Peterborough Police Service's 19th Annual CopShop Gives 23 Kids a Holiday Shopping Spree at Lansdowne Place

There were 23 kids who got to do holiday shopping with Peterborough Police Services during the 19th annual CopShop at Lansdowne Place on Thursday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The children enjoyed a limo ride from school and were partnered with a Peterborough Police Officer.

The officers will serve as personal shoppers for the kids and each will receive a $200 Gift Card to shop around. The young shoppers also received a Peterborough Petes goodie bag and winter boots donated from Sign-a-fied.

“CopShop is an event so many of our officers and civilian members look forward to each year,” said Detective Constable Mike Peckham of the Peterborough Police Service. “This year, we have about two dozen officers plus civilian members volunteering their time to build positive relationships and spend time with young people from the community in a fun way.”

“CopShop is our favourite day of the year,” says Helen Edwards, Lansdowne Place general manager. '“It’s magical to see the joy on the children’s faces as they shop and share in the holiday spirit. This event brings holiday cheer to our Centre and creates memories that last a lifetime.”

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Quaker Foods City Square to Hold Third-Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony This Friday Evening

Quaker Foods City Square is getting a little brighter as the community is invited to the third-annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Quaker Foods City Square on Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Photo courtesy ofthe Peterborough DBIA.

Put on by the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) and the City of Peterborough, the event features family-friendly activities, festive entertainment and local vendors.

Attendees can browse goods from local makers, enjoy hot chocolate and BeaverTails pastries, and celebrate with live DJ entertainment throughout the evening.

“The tree lighting has become a cherished gathering point for our community to kick off the holiday season,” said Nour Mazloum, Peterborough DBIA executive director. “There is something very special about gathering together downtown on a December evening to enjoy local treats and warm drinks, discover unique gifts from our businesses, take in the music and watch the tree light up downtown with your neighbours.”

Mayor Jeff Leal will light the tree at 5:30 p.m. The event will also feature the return of the illuminated ‘Peterborough’ sign.

“The tree lighting ceremony is a wonderful reminder of the warmth, connection and generosity that define our City,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “I invite everyone to join us at Quaker Foods City Square as we come together to share in the holiday spirit, celebrate one another and welcome a season filled with light and hope.”

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Fleming College Soars In Canada’s Top Research Colleges Ranking; Named #1 In Industry Research Income Growth

Fleming College has climbed in the annual Top 50 Research Colleges in Canada rankings, climbing from 31st to 17th overall and is first in Research Income Growth, announced on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

Research Infosource Inc. releases the list, highlighting the postsecondary institutions driving innovation and industry impact across the country.

“Our rise in the national rankings underscores the growing trust industry partners place in Fleming’s expertise,” said Dr. Theresa Knott, Fleming College acting co-president. “This is a testament to the strength of our research teams, the innovation happening across our campuses, and the value our partners see in collaborating with us.”

Fleming College is home to three specialized applied research centres:

• The Centre for Advancement of Water and Wastewater Technologies (CAWT), which assists companies in developing innovative water and wastewater solutions that strengthen sustainability and environmental protection

• The Centre for Applied Machine Intelligence and Integration Technologies (CAMIIT) drives advancements in artificial intelligence, embedded systems, and printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing.

• The Centre for Innovative Aquaculture Production (CIAP) supports the growth of sustainable aquaculture and food security across the country.

“Through our research centres and faculty-led initiatives across diverse fields such as healthcare, environmental conservation, policing, and community services, Fleming continues to strengthen its role as a trusted partner in applied research and innovation,” said. Knott. “We’re proud to play a vital role in advancing innovation and supporting communities across our region.”

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Young Teen Charged With Stunt Driving After Going 122 Km/H In 60 Zone

A 17-year-old male driver is facing a stunt driving charge after going 122km/hr in a 60 km/hr zone on Wednesday morning.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Police Service.

At roughly 10:15 a.m., an officer on general patrol in the area of Water Street and Carnegie Avenue clocked the vehicle speeding.

The officer conducted a traffic stop on the teen.

He was charged under the Highway Traffic Act with:

• Stunt Driving

• Speeding

• Failure to surrender driver’s license

The driver was issued a 30-day license suspension and a 14-day vehicle impoundment.

The driver is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 23.

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Registration For City's Aquatics Programs Opens Next Week

Registration for the City of Peterborough’s summer Aquatic programs opens next week.

File Photo.

Registration opens to the public on Wednesday at 7 a.m. Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre members can register for Wellness Centre programs beginning Tuesday at 7 a.m.  

“Recreation and aquatics programs are a great way to stay active, meet new people and make the most of the season. Whether you’re diving into the pool, joining a fitness class or trying something new, there’s no better time to keep moving and have fun this winter,” said Councillors Lesley Parnell and Alex Bierk.

For more information on the City’s winter recreation programs, including fees, policies and the City’s recreation fee subsidy, visit peterborough.ca/rec.

A full list of Aquatic programming can be found at peterborough.ca/swim.

Registration for all programming can be done online, in person at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, or by calling 705-742-0050 ext. 2201.  

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Photos: Students Gain Understanding Through Council For Persons With Disabilities ‘A Day in My Shoes' Event

Over 160 Kaawaate East City Public School students gained understanding, inclusion and respect for people of all abilities as they attended the Council for Persons with Disabilities’ (CPD) ‘A Day in My Shoes’ event at the YMCA on Wednesday morning.

Alexandra Clay (left) with her guide dog Oliver, putting on a demo for Grade 6 student Jaja Might (right). All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Students in grades 5, 6 and 8 participated in hands-on activities that simulate the daily experiences of people with disabilities.

