment Fund (OTIF).
Financial commitments have not yet been made by Lucan Biddulph or North Middlesex, but Lambton Shores is in discussions with Goderich and Plympton-Wyoming about possible opportunities in those communities. Msuya-Collison said HSAT routes can be adjusted if some municipalities decide not to participate in funding.
The transit system currently links communities in Lambton Shores, South Huron, Bluewater, North Middlesex, Lucan Biddulph and Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, as well as with London, Sarnia, Goderich and Strathroy. Ridership has grown since the system launched in December 2020, with more than 25,000 riders using it last year.
In a 2024 presentation by Lambton Shores officials, South Huron councillors learned the transit system has become an important part of the community by providing accessible bus service throughout the region, including for workers, students and seniors.
Coun. Aaron Neeb spoke in favour of the system, saying ridership has grown and it is beneficial to residents and employers.
“I think it’s worthwhile to move this forward,” he said, adding he  would like to see South Huron have input into bus routes so they meet the municipality’s needs.
Deputy Mayor Jim Dietrich said the system is an example of municipalities working together and he is hopeful it is successful with its OTIF grant application.
“I don’t know how we can afford this as a municipality (without the grant),” he said. “Hopefully, our government will step up and do their job.”
Coun. Ted Oke agreed with Neeb and Dietrich and said if Goderich joins it may help the viability of the system’s northern route.
“Fingers crossed that the provincial funding stays in place,” he said.
Coun. Marissa Vaughan described the system as an economic driver for the region.
Msuya-Collison said in her report it costs about $1 million annually to run the transit system.
SOUTH HURON – South Huron’s 2025 municipal budget is set
and residents of the Exeter Ward will see a 2.36 per cent municipal tax rate increase
while those in the Stephen and Usborne wards will see a 3.2 per cent increase
 We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, or<a title="Video Centre"href=/video-centre/>tap here to see other videos from our team</a>.Play VideoArticle contentCouncil passed the budget at its Jan. 13 meeting after a presentation from acting treasurer Erin Moore.
For the average residential assessment in South Huron ($285,201), the annual municipal tax increase in 2025 will amount to $48.48 in Exeter for a total of $2,098.66, and $57.09 in Stephen and Usborne for a total of $1,842.29.
Moore said this year’s budget maintains the municipality’s current service levels while South Huron continues to invest in capital assets. This year’s budget includes $25 million in operating expenses.
Moore said budget pressures this year included the province’s continued deferral of property assessment updates, as well as the municipality’s contributions to reserves and minimum wage increases. As well, she said inflation has impacted prices of gravel, vehicles and fuel.
On a positive note, the province increased its main general assistance grant to rural and smaller municipalities this year. Through the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund, South Huron will receive $1,788,300, an increase of $261,200 over the 2024 amount. Moore said she expects the funding to increase again in 2026.
Looking ahead, South Huron will complete its official plan and zoning bylaw updates in 2025, as well as a development charges background study and community improvement plan.
South Huron is spending nearly $14.9 million on capital projects in 2025. Projects include the Dashwood fire station replacement, and road resurfacing on Corbett Line from Crediton Road to Mount Carmel Drive and on Huron Street West from the west town limit to Airport Line. A Main Street pedestrian crossover is also planned for downtown Exeter near the parkette, while bridge and culvert upgrades are scheduled for Morrison Line and B Line.
Other highlights include the reconstruction of Victoria Street in Exeter from Main to the east end, as well as the completion of the Main Street North reconstruction.
The two rooftop furnaces at the South Huron Rec Centre will also be replaced, as will the light standards at two ball diamonds behind the arena.
Watermain upgrades are planned for Gore Road and Grand Bend Line, as are upgrades at the Exeter sewage lagoon and Huron Park sewage pumping station.
Councillors in December decided to place $40,333 into the fire capital replacement reserve.
Upon questioning from Coun. Wendy McLeod-Haggitt, Moore provided a breakdown on the amount of municipal taxes collected from each ward. In 2025, those numbers are: Stephen at $4,778,042, Exeter at $4,556,261 and Usborne at $2,083,018.
SOUTH HURON – Members of the public had another chance  to provide input into the ongoing update of South Huron’s official plan
the document that will set the long-term vision for development in the municipality
 We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, or<a title="Video Centre"href=/video-centre/>tap here to see other videos from our team</a>.Play VideoArticle contentThe Jan. 27 session was a continuation of a well-attended Dec. 16 public meeting, and is part of a process that has seen the municipality host community tables, open houses and a committee-of-the-whole meeting to seek the public’s opinions.
Planner Celina McIntosh told the Times-Advance she’s hoping the plan will be adopted by South Huron council in March, followed by county council approval in April.
Developer Ken Palen said he agreed with the draft official plan and updated council on his Crediton Village Centre subdivision, which he started working on in 1994 and is being completed in phases. That project saw five homes built on King Street in 2023, with another five constructed on Victoria Street in 2024. Palen said five more homes are planned for Victoria in 2025, depending on market demand, with future phases planned for the interior portion of his plot of land south of Victoria.
“I wish that things could go faster,” Palen said of the development. “I wish we could build hundreds of homes there quickly. . . . We’ve tried to do it as fast as we could, but it just wasn’t there. Hopefully now we do get some increase in population there, but it may not happen as quickly as what we think.”
In other Crediton-related news, the draft official plan’s proposal to reduce the urban settlement area in the village by 20 hectares (50 acres) resulted in discussion at the Dec. 16 meeting when planner Caroline Baker spoke of Tridon Group’s hopes to develop a large land-lease residential community on current agricultural lands north of Victoria and east of King. Council has already received comments of concern about the proposal.
Baker talked briefly at the Jan. 27 meeting, and said the proposed development still needs full planning approvals, including a zone change and a plan of subdivision, as well as other studies such as market justification.
“I know (Tridon is) looking forward at bringing a different type of product than has been in Crediton, and are certainly very aware of the need for amenities to support those residents, and are looking at opportunities for some commercial uses and recreation uses to support development,” she said.
Sarah Merkel, a health promoter with Huron Perth public health, discussed the draft plan from a health perspective.
“The health and well-being of people is a product of where they live, learn, shop, work and play,” she said. “Official plans shape this environment.”
Merkel said she looked at five themes through a public health lens in the draft official plan: growth management and land use policies; social connection and well-being; the environment, green space and UV exposure; housing; and transportation and connectivity.
She spoke of the importance of having spaces and events for people to gather and create friendships, as well as having communities that are walkable, bikeable and accessible with trails, community gardens and outdoor pavilions.
“I understand that all of these things cost money, time and resources,” Merkel said. “But they don’t have to be completed overnight, rather planned for over the long term, invested in over time in and by the community.”
Janet Kurasz of Grand Bend addressed council from an environmental point of view, noting the importance of preserving green space as well as dealing with climate change.
“This part of Ontario is a very unique region encompassing agriculture, recreational and tourism activities as economic drivers,” she said.
Kurasz said the draft official plan “falls short,” and promotes fringe developments on the boundaries of Grand Bend.
“Ideally the areas surrounding urban centres would include green space and land for commercial, industrial and institutional development,” said Kurasz, adding the village has inadequate amenities.
South Huron needs an inspired, innovative official plan, Kurasz said.
Dave Ross, president of the Oakwood Park Association, spoke of protecting the lands on the lakeshore north of Grand Bend. He said the natural areas along the Highway 21 corridor are not only good for the residents but for the environment by absorbing rain, protecting the shoreline, producing oxygen and cleaning the soil.
Regarding the development of the proposed 52.6 hectares (130 acres) of residential lands along County Road 81 and Mollard Line southeast of Grand Bend, Ross said he believes that is a better spot for development than the lakeshore area north of the village.
