Six New Constables Have Been Sworn-In to Peterborough Police Service

Six new constables have been welcomed into the Peterborough Police Service, were officially sworn in and received their badges in a ceremony at Peterborough City Hall on Monday.

(form left to right) Constable Jeremy Avey Constable John Bangay, Constable Christopher Cox, Constable Blake Harris, Constable Daniel Hicks and Constable Dominic Moukarzel are the newest recruits to the PEterborough Police Service. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Police Service.

The following are the newest officers to Peterborough, Lakefield, and Cavan-Monaghan. 

• Constable Jeremy Avey

• Constable John Bangay

• Constable Christopher Cox

• Constable Blake Harris

• Constable Daniel Hicks

• Constable Dominic Moukarzel

The group recently completed basic training at Ontario Police College and was able to have their family and friends attend their ceremony.

“Congratulation to our new recruits, the Peterborough Police Service welcomes you,” said Tim Farquharson, acting chief of police. “We are excited to have you and look forward to you learning and being a part of the Peterborough community.” 

Peterborough Police Services Board Members Drew Merrett and Mayor Jeff Leal were in attendance, welcoming the group to the community and thanking them for their commitment to community service.

These new officers come to the Service from various fields including corrections, security, customer service management, sales, and have volunteer experience with auxiliary units.  They have post-secondary degrees in commerce, sports management, forensics, and police foundations.

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Fleming College Students Earn Global Recognition Through International Business Competition

Three Fleming College teams were ranked within the top global 100 during the Glo-Bus international business competition in November.

Fleming College has more than 6,800 full-time and 10,000 part-time students and 80,000 alumni. Photo courtesy of Fleming college, Facebook.

The competition ran from Oct. 1 to Nov. 27, and the students competed against 2,076 teams from 108 colleges and universities from around the world. Students were tasked with running companies which compete for global market leadership in two product categories-high quality wearable cameras and sophisticated, camera-equipped copter drones.  

Teams had two practice rounds followed by seven weeks of competition over a period of nine weeks. Each round represented one business year. During the week’s final competition, three Fleming teams placed within the top 100.  

C Company, made up of Fleming College students Benjamin Allan Gomes, Fathimathzuhara Makkara Thazha Kuni, Yasir Mukhtar and Subhasis Samuel Xess were recognized as having the 57th-best Return on Average Equity for the week.  

Sri Subrahmanyam Ayyagari, Polash Karmokar and Jaya Surya Sangaraju Mohan, who made up Company A, were recognized for having the 75th Best Stock Price of the week.  

The co-managers of Company B, The Road Runners, made up of Fleming students Rohan Ashutosh Jokhakar, Priya Prem Kumar, Gagandeep Singh Tiwana and Navroz Vyas, were recognized for their overall Game-To-Date score, tying for the 97th spot.   

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Ryan Reynolds Sends Encouragement Video To 14-Year-Old Whose Family Died in Highway 7 Crash

Renowned Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds sent a video of encouragement to 14-year-old Rowghan MacHart who suffered critical injuries and lost her family in a Highway 7 crash in late November.

(from left to right) Johnathan MacDonnell, Rowghan MacHart, Riddick Hart and Stefphanie Hart. The family accident occurred near the Blue Jay Motel in Otonabee-South Monaghan Township. Photo courtesy of Kathryn Wilson.

According to the GoFundMe page run by MacHart’s cousin Tanya Hart, the video was sent to her on Thursday that, ‘brought a smile to her face.’

The update says MacHart has undergone five surgeries in the span of just over three weeks.

“Rowghan is so strong and hasn’t complained once,” said Hart on the GoFundMe page. “She has smiled and made jokes, continuing to amaze the doctors, nurses and everyone that surrounds her.”

On the evening of Nov. 22, Rowghan lost her father Jonathan MacDonnell, mother Stefphanie Hart and brother 18-year-old Riddick Hart (also known as the MacHarts) to a head-on crash with a pickup truck. The truck driver was identified as Jason Schmidt of Hastings who also died as a result of the accident.

Rowghan was airlifted to SickKids hospital after the accident as the only survivor. After her third stomach surgery, doctors fear she may never be able to talk again according to a GoFundMe update.

The GoFundMe was originally created to costs and care for Rowghan. The $10,000 was shattered and over $87,000 was raised. A funeral for the three lost family members has been postponed until Rowghan is well enough to attend.

“We are sorry that we have to delay the services for Stefphanie, Jon and Riddick into the new year,” said Tanya. “However, it is so important that Rowghan be healthy and stable enough to be in attendance, in order to continue to process and grieve her beloved family.”

A second GoFundMe was created on Nov. 23 by Kathryn Wilson to help cover Rowghan’s grandparents’ expenses while they are in Toronto with her. The GoFundMe is paying for the hotel, food costs and planning of three funerals. Roughly just under $9,000 has been raised of the $10,000 goal.

