Minden Hills resident James Smith loaded as many sandbags as he could onto a trailer outside the Minden Curling Club April 14.

He lives on the Burnt River.

“The river side is higher than it’s ever been, and I’m worried because the water actually gets into our house from the back side of our property. This is the first time we’ve had water this high on the property and it’s actually coming into the house,” he told The Highlander.

He said the previous owners built a berm and the water has now breached it.

“I know we’re going to get through it. It is a temporary inconvenience.”

The Township of Minden Hills declared a state of emergency April 14 in response to flood conditions, and the escalating impact to community and infrastructure. The decision came as the water level on the Gull River increased, and continued rain and warmer temperatures are expected over the next five to 10 days.

Levels on the Burnt and Irondale rivers, along with many County lakes, are also high.

There is water over numerous roads. Voicey Road was closed between Tulip and Blairhampton roads, Buller Road was closed at Clear Lake Road; and Boyd Road was closed at Brady Lake Road. There were restrictions on Invergordon Avenue, with access available through the arena back entrance; Anson Street, McKnight Boulevard, Orde Street and Hospitality Road; Devil’s Lake Road was reduced to one lane to local traffic only; Upper Dutch Line Road had washouts.

On April 13, a portion of Bobcaygeon Road from Winding Creek Road to Scotch Line Road, was closed to through traffic due to localized flooding and washout.

The township advised people not to drive through washouts or flooded areas as these conditions may be unstable and dangerous.

Sandbags available for residents

The municipality also said April 14 that the Minden sewage treatment system was receiving higher than normal flows, exceeding the capacity of the system. The Ontario Clean Water Agency, the township’s wastewater operator, commenced bypass procedures. Sewage had to be pumped to the Gull River from the sewage pumping station 1 at 27 Orde St. The township said the spill was initiated to reduce the risk of sewage backups into private property. “The impact … will be minimal given the dilution from the significant rainfall event, however residents drawing water downstream of the Orde Street sewage pumping station should take precautions, using proper filtration and disinfection systems before consuming the water.”

Minden mayor Bob Carter asked the public to “stay alert, stay in contact with our website, we will have the latest information available there.”

MNR: ‘particular concern for the Gull River’

The Ministry of Natural Resources issued a flood warning until April 22, saying developing conditions will affect residents of Haliburton County – with particular concern for the Gull River in Minden.

The warning means flooding is imminent or occurring within specific watercourses and municipalities.

“Residents and visitors should expect lake water levels to continue to rise and river flows to remain high throughout the week of April 13-17 and into the weekend of April 18-19,” the ministry said.

Runoff into local lakes and rivers is expected to increase due to rain and warming temperatures contributing to higher lake water levels and river flows.

“Residents are reminded to keep a close watch on weather conditions, regularly check for updated messages, exercise caution near fast-moving rivers and streams, and maintain close supervision of children and pets,” the MNR said.

It added, “residents that have been affected by high water and flow conditions in the past should continue to take necessary action to protect and secure any vulnerable property in proximity to rivers and lakes and closely monitor developing conditions.”

The township has filled sandbags, and self-serve sand (bring a shovel) is available at the Minden Curling Club (50 Prentice St., Minden) parking lot. The army cadets volunteered to fill bags. They said they would have up-todate information at www.mindenhills.ca/news.

The township also encouraged people to check their sump pumps to make sure they are working, that the pit is clear of debris and all electrical connections are plugged in correctly. Make sure that it is directed to a high point on your property that doesn’t redirect back into the home.

OPP Central Region Headquarters also issued a warning April 14, reminding drivers wet roads, reduced visibility, pooling water, localized flooding, and the potential for dense fog in some areas can make driving hazardous when conditions can change quickly.

Significant rainfall is expected to persist over the coming days, increasing the risk of water collecting on roadways, washouts, debris, and sudden road closures. These conditions may develop rapidly and can be difficult to predict, particularly in rural areas.”

