Latest news with #LakeHuron
CTV News
3 days ago
- CTV News
Renewed investigation into young fathers' suspected drowning 30 years ago
Erwyn Lippett and Simon Weidemann, were presumed drowned after the canoe they were in, was found floating in Lake Huron on July 21, 1995. Now, their children are reopening the investigation into their disappearance. (Source: Please Bring Me Home) Victoria Weidemann and Anthony Lippett were too young to remember the day their fathers Erwyn Lippett and Simon 'Kirk' Weidemann went missing during a family camping trip at the Brucedale Conservation Area near Port Elgin, on July 20, 1995. 'I was six months old when dad went missing. All I was told at first is him and Simon went out on a canoe ride and didn't come back. They ended up drowning over here, they say,' said Erwyn's son, Anthony. Lippett and Weidemann's canoe was found, half full of water, as were paddles and lifejackets, but the bodies of the 24 and 25-year-old young fathers, were never recovered. While they were presumed drowned, several alleged sightings of the pair over the years has sparked questions about the Lippett and Weidemann's actual whereabouts. Did they drown, or did they fake a drowning, and start new lives? 'So, the question has always been, did they actually go out in this canoe? Was it a ruse? There have been witness statements that came forward that said that they were seen a day or two after, even up to like a year after. And these are different witness statements. So, we need to see what was done on those witness accounts before we really get conducting a search on the lake, because right now the needle is kind of stuck in the middle,' said Nick Oldrieve, of the group Please Bring Me Home. The Owen Sound-based missing persons investigators, Please Bring Me Home, are now on the case. They recognize trying to locate two men, presumed drowned in Lake Huron 30 years ago, is a tall task. 'You're supposed to believe half of what you see, and nothing that you hear when you're looking at 30-year-old cases. But we want to make sure that there's been real effort put into debunking these witness sightings, and we hope to get those answers from the O.P.P.,' said. Oldrieve. 'Honestly, I cried pretty good after they took the case, because it was just me doing it for years and years and years. Even my family wasn't really helping or saying too much at all. So, it was such a relief to know that there were other people who would actually help, and actually cared too,' said Weidemann. Anthony Lippett - Victoria Weidemann Anthony Lippett (R) and Victoria Weidemann are looking for answers into the 1995 disappearance of their fathers, Erwyn Lippett and Simon Weidemann, off the shores of the Brucedale Conservation Area, near Port Elgin. July 2025. (Scott Miller/CTV News London) 'I mean he has a headstone that has no body underneath it. So, I just kind of want an answer. Whatever that answer is, is fine by me,' said Weidemann, who was two years old when her father, Simon, went missing. Both Lippett and Weidemann concede the answers they seek aren't comforting ones. Either their fathers drowned in Lake Huron 30 years ago, as previously thought, or they ran off, deserting their families. Either way, Victoria and Anthony say they just want to know what happened that evening, off the shores of Bruce County. 'The way I looked at it back then, I was just a kid he didn't want to have. And then as I got older, and my mom was talking about it, and Victoria, even to this day, my mom will still talk about it, so it's nice to hear, and maybe get some answers. Hopefully we can get some closure, and just hope for the best,' said Lippett. 'It's really difficult to run a search for somebody who's been missing for 30 years, let alone on Lake Huron. It's not impossible. A needle in a haystack would be easier. But it's not impossible. They are somewhere, so, you know, we want to put in any effort that we can, to locate these men,' said. Oldrieve.
