Council sticks with evening meetings

There will be no change to council meetings this year. Staff introduced ways to streamline the council process, and while some changes were adopted, others were summarily dismissed. Staff recommended moving council meetings to Tuesday afternoons, from its current Monday evening schedule. But councillors were quick to shoot down the idea, noting it would limit, not encourage public participation.

Local farm submits greenhouse bid to Township

Township staff are working with a local farm in its application for expanded facilities, including a greenhouse. A public planning meeting was held recently for the bid by Kinghaven Farms for a greenhouse and other related uses on his horse farm on King Road.

YRP seminar offers tips to King residents to protect their homes and vehicles amid rising ‘crimes of opportunity’

Community safety was front and centre during a police-led seminar for King residents last week. Mayor Steve Pellegrini welcomed One District Command Superintendent Russ Bellman and his four-person York Regional Police presentation team into King Township Chambers. The theme of the evening – “Community Safety is a Shared Responsibility” – was reinforced in an engaging manner by a quintet of YRP officers and civilian staff.

Budget carries 4.95% hike for homeowners

King passed its budget Monday, with a 4.95% increase for local homeowners. King’s operating budget for 2023 is $63.7 million, and the capital budget is $33.9 million, for a total budget of $97.6 million. Township Council approved the budget at a Council meeting on Feb. 6. The average increase for the Township portion of municipal tax is 2.1 per cent between 2019 and 2023. That, combined with a 3.9% increase in York Region’s share, sees a blended hike of 4.4%. Part of York’s increase is a 1% hike to cover the costs of the new subway line.

King Township is officially ‘bird friendly’

Nature Canada is proud to announce that King Township has been certified as a “Bird Friendly City, the 19th city in the country to receive ...

Bill 23 impacts could cost the Township millions

King Township staff are rising to the challenges brought about by Bill 23. While a realignment of staffing and resources will mitigate major impacts of the Bill, one area can’t be streamlined. And that’s in the levels of Development Charges the Township can collect from developers. Staff estimate it could cost King as much as $4 million per year in lost revenue. “More collaboration is needed in order to achieve the result of more homes. We welcome an opportunity to speak with the Province,” said Mayor Steve Pellegrini.

Taste of Main returns to historic Schomberg Main Street

The annual showcase of Schomberg eateries has returned once more. Through March 5, residents and visitors are indulging in enticing flavours from Main Streets finest cuisine with seven participating restaurants including Craft Kitchen & Beer Bar, The Schomberg Pub & Patio, Port Soirée, Hollywood Pizza, Leonardo’s Pizzeria & Smokehouse, 307 on Main Café, and Grackle Coffee Company.

OOOOnly Audi Repairs Laval single mom’s stolen car involved in audacious Vaughan Mills robbery

When you walk through the front door of the OOOOnly Audi Repair Shop in downtown Schomberg, a visitor is struck by the welcoming and hospitable presence of Zoltan Hegedus, who has operated his repair shop for all makes and models of cars since 1981. Comfortable leather seats are all taken by visiting residents, including Joe McDonald, whose friendly 140-pound Mastiff lumbers amid those gathered. The reception area feels like a community hub that gathers customers, neighbours, friends, and family.

Small increase in user fees for 2023

User fees in King Township are going up this year, to help offset the costs of delivering services. As part of the 2023 budget process, adjustments were made to fees and charges for municipal facilities and programs, with some rising by between 2% and 3%.

NDP needs to check the facts, King mayor says

An attempt by the NDP to discredit the Ford government for its changes to the Greenbelt plan dragged King Township into the fray. At a press conference last week, (incoming) NDP Leader Marit Stiles said some people and businesses may have been “tipped off” prior to Queen’s Park releasing the actual announcement. “There’s deep concern about it and also a really deep sense that there’s something shady or something smells fishy,” said Stiles, during the televised press conference.

Township of King Receives Distinguished Budget Presentation Award

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada has presented the GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award to the Township of King ...

Township’s new By-law Investigation Map provides info, saves time

The Township of King has posted a new feature at king.ca/by-law that allows visitors to King’s website to check on the status of a bylaw ...

