What Barrie's Talking About

How prepared are you for the next emergency? And have you started thinking about retirement? This week, we're looking at two topics that affect almost everyone at some point in life. First, the province is investing millions of dollars to help communities better prepare for emergencies like ice storms, floods, tornadoes, and wildfires. Then, we explore what retirement is really like, and why it's...

You may have heard the name around Barrie and Simcoe County, but do you know exactly who the Grey and Simcoe Foresters are? This year marks the Grey and Simcoe Foresters 160th anniversary, celebrating more than a century and a half of military service. The name might sound like it has something to do with trees. It doesn't. The regiment has an important role within the Canadian Armed Forces, and t...

Two major topics are dominating conversations across Barrie this week. The City of Barrie is introducing a new strategy to deal with Barrie illegal shops operating downtown, while community leaders are looking back at another successful Kempenfest. Although heavy rain affected part of the weekend, the festival still attracted thousands of visitors to the city's waterfront. Here's what Barrie's tal...

The upcoming holiday weekend means more people will be travelling across Ontario, whether it's heading to cottage country, visiting family, or taking a day trip. While the roads are expected to be busy, local athletes and community organizations are making headlines for very different reasons. This week, Barrie roller derby athletes are preparing to represent Canada on the world stage, CAA is remi...

Economic uncertainty is making headlines again, but there are still reasons for optimism across Simcoe County. This week we looks at how interest rates, global trade, and local market conditions continue to shape buying and selling decisions. At the same time, experts are weighing in on how a new round of U.S. tariffs could affect Canadian businesses. Meanwhile, Georgian College is helping student...

There’s no shortage of stories highlighting growth and innovation across Simcoe County this week. From an award-winning local author to a historic investment in clean energy, several people and organizations are making headlines. Meanwhile, the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority is celebrating a remarkable environmental milestone that continues to benefit communities across the region. Here...

What will summer look like after a spring that many people would rather forget? That's one of the questions we're exploring this week. We're also taking a closer look at Simcoe County seniors housing solutions, a topic that doesn't always get the same attention as affordable housing for younger buyers or homelessness initiatives. In addition, Barrie native Jessie Eldridge is returning home after r...

Sometimes the biggest stories come from ordinary people doing extraordinary things. This week, we're hearing from a local man who helped rescue a young boy during a frightening dog attack. Meanwhile, award-winning comedian Eric Johnston is bringing his latest stand-up tour to Collingwood. Plus, Friday Harbour is preparing for a busy summer season packed with activities for residents and visitors a...

This week’s stories across Barrie and Simcoe County are deeply emotional, unexpectedly uplifting, and very connected to community. From a powerful personal story about adoption, to a quiet space built for reflection, to a surge in national pride ahead of the World Cup, there’s a lot of heart in this week’s conversations. Here’s what Barrie’s talking about. Barrie Woman Shares Powerful Adoption Exp...

Money is on a lot of people's minds these days. Across Ontario, more residents are struggling with debt, rising costs, and mortgage payments. At the same time, experts are warning about increasingly sophisticated auto theft techniques that can catch drivers off guard. But it's not all serious news. Communities across Simcoe County are also preparing for events that celebrate music, trails, technol...

A Barrie father honors the daughter he lost to mental health struggles by organizing a ball hockey tournament in her name. Riley McCullough, possibly Canada's youngest gym owner at 21, talks about building community over just building membership at the Warehouse Gym on Lennox Drive. And Oro-Medonte author Mike Patterson says he's had more than one encounter with Sasquatch — and at least one of the...

There’s a lot happening across Barrie and Simcoe County right now, and many of the conversations are centered around one big theme: growth. Whether it’s public safety downtown, major infrastructure spending, rising tick concerns, or preparing communities for future expansion, local leaders are focused on balancing growth with quality of life. Here’s a closer look at some of the issues shaping the...

