NEWS

Local news in and around Aylmer and Elgin County

CE council tosses complaints against mayor in 4-2 vote

September 13, 2023 | 0 Comments

In a decision that might be unprecedented in Ontario municipal Integrity Commissioner (IC) adjudications, Central Elgin council on Monday, Sept. 11, rejected a Code of Conduct report and so thwarted an independent investigator’s findings of code violations by Mayor Andrew Sloan. Council also decided at its September 11 meeting to to accept a separate but…

Express launches annual Thanksgiving food drive

September 13, 2023 | 0 Comments

Next week, readers will find a donation bag inside this newspaper for The Aylmer Express’s 34th annual Thanksgiving Food Drive for Corner Cupboard food bank in Aylmer and St. Thomas Caring Cupboard food bank. “Demand is up for sure,” said Penny Hilliker, manager of the Aylmer food bank, which is part of the East Elgin…

Remains of London swimmer found in Lake Erie

September 7, 2023 | 0 Comments

Elgin Ontario Provincial Police Constable Brett Phair reported Thursday, Sept. 7, that the remains of a missing London resident last seen taking a swim from a boat near Port Stanley had been found in Lake Erie. The body was about 6.5 kilometres east of where he had gone into the water. Police, firefighters, the Canadian…

Retired doctor recalls career, speaks out on state of medical care

September 6, 2023 | 0 Comments

Dr. Mike Toth, an East Elgin native who’s practised since 1988 in Aylmer, retired earlier this year, but still has a great deal to say on the state of medicine in this area and across the province. He’s a former president of the Ontario Medical Association. He recalled fondly the great support he received from…

Search on for missing swimmer

September 1, 2023 | 0 Comments

Elgin Ontario Provincial Police, Central Elgin Fire and Rescue and the Canadian Coast Guard are searching for a swimmer reported missing from a 25-foot sailboat in the waters of Lake Erie, near Port Stanley. Const. Brett Phair of Elgin OPP said a London resident, 64, had gone swimming from the boat at 3:48 p.m. on…

Boat abandoned in Port Stanley

August 31, 2023 | 0 Comments

Elgin Ontario Provincial Police officers are trying to determine why a sailboat was abandoned docked to a pier in the Port Stanley. Const. Brett Phair said police received a report Wednesday, Aug. 30, that a boat had been docked alongside the pier on the west side of the harbour on Friday, Aug. 25, at about…

Over 300 riders turn out for 3 Port Tour

August 23, 2023 | 0 Comments

The over 300 riders who participated in the 11th 3 Port Tour on Saturday, Aug. 19, enjoyed “a perfect day for riding,” Aylmer Bicycling Club President Brett Hueston said afterward. The day before the bicycle ride, covering routes of 50-, 100- and 160-kilometres, had been very windy, the day after was much warmer and humid.…

Pride flag theft caught on camera

August 21, 2023 | 0 Comments

A man was recorded on a security video stealing a Pride flag from a house on Beech Street West in Aylmer on Sunday, Aug. 20, at about 3:23 a.m. (see picture). The man got out of the passenger side of a dark-colours four-door vehicle and ripped down the flag from the front of the house…

“Magic mushroom” shop searched, charge laid

August 18, 2023 | 0 Comments

St. Thomas Police have charged a London resident, 39, with possession of a narcotic for the purpose of trafficking after a store recently opened at 309 Talbot St. allegedly selling psilocybin, more commonly known as psychedelic “magic mushrooms.” In a news release Friday, Aug. 18, St. Thomas Police stated they had acted swiftly after hearing…

St. Thomas a magnet for encampments

August 2, 2023 | 0 Comments

Local community leaders continue to grapple with a host of social issues raised – at least in part – by the migration of Ontario’s homeless population from Toronto to rural centres like Elgin County and St. Thomas. The issue came to a head locally on July 18, when St. Thomas officials dismantled a Victor Drive…

County okays more public health funding

August 2, 2023 | 0 Comments

Elgin councillors at a meeting Tuesday, July 25, voted 6-3 to approve an additional $15,313 a month in funding to Southwestern Public Health for the rest of this year, though that additional support is contingent on St. Thomas and Oxford County approving extra money as well. However, as County Solicitor Nick Loeb pointed out, the…

Stolen golf carts found

August 2, 2023 | 0 Comments

Elgin Ontario Provincial Police Constable Brett Phair reported Wednesday morning, Aug. 2, that 13 gas-powered golf carts stolen from the Belmont Golf Club in the early-morning hours of Tuesday, Aug. 1, had been found stashed in a corn field not far from the course at 45809 Ferguson Line. The carts had an estimated value of…