New Consultant Pediatrician Joining Five Counties Children’s Centre

Dr. Sean Godfrey is joining Five Counties Children’s Centre (FCCC) as a consulting pediatrician starting this month.

Five Counties Children’s Centre provides speech, physio and occupational therapies, as well as other treatment services for kids and youth from birth to age 19 years. This past year, Five Counties served more than 6,200 children and youth in its region – the highest number of clients in its nearly 50-year history. Photo courtesy of FCCC.

Godfrey has over 25 years of experience in hospital and community settings. He is splitting time supporting kids and clients at Five Counties sites in Peterborough, Lindsay and Cobourg while seeing other children, youth and their families from across the region at his new private medical practice he is setting up at Five Counties in Peterborough.

“Dr. Godfrey is a well-respected and highly regarded consultant pediatrician who will enhance the specialized care available to our youngest citizens,” says Scott Pepin, FCCC CEO. “The partnership will directly benefit Five Counties kids and clients but also support other families from Peterborough, City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County and Northumberland County whom Dr. Godfrey will see on a referral basis through his own pediatric practice.”

From 1999 to 201, Godfrey was a staff pediatrician at Lakeridge Health in Oshawa. Between 2008 and 2014, he also served as the hospital’s chief of pediatrics. For over 20 years, Godfrey has been director of KinderClinic, a children’s urgent care clinic he founded based in Whitby and Simcoe.

“Five Counties Children’s Centre has a wonderful reputation for what it does for families in this region, and I look forward to contributing to that success,” said Godfrey. “Over my career, I’ve been fortunate to have a private practice within a community setting that allows me independence and a chance to establish rapport with families. In both situations, it’s a joy to see children flourish and grow to reach their full potential.”

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71 Teams Battling It Out In the 64th Annual Liftlock U11 Hockey Tournament Beginning Friday

One of Peterborough’s most significant hockey traditions is back for its 64th year as the Annual Liftlock U11 Hockey Tournament hits the ice starting Friday, announced at the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame on Monday night.

Garth Stoner (left), Neil Moloney (middle) and Carl Silevestri (right) The tournament was formerly called the Peterborough Liftlock Atom Hockey Tournament. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The three-day event starts Friday, with opening ceremonies for house league and rep divisions beginning at 10 a.m. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC). YourTV Cogeco is broadcasting the first two opening games for house and rep divisions.

The broadcasted games are the Ennismore Eagles White taking on the PHA Purple Panthers for the house league opening game at 10 a.m. Friday. The other is the Peterborough Petes battling against the Toronto Wolverines at 11:30 a.m. in the rep league opening game, also known as the Chris Fee Cup. It pits the host Peterborough team against the visiting squad.

This year features 71 teams from throughout the province in 13 divisions. They are playing throughout six arenas in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. This tournament runs for a second straight year after being shelved for 2021 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tournament chairman Wally Moore says that since the inaugural tournament in 1958. The event has been supported for generations by volunteers and sponsors to help make it a long-standing Peterborough tradition which fits the tournament motto, ‘Not just a hockey tournament...It's a community affair.’

“The longevity of this has made this tournament so well. All the volunteers come back year after year,” he explained. “A lot of us have been doing this for 40 years but the new ones we bring in, our kids have been doing this for 20 years so it's a community thing.”

A cheque presentation of $2,500 was also donated to Kairos Non-Profit Housing of Peterborough and Camp Northern Lights as the chosen beneficiaries, as the tournament supports a local charity or more annually.

All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Several awards were distributed ahead of the opening ceremonies recognizing some volunteers for their contributions to the tournament over the years:

• Don McCrory Referee’s Award for exemplifying McCrory’s dedication to officiating - Neil Moloney

• Steve Casey Award for a volunteer going the extra mile to contributing to the tournament’s success – Garth Stoner

• Frank Lustic Award for exemplifying all Lustic’s qualities who volunteered for over 25 years in minor sports – Carl Silvestri

A full tournament schedule can be found online.

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Peterborough Petes Acquire Defenseman Grayden Strohack From the Flint Firebirds For Three Draft Picks

Just one day before the OHL trade deadline, the Peterborough Petes have acquired defenseman Grayden Strohack from the Flint Firebirds in exchange for London’s third-round pick in 2025, a fourth-round pick and a fifth-round pick both in 2027, announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of Natalie Shaver and the Peterborough Petes.

Strohack, a 2006-born defenceman, was initially selected by the Firebirds in the third round, 55th overall, of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. In 33 OHL games, he’s picked up two assists. Last season, the 6’3 Waterloo native played in 45 games for the St. Marys Lincolns, scoring three goals and adding eight assists for 11 points. Strohack also played in the 2022 OHL Cup with his hometown Waterloo Wolves U16, picking up one assist in four games.

“Grayden is a big, young defenceman who is very physical and comfortable in his own end,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “We’re looking forward to adding him to the lineup and aiding in his development.”

