James Matthews is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter working with The Haliburton Echo, The Minden Times, and County Life.A transplanted Newfoundlander, Matthews moved to Ontario about 10 years ago after a time spent shivering in…
Top Stories
2022 defined by unfilled jobs for some seasonal…
By Stephen Petrick This is the third in a series of stories the Haliburton Echo/Minden Times is running this summer to explore how a labour shortage is affecting our communities. This story focuses on the…
Face masks voluntary at TLDSB schools this year
By James Matthews There’s much optimism at the Trillium Lakelands District School Board for the coming school year. Wes Hahn, director of education at the school board, said at the group’s Aug. 23 meeting that…
Highlands Summer Festival made a triumphant return
By Stephen Petrick The final curtain has drawn for the Highlands Summer Festival in 2022, and the people who contribute to the non-profit theatre group deserve a standing ovation. This summer marked a triumphant return…
Lake expert seeking Highlands support to improve environment
By Darren Lum Putting action to words is what Dr. Norman Yan of ASH Muskoka does and hopes he can inspire others to follow the model he has been leading a region over. Yan, who…
Haliburton Forest Trail Race participation soars
By Jerelyn Craden The team at Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve is excited and for good reason. On Sept. 10 and 11, their highly popular, internationally recognized event – the Haliburton Forest Trail Race…
The Chris Hanson and Hendrika Sonnenberg experience
By Jerelyn Craden Can art change you? Can it open your mind, broaden your perspective, and reignite the childlike wonder that was once alive in you? Well, it happened to me last week at the…
Local business owners inspire through their experiences
By Grace Oborne For two years, due to the pandemic, businesses have been hit hard causing challenging obstacles, financial losses, and stress. Some have struggled to recover, but others have found light amidst the darkness.…
HSA+D student creates hockey trophy for the University…
By Vivian Collings A student taking a metalsmithing course at Haliburton School of Art + Design is on year six of creating a hockey cup for the veterinary school at the University of Guelph. “We…
Training programs create opportunity
By Angelica Ingram This fall, SIRCH Community Services is offering two free training programs to help serve the employment needs of Haliburton County. Back by popular demand, Basics of Carpentry gives participants the entry level…
Shoreline preservation bylaw passed by county council
By Vivian Collings The shoreline preservation bylaw was passed during Haliburton County’s regular council meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 24 after many questions were raised to director of planning Steve Stone. The bylaw will come into…
Dysart council to pen support letter for new…
By James Matthews Dysart council has agreed to write a letter of concurrence in support of a new cell tower within its boundaries. Rogers Communications wants to erect a 90-metre cellphone tower at Glamorgan Road…
Haliburton County comes out against ‘inequitable’ hot tub…
By James Matthews Put simply, rules for higher-traffic hot tub use shouldn’t have the same bearing on such amenities at the smaller resorts. And Haliburton County resolved during its regular public meeting Aug. 24 to…
AH employees delighted with fourday work week
By Grace Oborne It’s been a little over a month since the start of a compressed work week trial for Algonquin Highlands township staff, and with several weeks into a new routine, township employees are…
Fearrey and McKechnie set to lead Dysart council
By Vivian Collings Dysart council will have new acclaimed leadership for the upcoming term, and the new mayor and deputy mayor are bringing years of combined experience to the table. Murray Fearrey was the only…
Studio Tour celebrates 35 years in Highlands
By Jerelyn Craden The Studio Tour, Haliburton Highlands will be in full swing celebrating its 35th year over the first two weekends of October with must-see art made by 44 local artists, including ten guest…
HE receive short-term rental accommodation review
By Chris DrostThe community survey conducted on behalf of Haliburton County on short-term rental accommodation revealed that 55 per cent are generally supportive of homes and cottages being used as short- term rentals as long…
County continues reviewing short-term rental issues
By Vivian Collings Haliburton County council discussed the need to address the lack of long-term rentals during the options report of their short-term rental review.When considering what is to be deemed as an appropriate short-term…
Help wanted: Data shows Haliburton County has a…
By Stephen PetrickThis is the second in a series of stories the Haliburton Echo/Minden Times intends to run to address how a labour shortage is affecting our communities. This story looks at how the private…
Exercise democratic freedom
By Darren Lum The window of opportunity to serve your municipality has passed with nominations closing for municipal elections on Friday, Aug. 19.Although a few races never got started (as outlined with the article, Here…
Highlands entrepreneur is hooked on baits
By Grace Oborne For local resident, preserving the Highlands’ water and overall environment is a key factor when designing his product.Colt Taylor has always spent a lot of time fishing on Haliburton County’s lakes. It…