News
Alleged murder victim identified by OPP
Elgin County Ontario Provincial Police announced late Monday afternoon, Jan. 3, that the victim of a fatal shooting in Sparta on Saturday night, Jan. 1, was Christopher Robert Roy, 35, of London. Police, firefighters and paramedics responded to a report of a shooting on North Street in Sparta Jan. 1 at about 6:50 p.m. Mr.…
Read MoreNumber of local cases shoot up, but hospitalizations stable
Southwestern Public Health was reporting Monday, Jan. 3, that 1,337 new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Elgin, St. Thomas and Oxford since Christmas Eve, but the number requiring hospitalization seems to be remaining stable. On Monday, 12 local residents were hospitalized, seven for them in intensive care units, compared to 13 hospitalizations, five…
Read MoreNo in-person learning for at least two weeks, other new restrictions
Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Health Minister Christine Elliott, in a news conference on Monday morning, Jan. 3, announced that, given just how contagious the Omicron variant of COVID-19 was, schools would be shut down for at least two weeks in favour of remote learning, non-urgent procedures at all hospitals would be postponed, indoor sports…
Read MoreCentral Elgin man charged with second-degree murder
Devon Vandendriessche, 36, of Central Elgin has been charged with second-degree murder following a shooting on North Street in Sparta on Saturday, Jan. 1. He’s being held in custody until an appearance at the Elgin County courthouse in St. Thomas on Friday, Jan. 7. Constable Norm Kelso of Elgin Ontario Provincial Police, in a statement,…
Read MoreOutbreak at Elgin Manor-updated
Elgin County in a statement issued Friday, Dec. 31, reported that three residents and one staff member at Elgin Manor long-term care home in Southwold had tested positive for COVID-19. On Sunday, Jan. 2, the county reported that one resident and one staff member at Terrace Lodge long-term care home in Malahide and two staff…
Read MoreSTEGH puts more limits on visits
St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital, in a statement issued on Thursday, Dec. 30, announced it was tightening “essential visitor” rules on a temporary basis. The action was being taken given a surge in COVID-19 cases across Ontario, and reflected similar measures being taken by other hospitals, STEGH said. The following can still visit patient: up…
Read MoreReturn to school delayed until Jan. 5
Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore announced on Thursday, Dec. 30, that the expected return of children to schools on Monday, Jan. 3, was being delayed until Wednesday, Jan. 5, as a result of the rapid spread in COVID-19 cases involving the Omicron variant across the province. He also stated that testing…
Read MoreTighter restrictions on long-term care home visits
The Ontario government on Tuesday, Dec. 28, announced tighter restrictions on visits to long-term care homes in response to the contagion risk posed by the Omicron variant of COVID-19. The new rules, taking effect Thursday, Dec. 20, will “pause” general visits to long-term care homes, though “designated caregivers” can continue to enter homes. The changes…
Read MoreAylmer Police: sexual assault charged
Aylmer Police Deputy Chief Nick Novacich reported the following on Monday, Dec. 27: Sexual assault An Aylmer man, 48, has been charged with sexual assault causing bodily harm. An Aylmer woman, 50, reported to police Wednesday, Dec. 22, that she had been assaulted by her husband during the week of Dec. 11. Investigation determined the…
Read MoreWood stove was cause of fatal fire
The Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office has determined that a basement wood-burning stove was the source of a house fire on Nova Scotia Line in the early-morning hours of Monday, Dec. 20, that resulted in the death of Ken Jones. His wife Linda escaped the fire by climbing down a tree from a second-storey window. The…
Read More