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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

Orillia digging out after average month of snow falls in 3 days

Orillia digging out after average month of snow falls in 3 days

Orillia pounded with more than 46 centimetres of snow since Friday night, says local amateur weather watcher
Check out the 10 most-read OrilliaMatters stories of 2024

Check out the 10 most-read OrilliaMatters stories of 2024

A class action lawsuit, a snowstorm that spawned chaos on Highway 11, a kid's discovery of a rare coin among the most popular stories of the year
Orillia 'is a little less' after loss of 'legend' Suds Sutherland

Orillia 'is a little less' after loss of 'legend' Suds Sutherland

'He truly believed in the power of music,' says former student of Orillia teacher, who 'embodied cool' and influenced generations of local students
COLUMN: Amid a difficult Christmas, grandson restores season's joy

COLUMN: Amid a difficult Christmas, grandson restores season's joy

A smiling 15-month-old boy has provided an important reminder about joy, the currency of the Christmas season
Snow squall heading toward Orillia; Highway 11 remains shut down

Snow squall heading toward Orillia; Highway 11 remains shut down

Another 45 centimetres of snow fell overnight north of Orillia, worsening already treacherous conditions on Highway 11; reopening time not known
City doubling down on debt for Brian Orser renos, Laclie Street work

City doubling down on debt for Brian Orser renos, Laclie Street work

City official calls long-term borrowing a 'balancing act'; Coun. Lauer expressed concerns about $4.1M annual cost to service new debt
Speed cameras on city's radar ... along with goose, seagull strategies

Speed cameras on city's radar ... along with goose, seagull strategies

Monday's city council meeting features lengthy agenda with dozens of items up for discussion including an OK for debentures worth almost $20M for major projects
Early-morning fire destroys boarded-up Orchard Point home

Early-morning fire destroys boarded-up Orchard Point home

Orillia deputy fire chief says blaze is not considered suspicious; damage to single-storey home is estimated at $200,000
City councillor gets OK to claim AMO expenses despite not seeking approval to attend

City councillor gets OK to claim AMO expenses despite not seeking approval to attend

There was no debate and there were no questions asked about request at Monday's meeting; Smith, in report, said 'experience justifies the reimbursement of the related expenses'
Aquatics supervisor at Orillia Recreation Centre facing child luring, sex assault charges

Aquatics supervisor at Orillia Recreation Centre facing child luring, sex assault charges

'The City of Orillia has been made aware of an investigation involving an employee and that this individual is no longer actively employed with the city,' says official
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