Peterborough Swim Club to Host 2024 Summer Ontario Youth-Junior Championships

Swim Ontario has chosen the Peterborough Swim Club to host the 2024 Summer Ontario Youth-Junior Championships.

The Peterborough Swim Club is the third oldest swim club in Ontario. starting in 1939, this year marks 85 consecutive years that the club has been providing competitive and recreational swimming opportunities in Peterborough and the surrounding region. Photo by dAVID tUAN bUI.

The provincial championships are four days long and they are held from June 13 to 16 at the Markham Pan Am Center in Markham, Ontario.

The Championships will host between 600 to 700+ qualified swimmers, representing 65 to 85+ clubs from across Ontario. This event showcases young swimmers aged 13 - 18 as they compete in various categories and events.

There is no 50-meter pool within the Peterborough area to host this provincial meet; the Peterborough Swim Club says they see this as a unique opportunity to showcase its spirit and promote the region of Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

The Peterborough Swim Club is actively seeking local sponsors. Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor or vendor can contact David Jonkers at communications@ptboswimclub.com for more information.

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YWCA 'Walk a Mile In Their Shoes' Fundraiser Returns to Peterborough On May 24

YWCA Peterborough Haliburton’s Walk A Mile In Their Shoes returns on May 24 to raise funds for YWCA programs and services helping women and children recover from gender-based violence.

Photo courtesy of YWCA Peterborough.

The YWCA is asking everyone to dig out your red shoes, grab your friends, family or colleagues and join them at Confederation Park for a walk around downtown Peterborough. Check-in for participants will open at 11 a.m. and the walk will begin at noon.

Participants can sign up as solo walkers or with a team. Local groups and businesses are encouraged to join and challenge others to a fundraising contest.

Registration for the event is $40 for a limited-time Early Bird rate. The fee includes lunch at the event, a custom water bottle and a t-shirt.

Proceeds support the YWCA's Journey of Care, which encompasses each of the signature programs and services offered to the women, children and gender-diverse people it serves.

Registrants can go online to create their personal fundraising page or sponsor someone with a donation.

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COVID-19 Spring Vaccine Available

According to Peterborough Public Health, the Ontario Ministry of Health is recommending that eligible residents who are deemed high-risk receive a dose of the XBB COVID-19 vaccine this spring.

Photo by dAVID tUAN bUI.

This comes after the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) guidance.

From April to June, the following residents who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine within the last six months are recommended to receive a dose this Spring. Eligible residents include:  

• Adults 65 years of age or older 

• Adult residents of long-term care homes or other senior congregate living settings (ex. Retirement residences) 

• Those 55 years of age or older who identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit and their non-Indigenous household members who are 55 years of age or older 

• Those six months of age or older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised (due to underlying condition or treatment) 

• Speak with your healthcare provider if you are uncertain about your health status and eligibility 

Residents who are not eligible at this time are asked to wait for further guidance about receiving another dose closer to fall according to Peterborough Public Health.  

Eligible residents can receive their spring dose at a participating pharmacy. A full list of local pharmacies offering the COVID-19 vaccine including pharmacies vaccinating those ages six months or older, is available online.

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United Way Peterborough Unveil Findings On Living Wage History, Release Report of 34-Year History of Income Inadequacy

The United Way Peterborough & District has released a report that focuses on a 34-year history of income inadequacy and its impact on public health, released on Tuesday.

Jim Russell, United Way CEO (left); Elisha Rubacha, United Way’s community impact officer (middle) and Betsy Farrar, United Way manager of community impact (right) The report was released around World Health Day which is on Sunday, Photo by dAVID tUAN bUI.

The report, called ‘The Gap: Income (In)Adequacy Report 2024,’ uses the 2023 living wage rate for comparison. The Gap shows how Ontario’s minimum wage rate and social safety net have changed.

