Peterborough Fire Services Conduct Ice Rescue Training; Warns Public that 'No Ice Is Completely Safe'

Peterborough Fighter Service firefighters endured the frigid waters during ice rescue training at the stormwater pond on Sherbrooke Street on Friday morning.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Fire Services.

The pond was somewhat frozen due to the warmer weather Peterborough has had in the past week.

According to the Peterborough Fire Service's X account, the message is that there is no completely safe ice and to stay off it.

“You cannot tell the strength of ice by its appearance. Temperature, thickness, snow cover, water depth and size are all factors affecting ice safety.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough Chamber's Power Hour Invites Political Leaders For Panel Discussion On Business Issues

The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce is gathering local political leaders for a panel discussion to tackle local business issues in a ‘Power Hour’ at Stonehouse Hall on Friday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough and the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce.

Invited politicians for the panel are Bonnie Clark, Peterborough County Warden; Michelle Ferrari, Peterborough-Kawartha MP; Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP and Mayor Jeff Leal. The discussion is moderated by Joel Wiebe, the Chamber’s vice president and government relations & communications.

Opening remarks are in the morning with a lunch served prior to the panel discussion occurring in the afternoon.

The event features a moderated Q&A session with questions submitted from by the audience.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Campbellford Memorial Hospital Set to Install New CT Scanner

Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) is installing a new CT Scanner over the coming weeks, replacing the current one at 13 years old. 

A shot of the current CT scanner that has lasted 13 years in the hospital. Photo courtesy of Campbellford Memorial Hospital.

The new device will be more reliable and provide cleaner imaging, allowing physicians to make more efficient diagnoses, according to a press release. 

The CT Scanner is a powerful imaging device that allows CMH physicians to diagnose and treat various conditions without the need to send patients to a larger hospital. 

“It really was a game changer when we installed the current CT Scanner 13 years ago,” said Colleen Smith, diagnostic imaging manager. “You typically don’t see this type of equipment in smaller hospitals and it allows us to provide a level of care to our patients often not seen in communities of our size.”

The replacement was possible after $1.4 million was raised from the CMH Foundation.

“It never ceases to amaze me how much support our community shows the hospital,” said Martha Hunt, CMH Foundation chair. “2023 was a record-breaking year for community support of the hospital. We have raised just over 90 per cent of our fundraising goal,but with a last push are confident we will hit our target.” 

Work on replacing the new CT Scanner has already begun and is expected to be completed in early April.

The hospital says CT Scans will not be available at CMH during this time. They have put an extended CT Scan downtime procedure in place and arrangements with both Peterborough Regional Health Centre and Northumberland Hills Hospital have been made to ensure that patients requiring an urgent CT Scan can get one at one of those facilities.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

$8.6 Million Invested Into Home Energy Efficiency Program For Affordable Heating In Peterborough

In an effort to fight climate change and reduce costs to homeowners, the Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) are investing $8.6 million to launch the City of Peterborough’s Home Energy Efficiency Program.

(From left to right) Michael Papadacos, City of Peterborough Commissioner of Infrastructure, Planning and Growth Management; Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Canada; Jeff Leal, Mayor of Peterborough; Tegan Moss, GreenUp executive director; Rowena Santos, Federation of Canadian Municipalities and Brampton Councillor; Bonnie Clark, Peterborough County Warden; Kevin Duguay, Peterborough City Councillor and Michelle Ferreri, Peterborough-Kawartha MP. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The announcement was made with several dignitaries attending in front of an East City residence Thursday afternoon. Notables included Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Canada; Councillor Rowena Santos of Brampton; Bonnie Clark, Peterborough County Warden; Michelle Ferrari, Peterborough-Kawartha MP and Councillor Kevin Duguay.

The money is through a $2.87 million grant and a $5.75 million loan from the Green Municipal Fund’s Community Efficiency Financing program.

“This particular program will roll out right away,” said Leal. “This is a unique opportunity to take advantage of this Government of Canada administered through FCM to get your applications in, get your changes made and make things more energy-efficient.”

The offers homeowners and renters two loan choices: one tied to the property via a Local Improvement Charge and the other an unsecured loan provided directly from a partnering financial institution.

The loans are capped at $125,000 or 10 per cent of the current property value. They can finance home energy efficiency improvements that lower emissions, reduce energy costs, and enhance comfort by upgrading windows, doors, air sealing and insulation and installing low-emission heating such as heat pumps and alternative energy sources like solar panels according to a press release.

The program aims to help approximately 600 households retrofit their homes. This results in total reductions in emissions of 825 tonnes of CO2 per year, saving over 28,000 gigajoules of energy.

While this applies to homeowners, the federal government seeks solutions for those renting, especially those paying utilities.

“This is obviously for people who already are homeowners that these programs are being offered,” said Guilbeault. “We are looking what can be done also with people who rent, whether they're not owners of the building in terms of how can we help them and perhaps these owners to increase the energy efficiency of those units as well.”

In 2019, under former mayor Diane Therrien, the City of Peterborough declared a climate emergency. It updated its goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Roughly 23 per cent of emissions in the city come from the 34,660 residential dwellings as stated in a press release.

