City To Host Virtual Open House Regarding Harper Creek Subwatershed Study

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The City of Peterborough will host a virtual public open house on Jan. 18 at 4:30 p.m. to provide information about the Harper Creek Subwatershed Study.

Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.

The Harper Creek subwatershed is located in southwest Peterborough. Harper Creek Wetland and Harper Park are one of Peterborough’s largest, naturally vegetated and heavily treed areas.

The Subwatershed Study will identify and characterize the water resource system, including the natural heritage features, functions, and cultural values of the Harper Creek subwatershed. The Study will ultimately recommend a land use plan and detailed management strategy to satisfy local and provincial policy.

Members of the public who are interested in participating in the open house are asked to register in advance.

Registration can be completed online on the Connect Peterborough website at www.connectptbo.ca/HarperCreek, or by phone at 705-742-7777 ext. 1504.

Registrants will be emailed a link and access code to join the meeting online. Those who cannot join online will be provided a telephone number to join by phone.

A survey for residents to provide input and background information for the study team is available on the project page at www.connectptbo.ca/HarperCreek. Residents can also subscribe for project updates on the page. A recording of the public open house will be posted following the meeting.

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Foodie Friday: Supporting Local Restaurants During Modified Step Two

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With the Ontario Government restricting indoor dining until no sooner than Jan. 26, let us support local restaurants with take out and delivery.

PTBOCanada with Sysco Central Ontario wants to highlight the restaurants that have graciously welcomed us into their establishments and show us around for our Foodie Friday segments.

Order from a great local restaurant and experience the diversity and quality of food Peterborough has to offer.

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What Ontario’s Return To Step 2 Public Health Measures Means Locally

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Peterborough Public Health has released guidelines highlighting what a modified version of Step 2 will look like in Peterborough.

File Photo.

“We recognize this transition is another hardship for local businesses and we appreciate the efforts that most are making to modify their operations and once again, comply with new restrictions,” said Julie Ingram, Manager of Environmental Health. “Many local operators have already reached out to us for advice and support, and we thank all businesses who are doing their part.”

On Jan. 5, the province returned to a modified version of Step 2 of the Provincial Roadmap to Reopen in response to increasing cases and strain on Ontario’s health care system. Highlights of the new regulations include:

- Workplaces must ensure workers work remotely, unless the nature of work requires the worker to be on-site,

- Enhanced capacity limits for businesses and workplaces; requirements to post capacity limits,

- Ongoing general requirements related to masking indoors, screening, and COVID-19 Safety Plans,

- Restrictions to operating hours and the sale and service of alcohol at applicable businesses,

- Food establishments must close indoor dining areas, take-out and delivery is still permitted,

- Restrictions for organized public events, and reduced social gathering capacities to up to 5 people indoors and 10 people outdoors,

- Indoor sports and recreational facilities must be closed, with very limited exceptions,

- Indoor meeting and event spaces closed, with very limited exceptions.

“Please adhere to the social gathering limits, make sure to screen for symptoms before leaving home, wear your mask in public settings, and consider alternative safe activities,” she said, adding that a list of Safe Activities During COVID19 has been updated on www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca. Shopping locally and avoiding travel outside the region are also other important ways residents can help reduce the spread of COVID-19 at this critical time.

Ingram said that the primary focus of Peterborough Public Health’s COVID-19 enforcement team is to help support local business with the Step 2 changes, however, they are still receiving and investigating public complaints related to noncompliance. Local residents can submit complaints online at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca in the Reporting Complaints section.

“We need to be kind to those around us as each family situation is unique. Check in on each other and know that there are supports in our community to help you or someone you know. Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis should contact 911 immediately or present to the nearest emergency department,” said Ingram.

For more information about local mental health helplines and other supports, visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca and click on the section for COVID-19 – Supports for Mental Health & Substance Use and COVID-19 – Supports for Basic Needs. The Canadian Mental Health Association has a list of helplines and other resources available at https://cmhahkpr.ca/mental-health/links/.

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Peterborough Public Health Warns That Local COVID-19 Case Count Is An Understatement Is Likely Closer to 10,000

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Medical officer of health, Dr. Thomas Piggot, said on Thursday that the active number of COVID-19 cases is likely much higher than reported.

There are currently 1,111 active cases of COVID-19 in Peterborough, though Dr. Piggot says that due to the provincially mandated restrictions on PCR testing there are many more un documented cases.

