Rachelle Levesque is Recognized as Peterborough Petes Frontline Worker of the Week

Rachelle Levesque, a Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) nurse is named this week’s Peterborough Petes Frontline Worker of the Week as part of their Drop the Puck program announced Wednesday.

Image courtesy of the Peterborough Petes

Levesque has been working at PRHC’s Emergency Medicine department during the pandemic. She switched from working in palliative care to the emergency department to assist her fellow nurses when COVID-19 cases increased in the region.

“Rachelle switched departments to assist her peers that needed the most help during the pandemic,” said Chris White, who nominated Levesque. “She had worked in emergency medicine before so she had the experience and abilities. She’s such an amazing, caring person and ultimately, she is my hero."

Each week, the Petes will recognize and celebrate one local frontline worker for the additional time and effort they have put in during the pandemic to ensure the health, safety, and happiness of those in their community.

The Petes home opener is on Thursday, Oct. 14 at 7:05 p.m.

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Flying Colours Corporation Completes 240 Month Heavy Inspection for Bombardier Global Aircraft

Flying Colours Corporation has completed another 240-month heavy inspection for a Bombardier Global aircraft announced Tuesday.

Flying Colours Corp. regularly conducts heavy inspections on Bombardier Global and Challenger airframes at its Canada and US bases. Photo courtesy of Flying Colours Corp.

The maintenance team regularly conducts heavy inspections for Global and Challenger types and used this extensive experience to complete a rigorous inspection of the Global Express jet at the Flying Colours Corp. Peterborough Ont., headquarters.

In addition, a landing gear overhaul along with a number of anticipated restoration tasks was also undertaken.

Running parallel with the maintenance tasks was a Collins Venue Cabin Management System installation which was blended with Alto Aviation switches. The controls are specifically designed to fit into previous switch panel location holes resulting in a solution that maximizes client budget and reduces installation time significantly.

To support the existing Ka-band connectivity upgraded routers were repositioned to support cabin and flight deck connectivity.

To optimize rest, relaxation and productivity the AIMSKYLAB soundproofing system was integrated, considerably reducing noise in the cabin. Externally the aircraft fuselage was stripped and repainted to deliver an as new look to the airframe.

“Our experience installing the blended Venue and Alto Switch offering and our capacity to fulfill maintenance, interior, paint and avionics tasks makes Flying Colours Corp. an attractive choice for aircraft owners. Undertaking all the work at a single venue reduces downtime and maximizes the budget which is also very appealing. For this customer the result was an improved ownership experience with improved connectivity, reduced noise levels and a new-look fuselage,” said Eric Gillespie, Executive VP, Flying Colours Corp.

The 240-month inspection involves completely stripping the aircraft down to the frame, enabling an in-depth look at the aircraft fuselage to check for signs of everything from stress fractures to corrosion, as well as other issues that may have affected the structural integrity of the aircraft.

The cabin was also laid bare, with panels, carpets, insulating surfaces floorboards, monuments, fairings, and side ledges removed for assessments and overhauls.

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Federal Candidate Interview: PPC Candidate Paul Lawton

Angela O’Grady speaks with the People's Party of Canada federal candidate Paul Lawton for the upcoming election. We answer community-submitted questions surrounding his stance on climate change, vaccine passports, the housing crisis and small businesses.

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100 Women Peterborough Gear Up to Vote on Next Charity Recipient

Three charities will pitch to 100 Women Peterborough with presentations to be the lucky funding recipient announced on a Facebook video on Tuesday.

100 Women Peterborough group raised $10,000+ for Lakefield Animal Welfare Society in 2019. File photo.

Elder Dog Peterborough, Trent University Fisheries Research Program and Habitat for Humanity will attend the organization’s meeting next Tuesday.

100 Women Peterborough is an organization where all members donate $100 each to a local charity every three months.

Participating members nominate charities for the organization to support. Three charities are then chosen randomly to present at a meeting where members vote on one charity to receive their donation.

Elder Dog Peterborough is a national organization that is dedicated to the well-being of the elderly and older dogs. They typically work with seniors that live at home with a dog.

Trent University Fisheries Research Program allows researchers to study aquatic ecosystems especially those in the Kawartha region.

Habitat for Humanity bridges a gap for low-income, working families and individuals by providing them with the opportunity to purchase their own homes in the Peterborough area.

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Ontario Government Releases Additional Vaccine Passports Details

With just over a week before vaccine certifications are required to access several settings, the Ontario Government has released details on the program, exceptions and consequences for non-compliance announced in an online livestream on Tuesday.

Screenshot.

Starting Sept. 22, proof of vaccination for at least 14 days and photo identification is required to enter non-essential businesses and other settings. It is not needed to attend retail stores, places of worship, banks, salons, and outdoor settings.

Employees are encouraged to match the name and date of birth listed on the receipt with the ID information. The receipt must have the second dose listed when checked.

Valid forms of ID are a driver’s licence, passport, birth certificate, citizenship card, Ontario photo card or other government-issued identification, Indian status/Indigenous membership card or a permanent resident card.

Vaccine receipts are currently available online to be printed or can be downloaded onto your mobile device, computer or tablet.

Proof does not apply to children under 12 and anyone unvaccinated due to medical exemptions.

