On July 14, 2026, Officers from the Orillia detachment of the OPP along with members from the OPP Central Region Traffic Incident Management Enforcement (TIME) Team and Ministry of Transportation Inspectors conducted Commercial Motor Vehicle enforcement within the Orillia area. The OPP works tirelessly to ensure the safety of their community and ensure the roads are safe from preventable dangers. Through active patrols, a strong partnership with our community (resulting in numerous public generated traffic complaints), the OPP inspected twenty-nine (29) CMV’s, two (2) CMV’s were taken out of service, thirty-three (33) Provincial Offence Act (POA) charges were issued, and eleven (11) Level one (1) inspections were completed.

Additionally; On July 13, 2025, officers from the Orillia detachment of the OPP arrested and charged three (3) individuals with impaired related charges after three separate incidents occurred overnight. Two of the incidents involved motor vehicle collisions. As a result;

A 71-year-old, from Orillia; a 30-year-old from Barrie and a 50-year-old from Orillia have been charged with impaired related charges.

All drivers charged with Impaired driving will have their drivers licence suspended for 90 days, and vehicle impounded for 7 days. The OPP remind motorists that no amount of alcohol or drug is acceptable to consume and drive. Should you observe a suspected impaired driver, please dial 911 or contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122. You can also provide information by contacting Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous at 1-800-8477 (TIPS) or submit your information online at www.crimestopperssdm.com. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display, and you will remain anonymous. You will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.00.

The post Warnings And Charges Issued After Commercial Motor Vehicle inspections In Orillia appeared first on Muskoka411.

Special thanks are extended to the Kiwanis Club of Orillia, Rotary Club of Orillia, We Are The Villagers, Harvey’s, Smith Investigation Agency, and HEART Retreat for their ongoing commitment to supporting local youth and community initiatives.

Over the four-day program, youth from the Orillia area participated in a variety of educational, recreational and leadership-building activities. The program was organized and supervised by Orillia OPP Community Mobilization Unit members and summer students, providing participants with opportunities to build confidence, develop leadership skills and strengthen community connections.

As part of the program, participants hosted a community barbecue and raised $463.15. The youth chose to donate the proceeds to HEART Retreat in appreciation for the opportunity to spend time with the organization’s therapy horses and learn about the positive impact of equine-assisted experiences.

Orillia OPP Detachment Commander Inspector Landon, along with LEAP participants and program organizers, recently presented the donation to Sandy Birkland, founder of HEART Retreat in Oro-Medonte.

The Orillia OPP Community Mobilization Unit remains committed to working alongside community partners to create positive opportunities for youth and strengthen the communities they serve.

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On Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at approximately 8:00 p.m., an officer from the Central Region Traffic Incident Management and Enforcement (TIME) Team was conducting traffic enforcement on Highway 11 North when a vehicle was stopped for speeding.

During the investigation, the officer determined that two young children in the vehicle were not properly secured in approved child restraint systems. Further investigation led to the driver’s arrest for impaired driving.

As a result of the investigation, the accused, a 27-year old from Mississauga, has been charged with:

• Abandoning a Child – 2 counts
• Dangerous Operation
• Operation While Impaired
• Operation While Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 plus)

The name of the accused will not be released in order to protect the identity of the children.

The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Orillia in August.

The OPP reminds motorists that impaired driving remains one of the leading causes of criminal deaths on Canadian roadways. Drivers are also responsible for ensuring that all passengers, especially children, are properly secured in approved child restraint systems and seatbelts before operating a motor vehicle.

If you suspect a driver is impaired by alcohol or drugs, call 911 immediately. When reporting a suspected impaired driver, provide as much information as possible, including the vehicle description, licence plate number and direction of travel.

The post Orillia OPP Charge Driver With Impaired And Abandoning a Child appeared first on Muskoka411.

On Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at approximately 8:00 p.m., an officer from the Central Region Traffic Incident Management and Enforcement (TIME) Team was conducting traffic enforcement on Highway 11 North when a vehicle was stopped for speeding.

