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An individual from Southern Ontario has been fined and ordered to pay over $5,700 after unsafe burning practices caused a wildland fire:

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 In the spring of 2026, the Muskoka Community Street Crime Unit initiated an investigation into suspected drug trafficking activity in Gravenhurst, ON. On June 4^th, 2026, with the assistance of the Collingwood/Huronia West CSCU, the Southern Georgian Bay CSCU, the OPP K9 Unit, and Bracebridge OPP Detachment members, investigators executed a search warrant at a residence in Gravenhurst located on Muskoka Road South near Main Street, and seized quantities of suspected cocaine, oxycodone, Canadian currency, and other evidence. As a result of the investigation, police arrested and charged:

Kevin Buker, 41-years-old from Gravenhurst with:

1.            Possession of a Schedule I substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking

2.            Possession of a Schedule I substance (oxycodone) for the purpose of trafficking

3.            Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000

4.            Possession of a weapon contrary to order

Kirsten Veinott, 40-years-old from Gravenhurst with:

1.            Possession of a Schedule I substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking

2.            Possession of a Schedule I substance (oxycodone) for the purpose of trafficking

3.            Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000

4.            Breach of recognizance

The accused persons will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on July 7, 2026 to answer to their charges.

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On Friday, June 5, 2026, just before 1:00 p.m., Bracebridge OPP officers were dispatched to a concern over the behaviour of a local resident who was driving his lawn maintenance vehicle on Amelia Cr, Gravenhurst. Officers arrived and subsequently arrested and charged 57-year-old Frank Doran of Kilworthy, ON with Impaired Operation and Over 80. He will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice on July 7, 2026 to answer to his charges.

If you suspect someone is driving a vehicle of any kind while impaired, please call 9-1-1. Police will make every effort to locate the involved vehicle and conduct an investigation, many times, these investigations result in charges and removing impaired drivers from Muskoka roads.

For more information on impaired driving, please visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/impaired-driving.

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n June 4, 2026, Explorers’ Edge, the Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce, and Tourism Gravenhurst hosted stakeholder sessions at Taboo Resort as part of the Experience-Led Tourism Partnership.

The sessions brought together local tourism operators, accommodators, community partners, municipal representatives, and business leaders to explore how Gravenhurst can build stronger bookable experiences, increase visitor spending, support shoulder-season growth, and create new opportunities for collaboration.

Across the sessions, participants shared real-time feedback through Slido, helping identify what local businesses need most, where the greatest tourism opportunities exist, and how this partnership can best support Gravenhurst’s visitor economy.

What We Heard

The response was clear, positive, and action-oriented. Participants expressed strong interest in joining bookable travel packages, receiving ready-to-use marketing tools, accessing better visitor data, and building stronger connections with other businesses.

Key themes included:

• Strong interest in bookable Gravenhurst travel packages
• A desire for visitor data, insights, and measurable tourism impact
• A need for ready-to-go social media content and digital marketing tools
• Support for shoulder-season visitation, event-based travel, and longer overnight stays
• Interest in business introductions, package examples, and co-creation support
• Positive feedback on the open, transparent, and collaborative approach

This feedback confirms that Gravenhurst businesses are not only interested in participating — they are looking for practical tools, clear communication, and support to help move ideas into market-ready visitor experiences.

Presentation Deck

A copy of the presentation deck and session reports have been included below for stakeholders who would like to review the full tourism program overview, including the Explorers’ Edge travel agency model, the Gravenhurst partnership framework, the research approach, and the Well Known Marketing + Advertising workplan.

FlixBus in Muskoka and Ontario’s Great Canadian Wilderness

Explorers’ Edge is also pleased to share information about the arrival of FlixBus service in Muskoka and Ontario’s Great Canadian Wilderness. This new transportation connection creates an important opportunity to support visitor movement, package development, itinerary planning, and more accessible travel into the region.

Learn more about FlixBus service here: https://explorersedge.ca/flixbus/

Read the Explorers’ Edge press release here: https://explorersedge.ca/news/explorers-edge-welcomes-flixbus-to-muskoka-and-ontarios-great-canadian-wilderness/

Business Confidence Index Survey

We are asking Gravenhurst businesses and tourism stakeholders to complete the Business Confidence Index survey. Your input helps us better understand the current business climate, operator needs, workforce pressures, visitor trends, and areas where additional support may be required.

Complete the Business Confidence Index Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2LGMMCX

Tour Operator Information Survey

If your business is interested in being considered for future travel packages, bookable experiences, itineraries, or tourism partnership opportunities, please complete the Tour Operator Information Survey.

