COVID-19 testing to find outbreaks and clusters sooner in the region’s largest school board began Wednesday in Aylmer — with a delayed start. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited. Charges have been laid after Brant OPP caught a vehicle going 170 kilometres per hour on the 403 yesterday. We currently have 49 active cases in the region. ... Today set to be hottest day of the year with temperatures soaring to. North Bay will move to Red, while Toronto and Peel will be in Grey. Today. They believe the overdoses are related to two extremely potent batches of fentanyl circulating in the City. Members of the Woodstock Fire Department's Suppression Team can now book an appointment to get vaccinated for COVID-19. Southwestern Public Health is reporting 6 new cases of COVID-19 today and 7 resolved cases. Ontario is back under 1,000 daily cases today with 966 new cases confirmed this morning and 979 resolved cases. Just two day shy of the one-year anniversary of Ulster County’s schools being ordered closed due to the spread of Covid-19, the Ulster County Health Department said yesterday that K-12 students could open for full-time in-person instruction thanks mainly to high rates of teacher vaccination, and lack of spread in local districts during in-person instruction throughout the fall and winter. Retired General Rick Hillier has set a new goal for the Province to get the first shot of vaccine into the arms of every single person in Ontario who wants one by the first day of summer. News. Please try again. Over 100 never-before-seen pictures from the 1969 Woodstock festival have emerged, taken by photojournalist Richard F. Bellak, who died in 2015 … It's budget season at Woodstock City Hall and the WPS proposed a policing budget of just under $17 million last week. There were 16 new reported cases of COVID-19 in the Southwestern public health region on Friday. The Woodstock Police Department reported the following incidents in February: • Feb. 12: Juan Tercero, 31, of New Market, was charged with driving under the influence. Cherokee County GA news from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. A Richmond Hill senior faces multiple charges after a vehicle travelled the wrong way on Highway 401 near Woodstock over the weekend. The Southwestern Public Health Unit has received it's first direct shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Southwestern Public Health is reporting a small spike in cases today with 16 new cases confirmed and 9 recoveries. We have way more recoveries than new cases this morning with 19 resolved cases according to Southwestern Public Health. Curb side collection of large, bulky items in Woodstock will go to once a year from now on after city councillors approved removing one collection cycle, a move that will save the city almost $18,000 a year. Today it is known as one of the greatest rock festivals ever! Starting tomorrow, local seniors 80 and over and indigenous adults 55 and over can book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment in Woodstock or St. Thomas. Ontario confirmed 1,371 new cases this morning, 18 new deaths and 1,124 resolved cases. Serious side affects to the COVID-19 vaccine are very rare. The Special Investigations Unit has terminated an investigation into WPS officers after a 21 year old man suffered serious injuries during an arrest last month. News. We currently have 82 active cases in the Southwestern Public Health Region, with most of them in Aylmer after an outbreak at the Ontario Police College. ... Georgia’s best ‘hole in the wall’ Mexican food is in a Woodstock gas station. We can confirm the Health Unit has recorded 14 new cases over the past two days and 13 resolved cases in that time. Daily Herald is suburban Chicago's largest daily newspaper. Briefs include a 44 year old woman facing 8 charges after a routine traffic stop in Woodstock and two men have been arrested after police recovered a stolen Nissan that was taken on Sunday. The LCBO announced today they will start opening stores on Mondays once again and they are also ending the Air Miles reward program starting on March 31st. This year’s Tampon Tuesday in Oxford County brought it more period supplies than ever, despite a change in format because of the pandemic. Plans are moving forward to convert the old Paris Grand Country Club golf course into a subdivision, that over time will have 747 housing units built on the old golf course. Two people have been arrested after police say they found meth, fentanyl and a conducted energy weapon at a home in Tillsonburg. London-based Fanshawe College is expanding its regular face-to-face classes this fall following the lead of Western University and some of its affiliated colleges. None of the participating pharmacies are in our region. Carfentanil, a highly toxic opioid, is likely mixing with drugs circulating in Oxford County health officials warned Friday on the heels of four fatal opioid