News Headlines

A much-delayed new public elementary school to be built in Belmont will see its expected capacity grow to 507 pupils from the previously approved 354, Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP Rob Flack announced on Friday, March 31. He said the provincial government had approved an expansion of the previous plan, as well as additional funding of $3.4-million, bringing…

A fire in a house under construction on Aspen Parkway, in a subdivision north of Dingle Street, in the early-morning hours of Friday, March 24, has been deemed suspicious in origin by Aylmer Police. No one was residing in the home yet, police said in a statement. An investigation has started. Police believe that one…

Firefighters from Aylmer, Malahide, Central Elgin and St. Thomas fought a stubborn fire involving at least two to three buildings on the south side of Talbot Street between John and King streets on Monday night, March 20. Residents of the buildings were safely evacuated and temporary housing found for them. Look for more details and…

A wagonload of participants in the annual Maple Syrup Festival got a guided tour from “Ranger Em” Febrey of the forest at Springwater Conservation Area in beautiful, sunny weather on Saturday, March  11. The festival was reportedly busy, with tours of the sugar shanty where maple syrup is made, snowshoeing and a pancake house. The…

Teacher Duncan Sinclair, who founded the Environmental Leadership Program at East Elgin Secondary School in 2000, received the 2023 Conservation Award from Catfish Creek Conservation Authority at its annual general meeting at East Elgin Community Complex on Monday, Feb. 27. Mr. Sinclair, in turn, lauded CCCA for its cooperation with and support of ELP since…

Tundra swans have returned in flocks to a protected rest stop at the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area, northeast of town by the Ontario Police College, as they migrate to their Arctic nesting grounds. This picture was taken on Thursday, March 2, after 5 p.m., as dusk approached. (AE/Rob Perry)

Herbert Hildebrandt of Malahide was sentenced Thursday afternoon, Feb. 23, by Justice Mark Poland to two years of probation and 100 hours of community service for the December 2020 assault of Malahide resident Jack Dykxhoorn. Mr. Hildebrandt was also fined $1,000 plus a victim surcharge of $300. Mr. Hildebrandt, 37 at the time of the…

Aylmer-Malahide Museum and Archives representatives Dan Reid, left, Betty Segui, Sarah Bentley dressed in period garb, Aylmer Councillor Arthur Oslach, railway enthusiast David Harding, Elgin County Warden and Bayham Mayor Ed Ketchabaw, museum volunteer Ron Sawyer and Malahide Cr. Sarah Leitch listened as Elgin County Town Crier Dave Phillips read a proclamation about the event…

Well over 200 local residents took part in a free public skate sponsored by the South Dorchester Optimist Club at East Elgin Community Complex on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 19. Turnout for similar events in recent months has also been heavy, the Complex reports. (AE/Rob Perry)