Douro Boxer Cody Crowley and Kristi MacMillan Announced as Co-Recipients of CMHA's 'Champion of Mental Health Award'

Douro professional boxer Cody Crowley and Kristi MacMillan are co-recipients of the ‘Champion of Mental Health Award’ from the Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) announced at the 2023 Annual Meeting that took place Wednesday.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ESTHER LIN / SHOWTIME.

Crowley has actively advocated for mental health as launched a campaign in memory of his father. Irt raised close to $55,000 for Team 55 Tackles Suicide Awareness for youth mental health. CMHA HKPR says that his dedication to changing the narrative around mental health is exemplary and aligns with their mission of fostering knowledge, hope and belonging for mental health for all.

This year’s Annual Meeting at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club celebrated the organization's growth and success over the past year according to CMHA HKPR.

Other award winners include:

• Kristi MacMillan, co-winner of the Champion of Mental Health Award

• Wanda Findlay, recipient of the Exemplary Values through Direct Service Staff Award

• Tracy Graham, honored with the Administrative Service Staff Award

• Miles Leech, who received the Achievement Through Adversity Award

• Sherryl and Matt Wyatt, winners of the Caregiver Champion Award for Family Members

• Johnathan Hauser, presented with the Maurice Lovnes Volunteer Award

• Impact Recovery and Century Theatre, recipients of the Naresh James Champion of Mental Health Award

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Peterborough County-City Paramedics Get Funding Boost to $9.5 Million From Ontario Government Grant

The Peterborough County-City Paramedics received a boost of $914,328, totalling $9,490,038, for this year’s funding from the Ontario Government’s Land Ambulance Service Grant (LASG) announced at the Selwyn Fire Department (Hall #2) in Lakefield on Friday morning.

MPP Dave Smith (left); Sherry Senis, Peterborough County deputy warden and Randy Mellow, Peterborough County Paramedic Chief at Selwyn Fire Department (Hall #2) in Lakefield making the announcement. The province’s 2023 investment of $811 million in the Land Ambulance Services Grant represents an average funding increase of 11 per cent for municipalities over the last two years. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The investment is part of $811 million in the province to help municipalities facing increased cost pressures in their emergency departments.

“When people call 911, they need to know that paramedics will arrive quickly to meet their needs. A delay in a service call of just minutes can lead to drastically different results,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “The Peterborough County-City Paramedics work hard to deliver emergency medical care. This investment will help all of us receive better service when our loved ones pick up the phone at that critical time.”

This will support hiring additional paramedics, wage and cost of living adjustments and general ambulance services operation to meet the needs of the local community according to Randy Mellow, Peterborough County Paramedic Chief.

“That’s eight full-time paramedics and a number of part-time that support them so they can have vacations and leaves,” he explained. “It’s about a 10 per cent increase in staffing.”

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Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Pride Parade Marches Through Downtown Peterborough This Saturday

The Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Pride Parade Pride Parade is marching through Downtown from City Hall to Millennium Park this Saturday.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Pride.

‘Love. Out. Loud.’ is this year’s theme for the event as it kicks off Pride week for Peterborough Pride. Pre-parade events begin at 1:30 p.m. at City Hall, with the march starting at 2 p.m. According to Peterborough Pride, the walk is one kilometre, followed by a Pride in the Park event which runs until about 5:30 p.m.

“This is a rally cry to be visible and vocal as we face threats from those who wish we would be silent,” said Peterborough Pride in a statement. “We encourage you to embrace the theme in your participation in the parade and throughout Pride Week.”

Map of Peterborough Pride March. SCreenshot courtesy of Peterborough Pride.

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33-Year-Old Man Facing Break-and-Enter Charge and Allegedly Sold Stolen Items

A 33-year-old Peterborough man is facing a break-and-enter charge after an incident on Thursday.

At roughly 6:20 p.m., officers learned of a break-and-enter at an apartment. They learned the suspect had been staying with the victim when the latter returned home and found items missing. It was learned that some of the stolen items had been sold and that the suspect was also wanted on warrants. 