On Oct. 22, a free enhanced vaccine certification app will be available with a unique QR code to provide proof of vaccination conveniently and quickly. Ontario will launch a new app for convenient vaccine verification.

The enhanced vaccine certificate and QR code verification app are on track to be released according to Kaleed Rasheed, associate minister of digital government.

Businesses can download a free app to scan and verify QR codes to see if residents can enter or not based on their vaccination status.

“Our made-in-Ontario app will make it quicker and easier for businesses to confirm that a person's vaccine certificate is valid," said Rasheed.

For anyone without a smartphone, QR codes with and enhanced paper vaccine certificates will be issued by the Ontario government (or can call 1-833-943-3900 if you do not have access to a printer or computer).

Individuals who do not comply with screening or present false documents are fined starting at $750 and $1,000 for businesses under the Reopening Ontario Act.

Additionally, Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario chief medical officer of health announced the province will begin offering third doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

The does is for sufficient protection due to a waning immune response to vaccines including immunocompromised people. The decision came after a recent recommendation from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).

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Trent University Receives More than $125,000 in Federal Funding to Support Work-Integrated Learning for Students

Trent University students will gain hands-on career experience through new work-integrated learning (WIL) courses, boosted by more than $125,000 in federal funding announced on Monday.

Photo Courtesy of Trent University.

“These work-integrated learning initiatives are indicative of Trent University’s commitment to creating unique experiential learning opportunities that ensure our students are equipped with the skills required for today's changing workplace,” said Dr. Michael Khan, Trent provost and vice-president Academic. “These funds continue to support Trent in delivering the guaranteed experiential learning opportunities that help our graduates launch their careers.”

The funding is provided through the Government of Canada’s Innovative Work-Integrated Learning Initiative (IWIL) and Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada’s Innovation Hub (iHub).

This will provide enhanced work-integrated learning experiences to more than 200 students across at least six disciplines.

The goal of the funding is to remove barriers and increase access to innovative WIL experiences, with a focus on leveraging technology to enhance students’ experiences.

The two WIL initiatives include an Applied Research Bootcamp and a Crime Scene Challenge.

The Applied Research Bootcamp will equip students with community-based research skills including ethical research, community communication and interaction and communicating academic research within a community setting.

The Crime Scene Challenge invites forensic students at Trent in conjunction with Peterborough Police, OPP and RCMP investigators, to learn and practice fingerprinting techniques and documentation. The investigators will provide real-world challenges that students will experiment on to help solve.

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RONA Cobourg Donates to Mental Health Association Through Lowe's Canada Heroes Campaign

The Canadian Mental Health Association of Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) are the fundraising recipients of the Lowe’s Canada Heroes campaign announced Monday.

Employees at RONA Cobourg. Photo Courtesy of RONA Cobourg.

The national campaign is running throughout the month of September at RONA Cobourg located on Division Street.

Customers visiting participating Lowe’s, RONA or Reno-Depot stores during the campaign can make donations at the cash register in support of each store’s respective cause.

Lowe’s Canada will match 50 per cent of the funds raised by each location, up to $2,000 per store.

RONA Cobourg has chosen to support CMHA HKPR’s Four County Crisis program which supports anyone sixteen or older who are experiencing a mental health crisis.

The Four County Crisis program serves Peterborough and County, Northumberland, Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton.

“We are so grateful for the support of RONA Cobourg and Lowe’s Canada. Their donation will go directly towards life-saving measures supporting some of our community’s most vulnerable individuals and helping them on their path to recovery,” said Jack Veitch, CMHA HKPR Manager of Community Engagement and Education.

To learn more about the Lowe’s Canada Heroes campaign click here.

To learn more about CMHA HKPR click here.

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Federal Candidate Interview: Liberal Candidate Maryam Monsef

Angela O’Grady speaks with Liberal federal candidate Maryam Monsef for the upcoming election. We answer community-submitted questions surrounding her stance on climate change, vaccine passports, the housing crisis and small businesses.

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Destinations for Peterborough Departures 2022 Announced by Blowes and Stewart Travel Group

After having no departures from 2020-2021, Blowes and Stewart Travel Group announced their lineup of destinations for Peterborough Departures 2022 on Sunday.

Image Courtesy of Blowes and Stewart Travel Group.

In 2022, they will be offering departures from Peterborough to St. John’s, Nfld.; Cape Breton, N. S.; Nashville, Tenn.; New Orleans, La.; Savannah, Ga.; and Atlantic City, N. J.

All trips will be three days and include a round-trip ticket and accommodations. To view all travel options, click here.

“The travel industry was one of the hardest-hit sectors during the pandemic so to still be here and still able to continue with our Charter Program is a huge win for us,” says Scott Stewart, BST Vacations president. “We are so grateful for the community support we have received over the pandemic, and we look forward to welcoming our clients back on our charters in 2022 and exploring with them again.”

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been new safety measures introduced such as contactless check-in from passengers vehicle, proper queue spacing, sanitization packages provided to travelers and COVID-19 screening prior to departure.

There is also a new registration process that will make booking more streamlined and efficient for passengers. Once passengers register, a BST Vacations representative will contact them to review the booking, collect a deposit and discuss insurance options.

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