Two Youth Facing Car Theft Charges Near Highway 7A and 115

Two youth are facing several charges including car theft after an incident Wednesday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At aroughly 10:30 a.m., officers were called to a wooded area near Highway 7a and Highway 115 about an abandoned vehicle that had been reported stolen the day before. Officers learned that the suspects had fled on foot.  K9 Gryphon was deployed and conducted a track for just over a kilometre while officers conducted a ground search. The two boys were located on a nearby farm property and were taken into custody without incident.

A 12-year-old Oshawa male was arrested and charged with:

• Theft of Motor Vehicle

• Possession of Property obtained by crime – over $5000

• Fail to Comply with Release Order X2

The accused is currently bound by a release order with the following conditions to remain in his residence at all times and not to operate or have care and control of a motor vehicle.

The accused appeared in court on Wednesday and was remanded in custody.  He appears in court on Thursday.

A 16-year-old Pickering male was arrested and charged with:

• Theft of Motor Vehicle

• Possession Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 - in Canada

• Fail to Comply with Sentence

The accused is currently bound by a youth probation order with the following condition to not possess any weapons.

The accused was released on an undertaking and will appear in court Dec. 18.

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Ontario Government Invests Nearly $60,000 For Rural Economic Growth

The Ontario government, through through the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Rural Economic Development Program is providing $59,768 to Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) and the City of Kawartha Lakes (CKL) for rural economic growth.

The project is partly funded by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The funding aids the ‘Growing the Local Food Wholesale Market’ in the Kawartha region. The multi-phase, multi-year initiative aims to scale up local food production and regional wholesale marketing to create a more robust availability of locally produced foods through local wholesale channels, according to a press release.

“Investments in rural communities help diversify and grow local economies, making growth more inclusive in our region,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “Good things grow in Ontario when we nurture local entrepreneurs and give them the tools they need to collaborate and innovate.”

The project is a collaboration between PKED and CKL to expand local food production and consumption capacity by connecting, training and coaching food producers and buyers. This project builds upon previous agricultural economic development initiatives by PKED and CKL. It seeks to take the next step in expanding the local wholesale food marketplace, including tailored aggregation and distribution systems. 

The RED program provides cost-share funding for activities that create strong rural communities. This includes funding assistance to build local capacity and improve job prospects. The program aligns with the government’s priorities of removing barriers to investment, opening doors to rural economic development and creating good jobs across the province. 

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Several Organizations Applaud City of Peterborough's Declaration of Gender-Based Violence Considered An Epidemic

The Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre, YWCA and Peterborough Domestic Abuse Network have supported the City of Peterborough’s decision to become the 74th municipality in Ontario to declare gender-based violence an epidemic.

Photo by Keegan Beekers.

The declaration was made during City Council meeting on Nov. 27. The decision had fulfilled the first recommendation from the Renfrew Inquest for the formal declaration.

“This declaration is crucial in continuing to provide awareness around the impacts of violence against women,” said Brittany McMillan, Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre executive director. “Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre and our partner agencies work tirelessly to support survivors after they have experienced violence.  This motion helps support all survivors and also shifts the narrative to focus on the importance of preventing future violence.”

“This is a big step in the right direction for our community, in solidarity with dozens of other municipalities across Ontario,” says Kim Dolan, executive director, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton. “On behalf of all our partner agencies, and the women, children, and gender-diverse people we serve through the YWCA, I want to thank Peterborough’s City Councillors for making this historic declaration. We look forward to working together with our fellow social service agencies as well as with the City to effect change and make a difference in the lives of all those individuals experiencing or at risk of gender-based violence.”

“PDAN members have been working toward this as a first step toward local implementation of recommendations from the Renfrew Inquest, Mass Casualty Commission and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls final reports,” said Sarah Bass, Peterborough Domestic Abuse Network manager. “These reports identify actionable items that, if implemented, will help to prevent further violence against women and girls in our community.  Our members look forward to continuing to implement further recommendations at a local level and build on these efforts.”

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Peterborough Petes Aim For $1 Million Goal of Overall Funds Raised For Cancer With 15th Annual Pink In the Rink Campaign

The Peterborough Petes aim to hit a milestone of $1 million raised overall for its 15th annual Pink in the Rink game, announced at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Wednesday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The game is being held on Feb. 3 against the Niagara IceDogs.

The team has raised $954,136 over the past 14 years. The team’s fundraising goal is $50,000 to cross the $1 million mark in Pink in the Rink’s history. 

The proceeds will benefit the Canadian Cancer Society’s Wheels of Hope program this year. It aids those with cancer to get rides to their treatments from volunteer drivers. For those who need to travel independently, it aids in travel costs for safe and reliable transportation.

“The Peterborough Petes players and coaches are extremely excited to participate in the Pink in the Rink campaign this year as ambassadors and help get closer to the one million dollar fundraising mark,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “Wheels of Hope is a fantastic program and we are very pleased to support this great cause.”

