Derek Howard, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Derek Howard is a Midland-based civic issues reporter with a background in print journalism. He has lived within North Simcoe for the majority of his life. Sometimes a stage actor, sometimes a voice actor, and sometimes a fiction novelist; when not scooping news, Derek enjoys diving into futurism by researching cutting edge technologies, while also appreciating the beautiful nature of the surrounding area. On occasion, Derek has been known to livestream play sessions of forgotten 1980s video games to sparse crowds. Derek lives alone and would like to someday have a goldfish named Chaos.

Email: [email protected]

Recent Work by Derek

'Sudden and unexpected': Midland Deputy Mayor Jack Contin dies

'He was my wingman, and he’s left a void that won’t be easily filled,' says mayor on sudden passing of Jack Contin, 70

Nov 9, 2023 10:30 AM Read more >

International experts want to tap into area's pristine water

With 'the most pristine water yet described on the face of the earth,’ Alberta water scientist gets Midland support to flush out reasons for water quality

Oct 30, 2023 6:00 PM Read more >

Midland reverses course, offers free downtown parking in 2024

‘This thing needs a reset,’ says Mayor of problematic program; 'It's a great decision for such a tourism-driven town,' says downtown business owner

Oct 23, 2023 5:30 PM Read more >

'Great joy': Franco-Ontarian Day celebrated in Penetanguishene

'It’s a day to celebrate who we are, our heritage, and the group we belong to,' says vice principal of école secondare Le Caron

Sep 25, 2023 4:15 PM Read more >

OPP assures ‘justice’ will be served following Victoria Harbour shooting

'We want our streets to be safe, our communities to be safe, our children to be safe, and we are committed to making that happen,' says OPP official

Sep 15, 2023 5:45 PM Read more >

Church vs. State: Amid opposition, township debates taxing churches

While citizen thinks council should tackle 'bigger issues,' council ultimately agreed to send letter to province seeking permission for authority to tax places of worship

Jul 21, 2023 7:00 PM Read more >

Could North Simcoe become the 'curling capital of the world?'

'It’s my belief that step one needs to be that we combine the curling clubs' in Midland and Penetang, said curling club official of ambitious vision

Jul 18, 2023 5:30 PM Read more >

'Disrespectful': Flowers stolen from Penetanguishene cenotaph

It’s not a very nice thing to happen,’ says local funeral home manager, who has volunteered to replace the stolen begonias

Jul 14, 2023 2:15 PM Read more >

County Rd. 93 construction causing concerns in north Simcoe

‘We would recommend motorists avoid the area if at all possible,’ says county transportation construction manager regarding reconstruction until September

Jul 13, 2023 6:15 PM Read more >

Township asks province for latitude to tax local churches

‘If we have an opportunity to gain some measure of control over our taxable revenue, I’m all for it,’ says Tiny mayor on $2.8 million assessed value of local places of worship

Jul 4, 2023 6:00 PM Read more >