Ontario Provides Additional Funding For Public Transit to Peterborough and County

The Ontario Government is providing $1,913,675 to the City of Peterborough and $41,648 to the County of Peterborough to support the expansion and improvement of public transit services announced Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of City of Peterborough.

The funding is part of the province’s Gas Tax program which will allocate $375.6 million this year to 107 municipalities that deliver public transit.

“Affordable and reliable public transit in our community is important for seniors, people with disabilities and workers. This funding will support the city and county of Peterborough’s transit systems by ensuring investments in maintenance and fleet expansion can continue,” said MPP Dave Smith.

Funding for the Gas Tax program is determined by the number of litres of gasoline sold in the province during the previous year. Municipalities that support public transit services in their community receive two cents per litre of provincial Gas Tax revenue which can be used to extend service hours, buy transit vehicles, add routes, improve accessibility or upgrade infrastructure.

To make up for reduced gas sales due to COVID-19, this year’s Gas Tax funding includes one-time additional funding of $120.4 million to ensure municipalities can support their transit systems.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen how critical public transit is for frontline workers and for Ontarians who depend on these services to get to medical appointments, the grocery store and other important locations,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “Gas Tax funding remains a vital source of long-term transit funding that municipalities can rely on to help operate and expand existing public transit services – ensuring people have access to safe and reliable transportation when they need it.”

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4th Line Theatre Welcomes Megan Murphy As Associate Artistic Director And Announces New Production In The Works

Megan Murphy has joined the 4th Line Theatre as associate artistic director - special projects, announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of 4th Line Theatre.

Murphy will be guiding all of the company’s 30th Anniversary events and celebrations in 2022.

Murphy will begin researching and writing a play about the Peter Robinson migration from Ireland to the Peterborough region in the 1820s. 2025 will mark the 200th anniversary of the migration of Irish citizens in search of a better life in Canada. 4th Line plans to debut this new play to mark the anniversary.

“I am very excited Megan will be joining us to spearhead our 30th season celebrations. And I am equally excited that Megan will be developing a play about the region’s Irish migration stories,” said Kim Blackwell, managing artistic director. “Megan’s own family originates from these Robinson settlers, so she is ideally positioned to create this play.”

“I am humbled to have the great privilege and responsibility of bringing voice to the Peter Robinson settlers,” said Murphy. “I look forward to uncovering the important stories of our past, with hope and curiosity in how they might inform and inspire our future. As I embark on my first full length play, I must employ some Irish idioms…I’m delira and excira to be sure, it’ll be grand to get the craic and write the whispers of our ancestors!”

Peter Robinson was an architect of an emigration plan which saw thousands of Irish families come to Canada to escape the brutal poverty which they were facing in Ireland. Over 2500 people settled in Scotts Plains, later renamed Peterborough, to honour Robinson. These new Canadians planted deep roots in the Peterborough area and have thousands of descendants both locally and across the globe.

In 2025 there is a call for Peter Robinson descendants to return to the Peterborough area to mark 200 years since the migration. This will be the perfect timing to produce Megan Murphy’s play which will examine the lives of the people who faced unimaginable odds to come to Canada for the chance at a better life.

The 30th Anniversary projects Murphy will be developing include a podcast series which will draw on Murphy’s over 13 years as a professional radio announcer. Other initiatives include a 30th Anniversary gala and the creation of an endowment campaign to ensure the theatre’s financial health for years to come.

“I was 12 years old when 4th Line Theatre was born. As a young, aspiring actress, my mom used to cut articles and audition calls out of the paper for me, and I dreamt of one day being a part of the 4th Line Team,” said Murphy. “It’s a full circle moment for me, to now be a part of the 30th Anniversary season.”

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Riverview Park And Zoo Mourns The Loss Of Ferrari The Two-Toed Sloth

Riverview Park and Zoo announced the death of Ferrari the male two-toed sloth, on Tuesday.

Ferrari came to the Park and Zoo from the Calgary Zoo in the summer of 2013, following the Calgary flood.

