Man Who Refused to Leave Fast-Food Bathroom Arrested For Drug Possession Charges

A 45-year-old Peterborough man is facing multiple drug possession charges after an incident Thursday evening.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 9:15 p.m., the Peterborough Police received a call from staff at a local fast-food restaurant on Lansdowne Street about a male in the washroom who was refusing to leave.

Officers from the Community FIRST Unit responded and investigated. The male was located, identified and wanted on an outstanding warrant. As a result, the male was subsequently arrested.

During a search of the suspect, after arrest, officers located and seized the following:

• 90.7g of Fentanyl

• 6.1g of Crystal Methamphetamine

• 1.4g of Crack Cocaine

• Hydromorphone pills

• Clonazepam pills 

• Dilaudid pills

• 10.7g of Heroin

• 10.8g of Cocaine

The man is charged with:

• Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Methamphetamine

• Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Cocaine x 2

• Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Heroin

• Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Other Drugs

• Possession of a schedule IV substance for the purpose of trafficking

• Possession of a schedule II substance for the purpose of trafficking x 2

The accused was held in custody and appeared in court on Friday.

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Peterborough Petes Showered From Teddy Bear Toss After 3-2 Overtime Win Against Sarnia

The stuffed animals were flying as the Peterborough Petes won in overtime 3-2 against the Sarnia Sting on Teddy Bear Toss night at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth ANdersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The game was deadlocked with no score until the last minute of the second period where Sarnia was on the power play. Tyson Doucette blasted a one-timer from the point that got by Easton Rye for a 1-0 lead.

With no scoring after halfway through the third period, the Petes fans were anxious to let throw their teddy bears on the ice which occurs after the Petes’s first goal.

That was a good opportunity Petes defenceman Blake Gowan to get his first career OHL goal as he joined the rush. He stickhandled the puck and backhanded it past the Sting goalie for a 1-1 game and to send all of the teddy bears flying to the ice.

Donations of other stuffed animals, toques, gloves and socks flooded the ice. There were 1571 donations were collected in support of the Move 99.7 and Pure Country 105 Christmas Toy Drive, in support of the Salvation Army’s Annual Christmas Appeal.

Less than two minutes later, Peterborough was on the power play. Ryder McIntyre tried a wraparound bid but went off a defender. The ricochet met Aiden Young’s stick and he buried it for the Petes’s first lead of the game, 2-1.

Sarnia was able to battle back late in the period. With 62 seconds left in regulation, Doucette struck again with another one-timer to tie things up at two for overtime.

Just as Peterborough saw their power play finish, Braydon McCallum passed it across to Caden Taylor who sniped it home on a one-timed shot in overtime for the walk-off goal for the 3-2 win. This was the first winning streak for the Petes this season with two straight overtime wins.

The Petes hit the road to Brantford to take on the at the Brantford Civic Centre on Friday. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.

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Peterborough's Housing Crisis Continues to Be Problematic Says United Way

The United Way Peterborough & District’s 19th Edition of Housing is Fundamental report that highlights Peterborough’s worsening rental market according to author Paul Armstrong.

Paul Armstrong authored the Housing is Fundamental report annually. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This year’s report analyzes the market and underscores the ongoing challenges posed by housing affordability and accessibility.

Their local key findings include:

• Canada has reached a new low for its vacancy rate at 1.5 per cent

• Peterborough’s vacancy rate remains at 1 per cent

• The average market rent is $1,325 across all units, which is a 6.5 per cent increase from last year

• Three-bedroom units saw the largest increase in average market rents at 7.7 per cent

• The annual income required to afford the average market rent is $53,000

Average Rent In Canada

Average Listed Rents by Unit Type - Feb. 2024

Rent Year-Over-Year Change

The report also recognized these highlights of the rental market in Canada:

• Canada-wide vacancy rate was 1.5 per cent (Oct. 2023), a new low

• Strong rental demand outpaced supply

• Tighter markets with lower affordability

• Rent growth exceeded average wage growth by a wide margin

• Rent arrears increased from 6.5 per cent (2022) to 7.8 per cent (2023)

