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Thursday, August 6, 2026
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Patrick Raftis

Editor

Last Mayor of Rusty River offers comedic take on council capers

Patrick Raftis August 6, 2026Arts & Entertainment, Listowel Banner, Opinion, Rural, Wingham Advance Times

The Last Mayor of Rusty River, currently on stage on the Blyth Festival offers audiences a comedic look behind the scenes of a rural council chambers – a bit of well-timed fun for the voters in the crowd before the serious business of municipal elections set to take place across Ontario this fall.

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).

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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.

Annual TRI-umph Triathlon held in Gorrie

GORRIE – The annual TRI-umph Triathlon in Gorrie was held on Aug. 3, bringing dozens of families to the Howick Optimist Pool and splash pad site.

Huron United drop points in TMSL matches

An underwhelming performance  saw Huron United Football Club fall by a score of 2-0 in their Tri-City Men's Soccer League against Riverside FC B on July 7.

See all Listowel area articles.

Teeswater Kinsmen seek council approval for new community pavilion

TEESWATER – A proposed community pavilion at Teeswater Kinsmen Park moved a step closer to reality after South Bruce council approved the Teeswater Kinsmen’s request to begin planning the project at its July 28 meeting.

SVCA board chair and GM more optimistic about regionalization

FORMOSA – Board chair Tom Hutchinson and general manager Erik Downing expressed a certain optimism about the coming regionalization of conservation authorities during the July 16 board meeting.

See all Mildmay area articles.

Interim bus service expanded as Bruce, Dufferin, Grey, Wellington regional transit study continues

SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO – The counties of Bruce, Dufferin, Grey, and Wellington, together with Saugeen Mobility and Regional Transit (SMART), are expanding interim bus service across the region while work continues on a longer-term joint Regional Transit Study. 

Municipalities need ‘seat at the table’ early on, says Bruce County warden

WALKERTON  – It’s essential that municipalities have a “seat at the table, early on,” said Bruce County Warden Luke Charbonneau at the July meeting of Bruce County council.

See all Walkerton area articles.

Organizations, local Lions work to welcome newcomers with event

Newcomer Day at Camp is an annual celebration that brings newcomers to Canada, local supporters, and community organizations together for a free day of outdoor fun, food, and friendship. 

Annual TRI-umph Triathlon held in Gorrie

GORRIE – The annual TRI-umph Triathlon in Gorrie was held on Aug. 3, bringing dozens of families to the Howick Optimist Pool and splash pad site.

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

Organizations, local Lions work to welcome newcomers with event

By Submitted

Newcomer Day at Camp is an annual celebration that brings newcomers to Canada, local supporters, and community organizations together for a free day of outdoor fun, food, and friendship. 

Annual TRI-umph Triathlon held in Gorrie

By Nicole Beswitherick

GORRIE – The annual TRI-umph Triathlon in Gorrie was held on Aug. 3, bringing dozens of families to the Howick Optimist Pool and splash pad site.

Interim bus service expanded as Bruce, Dufferin, Grey, Wellington regional transit study continues

By Submitted

SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO – The counties of Bruce, Dufferin, Grey, and Wellington, together with Saugeen Mobility and Regional Transit (SMART), are expanding interim bus service across the region while work continues on a longer-term joint Regional Transit Study. 

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