The Animal Heath Team had been monitoring him closely as his condition had started to deteriorate somewhat. He then took a sudden turn for the worse and unfortunately passed away.

Ferrari died from the complications arising from several age-related conditions. He was thirty-two years old.

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Peterborough Humane Society Receives Over $20,000 On Betty White's Birthday

The Peterborough Humane Society received $20,376 in donations on Monday in celebration of Betty White’s birthday.

Getty Images.

White, an American actress, comedian and animal rights advocate, passed away on Dec. 31 at the age of 99.

To honour her legacy fans started an international campaign called the #BettyWhiteChallenge. The campaign encouraged people to donate money to their local animal shelters to celebrate the icons 100th birthday on Monday.

By Tuesday morning PHS had announced that they had received $20,376 with more donations still incoming.

“It has absolutely knocked our socks off at PHS. To know that we are one of thousands of animal shelters across the country, and world, that are feeling the positive impact from this social media movement,” said Emily Craigen, communications and development coordinator at PHS. “I mean, Betty White was already this beloved cultural icon and to have this movement come to life that benefits animals in need around the globe, it's inspiring.”

In addition to the PHS receiving generous donations from community members, Lakefield Animal Welfare Society announced on social media that they received over $9,000 on donations on Monday.

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Selwyn Township Lifts Significant Weather Event

The Significant Weather Event declared by the Township of Selwyn has been lifted as of Tuesday.

Selwyn announced the Significant Weather Event on Monday Morning after being hit with over 20 cm of snow. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

The decision was made after the township reviewed Environment Canada weather reports and observing current weather conditions, sidewalk and road conditions.

Selwyn reminds everyone that declaring the end of the event does not mean the roads and sidewalks are in good condition. It only means that the Township of Selwyn now feels that the weather has subsided enough that it can meet our required maintenance objective timelines.

Drivers and Pedestrians are reminded to use caution while navigating in winter weather conditions. Selwyn Township’s Public Works crew is working diligently to restore the roads and sidewalks to a safe condition and are continuing with regular winter maintenance activities according to the release.

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Peterborough's Joseph Bencze Gets Re-Signed By Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Offensive lineman and Peterborough native Jordan Bencze will remain on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats roster of the Canadian Football League after being re-signed with three other players on Monday.

Facebook photo.

Bencze made his regular-season debut with the Tiger-Cats against the B.C. Lions on Nov. 5. That was his only regular-season game as he spent most of his time with the practice roster.

He made 24 appearances over four seasons with the McMaster University Marauders through 2016-19 as an offensive tackle and defensive tackle.

The McMaster alumnus was drafted by Hamilton in the fifth round, 45th overall in the 2020 CFL Draft.

He recorded 26.5 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and two quarterback sacks during his time on defence during his university career.

Bencze and the Tiger-Cats made the Grey Cup but lost to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 33-25. It was the fourth overtime game in Grey Cup history.

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Peterborough Petes Launch Virtual School Visits

The Peterborough Petes have launched their Virtual School Visit program where educators can host Petes players to their class announced Monday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The sessions contain 45-minute visits that include a question and answer period with players addressing topics like the importance of mental and physical health and a physical activity.

With the challenging year for the education system, the Petes want to continue to connect with students who have demonstrated resilience throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and educators who have gone over and above for their community according to the release.

“School visits were a marquee part of the Petes community outreach programming and we want to continue to host them,” said Morgan Blaind, Petes coordinator, administration and community engagement. “Our players look forward to connecting with students and educators.”

School visits will be hosted entirely online and educators will need to have access to video conferencing technology such as: Zoom, Google Meets or Microsoft Teams.

Petes players can either join an in-person class using SMART Board or other conferencing technology or can join a fully virtual class using the video call platform already in place. You can register by clicking here.

Educators and schools should contact Morgan Blaind at (705) 743-3681 ext. 221 or mblaind@gopetesgo.com with any questions regarding the virtual school visits. Due to high demand, a visit cannot be guaranteed for every class.

