HUNTSVILLE, ON - Around 150 residents attended the first major meet the candidates night of the current federal election in Parry Sound-Muskoka.

It was a chance for voters to hear from Conservative Scott Aitchison, Liberal Trisha Cowie, the Green Party’s Gord Miller and Tom Young of the NDP.

Questions were posed from local media partners and taken from the floor.

Following opening remarks a number of areas were delved into.

Two topics seemed to be top of mind among both candidates and onlookers; climate change and attainable housing.

Climate Change Platform

Scott Aitchison: The conservatives have a fairly lengthy plan. It focuses on technology and on taxes incentivizing Canadians to reduce their footprint and taking the challenge global because of course this is a global issue.

In terms of the flooding specifically I was involved with it very directly this past spring. The provincial government has listened to the municipalities to raise the alarm bells to say we need to do something a little bit different than what we are doing now because climate change has in fact changed the way the weather patterns are.

And so we need to look at how we manage the water system in Muskoka. And the province has listened to us. And as a federal member of parliament I would say I would be actively engaged in that collaborative process to make sure the tools are put in place and adjustments made to the water management plan that actually do make a difference and protect people’s homes and businesses.

Tom Young: This is a global issue. It is affecting everybody around the world and of course right here in Parry Sound-Muskoka. The flooding and of course the droughts in summer time and the forest fires, which I never saw as a kid here. 

First and foremost thing we would do is act immediately and stop talking about it over many, many years. Start acting, we have to. We would stop subsidizing the big oil companies, giving them billions of dollars. 

Because if you are serious about climate change then you have to look to see where the issue is coming from so that is a really good start for that one and then move on from there. We would reduce emissions by 38.4 per cent by 2030. 

You’ve got to act right away. And we would create 300,000 new jobs by doing so. Many clean energy jobs.

Gord Miller: Of course we have a long, comprehensive job to address the climate issue. Of course we would put a price on carbon, we would eliminate fossil fuel subsidies as Mr. Young has indicated. We would ban fracking, and we would move transportation back onto the rails as much as possible. We need a working rail system in this country. We can get off the internal combustion engine eventually and get into electric transportation, electric cars. A number of other issues for a comprehensive plan.

Trisha Cowie: So the floods from this spring were caused by a number of… you can’t put it on one thing. Climate change, the questions, it comes down to infrastructure, the ability to handle it, the provincial water management program.  It’s not just a one size fits all solution. There are a lot of issues we have to tackle at the same time.

In terms of climate change a price on pollution is the best way that we can lower our emissions. We have to keep that price on pollution. We can’t afford to take that one step on pollution and take ten steps back. We have to be able to mitigate risk for the future. It terms of what we are doing for people to help deal with situations like in a flood I know there is new interest free loans to help with retrofitting your house. I think that’s really important we need to be able to upgrade our homes so we can respond appropriately when it happens. 

[caption id="attachment_15008" align="alignleft" width="1024"] It was a well attended debate evening at the Algonquin Theatre with around 150 residents showing up watch the proceedings. (Doug Crosse - MyMuskokaNow.com)[/caption]

Housing

Scott Aitchison: Programs in the past have worked really well. In our context here in Muskoka the District of Muskoka is the authority responsible for housing and housing projects. One of the greatest programs ever was the capital subsidy. It was funded and marketed from the province and the federal government. It made up to $70,000, depending on the builders, available to make the cost of constructing affordable units more viable here in our community. It’s expensive to build here. That’s one of the programs I think is an effective way to stimulate the private sector to build stuff and the government doesn’t have to own it forever. But it stimulates the private sector to get more units built and it’s a great investment of those dollars and I would fight to get those dollars back.

Tom Young: Well it is important here. The talking has got to stop and the action has got to start. And that’s what our government has to do and that’s what we’ll do. We’ve committed to investing in 500,000 quality, affordable homes across Canada. And if I was in Ottawa I would guarantee Ottawa would know all about Parry Sound-Muskoka and the need here. I’d be very loud about it to make sure we got our fair share of that. In fact Jagmeet (Singh - party leader) just announced today for rental units we will give immediate assistance up to 500,000 families of $5,000 per person to help them pay their rent. 