The Peterborough man was arrested on the strength of the warrants and further charged with:

• Break, Enter dwelling house - commit indictable offence

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 10.

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Lang Pioneer Village Celebrates Applefest Held On Oct. 1

Celebrate apples and the harvest season as Lang Pioneer Village is hosting Applefest running on Oct. 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Larry Keeley and Lang Pioneer VIllage.

A scavenger hunt and horse-drawn wagon rides will be available as visitors can learn about how settlers preserved the fall harvest and prepared for the long cold winter.

Several historic demonstrations are throughout the village including natural dyeing, chair caning, flour grinding at the Lang Grist Mill, cider pressing at the Cider Mill, broom making, log hand-hewing, sheep shearing, woodturning by the Peterborough Artisan Centre Wood Turners and more.

An antique clock and timepiece are being put on display brought by the Quinte Timekeepers. The Ayotte Cabin has historic reenactors, the 41st Battalion of Brockville Rifles, 1st Company, performing drills and demonstrating military marching. The Horse Barn is also hosting a threshing demonstration in the morning only.

The Marie Dressler Foundation display will teach everyone more about their upcoming Vintage Film Festival.

The Peterborough County Agricultural Heritage Building is selling chili and buns in the outdoor courtyard with Harvest dances performed by the Peterborough Scottish Country Dancers. An apple pie eating contest will test the stomachs and speed of patrons at 2 p.m. on the Village Green.

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National Tree Day Sees Otonabee Conservation Plant 125 Trees and Shrubs at Peterborough Humane Society

There were 25 community volunteers and staff from Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) and Otonabee Conservation who planted 125 native trees and shrubs at the Peterborough Humane Society Animal Care Centre to celebrate National Tree Day on Wednesday.

Twenty-five volunteers planted native trees and shrubs at the Peterborough Humane society on National Tree Day. Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

Red osier dogwood, ninebark, honey locust, and freeman maple were planted to increase biodiversity and habitat at the site, provide shade and their humans and create a visual and auditory barrier between the road and the outdoor areas used for animal rehabilitation and recreation according to a press release.

“This project is one of the final components for the overall construction phase of the new state-of-the-art Animal Care Centre,” said Shawn Morey, PHS executive director. “Our ongoing partnership with Otonabee Conservation has lead to a total of 925 plants in the ground at our new facility to benefit wildlife and naturalize the property while enhancing our outdoor facilities with shade and natural beauty.”

“Community engagement and support is key to the success of stewardship projects like this,” explained Janette Loveys Smith, Otonabee Conservation CAO. “We are committed to planting trees across the watershed which also helps us locally adapt to climate change. When the community and our corporate partners collaborate to plant trees, we all benefit.”

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City of Peterborough Provides Overflow Shelter Bed Program Update

The City of Peterborough has updated the Overflow Shelter Bed Program.

File Photo.

The Overflow Shelter Bed Program at 210 Wolfe St. will temporarily relocate to the Peterborough Public Library starting Thursday to allow renovations to begin on the Wolfe Street building. It will be converted into a service hub for people experiencing homelessness who will be living in a new Modular Bridge Housing community. 

The Overflow Shelter Bed Program will operate overnight in the lower level of the Library from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily, outside of the regular business hours of the Library at 345 Aylmer St. N., temporarily until the new winter overnight drop-in space operated by One City at Trinity Centre opens this fall. 

With progress underway on the construction and installation of the Modular Bridge Housing community at the Rehill Parking Lot on Wolfe Street, preparations will start on the new hub for homelessness services that will be in the building that is currently used for the Overflow Shelter Bed Program at 210 Wolfe St. 

Occupancy of the Modular Bridge Housing community with 50 units is expected in the fall. 

The Overflow Shelter Bed Program will continue to operate as an overnight emergency shelter used when the main shelters are at capacity.  

There are 106 shelter beds in the shelter system, which includes the three main shelters – Brock Mission, Cameron House, and the YES Shelter – and the Overflow Shelter Bed Program. The Overflow Shelter has 32 beds. Over the last week, an average of four beds have been used and 28 are available at the Overflow Shelter nightly.

