Wolfe Lawyers Free Holiday Parking Program Raises Over $13,000 for Kawartha Food Share

Wolfe Lawyers raised $13,851.95 for Kawartha Food Share (KFS) through their Free Holiday Parking Program that ran from Nov. 25 to Dec. 31 in a cheque presentation on Wednesday.

Kawartha Food Share currently assists more than 9,000 people every month through its 36 member agencies. It supports four meal programs, seven city food banks, six housing projects, seven county food banks and over 20 food cupboards across the City and County of Peterborough.  Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Residents were able to park in all downtown municipal parking spaces including on-street parking, municipal parking lots, the King Street Parking Garage and the Simcoe Street Parking Garage. Any paid parking fees at pay-and-display machines, parking meters or via the HotSpot App during the free two-hour period were donated to KFS.

“We are so thankful for the continued support of the City of Peterborough and the local shoppers for donating to Kawartha Food Share each and every December,” said Ashlee Aitken, KFS general manager. “This year, more than ever before, we needed this donation to help us restock our shelves.”

The program encouraged residents to do their holiday shopping locally and to help raise money to support KFS.

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Trent University Hosting 2023 Ontario University Athletics Men’s Curling Championship Feb. 10 - 12

Trent University is hosting the 2023 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) men’s curling championship at the Peterborough Curling Club (PCC) from Feb. 10 - 12 announced on Wednesday.

(From left to right, back row) Chris Inglis, Matthew Mayede, Zachary Harrison, Mack Quick, coach Brad Robinson. (From left to right, Front Row) Maxim Tandon, Edward Bridger. Photo courtesy of Lexi Thivierge and Trent University.

“We’re thrilled to be hosting the OUA Championships for men’s curling and grateful for our collaboration with the Peterborough Curling Club that has allowed us to use their facilities,” said Sarah Batley, Trent Athletics & Recreation assistant director of sport and student Engagement. “This will be a great opportunity for us and the community to cheer on our Excalibur athletes at home as they chase an OUA championship title.”

The weekend features 16 Ontario universities competing for a spot in the gold medal draw held on Sunday at 2 p.m. This includes a strong Trent men’s tear as they brought home Trent’s first-ever OUA championship curling banner.

“Playing host to Ontario's top young curlers is a great honour and we are very excited that we get to compete against them in our hometown,” said Brad Robinson, Men’s Trent Excalibur curling head coach. “The curling community in Peterborough and the surrounding area has always been strong and we look forward to having their hometown support throughout the event. Our squad is a mix of veteran and rookie talent that we are excited about. I know they will represent Trent with great talent and class as the host team.”

Peterborough Mayor Jeff Leal, Batley and the rest of the Trent Athletics Department welcome competitors and spectators to the bonspiel during the opening ceremony at 11:30 a.m. on Friday.

The first draw of the tournament will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Friday as is free to all spectators. This is a free event, open to spectators. Full weekend schedule available at Trent Varsity’s website.

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PVNC School Board and CUPE Local 1453 Reach Local Collective Agreement

Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board announces that it has reached a local collective agreement with CUPE Local 1453, approved on Feb. 7.

file photo.

PVNC employs about 800 CUPE members, representing support staff such as custodians, maintenance staff, secretaries, educational assistants, early childhood educators, learning commons specialists, paraprofessionals and central IT employees among others.

A tentative agreement was reached on Jan. 24 after eight days of local bargaining, and it was ratified by local CUPE members on Jan. 28. Trustees approved the agreement during a special board meeting held on Feb. 7.

“This agreement is a reflection of a commitment to working together to negotiate in good faith and reach a deal that benefits the Board and CUPE Local 1453 members. I am pleased that a deal was reached, and I couldn't be happier for the members of CUPE Local 1453,” said Nora Shaughnessy, president of CUPE Local 1453.

CUPE and the Ontario government reached a tentative central agreement in November, which was ratified by the union in December.

The collective bargaining framework for the education sector features a two-tier bargaining process involving both central and local bargaining. Central bargaining typically includes significant monetary and policy issues (e.g. compensation, benefits and paid leaves), while local negotiations typically involve non-monetary issues or matters specific to the local board.

“We are so pleased to have reached this agreement with our dedicated support workers. It’s an indication of the strong working relationship we enjoy with our CUPE partners,” said Joan Carragher, director of education. “I thank all the hard-working members of the bargaining teams on both sides for their dedication to the process and their spirit of collaboration and cooperation.”

