Other Interesting News - Springwater News

6th Hospice Bed at Tomkins House

March 23, 2025, By Lions Murray Truax

Hospice Huronia was recently given permission to open a 6th hospice bed at Tomkins House, providing much-needed additional support for individuals in the North Simcoe area, at the end-of-life. Since opening its doors in April 2020, Tomkins House has operated with five hospice beds, and in the last few years these 5 beds have been occupied over 90% of the time. The addition of this 6th bed is a significant step in meeting the growing needs of the community.

The room had already been roughed in as a patient space, complete with a murphy bed and smart TV. However, additional funding was required to complete the furnishings and ensure the room meets the same high standards as the other five. Thanks to the generosity of the Elmvale & District Lions Club, who donated $1,000, the room is now one step closer to completion. Their donation will go toward essential built-in features, including a dresser with a small refrigerator, a bedside table, and a built-in closet.

“This additional patient room will make a real difference for families in our region,” said Debbie Kesheshian, Executive Director of Hospice Huronia. “We are incredibly grateful to the Elmvale & District Lions Club for their generous contribution, and we continue to welcome support from the community to fully finish this room to the same level of comfort and care as our existing rooms.”

The Elmvale & District Lions are strong supporters of Hospice Huronia, financially and with their Lions service. They will be at this year’s “Hike for Hospice” on May 25th in Little Lake Park, Midland, grilling up peameal bacon for Hike participants. Learn about Hospice Huronia’s Tomkins House, their Hike for Hospice and much more at: www.hospicehuronia.ca

Volunteers needed to plant natives at Tiny Marsh from MTM Conservation

By Kate Harris, April 6, 2025

It will be all hands on deck at Tiny Marsh in early May, in the continuing battle against the invasive Garlic Mustard weed. For 2025, 700 native plants have been ordered into the fray.

Project coordinator Kate Harries explains that experience has shown that pulling the invasive weed is not enough.

“That’s because the ground below is filled with seeds from previous years, even though we have made every effort to weed plants out before they set seed. The seed remains viable in the soil for at least a decade, perhaps more, and will germinate. However, if native plants are taking up the space, they prevent the garlic mustard from germinating.”

Examples of good plants that are vigorous spreaders and your best allies in fighting invasives: Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia), Large-leaved Aster (Eurybia macrophylla), Canada Anemone (Anemone canadensis), Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum), Heartleaf Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) and Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense).

The “pull and plant” strategy will require extra volunteers, so please, come and help! Bring garden gloves and a trowel, wear closed footwear and long pants.

The planting is scheduled for Friday May 4, 3-5 pm and Saturday May 5, 10-12 noon, weather permitting. Meet at the Nature Centre parking lot, 500 Tiny Flos Townline. Check the Tiny Marsh page at mtmcomservation.org for possible changes, or email kateharries41 (at) gmail.com to be on the list for updates and notifications.

Thanks to the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters for supporting this initiative.

Emergency Declared by County Warden

Midhurst/April 2, 2025 – Today, April 2, 2025, County of Simcoe Warden Basil Clarke declared an emergency as a result of the impacts of the recent ice storm affecting our region. Declaring an emergency assists the County and municipalities in accessing additional resources to support our residents and communities with the goal of assisting hydro in clearing critical transportation routes. The County also activated its Emergency Operations Centre to support enhanced flow of information with partners.

This regional State of Emergency has been declared due to impacts on many of the communities we serve including:

Prolonged power outages affecting municipalities and residents in the County from the recent ice storm
Ongoing impacts to critical transportation infrastructure affecting emergency response due to downed power lines
Continued disruption to water supply
Continued disruption of telecommunications infrastructure
Anticipation of upcoming severe weather events that can exacerbate the points listed above
Long-term clean-up of brush and debris

During this State of Emergency, the Emergency Authority is the County of Simcoe’s Emergency Management department.

