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Articles by Frances Learment
Saugeen Shores police issue feathered lunch thief warning
An impaired driver caused severe flooding after hitting a fire hydrant in Port Elgin and a sneaky seagull leaves a Saugeen Shores police detective lunchless • • Saugeen Shores police released this AI generated wanted poster after a feathered felon snatched an officer's lunch from his hand in Southampton June 22.
Rezoning approved for affordable housing development in Port Elgin
Skip to Content Town Council approved a rezoning for a 183-unit affordable housing development and a park in south Port Elgin, with the proviso that concerns raised by some councillors and many area residents about potential traffic issues, the need for a larger park and an unresolved parkland land conveyance issue are resolved to Council's satisfaction.
Rezoning approved for affordable housing development in Port Elgin
Town Council approved a rezoning for a 183-unit affordable housing development and a park in south Port Elgin, with the proviso that concerns raised by some councillors and many area residents about potential traffic issues, the need for a larger park and an unresolved parkland land conveyance issue are resolved to Council's satisfaction. • • A rezoning for a 183-unit affordable housing development and park in the Bluewater subdivision in south Port Elgin was approved by Town Council June 22.
Sobering statistics on the affordable housing crisis in Saugeen Shores
Skip to Content • • A report commissioned by the local housing advocacy group - United Housing For All - found a growing gap between Saugeen Shores housing costs and what many people can realistically afford. More ammunition to help fight the growing affordable housing crisis in Saugeen Shores was offered to Town Council June 22 by the United Housing For All, a local faith-based housing advocacy group, chaired by Mini Jacques.
Sobering statistics on the affordable housing crisis in Saugeen Shores
Skip to Content Even modest rental units in Saugeen Shores often require household incomes beyond what many local residents earn. Sobering affordable housing statistics were presented to Town Council June 22 by the United Housing For All , a faith-based housing advocacy group. • • A report commissioned by the local housing advocacy group - United Housing For All - found a growing gap between Saugeen Shores housing costs and what many people can realistically afford.
Eating opportunities at Port Elgin Main Beach
More burgers on the beach? The popular Harbourlite Restaurant on the Port Elgin waterfront will "open soon" according to a recent social media post, purportedly written by a relative of the owner, who said he had first-hand knowledge that the restaurant would re-open for the season. The Beachside Cafe is now open daily, 11 a.m., to 9 p.m., serving burgers, fries and ice cream with walkup service only.
UPDATE: Municipal election candidate filed grows in Saugeen Shores
• To date, seven candidates - four incumbents and three newcomers - have filed nomination papers to run for Saugeen Shores town council in October's municipal election. jpg, PO, apsmc Still no race for mayor in Saugeen Shores where the incumbent, Luke Charbonneau, who has not faced a challenger in two elections over eight years, is seeking re-election. Low voter turnout – 38 per cent in 2022 – has been blamed on the lack of a mayoralty race.
Bruce County buys Port Elgin building for evolving community needs
Bruce County bought the former Huron Shores Gymnastics Club on McKenzie Drive in Port Elgin. A county news release said the size and location of the building in an industrial area adjacent to other county services – the headquarters of both EMS and the public library, and county planning staff – allows a range of future uses, including opportunities that respond to evolving community needs. • Bruce County has purchased this 6,000-square-foot building on McKenzie drive in Port Elgin.
Police watchdog clears OPP in fatal shooting of armed suspect in Paisley
The Special Investigations Unit cleared an officer who shot and killed a suspect in Paisley following a crime spree through the Port Elgin area Feb. 21. SIU Director Joe Martino said there were no reasonable grounds to believe the officer committed a criminal offense in the incident.
Bruce County buys Port Elgin building for evolving community needs
Bruce County bought the former Huron Shores Gymnastics Club on McKenzie Drive in Port Elgin. A county news release said the size and location of the building in an industrial area adjacent to other county services – the headquarters of both EMS and the public library, and county planning staff – allows a range of future uses, including opportunities that respond to evolving community needs. • Bruce County has purchased this 6,000-square-foot building on McKenzie drive in Port Elgin.