During the investigation, the officer determined that two young children in the vehicle were not properly secured in approved child restraint systems. Further investigation led to the driver’s arrest for impaired driving.

As a result of the investigation, the accused, a 27-year old from Mississauga, has been charged with:

• Abandoning a Child – 2 counts
• Dangerous Operation
• Operation While Impaired
• Operation While Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 plus)

The name of the accused will not be released in order to protect the identity of the children.

The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Orillia in August.

The OPP reminds motorists that impaired driving remains one of the leading causes of criminal deaths on Canadian roadways. Drivers are also responsible for ensuring that all passengers, especially children, are properly secured in approved child restraint systems and seatbelts before operating a motor vehicle.

If you suspect a driver is impaired by alcohol or drugs, call 911 immediately. When reporting a suspected impaired driver, provide as much information as possible, including the vehicle description, licence plate number and direction of travel.

The post Orillia OPP Charge Driver With Impaired And Abandoning A Child appeared first on Muskoka411.

The post The Trews And Bleeker Announced for Concert For Care In Support Of Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital  appeared first on Muskoka411.

On Tuesday, July 7, 2026, just before 11 am, members from the Orillia OPP responded to a call for service of a robbery in progress at a local business on Front Street North, near Neywash Street, (Shoppers Drug Mart) in the City of Orillia. It was reported that two individuals had attended the store with hammers, stole property, and then left in a vehicle. Officers located and stopped the suspect vehicle on Highway 11 Southbound in Oro-Medonte, taking two people into custody and recovering the outstanding property.

As a result of the investigation, Abdel RAMADAN, 22-years old from Mississauga, and Makram Bani Ata, 21-years-old from Mississauga, have both been charged with:

·      Robbery with theft

·      Disguise with intent

·      Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose

·      Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000

Makram Bani Ata, is facing an additional charge:

·      Assault with a weapon.

Both parties have been held in custody to appear for a bail hearing on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 before the Ontario Court of Justice in Orillia.

No injuries were reported. The business has been closed for a period of time to allow for officers to process the crime scene.

The post Two Charged After Smash-And-Grab Robbery In Orillia appeared first on Muskoka411.

A long duration heat event is expected. This is the first heat event of the season.

What:
Maximum temperatures of 31 to 33 degrees Celsius.
Minimum temperatures of 21 to 23 degrees Celsius.
Humidex values of 34 to 36.

When: Continuing for southern Grey County and beginning today elsewhere. Continuing through Friday.

Additional Information: The hottest days are expected to be Wednesday and Thursday, with maximum temperatures potentially reaching 34 degrees Celsius.

Hot and humid air can also bring deteriorating air quality and can result in the Air Quality Health Index approaching the high-risk category.

Take action to protect yourself and others – extreme heat can affect everyone’s health. Determine if you or others around you are at greater risk of heat illness. Check on older adults, those living alone and other at-risk people in-person or on the phone multiple times a day.

Watch for the early signs of heat exhaustion in yourself and others. Signs may include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue. Stop your activity and drink water.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency! Call 9-1-1 or your emergency health provider if you, or someone around you, is showing signs of heat stroke which can include red and hot skin, dizziness, nausea, confusion and change in consciousness. While you wait for medical attention, try to cool the person by moving them to a cool place, removing extra clothing, applying cold water or ice packs around the body.

Drink water often and before you feel thirsty to replace fluids.

Close blinds, or shades and open windows if outside is cooler than inside.

Turn on air conditioning, use a fan, or move to a cooler area of your living space. If your living space is hot, move to a cool public space such as a cooling centre, community centre, library or shaded park.

Follow the advice of your region’s public health authority.

Plan and schedule outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day.

Limit direct exposure to the sun and heat. Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brimmed hat.

The post Long Duration Heat Event Expected, Hottest Days Will Be Wednesday And Thursday appeared first on Muskoka411.

The Orange Door Project is The Home Depot Canada Foundation’s semi-annual initiative
dedicated to preventing and ending youth homelessness across Canada. Throughout the
campaign, which ran from May 12 to June 14, 2026, customers were invited to donate $3, $5, or $10 at the checkout or online. True to the campaign’s mission, 100% of the funds raised at the Orillia location stay right here in the community to directly support housing and outreach services for local youth at The Lighthouse.

