Photos: St. Peter's and Holy Cross Secondary School Unite For Terry Fox Rally Fundraiser For Cancer Research

Roughly over 1,800 students and faculty from St. Peter’s Secondary School (SPSS) and Holy Cross Secondary School (HCSS) came together to walk for the Terry Fox Rally to raise money for cancer research on Thursday morning.

Neave Alderson leads the charge for St. Peter's Secondary School in a joint effort with Holy Cross Secondary School for the Terry Fox Rally. All photos by David Tuan Bui

Both institutions walked in a circuit, starting from St. Peter’s on Medical Drive before convening at the school’s football field.

“To see the love and the effort here to support such a cause in Terry Fox, I know that cancer has affected each of our lives so to be here today and to have the energy, it's such a beautiful feeling,” said Natalie Bittner, HCSS principal.

HCSS aimed to raise $15,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation. Their most significant fundraising method was selling dress-down tickets to allow students to dress casually rather than in their uniforms for a week. The school did face painting and nail decorations and sold Terry Fox apparel to help with the fundraiser.

SPSS had a more ambitious goal of $70,000. Students registered with the Terry Fox website to raise money independently. They also had dress-down days and ran community events to raise funds.

“Last year, we finished third overall in Canada for raising the most,” said Shannon Brady, SPSS principal. “Last year, we raised $60,000 so we’re bumping it up to $70,000 this year.”

All proceeds from the snack and concession stands —sold by both schools on-site — went towards the schools’s respective fundraiser totals.

The two schools also held their annual football game against each other, with both the junior and senior teams playing, following the walk in the afternoon. The game is known as the ‘Catholic Bowl’ or ‘Holy Bowl.’ since it is the city’s only two Catholic high schools. It started in 2003 when Holy Cross began its inaugural football program.

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Two Peterborough Men Arrested After Allegedly Committing a Street-Level Robbery and Fleeing Police

Two Peterborough men are facing charges after a robbery incident on Wednesday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 3:15 p.m., officers arrived at the Aylmer Street and Hunter Street area regarding a street-level robbery with a knife. Officers spotted two males matching the descriptions given to police fleeing the area, one on foot and one on a bicycle.  Police Service Dog Gryphon was deployed to eventually allow officers to apprehend the suspect on foot and was taken into custody. A search of the suspect revealed a pocketknife.  Officers also found several IDs and credit cards not belonging to the suspect. 

Officers pursued the bicycle suspect and caught up to him in the Aylmer and McDonnel Street area and were able to take him into custody. Officers found a knife and further learned the man was wanted on three warrants in connection with incidents in August and September after a search.

As a result of the investigations, a 26-year-old Peterborough man was arrested on the strength of the warrants.  He is being held in custody and will appear in court on Thursday.

The 28-year-old Peterborough man was arrested and charged with:

• Possession Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 - in Canada (Credit cards and ID)

• Fraud Under $5000 (Use of credit cards)

• Fail to Comply with Probation Order X2

The accused is currently bound by two probation orders with the following condition to keep the peace and be of good behaviour. 

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 9.

The investigation into the original call for service about a robbery is continuing according to a press release. Anyone with information is asked to call Peterborough Police at 705-876-1122 x555 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

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Hometown PTBO: Phillip Joilcoeur Organizing the 'Harmony For Healing' Concert and His Mother's Passing As Its Connection

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks to ‘Harmony For Healing’ organizer Phillip Jolicoeur about the concert coming up on Feb. 22 next year, the connection of his mother’s passing last year and the concert and his long-term plans with the event.

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Temporary Downtown Patios To Be Removed Starting On Oct. 24

The temporary downtown patio spaces will be removed to prepare sidewalks and roads for winter snow-clearing operations starting on Oct. 24.

The expanded patio spaces were installed in May. File Photo.

Any businesses with temporary patios on sidewalks and in on-street parking adjacent to them will remove their patio furniture by the end of the day on Oct. 23 to clear the way for the removal of the fencing and large planters startingthe next day.

