On December 27, 2025, at 4:45 a.m. Bracebridge OPP officers responded to a report  from a member of the public about a single vehicle collision into a guard rail on Beaumont Drive in Bracebridge, and further concerns about the condition of the driver. Officers located the vehicle and subsequently arrested and charged 22-year-old Nicholas Ruttan of Gravenhurst, ON with Impaired Operation, Over 80 and Operating a motor vehicle with liquor readily available.

He will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on January 27, 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.

The post Gravenhurst Resident Charged With Impaired After Collision In Bracebridge appeared first on Muskoka411.

The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka is thrilled to announce that the locally owned and operated Home Hardware Stores in Collingwood, Barrie, Gravenhurst, Midland, Orillia, Parry Sound, and Wasaga Beach have come together to serve as this year’s Giving Tuesday matching donor, doubling the impact of gifts to the local charity while matching funds last on Tuesday, December 2, 2025.

Rooted in community, the owners of these Home Hardware Stores are demonstrating what’s possible when local businesses invest in the communities they serve. Their collective support will help ignite powerful moments of confidence, connection, and belonging at YMCA’s across our region, creating opportunities for individuals and families to reach their full potential.

The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka would like to thank the following Home Hardware Stores for their support:

• Home Hardware Building Centre, Collingwood
• Allandale Home Hardware Building Centre, Barrie
• United Lumber Home Hardware Building Centre, Barrie
• Home Building Centre, Gravenhurst
• Home Hardware Building Centre, Midland
• Home Hardware Building Centre, Orillia
• Home Hardware, Parry Sound
• Beach Builders Suppliers, Wasaga Beach

Giving Tuesday is a global day that celebrates the power of generosity, and a moment for individuals, communities, and organizations to unite around the causes they care about most. For the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka, it is an opportunity to highlight the programs and services that strengthen our communities, while raising essential funds that ensure access for all, making it possible for everyone to benefit from the moments of confidence, connection, and belonging that happen at the Y every day.

“Gifts made to the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka on Giving Tuesday will strengthen our efforts to ignite powerful, life-changing moments for members of our communities”, says Jill Tettmann, President and CEO of the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka. “A huge thank you to the local Home Hardware Stores for their generous support as our matching donor, helping funds raised go even further in our community to assist those who need it most.”

Operating in nearly 80 locations across the region, the YMCA is committed to creating vibrant and connected communities where everyone belongs. The YMCA’s diverse programs, which range from child care, camp, and health and fitness, to youth development, and immigrant and employment services, are designed to help all individuals connect and have a safe place to learn, grow, and thrive. One in ten individuals relies on financial assistance to access the YMCA’s programs, made possible in part through generous donations.

Donations to the YMCA help people like Crystal, a YMCA Learning Services client, access life-changing programs and services at little to no cost to them. “I wouldn’t be speaking. I wouldn’t be reading. I wouldn’t be doing any of this without the people at the Y and these programs,” she shared.

Help spark more life changing moments like Crystal’s this Giving Tuesday. For more information on how to support the YMCA, or to donate, community members can visit: www.GiveToTheY.ca.

The post YMCA Of Simcoe/Muskoka Ignites Powerful Moments On Giving Tuesday With Matching Donor Support appeared first on Muskoka411.

Running from October 24 to 26, this family-friendly event invites everyone to enjoy 18
holes of Halloween-themed mini golf, complete with ghostly surprises and spooky
decorations. Admission is a minimum donation of $10 for adults and $7 for children (12 & under), making it a fantastic and affordable way to celebrate Halloween while supporting local healthcare.

Every participant will also be entered for a chance to win one of three outdoor Halloween
Decorations generously donated by Bracebridge Home Depot. Plus, all children will leave
with a festive goody bag (while supplies last) filled with treats to sweeten the experience.
Costumes are encouraged, though not required, adding an extra layer of fun to the event!
“We love hosting this event every year and watching the community come together to
support the hospital,” said Bill & Marilyn Rothdeutsch, owners of Northern Escapades
Mini Golf. “This year, we’re hoping to make our biggest donation yet to the hospital and
spread the Halloween spirit throughout the entire weekend!”