Last week, One City and the City of Peterborough announced that they have entered into a three-year agreement for One City to operate a winter overnight drop-in space at the Trinity Centre in the former Trinity United Church at 360 Reid St. One City is completing renovations of its space. When One City opens the winter overnight drop-in space, the Overflow Shelter Bed Program will be closed. There will be no gap in service during the transition between the two programs. 

The winter overnight drop-in space is part of a winter homelessness response strategy and a broader homelessness services plan approved by City Council. 

In addition to the winter overnight drop-in space, One City will operate a year-round daytime drop-in centre. 

The Overflow Shelter Bed Program temporarily operated at the Peterborough Public Library from July 2019 to February 2020, when it relocated to the Murray Street Baptist Church before moving to its current location in a former office building at 210 Wolfe St. in February 2021. 

To access emergency shelter, individuals can use the contact information provided below: 

• Brock Mission for men, 217 Murray St., 705-748-4766, ext. 1 

• Cameron House for women, 738 Chemong Rd., 705-748-4766, ext. 2 

• YES Shelter for Youth and Families, 196 Brock St., 705-748-3851 

• Overflow Shelter Bed Program, when the main shelters are full, 345 Aylmer St. N. starting September 21 

Individuals without a phone can visit the Social Services office at 178 Charlotte St. to connect with available shelter services. 

Individuals can call 705-926-0096 for shelter services outside of regular office hours.

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Hometown PTBO: Nathan To Winning Three Medals at the 2023 World Dwarf Games In Germany

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with World Dwarf Games athlete Nathan To about his experience at the event in Germany, winning three medals and his school/career path.

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34-Year-Old Woman Facing Impaired Charges On Wednesdays Afternoon

A 34-year-old Peterborough woman is facing impaired charges after an incident on Wednesday afternoon.

At roughly 4:50 p.m., officers were called to a parking lot in the Chemong Road and Towerhill Road area by an off-duty OPP officer about a possible impaired driver.  Officers had concerns about the driver’s ability to drive safely and prevented her from leaving the area. They also noticed signs of impairment with the driver.

The woman was arrested and charged with:

• Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)

The accused was issued an automatic 90-day license suspension and a seven-day vehicle impound.

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 10.

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AON Inc Planning 550 Premier Seniors Development Units On Clonsilla Avenue

Planning multi-phase apartment buildings, retirement homes and premier seniors development by AON Inc. has begun as part of their AIRWAYS development project at the Kawartha Golf Club, announced on Wednesday.

Brad Smith (left) and Rob Elliot (right) at the site of where the units will be built on Clonsilla Avenue over 22-acres. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The 22-acre community will be spread out over up to eight buildings and include many outdoor community amenities according to a press release. Located at the end of Clonsilla Road near Lansdowne Street, the property is off a hilltop which has great views according to Brad Smith, AON President.

“The views from this area are phenomenal,” he explained. “You either have views of the golf course or overlooking the City of Peterborough with all the trees in the area and the views in the fall are spectacular. When I was putting this together, it really fit with our portfolio and the growth of the seniors community.”

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Kawartha Golf Club remains intact during the whole construction process set to begin next year. The proposed units to be built could aid in generating extra income for the club as they look forward to working with AON Inc. according to Rob Elliot, Kawartha Golf Club president.

“The Kawartha Golf Club looks forward to AON Inc. creating this wonderful community and the opportunities that may arise for the Club to integrate with it,” he said.

“There will be nothing in size and variety to compare to this project in Peterborough and the region’s growing seniors’ population will welcome these much-needed residential options including the safety features this community will offer them,” said Smith. “Never have so many senior geared lifestyle options been incorporated into one community. The FAIRWAYS will be a premier community for seniors and AON is excited to commence on the necessary next steps with the City of Peterborough to make this community a reality.”

This is a proposed development of 550 units and must go through the approval processes with the City of Peterborough. At this time, the plan remains a proposal until formally finalized.

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