Kids Under 12 to Ride Free Under Peterborough Transit's Pilot Program

Peterborough Transit will offer free transit for kids aged 12 and under as part of their Pilot Program starting on Jan. 2 announced on Friday.

Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Transit.

The pilot program will run through 2022. Eligible children will not require a transit pass to ride the bus and will not be required to provide proof of age.

“This program can have significant long-term benefits by creating more lifetime transit riders,” said Councillor Kemi Akapo. “Children will not only learn to navigate the city and see public transit as their chosen travel option, they will also appreciate and contribute to the benefit of public transit in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

Free transit for eligible children will include all City of Peterborough regular transit routes and registered users of specialized van service.

The Link bus service operating between the City of Peterborough and Selwyn Township is not included in the pilot program. Customers accessing that service will be required to show proof of applicable Link fare.

When boarding, the child or the adult they are travelling with must let the bus driver know that they are 12 years old or under. Free child passes are available upon request. Contact Customer Service at 705-745-0525 for more information.

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Fleming College Makes Winter Semester Changes Amid COVID-19 Concerns

Fleming College has delayed the start of their winter semester by a week and the first two weeks will be online announced by the college on Thursday.

Photo Courtesy of Fleming College.

The decision was made due to the surging cases of COVID-19’s Omicron variant. Winter semester classes start on Jan. 17 with the weeks of Jan. 17 and Jan. 24 will be delivered fully online. With a later start to the semester, it will end on April 29; a week later than the original date.

“It is our intention to return to campus on Monday, January 31 for hands-on and specialized courses with some continuation of online delivery where appropriate,” said Maureen Adamson, Fleming president.

There will be exceptions for a small number of specialized labs that may run during the week of Jan. 17. Students affected will be notified through their program area.

New students will be permitted to move into residence beginning Jan. 6 and 7 and anyone currently living on campus can return on Jan. 9. The college recommends that students consider staying at home until their onsite academic program begins.

With the federal government’s insistence, the college encourages students not to travel internationally during the holiday season to avoid the risk of infection or other complications.

Fleming encourages students and faculty to get a booster shot as soon as possible for the health and safety of everyone as they become available on Monday.

“It’s particularly frustrating during this time of year when we would like to be celebrating with large groups of friends and family,” said Adamson. “Unfortunately, those large gatherings will have to wait, but we hope that everyone can find some joy and safe togetherness during the break. Happy holidays and stay safe.”

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Foodie Friday: Imperial Tandoor On Bringing Authentic Indian Cuisine and Hospitality To Peterborough

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We talk with owners Nitin Grover and Manish Choundry of The Imperial Tandoor about the story of their partnership and bringing authentic Indian cuisine and hospitality to Peterborough.

@ptbo_canada

Authentic Indian food done right 😍 The Imperial Tandoor in ##PTBOCANADA ##IndianFood ##AuthenticFood ##LocalEats

♬ Taste - Tyga

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Changes To Transit Services During The Holidays

Peterborough Transit holiday service changes will be in place from Dec. 23, until Jan. 7, 2022.

All routes:

• All late evening trips that depart after 11:30 p.m. are cancelled between the period from Thursday December 23, 2021 to Friday January 7, 2022

• On Friday December 24, all routes end early with the last trip departing no later than 7:30 p.m.

• On Friday December 31, all routes end early with the last trip departing no later than 7:15 p.m. Extended New Year’s Eve service will not be offered this year.

• On Saturday December 25 and Saturday January 1 there will be no service.

Additional changes:

• All weekday Route 11/11A Water trips will be cancelled for the period of Thursday, December 23 to Friday, January 7, 2022.

• On Friday, December 24 and Friday, December 31, the Route 2 Chemong trip departing from Rowberry at 7:15 p.m. will end at the Peterborough Terminal.

Transit Customer Service

The Customer Service desk at the Simcoe Street Terminal will operate with adjusted hours for the holiday period.

• Friday, December 24: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Saturday, December 25: closed

• Sunday, December 26: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Monday, December 27 to Thursday, December 30: 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Friday, December 31: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Saturday, January 1: closed

Regular hours resume at the Simcoe Street Bus Terminal on Jan. 2, 2022.

For questions about Transit service, call Transit Operations at 705-745-0525 or by email at transitoperations@peterborough.ca.

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Holiday Hours For City Services And Facilities

Many City of Peterborough facilities and services will have modified hours or be closed from Dec. 24 to Jan. 3. Regular hours for most services resume on Jan. 4.

Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.

There are no changes to curbside garbage and recycling collection over the holiday period. For missed recycling collection, please phone Emterra at 705-742-3139. For missed garbage collection, phone Public Works at 705-745-1386.

Essential services, such as emergency services, public works and wastewater treatment, continue uninterrupted. Public Works can be reached for urgent matters at 705-745-1386. This line is monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

While the Social Services administration office is closed over the holidays, individuals can call 705-926-0096 anytime for emergency shelter services when other shelters are full. City-operated child care programs will be closed starting at noon on December 24 and re-open with regular hours on Jan. 4.

Most recreation and community services are open with revised hours of operation.

The Art Gallery of Peterborough will be closed to the public for the month of January beginning Jan. 3. This closure will accommodate lighting improvements to the main gallery space and the installation of new exhibitions. Online programming will continue on Facebook (@AGPtbo), Twitter (@AGPtbo_) and Instagram (@AGPtbo_). Visit the Art Gallery’s website at www.agp.on.ca for digital programming, news and updates.

There will be adjustments to Transit schedules from Dec. 23 to Jan. 7, 2022, including suspended late-night trips as well as early last trips on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. There is no service on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. For full details about Transit holiday schedules and Transit Customer Service hours, please visit www.peterborough.ca/transit or phone 705-745-0525.