Mark your calendars and bring the whole family out for a goblin good time while
supporting a great cause. We look forward to seeing you at Northern Escapades in
Bracebridge for a spooktacular pre-Halloween weekend!

Event Details:
• Dates: October 24, 25, 26, 2025
• Time: Fri. Oct 24th 2pm-9pm, Sat. Oct 25th 12pm-9pm Sun. Oct. 26th 12pm–7pm
• Reminder – Last game starts 1 hour prior to closing.
• Location: Northern Escapades Mini Golf – 301 Ecclestone Drive, Bracebridge.
• Admission: Minimum donation of $10 for adults, $7 for children.
• Prizes: Every participant is entered to win one of three outdoor Halloween
decorations from Home Depot.
• Special Features: All children leave with a goody bag! (while supplies last)

The post Trick Or Treat! Halloween Mini Putt Returns To Support Local Hospital Foundation appeared first on Muskoka411.

From August 1–31, $200 from every vehicle sold at Huntsville Dodge, Huntsville Honda, and Hyundai of Muskoka was donated to a hospital of the buyer’s choice: Huntsville Hospital Foundation, South Muskoka Hospital Foundation, or West Parry Sound Health Centre.

Now in its 11th year, this incredible initiative continues to make a meaningful difference by helping ensure hospitals in our region have the resources and equipment they need to provide exceptional care.

This year, Performance Auto Group has successfully raised an impressive amount of $24,000 to support lifesaving equipment at Huntsville Hospital! In total they will be donating $34,400 across all 3 hospital foundations – $3,400 will be going to West Parry Sound and $7,000 to South Muskoka. Team members shared their excitement, knowing their efforts were directly supporting local hospitals and healthcare for life, right here in Muskoka.

This event is a shining example of how businesses and the community can come together to make a lasting impact. Performance Auto Group and Huntsville Hospital Foundation are already looking forward to future partnerships that will continue to benefit the health and wellness of our community.

This wonderful and unique community fundraising event has raised $203,800 for Huntsville Hospital since it first started in 2015.

Muskoka Regional Manager Jef Green told The Foundation “The Performance Auto Group is proud to mark our eleventh year of contributing to local hospitals in the Muskoka region. Our commitment reflects our dedication to investing in the future healthcare of our community, and we eagerly anticipate continuing this annual event.”

Katherine Craine, Foundation CEO had this to say: “We are so grateful to our friends at Performance Auto Group for once again delivering such incredible results for Huntsville Hospital. Their enthusiasm, along with the generosity of their wonderful customers, will make a meaningful impact not only in vital dollars for local healthcare but also in showing our hospital teams how deeply they are supported by their community. What an outstanding Performance Auto Group team!”

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On Friday, August 1, 2025, around 8:00 p.m., Bracebridge OPP responded to a report of gunfire at a Beatrice Townline Road home in Bracebridge. Officers located a deceased male and the residence engulfed in flames. The deceased was identified as 60-year-old Paul Gray (Father) of Bracebridge. A gunshot wound was determined to be the cause of death.

With support from specialized OPP units, a suspect search was initiated. Police issued a shelter-in-place order, which was lifted by approximately 1:45 a.m. on Saturday, August 2, 2025.

Following further investigation, two additional individuals were located deceased in the residence. A postmortem examination was conducted by the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service (OFPS). One of the individuals was confirmed as Mitchell Gray, 29 years old of Bracebridge, who was wanted for murder. The cause of death was determined to be smoke inhalation. The identity of the second deceased individual was confirmed as 59-year-old Anita Gray (Mother) of Bracebridge. The cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound.