Before leaving home, they encouraged drivers to check current road conditions, closures, and travel advisories through 511on.ca and municipal511.ca, monitor localized weather forecasts through The Weather Network, and follow OPP Central Region social media channels for timely updates on active road closures.

The newly-merged Fleming and St. Lawrence colleges say there will be no immediate changes to local brands, programs, campuses, services, or student supports following an April 10 integration announcement.

It is not yet known what impact the move will have on Haliburton School of Art + Design (HSAD), which recently had its dean position eliminated.

It was business as usual at HSAD’s open house April 11 although there appeared to be fewer students on the day and some studios closed. One staff person said the merger had caught them off guard.

Meanwhile, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), which represents staff, slammed the merger as a consequence of the Ontario government failing to invest in the sector.

In a joint press release, the colleges said they had agreed to integrate as equal partners, beginning a formal process “to create a stronger institution with greater scale, broader access for students to programs and services, and improved longterm financial sustainability.

They added the integration will also “better align programs and capacity with regional labour market needs. Over time, students will benefit from expanded academic pathways, increased access to specialized programs, enhanced research opportunities, and broader work-integrated learning experiences.”

They said the colleges had been working closely with the provincial government to ensure a smooth integration with minimum impacts on students and communities.

Fleming interim president Theresa Knott said, “this integration represents a forward-looking investment in our students and communities. By bringing our strengths together, we are positioning ourselves to deliver more opportunities, more innovation, greater access, and a stronger foundation for the future across our combined regions and campuses.”

The boards of both colleges have approved an integration framework agreement that sets out the steps to a full integration. Last Friday’s announcement marked the beginning of that process.

Fleming board chair, Don Gillespie, said, “as governors, our responsibility is to help ensure our institutions remain strong, relevant and sustainable for the students and each of the communities we serve. This integration process reflects a thoughtful, long-term approach to building greater capacity, expanding opportunities, and protecting the strength of college education across our region.”

The new college will have a single management team. St. Lawrence president Glenn Vollebregt will serve as the initial president and CEO and Knott as the initial associate president and chief academic officer.

The colleges said the integration will proceed through the next phase of implementation, which includes “detailed due diligence, operational planning, and community engagement.

“These steps will be undertaken under board oversight and in line with provincial requirements, with further updates to be shared as more information becomes available. Both colleges are committed to a structured engagement process that will give key partners meaningful opportunities to provide input on implementation.”

Union reacts

On April 11, OPSEU said the announcement sent ripples across the union representing college faculty and support staff as more than 2,500 delegates convened for their annual union convention.

President JP Hornick said, “just as we warned that without provincial investment, college campuses would begin to close – and they did – we cautioned that mergers were on the horizon.

“This government has clearly demonstrated an agenda to gut public services and education, so we know how this story ends: more cuts, and less support for students and communities.”

President of Local 351 representing Fleming College support staff, Marcia Steeves, said union locals at both colleges were not consulted in advance.

“For months, government officials and college presidents have sidelined direct questions about their plans for our colleges,” Steeves said.

Hornick challenged the consolidation as neither inevitable nor necessary, drawing attention back to the provincial spending choices.

“When it comes to corporate bailouts, luxury spas, or speeding up alcohol privatization, there’s billions in public dollars to subsidize private interests. But when it comes to our public colleges, something we universally benefit from, premier Doug Ford always comes up dry.”

Steeves added, “resources are being drained from our communities, especially small and rural ones, in real-time.”

Hornick said they would fight any job cuts.

To follow the progress of the integration process, people can go to flemingcollege. ca/integration and stlawrencecollege.ca/ integration.

By Adam Frisk Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Township of Algonquin Highlands is moving forward with a nine per cent increase to its municipal levy following the presentation of the 2026 final draft budget.

During the April 2 regular council meeting, elected officials approved the financial plan – $643,357 in additional spending this year. With the total tax rate, which includes combined rates for the County and education, residents will see a 5.54 per cent increase on their combined tax bill. This represents an approximate increase of $45 per year for every $100,000 of property assessment.

