The New FM 105.5 Muskoka's Lite Favourites

The Gravenhurst Downtown Revitalization Project is launching its business seminar series March 8^th, 2012 with a guest speaker. Internationally known Barbara Crowhurst of ‘Retail Make Over’ has advice for both retail and service businesses. Audiences in other towns say its helped pave the way to true success. Pre-registration is encouraged and the cost is $5. Contact Marilyn de Lang if you want to attend at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Hydro One is planning a power outage on Friday in the Gravenhurst area. The outage will affect 563 residents living in the Housey's Rapids Road, Riley Lake, Kashe Lake and Barkway Road area. It's scheduled to start at 9:30am and end at 11:30am. Customers are to be contacted by an automated message before it occurs. The outage is happening because Hydro One is doing maintenance and upgrading its equipment.

Art in The Heart artists are given access to lots of information through workshops, and the chance to display and sell their works in the alleyways and public spaces along Manitoba Street. Art in the Heart happens Saturdays from July 7^th to August 4^th, 2012. The call for entry is available at the program's website: www.artintheheartbracebridge.com.

Huntsville residents are soon going to see an increase in their property tax bill. Council approved the 2012 budget last night, which shows that a single family home at about $265,000 will see an added $41 to their bill per year. Mayor Claude Doughty says it was a tough budget to get the property tax to just under two per cent.

The budget as a whole shows the net costs to taxpayers for this year was almost $10,350,000 – an increase of nearly four per cent from last year.

Meantime, residents may also see the parking meters removed as of May 1^st, 2012. Council agreed to give the BIA an opportunity to take over the parking authority. But if the BIA decides not to take over, the meters will be replaced with a two-hour parking limit. Mayor Claude Doughty says the current system of controlling parking downtown has proven to be a bad experience to residents, visitors and staff.

The areas affected include Main Street, Minerva Street, King Sreet and the River Mill parking lot.

Muskoka Lakes Townships is trying to reduce a $7.8-million plus 2012 budget. Under the microscope this week were the Chamber of Commerce, Library and Fire Department. Councillors have agreed to a five percent funding increase for the library, which would give it $203,200. The Chamber could get $42,000. Deliberations are ongoing, but the Fire Department will get $140,000 for training - a significant increase over last year. Treasurer Steve Rettie says the overall budget currently sits at $7,816,516, which would mean a 2.7 percent tax increase over last year. The numbers could still go up or down. Budget approval day is March 5^th, 2012.

Huntsville OPP is searching for thieves who stole a snowmobile trailer sometime this past weekend. Police say it was stolen sometime between Friday and Sunday from a property on Highway 35 near Toc Lake Road in Lake of Bays Township. The culprits managed to move a Chev Tahoe in order for them to access the trailer, which is a 2007 North Trail covered model. The trailer has an Ontario marker number of E5028J and had Hare Farms painted on it, as well as Arctic Cat and a Partner Auto stickers. Anyone with information is asked to contact Huntsville OPP or Crime Stoppers.