GoFundMe Created For Local Teacher That Suffered Fatal Injuries From Single-Vehicle Accident

A GoFundMe has been set up to honour the memory of grade 5/6 teacher Lucia Colacci who passed away in a single-vehicle accident on Pigeon Lake Road on Monday.

Facebook photo.

The 51-year-old St. John Paul II Catholic Elementary School teacher was married to her husband Jeff Kitney and had three children, Mateo, Marco and Natalia.  

The money raised will ease the financial burdens following Colacci’s death.

On Monday, Kawartha Lakes OPP responded to the scene of a single-vehicle rollover on Pigeon Lake Road around 8:30 a.m. near Downeyville.

Colacci was transported to the hospital from the scene where she later passed away. 

Kindergarten teacher Patricia Campbell says she worked together with Colacci for years, calling her both a friend and a colleague.

“If you knew Lucia, you knew that her presence was undeniable. When she walked into a room, she oozed confidence, enthusiasm, and self-assurance,” said Campbell. “She had a big smile, a big voice, and an even bigger personality but her students never felt intimidated by her. That was because in addition to being a great speaker, Lucia was also a great listener and an even better observer.”

Campbell and Colacci worked together at St. John Paul II and previously at St. Dominic CES.

“Lucia was the kind of educator that all educators aspire to be. Over the course of her teaching career she motivated and inspired hundreds of young people and she undoubtedly left a lasting impression on each and every one of them. Lucia had a way of breaking down walls and reaching even the most reluctant of learners. In her classroom, everyone was seen. Nobody was forgotten or ignored. Lucia made each of her students feel valued, respected, and cared for,” continued Campbell. “Her absence will be felt deeply. In our community, in our school, in our hearts. But even in her absence, Lucia will continue to teach all of us; about generosity, kindness, empathy, patience and faith, along with a multitude of other things. We were all blessed beyond measure to know her.”

Additional social workers were assigned to the school on Tuesday and are available for any students who require additional support.

Mental health support is offered through the Kids Helpline 24/7. Text CONNECT to 686868, or call toll-free at 1-800-668-6868.

The school’s flag was lowered at half-mast to honour Colacci’s memory.

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Fall Open House at Trent University on Nov. 4 and 12

Trent University welcomes future students and their guests to explore their campus during fall open houses on Nov. 4 and Nov. 12.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

Guests can tour the campuses and residences, explore paid co-op streams, meet current students and profs and apply on the spot.

Trent’s open houses at the Peterborough (Nov. 4) and Durham Greater Toronto Area (Nov. 12) campuses will feature a full academic and student services fair, mini-lectures, program sessions and the opportunity to tour Trent’s campuses and student residences.

This is the first fall open house event held in person since 2019.

“Our fall open house events offer an ideal opportunity for future students to gather information for making important decisions about their postsecondary journey, and get a feel for life on campus," said Marilyn Burns, Trent vice president of communications and enrolment. "Our current students, professors and staff really enjoy helping future students and their families learn about what makes the Trent experience so unique in preparing our grads for success."

All students who attend will be entered to win their first year’s tuition for free.

For more information and to register, visit https://www.trentu.ca/futurestudents/openhouse.

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Peterborough School Boards to Close Friday If CUPE Staff Strike Cannot Reach Agreement

Peterborough public and Catholic school boards could be closed on Friday to in-person learning as Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) plans to engage in a full withdrawal of services from schools on Friday.

Photo courtesy of PVNC.

The closures will occur if school boards cannot reach an agreement by Friday.

The Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic School Board (PVNC) and Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) have release the following statement regarding school closures:

“Please know, we do not make this decision lightly and we understand the impact this will have on families. Without CUPE workers on-site, however, we simply cannot ensure safe conditions for all students and staff.”

The statement continues that this course of action is appropriate based on the following considerations:

• supervision of students;

• medical support and care for all students;

• safe operation of water and sanitation systems, including required water flushing;

• conditions of school buildings and classrooms, and

• overall safety and security.

