Blue-Green Algae Blooms Expected This Summer Says Peterborough Public Health
/Peterborough Public Health (PPH) advises residents to protect themselves and their pets from blue-green algae (BGA), which may bloom in local lakes.
FIle photo.
Peterborough Blogs
Ontario Government Invests Nearly $450,000 For Training Towards Creating Jobs In Trade Sector
/The Ontario Government has invested $435,210 to train 75 workers for in-demand careers in aviation and construction, announced at Flying Colours on Monday morning.
The investment brings Ontario's total in skills development training through SDF to nearly $1.1 billion. Since its launch in 2021, Ontario's Skills Development Fund has helped connect more than half a million jobseekers with the skills and training they need to find well-paying and fulfilling careers close to home. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
“Our government is proud to invest in programs that support training and upskilling,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “This project will give people the necessary skills needed to land in-demand and well-paying jobs in their communities and contribute to our province.”
The training is provided through the Skills Development Training Stream, which is in partnership with Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) in the Build & Soar program.
It matches students from the Construction and Aerospace & Aviation Specialist High Skills Majors programs at Peterborough Victoria Northumberland Clarington Catholic District School Board and the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board with local employers in the construction, aerospace and aviation industry according to a press release.
The program also contains an eight-week placement with a local employer. It will also allow students to learn about flight training through flight simulators for students pursuing a career in the military or commercial pilot pathways.
“Ontario's trades are vital to the growth of the economy and our government's 'Plan to Build’ offering careers that lead to secure jobs and a good quality life,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “Which is why having programs like the Build & Soar will set them on the path to success.”
The Skills Development Fund Training Stream is open to applicants such as employers, industry associations, labour unions, municipalities, hospitals and more.
“Introducing youth to local employment opportunities is crucial, as it not only equips them with real-life work experience but also strengthens the community's economic fabric,” said Rhonda Keenan, PKED president and CEO . “Local companies play a pivotal role in this process, offering invaluable mentorship and skill-building opportunities while simultaneously tapping into and nurturing the future workforce. By investing in young talent, these businesses contribute to a cycle of growth and innovation that benefits both the students and the broader community.”
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City of Peterborough Marks 20th Anniversary of the 2004 Flood
/The 20th anniversary of the 2004 Flood, which devastated Peterborough, saw the City reflect and recognize the milestone at the Engage Engineering courtyard on Monday morning.
Sylvia Sutherland, Former Peterborough Mayor (left) with Jeff Leal, current Peterborough Mayor (right). Sutherland was the mayor during the flood while Leal was serving as the MPP. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Since the incident, the City of Peterborough has made significant investments in flood mitigation and climate adaptation and discussed its progress at the event according to a press release.
The City has launched an interactive story map online to commemorate the anniversary and provide residents with an engaging way to learn about the 2004 Flood and subsequent investments in flood mitigation infrastructure.
“I will never forget seeing the widespread damage across the city on July 15, 2004,” said Leal. “As a newly elected MPP I was deeply concerned about the wellbeing of Peterborough residents who were facing incredible adversity.
On July 14 and 15, 2004, Peterborough received up to 220 mm of rain in nine hours. It consisted of 10 billion litres of rain which is equal to 9,615 filled Lift Locks and the same as two-and-a-half days of flow on the Otonabee River.
The resulting flooding caused substantial damage to municipal infrastructure and ruined basements in homes in town.
“What happened in the following days was inspirational; neighbours helped one another, volunteer organizations converged to help with recovery efforts and all levels of government provided support. The overwhelming support from emergency responders across the province allowed our community to recover faster than expected,” saidd Leal. “The 2004 Flood was a turning point in the City’s investment in flood mitigation infrastructure and today we are much more resilient to the impacts of climate change.”
The 2004 Flood served as a critical turning point in how the City of Peterborough addressed the inherent risks of flooding, putting the City on the pathway of long-term climate adaptation according to a press release.
They released a Flood Reduction Master Plan and identified the Central Area Flood Reduction project as a top priority. The project was completed last year with support from both the provincial and federal governments.
The City says it used advanced technology to map flood-risk areas and make informed decisions about infrastructure investments, including traditional stormwater infrastructure and natural infrastructure, such as trees, watercourses and wetlands.