The Petes are going to Hogwarts to host the Frontenacs on Thursday for Harry Potter night at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

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Peterborough Police Seeking Information of a Friday Morning Convenience Store Robbery

The Peterborough Police Service is looking to the public for assistance in connection with a robbery and assault at a convenience store early Friday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At approximately 2:30 a.m., officers were called to the King Street and Bethune Street area convenience store. Officers learned that the male clerk was helping a customer when a second man came into the store demanding money and brandishing a baseball bat. A struggle ensued and the clerk was struck with the bat before grabbing the bat away from the suspect according to the police report. The suspect then fled the store with the clerk following the suspect and struck him several times with the baseball bat on the sidewalk. The suspect suffered head injuries and is in a Toronto hospital receiving treatment. The 22-year-old clerk was treated at the scene by EMS.

As a result of the investigation, a warrant for arrest was issued for the 37-year-old male suspect for robbery, assault with a weapon and possession of a weapon.

The 22-year-old clerk from Peterborough was also arrested and charged with:

• Aggravated Assault

The accused was held in custody and appeared in court on Saturday.

Peterborough Police would also like to speak with the male customer who was in the store at the time. 

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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Final Early Bird Holiday Shopping Passport Winner Announced

Jody Cunningham is the lucky winner of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area’s (DBIA) third Holiday Shopping Passport early bird draw of $500, announced on Monday.

Amanda Bedford, DBIA Marketing & Communications Coordinator (left) with Jody Cunningham (right) at Gertis, celebrating the final early bird prize win. Photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA.

Her winning passport was drawn on Dec. 20 at the Peterborough DBIA office with Tim Wales, owner and operator of Birdhouse Tattoo, a new business at 372 Water St. Cuningham’s winning passport was completed at Gerti’s at 225 Hunter St. W.

“Local, independently owned businesses are the heart and soul of any town. The downtown community is like one big friendship. Everyone treats everyone like family and supports one another,” said Cunningham. “My mother worked for a local downtown business for 20+ years, my elder siblings and myself also worked for businesses downtown Peterborough so it became like a second home to me. I will always support local businesses here in Peterborough and all the cities I visit.”

During the Holiday Passport season, shoppers receive a stamp for every $10 spent participating downtown business. After 20 stamps, passport holders can complete the contact form and drop it off at participating businesses to be entered into the draw.

They are available at over 140 participating shops, boutiques, salons, restaurants, and cafes downtown for free. Each completed Holiday Shopping Passport are entered into a ballot to win $1,500 in Boro gift cards.

The final grand prize draw for a $1,500 downtown shopping spree will occur on Wednesday.

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Peterborough Petes Captain Donovan McCoy Gets Traded to the Sudbury Wolves For Caden Taylor and a Draft Pick

Peterborough’s transactions keep going as Petes captain and defenceman Donovan McCoy has been traded to the Sudbury Wolves to get forward Caden Taylor and a conditional fourth-round pick in 2027, announced on Monday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

Taylor, a 2007-born forward, was a first-round pick, ninth overall, by the Wolves in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. In 27 OHL games, he scored one goal and added four assists for five points. Last season, Taylor played for the Mississauga Senators U16, leading the GTHL in scoring with 37 goals and 39 assists for 76 points in 36 games. The Shanty Bay, Ont. native led the Senators to the 2023 OHL Cup, leading the team in scoring with six goals and four assists for 10 points in four games.

“We’re very excited to add Caden to the lineup,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “Caden is a big, young forward with a lot of potential who led the GTHL in scoring last season.” 

McCoy, a 2004-born defenceman, was originally selected by the Petes in the first round, 15th overall, in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. The Belleville native has played in 163 games over four years with the Petes, scoring eight times and adding 42 assists for 50 points. Last postseason, McCoy appeared in 22 games for the Petes, scoring twice and picking up eight assists for ten points, helping Peterborough to an OHL Championship. This season, McCoy was named the 62nd Captain in Peterborough Petes history.

“I’d like to say thank you to Donovan for everything he’s done for the Petes and the City of Peterborough over the past four years,” said Oke. “From being selected as a 15-year-old, to becoming the 62nd Captain in Peterborough Petes history, Donovan has been a consummate professional during his time with the organization. He has been an amazing role model on and off the ice and we can’t thank him enough for that. Donovan’s hard work and dedication was a huge part of our 2023 OHL Championship, and he will always be a champion in Peterborough.”

The Petes are going to Hogwarts to host the Frontenacs on Thursday for Harry Potter night at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

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Peterborough Petes Ship Owen Beck to the Saginaw Spirit For Forward Aiden Young and Three Draft Picks

The Peterborough Petes are continuing to make deals prior to Wednesday’s trade deadline as Montréal Canadiens prospect and OHL Champion Owen Beck is headed to the Saginaw Spirit for three draft picks and forward Aiden Young, announced on Monday night.

Photo by Samantha Bianco.