Council and staff outlined a budget that balances a surge in infrastructure spending with cost-saving measures in local facilities.

The single largest driver of the budget is the transportation department, with its total budget climbing by more than 50 per cent to reach $4,031,678. Spending on roads alone is jumping to $3,694,610, a more than 60 per cent increase over the 2025 approved budget. However, the airport operations budget is being scaled back by about 43 per cent this year to $57,900.

Public safety and regulatory services account for $2,486,795 of the 2026 budget. With Ontario Provincial Police service costs continuing to rise with an 11 per cent increase this year, bringing the total to $1,126,635. Meanwhile, the fire department’s operational budget is being slashed by just over 11 per cent, totalling $639,750 for the year.

Budgeted at $15,110 for the coming year, the short-term rental program is seeing a significant drop compared to the $78,247 actually spent on the program in 2025. And the new septic program has a dedicated budget of $149,443 this year.

To help offset infrastructure and public safety costs, several recreational and community facilities will operate with reduced funding. Spending for all facilities has been reduced to $1,106,065, a 16.68 per cent drop from previous levels. The Dorset Recreation Centre saw its operating budget cut by over 20 per cent to $322,283. Perhaps the most dramatic shift in the budget is the withdrawal of funding for general cemetery maintenance. The budget was slashed by nearly 83 per cent, falling from a previous $10,265 to $1,750.

The budget was the result of three days of deliberations in February and March. During the final summary, staff noted that while various projects were adjusted during those talks, no major “law changes” were required for the final draft.

Council approved the budget and directed staff to prepare the formal tax rate bylaw, which is expected to be brought forward for official adoption at the regular meeting of council on April 16.

By Adam Frisk Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

One of the County’s historical landmarks, the Red Cross Outpost, is seeking a financial lifeline after a sudden shift in federal funding policy.

Members of the Wilberforce Heritage Guild appeared before Highlands East council on April 7 to request an emergency grant after losing their long-standing student staffing subsidy from the federal government.

“We’re here because we have abruptly found out early this spring that we no longer meet the requirements to receive a federal Canada summer jobs grant,” guild vice chair Joan Barton told council. “This means that the guild this year is short of the funds we need to cover the cost of our local student whom we hire each summer as the museum guide for the months of July and August.”

Barton explained that the guild is facing a $4,000 shortfall as a result of the loss in funding. In previous years, the municipality processed the student guide’s payroll, and the guild would reimburse the township once federal funds arrived. However, guild member Linda Cameron told council that the federal government now requires the guild to manage its own payroll.

“We have been told that we have to have a Revenue Canada payroll account number, which means we would have to process our own payroll. We don’t have the wherewithal to do that,” she said. “It makes no sense for one employee for nine weeks.”

Cameron said that despite assistance from MP Jamie Schmale’s office, the guild was told the decision was final, effectively closing that funding stream permanently.

The Wilberforce Red Cross Outpost served as the only medical provider in the region from 1922 to 1963 and was the first outpost opened by the Red Cross in Ontario. For more than 30 years, the guild, a volunteer-run charity, has partnered with the municipality to operate the site as a museum. In 2003, the outpost was designated a national historic site of Canada.

Aside from the historical aspect of the site, Cameron and Barton told council the building acts as a community hub.

“We draw visitors to the town all summer. We had approximately 300 this year from as far away as Europe and New Zealand,” Barton said. “We run Scrabble afternoons because there should be fun for local people as well as the tourists”.

The museum also hosts groups in the offseason, such as the Central Food Network (CFN) Foodbank, local church committees, and the Loop Troupe.

Council members expressed appreciation for the guild’s work and while a final decision was deferred for a staff report, mayor Dave Burton indicated support.

“I believe in principle, I believe there’s support there, but that will be totally up to council,” he said.