Council reiterates support for hospital lands, Greenbelt

King council is sending a message to the Province that it wants affordable housing types, as changes to the Greenbelt are in the offing. Further, council reiterated its support for specific lands deemed ideal for the expansion of the new Southlake Regional Hospital.

Community booster Beharriell passes away

An active and outspoken community pillar has passed away. LCol (ret’d) Susan Beharriell died Dec. 2 after a tough battle with cancer. Susan was a volunteer, and community activist, and regularly voiced concerns at King council meetings. You could find her at almost every local event, festival and parade, showing her pride for both our country and our community. She was a strong advocate for veterans and was happy to speak at almost any event to any organization.

Schomberg gets 3-point games from Kokelj and Miehm to sweep Huntsville from PJHL playoffs

The third-place Schomberg Cougars defeated Huntsville 5-0 on Tuesday evening and swept the seventh-place Otters from the PJHL playoffs four games to none. Cougars Coach Stan Kondrotas was happy with his team’s decisive Game Four performance: “This game was about closing the door when we needed to and getting the things done that good hockey teams do.” The clincher at the Trisan Centre was played in front of 246 fans and featured a pair of timely 3-point nights by Cougar veterans Cameron Kokelj and Luke Miehm. Coach Kondrotas assessed his top players’ performances: “Luke’s a hard player to play against. He can play any way he wants to play. Cam’s focus is on the W’s, not just points. They both knew they had to pick it up in this big game. At the end of the day, they’re the leaders of the team.”

U12AA King Rebellion captures York-Simcoe M.H.L. Championship with a pair of Final Four shutouts

King’s 12AA rep team continued its winning ways on the weekend. The Rebellion ran the table in a convincing manner at the York-Simcoe Minor Hockey League Final Four playoff tournament by shutting out both their opponents. A 7-0 win over Barrie in the semi-final on Saturday secured a berth in the YSMHL final. In the championship game on Sunday afternoon, the Rebellion used back-to-back goals in the second period and a stifling defence to earn a 2-0 win over Richmond Hill and hang a York-Simcoe championship banner at the Nobleton Arena.

U12AA King Rebellion runs roughshod over Richmond Hill and Stouffville in 5-0 and 4-0 playoff

When the U12 King Rebellion AA hockey team took to the ice for their playoff game at Ed Sackfield Arena in Richmond Hill on Wednesday, they did so amid the cacophony of bell-clanging hockey moms impelling their sons to victory. “The Rebellion Ringers” rang their red bells in raucous unison off the ice and King’s powerhouse squad took care of business on the ice as they defeated the Richmond Hill Stars 5-0 in opening round York-Simcoe playoff action.

KTMHA makes ‘major’ move to AA level for the 2023-24 season

March is a significant hockey month in Ontario as regional and provincial championship tournaments begin in earnest. Randy Shepherd is focused on his King Township teams’ present performance as the playoffs ramp up, but he also has his eyes firmly on the future. The president of the 500-player organization released his organization’s strategy last week to advance the King Township Minor Hockey Association and its member teams.

History made in the rings for King men’s team

It was back to business for the members of the King Curling this past week after the excitement of both the Provincial and International curling events came to a close. Unbelievable athleticism, thrilling performances, invigorating and inspirational moments embodied those that witnessed, and participated, in what was truly historic for King Curling.

Curling club rolls out red carpet for Scots

The Strathcona Cup is being ranked by Bob Belcher as one “one of the best events held at the King Curling Club ever.” He also concluded that “it’s right up there with the club’s inaugural opening ceremonies in its first year and the Wheelchair Provincials that we just hosted.” This was a very significant event where curlers are only allowed to participate once so it truly is a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to play in and represent your country. Approximately 1,500-1,800 Canadian curlers are participating against the 60 visiting Scottish curlers within the 3-tour group schedule.

Nobleton player crowned World Junior champ

As Dylan Guenther slotted home the game-winning goal in overtime against the Czech Republic last week, it wasn’t solely a victory for Team Canada but it was also a big victory for Nobleton and King Township.

CDS student committed to play D1 hockey in Providence

In her youth, Hannah Clarke was always an arbiter for competition. She was never one to back down from a challenge and even if that meant going up against her brother Caleb and his friends.

