UPDATED: Help Find Missing Peterborough Father Christopher Callaghan
/UPDATE: Great news -> Police report that Christopher Callaghan has been located and has returned home. Police thank the public for their assistance.
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Peterborough Blogs
Help 3-Year-Old Kaleb Get His Beloved Car Back That He Just Received On His Birthday
/A 3-year-old Lakefield boy named Kaleb just received an electric car for his birthday three weeks ago. Unfortunately, his beloved white and blue BMW i8 Spyder was stolen last weekend and his mother, Amanda Townsend, is trying to get the word out as best she can to get it back.
Kaleb In His Car
"It's his favourite thing in the world and he will be devastated when he finds out it's stolen," Amanda tells PTBOCanada.
She adds to PTBOCanada: "This car meant the world to my son. He always said he was 'just like daddy' while he drove it around the block. I'm a student, working part-time, and cannot afford to replace the car [it cost around $300] before he finds out. Moms are always trying to protect their children from seeing the bad in the world and I don't want him to find out like this. He's just a kid with a kind heart that has never done wrong to anyone."
Please spread the word on your social media channels.
For more information on Kaleb's stolen vehicle and contact info for Amanda, please see the info sheet she is distributing on social media below...
A Bunch Of Kenner Students Did Freeze Flash Mob At Lansdowne Place To Raise Awareness About Domestic Violence
/YWCA Peterborough Haliburton and United Way of Peterborough & District have joined forces with women’s shelters across Ontario to take part in the annual Wrapped in Courage campaign. This year’s campaign was launched with a powerful Freeze Flash Mob Tuesday morning (October 16th) in the food court at Lansdowne Place.
About 50 Kenner students gathered in the food court along with YWCA and United Way staff, supporters, volunteers and board members, holding up signs to onlookers with alarming stats showing the toll domestic violence takes.
“Wrapped in Courage is an amazing advocacy project that makes a real difference for women and children right here in our community,” says Lynn Zimmer, Executive Director of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton. “Proceeds from every scarf sold [see info below on how to purchase them] in Peterborough stay local to help women and children in desperate need of shelter and support.”
“The courage of a woman alone is not enough,” says Lisa Smith, Director, Philanthropic Impact with United Way of Peterborough & District. “United Way is proud to stand in solidarity with women who have experienced violence and to partner with the YWCA for the Wrapped in Courage Campaign again this year.”
Together, YWCA and United Way invite everyone to purchase and wear a purple Wrapped in Courage scarf in support of local women and children fleeing violence. Scarves are available for $20 at Lansdowne Place at the customer service desk, and at YWCA and United Way from October 18th to November 18th.
Watch This Stunning New Video Of Millbrook
/Photographer/videographer Patrick J. Stephen, who produced this beautiful video of downtown Peterborough last year, has now released a stunning video capturing his hometown of Millbrook near Peterborough.
Still from video
"I was asked to create something by the Millbrook BIA that would show the amazing wealth of community, entertainment and business in Millbrook," Stephens tells PTBOCanada. "I have grown up in the beautiful landscapes and inevitably that is why I have become so interested in landscape photography."
Still from video
Stephen adds: "I have always wanted to create something about this small town and having the opportunity to do so has been somewhat surreal. The experience has given me a fresh and rejuvenated look on where I live and the people who are here."
Still from video
Watch the video below...
Millbrook has been in the spotlight a lot recently, as High Valley filmed a music video for their song "Every Week's Got A Friday" on the rooftop of the Millbrook Home Hardware in the downtown core. Watch it below (it has nearly 10,000 views already)...
Anita Blackbourn Was An Amazing, Courageous Mother Who Died Way Too Young
/Incredibly sad news: Peterborough's Anita Blackbourn—aka "Neets"—has lost her battle with cancer at the age of 42. Anita, who was fighting the terrible disease right until the end, leaves behind a husband, two young daughters and a community that adored her.
Anita pictured with her daughters
Anita was a huge part of the Pink in the Rink campaign in 2015 with the Canadian Cancer Society and Peterborough Petes, raising awareness about the disease and money to help fight it.
Anita (at far left) pictured at Pink in the Rink game in 2015 with Honourary Co-Chair Dan O'Toole and Anita Record
There has been an outpouring on social media about Anita's death as she touched so many people...
Anita was a guest on our podcast PTBOCanada Live With Mike Judson in January 2015 and spoke bravely and eloquently with Mike about her battle with stage 4 breast cancer—and what her family, friends and community meant to her.
Watch her interview with Mike Judson below starting at the 9:38 mark (you won't ever forget it—we won't)...
Anita was also writing a story for PTBOCanada about her battle with cancer and what life and this community meant to her, but passed away before she was able to complete it for us.
This was her opening paragraph to a personal, fact-based journal she was keeping about our journey...
This community will never forget her. She was an amazing, gracious person who battled the disease with honesty, dignity, strength, humour and courage.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat (ptbo_canada). Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.
Why The Creepy Clown Hoax Is Stupid And Police Are Taking It Seriously
/PTBOCanada have heard of local creepy clown sightings on social media platforms such as Snapchat, so we reached out to Peterborough Police to get their take on this stupid hoax that has spread across Canada and North America and only serves to frighten people.
"We are aware of and keeping an eye on the 'creepy clown' hoax that is circulating on social media. While we have had no official reports or sightings made to our Service, there are many rumours circulating in our area," Lauren Gilchrist, Communications Coordinator at Peterborough Police Service, tells PTBOCanada. "We emphasize that these are just rumours."
Clowns are supposed to make kids and adults happy, like this poster...
Happy clown poster via zazzle.ca
Right now, the creepy clown phenomenon is ruining it for the good clowns who bring joy to people's lives.
Peterborough Police say they have a zero tolerance stance on this type of behavior aimed at shocking and disturbing children and the public all in the name of a joke. People need to be aware that their behavior and the intent of their actions while wearing the costume will dictate police response and action.
Police remind the public that, depending on the person’s intent and behavior, criminal charges could apply. These charges could include the following:
-> Disturbing the peace
-> Public mischief
-> Trespassing
-> Enticing/luring a child
-> Uttering threats
-> Criminal harassment
-> Assault
-> Assault with a Weapon
"We encourage parents and caregivers to have serious conversations with their children or teens about the impact and consequences of this sort of hoax and the possible criminal consequences," Gilchrist tells PTBOCanada.
If anyone is concerned about their safety at any time or wants to report a suspicious person or activity, police encourage you to call 9-1-1 in an emergency or their non-emergency line at 705-876-1122.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat (ptbo_canada). Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.
City of Peterborough Kicks off United Way Campaign By Announcing Goal Of $75,075
/The City of Peterborough launched its 2016 United Way campaign at Sherbrooke Fire Hall with an employee BBQ this week. Attendees dressed their yummy hamburgers as Chief Snetsinger welcomed the crowd.
The City’s goal for this campaign was announced as $75,075 in honour of United Way’s overall theme of 75 Years of Caring.
Chief Snetsinger
Campaign Chair Gwyneth James thanked the City for their unwavering support throughout United Way Peterborough and District’s 75 years in the community:
“The folks here really understand that a strong city benefits everybody," she says, adding "Building up an individual in need of short-term relief by having their basic needs met allows them to move towards finding that job, which in turn helps Peterborough’s economy as a whole.”
Campaign Chair Gwyneth James
