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Dave Dawson

Dave Dawson

Dave Dawson was born and raised in Orillia and returned to his hometown to become sports editor of The Packet & Times in 1991. He chose to stay in Orillia, to raise his family here and to serve the community as a reporter, editor and freelance writer ever since. He is thrilled to be the community editor of OrilliaMatters.com and looks forward to continuing the tradition of bringing the stories that matter to Orillians to their fingertips every day. Dave is also very involved in the community; he coached various sports when his kids were younger and, today, is a valued board member of Sport Orillia, a member of the Building Hope campaign for the Lighthouse Soup Kitchen and Shelter and is also part of the committee selected to choose this year's Citizen of the Year.

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Recent Work by Dave

<b>BREAKING:</b> Canadian icon Gordon Lightfoot dies at 84

BREAKING: Canadian icon Gordon Lightfoot dies at 84

'He will surely be missed by the Mariposa Folk Festival, by his beloved fans, by Orillia and the world,' said Mariposa Folk Festival official
<b>ONTARIO:</b> SIU clears officers who fatally shot man after mask 'rampage' in Minden

ONTARIO: SIU clears officers who fatally shot man after mask 'rampage' in Minden

SIU report says man 'pummeled' store employee, assaulted second employee, rammed car into carts and building and was later killed by OPP at his rural home
Guelph Lake I triathlon moved to late summer in hopes of still being held

Guelph Lake I triathlon moved to late summer in hopes of still being held

Smaller Guelph Lake II event has been cancelled
<b>ONTARIO:</b> Devastated daughter urges people to stay home after parents died days apart, victims of COVID-19

ONTARIO: Devastated daughter urges people to stay home after parents died days apart, victims of COVID-19

Elizabeth and Lyle Fox are being remembered by family and wide 'circle of friends' in Orillia
<b>BEYOND LOCAL:</b> This is what you need this morning. Mic'd up Mason is back!

BEYOND LOCAL: This is what you need this morning. Mic'd up Mason is back!

Orillia's Mason Rupke starred in a video that went viral globally a year ago; Once again the local lad is featured in a smile-inducing video
<b>ONTARIO:</b> OPP commissioner says improving workplace culture is 'the priority'

ONTARIO: OPP commissioner says improving workplace culture is 'the priority'

Findings of OPP's independent review panel released at GHQ; When officers 'choose to take their own life we know much more needs to be done,' concedes solicitor general
<b>ONTARIO:</b> Source remains elusive in Orillia's legionnaires' disease outbreak

ONTARIO: Source remains elusive in Orillia's legionnaires' disease outbreak

Samples have been sent for testing but 'completely definitive' ruling on source has not yet happened; 'It's a very big team effort' official says of investigation
<b>ONTARIO:</b> Orillia's 'racist' Champlain monument 'can't go up again,' protester says <b>(6 photos)</b>

ONTARIO: Orillia's 'racist' Champlain monument 'can't go up again,' protester says (6 photos)

Protest draws about 50 people to plot where the statue once stood
<b>ONTARIO:</b> Trainer suspended by OLA in wake of attack on referee

ONTARIO: Trainer suspended by OLA in wake of attack on referee

Referee in chief was 'found in the hallway (at Rotary Place) bloodied and with facial trauma' following incident; Provincial body expresses 'unified condemnation' of attack
<b>ONTARIO:</b> Remember that cancelled Rolling Stones show near Barrie? It's back on

ONTARIO: Remember that cancelled Rolling Stones show near Barrie? It's back on

Apparently Mick got better