“We think that area has a lot of potential,” he said of the County Road 81/Mollard Line area, “and we encourage you to please go that way because we think that’s the right thing to do.”
SOUTH HURON – South Huron council has approved a bylaw to adopt its newly amended official plan
the document that sets the long-term vision for development in the municipality
 We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, or<a title="Video Centre"href=/video-centre/>tap here to see other videos from our team</a>.Play VideoArticle contentAdopted by municipal council at its March 3 meeting, the plan must now be approved by Huron County council, which is expected to take place at an April 9 meeting.
Work on the updated official plan started last March with a public meeting and continued throughout 2024 with community tables, open houses and committee of the whole meetings to involve the public.
Under the new official plan, seven hectares (17 acres) of those Stephan lands have been removed from Crediton’s urban settlement area and are now designated agricultural, meaning if the developers wish to proceed with the subdivision they will need to submit an official plan amendment application.
A planner and law firm representing the property owners have requested the land owned by the Stephans remain in the urban settlement area.
In the end, council voted to approve the official plan with Coun. Ted Oke the lone member to not vote in favour. He said he was trying to decide if the Stephan land should stay in the urban settlement area to “save somebody a lot of frustration (from) doing an official plan amendment” in the future.
Coun. Marissa Vaughan, though, said she wasn’t in favour of making a last-minute decision on that land without additional public consultation.
SOUTH HURON – South Huron council in a unanimous vote agreed at its Feb
18 meeting to enter into an agreement with Tridon Group that will see the developer pay all the costs of a trunk sewer extension on Highway 21 north of Grand Bend
Tridon has said it needs the trunk sewer extension to fully serve its subdivision. The developer is responsible for designing, tendering and constructing the sewer.
That proposal died in December 2023 when council voted against it in a split 4-3 vote, with councillors Marissa Vaughan, Wendy McLeod-Haggitt, Milt Dietrich and Ted Oke opposed and Mayor George Finch, Deputy Mayor Jim Dietrich and Coun. Aaron Neeb voting in favour.
Tridon then returned in 2024 with another offer to fully pay for the trunk extension and recover costs through connection fees.
Speaking in favour of the new agreement, Neeb at the Feb. 18 meeting said it “is a reflection of decades of work to ensure adequate access of a sewer system in the Grand Bend area. This system is vital to the responsible and safe development along the lakeshore, but also to current residents who live in that area (who) may wish to, in the future, switch from septic to a sewer system.”
Neeb explained that South Huron in 2020 spent $1.6 million on the first phase of the trunk extension. He described council’s 2023 decision to turn down Tridon’s first offer as “disastrous,” and one that put into peril the municipality’s initial $1.6-million investment, as well as limiting current and future property owners north of the Sol Haven subdivision the chance to hook into a sewer system.
“To be fully transparent to the public,” he said, “the only reason why an agreement is back at the council table is due to the developer choosing to come back to the municipality of South Huron and offering to pay the full cost of the oversizing. There was no magic on account of council for this occurring. There was only the willingness of the developer to see the opportunity for development in the future.
“In any other case, it would have been likely that the developer would have walked away and cut their losses after a reasonable agreement was turned down.”
Neeb said the current agreement was no better or worse than the 2023 proposal but noted the estimated cost has risen from $2.4 million to $2.8 million.
Mayor George Finch said he agreed with Neeb’s comments and thanked the public for their input on the project.
Finch said the pipe’s installation will result in development and tax revenue for the municipality.
“This project is about finishing what we started,” he said, referring to the first phase of the sewer in 2020, as well as the earlier construction of the Grand Bend sewer treatment facility.
“This helps to make the community even more vibrant and increases the number of services that can be offered because of those extra residents,” Finch added.
Coun. Milt Dietrich asked if there would be any maintenance issues with the new oversized pipe while it isn’t being used to its capacity. Infrastructure and development general manager Don Giberson replied that extra maintenance is required on oversized sewers until they receive more flow.
“But that’s not unlike any other sewer that we have in the municipality,” he said, including one at the south end of Exeter. “It’s not an unusual thing.”
Giberson said the new pipeline will benefit the entire municipality.
Coun. Ted Oke, who voted against the original proposal in 2023 but voted along with the rest of council in favour of the new agreement, thanked the municipality’s staff and legal team for their work.
“Finally we have an agreement where growth is paying for growth, and we’re not up-charging the users $600,000,” Oke said. “We could use that money for other projects within the sewer system, so I’m glad we’ve landed on this agreement, and it’s a net-zero cost today for the users of the system in South Huron.”
Construction on the sewer extension is scheduled to be completed before the end of 2025.
In related news, council also passed a bylaw for a subdivision agreement with Tridon on phase one of its Sol Haven development.
EXETER – Members of the South Huron Community Theatre have been busily rehearsing for their upcoming opening night of the musical Hello Dolly!
 We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, or<a title="Video Centre"href=/video-centre/>tap here to see other videos from our team</a>.Play VideoArticle contentThe cast of 26 started rehearsals in January under director Deb Homuth
The production also includes a community orchestra of 13 musicians under the guidance of Carolyn Regier
The South Huron Community Theatre started in 2016 and has been mounting two shows a year
with the exception of a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic
The theatre’s annual December production involves an all-ages cast from children to seniors
while the spring production features an all-adult cast
seems like a perfect fit for these days of uncertainty,” Homuth said
“It captures beautifully the buoyancy of a time gone by
We’re all invited to waltz in to the world of nostalgia
I promise a delightful evening of entertainment.”
Past productions from the South Huron Community Theatre include Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Nunsense, Elf and All Shook Up.
EXETER – It’s officially a dynasty: the South Huron District high school varsity girls’ field hockey team won its fourth consecutive Huron-Perth championship with a convincing 4-1 win over Goderich District collegiate institute on Tuesday
 We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, or<a title="Video Centre"href=/video-centre/>tap here to see other videos from our team</a>.Play VideoArticle contentThe finals in Exeter was a matchup of the two Huron-Perth teams with the best regular season records. South Huron finished first with a perfect 10-0 record, scoring 42 goals while allowing only two, while Goderich’s 8-2 record was good for second place.
During the championship game, the teams remained scoreless for much of the first half before South Huron exploded for three quick goals, sending them into halftime with a 3-0 lead. While Goderich scored early in the second half, it was as close as they would get, as the Panthers added a fourth goal late in the game to secure the championship.
With the win, South Huron moves onto the Western Ontario Secondary Schools Athletic Association (WOSSAA) championships, where they will play Tuesday, Oct. 29, at City Wide Sports Park in London at 1:55 p.m. South Huron won WOSSAA last year and moved on to compete in the provincial championships in Milton, where they lost in the quarter-finals.
Eric Chisholm, who has been South Huron’s head coach for all four of the school’s most recent Huron-Perth championships, said the Panthers “weathered the storm” after showing a few nerves at the beginning of the championship game. He said South Huron played strong defensively, using their skill and speed to get on the scoreboard.
“Once we got that one (goal), it just clicked,” he said. “Those six minutes were basically the difference in the game.”
After losing six veterans to graduation last year, this year’s Panthers are a young team, with Chloe McCann and Bria McCann the team’s only two Grade 12 players. Also the team’s captains, Chloe and Bria have won four Huron-Perth field hockey championships during their high school careers.
“We weren’t necessarily supposed to be as good as we were this year,” Chisholm said, but, “The girls worked hard and . . .  they trust each other.”
Chisholm said he was proud of the team’s ability to deal with adversity this year.
“They always rise to the challenge when it’s needed,” he said. “It’s been a pleasure working with them.”