“Prior to the changes in the testing criteria, the modelling estimates we saw provincially showed potentially we were underreporting by a factor of eight. So there are eight times more cases,” he said.

Dr. Piggot says the current case count is a severe underestimate and that there are closer to 10,000 cases.

“There is lots of concern and uncertainty with what’s happening, but there’s reason for hope,” he said. “I really feel we’re at the darkest part of the night before the dawn that is coming.”

To date, 41.6 per cent of eligible local residents aged 18 and up have received a third booster shot. 85.2 per cent of eligible residents aged five and up have received one dose, 80 per cent have received two doses.

Anyone looking for a first or second dose can walk in to a clinic with no appointment.

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Local Boy Crowned Winter Chess Tournament Champion By Ninja Academy

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Nolan Middel has been crowned the Winter Chess Tournament Champion held by local dojo Ninja Academy announced Thursday.

MIddel (middle) holding his trophy after becoming champion of the winter chess tournament is seen holding his trophy for the tournament with judoka Georges David-Gnahoui (right) and Sensei Paul Teleki (left). Photo courtesy of Ninja Academy.

“All matches were so captivating to see young minds at work, thinking several moves ahead and strategizing with precision, it was amazing to witness,” exclaimed Paul Teleki.

“The most common attribute amongst the competitors was their courage,” explains David-Gnahoui. “To throw themselves into the tournament, considering everything that is happening in society right now, is a great achievement.”

Middel interests contributed to his success in the tournament according to Teleki including mathematics, creative writing, martial arts, swordsmanship and illustration.

The young champion also hosts a Youtube account called “KingletCrown Tada” that features several videos of the popular game “Minecraft” and other creative building toys.

Registration for the Academy’s Summer Chess Tournament is now open.

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GoFundMe Created For Funeral Costs of Man Found In Jackson's Park

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A GoFundMe has been set up for the funeral costs of 32-year-old Peterborough man Donnie Thibault whose body was found in Jackson Park on Wednesday morning.

Thibault was born in Moncton, N.B. He leaves behind his five-year-old son Ryder (right). Photo courtesy of Annie Thibault.

The fundraiser was started by his five-year-old son’s mother, Jamie Fee, seeking $5,000 on Wednesday.

His sister, Annie Thibault said he was always around to protect and care for the ones he loved.

“My brother was my best friend,” she said. “He was always there for me when I needed him; loyal and protective. He will forever be my guardian angel.”

@anniethibault3 I lost my brother yesterday suddenly and my heart is literally shattered into a million pieces 😭♥️ #imissyousomuch #dancinginthesky #loveyou ♬ Dancing in the Sky - Dani and Lizzy

Thibault’s friends saw from him a positive and funny personality who was always smiling.

“Donnie was the type of friend who could always make you laugh,” said Maria Caravaggio. “Once he had you in his life, you knew he would do anything for you if you needed him. He loved people with an intense passion and he always tried to be a light in people's lives.”

“Donnie was my neighbour and became a close friend during high school. We just clicked. He was always a stand-up guy, always joking around and pranking his sisters,” said Alyshia Harvey. “He went out of his way to make you laugh and cheer you up. He always had your back.”

Ryder was born on July 14, 2016. Photo courtesy of Annie Thibault.

Peterborough Police found Thibault’s body after receiving a call at roughly 10:45 a.m. Wednesday morning. Officers were called to the area about a man with vital signs absent in a pond in the area of Fairbairn Avenue and Parkhill Road according to a press release.

Donnie went to high school at Peterborough Collegiate and Vocational School and recently celebrated his 32nd birthday on Dec. 29 last year.

His funeral is scheduled to be at Nisbett Funeral Home according to Annie however a date has not yet been set.

Donations to the family can be made through the GoFundMe page or through e-transfer at Annie’s email of anniethibault317@msn.com.

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David Tuan Bui


Hometown PTBO: Greg Wells About Supporting Musicians With the Don Skuce Memorial Music Collective

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This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks with record producer, songwriter and musician Greg Wells about the Don Skuce Memorial Music Collective, growing up in Peterborough and catching up on his life in Los Angeles.

Wells will be working alongside famous artists such as Josh Groban, Ryan Tedder and Adam Lambert.

