PVNCCDSB Recognizes and Honours Student Leadership

As part of Catholic Education Week, Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board (PVNCCDSB) honoured 36 students with a Catholic Student Leadership Award during a ceremony at Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School in Peterborough on Wednesday.

(Back from left) Director of Education Stephen O’Sullivan, Peterborough Trustee Loretta Durst, Leigha Cheng (St. Patrick CES), Lyla Mahoney (St. John CES), Andrew Iammancini (St. Peter CSS), Blake Ferguson (St. Paul CES) and Superintendent Jeannie Armstrong.

(Front from left) Aabish Ali (Holy Cross CSS), Sophie Lemoire (Immaculate Conception CES, Joy Davis (Monsignor O’Donoghue CES), Gracie-May Hermer (St. Alphonsus CES), Alivia Friesen (St. Anne CES) and Sonny Gillis (St. Catherine CES). Photo courtesy of PVNCCDBS.

One student was selected from each elementary and secondary school and winners were presented with a special medallion. Award recipients were nominated by principals, teachers and, in some cases, fellow students.

PVNCCDSB says that each student demonstrated outstanding qualities in Catholic leadership, family commitment, involvement in school affairs, involvement in community activities and dedication to a difficult situation or task.

“In celebrating our student leaders during Catholic Education Week, we are reminded of the vibrant role faith plays not only in education but in shaping individuals who are committed to making a difference in their communities,” said Kevin MacKenzie, board chairperson. “These students, recognized for their exemplary leadership and dedication, illustrate the profound impact of our Catholic values in action. Their achievements reflect a dedication to service, community, and a deep-rooted belief in the power of faith to inspire positive change. It is with immense pride that we honour their contributions and look forward to the continued influence they will have on their schools and beyond.” 

The following is a complete list of students who were recognized:

• Elliott Banville, St. Michael CES, Cobourg

• Brett Mather, St. Teresa CES, Peterborough

• Gracelynn Gilbank, St. Dominic CES, Lindsay

• Mya Benson, St. Joseph CES, Cobourg

• Sophie Surerus, St. Paul CES, Lakefield

• Alexis Sultan-Khan, St. Joseph CES, Bowmanville

• Joy Davis, Monsignor O’Donoghue CES, Peterborough

• Benjamin Humphries, St. Elizabeth CES, Bownmanville

• Gracie-May Hermer, St. Alphonsus CES, Peterborough

• Chloe Williamson, St. Joseph CES, Douro

• Abigayle Jennings, St. Luke CES, Downeyville

• Leigha Cheng, St. Patrick CES, Peterborough

• George MacDonald, St. John Paul II CES, Lindsay

• Faith Mullin, St. Mary CES, Grafton

• Tyler Young, St. Martin CES, Ennismore

• Lilyan Stewart, Notre Dame CES, Cobourg

• Sophia Jilesen, St. Anthony CES, Port Hope

• Blake Ferguson, St. Paul CES, Peterborough

• Ivan Black, St. Mary CES, Lindsay

• Stella Maria Nekkers, Good Shepherd CES, Courtice

• Lyla Mahoney, St. John CES, Peterborough

• Sophie Lemoire, Immaculate Conception CES, Peterborough

• Alivia Friesen, St. Anne CES, Peterborough

• Mason Doucette, St. Mother Teresa CES, Courtice

• Tyson Chisholm, Holy Family CES, Bowmanville

• Jolene Payne, St. Paul CES, Norwood

• Jazmine Pereira, Monsignor Leo Cleary CES, Courtice

• Madyson Shea, St. Francis of Assisi CES, Newcastle

• Sonny Gillis, St. Catherine CES, Peterborough

• Raegan Larcombe, St. Mary CES, Campbellford

• Aabish Ali, Holy Cross CSS, Peterborough

• Samantha Tungcol, St. Stephen CSS, Bowmanville

• Reagan Lusted, St. Thomas Aquinas CSS, Lindsay

• Andrew Iammancini, St. Peter CSS, Peterborough

• Elijah Deryaw, St. Mary CSS, Cobourg

• Isabella Ciancone, Holy Trinity CSS, Courtice

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Belleville Woman Wanted On Warrants Arrested With Multiple Drug Charges

A 28-year-old Belleville woman wanted on warrants is facing multiple drug charges after an investigation from the Peterborough Police Service Drug Unit after recent violent incidents in Peterborough.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

As a result of the investigation, officers seized:

• 22.4 grams of Crystal Methamphetamine

• 29.2 grams of Cocaine

• 4.2 grams of Fentanyl

• Canadian Currency

• Black bear mace

The woman was wanted on warrants, was arrested and further charged with:

• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking- Other Drugs

• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine

• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking – Methamphetamine

• Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000 - in Canada

• Failure to comply with Prohibition Order

• Possession of imitation weapon for Dangerous Purpose

• Failure to comply with Undertaking

• Fail to Comply with Probation Order

The accused is currently bound by a prohibition order with the following condition not to possess any restricted weapon or explosive substance.