Gord Miller: Affordable housing is really ultimately written by the amount of money the federal government is willing to put up to support it. Scott’s right, there are a number of programs that were proven and they got funded. We’ve got a plan for $1.5 million of support. But there are other approaches. Like having a federal minister of housing to coordinate between the provinces and the municipalities and get the federal government more involved in the role of housing. Also to create a Canada cooperative housing strategy. Co-op housing is a successful model the feds funded some twenty years ago and we think it needs to be redone, modernized and re-funded. 

Trisha Cowie: So I am very proud to tell you this evening that we have a national housing strategy. The government did implement this in 2017 and it came with an envelope of $40 billion and that has extended to $55 billion. In this riding alone we have already seen over $10 million invested into affordable and accessible housing. That’s really important. There’s a big envelope there already but you need somebody to fight for it and I am hoping that person will be me. It’s also really important to understand is which of these parties, if any of them may cut that funding. We can’t afford to cut that funding. We have a crisis in Parry Sound. We have a crisis in Muskoka. We need this investment to alleviate the hard times that people are going through in trying to find housing and maintain housing. 

Next Debate

The next candidates debate is being held Monday night, October 1st,  at the Gravenhurst Opera House.  Doors open at 5:30pm with the debate taking place between 6:00pm and 8:30pm. Attendees are encouraged to stay and meet with the candidates until 9:00pm

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HUNTSVILLE, ON - As a hopeless feeling descends upon you when leaves rain down from the trees into your yard an organization dedicated to birds may be letting you off the hook.

In an online posting the Audubon Society is telling fans of birds in North American to perhaps not clean up the yard this fall and leave vegetation and dead plant cover to offer up food sources and shelter for birds suffering through the hard winter season.

Leave the rake in the garage says the Audubon Society. 

“Messy is definitely good to provide food and shelter for birds during the cold winter months,” says Tod Winston, Audubon’s Plants for Birds program manager.

“Those leaves are important because they rot and enrich the soil, and also provide places for bugs and birds to forage for food,” Winston says.

According to Winston leaving leaves on the ground provides a good habitat for a variety of critters such as salamanders, snails, worms, and toads.

 “If you’re digging in the garden and come upon these squirmy little coppery-brown dudes, and you don’t know what they are—those are moth pupae,” Winston says.

Shrubs also provide good cover and planting them in the fall is a good time. Also creating a brush pile lends itself to birds finding a warm place to stay. 

“American tree sparrows, black-capped chickadees, and other winter birds will appreciate the protection from the elements,” the Audubon article states. “Rabbits, snakes, and other wildlife also will take refuge there.”

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HUNTSVILLE, ON - Following a story about federal Liberal candidate Trisha Cowie having her campaign signs vandalized and stolen, a similar story is emerging from NDP candidate Tom Young.

[caption id="attachment_14965" align="alignleft" width="225"] Some vandals have put a good-natured reference to Tom Young's alter-ego - Terrible Tom - from is work at Santa's Village each summer. (Tom Young photo)[/caption]

Following a meet and greet session held by the Huntsville Rotary Club at the Legion, Young and his manager James Moffatt revealed to MyMuskokaNow.com that nearly 100 signs have gone missing since the start of the campaign.

“These aren’t just signs that are being kicked over,” offered Moffatt. “They are being pulled out of the ground and taken.”

Young said he knows signs aren’t going to win or lose an election but he objects to the cost of them being lost and the sweat equity of the volunteers who installed them.

“It’s going to happen a little bit in any election but these are bigger numbers of signs,” he said.

Young has also had some signs vandalized but in a cheeky reference to a character he plays at Santa’s Village each summer. Wags have put the word ‘Terrible’ above his name, for he is known as ‘Terrible Tom’ a boat captain at the popular kid’s theme park.