UPDATE: Municipal election candidate field grows in Saugeen Shores
• • To date, seven candidates - four incumbents and three newcomers - have filed nomination papers to run for Saugeen Shores town council in October's municipal election. jpg, PO, apsmc Still no race for mayor in Saugeen Shores where the incumbent, Luke Charbonneau, who has not faced a challenger in two elections over eight years, is seeking re-election. Low voter turnout – 38 per cent in 2022 – has been blamed on the lack of a mayoralty race.
Saugeen Shores shares $132,973 in Rural Ontario Development funds
Ontario's Minister of Rural Affairs, Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, delivered $132,973 in Rural Ontario Development grants to the Town of Saugeen Shore, the fire department, the police department and Port Elgin Pumpkinfest officials to help build safe, vibrant, and welcoming communities, June 19 in Southampton.
Saugeen Shores shares $132,973 in Rural Ontario Development funds
Ontario's Minister of Rural Affairs, Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, delivered $132,973 in Rural Ontario Development grants to the Town of Saugeen Shore, the fire department, the police department and Port Elgin Pumpkinfest officials to help build safe, vibrant, and welcoming communities, June 19 in Southampton.
Town Council defers Bluewater affordable housing decision to clarify land donation
A Saugeen Shores resident who donated land to the Town for parkland in south Port Elgin said a Town proposal for 183 affordable rental units and a smaller park in the Bluewater subdivision “impeaches his integrity” as the site was marketed and sold with an eight-acre park, not the two-acre park in the latest plan before the town.
Port Elgin ballet teacher Marg Mamo retires Original
After 48 years of teaching in Port Elgin, ballet teacher Marg Mano is impressed with her students' powerful pirouettes and artistic arabesques, but looking back after a successful career, Mamo is proudest that her Southport School of Classical Ballet has produced dancers, many who became friends, who are kind and thoughtful people who support and encourage one another.
Saugeen Shores Council violates closed-door rules but Ombudsman found no impropriety
Saugeen Shores Council reviewed and changed closed-door meeting policies following an Ontario Ombudsman investigation, prompted by complaints, that found it contravened the Municipal Act on five of eight occasions by failing to adequately describe the general nature of matters in resolutions to proceed into closed session. There was no improper use of closed session authority, the Ombudsman said.
Southampton landfill expansion process continues with Environmental Assessment
As the clock ticks down on life left in the Town’s Southampton landfill, an Environmental Assessment (EA) is looking into expansion plans. Town Council recently received updates on landfill optimization and annual monitoring. • • With just five to seven years capacity remaining at the Town’s Southampton landfill site, an Environmental Assessment is studying a proposed 725,000 cubic metre expansion.
There is a new bridge game in Saugeen Shores
The primary goal of the new Southport Duplicate Bridge Club is to promote the game for long-term growth in the area. Games are played Tuesdays and Thursdays at St. Paul's Community Hall on High St., Southampton. • Members of the newly revived Southport Duplicate Bridge Club played June 4 at the St Paul's Community Hall on High St. Southampton.
There is a new bridge game in Saugeen Shores
The primary goal of the new Southport Duplicate Bridge Club is to promote the game for long-term growth in the area. Games are played Tuesdays and Thursdays at St. Paul's Community Hall on High St., Southampton. • Members of the newly revived Southport Duplicate Bridge Club played June 4 at the St Paul's Community Hall on High St. Southampton.
Meet the new Saugeen Shores Hall of Fame inductees
A prolific local historian and five local athletes were inducted into the Saugeen Shores Hall of Fame at a June 3 sold-out ceremony in Rotary Hall at The Plex in Port Elgin. • • The Saugeen Shores Hall of Fame welcomed six new inductees at a June 3 ceremony at The Plex. They included, from left: Pete Ens, Joe Ens and Rick Ens, Launa Smith, Jeff Virgo and Bill Streeter.
