What Barrie's Talking About

From blasting out tree stumps with dynamite in the 1950s to operating some of the most advanced snowmaking equipment in Ontario today, Snow Valley has come a long way over the past 75 years. Ahead of the resort's anniversary celebrations, Barrie 360's Julius Hern caught up with General Manager John Ball to talk about the pioneers who built the hill, the families who helped shape its legacy, and wh...

School drop-off and pick-up times can turn neighbourhood streets into a traffic jam, with lineups of vehicles stretching around the block. But what if more students walked, biked or rolled their way to class instead? The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit's "On the Move" initiative is working with schools, municipalities and families to make active transportation safer, easier and more appealing...

Karaoke is one thing, but what if you could take the stage with a live six-piece band backing you? That's the idea behind "Bandeoke," a new fundraiser supporting the Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County. The Society's Jaimie Grant stopped by to explain how the event came together, how the money raised will help local families affected by dementia, and the important message she wants people to hear a...

As Vettä Nordic Spa approaches its fifth anniversary in Oro-Medonte, the destination is celebrating with one of its biggest expansions yet. Owner Eric Harkonen joins us to talk about bringing authentic Finnish sauna culture to Simcoe County, the growing popularity of wellness tourism, and why disconnecting from your phone might be one of the healthiest things you can do. Learn more about your ad c...

You can't see it, smell it, or taste it, and that's exactly why carbon monoxide is so dangerous. During Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, Barrie Fire and Emergency Service is reminding residents to test their alarms regularly and keep fuel-burning appliances properly maintained. Education Officer, Kate Foster, joins us with tips and advice, and a reminder to test your CO alarms. Learn more about you...

He recently won all four categories he entered at a bodybuilding competition in Michigan. Out of the blue, he was invited to compete for a professional bodybuilding card. He's from Barrie. And he's just 16 HE...Is Cruz Pyros. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A mild winter forecast sounds great on paper, but emergency officials say it could still bring heavy snow, damaging ice storms and lengthy power outages. On this episode, we sit down with Simcoe County's chief emergency planner Grant Durfey and Nathan Latulippe from the SERV volunteer program to talk about winter readiness, lessons learned from past storms, generator safety, emergency kits, and ho...

As fraud scams continue to evolve and become more convincing, Barrie Police are urging residents to stay vigilant. From fake bank investigators to grandparent scams, fraudsters are using stolen personal information, spoofed phone numbers and high-pressure tactics to target victims. Earlier this week, we sat down with Barrie Police Detective Constable Neil Peterson to talk about the scams making th...

As Barrie prepares to host its first-ever Successful Aging Expo, organizers hope the event will help older adults and their families connect with the services, information and support they need to age well. Barrie 360's Ian Maclennan spoke with John Tom, president of Superior Home Health Care, about the inspiration behind the expo, the challenges facing seniors and caregivers, and why planning ahe...

You may have seen him wandering around downtown Barrie. A masked man. A Deadpool knockoff. Neil Griffin, trying to be a positive influence in the city, reminding people how to smile. What's the method to his madness? He lays it out for Barrie 360's Ian Maclennan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Economic uncertainty, concerns about artificial intelligence and the lingering pressure of higher living costs are leaving many working Ontarians worried about their financial future, according to a new survey released by insolvency firm MNP. Caryl Newbery-Mitchell, a Licensed Insolvency Trustee with MNP in Barrie, said the findings reflect what she is hearing from clients across the province. Lea...

Just a few days now until the municipal election. We continue our series of interviews with the candidates for mayor in Barrie. Our Ian Maclennan sits down with Russell Tighe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 29th Barrie Film Festival opens this weekend (Oct. 17) with 17 feature films, 20 short films, and a lot of Canadian content. Festival Director, Claudine Benoit, joins our Ian Maclennan with a preview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Barrie film director Sergio Navarretta takes the spotlight on opening night of the Barrie Film Festival on October 17. His latest film is What We Have Left, a drama about friendship, love, memory and the passage of time. He talks with Barrie 360's Julius Hern about the film, getting it done, and the film industry general. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Locallicious returns to Barrie this weekend until November 1. It has become Barrie’s most popular culinary experience, boasting some of the best local restaurants that participate year after year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The County of Simcoe Museum is bringing history to life this weekend with its annual Last Blast event on Saturday. Visitors can see historic bulldozers, steamrollers and other heavy equipment running, digging and moving earth just as they did decades ago. Then, come the end of the month, it's Night at the Boo-seum. Barrie 360's Julius Hern gets the details from the museum's Forrest Patenaude. Lear...

Barrie homeowners looking to tackle projects around the house while supporting a local cause will have the chance later this month as Barrie Families Unite hosts its third annual Home Sweet Home Fundraiser. Barrie 360's Julius Hern gets the goods from Nikki Glahn and Rich Bullis... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hometown Harvest Festival Thanksgiving weekend at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons is a celebration of "the harvest and the bounty of the fall," blending the atmosphere of a traditional fall fair with the site's unique historical setting. Attractions include guided barn tours, live music, beginner-friendly line dancing, heritage games, traditional Indigenous activities, and a large artisan market...

It is Fire Prevention Week. Lithium-ion batteries are the focus this year - charging them, where you're charging them, and what you're charging them with. Barrie 360's Ian Maclennan gets advice on that, and more, from Barrie's Fire Education Officer Kate Foster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s happening around Barrie right now? This week on What Barrie’s Talking About, we’re covering everything from hate crimes and sexual assault services to cancer support, poverty, local politics and the history of Barrie’s rock music scene. The latest episode of the Barrie 360 podcast brings together local voices to look at some of the issues and stories making headlines across Barrie and...

Fall has officially arrived, and after a pretty decent summer, there are plenty of reasons to look ahead. This week on What Barrie's Talking About, we're checking in on what the new season could bring. We're also looking at the growing need at the Barrie Food Bank, the latest results from CAA's electric vehicle testing, and the Barrie housing market with realtor Peggy Hill. Here's what Barrie's ta...

The municipal election campaign is underway in Barrie, and we're starting a series of conversations with the candidates running for mayor. This week, Tanya Saari is the first candidate to join What Barrie's Talking About. Meanwhile, the Barrie Colts are getting ready to open their 2026-27 season. General Manager Marty Williamson and Head Coach Dylan Smoskowitz look ahead to a new season after the...

Orillia is getting ready to celebrate one of Canada's most famous musicians. The Lightfoot Festival Orillia returns to honour the music, life, and legacy of Gordon Lightfoot. Meanwhile, a Penetanguishene man has taken part in a very different kind of hockey event. James Dalzell recently suited up for Bare Knuckle Ice Wars in Alberta. There's no hockey game involved. Instead, competitors put on ful...

The summer is winding down, and that means two things are happening around Simcoe County. Businesses are still trying to figure out how new U.S. tariffs will affect them. At the same time, families are getting ready for the return to school, which means more students, pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles on local roads. This week on What Barrie's Talking About, we're looking at how Barrie businesse...

What happens when medical students finish their training and decide to stay right here in Simcoe County? This week, we're talking about Barrie family doctors and the local program helping train them. We're also looking at the growing concern around lithium-ion battery fires and why Barrie's fire chief wants residents to use these batteries safely. Plus, a local children's author is taking her popu...