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2025 Year in Review

January 3, 2026   ·   0 Comments

Attention Readers! 

For the final edition of the New Tecumseth in 2025, we’re taking you through all of the highs and lows of last year.

Our 2025 Year in Review will share some of the most significant stories impacting our readers from January to December. 

Now, without any further ado, here’s a look at the year that was!

January

• New Stevenson Memorial Hospital facility to include MRI Suite: Stevenson Memorial Hospital (SMH) has announced that an MRI suite will be part of its redevelopment project. Housed in the Diagnostic Imaging Department, the new MRI suite will allow patients to receive the care they need closer to home, eliminating the need to travel outside their catchment area for advanced diagnostic imaging services.
• Alliston Hornets start the new year with 27th consecutive win: The Alliston Hornets started the new year with their 27th win of the season when they hosted the Innisfil Spartans on the ice at the New Tecumseth Recreation Centre on Friday, Jan. 3. Cole Turcotte and David Harvey scored the opening Alliston goals in the first period.
• Suspension possible for elementary students without proper vaccination records: The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is urging parents of children in Grades 4, 5 and 6 to provide up-to-date immunization records or submit a medical exemption form or affidavit to the Health Unit before Feb. 4, 2025, to avoid suspension from school.
• County council approves motion cutting number of councillors in half: A motion was approved to support the process of reducing the size of Simcoe County council from 32 members to 17, inclusive of a full-time appointed Warden.
• Local dairy processing businesses benefit from modernization initiative: The federal and provincial governments are supporting 70 dairy processing businesses across Ontario through the Dairy Processing Modernization Initiative.

February

• County receiving funding for emergency shelters: The Province of Ontario has begun providing municipalities with up to $75.5 million in funding to help them wind down encampments in public spaces by creating additional emergency shelter spaces and affordable housing units.
• Local long-term care homes to host ‘Bring a Friend to Volunteer Days’: The County of Simcoe invites those interested in making a difference in the lives of older adults to check out one of the “Bring a Friend to Volunteer Days,” taking place at local long-term care homes.
• Stevenson Memorial Hospital  launches new monthly Paediatric Clinic: Stevenson Memorial Hospital has announced the opening of a new Paediatric Clinic, expected to launch on Feb. 25.
• Candidates respond to issues prior to provincial election: There are five candidates running in the upcoming provincial election for Simcoe Grey, scheduled for Feb. 27. The New Tecumseth Times offered each candidate the opportunity to address constituents on several important issues.
• Alliston Hornets sweep Muskoka Bears 4-0 in quarter-final playoff round: The Alliston Hornets eliminated the Muskoka Bears in their best-of-seven quarter-final North Carruthers division playoff series.

March

• Measles cases nearly doubled in Ontario over two weeks: A recent measles outbreak in Ontario has resulted in 18 unimmunized children being hospitalized.
• Blue wave sweeps across Ontario, Saunderson re-elected in Simcoe-Grey: A wave of blue swept across Ontario on Thursday, Feb. 27, during the provincial election, as Premier Doug Ford and his Progressive Conservatives won their third straight majority government.
• Local chapter of national group advocates for responsible municipal spending: The local chapter of Kiclei Canada is trying to raise awareness of what they say is outside influence and spending that affects decisions made at the municipal level.
• Region faces flooding from rising temperatures, melting snow and ice: Rainfall accumulations of 15 to 20 mm combined with the existing snowpack are expected to cause significant melting, resulting in increased runoff.
• New Tecumseth placed into new riding for federal election: The riding of Simcoe-Grey has had its boundaries changed and will now include Mulmur Township and Grey Highlands. Some residents of Adjala-Tosorontio will find themselves voting in the Dufferin Caledon Riding. The Town of New Tecumseth will now join Bradford West Gwillimbury in the new riding of New Tecumseth-Bradford.

