One City Peterborough's Acting Executive Director Given Permanent Role
/One City Peterborough has appointed Tammy Kuehne as its new permanent Executive Director after serving in the acting role over the last year.
Photo courtesy of Oce City PTBO.
Peterborough Blogs
City of Peterborough Celebrating Bonnerworth Expanded Skatepark This Saturday
/The City of Peterborough is celebrating the summer launch of the expanded skatepark at Bonnerworth Park and invites the public to come this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.
The day features skateboarding demonstrations, lessons and music.
The celebration kicks off with an open skate session. Residents can learn about the skatepark’s new features and the vision and design behind the park, including elements inspired by the Peterborough Lift Lock.
Coy’s School of Skate will be on site offering tips and instruction for anyone looking to sharpen their skills from noon to 1 p.m. This session is free and open to everyone.
The Lions Club is hosting a fundraising barbecue beginning at noon. All funds raised will go toward new equipment for the enhanced playground at Kawartha Heights Park.
At 1 p.m., the 66 Thieves Skate Team will take over the park for a high-energy demonstration, showing off the possibilities of the newly expanded space.
From 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., a free skate and jam sessions are open to everyone. Skaters of all skill levels are welcome to participate, with chances to win prizes for best tricks on select obstacles.
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Riverview Park and Zoo Miniature Train Ride Opening Delayed Due to Track Repairs
/The seasonal opening of the miniature train ride at the Riverview Park and Zoo has been delayed due to required repairs to the train tracks.
File Photo.
Peterborough Police Service Launches Program to Crowd-Source Investigative Leads
/The Peterborough Police Service has launched a new web portal to seek the public’s help in identifying people of interest in open investigations, announced on Thursday.
Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.
According to the Peterborough Police, investigations are often supported by businesses and homes with security surveillance cameras, during which officers attempt to establish the identity of potential suspects. During this process, crime bulletins with photos or videos are created as an investigative aid. For the most part, officers can identify the person of interest; however, in some cases, police will need to turn to the public for help.
To facilitate the program, the Peterborough Police Service will use its online reporting tool to make crime bulletins available to the public via a portal on the Peterborough Police Service website.
These bulletins will be posted publicly after all other investigative leads have been exhausted and will remain active for 30 days before being automatically removed. If an individual is identified prior to the automated expiration date, the bulletin will be removed.
You can find the page online under the ‘Media Section – Help Us Identify.’
“Community safety and feelings of being safe is our top priority. This new portal builds upon the success of the Community F.I.R.S.T. initiative that primarily focuses on responses to property crimes that are low-dollar value, but high-frequency and is a way to reach into our community to achieve this goal in a timely way,” said Stuart Betts, Peterborough Police Chief. “It is widely recognized that social media is being used as an unregulated means for sharing photos and videos and we are looking to harness this public interest to engage the community in a way that will provide assistance in investigations. I want to stress that the identification process is intended to utilize Crime Stoppers to ensure anonymity of those assisting. The Criminal Code authority for citizens to effect an arrest does not extend to situations where people identify someone from these bulletins, and no one should confront or attempt to apprehend anyone they may recognize, but rather to provide the police with the information.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online. The Peterborough Police ask that you include the Reference Number with your information.
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The Vine Scaling Back Operations Due to Health Issues; GoFundMe Created to Aid In Recovery
/A GoFundMe has been created for pescetarian restaurant The Vine, which has had to cut back its operating hours and service after its co-owner, Tyrone Flowers, posted an emotional message on Instagram on Thursday morning about his unknown health issues.
Tyrone Flowers, The Vine Co-Owner opened the pescatrian restaurant in late May of 2023. File Photo.
“We don't know what the ****’s going on with me,” explained Flowers. “Doctors don't seem to seem to know, there’s lots of tests that still need to be done.”
On April 9, The Vine first went on reduced hours after a trip to the ER according to their Instagram post. Since then, the restaurant has operated on some days with reduced hours and cancelled events. The Vine could not be open consistently due to Flowers’s health issues, which could possibly be a stroke.
“We really haven’t been able to open much since the beginning of April due to debilitating migraines, fainting spells, confusion during service and many more symptoms,” said Lauren Mortlock, Flowers’s spouse and co-owner.
She started a GoFundMe on Wednesday with a $10,000 goal to help the couple during this period while Flowers recovers.