• Lower-income renters faced below-average vacancy rates for the least expensive apartments

Armstrong highlighted the contributing issues using data from Statistics Canada and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

“When surging rents outpace income increases, something is wrong. When people pay their rent and then find themselves at food banks to eat, something’s amiss,” he said. “When inadequate supply of rental units produces a 1.0 per cent vacancy rate in Peterborough, something has to change. When housing costs are now the primary driver of inflation and 20% of Canadian rental stock is owned by large capital enterprises, something’s inequitable. When homelessness grows, but social housing builds don’t materialize, something’s unjust. The housing crisis deepens with little indication of relief.”

“Housing remains the cornerstone of a healthy and thriving community,” said Jim Russell United Way CEO. “Data is showing us that foodbanks are seeing record high numbers of first-time users. Without stable and affordable housing, individuals face immense barriers in every aspect of their lives, from purchasing food to employment to health. This year’s report is a call to action for all levels of government and community partners.”

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Peterborough Musicfest Seeks Volunteer Treasurer On Board of Directors

Peterborough Musicfest is seeking a volunteer to join its Board of Directors as a treasurer, announced on Thursday.

Since its inception in 1987, Peterborough Musicfest has become a summer classic in the region, drawing over 118,000 attendees annually to its free-admission concerts. The festival has generated over $4.3 million in local activity each year. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Musicfest.

The treasurer will oversee the festival’s financial health, work closely with the Executive Director, Board and bookkeeper to ensure sound fiscal planning and governance according to a press release.

This volunteer position is ideal for someone with a strong background in financial management.

The role involves approximately 20 hours per year, including board meetings, executive and committee discussions and a minimum of five nights of park support throughout the summer months. The successful candidate will also provide financial oversight, assist in budgeting and help ensure compliance with government reporting requirements.

Applications are open until 4 p.m. on Jan. 17. They can be emailed to Tracy Condon, Board Chair, at info@ptbomusicfest.ca.

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Enbridge Gas Invests In Selwyn Fire Department to Support Firefighter Training

An investment from Enbridge Gas Inc. is helping the Selwyn Fire Department to support firefighter training, announced at Selwyn Fire Hall 1 in Bridgenorth on Thursday.

(from left to right) Ron Black, Selwyn Township Deputy Mayor; Sherry Senis, Selwyn Township Mayor; Gord Jopling, Selwyn Fire Department Fire Chief; Jeff Braithwaite, GTA East Supervisor Operations, Enbridge Gas; Mary Coulas, Ennismore Ward Councillor and Brian Henry, Smith Ward Councillor. Since the launch of Safe Community Project Assist in 2012, 369 grants have been provided to Ontario fire departments for additional firefighter training. Photo courtesy of Selwyn Township.

The investment helps the Fire Department purchase firefighting training materials through Safe Community Project Assist–a program with the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council (FMPFSC). It supplements existing training for Ontario volunteer and composite fire departments in the communities where Enbridge Gas operates.

“At Enbridge, safety is at the centre of everything we do and a value we live by,” says Jeff Braithwaite, GTA East Supervisor Operations, Enbridge Gas. “We are committed to providing emergency response training support to Ontario firefighters so they can continually learn, improve, and protect the vibrant and healthy communities they call home.”

This year’s $125,000 investment from Enbridge Gas will be shared by 25 Ontario fire departments, including Selwyn Fire Department. The funds will be used to purchase educational materials to assist in training firefighters in life-saving techniques.

“Fire departments train every single day and that’s why it’s important for them to have access to the right materials to keep their members and the public safe. Safe Community Project Assist helps departments afford some of these training tools and improves the ongoing learning that occurs across Ontario,” says John McBeth, Acting Ontario Fire Marshal and Acting Chair of the FMPFSC.