The historical development of our City in flood-prone areas, combined with the increasing risk of high-intensity rainfall, means the City’s flood reduction journey is far from complete as stated in a press release.
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Peterborough Lakers Set to Face Owen Sound North Stars In Opening Playoff Round
/The matchup for the Lakers’s first round of the playoffs is set as they are taking on the Owen Sound North Stars expected — but not officially confirmed — to begin at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday.
Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Lakers.
The bracket was determined after the Cobourg Kodiaks defeated Owen Sound 14-9 on Sunday night. The loss locked the North Stars as the sixth seed.
Peterborough had locked down the third seed after defeating the Brampton Excelsiors 11-6 on Thursday ending with a 7-5 record. The Lakers sit behind the defending champion and undefeated Six Nations Chiefs and second-seeded Brooklin L.C.
The Lakers faced Owen Sound in a home-and-home series on June 22 and 25. Peterborough won both games by scores of 15-8 and 13-7 respectively.
The teams play a best-of-five series in the first round. The semifinals and finals are a best-of-seven.
The Chiefs, as the top seed, earn a first-round bye. Brooklin L.C. is paired with the seventh-place Brampton Excelsiors, while the fourth-place Cobourg Kodiaks play the fifth-place Oakville Rock.
Two People Pronounced Dead After Being Discovered at Peterborough Trails
/Two people have died suddenly near Peterborough trails as reported by the Peterborough Police Service this past weekend.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Around 7:10 p.m. on Saturday, officers discovered the body of a 35-year-old male near a trail in Park Street and Romaine Street area.
Around 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, another body of a 24-year-old male was discovered near the east side of the London Street bridge.
Both bodies are under Coroner’s Investigation. Police suspect there is no foul play at this time.
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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Innovation Cluster, Dr. J's BBQ & Brews, The Local Show and Baxter Hunt
/PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…
Innovation Cluster Peterborough and Kawarthas has three new board directors: Waun Broderick, Jan d’Ailly and Kelly Hagen.
The organization is celebrating 20 years of propelling growth and entrepreneurship in the region and is at a pivotal point as it reinvents its approach through a new strategic transformation. The three new board members bring skills the organization is looking for as it moves forward, reflecting its commitment to building a prominent and vibrant centre for the incubation and commercialization of innovation to support the needs of companies, partners, and the ecosystem.
Dr. J’s BBQ and Brews is heading to the lake.
After 10 years downtown in the historic Montreal House at the corner of Aylmer and King Streets, Dr. J’s is moving to Bridgenorth on the grounds of its sister restaurant, Chemong Lodge, at the corner of Hatton Avenue and Hunter Street. It’s a seamless transition for catering customers and now dining out on their amazing barbecue comes with a lakeside view eight minutes north of Peterborough. Downtown Peterborough will be missing the smell of barbecue.
The Local Show, hosted by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce at Lansdowne Place, is back on Saturday, September 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Local Show is the perfect event for new residents, students, and those considering relocation or retirement to this picturesque region. As you explore the exhibition, you'll have the opportunity to discover unique offerings from local businesses. Booths are still available for businesses looking to meet new customers as we expect about 14,000 people to pass through the mall that day. Visit pkchamber.ca for more information.
Peterborough hosted US Consul General Baxter Hunt last week, providing an opportunity to showcase what our community offers for American visitors and business investment.
This visit discussed growing businesses, local investment, and strengthening the economic relationship between Peterborough and U.S companies, hosted by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce at the new Canadian Canoe Museum location. The event included Mayor Jeff Leal, Warden Bonnie Clark and a diverse group of local businesses.
Photos: Barbeques Are Firing Up For the 19th Annual Kawartha Rotary Ribfest
/The barbeques are fired up as the 19th Annual Kawartha Rotary Ribfest is underway at Millennium Park from Friday to Sunday.
The event is filled with activities, food and entertainment that will cater to all walks of life according to Susan Zambonin, Habitat for Humanity CEO.
“We have four ribbers this year, we have a number of food vendors and other vendors,” she explained. “We have lots of entertainment, we've also added family-friendly entertainment. We have a magician here, face-painting for the kids and colouring.”
