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January 31, 2025

January Wrap-up: Plop, plop, fizz, fuzz, oh, what a month it was!

Snowy car being cleaned off

BY SOUTHGREY.CA STAFF — In Grey Highlands, the Mayor's Levee staggered to bring in the new year. Postponed from its originally-scheduled date a week earlier due to the massive snow storm, the event came off weather-unscathed January 11 at the Walter Harris Memorial Library in Markdale. There was cake, coffee and plenty of other treats to reward the crowd on hand who heard a summary of all the good things brought to bear the previous year:

2025 Grey Highlands Mayor's Levee

Happy New Year in Grey Highlands

Speaking of snow storms, January was a particularly cold and frosty month in Southern Grey County. A polar vortex descended upon us mid-month, forcing us to don our long underwear and put an extra log or two on the fire. In fact, it was so cold, local flashers were confined to just describing themselves to their victims. (Sorry for that.)

In that regard, the West Region OPP gave us some good advice on how to stay safe in the deep freeze that befell us. Here's hoping that February won't be so frigid, but if it's not, the story we shared on January 20 is worth a second look:

OPP 'be prepared' kit for winter driving

OPP advise drivers to stay safe in the deep freeze and be prepared

Speaking of freezing your tail off, the Grey Bruce OPP announced in January that they will host this year's Polar Plunge to raise funds for Special Olympics. If you want to watch our 'men and women in blue' turn a deeper shade of that colour, visit the Shallow Lake Community Centre at 9:30 am, on February 23. There is also still time to work up some courage and join the plunge to help support a worthy cause:

Justin Graham Polar Plunge

Grey Bruce OPP hosting Polar Plunge in support of Special Olympics Ontario

Continuing on a theme, 'cold comfort' (see what I did there?) came in the announcement of West Grey's 2025 budget, which represented an 8.6 percent blended tax increase (encompassing municipal, county, and education taxes). For residential ratepayers, the 2025 increase translates to an additional $120 per $100,000 of residential assessment, based on 2016 assessments. You can read the highlights in our January 22 story:

West Grey approves 2025 budget with a blended tax increase of 8.6%

But if it's relief from the cold that you were looking for, it was announced that Ontario is launching new energy efficiency programs, including the Home Renovation Savings Program to help families and businesses save money. The Home Renovation Savings Program launched on January 28. Other programs are also available for those who qualify. You'll find some of the details in our January 10 story:

Home Renovation Savings

Ontario launches new Energy Efficiency Programs

Looking ahead to warmer climes, the Grey Bruce OPP are offering two programs for interested do-gooders this Spring and Summer. A six-week Police Academy will begin in March — an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in pursuing a career in policing and those looking to learn more about law enforcement:

OPP logo trafic stop

Grey Bruce OPP are hosting a Police Academy for all ages

The Grey Bruce OPP Youth in Policing Initiative is a paid employment program for youth between the ages of 15 and 18 years:

Grey Bruce OPP are hiring Youth in Policing Initiative student again summer 2025

We also got an update on a Ukrainian family of newcomers and how they are coping with their re-imagined lives in Canada:

Ukrainian newcomer Ivan in Toronto

Ukrainian newcomers fit in, says Grey County Cares

 


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