overdoses in the area. You should enjoy the nice weather while it lasts because we can expect more seasonal temperatures next week in Oxford County. The senior from Innerkip rolled up her sleeve so she can visit her grand kids and great grand kids again. The OPP would like to remind all drivers to inspect their vehicles before hitting the road following two wheel off collisions in our area. The Province also announced today they are moving Haldimand Norfolk back into the Orange-Restrict level of the COVID-19 Framework. Family, friends and the Police continue to be concerned about the well-being of 28 year Hailey Bendict who was last spotted getting off a train in Woodstock on February 24th. DISTRICT 200 A Woodstock North High School senior with many talents has been named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist, the schools first in history. The Province is moving the Sudbury Health Region to Lockdown on Friday. Southwestern Public Health is warning the public about a very toxic fentanyl currently circulating in the community following three recent overdose deaths in Woodstock. At Woodstock’s Goff Hall vaccination site Monday morning, there was little fuss, few crowds and no lines to indicate the massive feat getting underway inside: Select Oxford County residents received the first doses of COVID-19 vaccine to be administered locally when the clinic opened its doors at 10 a.m. Two Woodstock men are charged, and more than $60,000 in drugs and cash was seized, following a drug trafficking investigation, Woodstock police said Monday. Woodstock’s Town Council approved on Tuesday night an off-street parking reduction request for the property located at 107 N. Commerce St., aiding a project that aims to adaptively reuse the site for a restaurant, retail area and assembly hall. 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4. Being in the orange tier means the City of Woodstock can start offering recreation programs for adults once again. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. Find the best places within Woodstock . In August of 1969, photographer Elliott Landy saw music history happen before his eyes. Woodstock houses “egged” Woodstock police are looking for suspects after several homes in the city were peppered with eggs over the weekend. Dwight Thib is the new Regional Commander for the West Region OPP. It’s not every day you turn 100 years old. Woodstock Police have released photo's of a black truck that may been involved in an arson on Sunday February 21st. The Ontario Ministry of Long Term Care recently did a complaint inspection at Caressant Care in Woodstock over concerns about sexual activity and the issue of consent amongst residents. Oxford MPP and Minister of Agriculture Ernie Hardeman called Heart FM this morning to talk about the province's new booking system for COVID-19 vaccinations. A variant of the COVID-19 virus has been found at St. Michael's elementary school, Southwestern public health announced Friday, just a day after the London District Catholic school board announced the school would close for nearly two weeks with an outbreak. SARNIA – The owners of several local gyms say they were fined or warned Monday for refusing to close their doors as Sarnia-Lambton Monday entered a third COVID-19 lockdown. If you don't see it please check your junk folder. The Woodstock Art Gallery and Children’s Aid Society of Oxford are bringing back their well-received children’s art kits again this spring after huge support for the program in 2020. Representatives from Norfolk OPP and Woodstock Police will be participating in this year's Polar Bear Plunge. The LDCSB has decided to temporarily close St. Michael's Catholic Elementary School in Woodstock following three likely and/or confirmed cases of COVID-19. A Tillsonburg man has been charged after multiple attempts to stop a vehicle – and damage to a police cruiser – by Woodstock police over the weekend. Five municipal wastewater systems in Oxford County achieved compliance ratings of 100% in the 2020 Wastewater Treatment Plant Summary Report. United Way Oxford will be hosting Tampon Tuesday donation events at all Shoppers Drug Mart locations in Oxford County tomorrow. Woodstock Sentinel Review - a place for remembering loved ones; a space for sharing memories, life stories, milestones, to express condolences, and celebrate life of your loved ones. Read more about cookies here. Ontario is reporting 1,268 new cases of COVID-19 this morning and 1,114 resolved cases. The online and phone systems are closed for today and will reopen tomorrow. The Province also announced changes to capacity limits in lockdown for weddings, funerals and religious services. The Grand River Conservation Authority has issued a flood warning for New Hamburg, Ayr, Waldemar and Grand Valley. WITTS, Vera Edith (Nee King) Born: April 11, 1928 March 6, 2021 Peacefully at the Woodstock General Hospital, in her 93rd year. Many say that the festival influenced an entire generation, specifically the baby boomer generation, and had a huge cultural impact. Since February 22nd, WPS have responded to 10 calls for an overdose, 4 of which have been fatal. Every township in Oxford County has at least 1 active case right now. Powered by Aiir. Farm Show Digital Pass holders will be able to check out a digital event all about planting topics today. 