Peterborough GreenUp Hosting 'Let's Bike!' Around The County To Encourage Bike Safety And Fun

Peterborough GreenUp is inviting residents to join them for ‘Active School Travel Peterborough’ (AST Ptbo). This event will help teach bike skills, play games and celebrate bike safety.

Stock Photo.

This event invited families to bring their bicycles to various locations around Peterborough County for an evening of fun and education.

The evening will feature face painting, ABC bike checks, bike decorating and a draw for a prize.

There are a range of activities suitable for many ages and abilities. Helmets are required, and can be provided if participants do not have one. Parent permission will be required for all children and youth.

On August 9 AST Peterborough will be at the Peterborough Lion’s Centre (347 Burnham St.) from 5 - 7 p.m.

On August 23 they will be at The Lakefield-Smith Community Centre (20 Concession St.) from 5 - 7 p.m.

On August 30 they will be at the Ennismore Community Centre (553 Ennis Rd.) from 5 - 7 p.m.

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PRHC Emergency Department Pressured With Max Bed Capacity and Staffing Shortages; Urge Patients to See Other Clinics If Possible

The Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is experiencing heavy pressure having to operate with staff shortages, deal with constant maximum in-patient capacity and have COVID-19 outbreaks announced in a Zoom conference on Thursday morning.

There were 191 patients admitted to PRHC on July 17 which is considered a high number. Photo by Luke Best.

Dr. Lynn Mikula, chief medical executive and chief of staff issued says the pressure has been ongoing for a number of months that preceded the pandemic but COVID-19 has made the situation more serious.

“We are seeing higher patient acuity meaning that more people who come to the emergency department (ED) are sick enough to need admission to the hospital,” she said.

On July 17, PRHC reported that 191 patients needed to be admitted which is a high number according to Dr. Mikula. She continued saying last month would on average take a person eight hours from entering the ED to departure.

Dr. Mikula urges incoming patients to seek other forms of medical attention that can be treated outside the ED if possible but PRHC will not redirect patients if they deem an ED trip is not necessary.

She suggests using Telehealth Ontario to triage the severity of a condition to go to the emergency room or seek an alternative form such as a family doctor, walk-in clinic or virtual clinic.

“As a general rule of thumb, I think people know if they’re really ill,” she said. “If it’s a more mild condition that you would see your family doctor for, even if you can’t reach your family doctor, explore some of those other options.”

When questioned if Monkeypox has played a role in the contributing pressure, Dr. Mikula said it was an ‘evolving situation,’ they are not yet affected but will notify the public if and when it does.

PRHC has been dealing with staff shortages, especially in the nursing department but is also hiring ‘basically everybody’ according to Dr. Mikula. Roles include technologists, allied health staff and environmental and accountants.

As of June 2022, PRHC had a total of 275 vacancies with a 9.25 per cent vacancy rate for all hospital positions according to Michelene Ough, PRHC director of communications.

“Like other hospitals, we also have ongoing staffing shortages, said Dr. Mikula. “This has required us to focus our limited ED resources where they are most needed. The hospital is very full, operating at or above 100 per cent of its in-patient bed capacity.

On June 5, 2019, the provincial government imposed Bill 124 that wage-suppressed healthcare workers to only a one percent increase over three years. Dr. Mikula suggests that the bill partially affected the shortage but says they need a whole “coordinated system response” to help rectify the problem.

COVID-19 has been a contributing factor to the occupied bed capacity. PRHC reported an outbreak from two patients as of Wednesday and holds 18 people total who are infected with the infamous virus.

Dr. Mukula assured the public that PRHC is prepared in case of another COVID-19 wave or strain hits Peterborough.

“We continue to have our incident management system monitor COVID-19, meet regularly, look at the infection control measures and the other measures that we have in place. We’re ready to scale them up if needed,” she said. “I would say if that’s one thing the last two years have taught us, it’s that we need to be prepared to manage another wave at any time and there are a lot of people who are predicting another wave in the fall so ready and we’re waiting.”

PRHC stated they have explored several recruitment avenues such as the international nurse graduate program to help fill the void. They have been actively recruiting nurses during their pressured months.

“The problem is that every other hospital in Ontario is doing exactly the same thing so we’re all basically competing now for a limited pool but not only nurses but technologists and all the other support staff,” said Dr. Mukula.

Last fall, the federal government imposed mandatory vaccines for healthcare workers at the risk of losing their jobs for anyone failing to comply.

Mukula estimated over 95 per cent of healthcare workers were vaccinated at the time of the mandate and PRHC enforces a policy where all current employees are vaccinated.

“That is not one of the factors that have landed us in the staffing shortages situation we are facing today,” said Dr. Mukula.

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Hometown PTBO: Lakers Holden and Taite Cattoni on Growing Up Playing Lacrosse Together and Their Favourite Italian Eats in Town

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with Peterborough Century 21 Lakers brothers Holden and Taite Cattoni about growing up playing lacrosse together, their brotherly rivalry and their favourite PTBO Italian eats.