CUPE represents 55,000 employees that represents custodians, maintenance staff, secretaries, educational assistants, early childhood educators, learning commons specialists, paraprofessionals, central IT employees and more. They are looking for an 11.7 per cent increase in wages and are in a legal strike position starting Thursday. School boards must be given five days’ notice of any possible strike action.

Both school boards believe negotiations between the province and CUPE could go into late Thursday night.

Stephen Lecce, Ontario minister of education is adamant about keeping kids in the classroom and wants CUPE to withdraw their strike.

“In response to CUPE’s decision to strike, our government introduced legislation that will keep kids in class,” said Leece. “I’m again calling on CUPE to immediately withdraw this strike and work with us to keep kids in the classroom. Otherwise, to make sure schools don’t close, we have no choice but to proceed with legislation.”

I'm calling on CUPE to immediately cancel this strike that will only hurt our kids. pic.twitter.com/Sd851X2tyN

— Stephen Lecce (@Sflecce) November 2, 2022

If schools close on Friday, PVNC and KPRDSB will have students will transition to remote, asynchronous learning from home.

Both boards are beginning to collect information from families who require additional technology and distributing technology to students prior to Friday according to a statement issued by PVNC and KPRDSB.

On Friday, classroom teachers will connect with students through their regular communication platforms (e.g. Google Classrooms). The asynchronous model provides flexibility for families as teachers will be providing work that can be completed by students at any time during the day.

For students enrolled in virtual schools, programming will proceed as usual.

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Peterborough Petes To Host Diabetes Awareness Night For Nov. 24 Game

The Peterborough Petes are hosting a Diabetes Night to raise funds and awareness of the disease for their Nov. 24 game against the Sudbury Wolves announced at the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame on Wednesday.

Peterborough Petes goaltender Michael Simpson (left); Travis Vaughan, Tandem Diabetes Care territory manager and Morgan Blaind, Petes coordinator, marketing and community engagement (right). Simpson was diagnosed with Type-1 diabetes since h was three years old. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The game is in partnership with Tandem Diabetes Care that will aid affected children and send them to D-camp, a two-week overnight camp for children with diabetes. The initiate was introduced by Petes goalie, Michael Simpson, who was diagnosed with Type-1 diabetes since he was three years old.

When Simpson was growing up, he looked up to NHL player Max Domi during his stint with the London Knights and also was diagnosed with Type-1 Diabetes. The Petes goaltender wants to be a role model for local communities with his story.

“Seeing him thrive, get drafted to the NHL, now he's playing in the NHL, see how he had diabetes and that it didn't stop him, seeing it motivated and that's something I want to bring to the Peterborough area,” said Simpson. “They might not want be a goalie in hockey, they may want to be a soccer player or something that they're dreaming of being. I want them to be able to look at my story say, 'I can do this.’”

Anyone can donate in-person at the game or online. The game will feature a silent auction for a game-worn Simpson jersey and a chuck-a-puck, with all proceeds going towards D-Camp registration fees.

“We’re very excited for Michael,” said Morgan Blaind, Petes coordinator, marketing and community engagement. “When he approached me to help him with this initiative, I knew we had to make his vision a reality.”

“Michael has led the way on this the whole way through,” Travis Vaughan, Tandem Diabetes Care territory manager. “It’s for a great cause in Diabetes Canada and D-camp and we’re really happy to support that. We’re really excited about the game.”

Fans are encouraged to wear blue on game night — as it’s the official colour of Diabetes Month — where the arena will be lit in the same colour in honour of the cause.

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Peterborough Petes Mourn the Loss of Alumnus Brent Pope

The Peterborough Petes are mourning the loss of alumnus Brent Pope, who after battling with cancer, has passed away at 49 on Tuesday.

