Best of 2025: Most read News stories

As we head into 2026, below are some of the top news stories that solicited readers’ attention in 2025.

While some wondered about the cost, most readers were happy to see more amenities being added for the public to enjoy in the municipality.

Crokicurl rink to be added to River Mill Park this winter

A public art donation from the Consulate General of India, certainly seemed to solicit a lot of reaction.

Town of Huntsville to receive public art donation from the Consulate General of India

An increase in complaints to the OPP about the operators of dirt bikes in the community also seemed to hit a nerve with readers in 2025.

OPP report increase in complaints about underage youth operating dirt bikes and ATVs

Muskoka is a land of contrasts. While we have multi-million dollar cottages in our midst, people are living in tents.

Homeless in Muskoka

It seems not everyone agrees with a MAT fee, no matter how beneficial funds raised from the tax can be for municipal programming.

Lake of Bays moves forward with a 4% Municipal Accommodation Tax starting Jan. 1, 2026

The claim of racist behaviour experienced by a family visiting Huntsville solicited mostly shock and anger among residents.

Ford and Smith denounce allegations of hateful slurs directed at Sikh family visiting Huntsville

Community members applauded the commitment of a $20M donation to healthcare in Muskoka.

New hospital build in Huntsville attracts record-setting $20 million gift

Community members have been waiting and hoping for the return of passenger rail to the area.

Province reaches another milestone in bringing back the Northlander

News that District housing had gotten so bad, send shockwaves among readers.

District housing deemed “uninhabitable,” relocation of tenants recommended

Bullet casings left behind by a shooting spree orchestrated by visitors to the area seemed to cause a lot of anger among readers.

Bracebridge OPP investigate dangerous firearm use on snowmobiling bridge in MacTier

In a surprise announcement, the Township of Lake of Bays added to its publicly owned property through the purchase of the Logging Chain Lodge in Dwight.

Township of Lake of Bays purchases historic Logging Chain Lodge off Hwy 60 in Dwight

This story about salt pollution and the need to decrease its use certainly seemed to get readers’ attention.

Muskoka joins others in calling on the Ontario government to address salt pollution

Anger and threats, the Clarke family in Huntsville had to endure angry correspondence for something they say was a case of mistaken identity.

Huntsville councillor says a case of mistaken identity is causing grief for him and his family

These traffic calming devices seemed to awaken the ire in some and relief in others.

Some residents up in arms over traffic calming devices on Deerfoot Trail

Whether to ban fireworks has always been a charged issue, and when a delegation asked Huntsville Council to look into it, their request was no exception.

Residents ask the Town of Huntsville to ban fireworks

This is one of the planning stories that got a lot of attention.

Six hundred unit development will be ‘huge for Huntsville,’ says Stone

Speed limits are always contentious, particularly on Brunel Road.

The transition to clear garbage bags seemed to get a lot of people’s knickers in a Knot in 2025.

Transition to clear garbage bags starts March 3

For more news stories from 2025, check out our archives under “News.”