FOOD INSECURITY
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HOBBIT EXHIBIT PAGE
STRATFORD VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 50
14
JULY 31, 2026
FREE
A Passion for People SHERRIE ROULSTON
Real Estate Broker email: sherrieroulston@royallepage.ca Direct: 519-272-3578
Kitchen fire closes Braai House
AMANDA NELSON Times Reporter
A kitchen fire at Braai House, located on the upper level of 34 Brunswick St., forced customers to leave mid-service Thursday evening as smoke spread through the upper level of the building. In a social media post, manager Jessie Votary confirmed the fire affected both Braai House and the downstairs business, Keystone Alley. “It’s true, friends, Braai House had a fire tonight that has affected both upstairs and downstairs at Keystone Alley,” Votary wrote. The post said all reservations for the weekend had been cancelled and customers would be contacted once a plan was in place. Stratford Fire Department director of fire prevention Andrew Rogerson said firefighters received multiple 911 calls reporting smoke in the building and responded promptly. Upon entering the building, firefighters found a working fire in the restaurant’s kitchen. “There was an evacuation in place at the time of our arrival, and we did come across a working fire in the kitchen of the restaurant,” Rogerson said. “We received the call shortly after 6:40 p.m., and the fire was under control by 7:23 p.m.” Damage estimates were not immediately available, but Rogerson said firefighters used water to extinguish the blaze. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. CONTINUED TO PAGE 4
(GARY WRAY PHOTO)
The 1985-86 OHA Sutherland Cup Champion Stratford Cullitons sit down for a group photo in the Cullitons/Warriors locker room at the William Allman Memorial Arena on July 25. For more on the 40th anniversary reunion, see our story on page 10.
After 22 straight years with SPS, Jason Clarke named new deputy chief CONNOR LUCZKA Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
For Jason Clarke, his hometown was always the plan. “I’m a Stratford guy, born and raised in Stratford and lived here all my life,” Clarke said. “… For me it’s always been Stratford. I've loved Stratford my entire life and I love everything about it.” Clarke, who has been with the Stratford Police Service for 22 years now, has been appointed the service’s new deputy chief, following an internal selection process that
took nearly a year. Deputy Chief Gerry Foster retired in the summer of 2025. Clarke brings extensive experience in operational and leadership roles across the organization, according to an announcement from the police services board. Most recently, he served as acting deputy chief for six months, sharing the role with Insp. Mark Taylor for the year. During that time, according to the board, he “demonstrated sound judgment, disciplined leadership and a consistent commitment to organizational excellence and CONTINUED TO PAGE 2