Skip to content
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.

Email
[email protected]

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 on American television
Oh, Christmas tree! Orillia's tree lighting sparks controversy

Oh, Christmas tree! Orillia's tree lighting sparks controversy

'Very disappointing': Variety of factors led to underwhelming ceremony, officials say after video of ceremony goes viral
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
Gateway casinos to remain closed after cyber attack: officials

Gateway casinos to remain closed after cyber attack: officials

'We have retained third-party cyber professionals who are working 24/7 to help us restore the IT environment'
'Eggciting': Orillia woman's chicken lays rare round egg

'Eggciting': Orillia woman's chicken lays rare round egg

'At first, I thought it was a ball the dog found. When I picked it up, I realized — to my surprise — it was an egg,' said Washago woman
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
Public Health Ontario reports 129 new COVID cases Tuesday

Public Health Ontario reports 129 new COVID cases Tuesday

In today's daily update from the province, officials say there were five deaths due to COVID-19 over the past 24 hours
Ontario reports 119 new COVID cases Monday

Ontario reports 119 new COVID cases Monday

Public Health Ontario says there were three deaths due to COVID-19 over the past 24 hours
Number of new COVID-19 cases in Ontario dips below 1,000 for Feb. 14

Number of new COVID-19 cases in Ontario dips below 1,000 for Feb. 14

The public health agency is reporting 42 deaths over the past 24 hours and notes the number of new cases may be lower due to 'data maintenance' in Toronto
More work by Dave >