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SOUTH HURON – South Huron council has approved in principle a conceptual design for a new fire station in Dashwood
 We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, or<a title="Video Centre"href=/video-centre/>tap here to see other videos from our team</a>.Play VideoArticle contentThe new one-storey station, to be constructed at 177 Centre St. on lands previously home to an unused baseball diamond, will replace the current Roland Street station, which was constructed in 1954 and has been deemed inadequate.
A fire services master plan completed in 2021 recommended a new fire station for the village.
The design for the new building, completed by Spriet Associates and approved by council at its April 7 meeting, proposes a steel building of 850 square metres with three back-in bays, a small training room with a kitchenette, showers, a small office, a laundry room, storage space and washrooms.
South Huron’s chief building official, Mike Rolph, said consultants will continue to refine the building designs, which will eventually come back to council for a decision on whether or not to move the project to the tendering stage.
Early costing shows an estimate of $4.2 million plus HST for the overall project, including the building at an estimated $2.6 million, the parking lot, services and landscaping. These estimates also include contingencies, as well as allowances for tariffs, council learned.
Spriet said its recommended design was the most cost effective of five options it looked at.
Upon questioning from Coun. Marissa Vaughan, staff confirmed the municipality is pursuing grants for the project. Vaughan raised the possibility of looking into grants from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
Fire Chief Jeremy Becker said the building’s design allows for future expansion to the north part of the building if necessary, including for other services such as public works, police or ambulance. He said there are some cost savings by having back-in bays instead of drive-through bays.
“This is not a Taj Mahal,” Becker said of the design. “This is operationally what we need. . . .  It’s by no means over and above anything that we need.”
Becker said the municipality toured neighbouring fire stations to gather ideas for the new Dashwood station.
Coun. Aaron Neeb pointed out the design is conceptual and there will likely be changes as the process moves forward.
Several members of the South Huron fire department were in attendance April 7 during the fire station discussion.
STRATFORD – South Huron District high school’s boys’ varsity baseball team made history in Stratford on Wednesday
winning the school’s first ever Huron-Perth boys’ baseball championship
 We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, or<a title="Video Centre"href=/video-centre/>tap here to see other videos from our team</a>.Play VideoArticle contentSouth Huron secured the championship with a 9-0 win over Stratford District secondary school, a game that was scoreless until South Huron’s offense exploded and the Panthers scored nine runs in the fifth inning. James Craig pitched a complete game for the shutout win.
“A historic day for the first time for the school to win Huron-Perth,” coach Darren Kints said of the victory.
Kints, who is in his seventh year coaching high school baseball, said South Huron went into the season with high hopes, expecting they’d finish first in the regular season but coming up short with a 3-3-2 record to secure sixth place, the last playoff seed.
Kints said the Panthers had some “missteps” and blew a few leads during the season, “but definitely the talent was there right from the get go and we finally were able to put it together” as the team headed into the playoffs.
“The bats finally came alive for us at the right time, and we got some unbelievable pitching performances from a couple of our guys,” he said.
South Huron defeated Listowel 5-1 in the quarter-finals and first-place St. Michael 8-6 in the semifinals, with Jackson Kints on the mound for both games.
Kints attributed this year’s success to the team excelling at playing “scrappy small ball,” laying down timely bunts and moving runners along the bases.
“Outside two batters, we didn’t have the big bombers, we didn’t have the big hitters, and we had to play small ball.”
Pitching was another strength, the coach said.
“I’m pretty proud of these guys,” said Kints, adding the Panthers had injuries to overcome during the championship game and the players who jumped into the lineup “did an amazing job.”
South Huron will host the Western Ontario Secondary Schools Athletic Association baseball tournament May 27 at Alvin Willert Field. Kints said the team will stay active and train during the winter in preparation for the spring tournament.
 We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, or<a title="Video Centre"href=/video-centre/>tap here to see other videos from our team</a>.Play VideoArticle content
SOUTH HURON – Pet owners hoping for the creation of a dog park in Exeter will have to wait as South Huron council has bumped further discussion to its 2026 budget talks
She argued that dog parks are beneficial for dogs and their owners.
Community services manager Amanda Johnston at council’s March 17 meeting presented a report that included cost estimates and possible locations for an Exeter dog park but, after much discussion, council received the report and opted to request another report from staff on the concept of dog licence fees being used to fund a potential dog park in the 2026 budget.
Coun. Aaron Neeb spoke in favour of a dog park. Now in his second term on council, Neeb said the issue of Exeter’s lack of a dog park has been ongoing since he became a councillor. He described South Huron’s bylaw calling for dogs to be leashed as “fair and responsible,” but said some dog owners continue to allow their pets to run off-leash on municipal properties, including soccer fields, baseball diamonds and trails, due to Exeter’s lack of a dog park.
The municipality has received complaints from users of the sports facilities about dog owners allowing their pets to run off-leash in the fields.
Neeb said he sees the expense of a dog park as a “cost-effective solution” to the issue.
“We have to look at what is best for South Huron and the monies that we’re paying from the taxpayers,” she said.
Mayor George Finch commended Hannah for bringing the issue forward and agreed there is a need for a dog park in Exeter. He said the issue is about inclusion and accessibility, and spoke of the comfort pets can provide for their owners.
Finch said 5,000 people live within 1.6 kilometres of the South Huron Rec Centre and MacNaughton Park, and could walk to either of those locations if a dog park was placed there.
Of the cost, Finch described it as a “one-and-done” investment, and said advertising billboards along the fence would generate income.
Finch suggested the area west of the pavilion at MacNaughton Park as the future site for a dog park, which would include a 1.5-metre fence. Johnston estimated in her report it would cost $24,760 plus HST to install the facility at MacNaughton Park.
McLeod-Haggitt pointed out there would also be ongoing maintenance at the dog park, and asked what council would do if it received dog park requests from other areas of the municipality, such as Dashwood, Kirkton and Shipka.
She said she would put a dog park in every town if she could, but “it’s just not financially feasible, given the ongoing maintenance.”
Deputy Mayor Jim Dietrich raised the possibility of increasing dog licence fees to help pay for a dog park in Exeter. Dog licences are $20 annually for dogs that are spayed or neutered and $30 annually for those that are not.
Coun. Marissa Vaughan said she would like to see more public input before a potential dog park location is chosen.
SOUTH HURON – Two South Huron residents face drug-trafficking charges after an investigation that police said started in January
According to police, suspected fentanyl and methamphetamine were seized during the search.
A 38-year-old South Huron man was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine, possession of a prohibited device, possession of a weapon contrary to a prohibition order and failure to comply with a condition of a release order. He was held for a bail hearing and remanded into custody with an upcoming court date scheduled in Goderich.
A 32-year-old South Huron female was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking fentanyl. She was later released from custody and will appear in Goderich court on March 31.
South Huron man charged with theft and trespassing
SOUTH HURON – A 26-year-old South Huron man faces charges after an alleged theft from a property in Exeter on Feb. 28.
Huron OPP say officers were contacted March 3 by property owners, who reported that a theft had occurred Feb. 28. According to police, they were able to identify the suspect from video surveillance.
A suspect was arrested March 4 and the stolen items were reportedly returned to the owners. The South Huron man is charged with theft with a value less than $5,000, trespassing by night, failure to comply with a probation order and failure to comply with a release order.
He was held for a bail hearing and later remanded into custody with an upcoming court appearance scheduled in Goderich.
HURON PARK – Fire crews early Sunday morning were battling a fire at the former Centralia College on Airport Line in Huron Park
 We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, or<a title="Video Centre"href=/video-centre/>tap here to see other videos from our team</a>.Play VideoArticle contentThere were no injuries, but Ontario Provincial Police have deemed the fire suspicious. Emergency responders were called shortly before 5 a.m., police said.
