NEW BUSINESSES AT 162 QUEEN PAGE
8
23
PAGE LINCS KEEP WINNING Thursday, January 15, 2026
St. Marys Independent
1
St. Marys Independent 36 Water St. S., St. Marys ON | 519.284.0041 | info@stmarysindependent.com | www.stmarysindy.com
Issue #1296
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Black’s Financial Services Inc. INSURANCE • INVESTMENTS • FINANCIAL CONSULTING
TERM 1 year 3 years 5 years
GIC 3.38 3.50 3.74
GIC INSURED *All rates subject to change without notice*
Call us for details 519.284.1340
ARE YOU TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE TFSA? 1 YR 2.92 - 3 YR 3.44 - 5 YR 3.74
FOR MORE PRODUCTS AND FINANCIAL ADVICE CALL US TODAY!
FREE
AROUND THE WORLD WITH 210 Mill St., New Hamburg, ON N3A 1P9 226-333-9939 newhamburg@stonetowntravel.com TICO#5002840 150 Queen St E, St. Marys, ON N4X 1B4 519-284-2332 agent@stonetowntravel.com TICO#5002839
JOIN US ON ONE OF OUR GROUP TRIPS
BALTIC CRUISE AUGUST 11 TO AUGUST 22, 2026
MARITIMES & CAPE BRETON AUGUST 29 TO SEPTEMBER 6, 2026
www.stonetowntravel.com
DANUBE RIVER PLUS PRAGUE NOVEMBER 1 TO NOVEMBER 13, 2026
Mudmen wows audience at St. Marys Town Hall Theatre GALEN SIMMONS Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Tubing under the lights every Thursday night from 5-9pm Use promo code: happynewyear to get $5 off per person! See you on the slopes! CALL US FOR INQUIRIES AT
519.225.2329 WWW.RIVERVALLEYGOLFANDTUBE.COM
MUDMEN BRING THE THUNDER TO ST. MARYS
(GALEN SIMMONS PHOTO)
The Canadian Celtic-country-rock band, Mudmen, performed for a Stonetown audience at St. Marys Town Hall Theatre Jan. 9. See full story on page 14
Perth County council begins 2026 budget deliberations with a proposed 7.93 per-cent levy increase MARCH BREAK
CAMP (AGES 7–12)
✅ FUN GAMES, ✅ KARATE, CRAFTS ✅ CONFIDENCE
BUILDING ACTIVITIES! NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED
Draft budget introduced in December, council dives into capital budget Jan. 8 GALEN SIMMONS Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Perth County council has officially dug into this year’s draft budget, which carries a proposed tax-levy increase of 7.93 per cent, inclusive of growth. The draft 2026 budget was introduced to councillors at the Dec. 18, 2025, council meeting. It proposes to levy roughly $27.5 million from ratepayers across the county,
which is up by more than $2.4 million over last year’s $25.1-million levy. The county, however, saw 1.76 per cent or $442,000 in growth to its tax base last year, reducing the impact of the overall levy increase – roughly 9.7 per cent – down to 7.93 per cent or roughly $1.9 million. “As we move further beyond the inflationary challenges of 2025, the 2026 draft budget reflects a continued trend of easing
✅ CAMP T-SHIRT ✅ BELT INCLUDED
The Mudmen brought their signature Celtic-country-rock thunder to the St. Marys Town Hall Theatre during their annual concert in the Stonetown Jan. 9. As part of their 2025-2026 tour of towns and cities, small and large, across Ontario, The Mudmen once again stopped in St. Marys, a show the members of the band look forward to each year. “It was a good show; the crowd was nice,” said Mudmen bagpiper Robby Campbell. “They’re great people. We do really good in farming communities – we grew up in a farming community and St. Marys is very farm oriented. I think we went up against the Lincolns that are doing well, so that’s always a competitor, but St. Marys is nothing but good memories.” Campbell says he always tries to bring his family to St. Marys around the holidays to see the Winter Lights down at Milt Dunnell Field and take in the holiday magic Stonetown is known for. This year, however, the snow over the holiday break kept him away, so he and his bandmates – his brother, Sandy Campbell, on bagpipes, Colin Amey on lead vocals and guitar, Andy Gingerich on drums, Alex Showdra on electric guitar and banjo, and Emett Glancie on bass – were glad to make it to town for their annual show. No strangers to St. Marys, the Mudmen have sold out local shows a dozen times over the years while sharing stages with artists such as Johnny Reid, The Irish Rovers and The Guess Who. The Celtic-country-rock band has also opened for major international acts including ZZ Top, Loverboy, Brooks & Dunn, Sarah McLachlan and Glass Tiger. Their career highlights are extensive and include performing for the Queen, appearances at multiple Grey Cups, Briers and Memorial Cups, Canada’s Walk of Fame ceremonies,
CONTINUED TO PAGE 2
Julien Polidoro
DAILY ACHIEVEMENT STRIPES
5 Day Camp - $299
St.Marys & Thorndale
HOMEFIELD LEGACY REALTY ST. MARYS, BROKERAGE
Broker - Coldwell Banker Homefield Legacy Brokerage* 150 Queen Street East, St. Marys, ON Cell: 519-949-2264 | Office: 519-284-2381 *Each office is an independently owned & operated member broker of Coldwell Banker Affiliates of Canada
CONTINUED TO PAGE 14