“I don’t mind that one,” he says with a laugh.

Moffatt said the majority of the signs have been taken from roadside, public locations and intersections. He points out the campaign has been very meticulous in its placement of signs do to the variety of stringent rules that change based on a road being municipal or district jurisdiction.

The campaign estimates the total cost to be above $400 at this point.

Cowie had a number of signs vandalized in Gravenhurst, with a sharpie being used to give her image a blackface in a veiled reference to problems liberal leader and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is going through in the campaign. The PM was exposed for three different pictures of a younger Trudeau wearing black or brown face with costumes in his twenties.

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BRACEBRIDGE, ON - Vandalism of a campaign sign has been reported in the riding of Parry Sound-Muskoka.

Liberal Trisha Cowie confirmed she had had at least one sign defaced and has lost others to theft in the early days of the current campaign.

A photo on social media shows one of her signs, which features her face, crudely coloured in, possibly making reference to the current scandal being faced by party leader and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The Cowie campaign confirmed there had been an incident, and according to online reports they occurred at several locations in the Gravenhurst area.

She is not letting the incident become a focal point of her campaign and Trudeau’s actions, which she has publicly condemned are not being brought up to her at the door.

“I think it is really important not to get distracted from what is most important for people in Parry Sound-Muskoka,” she said. “We have a lot of really important issues that we have to discuss and that’s going to be my focus.

"That’s my primary concern and at the end of the day the majority of the people I am seeking to represent, we’re good people, we’re kind people, neighbourly and this doesn’t speak to the community.”

Cowie said signs are not a big line item for her 2019 campaign, as these are signs she used in her 2015 electoral run. She jokes this might be the end of the line for this current edition.

“We have no intention on spending any more money in that department,” she revealed. “I don’t know that they will last for the future, as I am getting older.”

Police remind residents that tampering with a campaign sign is a criminal offence.

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BRACEBRIDGE, ON - As a compliance order is set to expire on the monitoring of a private communal sewage treatment system, conversation about next steps is taking place.

A sewage treatment plant that serves the JW Marriott Resort in Minett experienced a spill over the Canada Day weekend that resulted in an order to follow strict monitoring guidelines.

The District Municipality of Muskoka (District) and the Township of Muskoka Lakes (TML) continue to monitor and facilitate information sharing in regards to a private communal sewage treatment system, following a provincial order that was issued by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) in July.

District staff were advised that the MECP is satisfied that the order is being complied with. Furthermore, staff were advised that officials from the JW Marriott expressed commitment to addressing the concern.

The monitoring order expires on September 30th.

A spokesperson with the resort, Michael DiCienzo of the JW Marriott said the order was of extreme importance to the company.

“The JW Marriott is cooperating 100% with the MECP and ownership takes this matter very seriously,” said DiCienzo. “We cannot stress enough that we care about the safe operation of the Sewage Treatment Plant, the guests and staff at the Resort and protecting the environment.”

The District’s Engineering and Public Works Committee received an update about the status of the Order at their regular meeting on September 18, 2019.

Its Chair, Township of Muskoka Lakes Mayor Phil Harding, said it is important that the Ministry of the Environment is satisfied with the protocols being followed.

“It is important that we know that the MECP is satisfied that the order is being complied (with) and that we communicate this to the public,” said Harding.

District Chair John Klink agreed and stated that “I feel it is important that we satisfy ourselves that all government agencies are doing everything possible to address this issue. Minister Yurek did respond to my letter and reassured me that the MECP was fulfilling its mandate.”

The MyMuskokaNow.com newsroom contacted Lawton Osler, President of the Muskoka Lakes Association, for comment. He indicated a statement was forthcoming ahead of the September 30th deadline.

In July the Association, which represents 2300 cottagers on Lakes Muskoka, Rosseau and Joe among others said, “These kinds of occurrences remind us of why we need to be vigilant in reviewing planning files, aiding in good policy development and continuing our water-quality testing in Wallace Bay and throughout the lakes.”