The event’s goal is to encourage empathy, awareness, and respect for individuals of all abilities according to Cody McIntyre, CPD Chair.

“As someone who grew up with a hearing loss and who started wearing hearing aids at the age of 6 that meant I would sit closer to the teacher in the classroom, watch mouth for cues and worked harder to follow every word that was being said,” he said. “By educating and opening conversations with the students of Kaawaate East City Public School about what it is like to live with a disability we are creating a more inclusive and respectful environment at their school and for the entire Peterborough community.”

The students participated in realistic simulations that engaged them in meaningful discussions about mobility, vision, hearing and inclusion.

@ptbo_canada To experience daily life of having a disability, students took on challenges such as trying to toe a shoe with oven mitts. #ptbocanada #journalism #news #fyp #internationaldisabilityday ♬ original sound - PTBOCanada

The event coincides with International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which the City of Peterborough recognized.

“On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we reaffirm our commitment to building a community where everyone is included, valued and able to participate fully in daily life,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. This day reminds us of the importance of removing barriers, both seen and unseen, and of working together to create a city that is accessible to all.”

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East Peterborough Lions Club Seeking Turkey and Hams Donations For 2025 Great Turkey Exchange

To continue the East Peterborough Lions Club’s Great Turkey Exchange, the organization is seeking community support for turkeys and hams this season.

The Great Turkey Exchange operated from 2009 until 2020. The program went on hiatus in 2021 after supply chain shortages made it difficult to get donations. The East Peterborough Lions Club has picked up the torch to continue the grassroots program. Photo courtesy of the East Peterborough Lions Club.

"We invite the generosity of local residents and businesses to help us provide the centerpiece of holiday dinners for individuals and families who might otherwise go without. Together, we can bring comfort and cheer during this festive season,” said Frank Hewitt, East Peterborough Lions Club president.

In previous years, the Club has assisted over two hundred families by providing a turkey or ham, an essential part of many festive celebrations during the holiday season. To address the increasing demand, the Lions Club seeks community support for the Great Turkey Exchange according to Hewitt.

"Our Club is encouraged by the growth of this initiative and the tangible benefits it brings to those facing hardship,” he said. “This year, once again, we have witnessed a significant increase in requests for assistance throughout our community. Even before the launch of the program, appeals began to arrive; we are currently managing over 125 requests for help with Christmas dinner.” 

The community can help in the following ways:

• Donate turkeys and hams (including options for those without access to an oven)

• Donate cash or gift cards to facilitate the purchase of these items 

Donations can be brought to Kawartha Food Share or arranged for collection by via email to greatturkeyexchange@gmail.com .

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Peterborough County Approves 2026 Budget Increase of 5.29 Per Cent

Peterborough County Council approved the 2026 Budget which includes a 5.29 per cent increase in the levy during their council meeting on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The budget increase covers:

• A dedicated infrastructure levy set at 2.5 per cent

• An increase of 2.80 per cent for the Operating Budget, which includes a 1.2 per cent increase for County Operations and a 1.6 per cent increase for Shared Services.

This increase in the levy translates to a tax rate increase of 3.93 per cent or approximately $17.35 for every $100,000 in residential assessment.

“County Council has continued to invest in our critical infrastructure with our commitment to a 2.50 per cent dedicated infrastructure investment to support our roads and bridges – vital to providing the links for our residents and businesses,” said Bonnie Clark, Peterborough County warden. “Staff brought forward a very responsible operational increase, below inflation this year, which focuses on our commitment to service delivery reviews and operational excellence.”

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Clarington Councillor Arrested and Charged With Uttering Threats

41-year-old Corinna Traill of Clarington is facing two charges after a three-month investigation by the Peterborough Police Service.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

In early September, Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) asked the Peterborough Police Service to investigate a Clarington councillor, a former DRPS police officer and a current DRPS member.

The investigation concerned communications made to a potential mayoral candidate for the Municipality of Clarington.

Traill of Clarington was arrested on Wednesday, and charged with:

• Utter Threats x2

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 13.

Police are not releasing any further information as the matter is currently before the courts.

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TELUS Cup Ticket Packages Go On Sale On Tuesday

The City of Peterborough is releasing the TELUS Cup ticket package starting this Tuesday, which includes one ticket for each of the tournament’s 19 games.  

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Early Bird pricing packages are $130 to attend every game. Ticket package prices will increase once single ticket sales begin in early 2026. The TELUS Cup will take place from April 20 to 26 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.  

Fans who buy ticket packages early will automatically be entered into a raffle to win a prize package.  

Prize packages include:  

• One camper spot to Canadian Hockey Enterprise Christmas Camp at the Miskin Law Community Complex on December 29, 30 and 31, for ticket packages purchased before Dec. 19 

• Two tickets to the OHL Top Prospects Game on January 14, for ticket packages purchased before Jan.9 

• Petes Prize Pack, for ticket packages purchased before Jan. 30 

• Two tickets to The Offspring on Feb. 17, for ticket packages purchased before Feb. 13 

• Two tickets to the Rock Orchestra by Candlelight on March 17, for ticket packages purchased before Feb. 27 

School packages are available for educators. Tickets for school packages are $5 per seat, per game.  Educators can contact the Memorial Centre box office at 705-745-3561 or email MemCentre@peterborough.ca for more information on school packages.

The TELUS Cup is bringing some of the nation’s top U18 players to Peterborough for six days of fast-paced, high-calibre hockey, showcasing the next generation of Canada's hockey talent.  

The U18 AAA Peterborough Junior Petes will be among the six teams competing for the national title, making their national championship debut on home ice. 

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