Meet the new Saugeen Shores Hall of Fame inductees
A prolific local historian and five local athletes were inducted into the Saugeen Shores Hall of Fame at a June 3 sold-out ceremony in Rotary Hall at The Plex in Port Elgin. • • The Saugeen Shores Hall of Fame welcomed six new inductees at a June 3 ceremony at The Plex. They included, from left: Pete Ens, Joe Ens and Rick Ens, Launa Smith, Jeff Virgo and Bill Streeter.
Meet the new Saugeen Shores Hall of Fame inductees
A prolific local historian and five local athletes were inducted into the Saugeen Shores Hall of Fame at a June 3 sold-out ceremony in Rotary Hall at The Plex in Port Elgin. • • The Saugeen Shores Hall of Fame welcomed six new inductees at a June 3 ceremony at The Plex. They included, from left: Pete Ens, Joe Ens and Rick Ens, Launa Smith, Jeff Virgo and Bill Streeter.
Saugeen District Senior School students argue to place second at Grey-Bruce Regional mock trial
Students from Saugeen District Senior School placed second at the Grey-Bruce Regional Mock Trial Tournament at the Ontario Court of Justice in Owen Sound. Student teams from six schools learned courtroom trial procedures and formalities, and gained valuable skills in critical thinking, teamwork, and communication.
Rainbow flag raising ceremony kicks off Pride Month in Saugeen Shores
Speakers at the June 1 Pride flag raising at The Plex in Port Elgin highlighted the need to foster a welcome to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and to also recognize June as Indigenous History Month and learn about Indigenous history, including the significance of Two-Spirit identities.
Cruisers’ Cruise Nite rolls into Southampton June 4
Skip to Content Gary Brown, aka Mr. Cruiser, started a weekly show and shine car show in Southampton in 1994. He and his 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser are ready for these summer’s shows, beginning June 4 on High St. in Southampton. • • Gary Brown, aka Mr. Cruiser, with his 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser, hosts the first Cruisers’ Cruise Nite June 4 on High St. In Southampton to raise money for local health care.
Saugeen District Senior School students argue to place second at Grey-Bruce Regional mock trial
Students from Saugeen District Senior School placed second at the Grey-Bruce Regional Mock Trial Tournament at the Ontario Court of Justice in Owen Sound. Student teams from six schools learned courtroom trial procedures and formalities, and gained valuable skills in critical thinking, teamwork, and communication.
Cruisers’ Cruise Nite rolls into Southampton June 4
Skip to Content Gary Brown, aka Mr. Cruiser, started a weekly show and shine car show in Southampton in 1994. He and his 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser are ready for these summer’s shows, beginning June 4 on High St. in Southampton. • • Gary Brown, aka Mr. Cruiser, with his 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser, hosts the first Cruisers’ Cruise Nite June 4 on High St. In Southampton to raise money for local health care.
Rainbow flag raising ceremony kicks off Pride Month in Saugeen Shores
Speakers at the June 1 Pride flag raising at The Plex in Port Elgin highlighted the need to foster a welcome to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and to also recognize June as Indigenous History Month and learn about Indigenous history, including the significance of Two-Spirit identities.
Cruisers’ Cruise Nite rolls into Southampton June 4
Gary Brown, aka Mr. Cruiser, started a weekly show and shine car show in Southampton in 1994. He and his 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser are ready for these summer’s shows, beginning June 4 on High St. in Southampton. • • Gary Brown, aka Mr. Cruiser, with his 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser, hosts the first Cruisers’ Cruise Nite June 4 on High St. In Southampton to raise money for local health care.