“Declaring a State of Emergency was not a decision that we chose lightly at the County, but it was something that had to be done as we face prolonged impacts in some communities,” said Warden Basil Clarke. “We are in contact with the province and our area MPPs to further request that additional Hydro One resources and arborist services are quickly deployed to our region to support with power, access for emergency services, and communication needs. We are also identifying strategies to support with long-term clearing of debris and brush, which may take weeks or months to accomplish. We’re doing everything we can to support our residents and communities, and we ask those impacted to remain patient and safe during this difficult time.”

For updates on this emergency follow these channels: County of Simcoe website at simcoe.ca, @simcoecounty on Twitter, @CountyofSimcoe on Facebook, in addition to local radio stations and media websites. Residents can also find information on social, health and government services at 211.

Regional supports and updates are being posted on www.simcoe.ca/icestorm

County temporarily extends opening days of waste drop-off facilities and adds new locations

By the Office of the Warden and CAO for the County of Simcoe.

April 3, 2025

Midhurst/April 3, 2025 – To support residents, the County of Simcoe is opening several waste drop-off facilities on extra days for brush only. All facilities will maintain their regular hours of operation (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and will be open on their usual days. New brush drop-off locations will also be temporarily opened to support areas that experienced significant damage.

Important: On the additional opening days, only brush (any size, but no root balls) will be accepted free of charge.

Additional Operating Days

Oro Facility (610 Old Barrie Road West): Open on Sunday, April 6 and Sunday, April 13.
Mara Facility (5200 County Road 169): Open from Sunday, April 6 to Wednesday, April 10.

New Temporary Brush Drop-off Facilities

Coldwater (1675 Anderson Line): Open on Friday, April 4, Saturday, April 5, and Monday, April 7 to Saturday, April 12.
Midhurst (1904 Gill Road): Open from Monday, April 7 to Saturday, April 12.

Easter Long Weekend

The following brush-only drop-off sites open on Friday, April 18 and Monday, April 21:

North Simcoe Transfer Station (1700 Golf Link Road)
Oro Facility (610 Old Barrie Road West)
Mara Facility (5200 County Road 169)
Medonte Facility (1675 Anderson Line)

The County will continue to monitor the need for additional days and may adjust/add additional days of operation. For a full list of waste drop-off facilities and their regular operating hours, please click here.

Additionally, the County announced on Thursday that it will ramp up curbside brush collection starting on Monday, April 7, starting with the hardest hit areas of the County. For the next three weeks, only brush will be accepted curbside, allowing crews to efficiently collect storm debris and process it into wood chips immediately. To read more, please click here.

The severe and ongoing effects of this storm have been felt by thousands of people across Simcoe County, including many of those that work at County facilities. The County would like to thank residents for their patience and understanding as we work together to get through this.

For up-to-date information on storm-related impacts and services, please visit simcoe.ca/icestorm or download the Simcoe County Collects App.

For resident inquiries:

Service Simcoe Contact Centre, 1-800-263-3199, service@simcoe.ca

County of Simcoe Paramedics welcome support from allied reinforcements

By County of Simcoe

Midhurst/April 4, 2025 – County of Simcoe Paramedic Services team members have been working around the clock to respond and serve the needs of our communities since the severe weather event last weekend.

Paramedic crews and ambulances from York and Halton Regions, and the City of Toronto have graciously offered to assist in urban areas of the region (primarily Barrie, Orillia and south Simcoe County) today and throughout the weekend. This additional support will provide immediate relief to County of Simcoe Paramedic Services (CSPS) and further support call demand to ensure the safety and well-being of residents across Simcoe County.

Patients and residents in these areas should be aware that these crews are sanctioned to support County of Simcoe Paramedics in this time of need.

The incredible paramedics and CSPS team members serving Simcoe County have been working significant overtime and upstaffing since last weekend to ensure the safety or our residents and maintain high levels of response throughout the County. Many of these paramedics have been working significant hours despite also suffering from the effects of the storm, returning to their own homes without power and/or experiencing personal property damage.

Given the anticipated prolonged power outages in some communities, which was confirmed mid-week by Hydro One, the County’s State of Emergency declaration further supports access to these and other response resources.