This survey helps Explorers’ Edge understand your business, your visitor experience, your capacity, your pricing structure, and how you may fit into future package development.

Complete the Tour Operator Information Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZD7Z9ZY

Stay Connected

Stay connected with Gravenhurst tourism updates. In partnership with the Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce, Explorers’ Edge will be sharing program information, partner opportunities, and Tourism Tip Tuesday notifications by text message.

Text Gravenhurst to 705-300-8894

This will ensure you stay connected as the Gravenhurst tourism partnership moves from engagement and planning into implementation.

What Happens Next

Explorers’ Edge and its partners will continue following up with interested businesses, developing digital asset kits and social media templates, supporting operator introductions, and moving toward the launch of initial Gravenhurst travel packages.

This work is about building tourism with the community, not for the community. By combining local business participation, visitor research, strategic marketing, transportation connections, and bookable travel experiences, Explorers’ Edge, the Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce, and Tourism Gravenhurst are working together to position Gravenhurst as a stronger, more connected, and more competitive destination within the Great Canadian Wilderness, the province and the country.

The post Planning Sessions To Boost Gravenhurst’s Visitor Economy A Success appeared first on Muskoka411.

The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka is delighted to welcome the community back for free Community Days this June, made possible by the generous support of the ParticipACTION Community Challenge grant. Every Saturday throughout the month, all five YMCA Health, Fitne ss, and Aquatics centr es in Collingwood, Gravenhurst, Innisfil, Midland, and Wasaga Beac h, will open their doors to everyone, free of charge .

Community Days are about more than fitness; they aim to improve the community’s physical and mental well-being. By offering free day passes to people of every age and ability, the Y hopes to help neighbours feel stronge r, more connected, and healthie r. From group classes and open swims to individual fitness, there’s something for everyon e to
enjoy. Whether you’re already familiar with the YMCA or are visiting for the first time,
these passes provide a wonderful opportunity to explore what the Y has to offer .

“We are deeply grateful to ParticipACTION for this generous grant, which allows us to host
Community Days and help remove financial barriers to health and wellness,” said Jill
Tettmann, President & CEO of the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka. “At the YMCA, we believ e
everyone deserves the chance to grow and thrive — physically, emotionally, and socially.
These free passes reflect our commitment to creating inclusive, supportive spaces where
every member of the community can shine. ”

Community Days are part of the YMCA’s ongoing mission to strengthen communities and
promote healthy, active lifestyles. Visitors to the YMCA during the month
of June can participate in a variety of activities tailored for individuals, families, and
groups . For local program schedules , visit www.ymcaofsimcoemus koka.ca/schedule s.

Getting started is easy. Residents can drop by their local YMCA in Collingwood, Gravenhurst, Innisfil, Midland, or Wasaga Beach on Saturday, June 6, 13, 20, or 27. You can also grab your free day pass online at www.YMCAOnlinePortal.c a — no code required.

To learn more about ParticipACTION’s Community Challenge,
visit www.participaction.com/programs/community-challeng e. To discover more about
YMCA services and programs, please visit www.ymcaofsimcoemuskoka.c a.

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New service supports affordable visitor access, international travel connections,
and outdoor tourism package development

Explorers’ Edge is pleased to welcome expanded
service with FlixBus, North America’s fastest-growing intercity bus service, to Muskoka
and the wider Great Canadian Wilderness region. The seasonal routes create new
ground transportation connections between Toronto Union Station, Toronto Pearson
International Airport, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville, South River and North Bay,
while also adding Parry Sound Municipal Airport to the existing Sudbury route.
The service launches at an important time for Ontario’s tourism economy. With travellers
increasingly seeking convenient, budget-friendly long-distance transportation options,
FlixBus offers a more affordable, accessible way for visitors to reach rural Ontario
without the expense or complexity of driving.

The schedule is also conducive to real trip planning, allowing travellers to consider day
trips, overnight stays, hotel check-ins, outdoor experiences and regional itineraries that
align with how visitors actually make travel decisions.
The partnership with FlixBus also supports the organization’s emerging Regenerative
Travel Agency model, focused on developing bookable visitor experiences that connect
transportation, accommodations, attractions, outdoor adventure, culture and local
spending.

The opportunity is especially significant for domestic and international travellers arriving
through Toronto and Pearson Airport. Explorers’ Edge will work with regional partners to
develop packages and itineraries that move visitors directly from the bus route into
outdoor experiences, accommodations, downtowns, attractions and communities across
the region.

