Posts by Rob Perry
“St. Thomas Sally” predicts six more weeks of winter
After consulting with St. Thomas Sally, the mural groundhog, Mayor Joe Preston announced Monday, Feb. 2, that there would be six more weeks of winter. The third annual Groundhog Day ceremony attracted a dozen spectators for the 7:30 a.m. prognostication. It was held at Westlake Evan Park beside the St. Thomas Library. (AE/contributed by Brian Wilsdon)
Read MoreKeeping the rink smooth at Belmont Community Park
Belmont Community Pond was resurfaced and reopened Jan. 25 after the recent thaw jeopardized the season with bumps and ridges. A small crew braved -15 C weather to ready the ice surface, including Belmont Community Park Trustees Committee Chair Bruce Shackelton, left, Central Elgin Councillor Dave Baughman and his son Nathan Baughman, as well as…
Read MoreCentre Street houses torn down
A demolition crew made quick work of tearing down a historic house at 50 Centre St. in Aylmer on Monday, Jan. 26. A more modern house north of it was also demolished. The property belongs to Cherry Street, which plans to relace the home with nonprofit housing. Some neighbours objected to the demolition, citing the…
Read MoreMillions in municipal water, sewage funding
Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP Rob Flack on Thursday, January 22, announced huge investments in funding, over $61-million across Elgin County, for municipal water and sewage improvement projects. Aylmer will receive $7.2-million toward installation of headworks and a “fixed bed biological media system” for the town sewage lagoon in Malahide. And Malahide, which administers the Port Burwell Secondary…
Read MoreSix hurt in crash north of Aylmer
Six people, including three pedestrians, were injured after a serious collision on Imperial Road in the Township of Malahide. Elgin Ontario Provincial Police Const. Jeff Beaumaster reported that on Thursday, January 22, at 1:18 a.m., OPP officers, along with Malahide Fire and Elgin paramedics, responded to a three-vehicle collision involving a minivan and two sedans…
Read MoreThree teens charged in Aylmer shooting
Aylmer Police have charged three teen boys in connection with a shot fired into a home in town on Tuesday, Jan. 20, just after 3 p.m. Police were called to a house after a resident believed a projectile had struck a window. An investigation quickly determined that a bullet fired from outside had struck a…
Read MoreSetting up a throw
Peyton Thiessen of East Elgin Secondary School set up for an arm throw on her opponent during a wrestling meet at EESS on Wednesday, Jan. 14. She placed first in her group of four wrestlers. More pictures are in the Jan. 21 edition of The Aylmer Express. (AE/Rob Perry)
Read MoreMalahide counter-offers at 10 percent CCCA levy increase
Malahide council members on Thursday, Jan. 15, decided to offer Catfish Creek Conservation Authority a 10 percent increase in its annual levy on the township, not the 20 percent CCCA had sought. The original allocation in the proposed 2026 Malahide budget had been just 2.4 percent. Mayor Dominique Giguère said after the budget and CCCA’s…
Read MoreCleaning up after a heavy snowfall
While clearing snow from laneways in Aylmer, James flashes a begloved shaka (the Hawaiian “hang loose” greeting) from a riding snowblower last week, adding a warm gesture on a cold day. A significant snowfall kept snow removal crews, push blowers and especially shovellers busy across the community. (AE/Contributed by Shirley Goddeeris)
Read MoreSt. Thomas welcomes 2026
The first annual New Year’s levée hosted by St. Thomas Mayor Joe Preston was held at the Horton Street Winter Market on Saturday morning, January 10. among the city councillors attending were Joan Rymal, left, Jim Herbert and Gary Clarke. (AE/Rob Perry)
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