Through the ice storm response, paramedics have been providing stable call response, in addition to:

Supporting through Community Paramedicine with home and wellness checks for some of our most vulnerable patients – prioritizing areas without power and communication.
Staffing and visiting many of the Emergency Warming and Respite Centres to conduct wellness checks and onsite paramedicine support.

The County of Simcoe thanks our partners at York, Halton and Peel for their unwavering support, as well as our residents for their continued patience and words of encouragement.

About the State of Emergency in Simcoe County

Earlier this week, Warden Basil Clarke declared a State of Emergency as a result of the impacts of the recent ice storm affecting our region. Declaring an emergency assists the County and municipalities in accessing additional resources to support our residents and communities with the goal of assisting hydro in clearing critical transportation routes. The County also activated its Emergency Operations Centre to support enhanced flow of information with partners.

During this State of Emergency, the Emergency Authority is the County of Simcoe’s Emergency Management department.

Regional supports and updates are being posted online at simcoe.ca/icestorm.

Health unit announces additional measles exposure sites in Simcoe Muskoka

By SMDHU, April 3, 2025

SIMCOE MUSKOKA – The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) has identified additional exposure sites related to the confirmed measles case (unvaccinated resident, who recently traveled internationally) reported on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.

Individuals who were present at the following exposure sites on Thursday, March 27, 2025, may have been exposed to measles.

CIBC (23 Mapleview Dr. W., Barrie) – 2:45 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Walmart (35 Mapleview Dr. W., Barrie) – 2:45 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Fika Cannabis (33 Mapleview Dr.W., Unit C007, Barrie) – 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Rexall Pharmacy (567 Essa Road, Barrie) – 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The health unit advises anyone who believes they may have been exposed to the measles virus to go to smdhu.org/measles for more detailed information on what to do next. The information there will include the following:

Monitor for signs and symptoms of measles which begin 7 to 21 days after exposure.
Even individuals who are up to date with the measles vaccine should watch for symptoms of measles for 21 days after exposure. Symptoms of measles include:

o Fever, runny nose, cough

o Drowsiness, and red eyes

o Small white spots appear on the inside of the mouth and throat but are not always present.

o Three to seven days after symptoms start, a red, blotchy rash typically appears on the face and then spreads down the body.

o One can be infectious 4 days prior and 4 days after onset of rash.

Confirm that you and your family members have two doses of measles vaccine (MMR or MMRV); those born before 1970 would likely have had measles illness as a child and are presumed to be immune and protected. Those not protected against measles with these measures should contact their health care provider regarding vaccination.
If you develop symptoms within 7 to 21 days after exposure:

o Isolate immediately by staying home (do not go to school or work) and avoid contact with others, and call us at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 ext 8649 for further advice.

o If you require urgent or emergency care, please call ahead before visiting a clinic or hospital. This allows staff to prepare for your arrival and helps prevent the spread of infection.

o Wear a well-fitting, high-quality face mask when seeking medical care.

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that spreads very easily through airborne transmission. The measles virus can live in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours.

People who get sick usually recover without treatment, but measles can be more severe for infants, young children, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems. Possible complications include middle ear infections, pneumonia, diarrhea, or encephalitis (swelling of the brain) and occasionally death in the very young.

The health unit is advising individuals and families to ensure they are up to date with their measles vaccines and to remain watchful for symptoms even if vaccinated against measles.

For more information about measles, please visit smdhu.org/measles or call 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520, Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

April marks final draw in local 50/50

By GBGH Foundation, March 31, 2025

Midland, ON – On April 1, 2025, the Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Foundation will launch the final draw of the GBGH 50/50 Lottery. The GBGH Foundation launched the monthly lottery in June 2023 to support the hospital’s most urgent priorities.

The decision to end the lottery has been made after reviewing the financial impact of the program, and recognizing that individuals can have a much greater impact on the hospital through other fundraising activities.

“The GBGH 50/50 Lottery has been a lot of fun for everyone involved, including our staff team,” shares Nicole Kraftscik, CEO, GBGH Foundation. “But, we’ve realized that the costs to operate the lottery greatly reduce the impact of every ticket purchase. After early bird prizes, fees and administration, only 25% of each ticket purchase is available to invest in our hospital.”