More than 100 firefighters from the Exeter, Dashwood, Lucan, Hensall and Zurich fire stations responded to the fire, South Huron fire Chief Jeremy Becker said Sunday morning, adding the Wingham station was on its way with a ladder truck.
He said the fire started in the former bar and cafeteria in the Huron Hall building, which was the college’s former residence. A truck from McCann Redi-Mix cut the building in half to stop the fire from spreading, Becker said.
The building has been vacant for years, and Becker said there were no hydro or gas connections.
Snow was initially a challenge for firefighters. Becker said the private roads leading to the former college hadn’t been plowed Sunday morning, so two local contractors helped provide access for firefighters.
Thick smoke could be seen from Airport Line Sunday morning as firefighters continued to battle the fire, and a section of Airport Line was closed.
This isn’t the first time fire has broken out at the former college. Bruce Hall suffered extensive damage in an April 2019 fire.
Police have asked anyone with information about the fire to call OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
SOUTH HURON – New road names approved by council in area subdivisions pay tribute to the municipality’s history and some of its notable citizens
 We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, or<a title="Video Centre"href=/video-centre/>tap here to see other videos from our team</a>.Play VideoArticle contentCouncil at its Sept. 3 meeting passed a motion approving road names in the Windermere subdivision in Exeter and the Sol Haven subdivision north of Grand Bend, as well as in the community of Huron Park.
New roads in the upcoming Windermere subdivision include Armstrong and Ambleside streets. According to a report from South Huron planning co-ordinator Vanessa Culbert, Armstrong Street is named after the Armstrong family, which settled in the area in 1849 when George and Catherine Armstrong moved to Usborne and later to Exeter in 1877.
One of their six children, Irvine Armstrong, was on council in 1900, 1901, 1904 and 1905. His granddaughter, Exeter’s Vera Armstrong, who turned 100 this year, served as a wireless operator for the Royal Canadian Air Force in the Second World War. Vera Armstrong has also been honoured for her tireless volunteerism in the community, and received an Ontario Senior Achievement Award in 2008, the province’s highest recognition for seniors.
Other Armstrongs with notable local contributions included Irvine’s grandson, Irv Armstrong, who chaired the building committee for Exeter Villa and was vice-chair of the South Huron District high school board; Irvine’s granddaughter, Geraldine Armstrong, who was a teacher at Exeter public school; and Irvine’s great-grandson Pete Armstrong, who served on Exeter and South Huron councils.
Ambleside Street in Windermere is named after Ambleside, England.
“This name was selected to recognize the local community’s historical connection to the U.K. and the significant contribution to (the) development of Exeter by immigrants from England in the 1850s,” Culbert said in her report to council.
In Huron Park, home of the former RCAF Station Centralia, McCurdy Avenue is named after John Alexander McCurdy, the 1909 pilot of the first airplane to fly in Canada and the British Commonwealth. This isn’t the first time McCurdy has been honoured in Huron Park: the former McCurdy public school was also named after him.
Silver Dart Way, also in Huron Park, is named after the experimental aircraft McCurdy flew in Nova Scotia in 1909.
Culbert noted in her report the poppy symbol will be added to the appropriate street signs to honour local war veterans. She said the subdivision developers have agreed to the names.
EXETER – Two South Huron men face charges after a drug-trafficking investigation led to a search warrant on a Main Street address in Exeter
 We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, or<a title="Video Centre"href=/video-centre/>tap here to see other videos from our team</a>.Play VideoArticle contentThe Nov. 28 search warrant reportedly resulted in the seizure of several types of illegal drugs and related property, Huron OPP said. The total value of drugs seized was estimated at $3,945, while the value of the seized property, including an imitation firearm pellet gun, was estimated at $1,400.
Two individuals were arrested and charged.
A 29-year-old South Huron man has been charged with possession of cocaine and fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking, as well as failure to comply with probation.
A 58-year-old South Huron man was charged with possession of cocaine and Clonazepam.
They were both processed and released from custody with court dates scheduled for Goderich on Jan. 13.
EXETER – After the return of the South Huron Hospital Auxiliary Rummage Sale in the spring
the group has decided to offer a “mini” sale at the South Huron Rec Centre in October
Items that can be accepted include books, puzzles, DVDs, CDs, toys, sports equipment, home décor, shoes, jewelry, quilts and small kitchen appliances. Visit the South Huron Hospital Auxiliary Mini Rummage Sale Facebook page for the full list of items that can be accepted.
Donations to the sale can be dropped off at the rec centre’s southeast entrance on Thursday, Oct. 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., while the sale takes place Friday, Oct. 4, from 3 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 5, from 9 a.m. to noon.
All sales are cash only, and shoppers are asked to bring their own bags.
The auxiliary is once again hosting its annual 12 Days of Christmas raffle, and tickets will be available at the rummage sale.
All proceeds from the sale go to improving patient care at South Huron Hospital. The auxiliary thanked everyone who supports the event.
The full-sized Rummage Sale on the ice surface will return next spring.
<a class="c-overline b-overline" href="/london/">London</a>NewsSuspicious fire destroys part of former agricultural college in Huron CountyBy <a class="c-link" href="/london/team/scott-miller">Scott Miller</a>Updated: February 10, 2025 at 9:41PM EST
Published: February 09, 2025 at 8:32AM EST
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WINGHAM – South Huron residents Tom Prout and Bonnie Sitter both said they were surprised when they learned they would be receiving King Charles III Coronation Medals for their significant contributions to their community
 We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, or<a title="Video Centre"href=/video-centre/>tap here to see other videos from our team</a>.Play VideoArticle contentThey officially received their medals from Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb during a ceremony Wednesday, March 5, at the Wingham Knights of Columbus Centre.
The medals were created to honour the coronation of King Charles III, and Prout and Sitter were two of 30,000 Canadians to receive one.
Prout, who lives on McTaggart Line on the family farm he grew up on just east of Exeter, was nominated by South Huron Mayor George Finch and Scott Currie, who made note of Prout’s “quiet leadership” in Ontario for more than 55 years. This included 32 as general manager and secretary/treasurer at the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority.
His nominators noted some of Prout’s many accomplishments, including his roles with the South Huron Trail and the creation of the Huron Tract Land Conservancy. Prout also helped found the Rural Ontario Institute and, in 2015, received the A.D. Latornell Leadership Award honouring his commitment to environmental stewardship.
Prout has also volunteered with the Sunset Community Foundation for more than a decade and helped establish the South Huron Community Fund.
Through all this work, including serving with many local boards and committees, Prout found time to coach his four daughters and a granddaughter in minor baseball.
He said he was “amazed and surprised” to be recognized with a coronation medal.
“It was a great feeling and quite an honour,” he said.
Prout said he learned about volunteering from his parents, who were also involved in the community.
“I like to give back,” he said. “The community has been good to me.”
Prout said his commitment to the environment probably started in Grade 8 when he first experienced Camp Sylvan in the Parkhill area. He continued to attend for several years and then began taking summer jobs with conservation authorities.
Among his accomplishments, Prout said he is proud he was able to exceed his goal of donating blood 150 times to the Canadian Blood Services.
“Volunteers like Mr. Prout are the foundation of rural Ontario,” his nominators said.
Author, photographer and researcher Sitter of Exeter is well known in the area for her books and her efforts to preserve local history. In 2019, she and Shirleyan English co-authored the book Onion Skins and Peach Fuzz: Memories of Ontario’s Farmerettes, which tells the true stories of young women who left home to work on farms during the Second World War to help with the labour shortage caused by the conflict.
