The Township of Ramara is inviting residents, businesses, and organizations across the community to have their say on the future of two municipally owned buildings located at 2287 and 2291 Highway 12 in Brechin, known locally as St. Andrew’s Hall and the former Standard Bank.

“These two buildings have been part of our community’s story for generations, and we want everyone in Ramara to help shape what comes next,” said Mayor Basil Clarke. “Because both buildings sit close to Highway 12, any major renovation would require them to be moved back to meet Ministry of Transportation setback requirements. That means any future use will involve important planning considerations. Your input is valuable and will help inform Council’s decisions about the future of these properties.”

Surveys:

From Oct. 31 to Nov. 21, 2025, community members can share their ideas and feedback for the future of the two buildings by completing one of two online surveys:

• Residents, Seasonal Residents or Visitors
• Businesses and Organizations

Hard copies of the resident survey will also be available at the Ramara Centre (5482 Highway 12, Atherley) and at the Township Administration Building (2297 Highway 12, Brechin). Residents who complete the community survey have the option to be entered into a draw for a chance to win a Ramara Prize Pack.

Open House – Nov. 18, 2025:

To learn more and share feedback in person, community members are invited to attend one of two Open House sessions on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, at the Ramara Centre (5482 Highway 12):

• Session 1: 3:30 to 5 p.m. (presentation at 4 p.m.)
• Session 2: 6 to 7:30 p.m. (presentation at 6:30 p.m.)

Each session will include a short presentation outlining the buildings’ history, current condition, and next steps, along with opportunities for participants to share feedback and ideas. Surveys can also be completed on-site. No registration is required to attend.

Have Your Say Stations:

Have Your Say Stations will also be available at community centres across Ramara, including Udney, Longford Mills, and the Ramara Centre, as well as at the Ramara Township Administration Centre starting the week of Nov. 3, 2025. Residents can complete a short, three-question ballot and drop it into the marked ballot boxes by Nov. 21, 2025.

Background Information:

The Township purchased the two buildings in 2021 as part of its efforts to support downtown revitalization and explore new opportunities for use. Due to Ministry of Transportation setback requirements, the buildings cannot remain in their current locations if any significant redevelopment, reuse, or reconstruction occurs. Relocating the buildings further back from the highway or demolishing and rebuilding to meet Ministry standards would involve substantial investment.

Council is exploring several options for the future of the properties, including redevelopment, partnerships, sale, or demolition and rebuilding, and wants to understand the community’s priorities and funding preferences before making any decisions.

Feedback collected through the surveys, open house, and have your say stations will be summarized and presented to Council to help inform next steps.

For more information, visit ramara.ca/BuildingBrechin.

The post Have Your Say On The Future Of Municipal Properties In Brechin appeared first on Muskoka411.

On March 20,2025 at approximately 9:15 p.m. officers from the Orillia Detachment of the OPP were dispatched to a disturbance in Brechin with reports that a male party was leaving a residence impaired after assaulting and threatening another individual. Shortly after officers located the vehicle and suspect on Hwy 12 near Muley Point Road. Officers quickly determined the driver was impaired placing him under arrest.

As a result, Warren Todd, 50-year-old, from Orillia has been charged with:

• Operation While Impaired – Alcohol and Drug
• Operation While Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 plus)
• Assault
• Uttering Threats to Cause Death or Bodily Harm
• Mischief Over $5000.00 x 2

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Orillia, to answer to the charges at a later date in April 2025. As a result of these charges, his driver’s licence has been suspended for 90 days, and vehicle impounded for a period of 7 days.

The post Male Faces Several Charges After A Disturbance At A Residence In Ramara appeared first on Muskoka411.

On January 30, 2024, at approximately 2:15 pm, officers responded to the shoreline between Beaverton and Brechin following a 911 call from occupants of an off-road vehicle that went through the ice a significant distance from shore. OPP Aviation Services were dispatched and quickly located the individuals through GPS coordinates, while Ramara Fire attended with an airboat. All occupants were brought safely to shore without injuries.

Police would like to remind everyone that no ice is safe ice. Please be aware of the conditions prior to heading out on the ice. Consult with local experts in the area and check for up to date reports on ice thickness. Also be aware of your location and surroundings as conditions can change quickly. Should you require emergency support, please know your location, as this assists first responders with rendering assistance in a timely manner.

Members of Orillia OPP and Rama Police Service are committed to public safety, delivering proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our communities. Officers value your contribution to building safe communities. If you suspect someone is driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol call 9-1-1. If you have information about suspected unlawful activity, please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or www.crimestopperssdm.com.

The post Everyone Rescued After Off Road Vehicle Through The Ice Between Beaverton And Brechin appeared first on Muskoka411.

The post Brechin Water Tower Closed For Construction appeared first on Muskoka411.

On April 16, 2023, it was reported that a person had been injured, as a result of either falling from or being struck by a vehicle or off-road vehicle, sometime between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. in the area of Bolsover. The victim sustained life-altering injuries. The vehicle left the scene.