Although the local 50/50 draw is ending, those wishing to purchase lottery tickets in support of GBGH can still do so through the Ontario-wide Split the Pot Lottery. Ticket purchasers have the option to direct the proceeds from their tickets to the participating hospital of their choice or split between all participating hospitals.

The GBGH Foundation is also putting a special focus on their Monthly Giving program, where individuals make an affordable gift every month, which collectively adds up to big impact each year. To learn more about making a difference at GBGH with a monthly gift, visit: https://gbghf.ca/monthly-giving/.

The final GBGH 50/50 draw will take place on Thursday, May 1, 2025 with a minimum jackpot of $10,000, and four $1,000 early bird prizes. Tickets can be purchased starting on April 1, 2025 at https://gbgh5050.ca/.

Hospitals, school boards, municipal staff top local Sunshine List

By: Derek Howard, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Source: MidlandToday.ca, Mar 28, 2025

The province released the 2024 Sunshine List on Friday, which details public-sector employees whose salaries exceeded $100,000.

This year, 377,676 public servants were listed, up from 300,570 the year prior.

For the town of Midland, CAO Rhonda Bunn was listed at the top ($219,290), followed by retired CAO David Denault ($203,312) on the list which included 39 employees.

Firefighters also topped the local list including: captain firefighter Douglas Ward ($177,784); fire prevention officer Cale McLean ($170,406); and first class firefighter Tim Brummelhuis ($167,358).

The Sunshine List includes government employees, as well as those that work for Crown agencies, municipalities, hospitals, boards of public health, school boards, universities and colleges, Ontario Power Generation and “other public-sector employers who receive a significant level of funding from the provincial government.”

In Penetanguishene, 12 employees were identified including: CAO Jeff Lees ($194,381); director of finance / treasurer Carrie Robillard ($145,557); public works director Bryan Murray ($143,520); and emergency services director/fire chief Richard Renaud ($141,076).

Tiny Township listed 11 employees including: CAO Robert Lamb ($197,303; deputy CAO and corporate services director Haley Leblond ($154,796); and public works director Tim Leitch ($151,733).

Tay Township hosted nine employees on the list, including: CAO and deputy clerk Andrea Fay ($173,156 with taxable benefits of $835); protective and development services general manager Shawn Aymer ($159,181); and operational services general manager Shawn Berriault ($146,926).

Listings for 13 Beausoleil First Nation public sector employees included: paramedic chief Anthony Filice ($138,531); 10 paramedics; a paramedic superintendent; and a community paramedicine superintendent.

As for school boards, the Simcoe County District School Board features 3,048 names on the list with recently retired director of education John Dance topping the list at $290,000 in 2024.

Joining Dance near the top of the school board’s pay sheet were high school teacher Karen Littlewood ($259,000) and associate director Dawn Stephens $234,000, who took over from Vance in December as education director.

They were followed on the list by seven board superintendents led by Corry Van Nispen at $211,000.

Over at the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, 1,230 employees made the list led by now retired director of education Frances Bagley, who was paid $316,000 in 2024.

Following Bagley are an array of board head office staff including superintendents Scot Gorecki ($240,000), Mirella Rossi ($239,000) and Robert Lonnie Bolton ($237,000) along with human resources executive Tammy Martin ($236,000).

At the Conseil scolaire Viamonde, director of education Michel Laverdière was the top salary earner of 734 employees on the list, taking home $256,000 last year.

Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir had 932 employees on the list led by director of education Nicole Mollot who was paid $257,000 in 2024.

The Protestant Separate School Board, which has its lone school in Penetanguishene, had 25 employees on the list led by Burkevale principal Julia Mclaren ($158,000) and vice principal Wilson Cowan ($139,000).

Georgian College president and chief executive officer Kevin Weaver had a salary of $334,430 last year, up from the $300,810 he made in 2023. Vice-president Suzanne Addison-Toor earned $249,783 while David Bell, Georgian’s associate vice-president of advancement and alumni relations, earned $249,812. Yael Katz, vice-president of academic, earned $249,783, while Anna-Liisa Longmore, dean of liberal arts and academic quality, made $217,691.

