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Saturday, June 6, 2026
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Patrick Raftis

Editor

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?

Performing arts symposium to be held in Minto, May 23-26

Patrick Raftis March 28, 2024Listowel Banner, News

Registration is now open for a province-wide performing arts symposium to be held in the Town of Minto in May. 

Proposal to end free water testing for private wells raises alarm bells

Patrick Raftis March 28, 2024Listowel Banner, News, Walkerton Herald-Times, Wingham Advance Times

A regional source water protection committee is sounding the alarm about a proposal to end free water testing for private wells in Ontario.

Site plan agreement paves way for Royal Terrace addition

Patrick Raftis August 16, 2023Independent Plus, Listowel Banner, Local News, News

Town of Minto council has approved a site plan control agreement for a 99-bed addition to long-term care (LTC) facilities at the Royal Terrace in Palmerston.

Drayton Kinsmen Farm show returns, April 12-13

Patrick Raftis March 9, 2023Independent Plus, Listowel Banner, Rural

Rural Ontario’s agribusiness showcase is back. The Drayton Kinsmen Farm show will return for its 39th edition this spring after three years of pandemic-related cancellations.

Howick CBO recovering after ‘freak accident’

Patrick Raftis March 1, 2023Independent Plus, Listowel Banner, Local News, News, Wingham Advance Times

A local man has a new hero, his granddaughter, who got him safely to the hospital after a softball-sized rock slammed through the windshield of his vehicle and shattered his face as he was driving on the 8th Line near his rural home on Feb. 13.

Lobb holds onto critic post; Nater replaced in shadow cabinet

Patrick Raftis October 13, 2022Listowel Banner, News, Walkerton Herald-Times, Wingham Advance Times

One of the region’s two Members of Parliament has retained his position in Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s new shadow cabinet, while the other has been replaced.

Minto council supports severance proposal to split residential, agricultural land parcel

Patrick Raftis August 24, 2022Independent Plus, Listowel Banner, Local News, News

Council here is recommending approval of a severance that would divide a parcel of land that straddles the border of Wellington and Perth counties at the south end of Palmerston.

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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.

15th annual North Perth Character Run ‘successful’ says organizers

LISTOWEL - The North Perth Community of Character held its 15th annual Character Run on May 28 at the Steve Kerr Memorial Complex.

Elma Township Public School hosts annual fun fair – including educator inflatable race

Elma Township Public School’s annual fun fair on May 29 featured a ton of games and attractions…

See all Listowel area articles.

April unemployment rate decreases to 5.2 per cent

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

South Bruce council moves ahead with drain improvements, paving contract and infrastructure upgrades

TEESWATER - South Bruce council is advancing a series of infrastructure projects, including major improvements to a municipal drain, following reports presented on May 26 by the municipality’s operations department.

See all Mildmay area articles.

Picture of the Past

From June 7, 1989: Keith Waldie (standing) and Jack Tait were honored at the Walkerton Rotary Club’s 50th anniversary dinner held on Saturday, June 17 at the Community Centre.

Smile Cookie campaign at Walkerton Tim Horton’s raises most funds in region

WALKERTON - This year’s Tim Horton’s Smile Cookie campaign raised $24,131 in Walkerton.

See all Walkerton area articles.

Huron-Perth District Women’s Institute district meeting featured Blyth Festival Theatre keynote speaker

Guest speaker Rachael King, general manager of Blyth Festival Theatre, gave attendees a behind-the-scenes look into the expansive world of rural theatre which produces art that often travels to the international stage.

Lack of healthcare provider knowledge a barrier to care for 2SLGBTQIA+ residents of Perth, Huron Counties

Unlike doctors, there is no shortage of headlines of rural healthcare as of late. Besides the urgent need for healthcare professionals locally, provincially and nationally, studies are looking deeper into specifics.

See all Wingham area articles.

Editorial

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.

Do they really not make things like they used to?

Just so nobody gets the idea that I’m some kind of curmudgeon in a dark room hunched over my…

This is what you get when you vote for a party instead of a person

Sarnia-Lambton-Bkejwanong MP Marilyn Gladu could be facing a (likely doomed to fail) legal challenge from the very people she represents.

Columnists

15th annual North Perth Character Run ‘successful’ says organizers

By Submitted

LISTOWEL - The North Perth Community of Character held its 15th annual Character Run on May 28 at the Steve Kerr Memorial Complex.

Picture of the Past

By Submitted

From June 7, 1989: Keith Waldie (standing) and Jack Tait were honored at the Walkerton Rotary Club’s 50th anniversary dinner held on Saturday, June 17 at the Community Centre.

Huron-Perth District Women’s Institute district meeting featured Blyth Festival Theatre keynote speaker

By Rachel Hammermueller

Guest speaker Rachael King, general manager of Blyth Festival Theatre, gave attendees a behind-the-scenes look into the expansive world of rural theatre which produces art that often travels to the international stage.

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