London Free Press Southwestern Ontario

Small towns brace for big jump in police costs: ‘Nothing you can do’

6 min read

After abrupt increases to the Ontario Provincial Police budgets, area communities are among Ontario municipalities forced to rethink their 2025 spending plans. Here’s a look at how some governments in the region are affected by jacked-up police costs. ZORRA TOWNSHIP Prior to the OPP announcement it was raising costs to municipalities it serves, Mayor Marcus […]

London Free Press Population Southwestern Ontario

Across Southwestern Ontario, smaller communities creak under rapid growth

6 min read

The province estimates Southwestern Ontario’s population will jump more than 40 per cent to 2.6 million people by 2051. London and Middlesex County are expected to lead the way, growing by 56.7 per cent to about 880,000 people over the next 25 years, with nearby Oxford County close behind at 51.9 per cent. But rapid […]

London Free Press

Stacked townhouses, higher buildings in, single-family homes out: Mayor

6 min read

London’s skyline could see dramatic changes both in the city’s busiest districts and its neighbourhoods as city councillors approved sweeping changes to the city’s master planning document. The 13-1 vote at Tuesday’s city council meeting opens the door to 45-storey apartment towers downtown and four-storey stacked townhouses on neighbourhood “connector” streets, a designation the city […]

Letters London Free Press Opinion

Reader to Reader: September 21, 2024

6 min read

Cost of fashion Join Thames Region Ecological Association’s free documentary film night and discussion on the true cost of clothing on Sept. 26, 6 to 8 p.m. at Grosvenor Lodge, 1017 Western Rd. during London’s first sustainable fashion week. Email info@trea.ca for details. Diane Szoller, interim president, TREA Steak barbecue Tillsonburg firefighters’ association annual steak […]

London Free Press

Thanks a ton! Retiree’s gardens deliver huge, fresh yields for local food bank

3 min read

AILSA CRAIG – With food banks straining under increased demand, one retiree’s gardens have grown a ton of food – a literal tonne – this year for one local agency. What began as a hobby for Frank Hogervorst has sprouted into a charitable operation from the 557-square-metre (6,000 square-feet) garden at his home near Ailsa […]