“We still have specialist appointments, CT scans, MRIs and more ahead of us before we get any answers and with no income coming in it’s hard to keep going,” explained Mortlock. “We are looking for financial support to get us through a month or two while he recovers from what we have been told could be a stroke.”
Flowers reluctantly agreed to the GoFundMe only as a last resort.
“Lauren set up a GoFundMe which was really hard for me to say okay to because if you know me, you know that I hate asking for help but that’s where we are,” he explained.
Flowers and Mortlock are known for giving back, providing free community meals, running animal-fundraising initiatives, giveaways and more.
The GoFundMe has nearly reached $3,000 at the time of this article’s publication. Flowers said he will update the public as often as he can.
Donations to the GoFundMe page can be made by clicking here.
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Peterborough County Declares May As Museum Month
/Peterborough County has proclaimed May as Museum Month to celebrate the region's rich cultural heritage and the vital role museums play in communities, as announced on Thursday.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth King and Lang Pioneer Village.
This year, Museum Month also includes International Museum Day on May 18, a global celebration that recognizes museums as centers of education, innovation, and cultural connection, according to Bonnie Clark, Peterborough County Warden.
“During Museum Month, we invite everyone to explore the charm, heritage, and stories that make Peterborough County and The Kawarthas so special,” she said. From scenic rural landscapes to immersive historic experiences, the region offers meaningful opportunities to connect with the past. A standout destination is Lang Pioneer Village Museum, where a recreated 19th-century village brings early rural life to life through heritage buildings, traditional skills, and hands-on experiences. It offers visitors an authentic taste of the history, landscapes, and traditions that define The Kawarthas.”
Peterborough County highlighted Lang Pioneer Village, noting that they do more than preserve history — they foster learning, inspire curiosity and contribute to our local economy and shared identity.
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PRHC Foundation Launches Business Cares Program to Allow Local Businesses to Strengthen Community Connections; Hanoi House Named First Ambassador
/The Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation has partnered with Hanoi House to launch Business Cares, a program for local businesses to support patient care while strengthening community connections, announced on Tuesday morning.
Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation president and CEO (left) and Susan Tung, Hanoi House owner, enjoying Gỏi cuốn (Vietnamese spring roll) with peanut sauce in celebration of their new partnership. The PRHC serves more than 600,000 people across Peterborough and the surrounding area and relies on community support to fund the state-of-the-art equipment and technology to provide exceptional care. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The launch gives businesses an opportunity to easily play an active role in fundraising for the PRHC Foundation’s $70 million Campaign. Partners also gain exposure through the Foundation’s communications channels and become part of a trusted network of businesses, according to Lesley Heighway, President & CEO of the PRHC Foundation.
“Business Cares is about creating a strong connection between community-minded businesses and the future of healthcare in our region,” She said. “We know that the area’s businesses care deeply about the communities they serve. This program offers a simple, flexible way to turn that care into impact. They’ll help PRHC Foundation fund lifesaving equipment and technology, and strengthen relationships with their teams and customers.”
Businesses can help by creating a fundraiser, running a point-of-purchase promotion, becoming a sponsor or making a direct contribution.
Prior to the program launch, Hanoi House has supported PRHC through its own initiatives over several years. This included a dumpling drive and pop-up buffet that raised more than $3,000 for patient care. The Vietnamese restaurant was named one of the program's first ambassadors.
“Being part of PRHC Foundation’s Business Cares program is a meaningful way for Hanoi House to give back to the area we love and call home, while strengthening our business,” said Susan Tung, Hanoi House owner. “Supporting our regional hospital is an investment in the health of the community we serve every day, including our customers, our team, and their families. That involvement has created a real sense of pride among our staff and patrons.
PRHC Foundation invites all businesses to join its community through Business Cares.
12-Year Old Boy Lands Grand Prize Fish 'Walter' At 37th Annual OFAH Under the Lock Fishing Derby
/It only took roughly 30 minutes for 12-year-old Jonny Patterson to land the grand prize of $1,000 by catching ‘Walter’ at the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) 37th Annual Under the Lock Fishing Derby on Saturday.
Last year saw a record-breaking 2,380 anglers register. Photo courtesy of OFAH.
Walter was caught just before noon on Saturday during the youth derby for those aged 15 and under.
