Peterborough Women’s Special Olympic Soccer Team Brings Home Gold at Provincials

Peterborough Women’s Special Olympic Soccer Team made history at the 2025 Provincial Special Olympic Games, taking home a gold medal in an undefeated run in Brantford over the weekend.

Photo courtesy of Debbie Quinlan.

Throughout the three-day event the team hosted a Women’s division at the Provincial Summer Games for the first time. The team won despite extreme heat conditions.

Candace Bushie, Crystal Cochrane, Jasmine Davis, Haley Fowler, Heather Fowler, Nicole Hewitt, Kristen Lackey, Gillian McHugh, Miriam McHugh, Kacee Quinlan, Jenn Wildman, Carlea Wilkie-Ellis and coaches Shawna Goode, Debbie Quinlan and Linda Wilkie were all part of the winning team.

The Peterborough Panthers Soccer team wona silver medal at the Provincial Games. Coached by Patrick Henry, Corlea Freeland and Bill Chapman, the team consisted of: Adam Ferguson, Brian Davis, Blair Bastien, Mary McDougall, Jacob Zitman, Mike Ludlow, Makaya Dafoe, Steve Caban, Ryan Blinn and Dylan Armstrong.

Peterborough’s Special Olympic track athletes, coached by Sydney Venton, saw results from the following atheletes:

• Gaerrisen Freeland: Gold medal in 100 m., 200 m., 400 m., shotput and Javelin

• Lisa Butler: Gold medal in 400 m, shot put and javelin. Bronze medal in 100 m

• Mercedes Laking: Gold medal in shotput and bronze medal in 100 m

Coached by Toni Hill and Alan Brioux, the following Bocce Special Olympic athletes achieved these results:

• Dalton Davis: Gold medal

• Jesse Campbell, Julien Cloutier-Austin and Florence Ekman: Bronze medals

• Monique St Pierre: Fourth place

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City of Peterborough Transitions to Next Generation 9-1-1

With support from the Government of Ontario, the City of Peterborough has transitioned to the Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) network, providing emergency dispatchers, Peterborough Fire Services and Peterborough Police with better and faster access to information during an emergency.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

“This support ensures our emergency responders have access to the advanced tools and technology they need to act quickly and effectively in an emergency,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “I would like to thank the Province of Ontario for this critical investment in public safety. Investments like this help protect lives, strengthen our emergency response capabilities, and build safer communities for everyone.”

The Ontario government has provided over $5 million since 2022 to support the City’s transition to NG9-1-1. It is a multi-stage upgrade to the traditional 9-1-1 network, replacing older infrastructure with a digital, Internet Protocol (IP)- based network. The technology is similar to what is available on most smartphones.

“Having reliable access to critical information, like the exact location of a caller and a verified callback number, can make all the difference when seconds count,” said Chief Chris Snetsinger, Peterborough Fire Services. “These enhanced capabilities help our first responders arrive faster, communicate more effectively and ultimately save lives.”

“Ensuring safety for everyone in our community is our main goal as a police service. Being able to deploy first responders at the right time, with the right information to do the right thing, is what we strive for every shift,” Chief Stuart Betts, Peterborough Police Service. “NG9-1-1 will help us accomplish this goal with even more accuracy. Having more data available to first responders in an emergency only makes for a safer community for all who live, work and visit our area.”

The upgrade gives dispatchers faster and more accurate information about a 9-1-1 caller’s location and phone number.

The upgrade's enhanced features also include:

• Stronger security, with enhanced cybersecurity measures to reduce the risk of downtime.

• Greater network reliability, with added backup capabilities for seamless recovery.

• Future-ready multimedia features enabling real-time text and live emergency video calls.

The City of Peterborough is among the first in Ontario to upgrade to the Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) network.

The process for calling 9-1-1 remains the same. Residents calling 9-1-1 in an emergency will be directed to the appropriate emergency service, such as police, fire or ambulance.

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Peterborough Lakers Continue Winning Streak With Home Win Over Oakville Rock

The Lakers keep rolling with their fourth win in a row, defeating the Oakville Rock 9-6 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Lakers.

“I think they're keeping it simple and they’re playing with a bit of pace,” said Mike Hasen, Lakers head coach. “The ball is moving. We have had a tendency of getting it stuck on one side. Right now, it's swinging side to side and a lot of guys are getting a lot of good looks. We’re getting a lot of great shots and great opportunities and, you know, I think the biggest thing for us is that we're sticking with it. We’re not bailing on things when it doesn't go our way. Like 27-28 shots after the first period tonight with (only) one goal, right, we stuck with it. We didn't try to change anything, we just continued through and that’s a great sign of maturity, basically.”