Not only was the book developed into a play by Alison Lawrence that was performed at the Blyth Festival and the 4th Line Theatre in Millbrook last summer, but it has also been developed into a documentary by London filmmaker Colin Field titled We Lend a Hand.
Sitter, who was nominated for the coronation medal by friends Elaine Cook, Linda Schori and Pat Campbell, admitted surprise at the recognition, and said credit has to be shared with friends, family and the community.
“I certainly wasn’t expecting it, but it’s a nice award to have,” she said.
As noted by her nominators, Sitter has a passion for preserving history.
“It seems to be my life these days,” she said with a laugh.
Sitter said she always enjoyed subjects like history and geography in high school and upon her retirement she had the chance to pursue those interests.
The Farmerette project continues to grow, and Sitter said she has been connected with three more Farmerettes in the past three weeks.
“It’s still happening and I’m learning more stories,” she said. “Conversations are being held across the country.”
Thanks to Sitter’s efforts, Canada Post recognized the Farmerettes in 2024 with a Remembrance Day commemorative stamp. Senator Robert Black paid tribute to the Farmerettes in the senate Oct. 31, thanking Sitter for her work to ensure the women were acknowledged.
“Recognizing these women has been an important thing to me, and they’re just so grateful and so pleased about it all,” Sitter said.
We Lend a Hand, the documentary on the book, will have its world premiere at the Junction North Film Festival on April 4 in Sudbury, and will premiere at London’s Wolf Performance Hall on June 6. The trailer and more information can be found at welendahand.ca.
SARNIA – The South Huron U13A Sabres are International Silver Stick champions after a hard-fought battle in Sarnia Jan. 2-5.
 Article contentAfter finishing the round robin with three wins and a tie, the Sabres entered the semifinals as the number-one seed. A 10-1 victory over the Mooretown Lady Flags sent the Sabres to the finals for a rematch with the London Devilettes on Sunday, Jan. 5, whom they had tied 1-1 earlier in the tournament.
In a fast-paced first period, South Huron jumped out to a 3-0 lead, eventually winning the championship in a 4-0 game. Team coaching staff said the game was “a strong, total team effort.”
“Congratulations to all the players and families that put in so much to make this experience a great one,” the Sabres coaches said.
Earlier in the tournament, the team defeated the Bluewater Hawks 9-0, Mooretown 6-0 and Ayr 5-0.
The Sarnia International Silver Stick was the third tournament championship for the South Huron U13 girls this season.
SOUTH HURON – South Huron council at its Nov
4 meeting approved the tender for the replacement of the South Huron Recreation Centre roof
 We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, or<a title="Video Centre"href=/video-centre/>tap here to see other videos from our team</a>.Play VideoArticle contentCouncil accepted the tender from low bidder Smith-Peat Roofing and Sheet Metal of Exeter at a cost of $240,976 plus HST. The municipality received seven bids for the project, ranging from the low Smith-Peat bid to a high bid of $533,550 plus HST.
As community services manager Amanda Johnston noted in her report to council, the municipality had budgeted $741,220 for the project, bringing it in well under the expected cost.
“That’s great news — $500,000, roughly, under budget, so obviously some aggressive bids out there, and it’s nice that it’s a local bid as well,” Coun. Ted Oke said of the price.
Upon questioning from Coun. Milt Dietrich, chief administrative officer Rebekah Msuya-Collison said the unused $500,000 would go back into the municipality’s capital replacement reserve for recreation.
The roof work is the continuation of improvements at the recreation centre, which included more than $5.3 million in renovations in 2023 involving the addition of six new dressing rooms, an officials’ room, new dasher boards and glass, a revitalized lobby and viewing area, washrooms, a new entrance with sliding doors and new exterior siding and paint.
Council will invite the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) to a future meeting for an explanation of the ABCA’s proposed 2025 budget, which was included in council’s Nov. 4 agenda.
The ABCA has 12 member municipalities that pay an annual levy into the conservation authority. In the ABCA’s proposed 2025 budget, South Huron’s portion is slated to increase from $268,211 in 2024 to $281,288 in 2025, an increase of 4.88 per cent.
Oke noted the proposed increase for South Huron “is significantly higher” than the increase other municipalities in the watershed are facing. As well, he said the percentage increase is double last year’s.
“Just wondering if we can have some dialogue on that,” he said.
The average proposed increase for member municipalities in the ABCA’s 2025 budget is 3.93 per cent.
The municipal levy is based on assessment, and while Lucan Biddulph and Middlesex Centre face higher percentage increases than South Huron in their ABCA levy, the dollar amounts are much lower because they have a smaller assessment in the watershed.
<a class="c-overline b-overline" href="/london/">London</a>NewsDevice power bank fire sparks safety warning from South Huron fire chiefBy <a class="c-link" href="/london/team/scott-miller">Scott Miller</a>Published: August 28, 2024 at 11:34AM EDT
EXETER – On a hot night on Aug. 26, a determined South Huron Rush took on London West End Boom.
 Article contentSince they were mired in a losing streak where they had lost three games in a row by identical 1-0 scores, the Rush set two goals for the match: to break out of the scoring slide and, in doing so, get a win. Ultimately, the Rush were able to score a goal, but dropped their 10th game of the season by a score of 2-1.
In the early going, South Huron’s defence looked sharp. They adjusted as a cohesive unit and were able to take away scoring chances for West End.
The Rush’s counter attack looked dangerous and, by the 20-minute mark, the Rush took the lead. On the play, striker Adi Wise took the ball to the wing and crossed the ball in front of the net. Wise’s cross found the foot of rookie striker Abbey Janssen, who quickly dropped the ball to trailing midfielder Frankie Diggins. With a touch, Diggins was in alone with West End’s keeper. The keeper came out to challenge the ball. Diggins didn’t hesitate and chipped the goalie. The Rush were up 1-0.
The lead was short-lived. Later in the half, West End pulled even on a scramble in front of the net. On the play, a powerful West End striker shoved a Rush defender off the ball. The ball rolled toward the Rush net and it was slotted past Rush goalie Lauren Goldsack from in close.
Later, Goldsack came up huge from point-blank range. On the play, a West End striker sent a hard low shot on net. Goldsack made the save but couldn’t corral the rebound. As the ball went back out in front of the net, Goldsack popped up and was able to make another stop when the ball was shot back on the Rush net. Goldsack smothered the ball to end the threat.
As the half came to a close, West End got their second goal of the night off a corner kick. The high floating kick sailed almost all the way past the South Huron goal. In a turn of events that seemed to defy physics, the ball, without touching any players, ended up in the very top corner of the net and the Rush were down a goal heading into half.
At half, both teams made adjustments and the final 45 minutes were much more defensive. In spite of the urgency and determination to tie it up, the Rush lost their seventh game by a single goal this season.
After the loss, Rush coach Tim Hundey reflected on the season. “With two exceptions, we’ve been in every game. We’re competitive and teams are really earning the points against us. I’m proud of this team.”
The Rush play their last game of the season Sept. 4 in London as they look to avenge a tough one-sided loss versus the Alliance.
ELIMVILLE – Two occupants of an Elimville home destroyed by fire late Sunday
 We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, or<a title="Video Centre"href=/video-centre/>tap here to see other videos from our team</a>.Play VideoArticle contentBoth were taken to hospital in London with injuries not considered life threatening, Chief Jeremy Becker added. No one else was in the home when the fire broke out, he said.
The South Huron fire department received a call for a structure fire just before 11 p.m. on Kirkton Road in Elimville. En route, the Exeter and Dashwood firefighters noticed a glow in the sky from the fire, so the Lucan Biddulph and Granton stations were called in for tanker support since there are no fire hydrants in Elimville, Becker said.
The house was “fully involved” with fire when emergency crews arrived, Becker said.