After removing the expanded patio areas, Hunter Street between George and Aylmer Streets will return to a two-lane, two-way street. During the summer, it was temporarily made into a one-lane, westbound, one-way street to add more patio and pedestrian space.

This was the fourth summer that the City implemented temporary changes to the downtown public space to allow for more patio and pedestrian space.

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Nathan McFadden Named New Director of Trent University Athletics & Recreation

Trent University has appointed Nathan McFadden as the director of Athletics and Recreation.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

McFadden has overr 25 years of experience in professional and high-performance sports operations, leadership and administration according to a press release.

“We are thrilled to welcome Nathan to Trent University and the Excalibur family. His substantial background in the sports industry, paired with his innovative leadership style, aligns well with Trent's commitment to excellence in athletics and recreation,” said Tariq Al-idrissi, vice-president, finance and administration. “As we look to the future, we are confident that Nathan's leadership will elevate our programs, enhance student experiences, and continue to build upon our strong tradition of athletic achievement."

McFadden will lead Trent's Athletics & Recreation department, overseeing the Excalibur varsity program and a wide range of sports and recreational activities that enhance student experience and promote health and wellness on campus and in the community.

McFadden's career includes numerous achievements, such as 12 national championships. Prior to joining Trent, he was the director of athletics and recreation at Fanshawe College for a decade where he built the Falcons into a national brand, leading them to 11 national championships, 67 national appearances and over 90 per cent of the College’s teams ranking nationally. While president of the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA), he created and chaired the OCAA’s EDI Committee, commissioned the OCAA’s Racial Equity Project, implemented a mandatory sexual violence prevention course for all student-athletes, mandatory Safe Sport training for all coaches and administrators, and an OCAA parental leave policy.

McFadden has worked in professional hockey with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the American Hockey League (AHL) also spent time working with the University of New Brunswick (UNB).

“It is truly an honour to join Trent University as the director of athletics and recreation,” said McFadden. “I am deeply inspired by Trent's commitment to fostering both athletic excellence and a holistic student experience. I look forward to collaborating with our talented student-athletes, dedicated coaches and the entire Trent community to elevate our athletics programs and offer a wide range of recreational opportunities. Together, we will continue to build a culture of inclusivity, achievement, and pride in Trent's sports programs.”

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Peterborough Petes to Host Alumni Homecoming Weekend for Oct. 20 - 21

The Peterborough Petes are hosting an Alumni Homecoming Weekend that features a mixer at the Maple Moose Pub, a day of golf at Peterborough Golf & Country Club (PGCC) and a Petes game.

The itinerary is as follows:

• Friday, Oct.20

• 7-10 p.m. - Mixer at the Maple Moose Pub

• Saturday, Oct. 21

• 9:30 a.m. - Golf Registration at Peterborough Golf & Country Club

• 10:00 a.m. - Brunch at Peterborough Golf & Country Club

• 11:00 a.m. - Shotgun start at Peterborough Golf & Country Club

• 7:05 p.m. - Peterborough Petes vs Oshawa Generals at the PMC

Prior to the game, the 1973-74 Petes are being honoured with a pregame ceremony on the ice. This team was the first Canadian representative in the history of the IIHF World Junior Championships in 1974, taking home a bronze medal.

“We’re really excited to be able to welcome back so many great alumni with this event,” said Morgan Blaind, Petes coordinator of marketing and community engagement. “It’s been a few years since we’ve been able to put on an event like this. That being said, it’s so important for us to see our alumni interact and reconnect with each other. It’s also a great opportunity for us to recognize our amazing history through celebrating the 1973-74 team.”

All Petes alumni and their guests are invited to attend the weekend according to a press release. Golf slots will be allocated to alumni before opening to guests. Interested alumni can contact Blaind via e-mail or by calling 705-743-3681 ext. 221.

