1) New MRI Suite opens in Huntsville

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Staff, July 8, 2025

Huntsville District Memorial Hospital has opened the doors to its new MRI suite—a state-of-the-art facility poised to significantly improve diagnostic services across the region.

The milestone marks the culmination of a five-year journey, spearheaded by Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) and the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, which raised $10 million to purchase the machine and build the hospital addition. The result: a powerful diagnostic tool that will deliver approximately 5,000 scans annually—bringing faster diagnoses, shorter wait times, and more convenient access to care.

“I’m so happy that Muskoka is among the first of the 49 new MRI machines the Ontario government is adding across the province,” said Cheryl Harrison, President and CEO of MAHC. “No more long drives out of the region. No more delays in diagnosis. This MRI is changing the game.”

Hours before the official ribbon-cutting, Huntsville resident Ben Osorio became the first person scanned in the new suite. Calling himself “lucky,” his experience highlights just how immediate and impactful the new service will be for local patients.

The addition is expected to save patients over 7,000 hours of travel time each year and reduce more than 700,000 kilometres of driving to out-of-region hospitals. Already, patients who had requisitions filed elsewhere are being contacted to receive scans locally.

MPP Graydon Smith praised the initiative, calling it a “testament to our government’s commitment to strengthening rural healthcare,” and thanked community donors and partners who helped make the project a reality. Their generosity was echoed by Huntsville Hospital Foundation CEO Katherine Craine, who noted that 2,460 donations were received over three years.

“We are forever grateful for the investment you’ve made in healthcare, here,” said Craine. “We’re really fortunate to live in a region that is so incredibly supportive of healthcare and our hospital.”

2)Beach Advisories – Simcoe County, Muskoka, Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes

Is the water safe?

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Staff, July 8, 2025

Simcoe County

Midland

• Magnus Park – Advisory

Muskoka

• none at this time; check back for updates

During a swimming Advisory, the beach is posted with warning signs that the most recent water samples showed bacteria in numbers that may increase your risk of developing minor skin, eye, ear, nose, or throat infections or stomach illness. If you choose to swim during a swimming advisory, avoid dunking your head or swallowing the water.

A beach is Closed when a significant risk to health and safety has been identified or when a potential adverse event occurs, such as a sewage or chemical spill. Beach closures are rare.

source: Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit

Haliburton

• Haliburton Lake Beach – Dysart et al – Moderate Risk
• Horseshoe Beach – Minden Hills – Moderate Risk

Kawartha Lakes

• Blanchards Road Beach – Bexley – Moderate Risk
• Four Mile Lake Beach – Somerville – Moderate Risk
• Head Lake Beach – Laxton – Moderate Risk
• Lions Park – Coboconk – Moderate Risk

Moderate Risk – Based on latest test results, there are high counts of bacteria in the water. Swimming is not recommended, as it may increase your risk of developing minor skin, eye, ear, nose or throat infections or stomach illness. If you choose to swim during this advisory, avoid dunking your head or swallowing the water).

High Risk – Indicates that a beach is closed due to elevated levels of bacteria, rendering it unsafe for swimming.

Source: Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

3) Stay up to date on Barrie’s beach tent rules before your next visit

Health & Safety, News / By Ronde Vu, Barrie Daily

On a bright July afternoon, the shoreline of Centennial Beach brims with sunbathers and swimmers, but not a tent in sight. For residents and visitors in Barrie, the absence of beach tents is no accident—it’s the result of a city-wide rule shaped by a singular focus: safety and clear sightlines for everyone who visits the waterfront.

In 2019, Barrie’s city council codified its stance on tents with Parks Use By-law 2019-059. The regulation draws a clear line in the sand, stating that multi-poled tents, canopies, and elaborate sunshades are prohibited at all city beaches and waterfront parks. The logic is straightforward, if a touch unyielding: tents, even the modest two-poled variety, can block lifeguards’ views and crowd the narrow stretches of sand. Traditional umbrellas, supported by a single pole and sporting no more than one wall or side, are the city’s approved companions for a day by the water.

Barrie’s rules are not a theoretical exercise—they target four of the city’s busiest beaches: Centennial Beach, Johnson’s Beach, Minet’s Point Beach, and Tyndale Beach. At each of these prime summer spots, visitors will spot signs and, occasionally, by-law officers reminding guests to keep their setup simple and their sightlines open. According to the official city regulations, “Tents or sunshades are not permitted at beaches and waterfront parks for safety, and to maintain sightlines. Umbrellas supported by a single pole are welcome.”

The reasoning behind these rules is hard to argue with, even if it leaves backpackers of the shade-loving persuasion shaking their heads. Tents can block lifeguards’ line of sight, posing a risk to swimmers. They also gobble up precious real estate, turning public beaches into patchwork obstacle courses. By restricting tents, Barrie aims to keep the waterfront open, safe, and accessible to all.