April

• New Tecumseth Council considers changing Procurement Policy to ‘Buy Canadian’: As a response to the US government’s tariffs and proposed tariffs on Canadian goods, New Tecumseth Town Council is considering a by-law to amend the Town Procurement Policy to implement a more flexible Buy Canadian’ and Buy Ontario’ policy.
• Alliston high school’s robotics team gains attention of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz: Students attended the Hanover Messe (German for fair) in Germany, which ran March 31 to April 4, to run a demonstration of a robot goalie they built goalie that stops pucks using a high-tech design and a camera that can read the trajectory of a puck.
• County temporarily extends drop-off facilities, adds locations following ice storm: To help residents during spring clean-up, the County of Simcoe is opening several waste drop-off facilities on extra days for brush only.
• Province proposes expansion of Strong Mayor Powers across nearly 170 municipalities: In a statement, the province said the special powers are designed to “help deliver on provincial priorities, such as building more homes, transit and other infrastructure across Ontario.”
• Honda Canada remains confident despite possible U.S, tariffs: Honda Canada will continue to operate at full capacity and the Alliston automaker is confident it will be able to get through any challenges it may have with potential U.S. tariffs.

May

• Liberal Party of Canada projected to form minority government, New Tecumseth-Gwillimbury provides Conservative MP with resounding mandate: Conservative incumbent, Scot Davidson, has retained his seat in federal parliament after winning the riding of New Tecumseth-Gwillimbury with 59 per cent of the popular vote in the federal election on April 28.
• Request for Proposal announced for redevelopment of Stevenson Memorial Hospital: This is part of the hospital’s journey to expand and revitalize the hospital. The new 147,100-square-foot facility will provide a modernized hospital for New Tecumseth and the surrounding communities and will accommodate a growing population.
• The South Simcoe Theatre’s production of ‘Pippin’ – a rollicking fun time: A young man searches for fulfillment and a purpose in life in the South Simcoe Theatre’s production of Pippin. This classic musical first hit the stage on Broadway in 1972.
• New Tecumseth mayor shares how he’ll use ‘strong mayor powers’: The Province of Ontario expanded strong mayor powers to an additional 169 municipalities, including New Tecumseth, on May 1.
• Pilot project aimed at reducing speed limits launches in some neighbourhoods: If you have a bit of a lead foot, it may be time to rethink your driving habits when you are cruising the streets of Alliston. A new speed limit pilot project has been launched to reduce speeds in residential areas.

June

• Town acquires downtown Tottenham property to increase parking: The Town of New Tecumseth has purchased six properties in the downtown core of Tottenham with plans to turn the area into a parking lot.
• SCDSB approves budget of $769 million for 2025-26 school year: The Simcoe County District School Board has approved a balanced budget of $768 million for the 2025-26 school year in compliance with the Ministry of Education’s mandate.
• Prison isn’t all that bad for the Delval Divas in Blackhorse Theatre production: They may be behind bars doing long prison sentences, but life in a country club-style institution isn’t so bad for a group of women in the Blackhorse Village Players’ production of Delval Divas.
• Humane Society breaks ground on long-awaited expansion: The Alliston & District Humane Society has broken ground to start construction of its long-awaited Second Chances Shelter expansion.
• New supervisor appointed to oversee operations at Stevenson Memorial Hospital: The Ministry of Health has appointed a new supervisor for Stevenson Memorial Hospital (SMH) to oversee the hospital’s operations and strengthen its governance and accountability.

July

• Council discusses long-term financial plan: This is a tool to map the Town’s vision, not a budget or a commitment. The intent is to ensure operational goals align with the Town’s financial goals.
• Campaign to redevelop Hospital relaunches with a new goal of raising $80 million: The Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation has relaunched and rebranded its fundraising campaign in support of hospital redevelopment, increasing its goal from $43 million to $80 million.
• Concerts in the Park continues to run as weekly event thanks to sponsors: The weekly Concerts in the Park series that takes place every Sunday at Keogh Park in Tottenham is possible thanks to two organizers and a group of local sponsors who support the event.
• Two New Tecumseth residents face murder-related charges: Two years after an Alliston man went missing, charges are being laid in connection to his disappearance. Two New Tecumseth residents have been arrested and face charges related to murder.

August

• Annual Alliston Potato Festival returns to downtown this weekend: It is an annual tradition in Alliston where thousands of people turn out to watch the parade through the downtown core on Friday night, followed by three days of fun, music, events, and community spirit.
• St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School set to expand: St. Thomas Aquinas (STA) Secondary School in Tottenham has received provincial approval to issue a tender for a new addition.
• Downtown demolition to reshape the look of Tottenham: The northwest corner of Queen Street and Mill Street in Tottenham will look a lot different by the end of the summer.
• Municipalities split evenly on changes to Simcoe County Council representatives: Simcoe County Council has released the results of the triple majority process undertaken by the 16 municipalities in the County.
• New Tecumseth to expand urban forest with $1.5 million in federal support: The Town of New Tecumseth is ready to enhance its natural landscape thanks to new funding from the Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund.