Pope debuted with the Petes that had NHLer Mike Ricci and Petes assistant coach Andrew Verner on hte same roster. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Pope spent parts of two seasons with the Petes from 1989-'91. He has been with the Hamilton Dukes, Guelph Storm and Ottawa 67’s over a four year Ontario Hockey League (OHL) career. In UK Ice Hockey from 1996-2017, he sever as a as a player, coach, managing director and broadcaster in the United Kingdom.

Pope was drafted by the Petes in the third round of the 1989 OHL Priority Selection from the Grimsby Peach Kings Jr. C Hockey Club. He debuted with the Petes during the 1989-90 season for 31 games.

The defenceman had seven assists in his rookie season in the OHL. He had three goals and 11 assists in just 29 games the following year before moving on to his hometown Hamilton Dukes. Pope played in 213 games, scoring 29 goals and 84 assists for 113 points in his OHL career.

Pope spent time in the AHL and ECHL before moving to England after his OHL career. Most of his English career was spent with the Cardiff Devils, where he played and served as head coach and managing director. 

He turned to broadcasting afterwards, serving as one for BBC Sport at the 2006 Turin, 2010 Vancouver and 2014 Sochi Olympic Winter Games, covering hockey. He also worked for the Olympic Broadcast Service, covering multiple sports at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Following that, he served as Head of English Commentary for the Champions Hockey League from 2014-17.

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Flu Shot Available at Peterborough Public Health and Local Pharmacies

The influenza vaccine is available to Ontario residents over the age of six months, announced by Peterborough Public Health (PPH) on Wednesday.

File photo.

“Flu activity has started in the Peterborough region. Two facility outbreaks of the season have already been declared and community cases are expected to increase as the weather gets colder and people spend more time indoors,” says Dr. Thomas Piggott, PPH medical officer of health. “Layering on the same protections that have worked against COVID-19, such as masking with an N95/KN95 mask, staying home when sick and now receiving a flu shot are the best ways to protect yourself and your family from severe illness from the influenza virus.”

PPH is providing influenza vaccine clinics for children ages six months to two years and their household members who do not have a local primary care provider. They are held on Nov. 8, Dec. 13 and Jan. 10 from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

PPH is also providing a community influenza vaccine clinic at the Cavan Monaghan Community Centre on Nov. 17 from 3:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.

The following is a list of participating pharmacies:

