A 31 Pound Male Snapping Turtle That We'll Call Chill Was Saved From Ice After Coming Out Of Hibernation Early

On February 28th, Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre staff had to act quickly when responding to a call from a homeowner in the Selwyn area near Peterborough.

A turtle—we'll call him Chill—had apparently emerged from hibernation early, likely because of the warm weather. When OTCC got to the shoreline, they could see that the back end of the turtle was out of the water, while his head and forelimbs were submerged through a hole in the ice.

It almost looked like an elephant head was emerging from the ice...

Picture via OTCC Facebook page

With a coldsnap expected, this 31-pound turtle would certainly not survive much longer without swift action. Staff assessed the situation and decided to attempt a rescue.

Here is a staff member making the rescue...

Picture via OTCC Facebook page

Picture via OTCC Facebook page

Picture via OTCC Facebook page

Chill was removed from the ice and transported safely to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre.

Here he is chilling out back at OTCC headquarters in Peterborough...

Picture via OTCC Facebook page

On Friday, OTCC gave an update to the public about Chill on their Facebook page, along with these pictures below. They say he has been receiving daily treatments and recuperating well.

Picture via OTCC Facebook page

Picture via OTCC Facebook page

Chill will be ready for release in the area they found the big guy once the weather is consistently nice. These turtles can live up to 100 years old, so this old guy—"He has been walking the earth for a long, long time," OTCC says on their Facebook page. "His shell is worn, and he has many scars from different times that have all healed"—now can count some more good years ahead of him.

If you would like to make a donation that will go towards the care of this turtle and others like him, visit the OTCC website here. And never attempt to rescue a turtle on the ice—contact OTCC at 705.741.5000.

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Hydro One Ceases Negotiations For Purchase Of PDI

[UPDATE, March 9th]: Here is what Hydro One says in a press release...

"Hydro One announced today that negotiations on the proposed acquisition of Peterborough Distribution Inc. have ceased as both parties were unable to reach a final agreement.

The role of both parties in these commercial negotiations is to ensure that the end result is an outcome that creates customer and shareholder value. In this particular case, despite the strong offer made to the City of Peterborough, the two parties were unable to achieve that balance.

Hydro One would like to thank Mayor Bennett, the City of Peterborough and members of both negotiating teams and looks forward to continuing its relationship as long-time neighbours and proud members of the Peterborough community."

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ORIGINAL POST

Hydro One has informed the City and City of Peterborough Holdings Inc. that it is withdrawing from negotiations regarding the sale of Peterborough Distribution Inc., according to a City of Peterborough release.

Hydro One first approached the City in 2014 to express interest in purchasing PDI. City Council responded favourably to the opportunity when Hydro One entered into a letter of intent that included a competitive price, job and benefit guarantees for existing PDI workers, distribution rate and other rate protections for customers, and commitments for new jobs and new investments such as building a new regional Hydro One operations centre in Peterborough. Negotiations have been ongoing for more than two years.

According to a media release from the City, PDI executives continue to monitor the pressures and changes affecting the electricity distribution sector on behalf of its sole shareholder, the Corporation of the City of Peterborough.

PDI says it will continue to deliver exceptional service to its customers, thanks to the organization’s employees and management.

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Peterborough Utilities Crew Enroute To New York State To Help With Power Restoration After Nor'easter

On Monday, March 5th, Peterborough Utilities Group (PUG) responded to an aid assistance request from New York State seeking linepersons and utility vehicles to help restore power after the nor'easter that tore through there.

Photo of crew courtesy of PUG

PUG has dispatched a crew of five experienced linepersons and associated utility vehicles to help restore power to this area.

Local utility crews there and crews coming in from other parts of the US and Canada continue to restore power outages, as well as clear trees, poles and debris from streets. The damage to the electrical infrastructure there is severe and widespread.

Good for PUG for stepping up and sending a crew to help.

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Dinosaur Exhibit Coming To Lansdowne Place

A neat exhibit is currently under construction at Lansdowne Place Mall: Indian River Reptile Zoo will have a Dinosaur Exhibit on the lower level of the mall that is slated to open Monday, March 12th.

The exhibit will showcase a collection of 20-plus life-size dinosaurs—some of which even move and roar—creating a thrilling and educational experience for all ages to enjoy.

“I’m not sure who is more excited about dinosaurs coming to the mall, the adults or children!” says Emily Dart, Marketing Director for Lansdowne Place, Cushman Wakefield Asset Services. “We are always looking for opportunities to offer new experiences for the community to enjoy and could not be happier to partner with the Indian River Reptile Zoo to bring this exciting dinosaur exhibit to the mall.”

