Susan Gamble

Bill Chopp, a longtime educator and trustee with the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board, announced that he will not seek reelection after a 55-year career in education. His departure follows controversy over a 2024 trustee trip to Italy connected to approximately $100,000 in school art purchases and nearly $50,000 in expensed travel costs, for which Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra ordered Chopp and three other trustees to repay the board. Rick Petrella is not running, Dan Dignard plans to seek reelection, and Mark Watson resigned after refusing the repayment directive. Four candidates are currently listed for two trustee-at-large positions in the Oct. 26 election.

A 46-year-old Norfolk man was sentenced to 14 years in prison after being convicted of nine sexual offences involving his three daughters between 2010 and 2015. The abuse included sexual touching, rape, coercion, threats and physical violence, beginning when one victim was about eight. Justice Elizabeth Wilson said he treated his daughters as objects for sexual gratification and had not fully recognized the harm he caused. He will remain on the sex-offender registry for life and faces extensive restrictions involving children after his release.

Former Bellview Public School principal Jill Hughes had assault, assault with a weapon, mischief and uttering-threats charges withdrawn in a Simcoe court in exchange for a two-year common law peace bond. The allegations were not admitted in court. Hughes agreed to pay $4,274.23 in restitution and have no contact with the complainant or his dog. The Grand Erie District School Board declined to comment on her employment status, while an administrative list indicates she is now listed as an incoming vice-principal at River Heights School in Caledonia.

Chad Reimer, 44, of Port Rowan, pleaded guilty to two arson counts and driving with a blood-alcohol level over the legal limit after driving a co-accused to 11 fires in Norfolk County and Haldimand County between November 2024 and January 2025. Although he did not start the fires, the sentencing judge found him equally culpable as a party to the offences. Reimer received one year of house arrest followed by a year-long 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, 60 hours of community service, restrictions from the fire locations, a $1,500 fine and a two-year driving prohibition. The judge cited significant cognitive impairments, his lack of a prior record, immediate admission of guilt and strong community support as reasons for avoiding jail. His red pickup truck was ordered forfeited. Co-accused Matthew Smith faces similar arson charges that have not been proven in court.