Peterborough Blogs
Peterborough Public Health to Cease Sewage Permit and Inspection Program In Mid-November
/Peterborough Public Health (PPH) is no longer overseeing the permitting and inspection process for onsite sewage systems in the City and County of Peterborough after Nov. 17.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The delivery of these services in the region as responsibility for permitting and inspections is transferred to local municipalities after the deadline.
“Peterborough Public Health has provided these building inspection services related to onsite sewage systems for over forty years, but we are now only one of eleven public health units offering this service,” said Julie Bromley, Chief Building Official and PPH manager of environmental health.
“This decision by the Board of Health was challenging, given the long-standing positive relationships with residents served by this program and the dedicated work of our staff in this area,” said Kathryn Wilson, board of health chair councillor. “The transfer supports a one-stop-shop for residents and builders at municipal building departments and allows Peterborough Public Health to focus on our core work, as mandated by the Ontario Public Health Standards in a period of inadequate provincial funding for our core work.”
PPH says they are working closely with all municipalities that will return to delivery of this service to ensure a smooth transition for building departments and minimize disruptions to residents and industry experts. The transition will occur over two phases.
Phase 1: Effective April 1, the following municipalities will receive all new applications and activities related to onsite sewage systems:
Township of Cavan Monaghan
Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan
Township of Selwyn
Municipality of Trent Lakes
Phase 2: Effective Nov. 18, the following municipalities will receive all new applications and activities related to onsite sewage systems:
Township of Asphodel-Norwood
Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen
City of Peterborough
The Townships of North Kawartha and Douro-Dummer already oversee activities related to sewage systems so no changes are made for those municipalities.
Residents with open applications or permits with PPH will be contacted with further information and direction on closing their applications.
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County of Peterborough Provides 2024 Construction Update of James A. Gifford Causeway
/The County of Peterborough has updated the James A. Gifford Causeway construction plans.
Photo by Keegan Beekers.
The 2023 James A. Gifford Causeway roadworks tender was substantially completed in November 2023. The lighting installation along the new multi-use path is anticipated to be completed by mid-winter this year.
The design of the next phase of Causeway construction is being finalized and will include extensive rehabilitation of the Chemong Bridge. The construction tender for this work is expected to be issued for public bidding in February.
The scope of the 2024 contract will also include a road reconstruction component, extending from west of Chemong Bridge to the Kelly Boulevard/Garthorne Avenue intersection.
Photo courtesy of Peterborough County.
The scope of the 2024 construction contract will include:
Repairs to Chemong Bridge superstructure and substructure
Excavation and replacement of deteriorated concrete deck sections
Renewal of the asphalt surface on the bridge
Approx. 400 metres of road surface repairs east and west of bridge
Renewal of steel beam guiderail
New 1.8m concrete sidewalk on the south side of Chemong Bridge
Connection to new multi-use path and installation of pathway lighting
Construction is to commence in the spring with completion in November. Motorists are advised to plan accordingly and consider alternate routes to avoid traffic delays.
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Peterborough Police to Enforce Emergency Vehicle Traffic Initiative During January
/During January, the Peterborough Police Service Traffic Unit will be keeping a watch out for motorists failing to slow down and move over for emergency vehicles, announced on Thursday.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
’The Slow Down, Move Over’ law requires motorists approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights on to slow down and pass with the emergency vehicle with caution.
If an emergency vehicle with lights on is approaching the motorist while moving, the motorist must move off to the right and stop.
The fine for failing to do so is $400 and three demerit points.
Emergency vehicles are defined as Police, Fire, Ambulance and Tow vehicles.
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Peterborough Petes Welcome New Wave of Players After Trade Deadline; Johnathan Melee Named 63rd Franchise Captain
/Shortly after the OHL Trade Deadline had finished at noon, the Peterborough Petes introduced their acquisitions and named Johnathan Melee as the franchise’s 63rd captain at a press conference at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Wednesday.
Melee (left) has been named the 63rd captain in franchise history after the departure of former captain Donovan McCoy who was traded the the Sudbury Wolves on Monday. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations, named Melee as team captain after the Petes had traded Donovan McCoy to the Sudbury Wolves on Monday. The Rockland, Ont. native said he would take what he learned from past captains such as McCoy and Shawn Spearing and use those teachings to lead the team.
“When I came in from the (McTavish) trade two years ago, he (Spearing) brought me in right away,” said Melee. “He made me feel welcome and I feel like I need to do that for these guys and I'm excited to have that responsibility.”
Oke also announced that Tommy Purdeller and Cam Gauvreau are alternate captains to back up Melee.
“They were here last year and a big part of our championship run so they'll have lots of experience to give out too,” he explained. “They'll definitely take some weight off my shoulders in teaching the young guys how to play and how to be a hockey player.”
Gauvreau (left) with Oke (middle) and Purdeller (right) shortly after they were named alternate captains to the media during the Petes press conference. Photo by David TUan Bui.
Oke was active in making deals prior to Wednesday’s trade deadline. All players he acquired in trades were introduced to the media during their press conference.
Oke said that he was willing to go in either direction depending on the team’s performance during the season to either build for a successful title defence or to reload and retool the roster for the future.
“We felt it was in the best interest of ourselves and of the players that were absolutely unbelievable during last year's magical run to put them in a position to have some success and further along their OHL careers as they were coming to an end,” explained Oke. “At the same time, allow us to acquire some new players to come and retool for another championship run on our end.”
Oke’s phone rang many times over the trading season and he knew the value of his players, especially after coming off an OHL Championship.
