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Over the past 6 weeks, 20 local students attended weekly sessions to learn more about what a career in policing has to offer. Students learned about collision investigations, marine operations, forensic identification, canine operations, human trafficking, major crime, ATV operations, Emergency Response Team, Cadet & the Behavioural Analysis unit.

We thank all participants and speakers for attending and look forward to hosting similar events in the future.

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On the 12^th of February 2026, at approximately 8:59 p.m., officers from the Haliburton Highlands OPP conducted a traffic stop in Haliburton that led to an investigation into an assault that had taken place in Haliburton that day. The victim was taken to a local hospital to be treated and was later transported by Ornge air ambulance to a Toronto hospital with serious injuries.

Members of the Haliburton Highlands OPP Crime Unit began an investigation into the matter with the assistance of the Forensic Identification Services (FIS) and the Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) of the Ontario Provincial Police.

As a result of the investigation, three persons have been identified and are facing charges.

Cody Purtell, a 32-year-old of the Municipality of Dysart et Al, has been charged with the following:

·        Assault causing bodily harm

Tyler Purtell, a 28-year-old of the Municipality of Dysart et Al has been charged with the following:

·        Assault causing bodily harm

Both accused have been held in custody and will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Lindsay for bail hearings.

Laura Golightly, a 33-year-old of Kingston has been charged with the following:

·        Assault causing bodily harm

The accused was released and will appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Minden at a later date.

The Ontario Provincial Police is committed to public safety and crime prevention. If you have any information about crime in our community, please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). You can submit your information online at www.khcrimestoppers.com if you have any information on this crime or any other crime. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display, and you will remain anonymous. Being anonymous, you will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.

The post Three Charged In Connection To An Assault In Haliburton appeared first on Muskoka411.

On Tuesday April 28, 2026 at 8:30 p.m., Bracebridge OPP officers responded to a report from a member of the public that people were trespassing on the former Muskoka Centre property located at the end of Muskoka Road North in Gravenhurst. This property is fenced and there are several ‘No Trespassing’ signs posted, furthermore, the buildings that are still standing on the property are not considered safe to enter.

Officers attended and searched the property and a located a nearby involved vehicle. Police subsequently arrested and charged 58-year-old William Bridgman of Vaughan, ON with:

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
• Possession of Break In Instruments
• Break, Enter a place with intent to commit indictable offence
• Fail to Comply with Probation Order.

Police also charged 38-year-old Dale Mcrea of Haliburton, ON with:

• Break, Enter a place with intent to commit indictable offence
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
• Possession of Break In Instruments.

Both accused parties will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on July 21, 2026 to answer to their charges.

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On Friday, April 17, 2026, at approximately 2:54 p.m., officers responded to a traffic complaint on the Blairhampton Road in the Township of Minden Hills. Officers attended the area and located the vehicle. Through investigation officers charged a driver with impaired driving offences.

Matthew Vargas, 21-year-old of Haliburton, Ontario, was charged with:

·        Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs

·        Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)

·        Driving motor vehicle with open container of liquor

·        Young driver – blood alcohol above zero

The accused was given a seven-day vehicle impoundment and a 90-day driver’s licence suspension. The accused was released and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Minden at a later date.

The OPP reminds motorists that impaired driving remains one of the leading causes of serious injury and death on Ontario roadways. Members of the public are urged to call 911 if they observe a suspected impaired driver.

The Haliburton Highlands OPP values your contribution to building safe communities. If you have information about suspected unlawful activity, please visit Crime Stoppers at: www.khcrimestoppers.com or call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

The post Traffic Complaint In Minden Hills Leads To Impaired Driving Charge appeared first on Muskoka411.

We are beyond excited to announce our VERY FIRST Youth Police Academy and it’s already off to an amazing start! 20 enthusiastic students were accepted into the program, and they’ve been bringing the energy since day one. The academy kicked off with orientation on March 25, 2026, followed by a second action-packed class on April 1, 2026.Throughout the academy, students will get an inside look at the many specialized units within the OPP, with guest speakers sharing their real-world experiences and expertise.

April 1^st was a huge highlight! Students had the incredible opportunity to watch a K9 demonstration and learn about the unique and vital roles of our ERT (Emergency Response Team) and SAVE Unit (Snow Vehicle, All terrain Vehicle, Vessel Enforcement/Education). We’re so proud of this group and can’t wait to see what they learn next. Stay tuned for more exciting updates!

The post Haliburton Highlands OPP Youth Police Academy A Success appeared first on Muskoka411.

Pasta for Playground was the name of the event held on February 26 to fundraise for a new playground for both, J.D. Hodgson Elementary School and Stuart Baker Elementary School. Hosted by the Parent Councils of these schools, the fundraising served dinner to approximately 200 people and raised a total of $10,707.63!

Many thanks to Haliburton Highlands Secondary School for opening their doors for the community to enjoy a spaghetti dinner. The dinner was offered over two seatings, with all food prepared and served by the secondary school’s hospitality class, and help from the Haliburton local Lions Club.

“This was a huge undertaking for our school councils,” explained SBES school council chair, Lauren Adelson. “I want to thank everyone who volunteered their time and energy to help make it happen. I also want to thank everyone who came out and donated to help us raise money for a new playground. I personally think this event was a huge success and look forward to it becoming an annual event.”

