Haliburton Highlander

There was a late flurry of political activity across the County last week, with the nomination deadline for October’s municipal election Friday (Aug. 21). After a low turnout in 2022, when 12 of 24 council positions in Algonquin Highlands, Dysart et al, Highlands East and Minden Hills were filled by acclamation – meaning only one person registered for the seat – it’s a much larger picture this time around. There are 57 candidates, up from 41 in 2022.

By Adam Frisk Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Dysart et al council is moving forward with its planned residential and community development on County Road 21, after endorsing a preferred concept and vision for the municipal lands. Consultants from The Biglieri Group presented two updated layout options during a regular council meeting Tuesday (Aug. 25).

With nine days to go in the Haliburton Highlands Arts Centre Foundation’s (HHACF) ‘big online summer raffle’, the group’s president, Michael Clipperton, said all funds raised will help progress plans to bring a new performing arts facility to the area. Launched in June, the raffle is HHACF’s first-ever fundraiser, Clipperton said. There are five price points for people to choose from – they can purchase one ticket for $10, five for $20, 15 for $40, 50 for $75, or 100 for $100.

By Adam Frisk Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Many Canadians can remember exactly where they were on Aug. 20, 2016. A decade later, after The Tragically Hip walked off the stage for the last time in Kingston, Ont., Gord Downie’s voice can still be heard across the vast lakes of Haliburton County. “In a lot of people’s minds, they’re Canada’s greatest band,” Haliburton’s MooseFM host Rick Lowes said. On Aug.

The County of Haliburton’s Seniors Active Living Centre (SALC) program, Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS), and Haliburton County Community Paramedics (HCPS) have announced a series of free wellness clinics across the Highlands. The partners described them as “friendly, drop-in events” that will bring healthcarerelated community support agencies together in accessible settings, making it easier for residents to find useful information, services, and connections, in one convenient place.

The Haliburton County Paramedic Service has introduced advanced care paramedics into front-line operations, in what it says represents an important step in the evolution of health care for residents and visitors across the Highlands. The County of Haliburton said Aug. 18 that following council approval, the service (HCPS) has now deployed its first front-line advanced care paramedic (ACP).

After a late change to his nomination papers last week, Pat Casey will now contest Walt McKechnie for Dysart et al’s deputy mayor position in October’s municipal election. Casey, the current acting deputy mayor, filed for mayor May 19. He was expected to challenge Greg Bishop and Andrew Nowell for the township’s top seat. However, last Thursday (Aug. 20), he withdrew from the mayoral race. He immediately filed to oppose McKechnie, who submitted his papers for a second term as deputy May 15.

The Wilberforce FUNraising Group’s Barb Schofield said she’s a big believer in the annual education bursary volunteers award to a local youth set to pursue a postsecondary degree or diploma. On Sunday (Aug. 23), the FUNraisers announced Marisol Hall was the recipient of this year’s $500 award, which she will put towards costs of the honours arts and English literature program she’s starting at Trent University in September.

Bob Lake’s Rock the Dock fundraiser celebrated its fifth year this summer – raising another $6,310 for the Minden Community Food Centre – bringing the overall total to just shy of $25,000. Pamela England, a member of the Bob Lake Association (BLA), said “while we fell just a little short of our record-breaking fourth year, we were absolutely thrilled with the results, especially given the weather.

With a crispness creeping into the late August evening air and dusk arriving earlier each night, the milder weather is giving these young soccer players a second wind, allowing them to train harder and play longer during demanding drills and fast-paced matches. Buzz about the returning school year is growing, leaving these summer teammates mindful that their weeks together on the pitch are nearly at an end.