SURVIVOR TO RUN HALF MARATHON PAGE
16
18
PAGE LINCS BLANK SISKINS Thursday, January 29, 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 #1298
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Black’s Financial Services Inc. INSURANCE • INVESTMENTS • FINANCIAL CONSULTING
TERM 1 year 3 years 5 years
GIC 3.44 3.70 3.75
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 2.78 - 3 YR 3.33 - 5 YR 3.53
FOR MORE PRODUCTS AND FINANCIAL ADVICE CALL US TODAY!
FREE
AROUND THE WORLD WITH
JOIN US ON ONE OF OUR GROUP TRIPS
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
BALTIC CRUISE AUGUST 11 TO AUGUST 22, 2026
www.stonetowntravel.com
AT RIVER VALLEY
Draft budget carries proposed 8.75 per-cent tax-rate increase following review of operating budget
Perfect for birthday parties,corporate outings, schools, & group events.
GALEN SIMMONS Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
We can’t wait to welcome you!
519.225.2329 WWW.RIVERVALLEYGOLFANDTUBE.COM
(GALEN SIMMONS PHOTO)
Abel Brosens and Noah Hauser take the plunge into the new and improved Pyramid Recreation Centre pool during the aquatics centre’s grand reopening public swim Jan. 24.
Town of St. Marys celebrates pool reopening with sold-out public swim
After more than a year of renovations, the pool at the PRC is back in operation
MARCH BREAK
CAMP (AGES 7–12)
✅ FUN GAMES, ✅ KARATE, CRAFTS ✅ CONFIDENCE
BUILDING ACTIVITIES!
DANUBE RIVER PLUS PRAGUE NOVEMBER 1 TO NOVEMBER 13, 2026
Perth County council approves 2026 budget in principle
SLIDE INTO WINTER FUN
CALL US FOR INQUIRIES AT
MARITIMES & CAPE BRETON AUGUST 29 TO SEPTEMBER 6, 2026
GALEN SIMMONS Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Dozens of St. Marys and area residents turned out Saturday for a special public swim at the newly renovated Pyramid Recreation Centre (PRC) aquatics centre to celebrate the grand reopening of the pool after it was closed for more than a year. With free cupcakes, balloons and swag bags courtesy of the town, as well as rubber ducks courtesy of Quadro Communications,
the event showcased the nearly $2 million in renovations and upgrades undertaken by the town and its contractors since the pool was first closed in November 2024, a decision made to address the deterioration of equipment and infrastructure caused by an undersized HVAC unit and the use of saltwater instead of chlorine earlier in the pool’s lifespan. “This is really exciting; I’m so glad we’re open after such a long time,” said Town of
NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED
✅ CAMP T-SHIRT ✅ BELT INCLUDED
Perth County council has concluded the bulk of its 2026 budget deliberations and has now approved the full draft budget in principle after county council reviewed its draft operating budget on Jan. 22., resulting in a proposed levy increase, inclusive of growth, of 8.75 per cent over the county’s 2025 levy. As part of council’s review of the draft operating budget, which originally included roughly $64.4 million in spending this year, councillors were asked to consider four budget requests totalling an additional roughly $205,000. They included a $50,000 request in support of the development of the Ontario Agri-Food Discovery Centre in North Perth, an additional $100,000 to support a countywide sign and wayfinding project to be undertaken by the county’s economic development and tourism department, $30,000 to support other special projects aimed at supporting economic development in the county, and $25,000 in support of the eradication of the invasive plant species, giant hogweed, in collaboration with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA). While councillors ultimately included all four budgetary requests in the draft 2026 operating budget, deputy warden Sue Orr and
CONTINUED TO PAGE 2
Ron Morrison
DAILY ACHIEVEMENT STRIPES
5 Day Camp - $299
St.Marys & Thorndale
COLDWELL BANKER HOMEFIELD LEGACY REALTY, BROKERAGE
Broker for Coldwell Banker Homefield Legacy Realty, Brokerage 150 Queen Street East, St. Marys, ON Cell: 519-272-7666 | Office: 519-284-2381 *Each office is an independently owned & operated member broker of Coldwell Banker Affiliates of Canada
CONTINUED TO PAGE 3