The exhibit will be located in the vacant unit between Payless and The Body Shop located on the lower level. Admission will be a minimum donation of $5 (per person) with all proceeds supporting the zoo and care of their reptiles. 

Click here for more information on the exhibit (including hours and pricing).

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Amusé Coffee Co. Opens Pop Up Location In VentureNorth Building In Downtown

Local café Amusé Coffee Co., which opened its first location at 641 George St. in 2015, has now also opened a "pop up" location for its authentic Paris-inspired charm of fair trade organic whole bean coffee and baked goods in the main lobby of the VentureNorth Building in downtown Peterborough.

Photo courtesy FastStart Peterborough

Owner Lindsay Brock will be serving Amusé products on Mondays and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the hopes of eventually being there more days.

“I’m so excited to be expanding into VentureNorth, they have so many exciting things happening in this building and I’m really happy to be connected to that,” says Brock. “We are currently here Mondays and Wednesdays for March, and hopefully on a more permanent basis thereafter.”

Amusé founder Lindsay Brock at her second location (photo courtesy FastStart Peterborough)

We are so excited that @amusecoffeeco is now in @VentureNorthPtb Monday & Wednesday! ☕️ #fuel #MondayMotivaton pic.twitter.com/zP5520enxz

— Innovation Cluster (@InnovationPtbo) March 5, 2018

Amusé Coffee Co., which sprung out of the FastStart Peterborough program for budding entrepreneurs, continues to serve Fair Trade Organic whole bean coffee, premium loose tea, and a range of baked goods and brunch options with a French-feel.

The VentureNorth Building is located at 270 George St. N.

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Daylight Savings Time Begins March 11th

This will take a little of that chill out of your bones: It's Spring Forward time on Sunday, March 11th—a sure sign of spring!

Remember to turn your clocks ahead an hour, not back or you'll be two hours behind the rest of us and your life will be confusing. Sunrise and sunset will be about one hour later that day. And don't forget to change your smoke alarm batteries as well!

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Wenjack & Downie Families Celebrate Opening Of Chanie Wenjack School At Trent

The Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies at Trent University honours the life and history of Chanie Wenjack, a young Anishinaabe boy who died in his attempt to escape residential school in 1966.

The families of Chanie Wenjack and Gord Downie were at Trent University on Friday (March 2nd) to celebrate the official opening of the Chanie Wenjack School—a milestone development in the University’s longstanding leadership in Indigenous education and reconciliation.

Wenjack and Downie families join celebration to launch Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies (Picture via Trent University)

“The Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies works to create an environment of dignity, respect, understanding and a home for all students," says Professor David Newhouse, director of the School.

"It also provides a space for Indigenous students to understand their own culture and heritage better, while also cultivating greater understanding amongst non-Indigenous students."

The families of #ChanieWenjack and #GordDownie are coming together to celebrate the official opening of the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies here at @TrentUniversity #ptbonews pic.twitter.com/dQmSyCbsxC

— Harrison Perkins (@HaPerkins) March 2, 2018

Speaking on behalf of the Wenjack family, Pearl Achneepineskum, Chanie’s sister, had this to say:

“The people in Peterborough and at Trent have always had a spot in my heart. I would like to thank Trent for continuing to honour Chanie, and for their leadership in Indigenous education.”

Photo via Trent University

“I am so proud to attend the opening of the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies with Chanie’s sisters, Pearl, Daisy and Evelyn,” adds Mike Downie, co-founder of the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund, who also attended the launch event.

“Trent University has been, and continues to be, a leader in Indigenous education to break down barriers between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians through their programming, resources, and initiatives.”

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New Community Bus Service Launches In Peterborough March 4th

Peterborough Transit has a brand new Community Bus service that begins Sunday, March 4th at 10 a.m. The Community Bus will be available to all residents and is designed to provide an additional transit option for people that normally use the Handi-Van or find using the regular bus challenging.
 
“I am excited about the roll out of the Community Bus service and the increased accessibility to transportation services that it will provide,” says Councillor Don Vassiliadis, Chair of Transportation. “I see the Community Bus being especially needed and appreciated by people that are finding the regular bus a bit difficult to use but don’t need the door to door service of the Handi-Van and want to retain more independence.”

Photo courtesy City of Peterborough

The Community Bus will follow a set route. It will serve Lansdowne Place, grocery stores, seniors’ homes, medical clinics and the hospital. 

The service will use a mini bus that has no stairs and seats 10 to 15 passengers, plus two spots for wheelchairs.

Photo courtesy City of Peterborough

The service will operate Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays and holidays. Service will run on an hourly basis. Transit fares for the Community Bus are the same as for the regular transit service.
 
You can find more details about the Community Bus route and schedule at the Transit terminal and online here.

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