Vaccine clinics at the Healthy Planet Arena will be scheduled by Peterborough Public Health. The Public Health website has details: www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

Detailed schedule for City of Peterborough services and facilities:

Closed from noon on Dec. 24 until Jan. 3, 2022:

• City Hall, including the Tax Office, Clerk's Office, Building Services and Planning

• Arenas administration office

• Social Services office

Public Works is available by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week: 705-745-1386

The Materials Recycling Facility at 390 Pido Rd. is open for drop-off any time.

For more details click here.

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Hometown PTBO: Cody Crowley Remaining Undefeated After Facing His Toughest Boxing Challenge

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks with professional boxer Cody Crowley about his toughest match against Kudratillo Abdukakhorov in a battle of the undefeated on Saturday and growing up in Peterborough.

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Trent University Ranked First In Canada For Sustainability Education and Research

Trent University has been ranked number one in Canada for sustainability education and research by the 2021 UI GreenMetric World University Rankings announced on Thursday.

Photo Courtesy of Trent University.

Trent is also recognized as one of Canada’s top three environmental universities.

“Trent prides itself on its commitment to positive outcomes for the natural environment, and is committed to the GreenMetric rankings because they are a way to judge what is working,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, Trent president and vice-chancellor. “Our bump up into the top spot in Canada for sustainability education and research can be attributed to a variety of academic developments this past year, which include new degree programs and specializations.” 

The GreenMetric ranking is the first university ranking in the world that measures participating universities’ commitment in developing environmentally-friendly infrastructure.

The ranking is based on performance across six categories: education and research, setting and infrastructure, energy and climate change, waste, water, and transportation. Trent is among 956 universities from around the world that participated in this year’s global ranking.

For the second consecutive year, Trent has ranked as the third-most sustainable university in Canada and remains in the top 15 per cent of sustainable universities worldwide across all six categories.

This year’s rankings also position the University as #1 in Canada in the education and research category (up from #2 last year) and #2 in Canada in both the waste and setting and infrastructure categories.

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Peterborough Petes Reducing Fan Capacity By Half After Government Announcement

Beginning Saturday, the number of spectators permitted at Peterborough Petes home games at the Peterborough Memorial Centre is reduced to 50 per cent capacity announced on Wednesday.

The Petes celebrating a home win by saluting the crowd against the Hamilton Bulldogs on Oct. 28. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The decision came following the same-day announcement made by the Ontario Government. They ordered the capacity reduction for indoor venues with capacities of 1,000 or more to combat the Omnicron variant of the COVID-19 virus. The cut allows for 2,025 fans to be in attendance.

All Season Ticket Members will be guaranteed their seats for every game. Anyone with tickets for Saturday night’s game is still entitled to attend unless otherwise communicated with by Petes or Box Office staff members. 

The Petes will continue to work with Peterborough Public Health and the PMC to ensure that all attendees at home games can participate in a safe and fun environment, and will update fans as the organization learns more about the restrictions in the coming days and weeks.

All fans attending Petes game are reminded to follow public health measures at the PMC, including:

• Face coverings are mandatory at all times unless actively eating or drinking in your ticketed seat. 

• Children under the age of two will not require a face covering/mask.

• Physical distancing guidelines must be followed. There are markers on the floor to help people stay a minimum of two metres apart.

• Hands must be washed or sanitized regularly. Hand sanitizer is available throughout the facility.

• Ticket holders are required to submit a contact tracing form online prior to entry that lists the full name and phone number for each ticket holder in their group. This form also includes a list of active screening questions.

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Ontario Government to Distribute COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Tests To Peterborough

The Ontario Government is distributing COVID-19 rapid antigen tests at several locations in Peterborough over the next few weeks to increase access to publicly funded testing announced Wednesday.

A rapid antigen test displaying a negative COVID-19 reading. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Rapid antigen tests provide results in 15-20 minutes after administering the test. Rapid antigen testing is used for screening purposes only and should not be used for diagnosing someone with symptoms or exposure to COVID-19.

A positive result from a rapid antigen test needs to be followed up with a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, which is administered through the Peterborough Regional Health Centre’s COVID-19 Assessment Centre or a participating pharmacy then sent to a lab for processing, to confirm the person has COVID-19.

The Ontario Government is distributing rapid antigen tests in Peterborough over the next several weeks at the following locations:

• Peterborough Farmers’ Market, Morrow Building, 151 Lansdowne St. W. – 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Sat., Dec. 18, and 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Sat, Jan. 8

• Lansdowne Place, 645 Lansdowne St. W. – Dec. 21 to Thu., Dec. 23, 2021 (hours to be determined)

• Peterborough Memorial Centre, 151 Lansdowne St. W. – 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sat., Dec. 18 and 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Dec. 27

• Peterborough Public Library, 345 Aylmer St. N. – Jan. 5 and Jan. 6, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

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Dr. J's Is Hosting Gift Wrapping Weekend And Raising Funds For Mental Health

Dr. J’s BBQ and Brews will be offering gift wrapping from Friday to Sunday to support Tackle 55 Suicide Awareness and the Canadian Mental Health Association.

“All the funds will go to the Canadian Mental Health Association in memory of Dan Bois, who was one of my best friends,” said owner Addison Brown. “Unfortunately he struggled with mental illness, and he couldn’t fight it.”

Those interested in participating can bring any and all Christmas gifts to Dr. J’s (282 Aylmer St N) and donate a minimum of $20. 100 per cent of the proceeds will be donated.

This is the second fundraiser Dr. J’s will host this holiday season. On Dec. 5 Santa Claus paid a visit to the restaurant, and for $5 guests could take their photo with him.

Proceeds from that event were donated to Kawartha Food Share.

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