According to an OFAH’s Facebook post, three of the top five prizes have already been claimed as of Sunday. ‘Gordon’ and ‘Opie’ are the two remaining grand prize fish, worth $500 and a guided fishing trip for three in Algonquin Park with Opeongo Lake and Beyond Guide Service, respectively.
The all-ages event began on Sunday at 9:00 a.m. and continues until May 3.
Youth registration is $15 for the first child and $10 for each additional child registered at the same time. Registration includes instant prizes during the Youth Derby and entry into the All Ages Derby.
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Beloved Peterborough Coach Passes Away Suddenly At Age 64
/The Peterborough sports community has mourned the loss of coach John Welsh, who passed away suddenly at age 64 on Tuesday.
Photo courtesy of KMFL Peterborough.
Welsh was active in the sports world for several decades. He coached in the Kinsmen Minor Football League (KMFL) for 45 years, was the founding president of the Peterborough Hockey Association for 25 years and coached the St. Peter’s Secondary School Saints Senior football team.
The KMFL released this statement regarding Welsh’s passing:
“John had a heart of gold. He cared deeply, and he showed it in the way he treated everyone—especially his players, who he loved like family. Whether it was a word of encouragement, a quiet check-in, or simply being there when someone needed support, John was someone you could always count on. And if you ever watched John on the sidelines, you saw the joy in his face watching his players play. There was pride in every moment, in every rep, in every success they achieved. Their growth and happiness meant everything to him.”
Brian Junkin of the Peterborough Wolverines, who worked with Welsh, also released a statement on behalf of the organization:
“Football is Family. Unfortunately, we lost a prominent member of our family last night. It saddens me to inform you that longtime Wolverines and KMFL Coach John Welsh has passed away. John devoted over 45 years of his life to coaching youth in multiple sports, but especially football. This is a generational loss to the Peterborough Football Community. Some of our coaching staff were actually coached by John as children and have now had their own kids coached by John. He spent thousands of hours coaching thousands of kids in high school, house league and rep ball.
On a personal note, it was John Welsh that gave me my first opportunity to coach football some 23 years ago and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to coach under him for 16 years in the KMFL. He will be greatly missed.”
Welsh leaves behind his wife Vicki; his children Sarah and Jonathon and his grandchildren Lila-Jane, William and Margaret. He is a brother to Jim and Bill; brother-in-law to Nancy and an uncle to several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at Highland Park Funeral Centre on May 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by the funeral service to start immediately after. Words of remembrance will be shared at 1 p.m., followed by a reception.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the KMFL John Welsh Financial Grant, which can be made by emailing fundraising@kmfl.ca.
Lift Lock Canal Stocked Up For 37th Annual OFAH Under the Lock Fishing Derby This Saturday
/The Peterborough Lift Lock’s canal has been stocked with over 3,000 trout to kickstart the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) 37th Annual Under the Lock Fishing Derby starting this Saturday.
GORDON BOWLEY, FISHING DERBY CO-CHAIR, showcases Walter before releasing him into the canal. This is Bowley’s 26th year releasing Walter into the water. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.
The youth derby is for those aged 15 and under and kicks off this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., followed by the all-ages event starting Sunday at 9:00 a.m. until May 3.
Last year saw a record-breaking 2,380 anglers register, helping maintain a long-standing tradition that is important to Peterborough, according to David Ryrie, OFAH director of communications.
“It is a community staple and we hear every year how happy people that we're still putting this on,, he said. “The OFAH is really proud to continue this tradition.”
There is more than $35,000 in prizes up for grabs. This year features five grand prizes, including the return of rainbow trout ‘Walter,’ and a $1,000 cash prize for the person who catches him. New this year is a guided fishing trip for three in Algonquin Park with Opeongo Lake and Beyond Guide Service.
“(This is) a little bit something for those new anglers that want to get outside of the regular shore fishing,” said Ryrie.
Youth registration is $15 for the first child and $10 for each additional child registered at the same time. Registration includes instant prizes during the Youth Derby and entry into the All Ages Derby.
@ptbo_canada Walter has been cast into the canal to help kick off the 37th Under the Lock Fishing Derby from April 25 to May 3! #ptbocanada #journalism #fyp #news #dailynews ♬ Gone Fishing - BDR Music
