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Volunteers at McGregor Public School in Aylmer handed out slices of free pizza during a teacher open house and Terry Fox Family Walk that traditionally opens the new school year there, Wednesday night, Sept. 13. Similar events were being held this week at public, Catholic and private schools across the area.

Thames Valley District School Board trustees put paid to any idea they might change their minds about closing Springfield, Sparta and New Sarum public schools at a special meeting on Tuesday night, Aug. 29 in London. They voted unanimously to approve a priority list for capital projects proposed for Ontario Ministry of Education funding that…

Bayham Mayor Paul Ens sent a seed flying through the air as he and other local dignitaries helped open the 10th annual Watermelon Fest in Straffordville on Saturday morning, Aug. 26. Bayham Wayne Casier was the winner of the seed spitting contest with a 26-foot effort. Events continue through the afternoon and evening.

Thames Valley District School Board Chairman Matt Reid appears to have taken it onto himself to dismiss appeals from Elgin County and Central Elgin for reconsideration of the ordered closings of New Sarum, Sparta and Springfield public schools. The agenda for Central Elgin council’s meeting on Monday afternoon, Aug. 28, includes a reply from Trustee…

Duff’s Garage in Aylmer is holding its 10th annual Car Show and Open House tonight, Wednesday, Aug. 16. Attractions include a variety of vintage and muscle cars, a pig roast and live music from Uncertain Children and Nite Train. Proceeds from the event will be given to the Aylmer Shrine Club and the Salvation Army…

Runners 3 through 8 years old competed in a “water race” during special competitions for children at Aylmer Fair on Friday afternoon, Aug. 11. The goal was to get to the finish as quickly as possible while spilling as little as possible. The fair continues through Sunday.

Khanan Hernandez, left, Sammy Bartch, Reid Unger and Hollis Fehr drew out patterns that could be used for temporary “henna” tattoos during a workshop that was part of Springfield library’s Summer Reading Club meeting on Thursday morning, Aug. 3. The theme for this year’s club is “Canada 150,” and members of the St. Thomas Elgin…

The Siemens wind blade manufacturing plant in Tillsonburg will close by early 2018 with all 340 workers eventually losing their jobs. As of Tuesday morning, July 18, 206 workers were immediately let go with severance packages. They found out about the closure during a meeting held the same morning at the Tillsonburg Community Centre. The…

Hundreds of motorcycles waited to be judged in a “show and shine” that was part of the 12th annual Rotten Road Ride organized by DG Custom Cycles of Malahide, this year for the first time held at the St. Thomas Raceway Park in Sparta, Saturday, July 15. The event involved 375 participants, this year including…

Alexa Shackelton, 10, left, Christopher Blakely, 11, Mark Kloosterman, 11, Chris Damen, 10,  and Lucas Underhill, 7, painted canoe paddles to their individual tastes during the first meeting of this year’s summer reading club at Springfield library, Thursday, July 6. The theme for 2017 is Canada 150. The club meets Thursday mornings starting at 10:30…