“We are very grateful to Enbridge Gas and the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council for supporting Selwyn Fire Department with these training materials. Proper training has always been very important to our responders, and these men and women strive to advance their knowledge and training to be the best they can be for our community,” said Fire Chief Gord Jopling. “As province-wide mandatory certification rapidly approaches, the need for training materials for our volunteer firefighters is more important than ever.”

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Peterborough Healthcare Providers Offer Tips During Respiratory Illness Season

With respiratory illness season upon us, the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC), Peterborough Family Health Team (PFHT) and Peterborough Public Health (PPH) are providing healthcare tips to consider before going to the Emergency Department.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

With mounting patient volumes at PRHC, all providers ask patients to assess the urgency of their conditions and consider alternatives to the ED if they do not require emergency care. PPH says to consider your family doctor or nurse practitioner (if you have one), as they may offer same-day appointments.

PFHT-affiliated physicians also offer extended-hour clinics to serve their rostered patients with non-emergent health concerns. Those with a family physician or nurse practitioner are encouraged to call them first and to use the extended hours service if their physician is away. Learn more about the extended hours service.

Those without a primary care provider can view a list of alternative healthcare options. 

PRHC's ED is available 24/7 for patients who need emergency care.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available for anyone over six months. PRHC does not offer these vaccines to members of the community. They may also be available at your local pharmacy. COVID-19 vaccination can be booked through the Provincial Vaccine Booking Centre online or by calling 1-833-943-3900. Eligible residents can receive testing for COVID-19 at participating pharmacies.

Residents are advised to check Peterborough Public Health’s COVID-19 and Other Respiratory Virus Risk Index for guidance on staying safe during holiday gatherings. PPH suggests to consider borrowing a CO2 monitor from your local library to monitor indoor air quality and help prevent the spread of respiratory infections.

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Peterborough GreenUP Downtown Retail Space to Close in New Year

GreenUP (also known as GreenUP Store and Resource Centre) is closing its downtown retail space in the new year.

File Photo.

“Ensuring sustained financial viability to achieve our mission is one of our key strategic priorities, and unfortunately our downtown retail store no longer serves GreenUP in the way we need it to,” said Tegan Moss, GreenUP executive director. “This will create room for us to focus on fostering awareness in other areas, changing mindsets, and advancing sustainability through our programs.”
 
The store will be open regular hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday until Dec. 21.

There will be a clearance sale of any remaining stock during regular operating hours from Jan. 7 to 17.

GreenUP gift certificates will continue to be honoured at GreenUP Ecology Park, however if a certificate holder wishes to use it at the store, they are encouraged to bring it in for their holiday shopping. All proceeds from the store continue to directly support GreenUPs’s climate work in the community.
 
“While the closure feels like a loss, the widespread availability of sustainable products that were once very hard to find is a win. This is a sign of progress we’re proud to have supported,” said Moss. “We are grateful for the store’s impact and the support it drew from the community,” says Moss. “It was our privilege to connect you with sustainable products, and we look forward to working with you in new ways to deepen personal climate action.” 

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HKPR District Health Unit and Peterborough Public Health Moves Forward With Merger

The Boards of Health for Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR District Health Unit) and Peterborough Public Health (PPH) are moving forward with a voluntary merger, effective on Jan. 1, announced on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The merger's goal is to sustain and improve the delivery of public health programs and services across the City of Kawartha Lakes, the County of Haliburton, Northumberland County, Hiawatha First Nation, Curve Lake First Nation, Alderville First Nation, Peterborough County and the City of Peterborough as stated by PPH.

The merger will be supported through an investment of $10.1 million from the Province of Ontario, which was announced on Monday. The investment will support the merger directly, catch-up activities, and service improvements to strengthen public health in this region.

“This is an important milestone bringing both public health units together to form one new organization,” said David Marshall, Board Chair for the HKPR District Health Unit. “Our dedicated and now combined employees of more than 300 public health professionals will continue to work with our communities, partners and stakeholders to protect and promote health and prevent disease within our combined areas to keep our residents healthy.”

In August last year, the Ministry of Health announced plans to strengthen the public health sector by offering one-time funding, resources and support to local public health agencies that voluntarily merged by Jan. 1.