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BRACEBRIDGE, ON - A Bracebridge company supported by the Muskoka Founders Circle is giving back.

Sheertex, a manufacturer of high-end, so-called indestructible pantyhose, donated $15,000 to the Founder’s Circle, a group of Muskoka business leaders dedicated to economic development in Muskoka. The company has relocated to Montreal after its production line was not able to keep up with demand for the $99 per pair product.

“We leave Muskoka with mixed emotions,” said Katherine Homuth, Founder and CEO of Sheertex. “Our manufacturing process is very specialized and an opportunity in Montreal became available that addresses all of our immediate growth requirements, so we moved quickly. We will be forever grateful to Bracebridge and Muskoka for incubating our young company. And the work that Founders Circle is doing deserves to be supported, so we’re pleased to be able to say ‘thank you’ in this way.” 

Sheertex won $15,000 earlier this year as the 2019 Founders Choice Awards first prize winner. 

Executive chair of the Founders Circle, Rick Dalmazzi, said one of the criteria for choosing a winner was looking at the spirit of a company in terms of giving back, so the donation by Sheertex showed a lot of that.

“One of our selection criteria for the Founders Choice Awards is that the company contributes to the economic growth of the Muskoka region,” said Rick Dalmazzi, executive chair of Founders Circle. “With their imminent move to Montreal that will no longer be possible for Sheertex, so they graciously decided to ‘pay it forward’ by donating an equal amount to support future aspiring entrepreneurs in Muskoka.”

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KEARNEY, ON - An information session on a proposed animal education attraction in Kearney happens tonight.

A number of animal experts will be presenting the nuts and bolts of these attractions, sometimes referred to as roadside zoos.

It happens tonight between 7:00pm and 9:00pm at the Kearney Community Centre.

The attraction is called Wild Connections and is being proposed by an animal trainer for television and movies, Ruth Labarge. She wants to create a habitat for bears and cheetahs that would allow people to stop and visit to learn about the creatures.

Labarge presented to Kearney Council earlier this year and got provisional approval, using the name of Bear With Us, which also happens to be the name of a long-standing bear rehabilitation centre in nearby Sprucedale, Ontario.

Opposition to the attraction is heavy and the meeting in Kearney tonight will feature a number of animal experts providing information on the realities of animals in captivity.

Michelle Ainsworth, founder of Muskoka Animal Rescue,  is one of the co-organizers of the event and says people need to be informed about what is happening.

“She does not have a history of conservation,” Ainsworth said about Labarge. “She had this bear kissing thing where the public would get their faces licked by bears, which is not okay.”

Ainsworth claims the facility as presented to Kearney Council does not meet understood animal enclosure regulations.

“Based on the enclosures described and the well being of the animals, are inadequate,” she claimed. “This is not someone’s opinion. This is based on research, science and data based on what animals require per square foot etc.”

Among the speakers is Rob Laidlaw, Executive Director of Zoo Check, an organization that rates and evaluates any facility that holds wild animals.

The information session is meant to provide residents with some talking points and ask hard questions about the practice of housing animals for human entertainment.

Just last month Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary took in dozens of bears, wolves and other animals who were part of a roadside zoo that had closed. Meanwhile in Hunstville, Council is amending its Exotic Pet bylaw to include a ban on any circuses performing inside the town limits.

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BRACEBRIDGE, ON - Local cannabis grower Muskoka Grown has received vital updates from Health Canada allowing it to expand the business it does in Canada.

The company received two alerts that allow it to expand to using its full 65,000 square foot capacity, and it will now be able to sell direct to retailers in Ontario under the Muskoka Grown label.

Grand is ready to break ground on a retail space but permission has been delayed from the province for growers to sell direct from a factory.

The company has received its sales amendment allowing for the distribution of dried cannabis products to authorized provincial distributors and retailers, and the approval to expand cannabis operations at its purposely built facility in Bracebridge.

