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Wednesday, October 7, 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.

Maitland Conservation aquatic health study states the system is ‘under immense stress’

WROXETER – “Our initial analysis and our impressions suggest a system that is under immense stress, and it requires targeted strategic action to improve its robustness to ensure it provides the foundation of healthy watersheds,” Maitland Conservation Watershed Ecologist, Erin Gouthro said.

North Perth Council wants baseball diamond included in West End Development

LISTOWEL – After public consultation has been included from the two open house events held in June, council got to see revised plans for the West End Development.

See all Listowel area articles.

Grey Normanby’s Carmen Ward crowned 2026-27 Ontario Queen of the Furrow

WALKERTON – Carmen Ward was crowned the 2026-27 Ontario Queen of the Furrow on Sept. 25, earning the provincial title after competing alongside young women from across Ontario in interviews, speeches and plowing.

Landowners say trail approval ignored earlier objections

TEESWATER – Landowners along Sideroad 30 say they have dealt with ATV riders crossing their properties, damaging fences and disturbing their farms for years – long before the road was officially opened as an ATV trail this past summer.

See all Mildmay area articles.

Community rallies to help hospital foundation with donations

The Walkerton and District Hospital Foundation has had a busy summer fundraising for initiatives like the X-Ray Suite+ Campaign.

Saugeen Children’s Village makes presentation to county council

WALKERTON – Marilyn Rosner and Al Leach of Saugeen Children’s Safety Village, located at the Sulphur Spring Conservation Area south of Hanover, made a presentation to Bruce County Council on Sept. 17.

See all Walkerton area articles.

Farm Frolic opens doors to wide variety of county creations, landscapes, products

The Huron County Farm Frolic on Sept. 19 charted a map to several farm open houses, from longhorn cattle to wineries to pumpkin patches.

Council discusses school safety signs for Anabaptist schools

A topic heard often at this time of year, school safety was discussed during Huron County’s council meeting Sept. 23.

See all Wingham area articles.

Editorial

The price of staying alive

I was six years old when I got my first insulin pump – a year after I was diagnosed with Type 1…

Still reaching for that flag

Unlike minor hockey, when it comes to international economics, when you’ve got them on the ropes, you have to keep hitting. And Prime Minister Mark Carney seems intent on doing that. 

Learning from Ignatieff, Pierre’s son, ‘Titanic’

“If this is the direction the rats are going, that’s good enough for me.”

Columnists

Farm Frolic opens doors to wide variety of county creations, landscapes, products

By Rachel Hammermueller

The Huron County Farm Frolic on Sept. 19 charted a map to several farm open houses, from longhorn cattle to wineries to pumpkin patches.

Council discusses school safety signs for Anabaptist schools

By Rachel Hammermueller

A topic heard often at this time of year, school safety was discussed during Huron County’s council meeting Sept. 23.

Huron County OPP saw 131 collisions in summer months, decrease in violent crime

By Rachel Hammermueller

Each time the Huron County OPP board meets, the detachment commander provides data tables of the latest in local crime occurrences. At their Sept. 21 meeting, Inspector Laura Lee Brown’s report paints a picture of July and August in the county, and the charges put forth from Huron County OPP. 

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