Attendees also enjoyed musical entertainment provided by Canoe FM Radio host Drew Allen, and the Haliburton Our Pop Choir. They also took part in games, raffles, and a silent auction.

The new playground will be completed over three phases — the first being a Grade 1 to 8 structure, the second being a Kindergarten climbing structure, and the third being soccer nets.
Stay tuned for more fundraising efforts!

The post Haliburton Schools Work Together For A New Playground Structure appeared first on Muskoka411.

On Friday, March 13^th, 2026, at approximately 8:50 p.m., members of the Haliburton Highlands (OPP) stopped a vehicle that had been travelling on Gelert Road in the Municipality of Dysart et Al. After speaking with the driver, officers entered into an impaired driving investigation.

As a result of that investigation, Robert Kelly, a 61-year-old from Haliburton, was charged with:

·        Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)

·        Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs

On Sunday, March 15^th, 2026, at approximately 12:17 a.m., members of the Haliburton Highlands (OPP) were conducting R.I.D.E. checks on highway 35 in the Township of Minden Hills. Officers spoke with a driver who had stopped at their location and entered into an impaired driving investigation.

As a result of the second investigation, Mychael Bilodeau, a 32-year-old of the Municipality of Dysart et Al, was charged with:

·        Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)

The accused individuals are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Minden at a later date. Their driver’s licences were suspended for 90 days, and their vehicles were impounded for seven days.

Officers remind motorists to make a plan before drinking alcohol or consuming drugs. Arrange a designated driver, taxi, rideshare, or a safe place to stay for the night. Even small amounts of alcohol or drugs can affect judgement and driving ability.

Members of the Haliburton Highlands (OPP) are committed to public safety, delivering proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our communities. Officers value the public’s 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 Contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or www.khcrimestoppers.com.

The post Haliburton Highlands OPP Arrest And Charge Two Impaired Drivers appeared first on Muskoka411.

Snow or freezing rain with strong easterly winds on Sunday.

What:
Snow 2 to 8 cm
Freezing rain 1 to 2 mm ice build-up
Wind gusts up to 70 km/h

When:
Sunday morning through Sunday early evening.

Additional information:
A band of snow will move across the regions starting Sunday morning or late morning and will be associated with easterly or southeasterly winds up to 70 km/h giving local blowing snow. Reduced visibilities will make travel difficult Sunday. Snow accumulations may be highly variable however most areas will receive at least 2 centimetres. Late in the day or Sunday evening a warm up is expected with above freezing temperatures for most areas. Gusty southerly winds may develop again Sunday night or Monday.

The post Snow Or Freezing Rain With Strong Winds On Sunday appeared first on Muskoka411.

This message will affect residents within the MNR Bracebridge-Minden-Parry Sound District
for portions of the District of Parry Sound, District of Muskoka, and County of Haliburton
within the Black, Boyne, Burnt, Gull, Pickerel, Seguin, Severn, Magnetawan and Muskoka
River Watersheds.

Residents and those visiting the area are advised to be aware of current watershed
conditions. Higher than normal water levels and flow conditions may develop throughout the area and residents are reminded to keep a close watch on weather conditions, regularly
check for updated messages, and exercise caution near fast-moving rivers and streams.
Water levels in most lakes are at or below target for this time of year but are expected to
increase with forecasted precipitation and runoff from melting snow.

MNR advises residents to exercise extreme caution concerning ice conditions. No ice is
safe ice.

Residents and visitors should exercise caution while around waterbodies and maintain
close supervision of children and pets.

Residents that have been affected by high water and flow conditions in the past should
continue take necessary action to protect/secure any vulnerable property in proximity to
rivers and lakes and closely monitor developing conditions and regularly check for updated
messages.

Lower-lying portions of known flood-prone areas may be impacted to various degrees as
runoff from rainfall and melting snow enter watercourses.
The ministry is closely monitoring the weather and developing watershed conditions.
Further updates will be issued as appropriate.

Environment Canada has issued a Rainfall Warning for much of the area.
Significant rainfall is possible from March 6-7. The existing snowpack is expected to absorb
some of this rainfall, but significant runoff is possible with snowpack melt and rainfall
combined.
What: Total rainfall amounts of 35 mm to 50 mm and potential for thunderstorms, with
daytime high temperatures up to 13⁰ C are possible.
When: Friday evening, March 6 through Saturday March 7, 2026.

Additional information:

Daytime high temperature forecasted over 10⁰ C on March 7 and
March 9, potentially causing temporary accelerated melt of the snowpack. Temperatures
dip below freezing for an extended period by March 12.
Description of Current Conditions

Water levels in most lakes are at or below target for this time of year. Rainfall is anticipated
to cause lake levels to rise, and river flows to increase. The current snow water equivalent
ranges from above the historical average for the western portions of the district
(Magnetawan and Seguin River watersheds) to near normal for the eastern portions of the
district (Muskoka, Black, Burnt, Gull River watersheds) for this time of year.

LEARN MORE
• Surface Water Monitoring Centre public webpage www.ontario.ca/page/surface
water-monitoring-centre
• Environment Canada bulletins: www. weather.gc.ca
• A close watch on local conditions and weather forecasts from Environment and
Climate Change Canada is recommended.

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