The grower will now be able to use its full 65,000 square foot capacity for growing operations, which consists of 21 separate hydroponic rooms.

It is an increase of 32, 5000 square feet and will allow for other activities such as a full sized lab and research and development which will give Muskoka Grown a competitive advantage as it creates its own strains.

“We’re all trying to figure out how to do this right,” Grand said in an interview. “It would have been nice if we had (the updates) a little bit earlier but we planned for the delays.”

One of the major things about being able to sell at the retail level now instead of being a supplier for other cannabis suppliers is Muskoka Grown will be able to develop a brand much like wine or liquor companies do.

“This allows us to sell directly to the provincial bodies under the Muskoka Grown label that will go to the end consumer,” Grand explained.

With the expansion comes the need for employees and currently he has 70 working at the growing operation, around 75 per cent of which are from Parry Sound and Muskoka. He is pleased with the quality of employee he has under his roof.

“The people we have been able to come join us as partners and the investors we have all done an amazing job,” Grand said.

Grand is still waiting for approval to be able to conduct retail sales at his facility, but he is close to putting shovels in the ground to create the building needed for selling direct to consumers.

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TORONTO, ON - The union representing education workers in Ontario says its members have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a potential strike.

CUPE received a "no-board” notice from the ministry of labour yesterday and will be in a legal strike position on Monday September 30th.

The notice was sent to all education workers of the Trillium Lakeland District School Board, which includes schools in Haliburton County and Muskoka. The notice was also sent to the Near North District School Board that administers schools in Parry Sound.

By the end of the month up to 55,000 members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees that represent Education Workers said they could be on strike.

CUPE said the strike vote was 93 per cent in favour as members fight back against cuts to education by the Ford government.

The President of CUPE's bargaining unit says members are prepared to walk off the job in order to push back against what they see as cuts that will compromise the quality of education in Ontario's schools.

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GRAVENHURST, ON - The federal leader of the Green Party, Elizabeth May, will visit Muskoka today.

She is in the area to support Parry Sound-Muskoka Green candidate Gord Miller.

May will visit Miller’s campaign office in Gravenhurst at 4:00pm and canvass with Miller, hoping to rally supporters and recruit volunteers.

“We’re here to win,” Miller told the MyMuskokaNow.com newsroom. “We started this election with 24 per cent in the polls.”

Miller says with plus or minus adjustments they are in reach of the conservatives and first time candidate Scott Aitchison.

Miller contends that the Parry Sound-Muskoka riding is ready for change.

“We had ten years of majority government with the conservatives and people weren’t happy with the direction we went with there. Then we have four years of Liberal majority government in which they have absolute power,” said Miller. “And people are not happy with what directions they chose to go especially with respect to climate change.”

 At 7:00pm the duo will host a town hall event at the Muskoka Discovery Centre, 275 Steamship Bay Road in Gravenhurst. Doors open at 6:15pm.

Space is limited for the free event so organizers are asking for people to RSVP by calling the campaign office at 249-502-0977.

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BRITT, ON - An overnight fire in Britt Township saw crews save a home.

A woodworking shop at a property on Farm Lane had caught on fire and crews got on scene around 2:30am said Chief Larry Olds.

While the wood shop was not going to be saved water was poured on quickly to stop it from spreading to the attached home.

“We did manage to save the home,” confirmed Olds. “The siding was burnt off at the side of the house but it’s intact so we did save the house.”

And the owner was particularly grateful as the home was not insured.

“She was ecstatic,” recalled the Chief. “In fact, she gave me a big hug when it was all over. She thought her house was gone for sure.”

Despite the remote location of the blaze the water in the pumper truck was enough to get the fire under control, but it was a narrow single lane that had them shuttling additional water to put out hot spots.

“We had a hard time moving those trucks around,” he admitted.

There were no injuries reported and the dollar value of the shop is not known at this time.

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HUNTSVILLE, ON -  The various candidates running for federal office in Parry Sound-Muskoka have gotten their campaigns off the ground.