She is currently bound by probation with the following conditions: to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.

The Belleville woman is currently bound by an undertaking not to possess any restricted weapon or explosive substance.

The accused is being held in custody and will appear in court on Thursday.

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City of Peterborough's Online Parking Ticket Payment System Temporarily Out of Service

UPDATE: 10:36 a.m. 09/05/24 The issue is resolved and the system is back online.

The City of Peterborough is experiencing technical issues with its online system for parking ticket payments.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

During this time, the service is temporarily unavailable while repairs are completed.

Parking ticket payments can be made in-person at City Hall, 500 George St. N. or by telephoning the Tax Office at 705-742-7777 during regular business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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The 15th Annual Berlett Cup Kicks Off Men's League Play At the Peterborough Golf & Country Club

To kick off the men’s golf season, the prestigious 15th-annual Berlett Cup began for the Peterborough Golf & Country Club (PGCC) on Tuesday afternoon.

Connor Blair (left) and Taylor Blair (right) were co-captains of the defending-champion team, ‘Team Birdie Juice’ and plan to win the title for a second-straight year. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Cup is a summer league that runs from May to September. It is comprised of eight teams of 20. This year, 173 golfers including several new members participated in this year’s Cup.

Ian Armstrong, PGCC director, says the league highlights the spirit of golf and is a great way to kick off the season.

“It speaks to the culture of friendship, camaraderie, healthy competition, having fun and trying to shoot the best golf scores you can,” he explained. “The numbers demonstrate how much people love this day; it's the highlight of their week and it's the highlight of the summer golf schedule at the club.”

The tournament is named after the late Dan Berlett, who was a well-respected longtime member and former president of the PGCC.

“Dan was all about camaraderie, competitiveness, fairness and most importantly, getting men together and socializing after a round,” said Kurtis Sweeting, PGCC sport director.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The draft occurred a few weeks before the event. Last year’s defending champions were ‘Team Birdie Juice.’ Connor Blair, a member of the winning team, says the league brings out the golfers' competitiveness but in a fun and sportsmanlike way.

“It's quite competitive,” he explained. “Obviously we're out here to have fun but when strokes matter and you're playing against teams each and every week, I would say it can get heated at times and it's not out of the normal to see a two-footer be a gimmie late in the playoffs because you want to make sure everyone makes everything.”

The league marks the beginning of the golf season for everyone at PGCC. The golfers' eagerness to hit the links for the Berlett Cup is obvious according to PGCC members and staff.

“It (The Berlett Cup) speaks to number one, to the culture here at Peterborough,” said Blair. “We always get such a good showing and it's a very inclusive club. Whether you're brand new to the game or if you've played for 20 years, it's not uncommon to have a beer and meet someone for the first time or play with your buddies that you've played with for 10-plus years.”

“This event speaks to the culture and values of the club that we come together on a weekly basis to celebrate our friendship and our membership,” said Armstrong.

“This was a lot of members' home opener,” explained Sweeting. “We didn't get to open the men's officially due to weather but this is basically our official opening and the guys are excited.”

The PGCC hosted its Ladies Open tournament on Tuesday.

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Peterborough Man Arrested and Hit With Multiple Child Pornography Charges

A 45-year-old Peterborough man is facing several child pornography charges after a six-month investigation.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

On Wednesday, Peterborough Police Service ICE Unit officers executed a search warrant at a local residence. 

As a result of a cooperative investigation effort between the United States Department of Homeland Security and Peterborough Police Service, the man was arrested and charged with:

• Imports, Distributes, Sells or Possession for the Purpose of Distribution or Sale of any Child Pornography

• Possession of Child Pornography

• Agreement to Commit a Sexual Offence against a Person under 16 years of age

The accused is being held in custody and will appear in court on Wednesday.

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Kinsmen Minor Football League Registration Open For the Fall Season

The Kinsmen Minor Football League (KMFL) has opened registration for the 2024 Fall Season.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The League will consist of a Junior Division (kids born from 2014-2016) and a Senior Division (kids born from 2011-2013).

Weekly practices start on Aug. 26, Saturday games begin Sept.14 and the season concludes on Championship Day on Nov. 2. 

Cost is $395 with Early Bird pricing of $345 in effect until July 1.

All equipment, excluding mouthguards and cleats, is provided.