There’s a strong sense of community spirit across Barrie and Simcoe County this week. From a local student earning national recognition for her artwork to charity walks, mental health awareness projects, and one of the region’s most stylish fundraising events, there’s plenty happening that’s bringing people together. Here’s what Barrie’s talking about this week. Barrie Student’s Artwork Heading to...

There are some important conversations happening across Barrie and Simcoe County this week, especially when it comes to health, financial planning, and community support. From improved pediatric healthcare close to home to practical advice about life insurance, several topics are encouraging residents to think ahead and stay informed. Here’s what Barrie’s talking about this week. RVH Joins Kids He...

What would you do if everything changed in an instant? That’s the question at the heart of this week’s conversations across Barrie and Simcoe County. From emergency preparedness to community support and deeply personal stories, there’s a lot to take in. Here’s what Barrie’s talking about this week. Emergency Preparedness Week: Are You Ready? We all know something unexpected will happen at some poi...

There’s a real mix of innovation, planning ahead, and meaningful community conversations happening across Barrie and Simcoe County this week. From a local business making a major move toward sustainability to events you’ll want on your radar now, there’s plenty people are talking about. Here’s a closer look. Barrie Dealership Makes the Switch to Solar Power A local dealership is setting a new stan...

If you’ve ever spent hours flipping through vinyl or hunting for that one perfect album, this week might feel a little nostalgic. From the return of Record Store Day to local business stories and the start of soccer season, there’s a mix of culture and community happening across Barrie right now. Here’s what Barrie’s talking about this week. Record Store Day Brings Vinyl Culture Back Into Focus Be...

There’s a mix of serious issues and community-driven stories across Barrie this week. From the connection between crime and housing to playoff hockey and local support initiatives, several conversations are getting attention right now. Here’s what Barrie’s talking about this week. Crime, Housing, and Bill C-22: How They’re Connected A deeper conversation is unfolding around the link between crime...

There’s a strong focus on growth and resilience across Barrie and Simcoe County this week. From major investments in affordable housing to lessons learned from last year’s ice storm, several important conversations are happening right now. Add in community discussions around culture and local leadership, and it’s a wide-ranging snapshot of what matters most in the region today. Here’s what Barrie’...

There’s a lot happening across Barrie and Simcoe County this week. From playoff hockey excitement to powerful personal stories and important community conversations, this week’s topics cover a wide range of what people are talking about locally. Here’s a closer look at the stories making headlines. Barrie Colts Ready for First Round Playoff Battle Playoff hockey is here, and the Barrie Colts are g...

As winter finally starts to fade, many across Barrie and Simcoe County are welcoming the arrival of spring. But while the season is changing, some challenges in the community are still very real. From increasing demand at the Barrie Food Bank to a lineup of local events and initiatives, there’s a lot happening right now. Here’s a closer look at what Barrie’s talking about this week. Winter Wraps U...

There’s plenty happening around Barrie and Simcoe County this week. From encouraging signs in the local housing market to a proposal aimed at recognizing Canadian veterans year round, several local stories are sparking conversation across the region. Barrie Housing Market Showing Promise for First Time Buyers For many people hoping to buy their first home, the past few years have been challenging....

Another week in Barrie means another round of stories that have people talking across the city and across Simcoe County. From the clocks changing this weekend to community initiatives and a chilly charity event, there’s plenty happening locally. Daylight Saving Time Returns This Weekend This weekend marks the return of Daylight Saving Time, which means clocks will move ahead by one hour. While los...

Welcome in to another edition of What Barrie’s Talking About from Barrie 360, your weekly look at the stories shaping our community. This week, we’re talking playoff momentum, mental health fundraising with a bit of flair, and a Barrie connection to one of Canada’s biggest sporting events. Barrie Colts Extend Winning Streak How about those Barrie Colts? The team put together four wins last weekend...

Welcome to another edition of What Barrie’s Talking About from Barrie 360, your weekly deep dive into the stories shaping our community. This week’s episode covers everything from policing and public safety to arena repairs, affordable housing, and a red-hot Barrie Colts team pushing toward the playoffs. Police Integrity and the Provincial Probe Following corruption charges against several Toronto...