Katherine Vooys of The Crunchy Canine says the annual campaign is all about education and prevention.

Parents are also encouraged to teach children safe behaviour, such as avoiding dogs that are eating or sleeping and not approaching unfamiliar animals. Children should always ask the owner for permission before interacting with a dog and use gentle, appropriate behaviour when doing so.

Vooys explains that dogs rarely bite without warning. She says most incidents happen when a dog feels afraid, startled, in pain, or is trying to protect something.

She adds that responsible ownership plays a big role. Learning to recognize early warning signs—like a tucked tail, pinned ears, or a dog backing away—can help prevent situations from escalating.

When faced with an aggressive off-leash dog in a park or on a trail, Vooys offers the following advice:

She adds that it’s important to avoid running or making sudden movements. Staying calm and quiet can help prevent further escalating the situation.

Vooys says with better awareness from both dog owners and the public, most dog bites are preventable—helping keep communities safer for everyone.

Written by Jeremy Hall

Investigators say the suspect entered a vehicle in the early morning hours, around 5:42 a.m., and removed several items, including a mobile phone and a bank card. The individual is described as wearing a black jacket and a black hooded sweatshirt at the time of the incident.

Police have released an image of the suspect as part of the ongoing investigation and are encouraging anyone who may recognize the individual to come forward. Tips can be provided directly to police or anonymously through Crime Stoppers, where a reward may be available.

Officers are also reminding residents to take preventative measures by locking their vehicles and removing valuables. Anyone who notices suspicious activity in their neighbourhood is encouraged to contact police.

Officials say while widespread flooding is not anticipated, the added precipitation will increase river levels and flow rates throughout the watershed. Thunderstorms could also lead to higher localized rainfall totals, further impacting water conditions.

Reservoirs within the system remain at their normal seasonal levels and are being used to help manage water flow and reduce the risk of downstream flooding. However, the authority stresses that changing conditions can still pose risks to the public.

Higher water levels combined with slippery banks and fast-moving currents create dangerous conditions near rivers and streams. Residents are being urged to stay back from waterways and supervise children closely, as conditions continue to be monitored and updates will be issued if necessary.

Under the proposal, attendance and participation would account for 15 per cent of final marks in Grades 9 and 10, and 10 per cent in Grades 11 and 12. The plan would also require students to complete written exams during designated exam periods, marking a return to more traditional assessment methods.

Calandra says the changes are aimed at addressing declining attendance rates, which educators have identified as a growing concern since the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also proposed standardizing learning resources across the province to ensure greater consistency in how curriculum is delivered.

However, the plan has drawn criticism from education groups, including the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation, which argues that increased supports—not grading changes—are needed to improve attendance. Critics say issues such as class sizes, mental health resources, and student engagement should be the primary focus.

The proposed changes are part of a broader legislative package that also seeks to adjust the role of school board trustees and governance structures, with further debate expected as the legislation moves forward.

The Spoelstras operate Roy-A-Lea Farms Ltd., a diversified family farm producing grains, hay, dairy, and beef. In addition to their work on the farm, Heather leads the well-known Roy-A-Lea Clydesdales program, breeding and marketing horses across North America, while also contributing to several industry committees.

Drew is also deeply involved in agricultural leadership, serving as the 33rd President of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, representing tens of thousands of farmers across the province. He is also a graduate of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program and operates Roy-A-Lea Seeds Ltd.

Organizers say this year’s Ontario competition highlighted two strong finalists, with Tyler and Allison McBlain of Caledonia also recognized for their operation. Program representatives praised both families for their innovation and dedication to advancing agriculture while supporting their communities.

The Spoelstras will now go on to represent Ontario at the national competition in Vancouver this November, where winners from across the country will compete for the national title.

Police say the first incident took place late on April 10, when an officer conducted a traffic stop on Highway 59 near Bill’s Corners. Following an interaction and a roadside sobriety test, a 36-year-old man from Norfolk County was taken into custody without incident and later charged with multiple offences, including impaired operation and driving-related infractions.

The second incident occurred the following afternoon, after officers responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting a suspected impaired driver near Walsh. Police located the vehicle and arrested a 64-year-old woman from Oxford County, who now faces charges related to impaired operation by alcohol and drugs.

Both individuals are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Simcoe on May 19. Police continue to remind the public that impaired driving remains a serious safety concern and encourage anyone who suspects a driver is impaired to call 9-1-1.

Tomorrow: Wing Night at the Army Navy Air Force Club in Simcoe from 4:00 – 7:00 pm
1 lb. of wings: $12 French Fries: $5 Onion Rings: $5 And those French Fries and Onion Rings portions are generous!
Wing Flavors: Mild, Medium, Hot, Honey Garlic, Sweet & Sour & Sweet Chili Thai
Take-Out or Dine-In

Tomorrow: Board Game Nite at Norfolk County Public Library – Simcoe Branch from 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Drop in and play board games with the Norfolk Game Group! Free for all ages (adults and supervised kids), with games for every interest and skill level!

LOCAL SPORTS:

Brantford Bulldogs (CHL) Playoffs!

• Thu, Apr 16 North Bay at Brantford – 7:00 pm (If needed)
• Sat, Apr 18 Brantford at North Bay – 7:00 pm  (If needed)

Click here for more community events.

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The donation was announced during Pharmacy Appreciation Month in March and coincides with the company’s 93rd anniversary, forming part of its “100,000 Ways of Giving Back” initiative.

Blair Snow, co-owner of Roulston’s Pharmacy, says the decision was rooted in both professional experience and community need.

The funding will help support the development of hospice care services, aimed at providing compassionate, end-of-life care closer to home for residents across the region.

Roulston’s operates five locations across Simcoe, Port Dover, Delhi, and Tillsonburg, and Snow says the company’s deep roots in the community played a significant role in the decision.

Snow said many staff members were born and raised locally, and have seen firsthand the impact that limited hospice care options can have on families.

Snow says determining the $100,000 figure wasn’t tied to a specific formula, but rather a shared feeling among ownership that a larger contribution was warranted.

He adds the goal is not only to support the project financially, but also to help encourage others to give.

The hospice campaign has been years in the making, with multiple community groups and volunteers working toward the goal of bringing dedicated end-of-life care to Norfolk and Haldimand.

Snow says seeing the project move closer to reality is something both he and his partners are proud to support.

He adds that ongoing community support will continue to be essential, as hospice care relies heavily on donations to maintain operations.

With this contribution, Roulston’s Pharmacy is helping take another step toward ensuring residents can access compassionate, dignified care close to home at every stage of life.

The game gets underway at 6 p.m. at Simcoe Composite School, where the two teams will meet for an evening of sport, community spirit, and fun competition.

Organizers are inviting the public to come out and cheer on the players, with admission set at the door as a non-perishable food donation.

All food collected will go toward local support initiatives, helping community members in need while spectators enjoy the game.

The The Strand Theatre is now accepting submissions for the Routes to Roots Film Festival, scheduled for May 23.

Organizers are inviting filmmakers of all ages to create short films based on the theme “What Community Means to Me,” marking a shift from previous years when the festival primarily showcased independent films.

Participants are encouraged to explore stories about neighbourhoods, friendships, culture, and the people and places that shape their sense of belonging.

Films must be between two and five minutes long and can be submitted under three categories: elementary school, high school, and an open community division.

The submission deadline is May 8, with selected films to be screened at the Strand Theatre during the festival.

Organizers say the event is designed to celebrate local creativity and provide a platform for community members to share their perspectives through film.

Prizes will be announced, and organizers hope the new format will inspire greater participation while strengthening connections across the community through storytelling.