“We are very excited to open our 2024 Season,” said Bryan Junkin, KMFL president. “Due to the generosity of this community through sponsorships and fundraising, we are able to keep our player costs at last year's level and add a large amount of new player and training equipment.”

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Peterborough Police Seeking a Motorcyclist Who Fled After Attempted Traffic Stop For Speeding

The Peterborough Police Service is looking for a motorcycle driver who fled from an attempted traffic stop after speeding on Tuesday evening.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 7:15 p.m., a black motorcycle travelling at a high rate of speed passed several vehicles including a marked police cruiser on County Road 10 heading into Millbrook. 

Police estimate the motorcycle was going between 120-130 km/h at the time. 

The driver is described as:

• Male

• Wearing dark pants and a black t-shirt with white lettering on the back

• A dark-coloured helmet

Police believe the motorcycle is black. The officer activated their emergency lights but the bike did not stop.

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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City of Peterborough Marks This Week As Emergency Preparedness Week

The City of Peterborough is marking this week as Emergency Preparedness Week by urging residents to be prepared in case of emergency.

Photo by Keegan Beekers.

This year’s public education initiative theme is ‘Plan for every season.’  

By taking a few simple steps, residents can become better prepared to face the range of unique emergency challenges facing Peterborough on a seasonal basis. Residents are encouraged to: 

• Know the risks – Although the consequences of disasters can be similar, knowing the risks specific to their community and region can help residents better prepare. 

• Make an emergency plan – It will help individuals and their families know what to do. 

• Prepare an emergency kit – Having basic supplies to enable residents to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours without power or tap water is a widely recommended guideline. During emergencies, it may take time for emergency services to reach everyone in need, especially if the situation is widespread or resources are limited. Being prepared to sustain themselves and their family for that initial period, not only eases the burden on emergency responders but also increases their chances of staying safe and comfortable until help arrives. 

“Emergencies can vary widely in nature, so it is important for us to adapt our preparations accordingly. Whether it's a natural disaster, power outage, or other unforeseen event, having a well-thought-out emergency plan and supplies can provide peace of mind and increase our resilience in challenging situations,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. 

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Peterborough Golf & Country Club Growing Women's Golf As Longstanding Ladies Open Sees 65 Golfers Tee Off

With golf season back in full swing, 65 women hit the links for the annual Ladies Open at the Peterborough Golf & Country Club (PGCC) on Tuesday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The tournament has been with the PGCC for several decades spanning over 125 years of being in town. It has been a long-standing tradition to the course the continues to grow women’s golf each year.

“The ladies are really the lifeblood of this club,” said Jermaine Brissett, PGCC general manager. “They are involved in absolutely everything and they contribute to the club in so many ways. Having them kick off this year is absolutely perfect.”

“We're working on growing the sport and trying to bring in all age levels especially younger people,” said Michele Cavanagh, ladies golf director.

All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Women’s golf in Peterborough has grown in Peterborough as the club has seen more ladies hitting the links more than ever.

“If you see what we've been able to accomplish this season, our leagues are up 35 per cent,” said Kurtis Sweeting, PGCC sport director. “We've had 15 to 20 percent more play in years past. Golf is an accommodation sport.”

The club has several events catered specifically for women including League nights, tournaments, golf camps and even a wine and cheese night.

Couples evening league is a service that PGCC offers to appeal to both genders.

The tournament offered either an 18-hole or 9-hole format. Once the women have finished the first nine holes, the ladies playing half the course join in.

“The tournament actually gets bigger after nine holes which is kind of unique,” explained Brissett.

Whether teams score birdie, par or bogey, the message is that they all enjoy themselves playing the game.

“We've been working towards promoting the spirit of fun, friendship and golf,” said Cavanagh.

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Twenty Community Groups Made Peterborough Parks Greener For the Great Community Litter Clean-Up

The first Great Community Litter Clean-up saw 20 community groups and organizations come together during Earth Week to pick up litter in Peterborough parks and along trails.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

There were 1.2 tonnes of litter collected which equals more than 133,000 plastic water bottles according to The City of Peterborough.

“As always, our community really came together for the betterment of the environment,” said Councillor Joy Lachica.“We all play a role in having a beautiful, litter-free City, whether by picking up litter, putting trash in the proper receptacles or packing our blue boxes to reduce blowing recyclables on collection day.” 

Groups can organize a litter clean-up in a park, trail or public space any time. Registration can be found on the City’s website to receive a free litter clean-up kit and arrange a designated time and location for Public Works staff to collect the garbage.  

A new online collaboration tool is available on the City’s community consultation website. Residents can log their completed litter clean-up event on an interactive map and connect with other people and clean-up groups in the community.

Through this forum, residents can also share news about their event plans, share ideas, and offer to help others. 

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