On Sunday the Green Party, with candidate Gord Miller confirmed, welcomed the Ontario Green Party leader Mike Schreiner to provide some context of the party’s ethos provincially and federally.

The MyMuskokaNow.com newsroom had a chance to speak with Schreiner ahead of his weekend visit.

About 30 people were on hand to hear the pair introduce the party platform at a meeting held at the Active Living Centre in Huntsville.

He said he was pleased to help get some visibility for Miller, who is running as a Green for the first time.

“I’m excited to be in Muskoka supporting Gord Miller,” said Schreiner. “He is a fantastic candidate.”

Schreiner offered what he thought some of the key issues were, and not surprisingly for a party focused on the environment, climate change was near the top of the list.

“The climate crisis has confronted people in Muskoka head-on and people are looking for solutions," he said.

He noted that housing was also an issue for the average year-round Muskoka resident.

“There is a number of other issues surrounding housing affordability, health care, that are deeply concerning to people,” said Schreiner. “The fact that the Green Party wants to increase those kinds of investments, unlike what you are seeing in Ontario with cutbacks to essential services.”

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BEAUSOLEIL ISLAND, ON - 2019 has been a remarkable year for YMCA Camp Kitchikewana.

The camp celebrated its 100th anniversary this year, inviting alumni to revisit the revered summer camp on Beausoleil Island in Georgian Bay.

The YMCA Simcoe/Muskoka celebrated the camp’s anniversary from September 6th to 8th with visitors taking advantage of activities such as swimming, sailing, canoeing and kayaking along with usual camp activities.

A wall of distinction was unveiled honouring 20 camp alumni, featuring former camp directors, who had a profound impact on the camp.

Part of the ongoing legacy of the camp is an endowment fund of $940,000 which will be matched by up to $1 million with funds from philanthropist Paul Lawrence. The goal is $2 million and according to General Manager Gord Dunlop, the giving by Alumni is critical to the success of the camp’s future.

“We have been fortunate to have many people step forward and donate to the endowment fund because of what the Camp Kitchikewana experience did for them,” said Dunlop. “Community heroes like Paul Lawrence know how meaningful camp can be for a child and we are so thankful for his support and for the support of all our camp family and friends.”

Former camper Jennie Hughes-Meeker spent 11 summers at the camp and she has warm memories of what the experience did to shape her life.

“Camp Kitchikewana not only taught me many skills through a wide variety of activities, it was an invaluable opportunity to learn much more,” said Hughes-Meeker. “Camp taught me how to think independently, to respect and appreciate the beauty and heritage of the island, and allowed me to make lasting friendships with those who loved camp as much as I did. And, now 40 years later, I am still blessed to be spending time with my wonderful camp friends.” 

Since it opened its doors in 1919, Camp Kitchikewana, with the generous support of alumni, has modernized its facilities, adding new cabins, washrooms, docks, sailboats, canoes and a state-of-the-art kitchen. Proceeds from the 100th Anniversary Endowment Fund will be used to enhance the camper experience including replenishing, replacing and repairing program equipment and facilities used by the campers. 

For more information about YMCA Camp Kitchikewana, the 100th Anniversary Endowment Fund and how to donate, please visit www.ymcaofsimcoemuskoka.ca/ymca-camp-kitchikewana. Or visit the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka website for the full list of Camp Kitchikewana’s Wall of Distinction honourees. 

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BRACEBRIDGE,  ON - An announcement by Ontario’s Minister of Health has Parry Sound-Muskoka’s MPP Norm Miller happy for seniors in the riding.

Christine Elliot confirmed the government would provide an additional $155 million in funding to expand home and community care services. It is a move Miller views as positive for the province’s ageing population.

“This is great news for seniors and for everyone who needs to access our hospitals in Ontario,” said Miller. “The waiting list for home care is keeping many people in our local hospitals who do not need to be there.”

Elliot said it was important to invest in these services now to get people more help outside of hospital settings.