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Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre Reports $5.4 Million lost in Scams; Peterborough Police Provide Tips To Protect Yourself

With the Grandparent Scam circulating recently, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre has reported $5.4M lost to emergency scams in 2022, released on Wednesday.

File Photo.

Peterborough Police received numerous calls regarding the scam, taking reports about anyone receiving phone calls and those calling to report that money was exchanged.

In one of the most recent calls at the end of January, a local resident had reportedly lost $15,000. 

The Police Service reminds residents to talk to their family members and their networks about the scam to raise awareness. 

While scams can vary, an example of it is where the potential victim is told that their grandchild is in Peterborough Police custody and requires money for bond.

The scammers then request money be sent or indicate that the potential victim call them back when they have the money to set up a time to hand it over.

Peterborough Police, or any other law enforcement official, will never request money over the phone or have a courier pick up money.

What to do if you receive a call:

• Do not provide any personal information

• Do not hand any money over

• Remember police will never go to your door to ask for money nor would they ask money to be given to a courier

• Stay calm even if the suspect is pressuring and indicating this is an urgent matter

• Take the time to check the facts with family

• If you are concerned it’s a scam call police or a person you trust immediately

• Report the scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm

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Dave Warda Begins Two-Year Term As President of Peterborough & District Labour Council

Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation’s Dave Warda has started his two-year term as President of the Peterborough & District Labour Council announced by the latter on Wednesday.

Warda with the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation protesting outside MPP Dave Smith’s office regarding education cuts back in February of 2020. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough & District Labour Council.

His vision is of solidarity among the many Peterborough area unions and a focus on local issues.

“Housing insecurity, affordability and an investment in public services are national and provincial issues, but we also face these issues every day here in the city and county of Peterborough,” said Warda.

According to a press release, Council has already begun planning for its annual events – Day of Mourning on April 28 and Labour Day

Joining him on the Labour Council is Vice President Erin Leonard, Recording Secretary Andrea Pade, Treasurer Andy Butler, Sgt.-At-Arms Betty Cree and Members-At-Large Marion Burton, Wendy Goodes, Hilarie LaFave, Yvonne LaRose and Marcia Steeves.

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Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas Appoints Interim CEO Nicole Stephenson

Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas (the ‘Organization’) has appointed an interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) while the search for a permanent leader continues.

photo courtesy of innovation cluster peterborough and the kawarthas.

The board has appointed current Chairperson Nicole Stephenson, J.D., LL.M., as interim CEO to provide seamless leadership continuity and operational management of the Innovation Cluster. Stephenson's appointment follows Michael Skinner and John Gillis' decision to resign after many years of outstanding leadership and contribution to the community.

Stephenson is the founder of Stephenson Law Group, with over 15 years of Canadian capital markets experience. Before founding the group, Nicole spent over twelve years at the Ontario Securities Commission, a Canadian stock exchange and in private practice at a corporate and securities law boutique.

Stephenson has been a Board Director since May 2019, was appointed Executive Chair in May 2021. She has also served as a knowledge partner of the Innovation Cluster since 2017.

“We're fortunate to have an experienced and highly capable operational team with which the board will invest and partner. I look forward to working closely with them as we recruit a new Chief Executive Officer,” said Stephenson.

She will serve as interim CEO for up to six months, with Bill Davie, current Vice Chair of the Innovation Cluster, stepping in to serve as Acting Chairperson of the Board for the same period of time.  

The board continues to conduct the CEO search.

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Trent Excalibur Volleyball and Curling Weekend Recap

Trent’s volleyball and curling excalibur teams competed in a number of different championship games this past weekend, recapped below.

photo courtesy of Trent excalibur.

Excalibur volleyball faced the York University Lions during a home game on Feb. 3. The women’s team put up a good fight, with a slow start and very competitive 2nd and 3rd sets. The Lions ultimately won the match 3-0.

The men’s team fell to the Lions as well with a score of 1-3.

Excalibur volleyball will play their final home games Feb. 18 and 19 against the Brock Badgers.

In curling, the excalibur women’s team competed in the OUA Championships hosted by Ontario Tech University.

The women went undefeated in round robin play and entered playoffs as the overall number one seed and with the best LSD (last shot draw) score out of the undefeated teams.