The investigation is in its early stages, but Becker said it’s believed the fire started in the kitchen at the front of the farmhouse. The Ontario Fire Marshal is investigating, but Becker said the fire is not considered suspicious.
Firefighters were on scene until about 4 a.m.
“It was a defensive attack and knocked down fairly quickly,” he said of the blaze.
Becker estimated replacement of the home would be about $500,000.
There’s a new Huron-Perth boys’ baseball champion
the Stratford Golden Bears looked like they might win their first ball title since 2019
South Huron’s offence finally broke through
and a scoreless game turned into a 9-0 Panthers’ lead following a string of hits coupled with Stratford District walks and errors
and South Huron won its first baseball championship after three years of Mitchell dominance
it was on fire,” Panthers manager Rob Krainz said
“That’s one of the most (runs) I’ve seen in an inning
The Exeter school started its season with a 7-2 loss to the Golden Bears
and it wanted to end the season on a different note
South Huron had baserunners early against SDSS but couldn’t cash in until everything went its way in the sixth
James Craig went the distance on the mound and kept Stratford District from mounting a comeback
will represent the conference at the Western Ontario championships next spring
Stratford District manager Henry Bonsma said the season was “really positive as a whole
SDSS went 5-3 in the regular season and eliminated the reigning champion Blue Devils in the quarter-final
with pitcher Liam McEvoy striking out six in five innings
It was a quick turnaround against South Huron
“It would have been better for them to have a little more time
but that’s definitely not the reason why we lost,” he said
We didn’t come out the same way we did the first game.”
Carter Koch started on the mound for SDSS and struck out seven over five innings
The Golden Bears lose several key players in 2025
which made Wednesday’s loss sting a little more
“I think they were hoping to come away with the HP title
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SOUTH HURON – Construction of the $2.1-million Victoria Street East project in Exeter is expected to start this month and proceed in three phases
scheduled to be completed before the start of the school year in September
The pillars near the rec centre and Exeter elementary school that hold the overhead “Exeter Community Park” sign will be removed.
The final layer of asphalt will be completed in 2026.
Council at its March 3 meeting awarded the tender for the project to low bidder Omega Contractors for just more than $2.1 million, including HST. The municipality received eight bids for the work, although one unsigned bid was rejected. Costs ranged from the low Omega bid to a high bid of just more than $3 million, including HST.
In other construction news, the municipality announced the final layer of asphalt on the Main Street North reconstruction project from the Ausable River bridge to Walper Street is tentatively scheduled for this July.
Reconstruction took place for several months last year, and cleanup and other remedial work will start in the next couple of weeks, the municipality said. Temporary line painting on Main Street will be applied when weather permits.
Longtime PC Party MPP and cabinet minister Lisa Thompson will represent Huron-Bruce in the Ontario legislature for a fifth consecutive term
“It means that I have a chance to keep working on behalf of Huron-Bruce, because I can tell you, I’ve worked incredibly hard since 2018 when we first formed government,” Thompson said from the Wingham Golf and Curling Club where her supporters gathered Thursday evening.
“With the municipal leadership that I have behind me, there’s more projects to work on collectively, and I can’t wait to get back to work with everyone that makes a difference on behalf of the people of Huron-Bruce.”
Thompson said having a strong and stable government under a leader who takes his job seriously in Ford is her Number 1 priority as they go up against U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats.
“We’re ready to go to work right away. With hand on heart, we’ve got a job to do,” Thompson said. “That’s why we chose to go early, and I’m so happy we did, because at the end of the day, we have our rural economies to protect. We have our employers to protect, and we have our communities to protect as well.”
With all 87 polls reporting, Thompson had 50 per cent of the votes cast, well ahead of Liberal Ian Burbidge, who stood at 28 per cent. Nick McGregor of the NDP was a distant third with 11.8 per cent, while Green Party candidate Matthew Van Ankum had 5.6 per cent.
Rounding out the results were Zack Weiler of the New Blue with 4.2 per cent and Bruce Eisen of the Ontario Alliance with 0.4 per cent.
Thompson had 24,461 votes, Burbidge had 13,703, McGregor had 5,749, Van Ankum had 2,727, Weiler had 2,065 and Eisen had 206.
Burbidge, a musician, theatre performer and retired teacher who lives just outside Port Elgin, said he was gratified with the support he received in Huron-Bruce, noting that with votes still coming in it appeared as though the Liberal Party was doing better in Huron-Bruce than it had in recent elections. In 2022, Liberal Shelley Blackmore finished with 18.7 per cent of the vote, second behind Thompson who had just under 52 per cent.
“I heard all sorts of things as I was going across this riding . . . and I feel like somebody had to represent those concerns,” Burbidge said.
While he won’t be representing those concerns at Queen’s Park, Burbidge said he can continue to work on behalf of people in the riding.
Burbidge said the Number 1 issue he heard from residents was health care, including emergency room closures and a lack of family doctors. Homelessness and affordability were the other top issues, Burbidge said.
He said he hopes Ford and Thompson will listen to those who said they want change, although he admitted he’s concerned that with another majority, the Ford government will make moves to further privatize health care and education.
“That would be a shame, I think,” he said.
Thompson was elected MPP of Huron-Bruce in 2011, knocking off two-time Liberal MPP Carol Mitchell, who going into the election was the province’s agricultural minister. Thompson was then re-elected in the riding in 2014, 2018 and 2022, winning over 50 per cent of the vote in the last two elections, including a landslide victory by more than 33 percentage points the last time Ontarians went to the polls.
On Thursday afternoon, Thompson said throughout the campaign she was committed to being out and about in the riding as best she could be, from knocking on doors, to attending meet-and-greets and annual general meetings, to quick chats at the gas station. The weather got in the way a couple of days last week when all Bruce County roads were closed around her home, but since then she has been back out talking to voters.
“Interestingly enough, what was different this time was that this was the natural season for annual general meetings, so I was pleasantly surprised at the number of invitations I received to attend AGMs, and that was a whole new level of meeting and greeting people on the ground,” Thompson said. “That is where I got a lot of good feedback as well.”
She said she heard from people that they appreciate what she has done as their MPP over the last 13-and-a-half years.
“They can see it in my eyes so to speak that I am committed to doing as much as I can for the next four years as well for the local riding and all the communities,” said Thompson, who is pleased with the campaign she ran in that she was out every single day face-to-face with people and based on the response she got from them.
She said she is especially heartened by the number of young people involved in her campaign and wanting to be engaged in politics.
“We need to take time to encourage young people to have confidence in their voice and what they care about and take time to nurture that as well,” said Thompson. “They are our community’s leaders in the future and we have to all take time to support them.”
When Ford called the snap election on Jan. 29, he cited the need for a strong mandate to fight Trump’s tariff threats, and Thompson said that is the issue that was top of mind for most people throughout the past month.
“Most recently over the last week or two they were saying stand strong,” Thompson said, recalling a conversation with a man in a seniors’ home, whose message was “Give ‘em hell.”
“When the realities are starting to hit the ground in regards to the Trump effect, if you will, in Ukraine and on premiers in other provinces, it is like, thank God we have a strong leader in the province of Ontario that has the business expertise, the business experience and the heart and the team to go up against Trump.”
Before entering provincial politics, Thompson was general manager of the Ontario Dairy Goat Co-operative. She grew up in East Wawanosh in North Huron and lives on a farm near Teeswater that has been in her husband Dennis Schiestel’s family for 124 years.
In the seven years the Progressive Conservatives have been in power Thompson has held a number of ministerial roles, including Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Minister of Government and Consumer Services, Minister of Education and Ontario’s Registrar General.