For the Métis Nation of Ontario Secretariat, 18 employees were listed including: president and CEO Margaret Froh ($228,731); chief operating officer Joanne Meyer ($198,539); and chief strategy officer Jennifer St. Germain ($174,966).

Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care featured 349 employees on the list, risen from 309 individuals last year. The Penetanguishene-based hospital included: Dr. Achal Mishra ($440,346); Dr. Andrea Waddell ($431,309); Dr. Ginette Poulin ($427,715); Dr. Anurita Singh ($421,364) and Dr. Plabon Ismail ($415,600).

The Waypoint list also featured numerous program and department managers, pharmacists, registered nurses, psychiatrists and physicians. CEO and president Dr. Nadiya Sunderji ($397,994) and vice president, medical affairs, and chief of staff Dr. Kevin Young ($395,891) were also on the list.

Georgian Bay General Hospital noted 124 employees within the list, a slight decrease from 129 in 2023. Those at the top of the list included: president and CEO Matthew Lawson ($324,146); vice president performance, support services and CFO Marcia Chapman (220,364); as well as numerous nurses, pharmacists, program managers and nurse practitioners.

Listed with Huronia Historical Parks are general manager Will Baird ($180,433), and Discovery Harbour operations manager Tamaris Yakimishyn ($122,596).

Eight employees of Chigamik Community Health Centre made the list including: Dr. Kevin Byron ($299,962); Dr. Kyle Lee ($180,292), and executive director Suzanne Marchand ($136,461).

Meanwhile, Dr. Charles Gardner, the medical officer of health for the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit ($324,794) topped 63 names on the list for 2024. Associate medical officers of health Dr. Colin Lee ($248,112) and Dr. Lisa Simon ($231,718) were also listed.

Two members of the North Simcoe Muskoka Hospice Palliative Care Network were on the list: executive director Whitney Vowels ($131,595 with benefits of $967); and clinical nurse manager Rachel Lapensee ($111,880 with benefits of $1,056).

There are 5,825 OPP employees on the list, ranging from front-line officers to those working in supervisory and management positions throughout Ontario, top names include: physician Andrew Reed ($397,276); and OPP commissioner Thomas Carrique ($365,187).

Topping the list this year were three Ontario Power Generation officials, including President and CEO Kenneth Hartwick with a $2-million annual salary, Chief Operations Officer Nicolle Butcher at $978,380 and Chief Nuclear Officer Steve Gregoris at $919,310.

Rounding out the top five were Metrolinx president and CEO Phil Verster with $883,990 and University Health Network President and CEO Kevin Smith with $883,097.

Since 1996, public sector organizations (including municipalities) have been required to disclose the salaries, names, and positions of employees paid $100,000 or more in a calendar year; inflation calculations place that 1996 value at roughly $180,250 in 2024 dollars.

-with files from Andrew Philips and Nikki Cole

Barrie Tim Hortons’ Commits to Expanding Care for Moms and Newborns at RVH

April 7, 2025 By RVH

Millions of cookies. Millions of smiles. And now, $1 million to help deliver the best possible start in life for babies born at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH).

Tim Hortons restaurant owners in Barrie have committed $1 million from their annual Smile Cookie campaign to support the expansion of RVH’s Maternal Child Program—an area of the health centre that is critically undersized.

More than 2,000 babies are born at RVH every year, but the space where they take their first breaths hasn’t kept pace with the needs of a growing community. That’s about to change.

“The current space limits our ability to provide the highest standard of care to our birthing families,” says Audra Jesso, Manager of the Birthing Unit and Obstetrics at RVH. “With Tim Hortons’ gift, we can create a space that better reflects the compassion and excellence of our care teams.”

The expansion will bring brighter, larger spaces that keep families close and care teams connected. There will be special-ized rooms with technology for high-risk situations. Clinics just for new parents and young children will be introduced. And there will be dedicated space to support the mental health of new parents.

Tim Hortons has been a long-time supporter of RVH’s Birthing Unit, raising more than $500,000 since 2019. This latest commitment makes a strong statement about the role of local businesses in shaping the future of healthcare in Simcoe Muskoka.

