A man was recorded on a security video stealing a Pride flag from a house on Beech Street West in Aylmer on Sunday, Aug. 20, at about 3:23 a.m. (see picture). The man got out of the passenger side of a dark-colours four-door vehicle and ripped down the flag from the front of the house before returned to the vehicle…

St. Thomas Police have charged a London resident, 39, with possession of a narcotic for the purpose of trafficking after a store recently opened at 309 Talbot St. allegedly selling psilocybin, more commonly known as psychedelic “magic mushrooms.” In a news release Friday, Aug. 18, St. Thomas Police stated they had acted swiftly after hearing public concerns about the open…

Young Summer Reading Club members from Springfield and Belmont cavorted in soap bubbles during a “Foam Party” that was part of Summer Reading Club events for the two branches, and which was held at Malahide Community Place in Springfield Thursday morning, July 27. A total of 58 braved threatening clouds to participate. Bumbling Bert’s Micro-Bubble Foam Dance Party, the company…

Local community leaders continue to grapple with a host of social issues raised – at least in part – by the migration of Ontario’s homeless population from Toronto to rural centres like Elgin County and St. Thomas. The issue came to a head locally on July 18, when St. Thomas officials dismantled a Victor Drive homeless encampment and St. Thomas…

Elgin councillors at a meeting Tuesday, July 25, voted 6-3 to approve an additional $15,313 a month in funding to Southwestern Public Health for the rest of this year, though that additional support is contingent on St. Thomas and Oxford County approving extra money as well. However, as County Solicitor Nick Loeb pointed out, the health unit wasn’t seeking approval…

Elgin Ontario Provincial Police Constable Brett Phair reported Wednesday morning, Aug. 2, that 13 gas-powered golf carts stolen from the Belmont Golf Club in the early-morning hours of Tuesday, Aug. 1, had been found stashed in a corn field not far from the course at 45809 Ferguson Line. The carts had an estimated value of over $100,000, he noted. He…

Pawsitively Elgin, a fundraiser for two local animal rescue services, attracted a big crowd to Springwater Conservation Area on Saturday, July 22. The event involved 120 vendors and a variety of special events and games. Here,  volunteer Jenn Mantel, left, painted the nails of Kelly Alexander’s dog, Chia, in a “VIP” tent for canines. Ms. Alexander is from Guelph but…

Long-simmering tensions between Aylmer and Malahide councils over the operation of the East Elgin Community Complex boiled over during recent meetings. Aylmer, in brief, made public a legal report it had received on the Complex and its future. Malahide councillors expressed outrage that the town had made the move unilaterally and voted to withdraw from an ad hoc committee examining…

Malahide is investigating a possible sinkhole on Highway 3 just east of Elk Street on the east side of Aylmer. A small hole in the pavement’s surface was discovered Monday morning, July 24, in the centre of a depression in the road.. One curbside lane on the south side of the road was cordoned off, but the other three remained…

Members of Aylmer Minor Ball’s two 15- and 18-and-under ball teams took to Optimist Park Thursday night, July 13, to practise their skills. Here, second baseman Landon Currie tags out runner Philip Peters. The two teams only have nine players each so, if some players don’t show up for a game, coaches work on skills and having fun. More pictures…