YEAR IN REVIEW: 2024

August

-County of Brant revisits its film policy/filming strategy after a lot of feedback from residents and businesses following the Amazon Prime TV series Motorheads’ visit to town The new strategy would identify tighter restrictions on how production companies “dress” sets, close roads, affect businesses, provide notification for interruptions, film in restricted areas, and how they provide compensation.

-Brant Community Foundation reveals list of 2024 Community Grant Winners; 74 grants awarded, totaling $300,000.

-Salvation Army Paris/Brantford puts out an urgent call for action when food bank shelves empty. “In my 18 1/2 years with the Salvation Army, today marked a first - we had to close our food bank early Our shelves are bare, devoid of fresh and frozen food. We desperately need your help,” said Ratelband on August 12th The community responded in the weeks following the call. Sobeys Paris produces big $5,000 donation to foodbank in partnership with a local resident.

-25th Annual Dick Emerson Invitational Golf Tournament (pictured right) raises $15,000 for Jump Start for Kids and also made a $1,500 donation to the Salvation Army.

-County of Brant OPP mourn the passing of 28year-old Provincial Constable Dylan James Douglass MacKinnon following a valiant battle against stage 4 colon cancer.

-Mother Nature tried to throw a monkey wrench in Paris Drinks Fest plans, but the weather couldn’t stop thousands of concert goers from flocking the Twin Rivers Stadium for the weekend long festival. It was the first time the concert series was held at the Twin Rivers Stadium, located besides the Syl Apps Community Centre, due to significant damage to its original location at Lions Park

-Henry Stolp and Brian Stolp take the Paris Independent in a sneak peak of the downtown construction project at 7-11 Grand River St N. The beautifully designed building will feature several commercial units on the ground floor (with one confirmed tenant being Juniper Dining!) and several condos on the second and third floor; some overlooking the Grand River in a breathtaking view.

-County of Brant lobbies for protection of agricultural lands and new hospital during 2024AMO Conference.

-County announces the closure of Silver Street at Grand River St N of watermain and sanitary service work. The road remained closed until mid-December.

-A tornado touches down in Ayr, leaving significant damage to buildings/homes Brunt of the winds felt in Paris, but no major damage reported in town. Continued on page 15

Steve Fergus, pictured above with his son Mackey. Steve resurrected football in Paris nearly 20 years ago and has been crucial in growing the program. He is passing the torch to his son Mackey, who coached the Junior PDHS team this season.

Photos by George Le Gresley

Capturing a moment of legacy and giving back: John and Paul Emerson proudly pose with their father's cherished trophy at the 25th annual Dick Emerson Invitational Golf Tournament, benefiting Jump Start For Kids.