“Transportation is one of the missing pieces in rural destination development,” said
James Murphy, CEO of Explorers’ Edge. “At a time when affordability matters more
than ever, FlixBus gives us a platform to connect the economics of travel with real,
bookable tourism products. Just as important, the schedule allows visitors to arrive,
check in, explore and build a meaningful itinerary. International travellers already
understand this transportation model. Our job now is to connect the bus directly to the
outdoor experiences, accommodations and communities that make this region so
compelling. We are proud to work with FlixBus, a transportation company whose values
around accessibility, affordability, inclusion, innovation and more sustainable travel align
strongly with our organization.”

The North Bay route includes stops at Fairfield Inn & Suites Gravenhurst, Tru by
Hilton Bracebridge, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Huntsville, Crystal Cave in
South River, and Holiday Inn Express & Suites North Bay by IHG, coordinated in
partnership with Tourism North Bay.
“As demand for affordable travel continues to grow, we’re focused on expanding service
to destinations travelers are actively looking to visit,” said Karina Frayter, head of
communications at Flix North America. “Our partnership with Explorers’ Edge helps
make it easier for visitors to experience Muskoka, Parry Sound, and Northern Ontario
while supporting the communities and tourism businesses that make the region such an
important part of Ontario’s visitor economy.”

“Improved transportation access is critical if we want more visitors to experience the
region in a way that is practical, welcoming and connected,” said Brent Ellerson,
Marketing Manager at Algonquin Outfitters and Vice Chair of Explorers’ Edge. “For
a traveller arriving without a vehicle, or for someone looking for a more affordable way
to explore Ontario, the ability to connect bus service with outdoor experiences,
accommodations and local businesses can make the difference between interest and
action.”

The announcement also aligns with broader provincial tourism priorities. The Tourism
Industry Association of Ontario’s Forward Motion: A Strategic Playbook for Ontario’s
Tourism Industry identifies expanded transportation infrastructure as a key component
of building a more competitive and connected visitor economy.
“Forward Motion makes it clear that transportation is not separate from tourism growth
— it is one of the conditions that enables it,” said Andrew Siegwart, President and
CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario. “When regions connect
transportation infrastructure with product development, visitor dispersal, workforce
access and local business participation, they are helping bring Ontario’s tourism
strategy to life.”

Explorers’ Edge will continue working with FlixBus, Tourism North Bay, Destination
Marketing Organizations, accommodation partners, municipal partners, Chambers of
Commerce, BIAs, attractions, outfitters and tourism operators to build awareness of the
service and develop packages connected to the route.

The post New Bus Service Supports Affordable Visitor Access To Muskoka appeared first on Muskoka411.

Mayor Heidi Lorenz made the announcement at the Gravenhurst Opera House earlier today during the 42nd annual Mayor’s Tea.

Humphries received the award in recognition of her contributions to the Gravenhurst Municipal Heritage Committee and the Gravenhurst Archives. 

Humphries has been chair of the Gravenhurst Archives since 2015. She has served on the Gravenhurst Municipal Heritage Committee since 2011. 

“It’s a real honour to congratulate Judy on receiving this tremendous recognition,” Mayor Lorenz said. “On behalf of everyone on our council, as well as our town staff and the entire community of Gravenhurst, I want to thank Judy for her service.” 

Each year, local municipalities nominate an individual for the Ontario Senior of the Year Award. 

Recipients are people who have enriched the social, cultural, or civic life of a community. 

The Town of Gravenhurst chooses its nominee based on recommendations from the public. The town puts out a call for nominees on its website and social media channels. 

In April of this year, after reviewing submissions, council settled on Humphries. 

Past award recipients

• 2017 – Sharon Morton
• 2018 – John Cooper
• 2019 – Hank Smith
• 2020 – Gord Durnan
• 2021 – Joanne Twist
• 2022 – Mary Anne Goheen
• 2023 – Brenda Gabitous
• 2024 – Barb McCabe
• 2025 – Bruce Hemphill

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The transitional housing development is part of the District’s Big Move on Housing, a $30 million investment to accelerate housing initiatives and reduce homelessness across Muskoka.  

“This project is about more than bricks and mortar. It’s about people,” said Jeff Lehman, Chair of the District of Muskoka. “Everyone needs a safe place to call home and a chance to move forward. 575 First Street South reflects our commitment to providing housing with the supports people need.” 

The new units will be energy-efficient and designed to provide residents with stable housing and connections to community supports, strengthening opportunities for well-being and security. 

Learn more about the project by visiting www.engagemuskoka.ca/575-first-st. 

The community is also invited to attend the project’s Construction Café on Wednesday, June 3 at the Gravenhurst Public Library’s meeting room, at 180 Sharpe Street West in Gravenhurst. Residents can drop in to this relaxed, casual session any time between 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.to enjoy a free coffee with the project team, while discussing updates and asking questions. 

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