“Tim Hortons restaurant owners have shown us what’s possible when local businesses rally behind their community,” says Mary-Anne Frith, Vice Chair of RVH Foundation’s Board and Chair of the Keep Life Wild campaign. “Their generosity will help create a space for babies and families that’s more healing, more family-focused, and ready for the future.”

“We care deeply about the communities we serve and the opportunity to make an incredible impact right here at home in Simcoe Muskoka,” says Johnny Mizzoni, Tim Hortons restaurant owner, on behalf of all Barrie Tim Hortons restaurant owners. “We invite everyone in the community to join us in our restaurants to support RVH through Smile Cookie week. Together, we can help shape the future of our community.”

Tim Hortons’ $1-million commitment is more than a donation—it’s a lasting commitment to the health of mothers and new-borns, their loved ones, and care teams. It’s an investment in world-class care close to home, and in the future of our community.

City seeking local art for traffic cabinet wraps

March 26, 2025 – By City of Barrie

(Barrie, ON) – The City of Barrie is calling on local artists to submit original artwork for its annual traffic cabinet wrapping program. This initiative aims to beautify the city by wrapping five or more traffic cabinets with unique, community-inspired designs in 2025.

Wrapping utility and traffic cabinets with art is part of the City’s Graffiti Abatement Program which uses a combination of removal, enforcement, educational initiatives, and beautification to reduce graffiti in Barrie. Since its inception, over 20 cabinets have been wrapped with public art and historical imagery. These wraps are protected by a special coating that protects it from paint and the elements, extending the life of the artwork for up to 10 years.

The artist-designed traffic cabinets are displayed in key locations throughout Barrie, featuring original artwork that adds vibrancy to the city, fosters civic pride, and showcases the talent of local artists.

The theme for this year’s artwork is ‘Colours of our Community.’ Local artists are invited to submit a proposed design in the form of a sketch or draft, showing their style, intended composition, and colour palette. Imagery must be family-friendly and community-friendly, and artists should consider the four sides of the traffic cabinet. New for 2025, the City will support the digitization of analogue artwork (selected artists will be responsible for transporting their art object to the local vendor).

Submitted proposals will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. For full details on submission eligibility and requirements, and to apply online, visit barrie.ca/GraffitiAbatementArtwork.

New Path and the MacLaren Art Centre Partner to Support Art Activity and Exhibition for Children’s Mental Health Week

By Elyse Martin, IOOF Seniors Homes Inc.

Barrie, ON April 1, 2025 – New Path Youth and Family Services (New Path) and the MacLaren Art Centre (MacLaren) are thrilled to announce the commUNITY art project – a series of free, hands-on workshops designed to bring families and youth together through creative ex-pression. Led by regional artist Katherine Fievet, these workshops explore themes of community, hope, growth and transformation, with the colour green as the central theme. The resulting artwork will be showcased at the MacLaren beginning in May, to align with Children’s Mental Health Week, to highlight the power of art in fostering connection and wellbeing.

“At New Path, we are always eager to collaborate with our community to support mental wellness and ensure that families and youth are aware of the free and accredited mental health services available to them,” says Jim Harris, CEO of New Path. “The commUNI-TY art project provides a wonderful opportunity for families and youth to engage in an activity that fosters mental wellness, and we encourage everyone who can attend to join us in this meaningful experience.”

Art workshop registration is now open for families and youth on the MacLaren website.

Family Workshops: Sunday, April 13 or Sunday, April 20 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm.

Youth Workshop: Tuesday, April 15 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm

The commUNITY art opening reception will take place on May 3rd, from 1:00 -3:00 pm with the artwork being displayed at the MacLaren’s PIE Education Centre from May 3 – June 1, 2025.

“The MacLaren is excited to collaborate with New Path to host this series of free work-shops for all ages—where participants can create unique artwork that expresses per-sonal narratives of growth, hope and transformation,” says Christina Mancuso, Educa-tion Officer at MacLaren Art Centre.

Related posts

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply