Derailment, motel fire, and Mayor’s resignation highlights key moments in 2021

Here are the top ten stories of 2021 on the shoreline (in chronological order):

THE ONGOING COVID-19 PANDEMIC; ON AGAIN, OFF AGAIN LOCKDOWNS

Province entered 2021 with a lockdown that began on Boxing Day 2020 and was lifted February 16th. Lockdowns returned on April 2nd and lasted until June when the stay-at-home order was lifted and a phased-in reopening plan was installed.

GODERICH TRAIN DERAILMENT

No one was hurt when a 10-car train derailed near the Goderich terminal on February 1st. The derailment caused a tractor-trailer to turn over and a pick-up truck crushed by a runaway locomotive. An investigation determined that a hand brake was accidently released.

GREY BRUCE HEALTH UNIT UNVEILS HOCKEY HUB VACCINATION CLINIC

The clinics were designed to administer COVID-19 vaccines in a quick and efficient manner. Clinics were set up in Kincardine, Hanover, and Owen Sound. The model would be used in other parts of the region and around the world.

ANNE EADIE RESIGNS AS MAYOR OF KINCARDINE

Council members were surprised when Eadie read a statement during a Council meeting indicating she was stepping down as Mayor on April 9th. Gerry Glover was appointed as Mayor by members of Council on April 19th.

BRUCE POWER TURNS 20

On May 11th, Bruce Power celebrated 20 years as a privately-operated nuclear facility. The company marked the occasion by donating $25,000 each to Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce, Canadian Mental Health Association Grey Bruce, and the Blyth Festival on behalf of its employees. Bruce Power would announce in October an increase in output and medical isotope production.

FIRE DESTROYS HISTORIC SUTTON PARK INN

The May 26th fire ripped through the back of the building where the rooms were. Fire departments from Ripley-Huron, Saugeen Shores, and Bruce Power assisted Kincardine Fire in putting out the blaze. No one was hurt and damage was estimated to be in the millions of dollars.

SHORELINE CLASSICS IS ON THE AIR

The Kincardine radio station was under new ownership September 1st. Shoreline Classics FM continued its tradition of playing the best music of the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s with outstanding local news coverage.

SEVERE STORMS AND TORNADOES RAVAGES SHORELINE COMMUNITIES

Bruce County saw some severe weather in 2021. One of the more powerful ones happened on September 8th when an EF-2 tornado touched down in the Lucknow and Kingsbridge areas. Storms also uprooted trees in parts of Saugeen Shores.

FEDERAL ELECTION RESULTS IN ANOTHER LIBERAL-LED MINORITY GOVERNMENT

Voters went to the polls on September 21st and elected another Liberal minority government with Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister. Conservative Ben Lobb was re-elected as MP in Huron-Bruce.

TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION DAY

On September 30th, communities across Canada recognized Indigenous people in the wake of the discovery of mass graves at former residential schools. A painting was unveiled inside Saugeen Shores Council Chambers and a ceremony was held on the Southampton bridge.

HOCKEY IS BACK

The good ol’ hockey game returned in October after COVID cancelled much of the 2020 junior and senior hockey season. Season started with 50 percent capacity at indoor arenas. The province allowed for full capacity a few days later.

Honourable mentions: Lucknow Co-op purchases Pine River Cheese property, Saugeen Shores reaches settlement with Saugeen Ojibway Nation on land claim, anti-lockdown demonstrations, labour shortage in the region, Pumpkinfest returns.