September

• Town of New Tecumseth to hold public input session next year’s budget: Every year, the Town of New Tecumseth builds a Business Plan and Budget. This is the roadmap for delivering the services and programs residents count on every day.
• At-home kit from public health gives more options for STI testing: The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit has announced a new ongoing effort to reduce the stigma surrounding HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
• Local hospital foundation announces the success of $1 million Matching Gift campaign: The Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation has announced the remarkable success of the Building Your Stevenson for Tomorrow, Together campaign’s $1 million matching gift initiative, launched in partnership with Brian and Kathy Gibson.
• TUFF Therapeutic Riding Foundation uses horses to help at-risk youth: The equines at TUFF Therapeutic Riding Foundation at Jewel View Farm near Loretto are a large and powerful breed of horses. They are also gentle and appreciate human contact.
• Paramedic Services launches enhanced Driver Training Program: County of Simcoe Paramedic Services has unveiled its Paramedic Driving Enhancement Program. This is a new initiative aimed at strengthening the driving skills of paramedics.

October

• New Tecumseth council receives staff report on investment strategy: Council has received a report from the Town treasury department to present the first annual performance update on the Town’s investment portfolio.
• Support in reshaping rivers in the Nottawasaga watershed: The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority has announced that it has received support from Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund for its ‘Reshaping Rivers for Resiliency’ project.
• New Tecumseth Deputy Mayor Stephanie MacLellan tables motion in support of speed cameras: In light of Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s comments about dissolving Automated Speed Enforcement programs in Ontario, New Tecumseth Deputy Mayor Stephanie MacLellan tabled a motion during a Council meeting on Monday, Oct. 6, asking that Council formally request that the Premier reconsider the proposed dissolution of ASE programs.
• JAK Fund supports families in need with 200 Thanksgiving dinners: The JAK Fund helped local families celebrate Thanksgiving by providing a full dinner they could enjoy on the holiday.
• Simcoe County delivers final funds for hospice investments: County of Simcoe Councillors presented a cheque for $437,987 to representatives of the Simcoe County Hospice Alliance on Oct. 15.

November

• Banting senior girls win SCAA flag football championship: The Banting Memorial High School Marauders senior girls’ football team are champions after winning the Simcoe County Athletic Association championship final game over the Orillia Secondary School Nighthawks on their home field at Banting on Thursday, Oct. 30.
• Council approves land exchange for new Banting Memorial High School site: New Tecumseth Town Council has approved a land exchange agreement with the Simcoe County District School Board that will pave the way for the long-awaited construction of a new Banting Memorial High School.
• Local organizations share concerns about NTRC name change: Local users and organizations arriving at the New Tecumseth Recreation Centre in Alliston were recently surprised to see a new sign at the facility naming it the Alliston Community Centre.
• New data shows high levels of household food insecurity in Simcoe County: The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) is reporting an alarming rate of household food insecurity in the region, resulting in a significant impact on health and on the cost to the health care system.
• Adjala-Tosorontio man charged with second-degree murder of 41-year-old woman: Nottawasaga Ontario Provincial Police officers have made an arrest in connection with an ongoing suspicious death investigation and continue to appeal to the public for information.

December

• Stevenson Memorial Hospital receives provincial funding for infrastructure: An Integrity Commissioner Report regarding Stevenson Memorial Hospital in Alliston will receive funding from the province for Community Infrastructure Renewal. It is part of a broader $257 million investment to support critical infrastructure upgrades and repairs at 126 hospitals and 66 community health-based facilities across Ontario.
• Hornets split the weekend – win at home, lose on the road: It was a split weekend for the Alliston Hornets, as the team won at home but lost on the road. The squad hosted the Huntsville Otters at the New Tecumseth Recreation Centre for their regular home game on Friday, Nov. 28.
• New Tecumseth’s deputy mayor motions for transparency on town credit cards: New Tecumseth deputy mayor Stepanie MacLellan made a motion at the New Tecumseth town council meeting on Monday, Dec. 1, calling for the mayor and chief administrative officer to provide a monthly report detailing all purchases made using their town-issued credit cards, known as P-cards. The motion did not pass.

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