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Peterborough Century 21 Lakers Hosting Fan Appreciation Day Ahead Of Game 3 On Thursday

The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers will host Fan Appreciation Day before Game 3 at The Memorial Centre on Thursday.

BROOKLIN’S MIKE BYRNE (LEFT) SHOVING OFF LAKERS’ CORY VITARELLI (RIGHT) AS PETERBOROUGH GETS IN THE OFFENSIVE ZONE. VITERELLI SCORED THREE GOALS AND TWO ASSISTS, LEADING THE LAKERS IN POINTS IN THEIR FIRST PLAYOFF GAME. PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNA TAYLOR AND PETERBOROUGH LAKERS.

Thursday at 8 p.m. the Lakers will host Brooklin Lacrosse Club for game three of the Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) Semi-final series.

The Lakers and Brooklin are currently tied at one game apiece in their best-of-seven series.

Before the game begins, fans are invited to the Memorial Centre for a variety of activities.

All merchandise is $5 off courtesy of Imprinted Apparel. There will be multiple draws for game worn jerseys and gift certificates.

Ed Arnold’s lacrosse book Peterborough’s Perfect Season with Benny and his Jets will be on sale for $20.

Player will be available after the game for photos and autographs. There will also be opportunities for fans to catch a warmup shirt or game shorts and many other giveaways throughout the night.

Tickets for game three can be purchased at the Memorial Centre box office.

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Electric City Football Club Allow Extra Time Comeback for 2-2 Draw

It was rough times for Electric City Football Club (ECFC) as they coughed up a third consecutive home lead in extra time, tying Alliance United FC to a 2-2 draw on Wednesday evening.

An Alliance United Player with ECFC Zak Drake (right) moments after full time. Electric City has allowed a goal in extra time in three consecutive home games. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Electric City’s prior two home matches with conceded extra-time goals started with a 3-3 draw against Burlington SC, allowing three unanswered goals in the second half including two penalty kicks (with the second in extra time) on July 13.

They lost in extra time to the Simcoe County Rovers FC allowing two goals in the 86th minute and extra time for a 2-1 loss on July 23rd.

“It's frustrating conceding goals late over the past few matches,” said Randy Riberio, ECFC head coach. We can't afford to do it, we have to be locked in, switched on for everything that gets thrown at us. We know their team is down and they need to score a goal so they're going to throw whatever they have and we need to be better at dealing with it.

Both teams exchanged scoring chances early in the first half. ECFC goalkeeper Quillan Roberts intercepted multiple balls launched high in the air from free and corner kicks to keep the game scoreless.

ECFC struck first as midfielder Mohammad Reza-Nafar scored his fourth of the season. He shot from outside the box, beating Alliance keeper Praveen Ahilan in the lower left corner for the 1-0 lead in the 30th minute.

Tomas Alverez tapped in a one-timed pass from Ethan Gopaul to make it 2-0 in the 37th minute to extend ECFC’s lead into the half. That was Alverez’s second goal of the season, scoring last against the ProStars FC on May 21.

Alliance got on the board in the 73rd minute as Atchu Sivananthan knocked in a header off a sideline pass, beating a diving Roberts making it 2-1.

ECFC’s Adrian Gallo turned over the ball and Alliance’s Kingsley Belele almost capitalized on the mistake with a high-quality scoring chance. Roberts was able to make a diving save on the low corner to maintain the 2-1 lead.

Alliance’s Samuel Gardner earned a red card in the 84th minute making the team’s comeback bid more difficult.

Gopaul almost clinched the game for ECFC going for the top corner but just went outside the post.

Roberts mishandled the ball off an errant play from Alliance and fielded out of bounds for a corner kick. He chose to play the ball instead of allowing it to roll out of bounds for a corner kick. Riberio was unsure if Roberts had the option allow the ball to roll out or not.

Alliance capitalized on their final opportunity as Nirun Sivananthan was able to kick it past Roberts from a contested header to tie the game moments before extra time expired.

“I thought we were the better team, we never looked like we were conceding a goal until the final 10 minutes of the match which was unfortunate,” explained Riberio. “We need to create opportunities to put the game away and if we would have had the next goal to make it 3-0, I think that game's out of reach.”

Playoff clinching scenario for ECFC (to earn the sixth seed):

• ECFC must win all three remaining games and;

• Alliance United FC and Guelph United lose all their remaining games and;

• Hamilton United cannot win all their remaining games

This was Riberio’s first game back off a two-game suspension for multiple yellow cards. ECFC striker Jordan Brown is eligible for the team’s next game finishing a three-game suspension from an off-field incident. The team sits in ninth place with an 8-6-4 record with 28 points.

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Peterborough Humane Society Is Welcoming Back Volunteers Ahead Of Moving To Their New Home

The Peterborough Humane Society has put a call out for volunteers on social media, ahead of their big move to a new facility.

File Photo.

PHS will move to their new facility on Technology Drive in a few months, the post stated.

Those interested in volunteering will assist with shelter needs like walking dogs, socializing cats, event representation, administrative duties and more.

