Plan aims to free up beds
Health officials are hoping millions of provincial dollars will help free up hospital beds for those who need them most. The North Simcoe Muskoka Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) unveiled its Year 3 Aging at Home strategy Thursday at Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital (OSMH).[...]

Nurse honoured again for service in Afghanistan
A local registered nurse is again being recognized by the military for her service in Afghanistan. Jane Ramage, of Oro-Medonte Township, was in Afghanistan last year from June 3 to Sept. 15, working in a nine-bed intensive care unit.[...]

Handcrafted monarch sign swiped
Having spent countless hours dedicating his time to Orillia, local naturalist Bob Bowles has became "discouraged." Sometime between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, the large handcrafted Monarch butterfly sign in Scout Valley, informing the public of butterfly gardens planted by Ontario [...]

Common Roof seeking city boost
Orillia's Common Roof project is seeking $75,000 from the City of Orillia. The $3.5-million building project, spearheaded by New Path Foundation, will bring about 20 human services under one roof.[...]

Orillia urging Ottawa to restore mandatory long-form census
Complaints about the federal government's decision to replace the mandatory long-form census with a voluntary questionnaire are still coming in from those who are concerned about the move, including municipalities.[...]

Sexual assault raises alarm
Michelle Keetch will be taking extra precautions when she goes to bed at night. The 19-year-old lives on Elgin Street near Colborne St. E. where a woman was sexually assaulted in her home early Wednesday morning.[...]

How to turn 'eyesore' into work of art
Robert Noble wants to turn a city construction site into a work of art. And he'd like fellow Orillians to run with his idea. When Noble looks at the plywood hoarding that wraps around the site of the city's future library, he sees not just one canvas, but 107.[...]

Soldiers' deficit not isolated issue
Health-care costs in Ontario are soaring. In 2009-10, health-care spending made up a whopping 42% of all provincial spending. This is not sustainable. Every year, health-care spending is taking up a larger and larger chunk of our tax dollars.[...]

Woman attacked
Orillia OPP are searching for a suspect who allegedly broke into a woman's downtown home while she was asleep and sexually assaulted her early Wednesday morning.[...]

Developers willing to sit down with city
Those who are challenging Orillia's increase in development charges are willing to work with the city to possibly find an alternative resolution and halt the legal process. Earlier this week, Coun.[...]

Water levels at issue
Cottagers and residents on Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe are petitioning the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) to postpone the summer drainage of both lakes until the fall.[...]

Public art gets nod
The new Orillia OPP detachment and fire station are perfect candidates for Orillia's newly adopted art in public places policy, the city's director of culture and heritage, said Wednesday.[...]

Sleep drops out of council race
A Ward 1 council candidate is the first to pull out of Orillia's municipal election race. Dick Sleep, a retired cop and legion member, announced on Wednesday that he would not be pursuing a spot on council.[...]

Tribute to The Band will kick off jazz and blues festival
Canadian blues all-stars will take the stage together for a tribute of The Last Waltz, The Band's last performance to kick off the Orillia Jazz and Blues Festival in October. Jerome Avis, god-son of The Band member Levon Helm, will be playing the drums during the tribute.[...]

Canning bids farewell to board
Orillia's representative on the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board will step down after seven years on the job. Trustee Jim Canning, who is also the current chair of the board, has announced he will not seek re-election in the October race.[...]

Paul Cain tosses his hat into Ward 1 ring
The latest candidate for Ward 1 wants to focus on government accountability and recreational opportunities. Paul Cain, 38, says he was concerned about the cost of the multi-use recreation facility (MURF) and the brown-field on which it is to be built.[...]

Court Briefs
WELCH BACK IN COURT ON SEPT. 20 ON HOME INVASION CHARGES One of two men charged after an armed home invasion began his pre-trial in Orillia court on Monday. Aaron Welch, 20, of Barrie is accused of breaking into an apartment above Seargent Shopalots on Barrie Road on May 18.[...]