Local News

The program offers three paid days of sick leave for every worker in the province.

New data from South Africa suggests COVID-19 vaccines will protect you from getting seriously ill from the Omicron variant.

Bill C-5 would eliminate minimum penalties for several firearm offences, including robbery with a firearm, weapons trafficking and possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition.

Fans will be asked to bring a new unwrapped toy/gift card/cash to the Woodstock Navy Vets game Friday for the Toy Drive in memory of Hunter Weston.

These settings include night clubs, wedding receptions, meeting/event spaces and strip clubs.

The Health Unit also recorded two more COVID-19 related deaths yesterday, a woman in her 50's and a man in his 60's.

A flood outlook will remain in place until further notice as water levels are expected to remain near record highs over the coming months.

A 25 year old man has been arrested after a vehicle was damaged at a parking lot on Dundas.

340 people are currently battling COVID-19 at hospitals in Ontario, including 165 people in the ICU.

Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman has announced a provincial investment of $17.6-million to help build North Woodstock Elementary School.

William "Bill" Barton was last spotted on foot close to the Woodstock ONroute on the westbound 401 last night.

Lidia Tromp is moving into a nursing home and she has decided to donate her Tillsonburg home of 55 years to the Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services.

Gavin and Landon Woolcott started collecting toys for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oxford County about two weeks ago and they collected lots of donations at the Bright Santa Claus Parade.

Eight new confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 have been reported within the TVDSB and two of them are in Tillsonburg.

The Middlesex-London Health Unit says there is a strong possibility that a cluster of at least 30 COVID cases in London could be linked to the Omicron variant.

A school bus driver has died after their empty bus left the road and hit several trees in South Walsingham yesterday afternoon.

Norfolk OPP had to administer naloxone to the same person, on two separate occasions last week in Delhi. 

This testing clinic at South Ridge Public School is for anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or if you had an exposure to someone with COVID-19. 

The auction will be live until this Friday at 1:00 pm and 100 percent of the proceeds will stay in the community.

A 41 year old from Woodstock will need a bus pass for awhile, after getting busted for impaired driving. 

Briefs include a man with Crystal Meth and Fentanyl who decided to take a nap in a strangers vehicle on Nellis, attempted B&E on Finkle and a smashed windshield on Dundas.

Police say the driver stopped, did a u-turn, rolled down the window and pointed a handgun at the teens late Friday night.

The active case count for the SWPH region now sits at 202 and the Health Unit also confirmed another COVID-19 related death.

The Navy Vets fall to 3rd place after getting 2 out of a possible 4 points this weekend, while Tavistock moves into a tie for 1st.

"Individuals who are not fully vaccinated represent 23.3% of Ontario’s total population & amount to 397 of Ontario's 887 new reported cases."

A 28-year-old man from Woodstock was involved in a single-vehicle crash in Caledonia on Friday. He was not hurt but he is now facing impaired driving charges.

Heart FM's Cody Hayward and Santa Ron will be part of a convoy going through Woodstock today, collecting toys and gift cards for families in need.

Dog owners in South-West Oxford will no longer have to worry about buying dog tags from the Township starting next year.

Four new school related cases of COVID-19 were reported in Oxford County over the weekend. The list of affected schools includes South Ridge PS, Southside PS, Central PS and St. Patrick's Catholic Elementary School.

Environment Canada is predicting wind gusts between 70 and 80 kilometres per hour for this afternoon and the LPRCA is warning people to stay away from the Lake Erie shoreline.

Canada inks deal to buy 1.5 million Pfizer and Merck antiviral medication, pending approval from Health Canada.

A suspect was eventually arrested this morning after avoiding a spike belt in Woodstock and slamming into a cruiser.

City Hall and other city building will be illuminated in blue this weekend as a tribute to the 8 year old girl guide who tragically lost her life this week.

The top 4 teams in the PJHL Doherty Division standings square off tonight with showdowns in Tavistock and New Hamburg.

The November Grand Prize for the Woodstock Hospital Foundation hit a new record at over $78,000.

All of the money raised locally stays local and it helps provide kids in our community with a nice Christmas.

National Advisory Committee on Immunization provides updated guidelines for booster COVID-19 shots.