Schomberg native took the road less travelled and now he’s finding success at SPIRE

Schomberg native Riley Melvin understands what it’s like to not be gifted with a talent, but to achieve it through belief and effort. In an exclusive interview with the King Weekly Sentinel, the 18-year-old joked that he had zero athletic ability growing up.

We Care tourney sets new record

Close to 200 friends, family, sponsors, golfers and volunteers stepped up to raise $28,316 this year at the annual We Care golf tournament,This brings the ...

Allpowers unit is your best back-up plan

You can disconnect and get off the grid, but you don’t have sacrifice backup power. As we prepare for summer adventures, portable power stations are a must. These light-weight, easy-to-carry units give us power we need in a pinch, which can sometimes be a lifesaver. Allpowers S300 (288 Wh) is a perfect little unit to keep with you at all times. Even if you’re not venturing into the wilderness, you can always take comfort that you have this handy power station if needed.

Cuisinart’s EvolutionX™ compact blender is your go-to companion

Canadians are taking their health more seriously, and are whipping up some amazing concoctions in no time flat. Juicers and blenders – small, often portable devices – are answering the call. In fact, research indicates portable blenders are soaring to an all-time high among consumers. Fortunately, there’s a wide variety of units to choose from. And once again, venerable kitchen appliance leader Cuisinart, is among the top contenders.

AMPRoad unit the best on-the-go booster

No one wants to be caught short, dead in the water without power. We rely too heavily on our powered devices to let this happen. Consumers should arm themselves and be prepared, literally for anything. A dead car battery, whether it’s in the driveway or parking lot, is almost inevitable. It’s something we will likely encounter more than once.

TouchPoints offer high-tech relief

We are all under stress these days and we’re searching for ways to alleviate our daily anxiety. Who wouldn’t want to ease stressful situations, literally at the push of a button? Thanks to TouchPoints, you can. TouchPoints work by altering the body’s stress response with scientifically-proven BLAST (Bi-lateral Alternating Stimulation Tactile) technology. BLAST uses gentle, alternating vibrations from each unit (on each side of the body) to shift your brain from your default “fight or flight” response to your calm and in-control response. Under stress, our bodies combat stress by going into the fight or flight mode, releasing endorphins.

Chicken Big Mac lands, and wow!

The chicken has landed. McDonald’s Canada launched the Chicken Big Mac March 7 and it’s worth checking out. This sandwich is a godsend – a new taste sensation reminiscent of an old favourite. The new Chicken Big Mac, features the iconic Big Mac® goodness with a chicken twist.

Hagley West presents nice, solid timepieces

Consumers are flooded with brand names, but when you look at smaller, independent designers, a whole new world opens up. That’s true in the microbrand watch market, where a cornucopia of great timepieces await. They may not be household names, but they are definitely high quality pieces crafted with a lot of TLC. Take Hagley West, which was literally born at the kitchen table of founder Tim Hayden.

Italian watchmaker Out of Order brings out the colours; just add ice!

Fashion, according to Miconia Praha, is “instant language.” And Twiggy once said that fashion should be stylish and fun. Well there’s no lack of fun in a new lineup of timepieces by Italian watch-maker Out of Order. The company, which espouses the sentiment “Damaged in Italy,” is offering something distressed and fresh.

Bluetti PV68 solar panel provides unlimited power

No one wants to be stuck, cut off from the rest of the world, without power. Thanks to Bluetti and its lineup of portable power stations and accessories, you don’t have to. In fact, pair any of their power units with a solar array and you can live comfortably, anywhere. Solar has come a long way and many are turning to this as not only a back-up system, but a primary source of off-grid electricity.

Memobottle is the ‘plastic bottle to end all bottles’

The messages are sinking in, and consumers are responding. There’s a huge movement to ban single-use plastics, in an effort to repair our planet. Many people have abandoned everything from plastic bags to water bottles, in an attempt to clean up our act.

FineWatchesBerlin paints time with colour

We express our national pride – the love of our homeland – in many ways. Some wear it on their sleeves so to speak. The makers of FineBerlinWatches like to shout it for all to hear. And every piece they make bears the sentiment “From Berlin with Love.” Father and daughter team of Wilfried and Mia Liefer want other watch-lovers to share in their joy with their lineup of brilliant, colourful timepieces.

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