• Apsley Pharmacy, 168 Burleigh St., Apsley 705-656-3301

• Aylmer St. Pharmacy, 296 Aylmer St. N., Peterborough 705-741-1646

• Bridgenorth Pharmacy, 871 Ward St., Bridgenorth 705-292-7200

• Brookdale IDA Pharmacy, 829 Chemong Rd., Peterborough 705-874-7128

• Burnham Medical Pharmacy, 370 Burnham St., Peterborough 705-741-1199

• Care Rx, 555 George St. N. Unit 3., Peterborough 705-749-5888

• Centennial Pharmacy, 2375 County Rd. 45, Norwood 705-639-5535

• Charlotte Care Pharmacy, 270 Charlotte St., Peterborough 705-536-7777

• Costco Pharmacy, 485 The Parkway, Peterborough 705-750-2609

• Fadhil Pharmacy, 184 Marina Blvd., Peterborough 705-743-1004

• Kashyap’s Pharmasave, 1040 Lansdowne St. West, Peterborough 705-742-2461

• Keene Drug Mart, 1105 Heritage Line, Keene 705-295-9800

• Kinmount Pharmacy, 31 County Rd. 503, Kinmount 705-488-1960

• Havelock Community Pharmacy, 16 Ottawa St. West, Havelock 705-778-3368

• Havelock Pharmacy, 44 Ottawa St. W., Havelock 705-778-3851

• High St. Guardian Pharmacy, 815 High St., Peterborough 705-874-8080

• Lakefield IDA Pharmacy, 32 Queen St. Lakefield 705-652-8184

• Lansdowne Pharmacy Remedy’s Rx, 196 Lansdowne St. E. Peterborough 705-874-1011

• Loblaw Pharmacy (Independent), 400 Lansdowne St. E. Peterborough 705-740-0263

• Loblaw Pharmacy (No Frills), 230 George St. N., Peterborough 705-741-2401

• Loblaw Pharmacy (Superstore), 769 Borden Ave., Peterborough 705-748-6020

• Mather & Bell Pharmacy, 769 Park St. S., Peterborough 705-745-4770

• Medical Centre Pharmacy, 707 Charlotte St., Peterborough 705-743-3484

• Medicine Shoppe, 860 Chemong Rd., Peterborough 705-743-8443

• Peterborough Hospital Pharmacy, 1 Hospital Dr., Peterborough 705-749-0008

• Pharmasave The Clinic Pharmacy, 26 Hospital Dr. Peterborough 705-748-5859

• Rexall, 1154 Chemong Rd., Peterborough 705-742-7616

• Rexall, 85 George St. N., Peterborough 705-748-9733

• Sherbrooke Heights Pharmacy, 1625 Sherbrooke St. W., Peterborough 705-748-9800

• Shoppers Drug Mart, 250 Charlotte St., Peterborough 705-743-3541

• Shoppers Drug Mart, 971 Chemong Rd., Peterborough 705-745-2401

• Shoppers Drug Mart, 1875 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough 705-749-6547

• Shoppers Drug Mart, 741 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough 705-748-6141

• Shoppers Simply Pharmacy, 361 George St. N., Peterborough 705-742-3002

• Sobeys Pharmacy, 1200 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough 705-748-5309

• Sullivan’s I.D.A. Pharmacy, 71 Hunter St. E., Peterborough 705-742-3469

• Village Pharmacy, 135 Queen St., Lakefield 705-652-3300

• Walmart Pharmacy, 950 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough 705-742-9204

• Walmart Pharmacy, 1002 Chemong Rd., Peterborough 705-742-5566

• Westmount Pharmacy, 1293 Clonsilla Ave. Peterborough 705-741-5008

Eligible residents can book an appointment at a PPH clinic by calling 705-743-1000 ext. 331.

PPH reminds everyone that children ages six months to under five years should not receive any other vaccine, including the influenza vaccine, 14 days before or after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Anyone aged five and older can get their COVID-19 and influenza vaccine on the same day. The flu shot is not being offered at the Peterborough Public Health COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics.

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The Santa Claus Parade in the Village of Warsaw Returns

The Township of Douro-Dummer will host its annual Santa Claus Parade in the Village of Warsaw on Nov. 26 after a 2-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Photo courtesy of the Township of Douro-Dummer.

The parade will depart from the Warsaw Public Works Depot (1402 County Rd 4) at 5:00 p.m., and travel south to the Township Office, go right on Ford Street, right on Peterborough Street, right on Mill Street and left to return to the Public Works Depot.

Following the parade Millennium Park beside the Township Office (894 South St) will have treats, Christmas music, the tree lighting ceremony and visits with Santa.

Donations of crocheted or knitted mitts, scarves, toques or small lap blankets are welcome and will be donated to seniors to provide warmth and comfort. Donations can be put in plastic bags and dropped off at the Township Office, or brought to the tree lighting ceremony after the parade. The parade’s theme this year is “Together Again”.

Residents in the village are encouraged to have their Christmas lights up in an effort to light up the night and get into the holiday spirit.

Tickets to win a Gingerbread House can be purchased for $2 each or 3 for $5 and proceeds will be split between St. Joseph Catholic School and Warsaw Public School to support their breakfast programs.

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Peterborough Police Seeking Missing 21-Year-Old Woman

Updated: 9:43 a.m., Nov. 3, 2022

Peterborough Police is seeking information about locating 21-year-old Sabrina Blue Wilson who was reported missing on Wednesday.

She was last seen by family on Friday and has been known to visit Toronto or Ottawa. 