“There is an unspoken covenant between various levels of government and their citizens and that is to serve people, to preserve communities and to ensure opportunity for all to experience the fullness of life and their potential,” said Jim Russell, United Way CEO. “Built into this notion is the belief that there should be a minimum standard of living for all people. When the cost of living outpaces income available through a minimum wage or social assistance programs, this minimum standard is not upheld as people are not able to afford basic necessities. Through this report, we are calling on readers to reflect, refresh, rethink, and renew how we understand adequate income as not something that is earned, but something that everyone in our community deserves access to.”

“United Way Peterborough & District has previously reported on our local region’s Living Wage rate, as we believe in the value that adequate income brings to our entire community,” said Betsy Farrar, United Way manager of community impact. “This year’s report uses a living wage as a measure of cost of living to highlight the shortfalls of other income types against the cost of living. Our research is highlighting how income rates such as minimum wage and social assistance are increasingly insufficient as the gap between these amounts and the cost of living widens year over year.”

Elisha Rubacha, United Way’s community impact officer, noted that The Gap frequently discusses food insecurity because it’s such a sensitive measure of poverty, resulting in many preventable illnesses that could be avoided if incomes were higher.

“Maintaining poverty is expensive,” she said. “For instance, adults in severely food insecure households in Ontario will generate healthcare costs that are 121 per cent higher than those in food secure households. Within the 34-year period examined in the report, Ontario’s minimum wage was frozen half of the time.”

In Canada, over 60 per cent of food insecure households rely on wages, salaries or self-employment as their primary source of income, indicating that too many of today’s jobs offer insufficient wages according to the report.

“When even working people can no longer afford to eat properly, that illustrates a serious problem,” said Rubacha. “Our social safety net similarly offers little protection from food insecurity, and in fact, has never been fully adequate to meet basic needs.”

The report illustrates the positive impact of existing tax benefits (the Canada Child Benefit and the Guaranteed Income Supplement) that function as basic income guarantees. It presents some results from past Canadian basic income projects (Mincome and the Ontario Basic Income Pilot).

“United Way Peterborough & District believes in moving people from Poverty to Possibility. Improving incomes is necessary, whether that’s through a basic income guarantee, a higher minimum wage, more certified living wage employers, or all of the above. The suffering that results from poverty is preventable. We can choose to prevent it,” according to a United Way press release.

The United Way plans to release this report to all local dignitaries and politicians to address the issue.

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CMHA HKPR Launches Second-Annual 'Change the Cycle' to Raise $25,000 For Mental Health Initiatives

The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) has launched the second-annual 'Change the Cycle' fundraising event at Nicholls Oval on June 15.

Jack Veitch, CMHA HKPR manager of community engagement and education (left) and Ryan Waudby, Tom’s Heating & Cooling president (right) after the latter kickstarted the fundraiser with a $7,000 donation. Photo by dAVID tUAN bUI.

This year's funds support Youth and Family Mental Health programming.

“By supporting Change the Cycle, you are supporting youth and family mental health services in our region and ensuring that the mental health needs of our youth and caregivers are met," said Jack Veitch, CMHA HKPR manager of community engagement and education. “Youth and caregiver supports are an important factor in fostering a healthier and more supportive community for all.”

Last year, the funds went to CMHA’s Garden Homes Project, an initiative of their Supportive Housing program. It aims to support vulnerable individuals at risk of homelessness in the Peterborough area by providing affordable, small homes.

“This year we changed our focus and we're focusing more on youth and family mental health care,” said Veitch. “Our goal being $25,000 to support the program, to support youth mental health and family caregiver mental health supports.”

While the event raised $40,000 last year, 2024’s goal is $25,000 which Veitch believes can easily be reached. To help kickstart the fundraiser, Tom’s Heating & Cooling donated $7,000.

“I've had a lot of friends that really seen the impacts mentally when our whole country went on lockdown,” said Ryan Waudby, Tom’s Heating & Cooling president. “Seeing that impact literally change them socially, I thought it was important to help out in some way, shape or form. I was presented with this as an opportunity and I took full advantage of it.”