Young, a 2007-born forward, was selected by the Saginaw Spirit in the first round, 16th overall, in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. In 27 OHL games, he scored one goal and added seven assists for eight points. The London native played in 34 games for his hometown London Jr. Knights U16 last season, scoring 30 goals and adding 29 assists for 59 points. Young helped the Jr. Knights to the 2023 OHL Cup, where he led the team in scoring with six goals and two assists in five games.

“We’re looking forward to having Aiden join the roster,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “Aiden is a skilled, young forward who led his team in scoring in the 2023 OHL Cup.” 

Beck was originally selected by the Mississauga Steelheads 29th overall in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. He has played in 153 OHL games in his three-year career, scoring 61 goals and adding 86 assists for 147 points. In October 2022, he was signed by the Montréal Canadiens to a three-year entry-level deal, making his NHL debut for the Canadiens on Jan. 28 last year against the Ottawa Senators.

During the last postseason, Beck played in 22 games for the Petes, picking up 16 points and helping them to an OHL Championship. He also appeared in all five of Peterborough’s games in the 2023 Memorial Cup, scoring once and adding two assists.

“On behalf of the Petes, I’d like to say thank you to Owen for his commitment to the Petes over the last two seasons,”said Oke. “Since being acquired at the deadline last season, Owen’s attitude, hard work, and dedication has been on display throughout his time as a Pete. From making his NHL debut, to winning a 2023 OHL Championship, we’ve had the pleasure of watching Owen hit some of the biggest milestones in his career so far. We wish Owen the best as he plays in another Memorial Cup in Saginaw. He will always be remembered as a champion in Peterborough.”

The Petes are going to Hogwarts to host the Frontenacs on Thursday for Harry Potter night at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

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CMHA to Welcome New CEO On Feb. 10 After Current CEO to Retire After 32-Year Tenure

Ellen Watkins has been appointed the newest CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge’s (CMHA HKPR’s) by their Board of Directors to be welcomed on Feb. 10, announced on Monday.

Watkins completed her Executive MBA at Queen’s University in 2021 and in October of 2023 completed the Advanced Leadership for Social Impact Fellowship at the Smith School of Business. Photo courtesy of CMHA HKPR.

Watkins steps into the role after Mark Graham’s retirement on Jan. 31 with the latter assisting in the transition through April 2024.

Graham announced his retirement in June after a 32-year tenure while the Board of Directors began the search for his successor. There were more than 100 initial conversations and applications during their nationwide search.

“I look forward to the opportunity to continue to grow and develop our team from the solid foundation built by Mark Graham over the past 32 years,” said Watkins. “I appreciate each member of our CMHA HKPR community, who demonstrate daily the capacity to think about our system in new ways, with the courage to shift to maximize our potential.”

Watkins has been with CMHA HKPR since April 2021 as Director of Corporate Services. She has been involved with the agency’s engagement with the Strategic Plan Art project, Restructuring the Crisis Program and launching 9-8-8, Reevaluating and Renewing the Finance Processes in the Agency.

Prior to CMHA HKPR, Watkins worked at PRHC in Quality and Process Improvement, designing and launching the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic and Assessment Centre and various other quality projects. Watkins has lots of experience in the private sector, working in managerial roles at Kraft Foods, PepsiCo, Frito Lay and Quaker, according to a press release.

“Ellen is a collaborative, empathetic, visionary leader who will utilize accountability, intentionality, and bravery every day in the CEO role,” said John Lyons, CMHA HKPR Board President.

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Peterborough Man Arrested After Alleged Murder Attempt By Choking and Knife Threat

A 69-year-old Peterborough man is facing several charges including an attempt to murder from an incident on Saturday evening.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At approximately 11:05 p.m., officers were called to a Sophia Street and Burnham Street area residence. A 70-year-old female victim was being treated by EMS after officers learned that she had been allegedly attacked by her partner several times. This includes being choked, verbally threatened and threatened with a knife. The man fled the residence but was located at his residence in the Reid Street and Parkhill Road area shortly after and taken into custody. 

The man was arrested and charged with:

• Attempt to Commit Murder

• Uttering threats to cause death

• Assault with a Weapon - Spousal

• Overcome Resistance by Attempting to Choke, Suffocate or Strangle another Person

The accused was held in custody and appeared in court on Sunday.

To protect the victim’s identity, police are not releasing the accused's name.

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Peterborough to Face Significant Snowfall With Possible Risk of Freezing Rain Starting Tuesday

Significant snowfall of 10 to 15 cm or higher with a risk of freezing rain could hit Peterborough beginning Tuesday and into the night, according to Environment Canada.

File Photo.

Tuesday is expected to be cloudy with snow beginning around noon in the forecast. The risk of freezing rain could start late afternoon with a wind chill of -10 in the morning, blowing southeast at 30 kph.

A major winter storm is expected to move into portions of southern Ontario, as snow could be heavy at times with a risk of freezing rain. The snow is expected to change to rain Tuesday night as temperatures rise above the freezing mark.

Environment Canada says difficult travel conditions are likely with the risk. Snowfall warnings or winter weather travel advisories may be issued for some regions as this event draws nearer.

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