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Thursday, August 6, 2026
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Patrick Raftis

Editor

The time has come for new adventures

Patrick Raftis June 25, 2026Columns, Opinion, Walkerton Herald-Times

Journalism is often described as “literature in a hurry” – and as someone who’s been dashing around the province covering news of all manner for somewhere around four decades, I concur with that characterization.

Elma Minor Ball Days were fun for players, fans

Patrick Raftis June 18, 2026Listowel Banner, Sports

MONKTON - Elma Minor Ball held its annual Minor Ball Days on June 12 and 13,  with two days packed full of games and fun for players and fans.

In Photos: 2026 Teddy Bear Play Day

Patrick Raftis June 18, 2026Listowel Banner, Local News

LISTOWEL - The annual North Perth Teddy Bear Family Playday was held on June 12. The event, hosted by North Perth Early On in Listowel Memorial Park, featured a wide range of activities presented by various community groups. 

Kin Station Bingos a jackpot for food

Patrick Raftis June 11, 2026News

LISTOWEL - A series of Bingo nights at the Listowel Kin Station have resulted in a big jackpot for the local food bank.

Westfield students visit local businesses as part of local field trip

Patrick Raftis June 4, 2026Listowel Banner, Local News

LISTOWEL - Students from North Perth Westfield Elementary School visited the offices of the Listowel Banner and The Ranch 100.1 as part of a local field trip to learn on May 27.

Wingham theatre packed for CKNX Barn Dance Reunion Show

Patrick Raftis June 4, 2026Arts & Entertainment

WINGHAM - The CKNX Barn Dance Reunion show, part of the local radio station’s 100th anniversary celebrations, at the Wingham Town Hall Theatre on May 31 included performers from local radio and television shows, the original touring Barn Dance productions and the later Barn Dance Historical Society

Local residents learn the art of traditional Ukranian Easter Eggs

Patrick Raftis April 2, 2026Arts & Entertainment, Listowel Banner, Local News

LISTOWEL - Local residents had a chance to learn the art of making traditional Ukranian Easter Eggs at a workshop held at Knox Presbyterian  Church in Listowel on March 28.

Freedom from information … and umm? – Communism!

Patrick Raftis March 26, 2026Columns, Opinion, Walkerton Herald-Times

You may have noticed a stream of creative policy pronouncements emanating from the provincial government of late: statutory holiday shopping, legalizing pepper spray, making public parks BYOB zones, to name a few. 

Students show better understanding of education issues than premier

Patrick Raftis March 19, 2026Columns, Opinion, Walkerton Herald-Times

This week two Midwestern Newspapers publications, the Listowel Banner and Wingham Advance times carry stories on local high school students protesting the provincial government’s recent changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).

Wingham CNOY walk raises over $27,000

Patrick Raftis March 5, 2026Local News, Rural, Wingham Advance Times

Donations accepted until March 21 to help fight homelessness, hunger

How did we get here?

Patrick Raftis February 26, 2026Columns, Opinion, Walkerton Herald-Times

The North Huron community is reeling from the news a council member was hospitalized with injuries suffered in an altercation following the Feb. 17 council meeting. 

How did we get here?

Patrick Raftis February 26, 2026Columns, Editorials, Independent Plus, Listowel Banner, Opinion, Walkerton Herald-Times, Walkerton-Wingham-Listowel, Wingham Advance Times

The North Huron community is reeling from the news a council member was hospitalized with injuries suffered in an altercation following the Feb. 17 council meeting.

In Photos: Farm Toy Show and Sale benefits Make-A-Wish

Patrick Raftis January 8, 2026Listowel Banner, Local News

The 2025 North Perth Farm Toy Show was held at the Listowel Agricultural Hall on Jan. 3.