In June of last year, Thompson was named Minister of Rural Affairs after the Ford government decided to split the agriculture, food and rural affairs portfolio into two ministries. Agriculture and rural affairs had been combined as one since 1994.
Thompson said talk by candidates of other parties that rural Ontario had been forgotten under the PC government only shows how disconnected they are.
Thompson, whose first job after graduating from the University of Guelph was as a rural community advisor, said she travelled the province twice over once the rural affairs ministry was formed to “see the realities of the day.”
That informed a strategy she brought forward at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association conference in January that she said was incredibly well received by municipal organizations as well as senior municipal staffers.
“When you talk to our commodity organizations they feel very strongly that for the first time in many governments, there are actually people in Doug Ford’s cabinet that listen, understand and live rural every single day,” Thompson said. “As a result we are moving forward, not only with policies and legislation, but actions that demonstrate we are standing with rural Ontario.”
South Huron Mayor George Finch praised Thompson when he made a stop at her campaign event in Wingham Thursday evening.
“Lisa’s done a lot of work for us in South Huron. She’s got a track record that is enviable for a lot of people running for her position,” Finch said. “I support Lisa Thompson and what she’s doing.”
Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb said Thursday that Thompson had delivered for the people of the region since first being elected.
“She’s delivered a lot of dollars into our communities, which is great,” Lobb said. “As you drive through the country roads, you see water towers that have been built. You see different things that people appreciate. It adds longevity and really builds your community.”
In highlighting the work she has done for rural Ontario since taking on the rural affairs portfolio, Thompson noted the Enhancing Professional Care for Animals Act which modernizes how the province approaches professional animal care as well as work to modernize agricultural research in the province through Agricultural Research Innovation Ontario legislation.
Thompson said she made sure all parties understood where they were going with the legislation and she embraced all their questions and ideas.
“I had unanimous support for all readings right through to proclamation for both pieces of legislation,” Thompson said. “That is how MPP Lisa Thompson works.”
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SOUTH HURON – Dog owners and their furry friends could have a new place to play now that council has asked staff to look into establishing a dog park in Exeter
The matter was revisited at council’s Dec. 9 meeting, when councillors unanimously passed a motion directing staff to investigate possible locations and estimated costs for a dog park in Exeter.
Mayor George Finch commended Hannah and those who signed a petition in favour of a dog park.
“I support them 100 per cent,” he said. “What Abby was able to establish beyond any doubt is that there’s a definite need for a dog park in Exeter.”
Finch said a dog park falls in line with the municipality’s community safety and well-being plan, which prioritizes mental health.
“Overall it is about being inclusive,” he said of a dog park. “The medical community has recognized that pets provide a great deal of emotional support and comfort for those that are experiencing mental anguish or trauma. Dogs provide (a) calming environment.”
While the municipality subsidizes activities such as baseball, hockey and swimming every year to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars, the expense of a dog park would be a “one and done” cost, Finch said.
“No ice or outdoor nets to maintain, no ball diamonds to maintain daily,” he said. “What it does is offer a year-round facility that will benefit today’s population and future generations. I have spoken to no less than 25 people about their interest in a dog park, and all are favour of one.”
A staff report will return to council at a future date.
ELIMVILLE – Two occupants of an Elimville home destroyed by fire late escaped out a second-storey window, South Huron’s fire chief said.
Both were taken to hospital in London with injuries not considered life-threatening, Chief Jeremy Becker added. No one else was in the home when the fire broke out, he said.
The South Huron fire department received a call for a structure fire just before 11 p.m. Sunday on Kirkton Road in Elimville, a rural community just east of Exeter in Huron County. En route, Exeter and Dashwood firefighters noticed a glow in the sky from the fire, so the Lucan Biddulph and Granton stations were called in for tanker support since there are no fire hydrants in Elimville, Becker said.
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The house fire was “fully involved” with fire when emergency crews arrived, Becker said.
The investigation was in its early stages, but Becker said it’s believed the fire started in the kitchen at the front of the farmhouse. The Ontario Fire Marshal is investigating, but Becker said the fire is not considered suspicious.
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Residents in southern Huron County are bracing for their next round of snow
Environment Canada has issued a winter weather travel advisory for Goderich
and southern Huron as lake effect snow is expected to bring an additional 10 to 15 centimetres of accumulation to the region Thursday into Friday
Gusty winds up to 50 kilometres an hour will cause the snow to blow and reduce visibility significantly at times
Drifting snow could also be an issue on area roads
walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow," Environment Canada said in its advisory
"Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions
Watch for taillights ahead and maintain a safe following distance
turn on your lights and maintain a safe following distance."
A similar winter weather travel advisory has also been issued for northern Huron County
but only 5 centimetres of snowfall is expected in that area
The latest weather advisories come as much of midwestern Ontario continues to clean up from back-to-back weekend snowstorms
School buses were cancelled for a third day in Port Elgin
A handful of roads remained closed Thursday morning
including Highway 21 from Grand Bend to Southampton and Highway 4 from Clinton to Exeter
There is no indication when they will be reopened
A South Huron resident has been charged following a retail theft on January 12
Huron County Ontario Provincial Police were contacted by staff at a store north of Grand Bend on January 15 with details of the theft
including a suspect and vehicle description
The 45-year-old suspect was identified and arrested on January 16
They face a charge of Theft Under $5,000 and will appear in court on February 10
SOUTH HURON – With funding from the province’s Community Transportation Grant Program coming to an end in March 2025
municipalities involved with the Huron Shores Area Transit (HSAT) system are being asked to start contributing funds
Delegates from Lambton Shores, the administering body of HSAT, attended South Huron’s Dec. 9 council meeting to update councillors on the transit system and its finances.
While the system began with only 1,434 riders in 2021 during the pandemic, Lambton Shores chief administrative officer Steve McAuley said HSAT ridership “truly took off after COVID,” increasing exponentially with ridership from January to June of 2024 doubling that of the same period in 2023. Its overall ridership goal for 2024 is 32,000, and figures presented at the Dec. 9 meeting showed ridership this year at about 26,000 so far.
“We expect to hit around 32,000,” McAuley said. “We might be a little shy of that, but we’re on track to be close to that, which, when we compare to other rural transit systems like ours, is phenomenal. When we talk to our counterparts in other areas, our system has really done well.”
HSAT is on pace to reach ridership of 35,000 earlier than a feasibility study predicted.
The system features four fixed bus routes, and McAuley said one of its more successful initiatives has been picking up students from Lambton College in Sarnia and transporting them to jobs throughout the area, including Exeter and Huron Park.
“It’s been very successful, moving students that wouldn’t normally be able to get to those jobs,” McAuley said.
Another popular feature for HSAT has been its summer beach bus on weekends in July and August, connecting London to Grand Bend.
Lambton Shores Mayor Doug Cook attributed the rise in ridership to transit co-ordinator Susan Mills, who previously worked with the Grand Bend and Area Chamber of Commerce.
“As you can see, the numbers are really great,” he said, but expressed concern that if the buses stop running, those who use them to get to work will no longer be able to do so.
HSAT also connects riders to other transit systems, including in London, where the bus stops at Masonville.
South Huron is served by HSAT’s Route 2, which starts in Grand Bend and includes several stops in South Huron before heading south with stops in Lucan before continuing to London.
Expenses for the system include the buses and drivers, as well as one full-time individual to co-ordinate and operate the system. McAuley said Lambton Shores has also absorbed some costs, such as accounting and promotions for the system.
Regarding revenue, with the Community Transportation Grant Program coming to an end in March 2025, the six HSAT municipalities will be asked to contribute. South Huron is being asked to contribute an annual average of $63,334.55 to the system over the next five years, starting with $25,228.50 in 2025, and climbing to $101,643 in 2029.