5 days ago Local News United Way Oxford collected over 1,300 donations of feminine hygiene products during this year's Tampon Tuesday fundraiser. A non-taxable item drive is happening at the Woodstock Food Basics today and all the proceeds will be going to Operation Sharing programs. A 38 year old from Woodstock has been charged with 7 counts of distributing child pornography and 12 counts of harassing communication and Police are still investigating. Southwestern Public Health says those who want to get vaccinated for COVID-19 should have their shots by the end of September. Just over a year since the declared start of the pandemic, two mass vaccination sites in the Elgin and Oxford region are due to deliver the first jabs of COVID-19 vaccine given to the general public on Monday. Nobody was injured after a tractor trailer fire on the 401 east bound lanes in Woodstock last night. A total of 326 pharmacies in Ontario will start administering the AstraZeneca vaccine on Friday. Reviewing ‘WHO’, the band’s first album in 13 years, NME wrote: “‘WHO’ either recaptures the band’s root ferocity or explores new territory with style: the smoky tango of ‘She Rocked My World’, with Daltrey growling like Tom Waits on Viagra, or ‘Break The News’, a folk rocker with a contemporary Mumford crunch. Woodstock city councillors gave the stamp of approval to using the city’s Goff Hall as a COVID-19 vaccination site, but councillors still had questions about the potential cost to the city. Fines, warnings and the business backlash to Sarnia's new lockdown, Tillsonburg man charged after Highway 401 crash, 29 new COVID-19 cases reported in Oxford, Elgin in the last three days, Oxford, Elgin vaccination clinics open smoothly Monday, Woodstock police seize $60K in drugs, charge two men, Carfentanil possibly circulating in local drug supply: Public health, COVID-19 variant found at St. Michael's school, already closed for outbreak, Active case count nears 50 in Elgin, Oxford region Friday, Oxford County Tampon Tuesday a hit, thousands raised, COVID-19 outbreak forces Woodstock school closing, Elgin, Oxford vaccination sites to open Monday: Here's what you need to know, Oxford County leaders hopeful days before local COVID-19 vaccination site opens, Thames Valley tapping families to learn about diversity of K-to-6 classes, Six new cases Thursday in Southwestern public health region, School-based COVID-19 testing rolls out in Thames Valley board, Woodstock Art Gallery kits available to families in need, Woodstock resident celebrates 100th birthday, Six new cases reported Wednesday in Elgin, Oxford region, Police briefs: Woodstock houses 'egged' over the weekend, Tractor-trailer fire slows Highway 401 traffic near Woodstock Tuesday, Bayfield girl, 7, found safe after Amber Alert, Woodstock council nixes one bulk item collection ahead of budget deliberations, Fanshawe College poised to expand in-person classes this fall, One new case reported Tuesday, case total drops in Elgin, Oxford, Senior citizen, 79, charged with drunk driving in wrong-way 401 chaos. Someone at Emily Stowe Public School in Norwich has tested positive for COVID-19. So many different types of people came together for the Woodstock festival. The GRCA has issued a flood watch for the entire Grand River watershed. Two people are facing drug trafficking charges and an off duty officer is being credited with saving a life after a single vehicle crash on the 403 in Brant County. Thames Valley District school board will launch a voluntary survey to collect identity-related information from parents of children in kindergarten to Grade 6. Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education Sam Oosterhoff is the main speaker at an anti-abortion event organized by a group that compared getting an abortion to the holocaust. Ontario also confirmed several new variants of concern over the weekend. The Health Unit has declared an outbreak at Bethany Care Home in Norwich after 1 resident tested positive for COVID-19. The Oxford County Archives is offering pioneer kits so kids have something fun to do this Spring Break. Spring Melt Underway in Oxford County The UTRCA is warning everyone to stay off the ice this weekend as the snow melt continues in our region. Hunters in Oxford County can purchase turkey, bear and deer licenses right now. Mostly cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. A large tractor-trailer fire near Woodstock slowed traffic on Highway 401 Tuesday evening, firefighters reported. The next issue of Posted Newsletter will soon be in your inbox. Heart FM shared some amazing stories of everyone's favourite Hockey Dad today. Sign up to receive the daily top stories from the National Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction to the person or people behind the homicide of Shannon MacDougall (Burnside). Police were called to a parking lot on Norwich Ave early Monday morning with reports of two men sleeping inside a stolen vehicle with the car alarm going off. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered some good news on the vaccine front this morning as Pfizer has guaranteed 1 million doses every week from March 22nd to May 10th. Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Woodstock, Tillsonburg and all Perth and Oxford Counties. The UTRCA is urging everyone to stay away from the water, however they don't anticipate any major flooding this weekend. Meanwhile several homes were egged over the weekend in Woodstock. They won't be having any classic Sudbury Saturday nights anytime soon. They are driving a black 2014 Mercedes SUV. Woodstock Police continue to respond to a number of overdoses in the City and are sharing tips on how to recognize the signs, which can be the difference between life and death. Aspiring young police officers in the Friendly City can now apply for the Youth in Policing Initiative. Public health officials are asking people to continue staying home and limiting contacts with other households after 29 new cases of  COVID-19 were recorded in the Southwestern public health region this weekend. At the most recent Woodstock City Council meeting, Assistant City Manager Rob Hogan presented the council with the latest updates regarding the Hub Transformation Project. The County is applying for funding for items such as a feasibility study for digital services and a water and waste water service to do a service delivery. Instead of Woodstock … We encountered an issue signing you up. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The most common side affects are fatigue, injection site pain, headache, muscle or joint pain and chills or a fever. The City of Woodstock will offer adult skating at the Community Complex starting next Wednesday. The CRA is taking a precautionary measure to lock over 800,000 taxpayers from their online accounts after concerns that usernames and passwords may have been obtained by third parties. Southwestern Public Health offered a first glimpse yesterday into the mass vaccination clinic at Goff Hall in Woodstock. For the second day in a row, Southwestern Public Health is reporting 6 new cases of the virus today and 7 resolved cases. A 36-year-old Woodstock man died after climbing underneath a UPS truck in the Town of New Paltz on Thursday afternoon, Police Chief Robert Lucchesi said. Celebrate and remember the lives we have lost in Woodstock, Georgia. Solicitor General Sylvia Jones stated today the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine will be given to residents aged 60 to 64. Pete Townshend. There is a new stop sign at the intersection of Oxford Road 27 and the railway crossing west of Plank Line in South-West Oxford. Adults who receive chronic home care, frontline health workers and those who work in laboratory services in Oxford County are now eligible to get vaccinated in phase 1. © 2021 104.7 Heart FM. Southwestern Public Health is about to open two mass vaccination clinics; one at Goff Hall in Woodstock and another at the Memorial Arena in St. Thomas. The Woodstock Museum is hoping to keep kids busy this Spring break with their Birdhouse Kit and contest. US politics. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The next time to book an appointment will be on March 15th. OPAL Chair Bryan Smith is not a fan of a recent motion from Zorra Township Council which supports only host municipalities having a say regarding local landfills. Feel free to share your Walter or Wally stories below. Southwestern Public Health has confirmed a variant of concern in a member at St. Michael's Catholic Elementary School community in Woodstock. Woodstock, NY Local News, Information Articles, Stories & Announcements. The province has announced another $500 million to help municipalities cover ongoing COVID-19 operational costs, and over $3.1 million of it will be staying here in Oxford County. Briefs include a G1 driver charged with stunt driving and a traffic stop leads to illegal tobacco charges for a Brantford man. It’s almost like Christmas morning: Warden Larry Martin and municipal leaders were on hand Thursday to get a glimpse of Oxford County’s first COVID-19 vaccination site, just days before the clinic  is due to administer its first shots Monday morning. Execulink Telecom has released two new apps to help customers deal with network issues on their own. A variant of the COVID-19 virus has been found at St. Michael's elementary school, Southwestern public health announced Friday, just a day after the London