The investigation continues under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch. Anyone with information is asked to come forward. If you have dashcam, security system or trail camera video which cover the areas in and around Centennial Park Road, Highway 12 and County Road 48, please call the City of Kawartha Lakes OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

If you have information but wish to stay anonymous, please contact Kawartha Haliburton Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a tip online at

https://www.khcrimestoppers.com/.

The post Witnesses Sought After Collision Investigation In The Hwy. 12 And County Road 48 Area appeared first on Muskoka411.

On March 28, 2023, just after 11 pm, officers were dispatched to reports of single motor vehicle collision, where the vehicle left the roadway. The driver was subsequently arrested for impaired driving and transported to a local hospital for observation. Police also determined that the driver is currently a prohibited driver and is on a probation order to not operate a motor vehicle.

As a result, Wilhelm SITSER, age 60, of Brechin, has been charged with:

• Operation while impaired- alcohol and drugs
• Operation while Prohibited
• Fail to Comply with Probation

The accused was held for a bail hearing on March 29, 2023 at the Ontario Court of Justice in Barrie.

This is the third collision involving impaired drivers in two days. Orillia OPP would like to remind anyone who consumes intoxicating substances to find an alternative to operating a motor vehicle or vessel. Call a cab, rideshare service, friend, or family. Arrange to stay overnight; do not get behind the wheel.

The post Prohibited Driver Charged With Impaired After Crash On Hwy. 12 appeared first on Muskoka411.

On Christmas Day just after 11 p.m., Orillia OPP, Rama First Nations Police Service, Durham Regional Paramedic Service, Rama Paramedic Services and the Township of Ramara fire, were dispatched to Highway 12 in Brechin, Ontario, for a report of a multi vehicle collision involving two ehicles that were struck by a train.

One male driver of a motor-vehicle was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced.

One individual was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The deceased is confirmed as Sean Carpenter, 63 years old of Kirkfield, Ontario.

The OPP Technical Collision Investigation (TCI) team attended the collision scene and is assisting with the investigation.

The roadway will remain closed for the next few hours for the investigation.

The investigation is ongoing.

If you have any information that may be helpful, please call the Orillia OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

The post Fatal Collision In Brechin On Highway 12 Involving A Train appeared first on Muskoka411.

The members of the group are:

Ernesto Diaz Herryman of Hamilton

Christopher Cote of Mississauga

David Fox of Ancaster

Deepakkumar Prajapati of Mississauga

Fitzwilliam Ramsook of Milton

Gary Randall of Oakville

Gary St. Onge of Oakville

Gregory Hunter of Mississauga

Gregory May of Hamilton

Hanif Remani of Hamilton

Hiran Patel of Brampton

Jacob Sherrit of Brantford

James Madley Ancaster

John Happy of Oakville

John Taylor of Coldwater

John-Paul McGrath of Hamilton

Kevin Soy of North York

Matthew Konstantinou of Mount Hope

Nileshkumar Babaria of Mississauga

Richard Groulx of Burlington

Sana Rouhani of Brechin

Selwyn Ramjohn of Mississauga

Shayne Coutto of Hamilton

Stephen Yonev of Stoney Creek

Svyatoslav Shchupak of Binbrook

Timothy Taylor of Hamilton

As John Happy’s daughter worked for an authorized OLG retailer at the time of the ticket purchase, this claim falls within OLG’s definition of an Insider Win. Claims of $10,000 or more made by Insiders require enhanced review and validation as well as a 30-day publication period prior to payment to ensure there are no additional claims on the winning ticket.

The prize will be paid to the claimants on November 27, 2022, pending no additional claims prior to that date.

It is OLG’s goal to ensure that the right prize is paid to the right person(s) every time.

The ticket was purchased at Husky on King Street in Stoney Creek.

For more information, please visit Claiming Prizes for Insiders on OLG.ca.

The post Coldwater And Brechin Residents One Step Closer To Collecting Lottery Prize appeared first on Muskoka411.

Brian, a 54-year-old entrepreneur, said he’s a regular lottery player and was pretty calm after discovering his win. “I was in my truck and scanned my ticket using the OLG App. I wonder if I would have been that calm if it was the jackpot. Then I started to feel disbelief,” he shared while at the OLG Prize Centre to collect his big win.

Brian then sent a screenshot of the win to his common-law wife. “She was so excited. She said if she were in my shoes, she’d be crying tears of joy.”

He’s going to take some time to decide what to do with this win. “Now we don’t have any excuses for why we can’t get married,” he smiled.

“I still want to win a jackpot, so I hope to be here again,” he laughed.

The winning ticket was purchased at Hasty Market on Yonge Street in Richmond Hill.

The post Brechin Resident Wins $259,074.50 With Lotto Max appeared first on Muskoka411.

On April 9, 2022, shortly before 5 pm, an Orillia OPP officer stopped a pick-up truck in the Brechin due to safety concerns for the vehicle.  Upon speaking with the driver, police learned that he was a suspended driver since 1982.

As a result of the investigation an 82-year-old male, from Kirkfield, was charged with the following Highway Traffic Act offences:

• Drive unsafe motor vehicle
• Drive while under suspension x3

His vehicle was subsequently seized and towed.

The post OPP Find Driver Suspended Since 1982 appeared first on Muskoka411.