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Dave Dawson

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.

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Recent Work by Dave

Jimmy Fallon pokes fun at Orillia's Christmas tree lighting fiasco

Jimmy Fallon pokes fun at Orillia's Christmas tree lighting fiasco

'It's so embarrassing for all of us. Imagine we hit the news in the U.S,' says commenter after tree lighting in Orillia is ridiculed on the Tonight Show
OPP 'sincerely regrets' anti-Trudeau posts on its social media

OPP 'sincerely regrets' anti-Trudeau posts on its social media

'Ideas shared do not reflect the opinions of the organization,' says OPP official, noting posts were made in error; 'There is no punishment in this matter'
BREAKING: Canadian icon Gordon Lightfoot dies at 84

BREAKING: Canadian icon Gordon Lightfoot dies at 84

'He will surely be missed by the Mariposa Folk Festival, by his beloved fans, by Orillia and the world,' said Mariposa Folk Festival official
ONTARIO: SIU clears officers who fatally shot man after mask 'rampage' in Minden

ONTARIO: SIU clears officers who fatally shot man after mask 'rampage' in Minden

SIU report says man 'pummeled' store employee, assaulted second employee, rammed car into carts and building and was later killed by OPP at his rural home
Guelph Lake I triathlon moved to late summer in hopes of still being held

Guelph Lake I triathlon moved to late summer in hopes of still being held

Smaller Guelph Lake II event has been cancelled
ONTARIO: Devastated daughter urges people to stay home after parents died days apart, victims of COVID-19

ONTARIO: Devastated daughter urges people to stay home after parents died days apart, victims of COVID-19

Elizabeth and Lyle Fox are being remembered by family and wide 'circle of friends' in Orillia
BEYOND LOCAL: This is what you need this morning. Mic'd up Mason is back!

BEYOND LOCAL: This is what you need this morning. Mic'd up Mason is back!

Orillia's Mason Rupke starred in a video that went viral globally a year ago; Once again the local lad is featured in a smile-inducing video
ONTARIO: OPP commissioner says improving workplace culture is 'the priority'

ONTARIO: OPP commissioner says improving workplace culture is 'the priority'

Findings of OPP's independent review panel released at GHQ; When officers 'choose to take their own life we know much more needs to be done,' concedes solicitor general
ONTARIO: Source remains elusive in Orillia's legionnaires' disease outbreak

ONTARIO: Source remains elusive in Orillia's legionnaires' disease outbreak

Samples have been sent for testing but 'completely definitive' ruling on source has not yet happened; 'It's a very big team effort' official says of investigation
ONTARIO: Orillia's 'racist' Champlain monument 'can't go up again,' protester says (6 photos)

ONTARIO: Orillia's 'racist' Champlain monument 'can't go up again,' protester says (6 photos)

Protest draws about 50 people to plot where the statue once stood
More work by Dave >