“We are, in fact, working with municipalities, provincial governments and organizations across the country to increase the rate of new building homes being built in Canada,” said Guilbeault. “Through the first-ever Canada's housing strategy, we're deploying billions of dollars and we are starting to see more and more buildings being built all across the country.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough Petes Game to Benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough in 'Big Game For Kids' On March 7

The Peterborough Pets game against the Ottawa 67’s on March 7 will be extra special as a fundraising night for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough (Peterborbough Bigs) in the “Big Game for Kids,” announced on Thursday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Bigs.

The game at the Peterborough Memorial Centre has the puck drop for 7:05 p.m. The event features a classic photo booth, chuck-a-puck prizes and local hockey action while making meaningful differences for Peterborough youth.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Peterborough Petes and Monaghan Lumber for the 'Big Game for Kids,' an event that combines the excitement of hockey with the spirit of community giving,” said Brent Shepherd, Peterborough Bigs executive director. “Together, we can make a positive impact on the lives of children and youth in our community by providing them with the support and guidance they need to succeed.”

All funds raised benefit Peterborough Bigs’s mentoring programs, allowing the organization to continue matching young people with caring adult mentors, fostering meaningful relationships and positive outcomes according to a press release.

Tickets are available at the Peterborough Bigs website or by contacting Hilary Morgan at (705) 743-6100.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Hometown PTBO: Fiddle Player Irish Millie Playing Music With Her Father and Upcoming Tour Locations

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with fiddle player Irish Millie about starting music at a young age, playing alongside her father and future endeavours such as merchandising and upcoming tour destinations.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Homelessness Benefit Concert Returns With 'Peterborough Performs IV' For United Way at Showplace On March 7

Sixteen acts are taking the stage at Showplace Performance Centre for United Way’s ‘Peterborough Performs IV: Musicians United to End Homelessness’ to fundraise for homelessness initiatives announced Thursday morning.

Musician Dan Hicks is one of 16 acts joining ‘Peterborough Performs IV."‘ Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The one-night event takes place on March 7 at Showplace (290 George St. N.) at 7 p.m. with tickets for $50.

The campaign is in its fourth year with the ultimate fundraising goal $1.45 million. The concert has raised over $84,000 to date, with 95 per cent of the proceeds going to local shelters according to Paul Rellinger, event organizer.

“We all feel homelessness is a big issue that we can't as individuals do anything about,” he said. “You can make a difference with this event.”

While the event averages over $28,000 annually in raised funds, Rellinger adds that no goal is set for this campaign's fourth edition.

“The first goal is to do better than the year before,” he said. “What I'm really excited about is the event is going to well pass $100,000 in money raised over four events and that's pretty good for something that was just an idea four years ago.”

Tiffany Arcari from ‘The Tiffany Show’ is the emcee for the event.

The following are the acts performing at this year’s concert:

• The Weber Brothers Band

• Emily Burgess

• SJ Riley

• The Austin Carson Band

• The Peterborough All-Star Band (featuring Rick and Gailie Young)

• The Cheryl Casselman Trio

• Irish Millie

• Tom Eastland

• Chris Collins

• Bread & Soul

• Phil Stephenson/Glen Cardus/Ron Kervin

• Jacques Graveline

• The Hippie Chicks

• Michaela Hetherington

• Dan Hick

• Tim Burnie (stand-up comedian)

An online auction with over 50 items runs until March 7 at 10 p.m. Local businesses, sponsors and organizations have donated all the lots for the auction.

Tickets to Peterborough Performs are available for purchase at the Showplace Box Office. The discount code ‘LoveLocal’ is available to purchase two tickets for $40 until next week Thursday.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Woman Arrested After Allegedly Striking a Man With a Cell Phone And Closing a Door On His Hands

A 21-year-old Peterborough woman is facing charges after a domestic incident with another man on Thursday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 4:10 a.m., officers responded to a disturbance in the Goodfellow Road and Talwood Drive area. A verbal argument between a man and a woman broke out with the woman allegedly striking the man in the head with a cell phone and closing a door on his hands, injuring them.

The woman was arrested and charged with:

• Assault with a Weapon

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on March 19.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Suspicious Package at Chandler Crescent and Florence Drive Deemed Safe Peterborough Police Say

Peterborough Police have determined that a suspicious package discovered at Florence Drive and Chandler Crescent area sidewalk left on Wednesday night is deemed safe.

A DRPS Bomb Squad Robot examining the suspicious package. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Police Service.

The package was spotted at roughly 6:30 p.m. when Police had advised the public to stay clear and residents living in the area to remain in their households during the investigation. They had stayed in their houses for several hours.

The Durham Regional Police Bomb Squad was called to assess the package and deemed it safe at approximately 10 p.m.

The Peterborough Police Service thanks the neighbourhood for their patience and understanding.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Stay Clear of Chandler Crescent Due to Suspicious Package Warns Peterborough Police

Peterborough Police have Florence Drive closed at Chandler Cres for an investigation regarding a suspicious package.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Police request that everyone avoid the area and remain in your residence if you reside on the street.

The police appreciate those and thank everyone for their patience and understanding.

Anyone with information is asked to call Peterborough Police at 705-876-1122 x555 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.