NEWS

Local news in and around Aylmer and Elgin County

Record turnout for Big Balls Dice Run

July 6, 2015 | 4 Comments

An estimated 2,200 participants on 1,500 motorcycles started the 25th annual Big Balls Dice Run from Springwater Conservation Area to Port Burwell and back, Saturday, July 4. This year’s event attracted a record number, which organizer Doug Lounsbury attributed to great weather and a great cause. In the last nine years, not including this one,…

Dumpster fire put out at Innovation Centre

July 3, 2015 | 0 Comments

Elgin Innovation Centre Property Manager Eric Bartlett, seen in the middle of this photo by the back of the fire truck, put out a dumpster fire in the north end of the building with an extinguisher before the Aylmer Fire Department could arrive on the scene at about 9 a.m. on Friday, July 3. The…

Canada Day capped off with fireworks

July 2, 2015 | 0 Comments

The Aylmer and Malahide Canada Day celebration at East Elgin Community Complex ended with a spectacular fireworks display at dusk on Wednesday, July 1. Hundreds of local residents and visitors attended the annual fireworks display that was preceded by children’s activities both inside and outside the Complex, live music entertainment by several local artists, food…

Bravery medal for Ben Wiebe

July 1, 2015 | 0 Comments

Leading Seaman Ben Wiebe of Aylmer, left, a military police officer at Canadian Forces Base Kingston, received a Medal of Bravery from Governor General David Johnston at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Friday, June 26. He was hailed for his part in helping save a disturbed man who had doused himself in gasoline and was threatening…

Hundreds parade in Belmont

July 1, 2015 | 0 Comments

Children on decorated bicycles and their parents paraded from the Belmont fire station to Don Yeck Park in an annual procession on Canada Day, Wednesday, July 1. This year, Belmont HUB combined the events from its annual summer fun day with Canada Day at the park. Celebrations were to culminate in fireworks at dusk.

Lighthouse stars in Port Burwell Canada Day celebration

July 1, 2015 | 0 Comments

Marking the 175th anniversary of the Port Burwell lighthouse was a big part of the Canada Day festivities in the lakeside village on Wednesday, July 1. The structure is the oldest wooden lighthouse on the north shore of Lake Erie. The annual Canada Day parade in Port Burwell made a special stop in front of…

MCS Auction attracts a crowd despite the rain

June 27, 2015 | 0 Comments

Volunteers Olivia Braun, 12, left, and Lynn Froese, 10, both of Aylmer, handed out balloons to other children during the 15th annual Aylmer Charity Auction in support of Mennonite Community Services at the Aylmer Curling Club on Saturday, June 27. In addition to the auction, which attracted dozens of prospective buyers for all sorts of…

Death north of Belmont ruled a homicide

June 27, 2015 | 0 Comments

The Ontario Provincial Police are now investigating a homicide after the results of an autopsy were received on the body of Robert St. Denis, 51, who was discovered dead in his Westminster Drive home northwest of Belmont on Thursday, June 25. An OPP spokesman updated that the case had become a homicide investigation via a…

Flooding possible with heavy rain expected

June 26, 2015 | 0 Comments

Catfish Creek Conservation Authority issued a “flood outlook watershed conditions statement” on Friday afternoon, June 26 advising there was a “potential” for flooding in low-lying areas due to expected heavy rains over the next several days. CCCA Water Management Technician Peter Dragunas issued the flood outlook statement at 1:45 p.m. All of southern Ontario was…

Fire destroys home on Warren St.

June 26, 2015 | 0 Comments

A fire destroyed a home on Warren Street in Aylmer on the late morning of Friday, June 26. While no details were immediately available from the Aylmer Fire Department, Roy Robinson, a next door neighbour, said he was mowing his back yard at about 11 a.m. when he saw smoke come out of the back…

Grain bin rescue training

June 26, 2015 | 0 Comments

Sparks flew as Central Elgin firefighter Tim Kaplanis, left, aided by District Chief Murray DeCorte, cut into the side of a grain bin slated for replacement on a farm just east of Springfield during a confined spaces training exercise organized by Malahide Fire Service, Lyons station, Thursday night, June 25. Here, they’re practising gaining access to…

Old Aylmer High School photo comes home

June 25, 2015 | 0 Comments

East Elgin Secondary School history teacher Dan Reid, left, showed Teresa Johnston, 90, of Chatham where his aunt Ruth Reid was in a entire student body photo of the old Aylmer High School from the class of 1938-39 when Mrs. Johnston and her daughter Linda Henderson, right, visited Aylmer on Thursday morning, June 25. Mrs.…