It is the second COVID-19 related death in as many days and the 100th COVID-19 death in the region since the start of the pandemic.

The VON Sakura House Lights of Love ceremony will be live streamed on Facebook at 6:00 pm tonight.

Officials report 286 people hospitalized with the virus, with 146 in ICUs.

Twelve volunteers slept in their vehicles last night for United Way Oxford's first ever Sleepless In Our City event.

Santa Claus will visit Oxford County tomorrow. You'll be able to spot him in the morning parade in Ingersoll, the afternoon parade in Bright and the evening parade in Plattsville.

Operation Sharing's Christmas Place will support over 250 families in need this year and donations can be dropped off at College Ave Church during the week.

A pet is a long-term commitment, so you should really think twice before deciding to give someone a cat or a dog for Christmas this year.

Health officials in the Durham Region and the Halton Region each confirmed a new case of the Omicron COVID-19 variant yesterday, bringing the province's total to six.

The pre-sale of pre-made bags of food and cash donations for the local salvation army has already started at Sobeys.

The Hospital has also raised $20,000 this year with the Tree of Lights program.

Beginning December 13th, people 50 and older can book a booster COVID-19 shot.

Try not to smile when watching 6 year old Callan Perks fire up the Peterborough Pete's with the best pre-game speech I have ever heard.

Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath says an inquiry needs to be held to examine the Ontario's response to COVID-19.

The Health Unit also confirmed the 99th COVID-19 related death in the region. The deceased is a woman in her 50's from Elgin County. 

If at first you don't succeed try and try again is a good life lesson, but it shouldn't apply to speeding.

West Region OPP are stationed outside Centre Wellington High School in Fergus today after a threat of violence was discovered last night.

This is the highest daily case number in Ontario since June.

The Woodstock Police Service and the Oxford OPP issued a total of 35 tickets during the most recent Operation Zero campaign, targeting impaired drivers in our community.

The Woodstock Santa Claus Parade will take over Downtown Woodstock on Sunday December 12th and tomorrow is the deadline to register a float for the event.

The Salvation Army has nine Christmas Kettle locations in Woodstock and Norwich, but they rarely have them all running at the once due to a shortage of volunteers.

The TVDSB is reporting one new case of COVID-19 at Emily Stowe Public School in Norwich and another case of the virus Glendale High School in Tillsonburg.

A 50 percent indoor capacity limit is now in effect for most businesses and establishments in Aylmer, Bayham, Blandford-Blenheim, Malahide, Norwich, South-West Oxford, Tillsonburg and West Elgin.

Four of the victims in the horrific crash on Tuesday night in London, including the 8 year old girl who died were attending schools in the Thames Valley District School Board.

Girl Guides of Canada has confirmed that a number of their members were involved in the crash that killed an 8 year old and injured 10 people ranging in age from 6-60.

Thirteen young people across Canada have appealed to Ontario's Superior Court, pushing for the voting age to be lowered.

Route #1 Northeast will go on its normal planned route starting Thursday, now that construction is complete on Huron St. between Ingersoll Ave and Devonshire. 

OPP are searching for a white man in his 40's or early 50's who robbed his victim after crashing into them on the 403 in Brant County.

You can donate scarves, hats and mitts to the local Sobeys for the 4th annual Tillsonburg Scarf bomb happening on December 18th this year.

"We are continuing with our booster dose strategy as well, we will have more to say about that with respect to age categories within the next few days." 

Up to $3 million will support the CFL's championship game.

The active case count has dropped to 170 in the SWPH region after 13 new cases were confirmed this morning and 46 resolved cases.

A public meeting is happening on Monday as the City considers allowing Additional Residential Units in Woodstock.

Over $210 million in COVID-19 relief money was given to ineligible businesses in Ontario.

Right now, 296 people are battling COVID-19 at hospitals in Ontario, including 155 people in the ICU.

EV chargers will be installed at 20 ONroute locations along the 401 and 400 by the end of next year including Woodstock. Ingersoll will have to wait a couple of years.

There are reports that at least two electric vehicle chargers will be installed at most ONroute highway rest stops along the 401 and 400 by summer 2022.