The OPP would like to thank the public and media for their patience and cooperation throughout this investigation. We appreciate your continued interest and support as we work to provide updates accurately and responsibly.

The investigation remains ongoing by the Bracebridge OPP Crime Unit under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, in collaboration with the Office of the Chief Coroner, the OFPS and the Office of the Fire Marshal.

Anyone with information in relation to this investigation is urged to contact the Bracebridge OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

The post Wanted Man In Bracebridge Deceased, Two Individuals Identified appeared first on Muskoka411.

This notice is to advise the public that the Town of Gravenhurst intends to enact a bylaw that will permanently close two entrances to Highway 11.

The post Gravenhurst Intends To Enact A Bylaw That Will Permanently Close Two Entrances To Hwy. 11 appeared first on Muskoka411.

The post Tall Pines Music & Arts Festival Puts Muskoka Centre Stage With Music, Community, And Immersive Local Experiences appeared first on Muskoka411.

April is a very special month in Canadian history as Terry Fox began running on April 12, 1980 to raise money for cancer research. Fred Fox, Terry’s older brother, visited Bracebridge Public School and Macaulay Public School on April 14 to continue to share Terry’s legacy and story of determination, hard work, and the ability to never give up. Both of these school’s have been raising funds and awareness for cancer research for over 24 years.

Fred spoke about their family and upbringing, and how Terry’s tenacity to never give up, regardless of the challenge, was part of his character long before he was diagnosed with cancer – from being the shortest on the basketball team, to learning how to run with an artificial leg – a prosthetic that was not made for running.

Fred read from Terry’s journal, which included recounts of how challenging the pursuit was. The journal included many photos in his slideshow to bring life to Terry’s story, which engaged every student in the audience.

Fred also spoke about how Terry ran a marathon each day and noted that for most people who run a marathon (with two normal legs), recovery takes about a week following the marathon but Terry was running 42 kilometres every day for 143 days. Not only is this an unimaginable feat, Terry was doing it with a prosthetic leg made for walking.

To conclude his presentation to the students and staff, Fred recited a quote from his late mother, Betty Fox: “Just like Terry, set goals, always work hard, and never ever give up on your dreams.”

The post Fred Fox Visits Two Bracebridge Schools appeared first on Muskoka411.

The items seized included tobacco products, marijuana, “shatter” (cannabis concentrate), drug paraphernalia, as well as
cell phones and cell phone accessories. The total estimated institutional value of this seizure is $266,525.

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) uses a number of tools to prevent drugs from entering its institutions. These tools include ion scanners and drug-detector dogs to search buildings, personal property, inmates, and visitors.
CSC has heightened measures to prevent contraband from entering its institutions in order to help ensure a safe and secure environment for everyone. CSC also works in partnership with the police to take action against those who attempt to introduce contraband into correctional institutions.

CSC has also set up a telephone tip line for all federal institutions so that it may receive additional information about activities relating to security at CSC institutions. These activities may be related to drug use or trafficking that may threaten the safety and security of visitors, inmates, and staff members working at CSC institutions.

The toll-free number, 1-866-780-3784, helps ensure that the information shared is protected and that callers remain anonymous.

The post $266,525 Worth Of Contraband And Unauthorized Items Seized At Beaver Creek Institution appeared first on Muskoka411.

Start savouring the flavours of the season with the Mistletoe Mimosa, or Crackling Hot Coco & more! You can also choose from the Signature or the Specialty Cocktail Menu that includes The Cottage Country Basket and The Spicy pineapple Margarita.

Cottage Country Cocktails has a wide variety of cocktails to choose from, perfect for any occasion…

Enjoy an easy ordering platform, making your basket delivery quick & simple!

Spread Holiday Cheer to your friends, family, colleagues or clients.

To order visit https://cottagecountrycocktails.com/

Contact Cottagecountrycocktails@outlook.com with questions and for wholesale orders.

*This Article Is Sponsored By: Cottage Country Cocktails

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