District Catholic school board announced the school would close for nearly two weeks with an outbreak. This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Huron Perth Public Health has reached capacity for COVID-19 vaccination bookings for adults 80 and older as well as Indigenous adults 55 and older. Tax season is right around the corner and the Woodstock Police Service has received several reports regarding the CRA phone scam recently. The COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Western Fair Agriplex this weekend for seniors 80 and over and Indigenous adults 55 and over is completely booked. Ontario is under 1,000 daily cases again this morning and the numbers are starting to come down a bit the Province's hot spot regions with 249 new cases in Toronto, 164 in Peel and 92 in York Region. Three people have been charged with arson by negligence and disregard for human life after a house fire on Borden Street in Stratford last month. In a fast game, the Wasps were able to play a strong forecheck forcing the Cougarhawks into making rushed passes, giving Woodstock some good scoring opportunities. Two people, who live in the same house have tested positive for a COVID-19 variant of concern in the SW Public Health Region. You could now face a $50 fine if you're caught stopping in a school zone in Woodstock. Cory Stewart has dropped his debut album TOV featuring 17 excellent tracks broken into 3 acts, the acts are betrayal, heartbreak and survival. The entire GRCA watershed remains under a flood watch, while Ayr and New Hamburg continue to have a flood warning. Tillsonburg residents can help choose the colour scheme for the new playground in Optimist Park. Stratford Police are investigating a fatal crash involving a minivan and a transport truck this morning at the intersection of Embro Road and Line 29. The SW Public Health COVID-19 dashboard has been down since yesterday afternoon. Nearly half of the 61 active cases of COVID-19 in the SW Public Health Region are in Woodstock. Police say the Tillsonburg man refused to pull over, ramming into a police cruiser before crashing his vehicle on the 401 leaving Woodstock on Saturday. Woodstock, GA-- An indictment just handed down accuses two murder suspects of a string of violent robberies that spanned two months across Metro Atlanta. It's believed they contacted the variant by travelling out of country. The TVDSB is offering voluntary asymptomatic testing at three locations for staff and students at select schools, however none are in Oxford County. Several Mixed Media Art Kits and Community Creation kits will be delivered to children and families in need this year in Woodstock. There were six new cases of COVID-19 in the Oxford and Elgin counties region Thursday, but the area’s active case count has remained steady for most of this week. The Woodstock Police have shared a video of WPS members taking the Polar Bear Plunge to raise funds for the Special Olympics and local athletes. Browse the most recent Woodstock, Georgia obituaries and condolences. Police say 7 year old Olivia was abducted this morning by 30 year old Katrina Clark in Bayfield Ontario, which is in Central Huron. Find more memories in a USA TODAY Woodstock 50th anniversary special edition on sale at selected newsstands now. Southwestern Public Health confirmed 3 new cases yesterday and an outbreak has been declared at Maples Retirement Home in Tavistock. Know what is happening in your community. Most of the new cases continue to come from hot spot regions with 343 new cases in Toronto, 235 in Peel and 105 in York Region. Snyder's Family Farm won big at the Southwest Ontario Tourism Conference. The bookings for the mass vaccination clinics in Woodstock next week booked up in a matter of hours this morning. Norfolk OPP would like to speak with anyone who may have witnessed a road rage incident on James Street in Delhi Friday night. SPS also seized $24,000 in cannabis butter during the investigation. An investigation is underway after fire crews from Oxford and Brant responded to a fully engulfed structure fire on Muir Road last week. Not even in big centres like London or K/W. Air ORNGE Ambulance has been called in after a two vehicle crash on Richmond Street in Middlesex County near Lucan. Oxford OPP received over 10 calls about a wrong way driver on the 401 in Blandford-Blenheim Saturday morning. The OWIN is hosting an online event for International Women's Day this year and it's going to last four days. Police say a potential disaster was averted when they stopped a car full of teens doing 171 km/h on the 403 today. None of the first schools selected are in Oxford County, however more schools will be announced each week. We are down to just 44 active cases of COVID-19 in the entire Southwestern Public Health Region after the Health confirmed another 18 resolved cases today. A COVID-19 outbreak has forced the temporary closing of a Woodstock elementary school, the