Cyclists can register for a 4k, 12k or 26k ride along the Rotary Trail in Peterborough. They can register online as individuals or teams. Registration is $20 per person, and children 12 and under can register for free. Registration includes the ride, a t-shirt and a BBQ lunch.

To become an event sponsor or volunteer, contact Veitch by emailing him at jveitch@cmhahkpr.ca.

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Peterborough Lay Charges On Cavan-Monaghan Man For Allegedly Shooting An Arrow at a Cat

A 53-year-old Township of Cavan-Monaghan man has been charged with allegedly shooting an arrow at a cat which led to being euthanized last month.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 4:30 p.m. on March 24, a resident called claiming their cat had been shot with an arrow. When police arrived in the Deyell Line and County Road 10 area, officers learned the cat was found injured on a driveway, taken to a vet and was euthanized due to its injuries.

The man was arrested and charged with:

• Causing unnecessary suffering to an animal (Criminal Code of Canada)

• Distress - causing distress (Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act)

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on April 23.

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Trent University Reappoints Vice-President of Human Resources to Another Five-Year Term

Trent University has reappointed Stephanie Williams to a second five-year term as vice president of Human Resources, effective July 1, 2025.  

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

“The broad functions within Stephanie’s purview have thrived under Stephanie’s leadership,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor. “Her accomplishments include a highly effective COVID pandemic response, the transition of Trent’s pensions to the newly created University Pension Plan, and the adoption of equity, diversity and inclusion recommendations. Personally, I have greatly valued her role as a strategic advisor to me as president, the Board, and the entire leadership team.”  

Williams has worked in progressively responsible roles at the University for over two decades. Appointed to her first term as vice president of Human Resources in July 2020, she oversees Human Resources and Student Services. Her role has expanded to encompass Campus Safety, Risk Management, equity, Diversity, and accessibility and Environmental Health and safety. 

Williams has been instrumental in driving significant initiatives and improvements across the University throughout her tenure according to a Trent press release. Her leadership has been pivotal in enhancing Trent’s financial stability and employee benefits, typified when the University became the fourth University to join the multi-employer, jointly-sponsored University Pension Plan Ontario (UPP). The move saw the Trent University Faculty Union successfully transition to the UPP in January 2022 and initiate the process for employees represented by OPSEU Local 365 and exempt administrative staff to convert to the plan by January 2025.  

She has fostered positive relationships and successful collective agreements with unions by focusing on collaboration and mutual respect. In the realm of equity, diversity, and inclusion, she led the appointment of Trent’s inaugural director of EDI, advancing the University's mission to create a more inclusive campus. 

VP Williams has led enhancements in mental health strategy and Indigenous student support through her leadership of the Student Affairs portfolio, which includes the First Peoples House of Learning, Health Services, Counselling, Student Conduct, and Spiritual Affairs. Notably, her Human Resources efforts have focused on new initiatives and on continuing traditions that strengthen the Trent community, such as the annual Heart of the Trent event, which celebrates the contributions of staff, faculty, and retirees. 

VP Williams was also pivotal in Trent’s safe and effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to navigate shifts between remote and in-person work and learning, overseeing and developing vaccination and screening protocols and managing the COVID Case Management team. 

“I am honoured to be reappointed to this position,” said VP Williams. “After more than 20 years at Trent, this has been the most rewarding role I have held. I am excited about the future of the institution and what we will accomplish in the years ahead with our exceptional team. I look forward to playing a key role in supporting the incoming President with the rest of the leadership team, especially as it relates to managing growth opportunities and other areas of my expanded portfolio.” 

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Peterborough Police In Search of Missing 28-Year-Old Man From Monday Evening

UPDATE: He has been found as of 11 a.m. 09/04/24

The Peterborough Police Service is currently searching for a missing person; 28-year-old Dillon Smith.

He was last seen at roughly 8:15 p.m., walking in the area of Lansdowne Street and River Road South.