Don Messer’s Jubilee was long-time CBC staple

Patrick Raftis December 18, 2025Arts & Entertainment, Local News, Rural, Wingham Advance Times

The popularity of the Blyth Festival’s 2025 production of Radio Town: The Doc Cruickshank Story, which ran on the theatre’s main stage this past summer has fueled a local wave of nostalgia about old-time television and radio among those who have seen the show (or wished they had).

U15B Southwest Surge take on Midwest 49ers

Patrick Raftis December 18, 2025Listowel Banner, Local News, Sports

LISTOWEL - The Southwest Surge took on the Midwest 49ers in a U15B game at the Steve Kerr Memorial Complex in Listowel on Dec. 14.

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Select Your Region

“Erie Belle” blows up off Kincardine

KINCARDINE - On Nov. 21, 1883 the “Erie Belle” was destroyed in a boiler explosion two miles south of Kincardine.

McGugan briefs Huron County Council on amalgamation pitfalls

GODERICH – “The bottom line is that we expect this amalgamation to be more costly for the…

See all Kincardine area articles.

Everly’s Trading Post – a free neighbourhood treasure swap for kids

The Hillier family recently opened Everly’s Trading Post at 151 Main Street. A free neighbourhood trading post where children can stop by, take a small treasure, and leave one in return. 

Community newspaper publishers need fair rates, quality service from Canada Post

Community newspaper publishers are asking the Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Québec Lieutenant, to direct Canada Post to offer publishers the same rate it offers to the country’s dominant flyer printer.

See all Listowel area articles.

Updates from South Bruce council clerk

TEESWATER - South Bruce council has approved a $38,000 tile drain loan and appointed members to a joint compliance audit committee following decisions made at its July 14, 2026 meeting.

Council approves September ice despite arena equipment concerns

TEESWATER – Consultants say September ice is not to blame for recent refrigeration failures at the Teeswater-Culross Community Centre, despite concerns from council about increased equipment breakdowns after the extended season began.

See all Mildmay area articles.

Community improvement in Bruce County gets a boost from the province

BRUCE COUNTY – On July 21, MPP Lisa Thompson visited five locations in three Bruce County communities to present cheques to support local organizations, improve quality of life and help municipalities build stronger, more resilient communities.

Donations continue to come in to help the Walkerton and District Hospital Foundation’s X-Ray Suite+ campaign.

To access this post, you must purchase Digital Subscription - Monthly or Digital…

See all Walkerton area articles.

Huron County recognizes nearly 50 employees with long-service awards

Awards were presented as part of the June 22 council meeting and spanned the 10-year minimum to 35 years.

OPP: Drug increase, violent crime decrease

Huron County OPP Detachment board met for their monthly meeting July 20, hearing the statistics of crime in top categories in May and June of this year. 

See all Wingham area articles.

Editorial

Community newspaper publishers need fair rates, quality service from Canada Post

Community newspaper publishers are asking the Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Québec Lieutenant, to direct Canada Post to offer publishers the same rate it offers to the country’s dominant flyer printer.

Living in a horror movie for the second time in my life

Last Tuesday, unless you live underground (which would not have been a bad idea that day), locals…

The uncommon common sense – part ??

Common sense, and the lack thereof, is something I’ve written about a number of times over the years because, unfortunately, every day there seems to be more and more people who couldn’t pour water out of a rubber boot without instructions being printed on the heel.

Columnists

Community improvement in Bruce County gets a boost from the province

By Pauline Kerr

BRUCE COUNTY – On July 21, MPP Lisa Thompson visited five locations in three Bruce County communities to present cheques to support local organizations, improve quality of life and help municipalities build stronger, more resilient communities.

Everly’s Trading Post – a free neighbourhood treasure swap for kids

By Rachel Hammermueller

The Hillier family recently opened Everly’s Trading Post at 151 Main Street. A free neighbourhood trading post where children can stop by, take a small treasure, and leave one in return. 

Huron County recognizes nearly 50 employees with long-service awards

By Denny Scott

Awards were presented as part of the June 22 council meeting and spanned the 10-year minimum to 35 years.

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