“A lot of our players were sought after,” he said. “We made it very clear how highly we value them that if teams were interested in acquiring them for their respective championship run this year that it was going to have to be a certain player or certain level of draft picks.”
The following were the transactions Peterborough made before the trade deadline:
Nico Addy (forward), Martin Matejicek (defenceman) and 2026 third-round pick from the Owen Sound Attack for Konnor Smith (defenceman) and Sam McCue (forward)
A second-round pick in 2024, Soo’s third-round pick in 2027 and Ottawa’s fifth-round pick in 2027 from the Ottawa 67’s for Samuel Mayer (defenceman)
Flint’s second-round pick in 2025, Guelph’s third-round pick in 2026 and Windsor’s fifth-round pick in 2027 from the Kingston Frontenacs for Jax Dubois (forward)
Aiden Young (forward), Ottawa’s second-round pick in 2025, Saginaw’s second-round pick in 2027, and Mississauga’s third-round pick in 2026 from the Saginaw Spirit for Owen Beck (forward)
Caden Taylor (forward) and a conditional fourth-round pick in 2027 from the Sudbury Wolves for Donovan McCoy (defenceman)
Grayden Strohack (defenceman) from the Flint Firebirds for London’s third-round pick in 2025, a fourth-round pick and a fifth-round pick both in 2027
William Haley (defenceman) from the Mississauga Steelheads for a conditional 15th-round pick in 2027
Oke stated that all of the players should be in Thursday’s lineup against the Kingston Frontenacs except for Strohack who was absent from the press conference due to an illness. His status is being monitored and could play Thursday depending on his health.
(From left to right) Nico Addy, Martin Matejicek, Aiden Young, Caden Taylor and William Haley as the team’s newest Peterborough Petes. Grayden Strohack was absent due to an illness. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Peterborough Man On Seven Outstanding Warrants For 24 Charges Arrested
/A 32-year-old Peterborough man on seven warrants was arrested and also faces new charges after an incident early Wednesday morning.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
At approximately 2:45 a.m., officers were called to Crystal Drive and Middlefield Road about a disturbance. A male had left the residence and police searched the area and located a male similar to the description provided.
When questioned, the man gave a false name as further investigation determined his real identity and while the man was not involved in the initial call, he was wanted on seven outstanding warrants for 24 charges, including theft under $5000, mischief, assault, failing to comply with probation and uttering threats.
Police attempted to take the man into custody but he resisted arrest. One officer drew his Conducted Energy Weapon but did not deploy it and the arrest was made. During the incident, one of the officers was cut by drug paraphernalia on the suspect and treated at Peterborough Regional Health Centre.
The man was arrested on the strength of the warrants and further charged with:
Obstruct Peace Officer x2
The accused is being held in custody and will appear in court on Wednesday.
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Electric City Football Club Folds After Two Years; Pickering FC Acquires Team Licenses
/The Electric City Football Club (ECFC) era has ended in Peterborough after two seasons as Pickering FC has acquired the men’s and women’s licenses, announced by League1 Ontario on Tuesday afternoon.
ECFC PLAYERS LUKE GREEN (MIDDLE) AND CONNOR WILSON (RIGHT) CELEBRATING THE TEAM’S FIRST FRANCHISE WIN WITH FANS, SCORING THREE GOALS IN 14 MINUTES. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The move allows Pickering FC, a founding League1 Ontario club, to restart their L1ON program with full operational control after stepping away before the 2022 season.
The club was initially introduced on Aug. 9, 2021 and started by Keaton Robbins and several local businessmen. Rob Jenkins was recruited as the team’s president for the men’s and women’s teams. Before joining the club, he helped build Calgary’s CPL franchise.
The club faced staff and management turnover shortly before the season’s start. Robbins had departed from the organization before the season opener and first appointed head coach Michael Marcoccia shortly stepped down for family reasons prior to training camp.
Jamie Sherwood, the men’s team’s second head coach, was let go after four games into the season. Randy Ribiero, the women’s head coach served as the interim replacement for the men’s team for the season and remained during the team’s sophomore year. He was terminated from his contract in late September last year. Team president Jenkins had left during the middle of the season.
The club saw record attendance in both the men’s and women’s home openers, setting League1 Ontario records with 1,565 and 1,009 fans, respectively, in 2022. In the two seasons, both the men’s and women’s teams were in the top half of the standings but failed to qualify for the playoffs.
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Peterborough Petes Trade For Defenceman William Haley In Exchange For a Conditional 15th-Round Pick to the Mississauga Steelheads
/Shortly before the OHL trade deadline, the Peterborough Petes traded for defenceman William Haley from the Mississauga Steelheads in exchange for a conditional 15th-round pick in the 2027 OHL Priority Selection on Wednesday.
Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.
The 2005-born defenceman was selected by the Steelheads in the first round, 13th overall, in the 2022 OHL U18 Priority Selection. In 21 OHL games, he netted two assists. Last season, Haley played in 46 games for the Pickering Panthers of the OJHL, scoring once and adding 13 assists for 14 points. The Couburg native is a product of the Ajax/Pickering Raiders U18, picking up 17 points in 26 games during the 2021-22 season.
“William is an 18 year old defenceman who has played in multiple situations,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “He will provide additional depth to our lineup.”
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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Jazz Singer Ada Lee to Perform Special Fundraising Concert To Benefit Peterborough and District Pathway of Fame
/The Peterborough and District Pathway of Fame is hosting a special fundraising concert featuring world-renowned jazz singer Ada Lee at the Studio at Showplace Performance Centre on Feb. 8 at 2 p.m.
Photo courtesy of the Pathway Walk of Fame.