Enforcement is more carrot than stick, with by-law officers focusing on education before fines. Still, ignoring the rules can carry consequences. Residents eager to spend a summer day at the lake should check the city’s website for updates before packing their gear. Ultimately, Barrie’s beach tent ban isn’t about spoiling the fun. It’s about keeping the city’s most popular waterfronts safe, spacious, and open for all who seek a little sun and sand—no walls required.

SPONSORED: Eco-friendly beach tent pictured from Blacks Beach Originals, Ronde Vu

4) Some Ontario doctors can treat family members as regulatory college relaxes rules amid shortage

Courtesy Barrie360.com and Canadian Press

By Nicole IrelandDoctors were previously only allowed to treat relatives and other people close to them in emergencies or for minor conditions if no other qualified health-care professional was readily available. 

Now, doctors can provide other medical care —including ordering tests and treating illnesses and injuries — if there isn’t another option, such as virtual care, or an alternate health-care provider within a reasonable distance. 

The college says on its website the updated policy responds to “current access to care challenges in Ontario,” and recognizes that patients in smaller communities, including Indigenous communities, may only have access to a doctor who is related to them or close to them. 

However, it also says that physicians can’t provide treatment to themselves or friends and family on an ongoing basis.

Doctors also can’t do intimate examinations or prescribe narcotics to people close to them, except in an emergency.  

The policy appears to have been updated on the college’s website in May and the changes were published in the June issue of its digital publication. 

In an emailed response, a spokesperson for Ontario Minister of Health Sylvia Jones said the CPSO is “an independent regulatory body, which in Ontario is independently responsible for setting the rules and regulations that physicians need to follow.”

She also said the provincial government is “investing $2.1 billion to connect every single person in the province to primary care — and that will continue to be our focus.”

The CPSO did not immediately respond to request for comment.

-With files from Allison Jones

5) How to fit health into your busy work schedule

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Marie Gagne, July 11, 2025

Finding time for health when your day is packed with work, deadline, meetings and more can feel impossible. But staying healthy doesn’t have to mean hours at the gym or complicated meal plans. With a few smart moves, you can fit good habits into even the busiest schedule.

Here’s how to make your health a priority without sacrificing your workday.

1. Prioritize small, consistent habits

Big lifestyle changes are hard to stick with, especially when you’re busy. Instead, focus on small, manageable habits that add up.

• Take short activity breaks: Stand up and stretch or walk for 5 minutes every hour.
• Hydrate regularly: Keep a water bottle at your desk and sip throughout the day.
• Choose healthy snacks: Swap chips for nuts, fruit, or yogurt to keep energy steady.

Consistency beats intensity. Doing something small every day builds momentum.

2. Move more, even at your desk

You don’t need a gym membership to get moving.

• Try desk exercises: Leg lifts, seated marches, or shoulder rolls take just minutes.
• Walk while you talk: Take phone calls standing or pacing around your office.
• Use stairs: Skip the elevator when you can.

These little bursts of movement improve circulation and help clear your mind.

3. Plan meals ahead & keep it simple

Eating well is tough when you’re busy, but a bit of prep goes a long way.

• Batch cook meals: Make a few healthy dishes on weekends to grab during the week.
• Use a slow cooker or instant pot: Set it and forget it meals save time.
• Pack balanced lunches: Protein, veggies, and whole grains keep you full and focused.

Planning avoids last-minute junk food choices and keeps your energy stable.

RELATED: Making healthy snacks a habit when afternoon energy slumps strike at work …

4. Schedule your workouts like meetings

If it’s not on the calendar, it won’t happen.

• Block out workout times: Even 20 minutes counts.
• Use early mornings or lunch breaks: Find the time when you’re least likely to cancel.
• Try quick workouts: HIIT or yoga apps can fit into a short window.

Treat workouts as non-negotiable appointments.

5. Optimize your sleep routine

Sleep is the foundation of health and productivity.

• Set a consistent bedtime: Helps regulate your internal clock.
• Create a wind-down ritual: Turn off screens an hour before bed.
• Keep your bedroom cool and dark: It improves sleep quality.

Good sleep boosts focus and energy for the workday.

6. Manage stress with mindful moments

Stress drains your health faster than you realize.

• Practice deep breathing: Just a few minutes can reset your mood.
• Try quick mindfulness breaks: Use apps or simply focus on your breath.
• Step outside: A change of scenery, even briefly, refreshes your mind.

Managing stress keeps you balanced and prevents burnout.

Quick recap: Fit health into your busy work life

• Build small, consistent habits
• Move more throughout the day
• Plan and prep simple, healthy meals
• Schedule workouts as fixed appointments
• Prioritize quality sleep
• Take mindful breaks to manage stress

Busy doesn’t have to mean unhealthy. By making intentional, small changes, you can keep your body and mind in top shape — no matter how packed your workday gets. Start with one or two tips today, and watch how they fit seamlessly into your routine.