Lambton Shores’ five-year average is projected at $73,464.08. Other five-year averages include: Bluewater ($45,600.88), North Middlesex ($38,000.73), Lucan Biddulph ($20,267.06) and Kettle and Stony Point First Nation ($12,666.91).
Those figures assume all municipal partners contribute their requested amounts, as well as their portion of the provincial gas tax, and that the system is successful in its grant application to the new Ontario Transit Investment Fund (OTIF).
If the system doesn’t receive an OTIF grant, McAuley said the municipal contributions required will be “substantially more.”
While he said he is confident the system will receive the gas-tax funds, McAuley said the OTIF grant is a limited fund.
“We’re going to take our best shot,” he said. “Obviously, the numbers change if we don’t get that funding.”
Other revenue sources for HSAT include bus fares and advertising.
South Huron council made no decision on the funding request at the Dec. 9 meeting. It typically discusses such requests at future meetings after receiving a staff report.
HSAT is also speaking to the other municipalities it serves, and plans to speak to Lucan Biddulph in January.
South Huron Mayor George Finch thanked McAuley and Cook for the presentation and said one of the features residents look for when they move to a community is public transit.
Droves of fans and supporters flooded into the South Huron Rec Centre in Exeter Thursday night for a pair of charity hockey games to benefit the Huron County Food Bank Distribution Centre
Four local businesses put teams together to play the games
and hundreds of pounds of food were donated as a result of the packed event
Executive Director of the Huron County Food Bank Distribution Centre
says seeing the support of the community was amazing
the stands are full of people and to see the challenges among the teams is great
It's a great community event and the community has certainly stood behind the distribution centre for many years
and it's just great to be a part of this," Zielman said enthusiastically
Huron Tractor and McCann Redi-Mix all faced off on the ice
Zielman says the donations are very appreciated because many families are struggling financially and need to access the food bank like never before
"And certainly the economic situation right now is gonna make it even more of a challenge
So it's wonderful to have these organizations doing these events
It helps us to help the local food banks and aid agencies that we serve
and it reaches far into the communities of Huron County," added Zielman
South Huron Mayor George Finch says seeing the community come together to support the event was awesome
"This is the community in its organic form coming together
working together to achieve greater things
but this is a demonstration of how great they are
"There's so many demands on people's finances right now
with fundraising efforts for different things
But the food bank's always been a priority for the community
so I'm really glad to see that they're all out here supporting it
Very happy and couldn't say enough good things about what went on here tonight."
To find out more about the Huron County Food Bank Distribution Centre, or to volunteer or donate, visit our website or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://huroncountyfoodbank.org">huroncountyfoodbank.org</a>. 
South Huron Mayor George Finch in front of fans piling into the stands at the South Huron Rec Centre in Exeter during a charity hockey event supporting the Huron County Food Bank Distribution Centre. April 10, 2025 (Photo by Ryan Drury)
Corn, Soybeans and Wheat all finished lower to begin the week. 
On May 8, thousands of students in grades 5 to 8 from across the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) will gather for an unforgettable day of motivation, inspiration, and excitement at this year’s Empowerment Day.
Owen Sound City Council will formally address the province’s Strong Mayor powers at its upcoming May 12 council meeting. 
100 Women Who Care Grey Bruce proudly launched their 2025 giving season by presenting their largest donation to date — an impressive $33,200 — to Victim Services Bruce Grey.
The township is encouraging residents to join the &quot;no mow May&quot; movement, which leaves dandelions and clover for pollinators to feast on while other food sources are low.
Over $300,000 is being shared among five different festivals and events in Perth-Wellington.
FOREST – The South Huron U15 B Sabres are International Silver Stick champions after defeating the Upper Ottawa Valley Aces 7-0 in Forest on Sunday, Jan. 12.
 Article contentAfter dropping their first game of the tournament 2-0 to the Mitchell Meteors on Jan. 10, the Sabres went undefeated the rest of the way, beating the South Muskoka Bears 9-0, the Lambton Shores Predators 4-1 and the Penetang Flames 2-1.
It has been a successful season so far for South Huron’s U15 B Sabres, who won the Regional Silver Stick in Kincardine on Dec. 30 after a 4-3 win over the Saugeen Shores Storm. The Sabres went undefeated in the round robin, outscoring their opponents 12-0 before beating the Listowel Cyclones 4-3 in the semifinals.
Two South Huron residents are facing drug trafficking charges after a month-long investigation initiated by the Huron-Perth OPP Community Street Crimes Unit (CSCU)
OPP said the investigation started in January led investigators to addresses in South Huron
search warrants were executed on Main Street and McConnell Street in the Town of Exeter
Police said the search resulted in the seizure of a quantity of suspected fentanyl and methamphetamine
The total value of the drugs seized is estimated at $15,990 and additional offence-related property and cash seized by police totalled $3,250
A 38-year-old man from South Huron is facing charges including possession for the purpose of trafficking (fentanyl and methamphetamine)
possession of a weapon contrary to prohibition order and failure to comply with conditions of a release order
A 32-year-old woman from South Huron was also charged with possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking
Both will appear in Goderich court at a later date
OPP said the investigation was assisted by members of the Huron County OPP Major Crime Unit
SOUTH HURON – A newly-formed group is preparing an application seeking provincial funding to provide local programming
 We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, or<a title="Video Centre"href=/video-centre/>tap here to see other videos from our team</a>.Play VideoArticle contentSouth Huron council learned at its July 15 meeting about West Coast Active Living, which is seeking annual funding from the province’s Seniors Active Living Centre’s (SALC) program to provide social, cultural, learning and recreational programs.
Exeter’s Maureen Cole spoke of West Coast Active Living’s progress so far, saying a board and committees have been formed to bring programs to the area including a dining program, exercise, recreation and social activities.
The group is starting a Diners Club in September at the Exeter Lions Youth Centre and has plans to hold cards and games nights to rotate between locations.
“We’re going to be able to get that rolling again to get people out, more involved, and be a little more social,” Cole said.
Numerous other physical, educational and social activities are being looked at.
Cole said the SALCs can offer arts and cultural programs, book clubs, fitness centres and classes, health and wellness services, lifelong learning, multicultural social groups, recreation and leisure programs. The West Coast Active Living group is applying for non-profit charitable status to provide programs for people of all ages, she said.
The group is looking to serve the area within an approximate 25-kilometre radius of Exeter, and Cole said the group will speak to the Municipality of Bluewater regarding programming needs there.
Local service groups and organizations have been approached, she said. There will also be focus groups and surveys of South Huron and Bluewater residents as part of the group’s outreach.
“There are a lot of partners, we think, that would benefit from what we’re doing,” Cole said, explaining that West Coast Active Living can help local groups with their activities. She said the group isn’t looking to duplicate existing programs, but “augment what is already happening and provide financial assistance.”
Coun. Wendy McLeod-Haggitt said she attended one of the group’s meetings a couple of weeks ago.
“I was excited with what everybody was talking about,” she said. “I think it is definitely something that our community needs.”
The group is expecting its provincial funding to be available by Jan. 1, 2025.
As part of its application to the province, the group is requesting a letter of support from the municipality. While council made no decision at the July 15 meeting, they typically discuss such requests at a future meeting. South Huron’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 12. McLeod-Haggitt has already spoken in favour of providing the letter of support.
There are more than 300 Seniors Active Living Centres in Ontario. New changes to the province’s Seniors Active Living Centres Act came into effect June 1, which enable more types of organizations to deliver the programs. Call for proposals are now open until Sept. 12.
Under the program, the province provides 80 per cent funding for the SALC programming, with the remaining coming from individual organizations.