Donations are now being accepted for this year's Santa for Seniors campaign in Oxford County. The gifts are delivered to isolated seniors on Christmas Day.

Dr. Joyce Lock is encouraging those who may be on the fence about getting the COVID-19 vaccine to consult their doctor.

A pickup truck hit a pedestrian in the hamlet of Poole yesterday evening and they later died in hospital.

London Police say there is nothing to indicate last night's serious crash on Riverside Drive was an intentional act. Multiple pedestrians were taken to hospital with injuries ranging from minor to life threatening.

Egypt, Malawi and Nigeria have been added to the travel ban over concerns around the Omicron variant.

The 19 year old is going to be facing some hefty insurance premiums after getting charged with stunt driving in Paris on Monday night.

It is expected the Premier will be making an announcement on expanding booster shot eligibility.

A 15 year old sophomore killed three students and injured 6 others at a school shooting near Detroit today.

The Horwath plan calls for gradual yearly increases to reach $20/h by May 2026.

The crash sent one of the drivers to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The money will help support a $27 million investment from the company to expand their operation by 13,000 square feet, creating 100 new jobs.

On the bright side, the Health Unit did report more resolved cases than new cases this morning.

Jack and Sharyn Cheney were presented with a cheque for $20,000 at the Home Hardware in Woodstock this morning.

We are taking proactive measures now so we hopefully don't have to close down schools or face another lockdown.

A serious two vehicle collision in Perth County this morning has proved fatal for one of the drivers.

Ontario currently has 266 people in the hospital with COVID-19, including 153 in the ICU.

United Way Oxford is tracking behind their fundraising goal for this year's campaign. They're currently sitting at about 40 percent.

The Crew RC Riding Club and Unifor Local 636 will be distributing 75 Christmas dinner boxes to the less fortunate this holiday season. You have until December 15th to nominate a local family in need.

A vehicle passed a stopped school bus in Langton Friday afternoon, right before a kid was about to cross the street.

Starting today, unvaccinated people over the age of 12 won't be able to board a plane or a train for domestic travel in Canada.

Environment Canada says we're in for heavy snowfall this morning, with some areas getting up to 2cm per hour.

SWPH announced capacity limits for municipalities with high rates of transmission and or low vaccination rates. Have your say in the latest Heart FM poll.

Starting today, you will need to provide proof of vaccination to visit a patient at the hospitals in Tillsonburg and Ingersoll.

Municipalities with vaccination rates under 80% for anyone 12+ in SWPH health region will have capacity limits reduced to 50% at most establishments and venues.

The amount of people using the emergency financial support from the Thames Valley Education Foundation this year is up 70%.

The Navy Vets have moved into a tie for first after a busy weekend in the PJHL Doherty division.

Police say two men left a store on Norwich Ave with a stolen TV in a stolen Hyundai and a thirsty man was arrested on Dundas after stealing a bottle of liquor from the LCBO.

Cases in Hamilton and Ottawa under investigation for the variant.

This particular shooting star ornament was purchased in memory of a loved one and if it is returned, no questions will be asked.

Local Medical Officer of Health Dr. Joyce Lock is set to address the media on Tuesday morning and it is expected she will announce new restrictions for our region.

Briefs include an 18 year old busted filling out a prescription, graffiti at the new Sikh temple on Oxford Road 17 and a 31 year old arrested for stealing a UHAUL.

Ontario is reporting 788 new cases of COVID-19 this morning and 453 resolved cases. 

United Way Oxford's 12 Days of Giving Campaign will get underway on December 13th and Maglin Site Furniture will match all of the monetary donations collected.

A total of six new school related cases of COVID-19 were reported in Oxford County over the weekend, affecting both the TVDSB and the LDCSB.

The Ford Government is reporting two cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant in Ottawa. Both patients recently travelled to Nigeria and they're now self isolating.

UPDATE: Robert Post has been located safe.

Police say a white pickup truck hit a hydro pole on Slant Road last night. It was last spotted heading northeast towards Evergreen Street.

Public Health Agency of Canada says pregnant women and babies are at increased risk of severe illness due to COVID-19.

If passed, Bill C-3 would make it illegal to harass health-care workers or patients.