This year, all Petes players and coaches will act as ambassadors for the campaign. Family, friends, and fans can donate on behalf of a particular player or coach by going online and choosing their name from the dropdown menu on the CCS fundraising website. 

“Our Pink in the Rink game is always one of our biggest and most popular games of the year and I think it’s a huge honour and opportunity for the players and the team to be leading the initiative of raising money and awareness for this cause,” said Donovan McCoy, Petes captain.

Official game-worn jerseys will include the names of fans and community members featured in the custom jersey design. Fans can purchase names for just $20 each to be placed on the jersey by contacting the Petes Office at (705) 743-3681 ext. 201, by email or online.

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Photos: 17th Annual CopShop Gives 22 Children a Holiday Shopping Spree at Lansdowne Place

The 17th annual CopShop allowed 22 children to get a holiday shopping spree with Peterborough Police Service officers at Lansdowne Place on Wednesday morning.

Grade 5 student Josephine Watson, 10, with Alice Czitrom, Peterborough Police Service victim services coordinator and K9 Pixie during the 17th annual CopShop. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Kids were brought to the mall in style in limousines from Personal Touch Limo to buddy up with the paired officer.

The students were specially selected from their respective schools and police to participate in the annual event.

“We just looked for kids that showed some leadership, have a nice disposition and are a good member of their community,” said Detective Constable Mike Peckham.

Each child received a $200 Lansdowne Place Mall Wide Gift Card, a stocking stuffed with goodies, a free McDonald’s breakfast, goodie bags from Couture Candy PTBO and Handmade Heaven and a free photo with Santa Claus.

“This is our favourite event of the year,” said Helen Edwards, Lansdowne Place property manager. “This event reflects the true spirit of the season, where a community comes together to give these amazing kids a day they will always remember.”

“We are very excited that this program is returning as it’s always been an event our officers look forward to,” said Peckham. “This year, we have about two dozen officers and civilian members volunteering their time to build positive relationships and spend time with our young people in a fun way.”

Staff, players and mascot Roger from the Peterborough Petes were also in attendance to meet and greet with the children during their shopping spree.

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'Quest It' Mobile App Creator Takes Grand Prize In Innovation Cluster's 'Cubs' Lair' Entrepreneurial Competition

Hadi Jakmora’s mobile app ‘Quest It’ took home first place at the Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas’s ‘Cubs' Lair’ entrepreneurial competition held at Erben on Thursday.

Winner Hadi Jakmora (middle left) with his grand prize after winning the Cubs’ Lair competition. Photo courtesy of Innovation Cluster Peterborough.

Jakmore took home the grand prize of $3,000, for his app, designed for everyday task assistance, facilitating local services from snow removal to meal preparation.

Matt Anderson clinched second place and a $1,500 award for Chemong City Greens, an enterprise cultivating organic microgreens. Its nutrient-rich produce enhances meals year-round, enriching Peterborough's local food network.

Nicholas Landon secured third place and a $500 prize for Course Sync Inc., an innovative platform revolutionizing student academic management.

Other participants included:

• Zachary McCue of REPWR

• Ashley Bonner of Community Pin

• Yash Ramnani of Nectar

• Jayden Smith of Cub Storage Inc

Judges for the event were Marcelo Sarkis of Prima IP, Jade Calver of Calver Immigration Consulting Inc. and Jason Fiorotto, a seasoned B2B marketing strategist.

“The Innovation Cluster extends heartfelt congratulations to all Cubs' Lair 2023 participants for their remarkable creativity and dedication,” according to a press release statement. “We eagerly anticipate the future success of these entrepreneurs in Peterborough and beyond as they continue to shape the landscape of innovation.”

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Voice of Business: Supporting Stronger Indigenous Economic Outcomes

We need to do better when it comes to economic reconciliation.

Economic reconciliation is so much more than a moral imperative — the cost of inaction is holding us back culturally and economically.

There’s a new policy paper from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) and Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) called Sharing Prosperity: An Introduction to Building Relationships for Economic Reconciliation in Ontario. It’s an introductory resource as part of the Economic Reconciliation Initiative, a partnership between both organizations aimed at advancing economic reconciliation by building business capacity to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 92.

It's key to appreciate that reports like this are a starting place. It provides some of the resources to build relationships and move us in the right direction. To get there, it helps give historical context, provides insights on Indigenous rights, highlights challenges facing Indigenous businesses, and provides meaningful opportunities for engagement.

The report describes an Indigenous economy that is both strong and growing with Indigenous businesses contributing nearly $50 billion annual to Canada’s GDP. There are more than 75,000 Indigenous-owned businesses and entrepreneurs in Canada.

Some of the key actions that businesses can take include:

• Advancing Indigenous cultural awareness and education by sharing territorial acknowledgements, distributing educational reconciliation resources to staff, providing Indigenous cultural competency training, and attending/participating in Indigenous events.