The Petes are asking fans to submit photos and videos cheering on our players following the latest restrictions that prevent fans from attending home games. To learn how to cheer them on, click here.

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4th Line Theatre Digital Festival Of Light And Dark Program Has Been Announced

4th Line Theatre has announced the programming for the second annual Digital Festival of Light and Dark, on Monday.

MOSUN FADARE IN 4TH LINE THEATRE'S 2018 PRODUCTION OF BEVERLEY COOPER'S THE OTHER: A STRANGE CHRISTMAS TALE DIRECTED BY KIM BLACKWELL. PHOTO BY WAYNE EARDLEY - BROOKSIDE STUDIO.

The Festival has provided 10 regional artists with micro-grants to create five-minute digital showcases of their work, and will launch on Jan. 24.

The Festival enables audiences to engage with the artists’ creations from the safety of their own homes, through 4th Line’s digital gallery. The Festival is free of charge to watch.

“We wanted to support local artists. That was the genesis for the idea which ultimately became the Festival of Light and Dark,” said Kim Blackwell, managing artistic director. “These short, digital pieces will be a chance for 4th Line audiences to explore the nature of light and dark through the work of regional artists.”

The projects encompass a myriad of artistic styles from experimental music to abstract painting to short film and more. The topics and issues explored include the synesthetic experience of nature; fear of the dark; and finding the light within during the darkest times.

In ‘Letters in Me’, an Adaptation by Nadia Affolter Lee, a woman writes a letter to depression. Through movement and dialogue, she breaks free and finds light and strength from within, realizing she wants there to be a tomorrow.

Senior Moment by Jack Chesla focuses on a senior couple that have a not-so-sweet solution to a potential package thief in town.

In Every Other Weekend by Mike Moring an all-too-brief weekend visit comes to an end and a father and son are each confronted by their own fear of the dark.

To view the rest of the line up click here.

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Grand Prize Winner Of Holiday Shopping Passport Announced

Arlene Petrany of Peterborough has been named as winner of the Holiday Shopping Passport grand prize draw.

Arlene Petrany, Holiday Shopping Passport Grand Prize Winner and Terry Guiel, DBIA Executive Director posing outside the DBIA office. Photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA.

Petrary’s winning Holiday Shopping Passport was drawn on January 12 at the Peterborough DBIA.

“I absolutely love downtown Peterborough, I always have. There are so many amazing shops and restaurants. I can't wait until everything opens up again”, said Petrany.

The winning passport came from Things from Mom’s Basement located at 192 Charlotte St.

This year the Holiday Shopping Passport program saw a 15% increase in participation generating a little over 2.6 million in local spending.

“Congratulations to Arlene Petrany on winning this year grand prize draw and a special thanks to everyone who prioritized shopping downtown this holiday season. I am incredibly proud of our community’s steadfast support for our downtown and I am hopeful that local support will continue to flourish in 2022,” said Terry Guiel, Executive Director of the Peterborough DBIA.

The Holiday Shopping Passports ran from Nov. 8 to Jan. 12. Throughout the program shoppers were rewarded with a passport stamp for every $10 they spent at a participating location. Each completed passport (20 stamps) were entered into a draw, including three early bird draws of $500 in Boro gift cards.

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Peterborough Humane Society Encourages Donations In Honour Of The Late Betty White's Birthday

The Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) is asking it’s supporters to participate in the #BettyWhiteChallenge, by making a donation to honour Betty White, an animal activist, on Monday.

Getty Images.

White, an American actress and comedian, passed away on Dec. 31, 2021 at 99 years old.

To honour her legacy and love of animals fans around the world are using Jan. 17, White’s birthday, as a day to donate to local animal shelters.

In a social media post, PHS noted that if each of their 17,255 followers donated $5 they would raise $86,000.

Comments on the post are celebrating pets that have been adopted from PHS, and noting that donations are being made.

Donations can be made online here.

Donations can also be made over the phone by calling 705-745-4722 ext. 200 or mailed by cheque to: Peterborough Humane Society, 385 Lansdowne St. E, Peterborough, ON K9L 2A3.

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