For more information or to begin the volunteer onboarding process contacts Sarah Armour s.armour@ptbohs.com.

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Peterborough And The Kawarthas Chamber Of Commerce Names New President And CEO

The Interim Board of Directors of Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce have announced that Sarah Budd has been appointed as the new President and CEO.

Sarah Budd. Photo courtesy of Chamber of Commerce.

Budd will join the chamber on Sept. 12 as she prepares to take over the reins from Stuart Harrison, who retires on October 31 of this year.

Budd has deep roots in The Kawarthas. Born and raised in Lakefield with high school in Peterborough, Budd brings exceptional communication skills, not-for-profit leadership, entrepreneurial experience, government advocacy, and financial acumen to the role.

“It was Sarah’s enthusiasm to really want to listen and work with businesses, at all levels, that put her above the rest of the candidates. I am very excited for the future of the PK Chamber – not just because of a new leader with her own fresh perspective but because of the combined strength of the Peterborough and the Kawartha’s working together as one.” said Allison Seiderer, Co-Chair.

Co-Chair Mary Brown noted that Chamber knew they would have a hard time replacing Harrison, but found Budd to be a perfect fit.

“I am beyond thrilled to be taking on the reins of President and CEO of the Chamber and I personally want to thank Stu for all his dedication and hard work over the last 20 years,” said Budd. “I am committed to bringing our membership, board of directors and community leaders together to not only continue to build a strong, resilient business environment, but also a stronger more connected community as well.”

“I’ve watched Sarah’s work at Habitat for Humanity for many years, and I think her enthusiasm and leadership at Habitat will work equally well here at the Chamber,” said Harrison. “She’s inheriting an awesome team and she’ll fit right in.”

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Construction At Scott Mills Damn Nearing Completion

The project to replace the Scotts Mills Dam at Lock 19 in Peterborough has reached a significant milestone: all work on the new dam below the waterline is now complete.

Photo courtesy of Parks Canada.

The remaining work includes the placement of decking and railings on the dam, log lifter rails on the remaining sluices, and wall work on the east bank of the river adjacent to the dam.

Following removal of the cofferdams and trestle bridge, grading and landscaping of the east access and construction laydown area will occur.

The remaining construction activities will involve using a vibration attachment to remove steel piles from the existing cofferdam and bridge structure and are expected to continue for the next few months. T

he grading and landscaping will involve large equipment movement on the east bank. These activities will generate higher levels of noise than experienced in recent months.

A reminder that heavy noise-generating activities will be limited to the following times:

• Monday – Saturday: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

• Sunday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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Local TV Producer Finishes First Place in Kingston Duathlon

YourTV Peterborough made news of its own as producer Dan Malta finished first place in the Kingston Triathlon’s Duathlon, travelling over 40 km on Sunday.

Second-place finisher Marty Thehunter (left), winner Dan Malta (middle) and third-place finisher Francois-Michel Guitard (right) on the podium after completing the short course duathlon. Photo courtesy of Dan Malta.

Malta competed in the short course duathlon that consisted of running 4.2 km, biking 30 km then running another 7.2 km. He finished each leg in 17:45, 55:32 and 31:23 respectively and finished the race in 1:46:59.

“I ended up winning with a five-minute pad so I guess I was lucky to be the fastest person there on that day,” said Malta. “It felt great though. My mom Kathy and my fiancée Katrina were there at the finish line, it was nice to have them there cheering me on.”

Kingston Triathlon also featured the short and long-course triathlon that included swimming events. Photo courtesy of Dan Malta.

Despite not getting much running experience since elementary school, Malta took a long and progressive path to train for long-distance races.

He said he started mountain biking from his north-end home to Trent University and went from there.

“In March, the pandemic hit, I had just bought my first road bike off Kijiji for $200 I had no idea what that purchase would spark as bikes and cycling are now an obsession of mine,” explained Malta. “I had a lot more time on my hands due to the cancellation of the OHL season and Katrina (Malta’s finacée) mentioned to me she likes to go for runs.” 

Malta (left) with fiancée and Global News anchor Katrina Squazzin (right). Squazzin became the first female colour commentator to broadcast a professional women’s hockey game at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. Photo courtesy of Dan Malta.

Malta recently competed in the Ironman 70.3 in Muskoka, finishing with a time of 5:40:23 on July 9.

“When I signed up, I knew I could complete the 21 km run distance as I complete them pretty regularly and I knew I could complete the 90km bike as I do those regularly,” said Malta. “But the swim was pretty intimidating. I enjoy jumping in the lake and swimming around but had never attempted a swim of any distance, I’d also never tried swimming laps in a pool.”

With the racing season dying down, Malta says he is likely finished competing for the year but looks forward to participating in more events in 2023.

“Triathlon, duathlon and cycling races are the closest thing I’ve found to feeling I got through competetive sports in my youth,” he explained. “I get to compete with myself,and I get to compete with others. I just wish I’d discovered the sports sooner.”

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