• Promoting equitable Indigenous employment and business opportunities by providing reduced rates/complimentary access to events, memberships, and training for Indigenous businesses/individuals, implementing inclusive Human Resource strategies to recruit and retain Indigenous candidates, auditing workplace policies and procedures to promote reconciliation, linking executive compensation to economic reconciliation performance metrics, and convening an Indigenous Advisory Committee.

• Engaging with Indigenous communities and supporting economic development by making Indigenous community investments, developing Indigenous partnership-building and engagement strategies, implementing Indigenous procurement policies, obtaining certification/accreditation in Indigenous relations, developing a Reconciliation Action Plan, and entering into revenue- or equity-sharing agreements with Indigenous businesses and/or communities.

Diversity, equity and inclusion as well as environmental, social and governance goals are becoming a bigger priority for many businesses and organizations. While connected to both of those approaches, economic reconciliation puts a focus on efforts to recognize the unique, inherent, ancestral, and customary responsibilities of Indigenous Peoples.

Reports like Sharing Prosperity help outline what businesses and organizations of all sizes can do to support stronger Indigenous economic outcomes.

As stated by the OCC Board of Directors: “It is critical to underscore that reconciliation is not about ‘checking a box’ but rather committing to a continual process of learning and action.”

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

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Keswick Woman Charged With Aiding Suicide of a 73-Year-Old Woman

After a six-month long investigation, a 76-year-old Keswick woman has been charged with aiding suicide to the death of a 73-year-old woman in May of last year.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

On Tuesday, officers with the Criminal Investigations Unit arrested Margaret Murphy in connection with the death. Police say the two women were known to each other. It was also learned that during the initial death investigation, the suspect provided false information to police.

Margaret Murphy of Keswick has been charged with:

• Aiding Suicide

• Obstruct Police

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 16.

Call 9-8-8 if you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or emotional distress or worried about someone you know. Support is free and available 24/7 or for emergencies, 9-1-1.

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23rd Annual Loonies on the Street Fundraiser Hits Downtown Peterborough For Kawartha Food Share on Dec. 15

The 23rd Loonies on the Street Fundraiser in support of Kawartha Food Shareis hitting Downtown Peterborough on the corner of George St, and Simcoe St.on Dec. 15 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Kawartha Food Share Helps feed more than 12,000 people a month – 35 per cent of whom are children – KFS also provides nutritious snacks for 51 area school breakfast programs helping over 17,000 children get a healthy start to their school day. Photo courtesy of Kawartha Food Share.

Their bucket brigade is collecting loose change on George Street while members of the Peterborough Lions Club are collecting on the Hunter Street Bridge. Online donations are also being accepted.

Kawartha Food Share is a central collection and distribution warehouse that partners with 37-member agency food banks, food cupboards and other food action programs in the City and County of Peterborough.

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City of Peterborough New Speed Limits and Community Safety Zones In School Areas

As part of National Safe Driving Week, The City of Peterborough has launched “Drive Slow Ptbo” to lower speed limits in Community Safety Zones in school areas, announced at Edmison Heights Public School on Tuesday afternoon.

An example of signs and the speed Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Speed limits have been reduced to 40 kph on major roads fronting schools and 30 kph on minor roads fronting schools and local roads leading to a school driveway. Local roads with walkway access to school property will receive a 40-kilometers-per-hour speed limit. Fines are doubled for traffic violations within a Community Safety Zone according to the Peterborough Police Service.

New speed limit and Community Safety Zone signs are being installed following Highway Traffic Act regulations at all 30 elementary and secondary schools. Additionally, five school areas — one in each ward — are pilot sites for road safety treatments to determine their effectiveness in slowing vehicular traffic and identify any operational or maintenance challenges associated with the treatments.

“This is just the pilot project and I think you have to take all that information you get and try to get out the wrinkles and apply it across the City of Peterborough,” said Councillor Keith Riel.

The treatments include pavement markings, delineators and vertical centerline treatments and electronic driver feedback signs.

These initial pilot areas are: 

• St. Patrick's Catholic Elementary School

• Edmison Heights Public School

• École Catholique Monseigneur-Jamot

• St. Alphonsus Catholic Elementary School and Keith Wightman Public School

• Queen Mary Public School 

“School area safety is a priority for Council. We want our children to be safe,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Reducing the speed limit on the roads around our schools will create a safer environment for children and families walking or cycling to school. Community Safety Zones in school areas will add another layer of safety, in addition to the City’s effective Crossing Guard program and school bus safety laws.”

The school area safety project comes from key infrastructure policy initiatives established through the Transportation Master Plan approved by Council in March 2022. This project implements several measures recommended in the Safe School Zones section, including education, engineering and enforcement measures, to improve safety in school areas. 

City Council approved reduced speed limits and Community Safety Zones for all City elementary and secondary school areas in the City of Peterborough at its meeting on June 26.

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