CTV News
4 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Northern Ont. 2SLGBTQ+ youth camp in crisis after losing key donation
A northern Ontario summer camp for youth that identify as 2SLGBT+ says it's in crisis. It's getting requests from campers at the same time it's lost funding. A northern Ontario summer camp for 2SLGBTQ+ youth says it is struggling to meet a surge in demand while facing a critical drop in funding. Rainbow Camp An undate aerial image of Rainbow Camp, a 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive youth camp located near Echo Bay on the shores of Lake Huron. (Supplied/Rainbow Camp) Rainbow Camp, located near Echo Bay on the shores of Lake Huron, has operated since 2012, offering a week-long retreat for youth aged 12 to 17. This year, organizers say they've been inundated with requests from campers – many of whom come from rural and isolated communities where they face rejection or lack support. 'There's this need for belonging, and we offer it,' said Harry Stewart, the camp's co-founder and president of the Welcome Friend Association. 'Not all families are behind their child under the rainbow.' Harry Stewart Harry Stewart, the co-founder of Rainbow Camp and president of the Welcome Friend Association, speaks with CTV News via Zoom in July 2025. (Angela Gemmill/CTV News Northern Ontario) Camp sees surge in applicants as corporate funding dries up Stewart said the camp is now in crisis as corporate donations – particularly from U.S.-linked companies – have 'dwindled or are not there.' 'Larger corporations that have anything to do with the United States have really backed off in funding because of the whole diversity thing that's going on there … they feel they're being monitored,' he said. A lifeline for queer youth Rainbow Camp Arrivals An undated photo of youths arriving at Rainbow Camp, a 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive youth camp located near Echo Bay on the shores of Lake Huron. (Supplied/Rainbow Camp) The camp, which was recently awarded the Governor General's Meritorious Service Medal, provides a rare safe space for 2SLGBTQ+ youth, many of whom describe it as life-changing. Daniel, a former camper turned counsellor, recalled his first experience at Rainbow Camp in 2019. Daniel - Rainbow Camp Councillor Daniel, a former Rainbow Camp attendee turned counsellor, is shown wearing a flower crown during camp councillor training in July 2025. (Rainbow Camp/Facebook) 'I didn't realize how much of a weight I'd been carrying at that point – of my identity and my identity getting in the way of who I was and who I was interacting with,' he said. 'But I remember showing up and suddenly that weight was lifted, and I was like, 'Okay, I'm good.' You don't even realize the difference it makes until it's there.' Now, as a counsellor, Daniel sees the growing need firsthand. 'It's wonderful seeing how many people are now feeling safer to come out and explore their identities,' he said. 'I'm not surprised that there's more interest being shown – because we need that.' Camp councillors - Rainbow Camp Camp councillors for Rainbow Camp training in July 2025. (Rainbow Camp/Facebook) Stewart shared a recent example of a camper who was pulled from attending after their family learned the camp affirms 2SLGBTQ+ identities – a situation that underscores the camp's role as a refuge. The organization said the child's protection worker feared for the youth's safety. 'This is why Rainbow Camp exists – and why we need your help,' he said. Urgent call for support Despite the rising demand, the camp has raised just $40,000 of its $100,000 operating goal for this summer. Stewart warned that without immediate help, they may have to turn youth away. In an email to CTV News, the camp's co-founder emphasized the stakes: 'Rainbow Camp is in crisis. The demand for camper sponsorships has soared, and our funding cannot keep up. Unless immediate support is found, we may be forced to turn youth away, or worse.' — Harry Stewart, the co-founder of Rainbow Camp Rainbow Camp is now appealing to the public for donations and support to raise awareness. 'This would be devastating,' Stewart said. 'Many of our campers come from communities where queer youth often feel isolated. Rainbow Camp is the only place some of them feel safe to be who they are.' Rainbow Camp activities An undated photo of youths participating in Rainbow Camp activities, a 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive youth camp located near Echo Bay, Ont. (Supplied/Rainbow Camp) For more information on Rainbow Camp or how to offer support, visit their social media page.
