MidlandToday

9 hours ago | midlandtoday.ca | Bruce Shipkowski

CHATSWORTH, N.J. (AP) — A man set wooden pallets on fire and failed to properly put them out in New Jersey's Pine Barrens, sparking a quick-moving wildfire, authorities said Thursday. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer and Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette said the Waretown man faces aggravated arson and arson charges in the southern New Jersey wildfire, which authorities said Thursday morning grew to more than 23 square miles. (59 square kilometers).

1 week ago | midlandtoday.ca | Tyler Evans

Several weeks after a fire tore through their John Street home, longtime Orillia residents James, Gary and Tom Fraser are still grappling with the loss — but they aren’t giving up hope. The three brothers, known for their quiet generosity and community spirit, lost everything in the March 19 blaze, including essential medications, cherished family belongings and the nearly paid-off home they had lived in for over 20 years.

1 week ago | midlandtoday.ca | Bob Bruton

Four days of freezing rain, fallen trees and downed branches on hydro wires has left long-lasting damage to Barrie properties, boulevards and parks, long past the power returning. But mostly to the trees. “It is hard to look at the vast damage and not be emotionally affected. I know I have been,” said Andee Pelan, executive director of Living Green Barrie, and an ISA-certified arborist.

1 week ago | midlandtoday.ca | Andrew Philips

Mark Carney has only been prime minister for a few weeks, but that hasn’t stopped some from changing their F*CK TRUDEAU flags to pay homage to the new boss. A pair of F*CK CARNEY flags now fly in front of a Perkinsfield home along with another supporting U.S. President Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. Some say the flags are offensive, especially given the current state of the U.S./Canada relationship, and Trump’s propensity to stir things up with anybody, anywhere at anytime.

1 week ago | midlandtoday.ca | Wendy King

Downed power lines and fallen trees bring life lessons. How did everyone survive the ice storm of "spring" 2025? A pioneer woman, I am not. I am embarrassed to say I was a desperate, wimpy, impatient mess. And I had it easy. My Barrie neighbourhood was without power for just about two days, nowhere near what some of our neighbours were. Lesson 1: Listen to the weather forecasters, who warned us for days this massive storm system was on the way and likely to hit hard.