Trent lost 4-3 in a closely contested quarterfinal game against Laurentian University. The game came down to the last rock in the eighth end.

Trent men’s curling will host the Men’s OUA Curling Championships at the Peterborough Curling Club Feb. 10 to 12.

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City Council Endorsing Five-Year Agreement For Lakers Lacrosse Association To Use the Peterborough Memorial Centre

Council has endorsed a new five-year agreement between the City of Peterborough and Lakers Lacrosse Association Inc. to use the Peterborough Memorial Centre including box office services and game-day expenses at Monday’s Council meeting.

File Photo.

Terms of the agreement would include:

• A five-year term starting April 1

• A fixed-rate rental fee for use of the facility for $1,607 plus tax, increased annually based on inflation

• A fixed-rate fee for game day expenses of $4,636 plus tax for each game, increasingly annually based on inflation

• A per-ticket fee on all Lakers tickets for Box Office charges that would be $1 plus tax to start, increasing to $1.50 plus tax in the third year of the agreement on April 1, 2025 and increasing to $2 plus tax in the fifth year of the agreement on April 1, 2027

• A per-ticket capital refurbishment fund fee on all Lakers tickets in the amount of $1.50 plus tax

• A per-order charge of $2.50 plus tax on all Lakers ticket orders

• Recovery by the City of bank charges of 2.75 per cent on tickets purchased by credit card on a per-game basis

• Recovery by the City from the Lakers on applicable Music Tariff charges

• The Lakers receiving from the City 50 per cent of the City's share of gross revenues from food and beverage sales at Lakers games

• The Lakers would be able to sell in-game sponsorship in temporary, non-obstructing locations during Lakers games

• The City would assist the Lakers with the purchase of a new carpet playing surface by providing an interest-free loan of 50 per cent of the cost, up to a maximum of $150,000, that would be repaid in annual increments over the five-year agreement

The new agreement structure considers the requirement to continue to rebuild ticket sales over the next two years from COVID-19 disruptions by maintaining the per-ticket service charge with no increase until 2025.

The revenues to be received through a fixed-rate rental agreement total roughly $75,700 increasing annually by the rate of inflation sourced from the Statistics Canada Consumer Price Index. Revenue received from the per-ticket fees are estimated to be in excess of $102,000 in the first year and increase to an estimated amount in excess of $142,000 in the third year of the agreement based on an average number of 16 games per season.

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Two-Car Collision Results In Front Window Convenience Store Crash; 52-Year-Old Driver Charged with Failing to Stop at a Red Light

A two-car collision that resulted in a crash into a Circle K on a McDonnel Street and Aylmer Street intersection that occurred around 8:15 a.m. Tuesday as reported by Peterborough Police Service.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The collision resulted in one of the vehicles crashing into the Circle K’s storefront, damaging several windows. No serious injuries were reported during the accident however one person was taken to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre as a precaution.

A 52-year-old driver was charged with failing to stop for a red light as a result of the incident. 

Circle K at 235 McDonnell St. is temporarily closed as a result of the accident as Kawartha Glass cleans up the shards.

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Local Boy Becomes Honourary Assistant Coach For Peterborough Petes on Family Day

Seven-year-old Talon is lending the Peterborough Petes coaching staff a hand as he will be an honourary assistant coach for the team on Family Day (Feb. 20).

Blake (left) and Talon (right) with Peterborough Pete Konnor Smith (middle). Both Talon and Blake will serve as assistant coach and scout respectively for the Petes in a partnership with Five Counties for the upcoming Family Day matinee match against Sudbury.  Photo courtesy of FCCC.

The new coaching staff addition is part of a partnership between the Petes and Five Counties Children’s Centre (FCCC).

Talon has been receiving therapy at FCCC and has been diagnosed with O.D.D. (oppositional defiance disorder) and ADHD. He has also at risk of a learning disability.

Part of the game’s proceeds will support FCCC’s work to provide physio, occupational and speech therapy, as well as other services, to more than 6,000 children and youth in the region according to a press release.

“Talon has said to me, ‘you mean I get to tell the team to work hard and they have to listen?” said Kristen, Talon’s mother.

Talon's older brother Blake is serving as an honourary scout at the same game as part of the Petes’ Next Gen program. Blake has been a client at FCCC for five years.

The Petes’ Family Day game is against the Sudbury Wolves on Feb. 20.

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