CTV News
16-07-2025
- CTV News
Father of 4 drowns, coworker recounts rescue attempt after canoe capsized
Anthony Lippett says he tried to save his friend and co-worker, Dan Pegelo, after their canoe capsized in Lake Huron, Monday evening near Howdenvale. (Scott Miller/CTV News London) Anthony Lippett is frankly lucky to be alive. 'It's not something I ever want to have to go through or watch ever again. I don't think I'll step foot in the canoe again,' said Lippett. After finishing up a job near Howdenvale, north of Sauble Beach on Monday evening, Lippett said he, his co-worker, and 14-year-old boss' son, went out for a canoe ride in Lake Huron. When they left shore the lake was calm, but it quickly turned wavy he said, dumping all three and their canoe into the water. 'We fought for about seven minutes to get the canoe flipped back over. Couldn't do it. I said leave it, and we tried to swim back to shore. We got about halfway back, and Dan was running out of breath, I was out of breath. I told them to grab my foot, and I'll try and pull them as I go. Then, I went under the water. The next thing you know, he's not there anymore,' said Lippett. 071625 A 32-year-old father of four has been identified as victim of Monday's drowning near Howdenvale. Lippett and the 14-year-old made it to shore and called 911, but it was too late. Lippett said his co-worker, 32-year-old Dan Pegelo, didn't survive after spending nearly 10 minutes under water. '32 years old. He's got four kids and a wife. I've known him for 12 years and I'll never forget him, that's for sure. Always had good stories and a great worth ethic. He'll be deeply missed, that's for sure,' said Lippett. 071625 Dan Pegelo has been identified by his friend and co-worker, Anthony Lippett as the victim of Monday's canoe capsize drowning, near Howdenvale. (Source: Anthony Lippett) Pegelo's drowning is the second in two days in Midwestern Ontario. A 4-year-old drowned in a private pond on Sunday. The OPP are urging people to wear a lifejacket to buy time, in case of a marine emergency. 'We never plan on having an accident out in the water. But, if you ever do fall overboard or have a medical event or something, we want you to have your PFD (personal floatation device) on for your safety. And also, think about your family. They expect you to come home at the end of the day. So, wear it for them, and wear it for yourself,' said Huron County OPP Constable, Craig Soldan. 071625 Shores of Lake Huron near Sauble Beach. (Scott Miller/CTV News London) Lippett said neither he nor Pegelo were wearing lifejackets in the canoe when it capsized. 'Dan didn't want to put the life jacket on, because he used to be a damn good swimmer, and it just took the best out of him this time,' said Lippett. 'If you find yourself in the water and you happen to get a gulp of water and you start choking and spitting, that's when panic sets in, and there goes your swimming skills, and you know you're going to find yourself in trouble. So, don't assume that you can make it to shore. A PFD will buy you some time. If you're floating safely, then you can take your time and get to shore safely,' said Soldan.
CTV News
15-07-2025
- CTV News
Capsized canoe on Lake Huron claims life
One person has died after a canoe capsized on Lake Huron near Howdenvale, about 20 km north of Sauble Beach. Around 6 p.m. on Monday, first respodners were sent to the area where three people were canoeing when their vessel overturned. According to police, two people managed to swim safely to shore. A third person, a 32-year-old male, did not immediately resurface. Bystanders were able to recover the man from the water and attempted CPR. When first responders got there, the man was then taken to hospital by EMS, where he was pronounced deceased.
CBC
11-07-2025
- General
- CBC
First Nation in northern Ontario to put its cultural artifacts on display
Indigenous artifacts will be on display at a new exhibit at Sagamok Anishnawbek thanks to an ongoing project with the University of Toronto and the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation. Allen Toulouse, a historical researcher from the First Nation located along the north shore of Lake Huron, said community members have been learning to catalogue cultural artifacts discovered in the region. "We're at a point now where we think we can really tell a story with this now," he said. "And we have this exhibit coming up this week where we're finally able to share some of the artifacts from this project and put them on display here in Sagamok." Toulouse said some of the artifacts found in the area date as far back as the Woodland period, which predates first contact with European settlers and reveal a much larger village than previously thought. There are also artifacts from the Fort La Cloche fur trading post, which was established in the late 1700s and operated for about a century on shores of Lake Huron. Toulouse said the artifacts range from stone tools to musical instruments — like small mouth harps — and even pottery. "Pottery is my new favourite one. If it's something that Ojibway peoples for a while weren't even associated with," he said. Toulouse said the exhibit will also include current artisans. "We gave them an idea. We said, 'Could you do an art project based on the Fort La Cloche artifacts?'" he said. "And they have brought us some really great examples of their artwork." Toulouse said the goal with the exhibit is to help the community share its heritage. "We've held it individually, we've all hung on to it," he said. "We're all putting the story together of what Sagamok is and in a greater sense, what the local Indigenous story is."
