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Friday, June 26, 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

April unemployment rate decreases to 5.2 per cent

WALKERTON – In April, the unemployment rate in the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula Economic Region…

Over 50 attend No Tyrants protest co-organized by Kincardine man

Contributed photos The No Tyrants protest, aimed at highlighting autocratic activities, specifically those in the United States, that was held in Owen Sound late last month brought over 50 protestors to Owen Sound’s city hall. Co-organizer Kevin Larson was very happy with the turnout, especially compared to another political protest around the same time.

Denny Scott dscott@midwesternnewspapers.com OWEN SOUND – A local rally aimed at refuting the…

See all Kincardine area articles.

Small-Town Strip Club: fueling their journey with small-town support

“Everybody in our hometown knows us, for the most part if they’re into rock music…we’ve been really onto that next step as a band – continuing to break out and find supporters and genuine fans.” -John Yundt

United Way meets milestone donation ahead of schedule

LISTOWEL – The Music Hall Apartments project has reached its capital campaign goal, marking a…

See all Listowel area articles.

BGCDSB reviews advisory reports on education and engagement

HANOVER - A series of reports from the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) and related parent and school advisory groups were reviewed by Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board (BGCDSB) trustees during a June 16 meeting in Hanover. 

Board reviews strategic plan progress

CHESLEY - The Bluewater District School Board (BWDSB) used its June 15 meeting in Chesley to review progress on its Multi-Year Strategic Plan as trustees gathered for the final meeting of the school year.

See all Mildmay area articles.

BGCDSB reviews advisory reports on education and engagement

HANOVER - A series of reports from the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) and related parent and school advisory groups were reviewed by Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board (BGCDSB) trustees during a June 16 meeting in Hanover. 

X-Ray Suite+ campaign surpasses $1 million milestone for new diagnostic imaging equipment

WALKERTON — The Walkerton and District Hospital Foundation is recently announced that the X-Ray Suite+ Replacement Campaign has officially surpassed the $1 million raised mark, bringing the community one step closer to transforming diagnostic imaging services at the hospital.

See all Walkerton area articles.

Fourth annual Wingham Show and Shine brings out the classics

The fourth annual Wingham Show and Shine filled the parking lot of the Maitland River Community…

No Judgment Art Class a space for creativity and relaxation

WINGHAM – June is officially recognized as Seniors Month in Ontario. The provincial campaign…

See all Wingham area articles.

Editorial

Michael Cy Cywink’s Grand Entry and the bravery of the butterfly

I can still hear Michael’s joyful laugh. It was a rich, belly-shaking sound that could instantly…

Proving the need for Pride by trying to destroy it

I, like most, if not all parents in the Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB), woke up Monday morning to an email explaining that vandals had struck schools in the school board – unidentified individuals had used tools to cut down Pride flags at AMDSB schools.

Government decisions need to be reviewed with rural lens

Federal and provincial governments are forgetting how important rural and agricultural communities are to the country.

Columnists

Fourth annual Wingham Show and Shine brings out the classics

By Heather MacEwen

The fourth annual Wingham Show and Shine filled the parking lot of the Maitland River Community…

No Judgment Art Class a space for creativity and relaxation

By Heather MacEwen

WINGHAM – June is officially recognized as Seniors Month in Ontario. The provincial campaign…

National Indigenous Peoples Day opening ceremony precedes the premiere of The Creation Story of Michael ‘Cy’ Cywink, by local media producer

By Heather MacEwen

BLYTH – Blyth Festival Theatre was the location of a well-attended drumming circle and knowledge…

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