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Peterborough Public Health Hosting Vaccination Clinic For Youth Aged 5-11

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Two new child-friendly vaccination clinics are planned at the Healthy Planet Arena on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days

Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.

Appointments can be booked through the provincial booking system online at www.ontario.ca/covidvaccine or by calling 1-833-943-3900.

Only children who are 5-11 years old at the time of their appointment are eligible to receive the pediatric dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This is based on date of birth, not year of birth.

“With 55% of local youth aged 5-11 still requiring their first dose, I urge families to get their children vaccinated as quickly as possible to protect them and help in the community-wide effort to slow the spread of Omicron,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health. “We are pulling out all the stops to make vaccinations as accessible as we can, and there are currently 3,200 appointments available for those aged 5- 11, including over 1,000 this weekend alone.”

Dr. Piggott also reminded residents that eight weeks between doses is recommended by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). However, for parents who consent and want to make the decision to get their child a second dose sooner, the minimum interval between first and second dose of a Pfizer-BioNtech Pediatric COVID-19 vaccine is 21 days

Residents who wish to receive their second dose appointments earlier than the eight-week interval must book by calling 1-833-943-3900 and providing informed consent. Accelerated second appointments earlier than eight weeks cannot be booked online.

PPH will continue adding more clinics over the coming weeks to help provide the best protection for this age group. Parents and guardians are asked to remember that it does take two weeks after the second dose for full immunity to be in effect.

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One Roof Drop-In Centre To Temporarily Extend Hours As Temperature Drops

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One Roof Community Centre will be open for extended hours of service on Friday and Saturday due to dropping temperatures in Peterborough.

On Friday the centre will be open from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with the to-go meal provided between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.

On Saturday the centre will be open from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

The centre is closed to drop-in service from noon to 3 p.m. for the meal preparation and pickup period to protect the health and safety of the public, volunteers, and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

One Roof Community Centre, which provides services on behalf of the City and County of Peterborough, is located at 99 Brock St. For a full description of meals and other services that One Roof provides visit its website at www.oneroofptbo.ca.

Emergency shelters are open and available to people experiencing homelessness who require emergency overnight shelter:

  • YES Shelter for Youth and Families, 705-748-3851, 196 Brock St.

  • Brock Mission men’s shelter, 705-748-4766, 120 Murray St.

  • Cameron House women’s shelter, 705-748-4766, 739 Chemong Rd.

  • Overflow Shelter at 210 Wolfe St., overnight phone 705-761-1875

Emergency After Hours Services related to emergency shelter are available through Social Services by calling 705-926-0096. Visit the Social Services website for information regarding the After Hours program.

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Emergency Child Care For School Aged Children Announced

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Emergency child care services for children 3.8 years to 12 years old is anticipated to be available for provincially-identified essential service workers in the City and County of Peterborough beginning Thursday

Emergency child care service is provided at no cost to eligible families of identified essential service workers under the provincial program that is administered by the City of Peterborough.

To be eligible, families must have no other option for child care and both parents/all adults must be working outside of their home.

In anticipation of the Province approving the City’s Emergency Child Care Plan, families can indicate they are an essential worker and register for emergency child care at OneHSN.com/Peterborough.

Families who have used Emergency Child Care in the past must re-register for the program.

Registration will be managed by the chosen emergency child care agency. Final approvals will be completed by City of Peterborough staff. Registrations for new Emergency Child Care spaces will open on Wednesday.

It is the family’s responsibility to apply for and follow up with their chosen Emergency Child Care agency. If a space is not available at the location the family prefers, the family should apply elsewhere.

With the exception of the emergency child care agencies, all other operators of before and after school programs were required to close after Tuesday and are prohibited from charging fees or otherwise penalizing parents during the closure period (e.g., parents must not lose their respective child care spaces).

EarlyON Child and Family Centres will be closed to indoor, in-person programs and services until further notice. EarlyON Centres will continue to offer a large variety of virtual programming until further notice.

Families that currently receive a child care fee subsidy may contact their case manager through email or phone if needed.

The Premier of Ontario announced a province wide shutdown of in-person learning at all publicly funded and private schools beginning Wednesday. All publicly funded and private elementary and secondary schools will move to remote learning.

Licensed centre-based and home child care can remain open for the duration of the shutdown. At this time most licensed child care centres in the City and County of Peterborough are open and providing regular full day services for children aged 0 – 3.8 years.  

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