Rainbow flag raising ceremony kicks off Pride Month in Saugeen Shores
Speakers at the June 1 Pride flag raising at The Plex in Port Elgin highlighted the need to foster a welcome to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and to also recognize June as Indigenous History Month and learn about Indigenous history, including the significance of Two-Spirit identities.
Tara Twins Minor Softball association preps for bid to host National championships in Port Elgin
The Tara Twins Softball association’s proposal to host a National U17 championship next year at the Lamont Spots Park in Port Elgin received initial support from Saugeen Shores councillors who asked for a staff report when asked for endorsement at a May 19 council meeting. • • Saugeen Shores Council is considering a request from the Tara Twins Softball association to host a week-long National U17 softball championship next year at the Lamont Spots Park in Port Elgin.
Uncertain future for gymnastics in Saugeen Shores
The pending June 30 closure of the Huron Shores Gymnastics Club and sale of its home in a McKenzie Dr. building in Port Elgin prompted some coaches, parents and supporters to meet weekly to try to keep the club alive when the spring session ends with the final class June 20.
Saugeen Shores Planning Matters
At its May 19 meeting, Saugeen Shores councillors reviewed site plan control applications for a Port Elgin Canadian Tire expansion, and construction of a concrete manufacturing and pre-cast concrete facility and a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) injection and extrusion manufacturing facility on Bruce Rd. 3 between Port Elgin and Southampton.
Uncertain future for gymnastics in Saugeen Shores
The pending June 30 closure of the Huron Shores Gymnastics Club and sale of its home in a McKenzie Dr. building in Port Elgin prompted some coaches, parents and supporters to meet weekly to try to keep the club alive when the spring session ends with the final class June 20.
Saugeen Shores Planning Matters
At its May 19 meeting, Saugeen Shores councillors reviewed site plan control applications for a Port Elgin Canadian Tire expansion, and construction of a concrete manufacturing and pre-cast concrete facility and a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) injection and extrusion manufacturing facility on Bruce Rd. 3 between Port Elgin and Southampton.
Tara Twins Minor Softball association preps for bid to host National championships in Port Elgin
The Tara Twins Softball association’s proposal to host a National U17 championship next year at the Lamont Spots Park in Port Elgin received initial support from Saugeen Shores councillors who asked for a staff report when asked for endorsement at a May 19 council meeting. • • Saugeen Shores Council is considering a request from the Tara Twins Softball association to host a week-long National U17 softball championship next year at the Lamont Spots Park in Port Elgin.
Town views commercial/residential Goderich St. site plan application
Several Town councillors raised parking concerns at their May 19 meeting when they viewed a proposed site plan for the Patel proposal – a five-storey mixed use building with ground floor commercial and 27 residential rental units on upper floors on the west side of Goderich St., north of Mary St. in Port Elgin.
Two, not three, high-rise apartments in revised Port Elgin development
Responding to concerns of area residents and some Town councillors, Barry’s Construction and Insulation Ltd. will build two, not three, five-story apartment buildings in the Bluewater Estates subdivision in the south end of Port Elgin. • Barry’s Construction and Insulation Ltd. is building two five-storey apartment buildings – like its Northport Meadows Apartments in north Port Elgin - with196 rental units in the Bluewater Estates subdivision at the south end of Port Elgin.
Town views commercial/residential Goderich St. site plan application
Several Town councillors raised parking concerns at their May 19 meeting when they viewed a proposed site plan for the Patel proposal – a five-storey mixed use building with ground floor commercial and 27 residential rental units on upper floors on the west side of Goderich St., north of Mary St. in Port Elgin.
Town views commercial/residential Goderich St. site plan application
Advertisement oop Skip to Content Several Town councillors raised parking concerns at their May 19 meeting when they viewed a proposed site plan for the Patel proposal – a five-storey mixed use building with ground floor commercial and 27 residential rental units on upper floors on the west side of Goderich St., north of Mary St. in Port Elgin.