She is described as:

• Green hair

• Black hoodie

• White shoes

• Manual wheelchair

• Brindle coloured dog

Anyone with information is asked to call Peterborough Police at 705-876-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.stopcrimehere.ca

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Voice of Business: A Healthy Workforce Drives Efficient and Productive Businesses

When it comes to investing in our businesses, some areas are easier to convert to dollars and cents return on investment.

In a time when many businesses are struggling to attract talent, it’s critical that we invest in the workforce we have. According to JobSage, 28 per cent of surveyed workers left their jobs due to poor mental health.

According to a report from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), it’s estimated that 12 billion worked days are lost every year to depression and anxiety, costing about $1 trillion US in lost productivity.

According to Occupational Health and Safety Canada Magazine, mental health services cost Canada $50 billion annually, with $20 billion stemming directly from workplace trauma. Deloitte found poor mental health accounts for 30 – 40 per cent of short-term disability claims and 30 per cent of long-term disability claims.

Poor work environments, including discrimination, inequality, excessive workloads, low job control and job insecurity all pose risks to mental health. This all comes on top of stresses from home and more than two years of dealing with a global pandemic.

While mental health struggles happen outside of the work environment, the nature of our place of work being where many of us spend more waking hours than anywhere else means that whether or not the workplace is contributing to the situation, it certainly plays a role in how someone is able to deal with it.

According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada:

Workplaces can play an essential part in maintaining positive mental health. They can give people the opportunity to feel productive and be a strong contributor to employee wellbeing. Yet it can also be a stressful environment that contributes to the rise of mental health problems and illnesses. No workplace is immune from these risks and we cannot afford to limit our definition of occupational health and safety to only the physical.

The CMHA offers a number of workplace mental health solutions for employers across Canada:

Not Myself Today: Through this employee wellness platform, employees can access helpful tips, learning modules and other resources to improve their mental health at work. The platform helps to build an open and supportive workplace by cultivating meaningful conversations and deeper understanding about mental health and wellness in the workplace.

Customized Training: CMHA offers in-person or virtual workshops based on the needs and interests of your employees. From building resilience and managing stress, to returning to work and coping with change, their facilitators can work with you to deliver the right workplace mental health training for your team.

Psychological Health & Safety Courses: Psychological Health & Safety training is designed for individuals who are working to improve psychological health and safety in their workplaces and/or to implement the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace.

It’s often easier to see the direct results of investing in skills, training and the physical health of our workforce. But mental health is too big of a deal not to invest in. These investments can lower turnover, increase productivity, and reduce absenteeism. A mentally healthy workplace is not just going to show up, but be there ready to engage, innovate and help a business thrive.

Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.

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An Evening of Stand-Up Comedy in Support of the YES Shelter for Youth and Families

Support the YES Shelter for Youth and Families at the live two-show comedy event at Gerti’s Restaurant on Dec. 1.

Photo courtesy of Phillip Jolicoeur.

Stand-up comedians Brad Bryans and Ernie Vicente will be opening for headlining comedian Casey Corbin (Just for Laughs, Comedy Now, MTV, SiriusXM) during the two live shows.

Each show is over an hour of stand-up comedy accompanied by a dinner, chosen from a limited menu. 100% of ticket and dinner profits will go to supporting YES.

YES offers many services for those ages 16 to 24 and families, including a 24-hour staffed shelter equipped with 30 beds.

“YES is profoundly under-resourced as the primary agency serving youth and families experiencing homelessness in Peterborough. We depend on our community to help keep us here to offer safety and support out of crisis. Events like Phil's Comedy Show at Gerti's not only helps our downtown revitalize, but also helps to provide much-needed recovery to those of us who are struggling,” said Brooke Erickson, development lead at the YES Shelter for Youth and Families.

Early show dinner is to start at 5 p.m. with the show beginning at 6:15 p.m., and the late show will serve dinner at 8 p.m. and start at 9:15 p.m at Gerti’s (225 Hunter St W, Peterborough) on Dec. 1.

Show tickets are $60 each, available at https://www.eventbrite.ca/o/phillip-jolicoeur-30925617501.

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