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.

Email: [email protected]

Recent Work by Dave

City pulls the plug on short-lived Sunshine Shuttle

'Despite an ongoing marketing campaign to promote the shuttle, over the past seven weekends, there has been minimal usage,' said city official

Jul 14, 2023 7:00 PM Read more >

Uninhabited north-end home destroyed in Saturday night blaze

Home was a total loss, but nobody was injured; Orillia OPP are investigating the incident which they say is likely an arson

Jul 9, 2023 12:45 PM Read more >

Orillia siblings from musical family hitting all the right notes

'They both work extremely hard,' says mom/teacher of Noah and Anna Box, who both shone recently at Ontario Music Festival Association’s provincial finals

Jul 5, 2023 12:45 PM Read more >

Boyd Balkwill Memorial Tournament returns after three-year hiatus

'We are excited to once again host teams from across Ontario at our memorial tournament,' said granddaughter of Boyd Balkwill; Games begin Friday

Jun 21, 2023 12:30 PM Read more >

OMAH looks to find a way to honour legacy of Gordon Lightfoot

'There is an opportunity to do more to properly honour his international impact and the positive sentiments so many have toward his life and work,' says OMAH official

Jun 19, 2023 2:30 PM Read more >

Council will grapple with encampments, youth homelessness Monday

A 'significant spike' in encampments has city staff recommending changes to bylaws to prevent tents, structures being placed on city property

Jun 18, 2023 2:30 PM Read more >

City forced to pull plug on Sunday Evening Band Concert Series

'Holding such events in a construction zone or within the vicinity of a construction zone is fraught with several liability concerns and risk to the public,' notes staff

Jun 10, 2023 1:15 PM Read more >

Barlow, student of game, wins CHL Scholastic Player of Year Award

'It's pretty special. It's a pretty special award to win and to be the first (from the Attack) to win it is pretty cool,' said Orillia teen who is eagerly waiting NHL draft

Jun 4, 2023 7:30 AM Read more >

Committee, city join forces to salvage Canada Day festivities

City has agreed with urgent plea from committee to move fireworks to Tudhope Park and some other activities to Orillia Recreation Centre

Jun 3, 2023 12:30 PM Read more >

UPDATE: Impaired charge laid in 'serious' boat collision

'It's not clear what was the cause of the collision,' said Orillia OPP officer, explaining a 'Seadoo collided with a boat parked at the dock' of a lakeside residence

Jun 2, 2023 8:50 PM Read more >