The opening frame was a low-scoring affair, with each team only finding the back of the net once. Mike Robinson scored first for the Lakers followed by Chris Weier for Oakville.

The second period saw the most scoring in the game as the teams traded scores for the first eight goals. Braedon Saris, Holden Cattoni, Joe Resetarits and Ben Tremble scored for the Lakers, respectively. The Lakers broke the alternating goal streak as Saris scored for Peterborough in the final 70 seconds of the period to give the Lakers a slim 6-5 lead.

Peterborough allowed the first goal of the period 3:30 in but clamped down defensively after that. Nearly halfway through the period, Cattoni got his second of the game to regain the lead for the Lakers. Peterborough sealed the game after scoring twice in the final 61 seconds courtesy of Brad McCulley and Ben Trumble for the 9-6 victory.

The Lakers hit the road Saturday to Collingwood to play the Owen Sound North Stars. They will have some challenges as Peterborough will have a depleted lineup due to several Lakers attending defenceman Jordan Stouros’ wedding.

Hasen projects 13 regulars, including Nick Rose, will be available. The rest of the holes will be filled by callups from Sr. B and Jr. A.

“We’re going to look a little bit different. A few unknowns out there but defensively we're going to be strong,” he said. “The right side is going to be consistent but the left side is going to be a little bit by committee with a couple new guys in there.”

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OLG Makes First-Quarter Payment of Over $712,000 to The City of Peterborough

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has made its first-quarter payment of $712,281 to the City of Peterborough for hosting Shorelines Casino Peterborough, announced on Wednesday.

Since 1994, host communities have received more than $2.3 billion in non-tax gaming revenue. File Photo.

The first quarter ran from April 1 to June 30. Peterborough has received $15,807,492 since the Shorelines opened in October 2018.

These payments to host communities are based on a formula consistently applied across all gaming sites in Ontario using a graduated scale of gaming revenue at the hosted site as stated in a press release. 

“OLG is a strong partner that provides substantial benefits to Peterborough,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “In addition to the jobs at Shorelines Casino Peterborough, important investments in our local community are made possible through OLG’s sharing of casino revenue.”

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Photos: Hockey Benders Hit Lansdowne Place For Meet-and-Greet As Part of Canadian Mall Tour

Cole Lequier and Aiden Dale, also known as “The Hockey Benders,” had fun with fans in a meet-and-greet event at Lansdowne Place as part of their Canadian Summer Mall Tour.

Hockey Benders Cole Lequier (left) and Aiden Dale (right) walk through the large queue of fans waiting to get their photos taken and autographs. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

The pair are known for their hockey branding and apparel and social media videos.

Fans could have their photos taken with the duo, purchase their merchandise, have their autographs taken and quickly chat with them.

Their tour has four Ontario stops including Kingston, Ottawa, Oshawa and Peterborough as the last city of their Eastern leg.

They continue their tour, heading west to Fort McMurray, Edmonton, Calgary, and Medicine Hat.

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Three Peterborough Petes Invited to Hockey Canada Program of Excellence Summer Camps

Peterborough Petes forward Colin Fitzgerald (U18) and 2025 draft picks Kieran Raynor (U17) and Kaden McGregor (U17) were all invited to attend Hockey Canada’s U18 and U17 Program of Excellence Summer Camps, announced on Thursday.

McGregor (left), Fitzgerald (middle) and Raynor (right). Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

“Congratulations to Colin, Kieran, and Kaden on their recognition by Hockey Canada,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “This is a great opportunity for them all to compete with some of the best Under 18 talent in Canada. We wish the three of them the best of luck as they hit the ice with the ultimate goal of representing Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky and U17 World Challenge later this year.”

Fitzgerald, an Otonabee native, has been invited to the U18 camp after a rookie season with the Petes, which saw him score 12 goals and add 16 assists for 28 points in 48 games. The Petes initially selected him with the third overall pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection from the Peterborough Petes U16s. Fitzgerald has experience playing for Canada, after winning a silver medal with Canada Red at the 2024 U17 World Challenge.

The U18 Selection camp will take place from July 29 to Aug.1 at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville.. Players at the U18 camp will have the opportunity to represent Canada at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, which takes place from August 11-16 in Brno (Czechia) and Trenčín (Slovakia).

Petes 2025 draft picks Kieran Raynor and Kaden McGregor were both selected to take part in the Under-17 National Development Camp.

Raynor, a forward from St. Catharines, was originally selected by the Petes in the second round, 27th overall, in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection. He featured in 27 games for the Niagara North Stars U16’s last season, scoring 29 goals and adding 23 assists for 52 points. He then added five goals and eight assists for 13 points in eight playoff games, helping the North Stars to a place in the OMHA Championships and the OHL Cup. Raynor also skated in three games last season for the GOJHL’s St. Catharines Falcons, picking up one assist. 