"Home and community care play a critical role in ending hallway health care," said Elliott. "By making these significant investments and supporting partnerships between home and community care providers and busy hospitals, patients will experience quicker transitions between receiving hospital care and returning home with the appropriate support they need to properly recover, while also making sure hospital beds are available for those who need them."

On the West Parry Sound Health Centre website, CEO Donald Sanderson identifies the number of alternative level of care (ALC) patients in the hospital as one of the three biggest issues facing healthcare in Parry Sound. Muskoka Algonquin Health Care has identified the same challenge and lobbied for more home care and long term care.

“Our large senior population contributes to the high number of ALC patients in both West Parry Sound Health Centre and Muskoka Algonquin Health Care,” said Miller. “Both hospitals are doing everything they can to move ALC patients out of hospital but can’t do that without more long term care beds and home care. I regularly hear about constituents who are stuck in hospital because they are having trouble accessing home care. This investment, along with our government’s commitment to create more long term care beds, will relieve the pressure on our hospitals and provide support for our seniors.”

By investing in more front-line patient care, the province can provide:

•       1.8 million more hours of personal support services
•       490,000 more nursing visits and 100,000 more therapy visits
•       Services in the community like homemaking, meals, transportation and caregiver supports
•       Additional direct community services for patients with acquired brain injury and people living in supportive housing.

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WEST NIPISSING, ON - Members of the West Parry Sound Detachment of the OPP have been recognized for duties they performed in an emergency situation.

It was part of an OPP awards ceremony held earlier this week near North Bay in West Nipissing. 

Police Commissioner Thomas Carrique presented medals and plaques to dozens of frontline officers, volunteers and citizens for service done to the community.

Parry Sound Constable Adam Hemming was recognized for his assistance with a man in medical distress earlier this year. Hemming administered naloxone and performed CPR on the man.

Auxiliary Constable Matthew Walker and a nurse, Josee Hill were on hand at the right time when an elderly man collapsed in Parry Sound. The pair administered CPR until first responders arrived to take over for what was later diagnosed as a heart attack.

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PARRY SOUND, ON - The West Parry Sound Ontario Provincial Police has laid its 48th drunk driving charge of 2019.

It is the 37th week of the year, meaning the pace has been set at more than one incident per week.

Officers were on routine patrol around 10:30pm in McDougall Township when they spotted a parked vehicle with the driver’s door open and a lone man standing in the intersection of Parry Sound Drive and Nobel Road.

Police spoke with the man and detected an odour of alcohol. A test with a road-side screening registered as fail for the driver and he was taken to the detachment for further testing.

A 55-year-old Toronto area man has been charged with operation while impaired. He will appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Parry Sound on October 17th.

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GRAVENHURST, ON - A carbon monoxide detector is being credited with saving a Gravenhurst couple.

Around 2:15am Wednesday morning a call was made to 911 from a resident on Fernwood Drive in Gravenhurst reporting an activated CO alarm.

When firefighters arrived the occupants were out of the house. Tests revealed lethal amounts of carbon monoxide. The home was ventilated and the gas shut off. The source of the CO turned out to be a blocked exterior furnace vent, which caused the odourless gas to remain in the home.

“This is an example of why CO alarms are law – without one, the likely result would have been fatal come morning with the amount of CO in the home,” said Breyan Sinnott, Fire Prevention Officer for the Gravenhurst Fire Department.

Exposure to CO can cause flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, as well as confusion, drowsiness, loss of consciousness and death. In Ontario, 65% of injuries and deaths from CO occur in the home.

“This emergency underscores the importance of immediate evacuation when your CO alarm enters full activation and to call 9-1-1 from outside the home,” said Sinnott.

In Ontario, 65% of injuries and deaths from CO occur in the home. It is required you install CO alarms adjacent to each sleeping area if you have a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage.

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MACTIER, ON  - A recent fundraiser in support of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind Muskoka has raised $350,000.