first such shutdown of a publicly funded school in the London region. Woodstock became a major cultural event, amplified by news coverage, a popular documentary film, and the music that became symbolic of an … ... Get Cobb County news and local guidance about the coronavirus outbreak. Woodstock-Towne Lake, GA crime, fire and public safety news and events, police & fire department updates emergency: 911 | non-emergency: 519-537-2323 | administration: 519-421-2800 | crime stoppers: 519-421-8477 | online reporting BREAKING HEALTH NEWS AND ALERTS TOP NEWS AND INFORMATION U.S., India, Japan and Australia agree to provide a billion vaccine doses in Asia U.S. President Joe Biden and the leaders of Australia, India and Japan agreed in a summit on Friday to cooperate in providing up to a billion coronavirus vaccine doses to developing countries in the Indo-Pacific by the end of 2022, a move to counter … Marion Gillepsie was the first person in line to get vaccinated in Woodstock this morning at Goff Hall. David Colton is a former executive editor of USA TODAY… There are six new confirmed cases of COVIC-19 in the Southwestern public health region on Tuesday. The TVDSB Board has launched an attendance area review of Woodstock Elementary schools to address the growing need of French Immersion and area schools being under or over utilized. Latest Woodstock, NY News: Visit Woodstock’s Rich Musical History with a Cool Rock Tour | News Break A non-taxable item drive is happening at the Woodstock Food Basics today and all the proceeds will be going to Operation Sharing programs. Stay up to date with all the latest news, upcoming events, emergency alert messages from Canada's national emergency alerting system (Alert Ready), and weather for the Town of Woodstock, NB. Woodstock had a quick recognition of the four seniors on the team: Captains Eliza and Ava Dodson, defense Sadie Gravelle, forward Emily Dean, and goalie Novah Conway. Right now we have 61 active cases in the region. “I’m excited to share the anticipated improvements of the Hub Transformation Project with you,” Hogan said. UTRCA Doesn't Anticipate Serious Flooding this weekend ... Public Health has confirmed a variant of concern in a member at St. Michael's Catholic Elementary School community in Woodstock. 1 day ago Local News More local news … A total of 132 units sold last month in the Woodstock-Ingersoll District Real Estate Board and the benchmark price for a single family home was over $539,000. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority would like landowners to check their trees for Gypsy Moth caterpillar eggs. The Province also confirmed another 155 variants of concern in the Province and 1,159 resolved cases today. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority is advising members of the public to stay away from all bodies of water over the next couple days. From local businesses to food to medical to legal services. Daily case numbers are the lowest they have been all week in Ontario with 1,092 and 1,110 recoveries. Retired General Rick Hillier is leaving his post as the Chair of Ontario's Vaccine Task Force at the end of the month. Local News. Register Today Local.ca - local, provincial and national news for Woodstock, Ontario, Canada Ontario confirmed 1,316 new cases of COVID-19 this morning along with 16 additional deaths and 1,212 resolved cases. Woodstock Breaking News, Sports Scores and Events. The West Region OPP are once again reminding vehicle owners to lock it or lose it following multiple vehicle entires in Ingersoll. Police are looking for 77-year-old Lynn Ellis after she was reported missing in Simcoe last night. It's not immediately clear what kind of impact this might have on Amazon packages being delivered as every worker at the Brampton facility must now self isolate for 14 days. Police responded to nearly 20,000 reports of fraud last year, with Ontarians losing over $47 million. Beloved wife of the late Thomas Witts (July 25, 2010). Lambton Public Health is moving into lockdown on Monday. “I … A COVID-19 outbreak has forced the temporary closing of a Woodstock elementary school, the first such shutdown of a publicly funded school in the London region. The UTRCA is warning everyone to stay off the ice this weekend as the snow melt continues in our region. There was just one new recorded case of COVID-19 in the Southwestern public health region Tuesday as the region’s active case total dropped again. Mayor Ted Comiskey has confirmed that William Tigert is no longer the CAO for the Town of Ingersoll and that Michael Graves has taken over the position. We currently have 55 ongoing cases within the entire Southwestern Public Health Region with most of them in Woodstock and Aylmer. WOODSTOCK, Ill. – In-person early voting for the April 6 consolidated primary begins Friday, March 12, McHenry County Clerk Joe Tirio announced. The festival was meant to establish a culture of peace and unify people.