All Syndicated

An area covering portions of Grey and Bruce counties has been ranked as one of Canada’s top growth areas in 2021.

An area called “Owen Sound-Port Elgin” is ranked ninth on U-Haul’s “Top 25 Canadian Growth Cities”, a list that is topped by North Bay.

The data is compiled from one-way U-Haul truck transactions that occur across the country.

The Bruce Grey Catholic District School Board is ready to welcome students back Monday.

Students from Kindergarten through grade 12 will be required to wear a mask.

Due to possible staff shortages because of the virus, families are being told there may be the possibility of school closures when the board cannot staff the schools adequately to ensure the safety of our students and staff.

A letter from the Director of Education Gary O’Donnell reminds parents about some of the guidelines.

Residents near the London area can expect significant snowfall by Monday.

Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for Oxford County, as well as Eastern Elgin County.

The weather agency says about 15 cm of snow is expected to fall by Monday night, with snow becoming heavy at times.

“Some uncertainty remains in exact amounts, as this region lies on the western edge of the area expected to receive snow,” the statement read.

Environment Canada has put an extreme cold warning into effect for London-Middlesex and Oxford counties.

With the wind chill, temperatures are expected to fall to nearly minus 30 on Saturday night.

The weather agency advised that people dress in warm layers, with the outermost layer being wind resistant.

“Watch for cold-related symptoms,” the agency said in a statement.

Things like shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness, and colour change in fingers and toes are effects of extreme cold weather.

The Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are investigating a snowmobile crash southwest of Wroxeter which resulted in serious injuries.

Huron County OPP, alongside fire and paramedic services, responded to the intersection of Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) Trail B108 and C Line Road at approximately 12:30 a.m. on Saturday.

“The cause of the crash remains under investigation however alcohol and speed are believed to be factors in this collision,” police said in a statement.

Environment Canada has issued an extreme cold warning for Grey-Bruce and northern Huron-Perth counties.

With the wind chill, temperatures are expected to be near minus 30 on Saturday night.

The agency warned of cold-related symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness, and colour change in fingers and toes.

“Extreme cold puts everyone at risk,” the weather agency said in a statement. “If it’s too cold for you to stay outside, it’s too cold for your pet to stay outside.”

A viral internet challenge in honour of the late legendary actress Betty White has sparked an increase in donations to the Humane Society London and Middlesex.

The animal shelter is benefitting from the so-called #BettyWhiteChallenge, which asks people to donate $5 or more to a local animal shelter, rescue operation, or animal welfare organization in memory of the Golden Girls star.

Ontario may need to hire tens of thousands of nurses to address staffing shortages.

The President of the Ontario Nurses Association said the province now needs 22,000 new nurses to make up for the thousands leaving the profession.

Cathryn Hoy said funding freezes during the last Liberal government forced the layoff of 1,600 nurses, and the pandemic is the final straw for thousands more.

She called it a catastrophe.

Most students at Western University will return to in-person learning at the end of January, but it will be another month before the same can be said of first-year students.

Western University announced Friday that first-year students will return to class on February 28, four weeks after second, third, and fourth year students return to in-person learning.

It also announced that a return to residence is not yet in the cards for students.

A vehicle fire in Tiverton has been deemed suspicious in nature.  Tiverton and Kincardine Fire Stations as well as the South Bruce OPP responded to the incident early Friday morning.  Upon arrival, the crews saw that it was a vehicle fire with nearby exposure risk. The Tesla vehicle, valued at $60,000 was destroyed in the fire. No injuries were reported. Preliminary investigation has indicated that aspects of the incident and scene are suspicious in nature. The OPP has taken over the scene for further investigation.

The Bruce Grey Catholic District School Board is ready to welcome students back Monday. Students from Kindergarten through grade 12 will be required to wear a mask.

The virus could cause staff shortages, so families are being told there may be the possibility of school closures when the board cannot staff the schools adequately to ensure the safety of students and staff.

A letter from the Director of Education Gary O’Donnell reminds parents about some of the guidelines.

With arctic air hanging over the region, the Middlesex London Health Unit has issued a Cold Weather Alert.

The health unit issued the alert on Friday afternoon, as Environment Canada predicts the temperature will fall to -17C on Friday night. The forecast calls for a daytime high of -12C on Saturday and an overnight low of -18C.