A massive thank you goes out to the incredible staff and associates at the Orillia Home Depot, led by store manager Larry Timbers. Their enthusiastic encouragement at the cash registers, alongside a highly successful foundation matching day on May 23, propelled the campaign past its original $7,000 goal, ultimately raising $8,398.

“This fundraiser is a powerful reminder that our community shows up for its most
vulnerable neighbours,” said Dale Rowe, Executive Director of The Lighthouse.
“We are deeply grateful to Home Depot for choosing to stand with us. Their
leadership and compassion will have a real impact on the lives of people who need
it most.”

With youth aged 16 to 24 making up roughly 20% of Canada’s homeless population, these
funds will immediately go to work on the front lines. The proceeds will benefit both our Youth Outreach Team and emergency shelter program, helping us provide critical shelter beds, deliver emergency supplies, food, and hygiene products, and connect vulnerable young people to vital mental health counselling, housing resources, and employment support.

The Lighthouse relies heavily on community partnerships, dedicated donors, and volunteers to meet the growing need for shelter and wrap-around services. In a time of rising housing
insecurity across the region, the success of this campaign shows that our community is
dedicated to being a part of the solution.

If you were unable to donate during the campaign period but would still like to support youth experiencing homelessness, donations can be made year-round at orillialighthouse.ca/give.

The post Lighthouse Celebrates $8,398 Success Of The Orange Door Project At Orillia Home Depot appeared first on Muskoka411.

“I am deeply honoured to have earned the confidence of my fellow Board members in being named Chair,” said Ms. McKinnon. “This role carries a significant responsibility, and I am committed to serving the organization in line with our values of integrity, humility, and accountability, while building on the culture of teamwork and trust at the Board table.”

First elected to the Board in June 2023, and having served as 1^st Vice Chair for the past two years, Ms. McKinnon was elected to a second 3-year term at Tuesday’s Annual General Meeting which will carry through until June 2029.  She succeeds Lawrence Pietras who served as Board Chair for the past two years and will remain on the Board for one additional year.

Ms. McKinnon brings extensive experience in healthcare governance, finance, and audit. Over the course of her career, she has worked with numerous hospital clients, leading external audits and developing deep expertise in hospital funding models and the broader healthcare system.

“This is an exciting and pivotal time in the history of OSMH as we plan for a new hospital.  I look forward to working closely with the Board and hospital leadership to navigate this critically important next chapter, always guided by our Mission to provide high-quality compassionate care to the communities we serve,” said McKinnon. 

McKinnon was one of four current Board members re-elected to new terms at Tuesday’s AGM.   Ryan Spurgeon, who will fill the role of 1^st Vice-Chair, was elected to a 3-year term along with Ian Gordon, who joined the Board in 2025.  Sheila Clark was elected to a 1-year term to complete her final year of eligible service, while the Board welcomed Diane Flanagan for an initial term of two-years.

The Board also took time to acknowledge the service of Ken Brownlee who provided more than ten years of expertise and volunteerism to the Boards of the Hospital and Foundation.

Click here to view the 2025-26 OSMH Annual Report.  

The post Terri McKinnon Elected Chair Of Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital Board Of Directors appeared first on Muskoka411.

On June 13, 2026, at approximately 8:15 p.m., officers from the Orillia OPP Detachment responded to a reported collision in the area of Shannon Street and Gill Street in the City of Orillia.

The investigation has determined that one of the involved vehicles failed to remain at the scene of the collision and did not fulfill their legal obligation to report the collision. The suspect vehicle is described as a red, four-door compact car. Police are continuing to investigate and are attempting to identify the involved driver.

Investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or who may have dash cam or surveillance footage from the area at the time of the collision, to contact the Orillia OPP Detachment, reference #E260823144 at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a secure tip online at Submit a tip online, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

The OPP reminds all drivers that remaining at the scene of a collision is required by law. Failing to do so may result in serious charges.

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