Author: Mike Van Etten

A year-long joint fundraising campaign by St. Mary’s General Hospital and Grand River Hospital foundations has raised $10 million toward magnetic resonance imaging in both hospitals, and resulted in the completion of an MRI upgrade at Grand River Hospital.
$7.6 million will bring the first MRI to St. Mary’s General Hospital, while $2.4 million has helped upgrade the second MRI machine at Grand River Hospital.
Susan Dusick, President and CEO of St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation, said, “Our community recognized the need and stepped up in a big way – for healthcare and for this region.”
Grand River Hospital’s current MRI unit was replaced in early 2022 thanks to a generous donation from Equitable Life of Canada, and is funded to operate close to 24/7 to produce 17,000 scans each year. It is anticipated its second, upgraded unit which came online in February, will produce an additional 4,500 scans.
Natisha Lal, Integrated Director of Medical and Diagnostic Imaging at Grand River and St. Mary’s hospitals, said, “This second MRI machine will help us to reduce wait times for elective outpatient cases by more than half, from seven months to 90 days or less.”
Construction for the first MRI at St. Mary’s is planned for July 2023. The hospital expects to see patients next January.

Just before noon Sunday March 19th, there was a serious single-vehicle collision on Wellington Road 12 in Mapleton.
A black sedan left the road, and the three occupants were injured.
Emergency services responded, and all three were taken to hospital.
The 17-year-old driver from Mount Forest was pronounced deceased. A 15-year-old passenger from Mount Forest, and 15-year-old passenger from Southgate, were both air-lifted to a trauma centre with serious injuries.
The cause of the crash is being investigated, and police are asking anyone with information to call 1-888-310-1122.

A delegation will appear before Wellington North Council at today’s council meeting to propose new crosswalks in the township are rainbow coloured.
These would be symbolic of support and celebration of the LGBTQ+ community in Wellington North.
The group’s presentation includes other local towns already featuring rainbow crosswalks, including Owen Sound, Collingwood, Dundalk, Orangeville, and Harriston.
They say the displays are necessary in rural areas, where the LGBTQ+ community does not have the same visibility, access to resources, and support they receive in urban centres.
The average cost of rainbow crosswalks across Ontario range from $7000 – $15000. The group says it cost Minto $7000 in 2022 for the colour palette to add the Progress Pride Flag colours to a new crosswalk.

Photo: Town of Wasaga Beach

The budget will be front and centre with the third discussion at this afternoon’s (March 20th)Wellington North council meeting.
Following the last meeting, some revisions have been made. Levels of service will largely remain unchanged. Two capital projects have been revised; two pickup trucks have been removed, saving $100,000; and the Arthur Wastewater Treatment Plant Phase Two has been put on hold, saving nearly $12.5 million. One new full-time employee position has also been axed.
Council decided on a revised option three in regards to planning on how to pay for a new outdoor pool in Mount Forest. This would mean fundraisers will have to raise $2.5 million, with taxpayers on the hook for $2.8 million over eight years. That would equal a total contribution of $350,000 a year for taxpayers, or approximately $73 per household.

The Patriots Report, a weekly feature with Patriots head coach Bob Kirby.

Saugeen Conservation says forecast precipitation, warm temperatures, and melting snow will lead to water levels rising across the watershed, with the chance for flooding in low-lying areas.
Daytime temperatures around 9°C will be accompanied by 15 to 25mm of rain between yesterday evening and today.
While significant flooding is not expected, watercourses could reach or exceed bankfull conditions, with minor flooding in low-lying areas. More extensive flooding is possible if the region gets more rain than currently forecast.
The public is reminded to stay away from all water courses and structures such as bridges, culverts, and dams. Any ice left on the water will not be safe to be on Saugeen Conservation staff will be closely monitoring the situation, and will provide an update if conditions change.
To report flooding, go to saugeenconservation.ca/reportflood.
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Early Wednesday afternoon March 15th, Wellington County OPP stopped the driver of a white sedan on Wellington Road 5 in Minto. A 21-year-old from Harriston faces multiple charges.
Later that afternoon, police responded to a collision on Highway 89 in Minto. A black S.U.V. had gone into the ditch, and the driver was not at the scene. Following an investigation, a 26-year-old from Shelburne faces several charges.
On Tuesday afternoon March 14th, there was a three-vehicle collision on Highway 89 in Wellington North. Two people were taken to hospital with minor injuries. As a result, a 57-year-old from Cambridge was charged with driving while suspended.
The defendants are all scheduled to appear in court on June 7.

Around 6:15 p.m. Wednesday March 15th, Wellington County OPP responded to a home in Centre Wellington and began an intimate partner violence investigation.
As a result, a 27-year-old from Fergus faces several charges. The accused is scheduled in court on May 12.

Police have arrested and charged a 59-year-old from Brock following a child sexual exploitation investigation.
Last August, police executed a search warrant in Beaverton, and seized electronic devices. On Tuesday March 14th, a 59-year-old was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography.
The accused was released following a bail hearing, and is scheduled to appear on April 18 at the Ontario Court of Justice in Orillia.

Police recently responded to an early-morning vehicle theft from St. Andrew Street West in Fergus.
It was reported someone stole a grey sedan Taxi while it was idling in front of a business.
The vehicle was recovered at Toronto Pearson International Airport later in the day.