News
Planning furor in Southwold
Over 200 Shedden and area residents attended a special Southwold council session on Monday, March 30, to protest a rezoning to allow development of up to 161 residential units on a 10-acre property at 9210 Union Road …but as Mayor Grant Jones admitted candidly, it was too late. Residents, some of whom threatened to toss…
Read MoreElderly fraud victims tell their story
After losing about $85,000 to identity theft in 2025, pensioners Joe and Sadie Smith, of St. Thomas, are nearly broke and struggling to keep their home. “I am so embarrassed,” said Mr. Smith, his voice cracking with emotion as he described the dreadful experience at a fraud prevention session hosted by Elgin-St. Thomas-London South MP Andrew…
Read MoreRepair of railway bridge near completion
Post Stanley Terminal Rail hopes to be back in business in May. The popular tourist attraction cancelled all operations effective Dec. 12, 2025 after the discovery of “serious erosion” under the south abutment of the historic railway bridge across Kettle Creek in Port Stanley. With about 25,000 riders a year now, PSTR has operated as…
Read MoreCouckuyt blasts social media
Aylmer Mayor Jack Couckuyt lashed out this week at social media users who sparked what Aylmer Police Chief Kyle Johnstone calls a “wild fire” of frightening online innuendo about gun violence. The community leaders were referring to social media chatter about a fake threat of gun violence at East Elgin Secondary School on March 2.…
Read MoreCentral Elgin calls for developers for former hospital lands
The second round of public engagement for plans to build over 3,500 homes for about 9,000 people on the former St. Thomas Psychiatric Hospital lands concluded on March 2 as Central Elgin council issued a request for proposal (RFP) seeking private sector development partners. CE council is now expected to approve the hospital lands official…
Read MoreShooting threat at EESS a hoax
A claim that surfaced online at 4 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, March 1, about students supposedly planning to shoot up East Elgin Secondary School the next day was investigated by Aylmer Police and found to be nothing but a fake. Still, the usually crowded parking on streets around the school was much lighter through Monday,…
Read MoreJohn Hueston, partner purchase Eganville Leader
Aylmer Express owner John Hueston and his partner Ray Stanton, owner of London Publishing Corp. have purchased The Eganville Leader from Gerald Tracey, its owner/publisher. Mr. Hueston said The Leader is one of the best and most successful newspapers in the country. From a population of about 1,500, they sell 5,000 newspapers a week. Mr.…
Read More“Mayor Joe” lauded by chamber members
Guests and members at the St. Thomas and District Chamber of Commerce’s annual Lunch With The Mayors bid a fond – albeit premature – farewell to Mayor Joe Preston, Wednesday, Feb. 11. at the Memorial Centre in St. Thomas. After eight years on the job, Mayor Preston announced Feb. 10 that he will not run for office in the October 2026 municipal election. About 220 Chamber of Commerce guests expressed their gratitude for Mayor…
Read MorePSTR faces $500,000 bridge repair bill
Post Stanley Terminal Rail (PSTR) has confirmed that its temporary suspension of all operations is due to the discovery of “serious erosion” under the south abutment of the historic railway bridge across Kettle Creek in Port Stanley. A preliminary estimate of the cost to repair the damaged bridge is $500,000, PSTR President Dan Vernackt said…
Read MoreWarm memories made building igloo
Abe Knelsen of St. Thomas and sons Lucas, 10, and Sam, 12, recently took advantage of frigid temperatures to build a creatively colourful igloo in their front yard. Abe, a realtor, said he and his wife Elissa have lived in their home for 13 years, with both sons growing up there. “I don’t think you…
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