Skip to content
Jessica Owen

Jessica Owen

Jessica Owen is an experienced journalist working for Village Media since 2018, primarily covering Collingwood, County of Simcoe and education.

Email
jessica@villagemedia.ca

Recent Work by Jessica

Simcoe County staff predict highest tax hike in five years

Simcoe County staff predict highest tax hike in five years

Costs for insurance, utilities increasing in double digits, prompting staff to issue warning to council to expect 3- to 5-per-cent increase in 2023 tax levy
Read more >
Bradford, Innisfil could ‘bear brunt’ of library changes: board

Bradford, Innisfil could ‘bear brunt’ of library changes: board

'We remain in the dark on what exact services the county will still offer through their new system,' said local library board chair
Read more >
County will build temporary homeless shelter in Barrie by winter

County will build temporary homeless shelter in Barrie by winter

The temporary building will be located on the former Barrie OPP detachment property, and will include 50 beds, a kitchen, and six washrooms
Read more >
Public school board spending $25.8M on repairs this summer

Public school board spending $25.8M on repairs this summer

Catholic board will be spending $4M on their school repair to-do list; Bradford-area schools getting repairs include Bradford District High School and Holy Trinity Catholic High School
Read more >
County votes to spend $2.5 million over four years on hospices

County votes to spend $2.5 million over four years on hospices

Matthew's House Hospice in Alliston will receive $500,000 between 2022 and 2025 through the donation to help support their operations
Read more >
County pledges $100K in warming centre funding for 2022/23

County pledges $100K in warming centre funding for 2022/23

Funding will be split between Barrie, Orillia, Alliston, Midland and Collingwood to support warming centre services based on need
Read more >
7-year wait for families on Simcoe County housing list: report

7-year wait for families on Simcoe County housing list: report

As of Dec. 31, County of Simcoe's rent-geared-to-income wait list sits at 4,664 households, while only 2,772 total units exist
Read more >
School board amends school-naming policy to avoid namesakes

School board amends school-naming policy to avoid namesakes

Though naming future schools after individuals is 'not off the table,' the school board will focus on names that are 'symbolic, inclusive, and easily related to numerous ethno-cultural groups'
Read more >
Rate hike for school space rental fees coming this fall

Rate hike for school space rental fees coming this fall

Simcoe County District School Board trustees told rental fees for community spaces such as gymnasiums will double or, in some cases, triple
Read more >
Work continuing to bring multicultural centre to Simcoe County

Work continuing to bring multicultural centre to Simcoe County

County of Simcoe and Ethnic Mosaic Alliance to partner on grant application for a feasibility study, ‘We need to make them feel welcome,’ says alliance president
Read more >