Dillon is 5’6”, 150 lbs., with short blonde hair and a goatee. He was wearing a reflective sweater and black jeans.

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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Former Peterborough Petes Konnor Smith Scores In His AHL Debut With the San Diego Gulls

Former Peterborough Pete Konnor Smith will not forget his American Hockey League debut anytime soon as he scored his first professional goal with the San Diego Gulls against the Tucson Roadrunners at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego on Saturday night.

x Photo, San Diego Gulls.

The goal occurred with less than five minutes left in regulation. San Diego had yet to score in the contest and was facing a 3-0 deficit. The Gulls forced a turnover at the Roadrunners’s blue line, creating a three-on-one chance with Smith joining the rush.

The 6’6 defenseman tipped in a one-timer past the Tuscon goaltender for the team’s only goal.

“It was about 12 hours after my season ended in Owen Sound that I got the call up to San Diego,” explained Smith. “It was pretty crazy. I got the call, went home to my billets, packed everything up and drove home to Windsor.”

Check yes, Konnor, are you with me!?#LetsMosh | #TUCvsSD pic.twitter.com/BQ3UPx0d44

— San Diego Gulls (@SDGullsAHL) April 7, 2024

Smith had signed an amateur tryout on the same day with the club.

“I spent that night with my family and was on a flight out of Detroit at 8:30 a.m,” said Smith. “I landed in San Diego met the staff and team and checked into the hotel. The next day at morning skate was when I found out I was going to be in the lineup that night. It wasn’t expected to be in the lineup that early but I was stoked.”

He won an OHL Championship with the Petes last season and had two assists in 23 playoff games. He also had one more helper in five Memorial Cup games.

Smith was drafted 97th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the fourth round, at the 2023 NHL Entry Level Draft in Nashville, Tenn. on June 29.

The Petes originally selected the 209-pound defenseman in the ninth round of the 2020 OHL Priority Selection out of the Windsor Jr. Spitfires program.

On Jan. 2, Smith and forward Sam McCue were traded to the Owen Sound Attack in exchange for forward Nico Addy, defenceman Martin Matejicek and a third-round pick in 2026.

“Suiting up for that game and eventually scoring my first AHL goal in the 3rd period was such an unreal feeling,” he explained. “Words can’t even describe my experience so far.”

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North Kawartha and Trent Lakes Well Water Drop Off Program Resumes On Tuesday

The well water sampling drop-off program in the Township of North Kawartha and the Municipality of Trent Lakes resumes Tuesday.

Photo by dAVID tUAN bUI.

The program offers free sample collection kit pick-up and sample drop-off.

Water samples can be dropped off at,

• North Kawartha Municipal Office is located at 280 Burleigh St., Apsley, Ont., on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.

• Trent Lakes Municipal Office, located at 760 County Rd. 36, Trent Lakes, Ont., Tuesdays and Thursdays between 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.

The samples are then couriered to the Public Health Ontario Lab in Peterborough for testing. Empty sample bottles can be picked up during regular business hours.

Well water testing is recommended twice a year: once in the spring and once in the fall. The samples are tested for two types of bacterial contamination: total coliforms and E. coli. PPH says that anyone can become ill if they consume contaminated water, but young people, older adults and immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk.

Samples must be dropped off at the municipal offices within 24 hours of collection to ensure they reach the lab and are processed in a timely manner.

Residents are encouraged to carefully read each kit's sampling and collection instructions. Filled sample bottles should be delivered to the municipal office's front desk. Staff will then place them in a fridge until the courier collects them.

Water samples can also be dropped off at the following locations:

• Havelock-Belmont-Methuen Township Office, 1 Ottawa St., Havelock, from Monday through Thursday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

• Peterborough Public Health, 185 King St., Peterborough, is open between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon on Fridays.

• Public Health Ontario Laboratory, 99 Hospital Dr. weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Residents will receive water quality results by mail or can call Public Health Ontario’s Interactive Voice Response at 1-877-723-3426.

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