Called the Taste of Country, it was held August 24th at the sprawling centre located on Lake Joseph. It raised 10 per cent of its $3 million goal.

"CNIB Lake Joseph Centre’s annual event is part of our ongoing efforts to connect with our friends and neighbours on the lake, our community partners, and to support local businesses in the area," said Tara Oliphant, Manager of Philanthropy for the CNIB. "With our presence and involvement in the community, and our focus on ability, not disability, we are changing what it is to be blind today."

Area mayors in attendance included Ann MacDiarmid of Seguin Township and Muskoka Lakes Mayor Phil Harding.

“We are very fortunate to have the CNIB Lake Joseph Centre located within the Township of Seguin,” said MacDiarmid. “I was pleased to attend this special fundraising event on behalf of Seguin Township, and am thrilled to hear that all proceeds raised will be used to promote the CNIB Lake Joseph Centre – and consequently, Seguin - as a year-round, four-season destination.”

Harding echoed those sentiments.

“It was an honour to attend and represent the Township of Muskoka Lakes at the CNIB Muskoka: Taste of Country fundraising event”, said he said. “I look forward to seeing them reach their redevelopment campaign goal to help transform the camp into a year-round facility for children, youth and kids-at-heart.”

Located on the shores of Lake Joseph in Seguin Township since 1961, CNIB Lake Joseph Centre is a fully accessible lakefront facility that offers a unique blend of recreation and skills development in a safe, inclusive environment.

At CNIB Lake Joseph Centre, people living with sight loss, and their families, can enjoy the same summer pursuits as other Canadians, such as canoeing, campfires, kayaking, cycling, waterskiing, swimming, sailing and fishing. The funds raised from the event will expand programming to include winter activities such as snowshoeing, ice fishing, skating, hockey and cross-country skiing.

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SEGUIN, ON - A curious ATV driver has ended up with drunk driving charges.

Around 4:00pm yesterday West Parry Sound OPP was investigating a crash when a woman drove up to them on an ATV.  After speaking with the driver alcohol was detected and officers began a drunk driving investigation.

The driver was arrested for impaired and taken to the West Parry Sound detachment where further testing was done.

A 55-year-old Seguin Township woman was charged with operation while impaired and having a blood alcohol reading of 80 plus.

She will appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Parry Sound on October 17th.

Police remind people that an All-Terrain Vehicle is a motor vehicle in the criminal code and all laws apply in terms of drinking and driving.

The post Curious ATV driver gets drunk driving charge appeared first on My Parry Sound Now.

BRACEBRIDGE, ON - A final paddling event for the year in Bracebridge will be a fundraiser for the Muskoka Watershed Council report card.

After a one year break the Great Muskoka Paddling Experience returns. It is the 8th edition of the race and will take place on Saturday, October 12th at Annie Williams Park in Bracebridge. It is the last race of the season sanctioned by the Ontario Marathon Canoe and Kayak Racing Association.

The GMPE was conceived by the late Sandy Schofield, a paddling enthusiast who passed away in the spring.

The 2019 event is being held in Sandy’s memory and paddlers of all stripes from canoers to kayakers, to stand up paddleboarders are invited to participate.

Race lengths for canoes, kayaks and SUPs are 5, 10, and 20 km and the north canoes will paddle for 8.6 km. With multiple categories available for each race, everyone can participate! The event is made possible thanks to local sponsors and a Town of Bracebridge Event Tourism Grant.

A new addition to the event this year is that registration takes place exclusively online with a closing date of October 5th.

All paddlers, regardless of how they place in their race, will have an opportunity to win great prizes donated by our generous sponsors. You can also participate in our silent auction featuring a Star Board 14' Inflatable Touring SUP valued at $1400 donated by Kayak Sport Canada!

Not interested in paddling? GMPE also needs volunteers to help during the race. Learn more at http://www.muskokapaddlingexperience.com/. Of particular need this year are volunteers with boats who can help direct paddlers on the water.

The post Event to honour local paddling enthusiast appeared first on My Parry Sound Now.