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City Services Offered With Modified Holiday Hours in Peterborough

Various City of Peterborough services will be offering modified hours, with some closures, over the holidays from Friday to Jan. 3.

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.

City Hall, including the Tax Office, Clerk’s Office, Building Services and Planning and the Heritage Preservation Office will be closed starting at noon on Dec. 23, reopening with regular hours on Jan. 3.

While the Social Services administration office is closed over the holiday period, individuals can phone 705-926-0096 at any time for emergency shelter services. City-operated childcare programs will be closed starting at noon on Dec. 23 and reopen with regular hours on Jan. 3.

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

The Quaker Foods City Square outdoor rink is open most days from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. On Dec. 24 the rink is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Unscheduled rink closures may be required due to inclement weather and ice conditions.

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

Closed from noon on Dec. 23 until 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 3:

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

• Social Services office

Regular hours for most City services resume on Jan. 3. Online services are available at www.peterborough.ca.

For the full list of service hours, visit the City of Peterborough website.

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Ontario Government Funding Peterborough Police Over $230,000 To Fight Auto Theft in Peterborough and Lakefield

The Ontario Government has provided $232,449 to the Peterborough Police Service to fight crime, including auto theft in Peterborough and Lakefield announced on Monday.

Photo by Samantha Bianco.

Police are using the funds to acquire Licence Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology – a system using cameras that automatically scan licence plates. The system is installed on active-duty police cruisers and alerts officers to stolen or expired plates or plates registered to suspended drivers. The system can also notify officers of missing and wanted persons and vehicles associated with AMBER alerts.

“Investing in the latest technology strengthens the ability of the Peterborough Police to fight crime on our streets. Officers can quickly and more efficiently identify and act against individuals driving illegally, prevent auto theft, and keep our streets safe,” said MPP Dave Smith. “Automated Licence Plate Recognition Technology is yet another tool we’ve equipped our police service with to reduce crime in our community.”

In May, the Onvatio Government funded just under $3 million over three years to strengthen and expand the Peterborough Police Services’ Special Victims Unit. This funding enabled advanced training for officers, improve data collection and hired a major crimes investigator. A $185,505 grant was given to police to purchase and install CCTV technology to improve efforts to combat gun and gang violence in downtown Peterborough.

The Automated Licence Plate Recognition Technology Grant is a one-time grant to help police services strengthen roadside law enforcement efforts and improve public safety across the province.

“This investment further demonstrates our government’s plan to ensure police services across Ontario have the resources and equipment they need to keep our communities safe,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “I am confident that this tool will be a tremendous asset to police services and help them combat incidents of auto theft and enhance public safety.”

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The Avant-Garden Shop Celebrates 20 Years in Peterborough

The Avant-Garden Shop celebrates 20 years of business; opening its doors in Downtown Peterborough on Dec. 12, 2002.

Proud shop owner Brenda Ibey. Photo courtesy of The Avant-Garden Shop.

The shop opened on George Street on that date and remained there for three and a half years. As demand grew for bird seed and bird feeders, the owners decided on a location with easier parking, thus prompting their move to the current location at 165 Sherbrooke St.

Over the years, the shop’s sale items extended. From Canadian-made outdoor wall art, hand-tuned wind chimes, east coast and Ontario pewter, garden flags, locally made garden art, jewellery, coasters, candles, quality bird feeders, non-GMO bird seed, birding books, greeting cards and more.

Owner Brenda Ibey has had many successes through her shop; winning four Business Excellence awards including her most recent title of 2022 Business Woman of the Year. The store has also been awarded Best Wild Bird store by Wild Bird Trading who services similar businesses across the country in 2021.

“Truly an honour to be recognized as one of the best birding shops in Canada,” says Avant-Garden in a press release. “Brenda and her team are very appreciative of her wonderful customers over the last 20 years who have supported the business and have helped it to grow to become one of the best gift and birding shops in the area.”

As 2023 approaches, the shop says they plan to continue seeking out unique, Canadian-made items while building on their past successes.

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City of Peterborough Lifts Significant Weather Event Designation After Thursday's Snowstorm

The City of Peterborough lifted its Significant Weather Event designation at 3 p.m. on Sunday after facing over 20 cm of snow from Thursday’s snowstorm.

Photo by David TUan Bui.

The City has reported that snow-clearing efforts are progressing well as snow-clearing crews have been working around the clock since Thursday. The snow clearing is substantially complete according to a press release.

“Thank you to Public Works staff who have worked around the clock in response to the storm to keep our roads, sidewalks and trails safe for motorists and pedestrians. We appreciate your commitment,” said Mayor Jeff Leal.

Additional clean-up will continue on roads, sidewalks, trails and bus stops over the coming days.

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