Canada banning the entry of all foreign nationals who have traveled through southern Africa in the last fourteen days.

Public health officials say 268 Ontarians remain hospitalized with COVID-19, and 140 are in ICUs due to the virus.

OPP say the 47 year old from Courtland was driving around with large amounts of cocaine and cannabis.

Christmas in the square includes free carriage rides with santa, live performances, an arts market and so much more.

Donations are still being accepted for the VON Sakura House Lights of Love fundraiser.

The wrapped in courage and Zonta says No flags were officially raised at two ceremonies in Woodstock yesterday.

The visit is not only to strengthen Taiwan-Canada relations, but also to send an advance notification for a series of activities to celebrate the 150-year history of the Taiwan-Canada friendship.

OPP reminding everyone to drive to the conditions as we brace for flurries and snow squalls this afternoon.

A GoFundMe has been set up for the family, that is currently living at an emergency house from the local Salvation Army.

Garold Miles plans to use his winnings to pay some bills, upgrade his wife's car and go on a trip.

Premier will meet with mayors and regional chairs to discuss housing.

When you factor in the price of gas right now, you will probably find more savings by shopping locally. 

Police say the black Samsung tab A with a pink and teal case was stolen last night from a car parked on Wellington Street near Princess Street.

Residents in Tillsonburg, Woodstock, Aylmer, St. Thomas and Bayham make up the bulk of the active cases in the region.

The Woodstock Bahá’í Community is commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Ascension of Abdu'l-Bahá tomorrow.

Over 3,000 parents have already signed up their children to be vaccinated in the SWPH region.

The province says 257 people are battling the virus in hospital.

Nolan Brett will suit up for the South Conference Team during the PJHL Prospects Game in Norwich on December 18th.

Firefighters went door to door in Ingersoll last Saturday and distributed over 100 free combination smoke and co alarms.

The Woodstock Navy Vets will be hosting their annual Teddy Bear and Pajama Toss during tomorrow night's home game against the Hespler Shamrocks tomorrow night.

Amita Kuttner has become the youngest person, first trans person and first person of east-Asian decent to lead a federal political party in Canada.

SWPH is only administering the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine at it's mass immunization clinics at this time. Kids between the ages of 5 and 11 also must have a parent or guardian present in order to get the shot.

The TVDSB is reporting one new case at Glendale High School and another case of the virus at Westfield Public School.

A GoFundMe page has been started for the Morrice family in Tillsonburg following yesterday's devastating fire at Morrice Furniture on Simcoe Street.

Single-shot vaccine approved for people 18 and older.

Another active fire in Oxford County, this one at a home on Oxford Road 17 in EZT.

If the powers had not been extended, then all public health measures would have been lifted on December 1st.

Oxford OPP, Fire and EMS are currently responding to an active fire on Simcoe Street. The road is closed between Ball Street and Potters Road.

WPS found the stolen truck, 30 minutes after it was stolen abandoned at the train station, several tools, jackets and the ownership are still missing.

Oxford EMS responded to two overdoses this week, one of which was fatal.

Things are back to normal on Norwich Ave at Cedar St, however the lights are still out and the power is off for over 300 people after a fire at Parkinson and Springbank.

The three hospitals in Oxford County, the OPP and Woodstock Police have agreed to a new protocol to transfer people into the hospital after they are apprehended by police under the Mental Health Act. 

Most of the active cases in the region are in Woodstock, Tillsonburg and Aylmer. 16 people are currently in the hospital with the virus.

Province says 289 people battling the virus in hospital.

Tomorrow is International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women and it also marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

There's a worldwide shortage of aluminium crutches right now and the Woodstock Hospital is now collecting donations.

OPP briefs include include a case of online extortion in Norfolk County, a stunt driver in Brant County and some vehicle break ins in Delhi.

Wiarton Willie has passed away following a tooth abscess, so another groundhog will have to take over the live Groundhog Day prediction ceremony in the Town of South Bruce Peninsula.

The LDCSB says someone in the St. Michael's Catholic Elementary School community has tested positive for COVID-19.

A young child has been treated and released from the Woodstock Hospital after eating cannabis edibles.