Proceeds from the event go towards the Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha and its community projects. Their main one includes building a washroom for the Brock Mission.
Rib vendors at the event are Boss Hog’s BBQ, Fat Boys Barbeque, Silver Bullet, Bar-B-Q and Jack the Ribber. Other food options from the vendors include brisket, pulled pork, chicken and cornbread.
Other vendors available are Corn, Beaver Tails, Kettle Curls, Poutine Supreme, Lemonade, Mr. Kettle Corn and Kawartha Buttertart Factory.
Live entertainment with 15 groups are set for the stage throughout the three days.
The following are the operating hours of Ribfest:
Friday: Noon to 11 p.m.
Saturday: Noon to 11 p.m.
Sunday: Noon to 5 p.m.
Provincial Government Invests Nearly $450,000 Into Peterborough-Kawartha Long-Term Care Homes
/The Ontario Government has invested $444,135 to four local long-term care homes in Peterborough-Kawartha area as part of the Local Priorities Fund, announced at Fairhaven Long-Term Care Home on Friday morning.
The Local Priorities Fund is part of a broader investment of over $120 million in 2022-23 and complements the recently launched Equipment and Training Fund. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The following homes are receiving the investment:
Extendicare Lakefield: $5,950
Extendicare Peterborough: $37,321
Fairhaven Long Term Care: $261,059
St. Joseph’s at Fleming: $139,805
“The Ontario government’s investment will enhance the services we provide to our resident’s care needs,” said to Nancy Rooney, Fairhave executive director. “The Local Priority Fund allows our residents to have the care required without overburdening our hospitals.”
The funding will help long-term care homes be supplied with items such as IV equipment, bariatrics equipment bed support, bladder scanners, and ECGs. It also goes towards everyday items like slip-proof floor mats, wrap around bed rails, and grab bars according Rooney.
This funding covers costs for specialized staffing, equipment and services for new or increasingly complex medical or specialized equipment needs which cannot currently be accommodated in our home,” she said. “This Fund has made a significant impact to our organization. We greatly appreciate the provincial support in funding different initiative such as the Local Priorities Fund.”
“This investment, tailored to the needs of our community will provide long-term care residents right here in Peterborough-Kawartha with specialized supports and services they need,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.
The Local Priorities Fund was launched in 2022. Since then, roughly $20 million was invested in 2022-23 to help long-term care homes purchase specialized equipment and train staff to provide more specialized care according to a press release. It continues to state that the funding allows homes to welcome residents who have complex needs but no longer require acute care in hospital.
Any current residents who have new or increasingly complex medical or specialized equipment needs which could not be previously accommodated in their long-term care home can be treated on-site rather than unnecessary hospital admissions.
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Jake Withers's Perfect Faceoff Play Helps Lakers Topple Brampton Excelsiors 11-6 In Regular Season Finale
/Jake Withers went a perfect 21/21 in the faceoff dot with three points to help the Lakers take down the Brampton Excelsiors in Peterborough’s regular-season finale in an 11-6 win at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.
Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Lakers.
The home team burst out of the gate in the opening period with seven goals. Peterborough scored the first three thanks to Dylan Hutchinson, Withers and Austin Hasen.
Brampton scored the next three of four goals with Holden Cattoni getting on the board for Peterborough for a 4-3 game. The Lakers ended the period the same way they started, with three-straight scores from Owen Hiltz, Matt Gilray and Joe Resetartis for a 7-3 game.
The second period became a low-scoring affair for both sides. Hasen scored his second of the game to open the period just halfway past the frame. Peterborough let in a power-play goal from Seth Vanschepen before Hiltz got his second goal with 45 seconds left in the period for a 9-4 game.
The third stanza was similar to the last, with little scoring. Adam Thistlethwaite got on the board for the Lakers to open the period. Brampton scored two straight goals before Peterborough got the last goal, thanks to Cattoni. The Lakers won 11-6 and finished the league in third place being the undefeated Six Nations Chiefs and Brooklin L.C. with a 7-5 record.
Peterborough’s playoff opponent has yet to be determined but expect to begin the postseason at home next Thursday.
Peterborough Man Wanted On Two Warrants For Fraud and Assault Arrested
/A 34-year-old Peterborough man wanted on two warrants was arrested on Thursday.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