Two, not three, high-rise apartments in revised Port Elgin development
Advertisement oop Skip to Content Responding to concerns of area residents and some Town councillors, Barry’s Construction and Insulation Ltd. will build two, not three, five-story apartment buildings in the Bluewater Estates subdivision in the south end of Port Elgin. • Barry’s Construction and Insulation Ltd.
Two, not three, high-rise apartments in revised Port Elgin development
Responding to concerns of area residents and some Town councillors, Barry’s Construction and Insulation Ltd. will build two, not three, five-story apartment buildings in the Bluewater Estates subdivision in the south end of Port Elgin. • Barry’s Construction and Insulation Ltd. is building two five-storey apartment buildings – like its Northport Meadows Apartments in north Port Elgin - with196 rental units in the Bluewater Estates subdivision at the south end of Port Elgin.
Southampton tourist cottage park redevelopment plans proceed
Zoning changes approved by Saugeen Shores Council May 19 allow the new owners of the former The Maples tourist cottages in Southampton to demolish and rebuild an existing house and three cottages and build a fourth detached cottage at the corner of Huron Street South and Leeder Lane. • A tourist cottage park and residential are the only permitted uses of the former The Maples cabins site on Huron Street South and Leeder Lane in Southampton.
Southampton tourist cottage park redevelopment plans proceed
Zoning changes approved by Saugeen Shores Council May 19 allow the new owners of the former The Maples tourist cottages in Southampton to demolish and rebuild an existing house and three cottages and build a fourth detached cottage at the corner of Huron Street South and Leeder Lane. • A tourist cottage park and residential are the only permitted uses of the former The Maples cabins site on Huron Street South and Leeder Lane in Southampton.
Southampton celebrates multi-million downtown revitalization
Southampton celebrates new streetscape with a party on High St. May 16. • • A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the street party to officially celebrate the revitalization of Southampton’s High St., a $3.8 million project to replace aged underground pipes and create a more ‘people-friendly’ downtown. On hand for the May 16 festivities were, from left: Saugeen Shores business development officer Paul McGrath, Southie Seagull, BIA officials Bruce Martin and Jenny Amy, Mayor Luke Charbonneau, Coun.
Southampton celebrates multi-million downtown revitalization
Southampton celebrates new streetscape with a party on High St. May 16. • • A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the street party to officially celebrate the revitalization of Southampton’s High St., a $3.8 million project to replace aged underground pipes and create a more ‘people-friendly’ downtown. On hand for the May 16 festivities were, from left: Saugeen Shores business development officer Paul McGrath, Southie Seagull, BIA officials Bruce Martin and Jenny Amy, Mayor Luke Charbonneau, Coun.
Saugeen Shores councillors defers pay increase decision for next council
They may be underpaid, but Saugeen Shores councillors - who talk cost containment and belt tightening - could not agree on an increase for the incoming council and asked staff for hard numbers on various options suggested by a consultant that includes a 20 per cent salary hike for councillors.
Windbreak windfall for Hi-Berry Farm
The Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority recently planted 800 cedar trees as windbreaks on Hi-Berry Farm, on the sweeping curve of Highway 21 between Port Elgin and Southampton. • • Thanks to the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP) program, the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority recently planted 800 cedar trees as windbreaks on Hi-Berry Farm, on the sweeping curve of Highway 21 between Port Elgin and Southampton.
Slow start to Saugeen Shores municipal election campaign
Skip to Content Incumbent Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau said he will make his political plans known with days, but three incumbent councillors, one newcomer and an incumbent Catholic school board trustee have filed nomination papers and are listed as unofficial candidates in the October 26 municipal council and school boards elections.
Saugeen Shores councillors defers pay increase decision for next council
They may be underpaid, but Saugeen Shores councillors - who talk cost containment and belt tightening - could not agree on an increase for the incoming council and asked staff for hard numbers on various options suggested by a consultant that includes a 20 per cent salary hike for councillors.
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