The New FM 105.5 Muskoka's Lite Favourites

The Town of Gravenhurst is firing back. The South Muskoka Shield actually turned down the game ice time they were offered in Gravenhurst this season, says a Town official. Gravenhurst recreation manager Debbie Broderick says the team also recently reduced the practice time they were given too. She was responding to complaints made by Shield GM Gord Carey, who is currently seeking ice time in Bracebridge for his team, because he feels the ongoing construction at the new $18 million Gravenhurst Centennial Centre will cause too many disruptions this season. Broderick says the current lack of showers at her arena - a complaint raised by local hockey organizations this summer, will in fact be fixed by the end of September. By then showers will be in place, she tells the Moose, although they'll be located outside the main building, along with temporary change rooms and other areas. Last week Carey said his team could fold for the year if it doesn't find ice time in Bracebridge, but Broderick says all the ice time the team ever requested this year was offered to them earlier this summer. Although conditions won't be perfect, she'd hoped the Shield and their rivals would be able to manage through the inconveniences. Broderick points out that Carey's team currently has no secured game ice time locally - either in Bracebridge or Gravenhurst. She says Gravenhurst is very disappointed the team won't be playing games at their home arena. She adds that it's also unfortunate for spectators. A worst case scenario would see construction conditions continue until March 2011, but Gravenhurst has worked to ensure there'll be a crowd capacity of 550 at the facility throughout the season. As a footnote, Broderick says the Town is currently negotiating with several organizations - some from outside of Gravenhurst, to put the available ice time to use.

A Nobel man has been fined $5,000 for shooting geese out of season. The Ministry of Natural resources (MNR) say Christopher Strome of Carling Township has pleaded guilty to illegally hunting migratory birds during a closed season and illegally possessing migratory birds, contrary to the Migratory Birds Convention Act. He also pleaded guilty to trespassing to hunt, contrary to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. On August 24, Justice of the Peace Pat Tennant of the Ontario Court of Justice, Parry Sound heard that on May 26, 2010, Strome shot and killed about 30 Canada geese on Shebeshekong Lake while trespassing on private property. A member of the public had contacted the MNR to report the violations. Adult geese and young were killed by Strome using a .22 calibre rifle and a shotgun. In addition to the fine he received, Strome’s hunting licence was suspended for two years. To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your local ministry officer during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

The Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce is inviting the public to attend several All Candidates evenings over the next few weeks. The first, which will involve Ward A candidates, is being held Tuesday September 28 at 7:00 pm at the Torrance Community Centre. The Ward B evening will be held Thursday September 30 at 7 p.m. at the Raymond Community Centre. Ward C’s night falls on Wednesday September 29 at 7:00 pm at the Port Carling Community Centre. The nights are being billed as your opportunity to meet, hear and question candidates for the Township, District and Mayor’s seats before you vote!

The search for ice time continues for the South Muskoka Shield. It's still unknown whether the Town of Bracebridge will be able to secure some time at Memorial Arena each week this season to keep the Shield in action. Ongoing construction at the team's Gravenhurst home arena is hampering their game schedule. Yesterday, Bracebridge Minor Hockey's Vice-President Barry Hammond said his organization has yet to receive an official proposal from the Shield in terms of how many hours the Shield need a week. Hammond says his organization will do what it can to help out fellow hockey players, but he admits scheduling is already very tight. Hammond suggests that the Town of Gravenhurst may not have exercised enough foresight when it comes to the Gravenhurst construction schedule and how it would affect the team. This leaves the problem in the Town of Bracebridge's hands. Culture and Rec officials have been contacted, but have yet to respond to the Moose.