McGregor, a forward from Braeside, was selected by the Petes with the first overall pick in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection, winning the OHL’s Jack Ferguson Award as the league’s number one pick. Last season, he captained the Ottawa Valley Titans U16 to an HEO Championship, leading the league with 38 goals and 44 assists for 82 points. McGregor added another 24 points in nine playoff games, becoming the first Petes draft pick to win HEO Player of the Year since Mason McTavish in 2019. In the OHL Cup, McGregor scored three goals and added eight assists for 11 points, earning a spot on the tournament all-star team.

The 2025 U17 World Challenge begins on Oct. 31.

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City Seeking Feedback For Sherin Avenue Boat Launch Rehabilitation Project

The City of Peterborough is inviting the community to share feedback on the planned rehabilitation of the Sherin Avenue boat launch.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

An information session is taking place on July 31 at the Admiralty Hall at Peterborough Naval Memorial Park, 24 Whitlaw St., at 6 p.m. 

Due to its current condition, the Sherin Avenue boat launch is closed. It is the only public boat launch located south of Lock 19.  

Residents can also share their input through a survey. The survey can be found at connectptbo.ca/sherin-boat-launch. 

The survey closes July 25.  

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Two Teenagers Arrested After Incident With Peterborough Police

Two teenagers are facing charges after an incident Wednesday evening. 

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 10:30 p.m., officers on bike patrol near the train bridge in the George Street and Dalhousie Street area spotted a 15-year-old female wanted for theft in June.

The youth started resisting arrest, yelling and screaming and causing a disturbance. A 15-year-old male attempted to stop the arrest and swung at an officer before fleeing the scene. He was located by other officers and taken into custody. While at the station, the female kicked a Special Constable. 

The female was arrested and charged with:

• Assault peace officer x2

• Assault with intent to resist arrest

• Cause disturbance

• Theft under $5000

The male was arrested and charged with:

• Assault with intent to resist arrest

• Breach of Recognizance

Both accused were released on an undertaking and are scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 25.

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City Encourages Residents to Help Water City Trees During Heat Wave

The City of Peterborough is encouraging residents to help water newly planted City trees on road allowances and boulevards next to homes as the hot weather continues.

File Photo.

Young or newly planted trees are especially vulnerable to heat stress and drought.

The City installs watering bags on newly planted trees and will fill those bags as needed.

However, community support is sometimes requested during heat events to help keep new trees hydrated. Residents are encouraged to fill watering bags once or twice a week during hot, dry weather. 

This community involvement helps ensure that new and young trees establish strong roots and thrive in the long term, contributing to the City's green infrastructure and urban canopy. 

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One City Executive Director Out After 13-Year Tenure

Christian Harvey, One City PTBO executive director has stepped down from his role after 13 years of service, as reported on their official Facebook page on Monday.

Photo courtesy of One City PTBO.

Harvey ‘moved on’ from the role as the organization’s founding executive director just two weeks after City Council voted 6-5 to cease maintaining service enhancements to the Trinity Community Centre that were funded through reserves.

The Centre provides a minimum-barrier space for individuals who are marginalized and/or unsheltered in the City of Peterborough, through the provision of two programs: A daytime drop-in program and an overnight program, according to One City’s website.

Council’s decision saved $514,080 in the 2026 budget ($269,280 to enhance the Trinity Overnight Drop-in Program and $244,800 to expand the operating hours at Trinity's daytime program) as part of their 2025-2026 winter homelessness response program.

This was an amendment after the City was recommended by Sheldon Laidman, Commissioner, Community Services from the June 23 meeting.

Tammy Kuehune is stepping in and has been appointed the active executive director.

“In my 11 years at One City, I’ve witnessed many Changes, and yet our vision of a more connected and inclusive community has always remained at the heart of our work,” she said. “I’m truly grateful to support the incredible efforts happening every day: led by those who access our services, powered by our dedicated staff and volunteers, and in collaboration with partner agencies and the community at large. We will keep listening closely to the needs of our community with dignity and care.”

One City PTBO released several statements regarding the changes; however, Harvey has made no official statement regarding his departure.

“Christian's leadership has been instrumental in shaping One City into the caring, innovative, and effective organization it is today,” according to a statement made by One City.

They continue to state that there is no anticipation of major changes resulting from Harvey’s departure.

“As One City turns the page, we remain grounded in the values that guide our work; belonging, dignity, trust, courage and love. The strength of our mission, our team, and our community relationships continues to carry us forward,” as read in a One City PTBO statement.

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