Barrie and Simcoe County began the weekend free of any weather alerts for the first time in more than a week.

Environment Canada lifted its snow squall warnings for the region Saturday morning, which had been in place since last weekend.

It all started last Friday, when a large system dumped more than ten centimetres of snow on Barrie and much of southern Ontario.

That was followed by the freezing rain last Sunday that led to widespread power outages. Many areas in Simcoe County were under as many as four weather advisories for the rain that was falling and the intense snow to come.

The consecutive snow days then began on Monday, with snow squalls and heavy winds causing whiteout conditions and impacting holiday plans as 2025 became 2026.

Snow accumulating on the roads and heavy winds blowing it across them led to numerous crashes and widespread road closures across Springwater Township.

The City of Barrie cancelled its New Year’s Eve Celebration at Meridian Place, citing challenges for setting up the event and ‘significant’ safety concerns.

According to Environment Canada’s weather summary, its weather stations in Phelpston and Oro Park unofficially counted snowfall totals of 65 and 49 centimetres respectively between Monday and Friday.

Some local municipalities, including Barrie and Midland, have yet to officially rescind their significant weather event declarations.

The City of Orillia re-declared a significant weather event on Saturday, reporting 55 centimetres of snowfall in the city between Thursday and Friday.

Most roads in Springwater Township have reopened.

The City of Barrie advised that crews will be continuing overnight snow removal operations in the downtown area from Sunday night until early Tuesday morning.

Even more snow could be on the way to Simcoe County this weekend, starting with a possibility of up to five centimetres Saturday night and four centimetres on Sunday.

Jimmy John’s, the sandwich shop known for its made-to-order menu and bold and creative sandwich flavours, will open two new restaurants in Barrie this December. The first restaurant, located at 411 Bayfield St, Barrie, Ont., will open December 10. The second, located at 103-75 Barrie View Dr, Barrie, Ont., will open later this month.

To mark the openings, each location will offer its first 100 guests a complimentary sandwich. Once that number is reached, all other customers on opening day will have the option of trying classic sandwiches for only $5.

“We are pleased to bring Jimmy John’s to Barrie and to offer residents a new food option that focuses on fresh ingredients and consistent preparation,” says Kim Slongo, director of operations at Foodtastic, the team behind Jimmy John’s in Canada. “We look forward to connecting with the community and introducing guests to the menu.”

The Barrie restaurants will feature Jimmy John’s signature lineup of made-to-order sandwiches prepared with freshly sliced meats, cheeses, and vegetables. The brand continues to expand across Canada, focusing on quality, quick service, and strong franchisees.

“In addition to being a vibrant city, Barrie is an important connection point between the Greater Toronto Area and Ontario’s beloved cottage regions,” says Parth Patel, owner of Jimmy John’s Bayfield location. “These openings are in high-traffic areas, which works well for us because of our commitment to delivering consistent, freaky fast and freshly made sandwiches.”

With significant year-round traffic and seasonal surges tied to cottage country travel, Barrie represents a natural addition to the brand’s growing footprint in Ontario. Both locations are situated to serve guests seeking a quick, dependable meal, whether they live in the community or are passing through during peak travel periods.

Warning: Details in this article may be disturbing and triggering to readers.

An Ottawa man convicted of sexually assaulting his stepdaughter when he lived in the Barrie area 20 years ago has lost his case at the Ontario Court of Appeal.

Richard Sticklee, 61, is behind bars after having his appeal, heard Friday by three judges of the Ontario Court of Appeal in Toronto, was dismissed.

The dismissal is the justice Trinity Waide thought she got two years ago in a Barrie courtroom when Sticklee, her former stepfather, was found guilty after a trial and sentenced to six years in prison for sexually assaulting Waide when she was a child.

Sticklee argued Barrie trial judge, Justice Catriona Verner erred in finding there was a proven absence of motive when Waide came forward five years ago with the allegations Sticklee sexually abused her on at least four occasions, starting in 2000. Waide, the court heard, was between four and 10 years of age at the time.

Sticklee’s lawyer Howard Krongold argued in front of the Court of Appeal, “Motives can remain hidden,” and Justice Verner gave “undue weight to the known absence of motive” that “strongly bolstered” the Crown’s case.

Krongold told the Court of Appeal Waide was motivated to ultimately come forward years later by either “the family breakdown or revenge.”

Two years ago, Sticklee told the court he was battling cancer and had a tumour. He had been out on bail since Friday when he was taken into custody. The appeal sought to have Sticklee acquitted or be granted a new trial.

In a statement following the failed appeal, Krongold told CTV News Sticklee maintains his innocence, calling the decision “very disappointing,” saying Sticklee “will be reviewing all available legal avenues to challenge” the latest ruling.

In her victim impact statement two years ago, Waide told the court, “I called you dad. I trusted you. I loved you and I thought I was safe with you,” adding, “The monster didn’t live under my bed or in the closet, but down the hall.”

After Sticklee was found guilty, Waide successfully applied to remove the publication ban that concealed her identity as a survivor of sexual assault.

Waide did not wish to provide further comment on Sticklee’s appeal being dismissed.