The Petes host the London Knights on Thursday at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. This is the return of the 2023 Playoff MVP and former Petes goaltender Michael Simpson. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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Historic Red Dog Closing Its Doors at the End of the Month; Send-Off Show Scheduled For Oct. 24

After 140 years of business, the Historic Red Dog Tavern is permanently closing its doors on Nov. 1 and is hosting a send-off show on Oct. 24.

HIstoric Red Dog Facebook Photo.

The news was made public in a Facebook post from an employee posted on Tuesday.

“Hi friends, it’s with a mix of immense sadness and gratitude that I can now safely say what everyone in town has been hearing - the Red Dog has been sold and we will be closing the doors permanently on Nov. 1st. It’s been a great run.”

The property has been sold although it is unknown if it will continue as a pub or operate as something different.

A send-off show has been scheduled for Oct. 28. It is an open-stage event where musicians can sign up in person to perform at the venue for the final time.

The Red Dog originally opened as Clancy’s Hotel in 1883 and was owned by John Sullivan and John Clancy.

Also known as the Peterborough House, The American Hotel/House and Brownie’s Tavern, ‘The Red Dog’ came from former owner “Red Dog” Ray McGregor.

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"People Are Just Getting Poorer" Peterborough's Housing Crisis Worse Than a Year Ago Says United Way

The United Way Peterborough & District’s 18th Edition of Housing is Fundamental report says that the city’s housing crisis has become worse than a year ago according to author Paul Armstrong.

Paul Armstrong authored the Housing is Fundamental report annually. The report was relased publicly a day after World Homelessness Day, held on Oct. 10. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The announcement was made at United Way Peterborough & District as part of their annual report written by Armstrong that started 18 years ago.

It provides an overview of Peterborough's local rental market while also highlighting the impacts of the commodification of housing and income inequality.

“People are just getting poorer. That's all there is to it,” said Armstrong. “When your rent keeps going up and up and up, you're not in a position of having the same disposable income and without that disposable income, you're going to have to back away from something else in the marketplace. “

Armstrong’s key findings include:

• Peterborough's vacancy rate is the lowest in Ontario for the second year in a row at 1.1 per cent

• Newly vacant apartment rents were 19 per cent higher than the rent of occupied units

• Recovery in employment and renewed student inflows supported rental demand

• 70 units were added to the market, which is the largest increase in the last 15 years

Armstrong’s localized statistical figures based on data from Statistics Canada and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CHC).

“Never has housing commanded so much attention,” said Armstrong. “Almost daily, reports highlight shortages of purpose-built rental units and widespread affordability challenges. The current dilemma, while newsworthy, isn't new. Its roots can be traced to federal government decisions made in the 1990s. Three decades later social or rent-geared-to-income housing has never been so needed. And 'affordable' housing, which is 10 per cent - 20 per cent below market rents is all but unattainable.”

His report also found that rental demand kept pace with supply growth last year and two-bedroom rentals are 23 per cent higher upon turnover to new tenants.

“Both homelessness and severe housing burden now exist in dangerous proportions. Governments hopefully have learned that reliance on the private market to meet all housing needs is imaginary and unfounded. They (governments) must get back into the game with appropriate policy and adequate funding.”

Armstrong continues to mention that this year's perspective is critical as there is a growing cost of living, particularly in housing and food costs.

Jim Russell, United Way CEO described rising housing costs' impacts on our community members.

“Housing is Fundamental to well-being,” he said. “As we strive to build a better community together, a basic starting point is safe, affordable housing for all.”

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Careless Driving Charge Laid From Vehicle Turnover At Warsaw Road Swing Bridge

A driver was charged with careless driving after a single-vehicle rollover at the Warsaw Road Swing Bridge occurred on Tuesday afternoon; no major injuries were reported.

Photo by David Tuan bui.

The incident occurred around 4 p.m. The driver was charged with careless driving under the Highway Traffic Act and for not having insurance according to the Peterborough Police Service.

One person was taken to the hospital for undisclosed injuries.

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