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Sunday, February 22, 2026
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Patrick Raftis

Editor

Great community events being staged across the region

Patrick Raftis June 20, 2024Columns, Listowel Banner, Opinion, Walkerton Herald-Times, Walkerton-Wingham-Listowel, Wingham Advance Times

Often in this space we find ourselves recounting the problems and issues that plague us locally, provincially and nationally.

Wendy’s opens Listowel location

Patrick Raftis June 13, 2024Business, Food, Listowel Banner, Local News, News

LISTOWEL – Fast food aficionados have a new option with the opening of a Wendy’s location here on June 6.

Flyover tribute to Andrew McKeever planned for Decoration Day

Patrick Raftis June 13, 2024Listowel Banner, Local News, News

LISTOWEL – Decoration Day services in Listowel will this year will feature a flyover tribute to…

Wingham Cricket Day organizers look to grow sport in local region

Patrick Raftis June 6, 2024Local News, News, Sports, Wingham Advance Times

WINGHAM – The second annual Cricket Day was held in Wingham on June 2.

Hospital gala raises funds for clinic addition

Patrick Raftis June 6, 2024Listowel Banner, News

Local health care supporters came dressed for a Kentucky Derby Party, as Run for the Roses was the theme of the 2024 Listowel Memorial Hospital Foundation Gala at the Elma Memorial Community Centre, June 1.

Is better liquor access really worth $600 million?

Patrick Raftis May 30, 2024Columns, Listowel Banner, Walkerton Herald-Times, Walkerton-Wingham-Listowel, Wingham Advance Times

Raise your hand if you’re having a harder time finding a stiff drink than a family doctor or an open emergency room in your community? How about an affordable home?

Legionnaires tie Mitchell in slugfest

Patrick Raftis May 30, 2024Listowel Banner, Sports

The Listowel Junior Legionnaires slugged their way to a 11-11 tie with Mitchell at the John Bell South Ballpark in Listowel May 24.

Chance encounter inspires memories of life off-line

Patrick Raftis May 23, 2024Columns, Listowel Banner, Walkerton Herald-Times, Wingham Advance Times

I recently found myself chatting with a stranger at a party. As we traded pleasantries, the topic of occupation came up and he explained he was a farmer, while I confessed to being a journalist (an admission that can induce some diverse reactions these days).

Allen Cup Hockey eyes Listowel entry

Patrick Raftis May 23, 2024Listowel Banner, Sports

LISTOWEL – The operators of the Allan Cup Hockey league (ACH) are planning to expand the size of the four-team circuit and have targeted Listowel among the sites for potential new franchises.

Stop 23 Auto Sales continues committment to the Palmerston and District Hospital Foundation’s Starlight Gala

Patrick Raftis May 16, 2024Listowel Banner, Local News, News

Stop 23 Auto Sales made another $20,000 installment on the Listowel car dealership’s multi-year committment to contribute $100,000 to the Palmerston and District Hospital Foundation’s Starlight Gala, which raises funds for hospital equipment.

Ignoring a crisis won’t make it go away

Patrick Raftis May 16, 2024Columns, Editorials, Listowel Banner, Opinion, Walkerton Herald-Times, Wingham Advance Times

Ontarians will no doubt be thrilled to learn there is no shortage of physicians in the province.

Gutter politics

Patrick Raftis May 9, 2024Columns, Listowel Banner, Walkerton Herald-Times, Wingham Advance Times

Official Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre created quite a stir in the past couple of weeks with his pledge to use the notwithstanding clause to override any laws that don’t suit his worldview in a bizarre op-ed piece in which he trashed every form of business association going.

Well testing no place to cut

Patrick Raftis May 2, 2024Columns, Listowel Banner, Walkerton Herald-Times, Wingham Advance Times

Among the axioms we live by in the world of journalism is that stories, editorials and columns we expect to cause a stir, often don’t, while reports we deem innocuous can end up setting off a firestorm.

The Paper Bag Premier

Patrick Raftis April 25, 2024Columns, Listowel Banner, Walkerton Herald-Times, Wingham Advance Times

Just when you thought our provincial government couldn’t possibly have any more flops to flip, Premier Doug Ford and Co. have managed to announce a reversal of yet another major policy initiative.

Editor post latest stop on journalistic journey

Patrick Raftis April 18, 2024Columns, Listowel Banner

“So who is this guy?” you may be asking as you reach the opinion section of this week’s issue of your local newspaper?

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Select Your Region

Howick passes 2026 budget with 5.34% tax rate increase, plus 2% capital infrastructure levy

HOWICK - The council chambers here were more crammed than usual, as addi- tional chairs had to be brought in for mem- bers of the public in attendance for the township’s third draft budget presentation – which was passed at a tax rate increase of 5.34 per cent plus 2% capital infrastruc- ture levy.

North Perth continues to warm hearts with sixth-annual CNOY in Listowel

LISTOWEL – As the winter weather shows small signs of slowing, the break in colder weather brings…

See all Listowel area articles.

Sing! Show Chorus moving to Cargill Community Centre

WALKERTON - Byron Ballagh, Maria Ballagh and Steph Fortney, representing Sing! Show Chorus, appeared as a delegation at the Feb. 10 meeting of Brockton Council to request a rental rate reduction for Cargill Community Centre.

Council seeks to optimize use of sport courts

WALKERTON - The outdoor pickleball season isn’t that far away, and Brockton council wants to make sure users of the newly-refurbished tennis and pickleball courts in Walkerton are contributing what they should toward capital and operating costs.

See all Walkerton area articles.

Belgrave community hosts Family Day celebration

The Belgrave Community Centre was the place to be on Family Day with a family breakfast hosted by…

Howick Fire receives $16,800 grant

At its Jan. 27 regular meeting, council here approved entering into a transfer payment agreement with the Province of Ontario after successfully securing $16,800 through the Fire Protection Grant from the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office.

See all Wingham area articles.

Editorial

The horizon looms

It is a good news story that the Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB) trustees adopted their 2026 budget late last month, but it doesn’t line up with what is on the horizon. 

What do we do with all the dark?

Happy new year! Yup. You heard me. The family of Jesus’ followers around the world is celebrating…

World Diabetes Day: Myths, facts, why it matters

Every year on Nov. 14, people around the world recognize World Diabetes Day (WDD) – a day that honours Canadian scientist Sir Frederick Banting (on his birthday), who co-discovered insulin alongside Charles Best in 1922.

Columnists

Belgrave community hosts Family Day celebration

By Cory Bilyea

The Belgrave Community Centre was the place to be on Family Day with a family breakfast hosted by…

Howick Fire receives $16,800 grant

By Nicole Beswitherick

At its Jan. 27 regular meeting, council here approved entering into a transfer payment agreement with the Province of Ontario after successfully securing $16,800 through the Fire Protection Grant from the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office.

Howick secures pothole grant

By Nicole Beswitherick

After successfully securing $38,000 through the Ontario Pothole Prevention and Repair Program, council here has approved entering into a transfer payment agreement with His Majesty the King in right of Ontario as represented by the Minister of Transportation.

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