In response to the announcement, the both organizations say they engaged the consulting firm Sense and Nous to conduct a feasibility study on a potential merger. They voted to move forward with the merger process in February and a voluntary merger proposal and budget was submitted to the Ministry of Health on April 2. The new Board of Health will meet for the first time in the new year. The Ministry of Health has assured the public health unit that the government commits to 100 per cent provincial funding support for this merger with no fiscal impacts to municipalities and First Nations as a result of this merger, and in principle also commit to funding eligible merger expenses in subsequent years according to a press release.

Membership of the new Board of Health will include nine municipal representatives (two from the County of Northumberland, two from the City of Kawartha Lakes, one from the County of Haliburton, two from the County of Peterborough, and two from the City of Peterborough). In addition, the new Board of Health intends to have section 50 representation (one member from Curve Lake First Nation and one from Hiawatha First Nation). The new Board of Health will also include provincial appointees, as outlined in the Health Protection and Promotion Act, and these members are yet to be confirmed.

“Peterborough residents became more familiar with public health’s role and leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the health unit in our community has served us for over 135 years with a wide-reaching scope beyond infectious diseases,” said Councillor Joy Lachica, PPH Board Chair. “With our friends at HKPR and the generous funding investment by the province, we will sustain and grow public health services for our residents.”

A new organizational structure and leadership team for the merged public health unit will be announced later. Both current public health units will remain operational, with no immediate impact on programs and services provided to the public says PPH. A new identity and brand will be launched in early 2025.Further communication will be released once the new health unit launches its official business name and new logo.

During this time, both the HKPR District Health Unit and Peterborough Public Health remain committed to engaging with the communities they serve, partners and teams to determine future opportunities to continue the important work of public health across the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, Northumberland County, Hiawatha First Nation, Curve Lake First Nation, Alderville First Nation, Peterborough County and the City of Peterborough.

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Peterborough Man Arrested for Pointing Replica Gun at Couple

A 26-year-old Peterborough County man is facing multiple firearm charges after an incident Tuesday evening.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 8 p.m., officers arrived at the Ashburnham Drive and Lansdowne Street area and learned that a couple had a gun flashed at them by another pair known to them. 

While speaking to the victims, suspects matching the description given to police were spotted walking on the sidewalk. Officers approached the pair and attempted a gunpoint arrest. The male disobeyed the officer's commands and fled on foot.  Officers gave chase and caught up to the man in a nearby parking lot. He was taken into custody. Officers seized a replica handgun.

As a result of the investigation, a 26-year-old Peterborough County man was arrested and charged with:

• Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose

• Possession of Firearm or Ammunition contrary to Prohibition Order

A Prohibition Oder currently binds the accused with the following conditions: to not possess any firearm. 

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 14.

The investigation is ongoing.

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Quaker Foods City Square to Hold Tree Lighting Ceremony For Second-Straight Year

Quaker Foods City Square is becoming a hub for the holidays and community as for a second straight year, they are hosting a tree-lighting ceremony and market event on Dec. 14 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The City of Peterborough and the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) will partner to host this year's event.

“Quaker Foods City Square has become a winter downtown destination for locals and visitors alike where people can come together and enjoy getting active with a skate on the outdoor rink,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “The return of the tree and the illuminated ‘PTBO’ sign creates a perfect backdrop for festive fun, and I look forward to celebrating the season with the community.”

“The tree lighting ceremony at Quaker Foods City Square is a great way to bring our community together to celebrate the season during one of the most exciting times of year in Downtown Peterborough,” said Nour Mazloum, Peterborough DBIA executive director. "We're excited to partner with the City of Peterborough to host this event with skating, music and festive treats, while showcasing all that downtown Peterborough has to offer.”

Tree lighting ceremony activities include:

• Official opening of the outdoor rink (weather dependent) with Learn to Skate programming from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Open Skate from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Live DJ playing upbeat and family-friendly music

• Giant board games from the Boardwalk Board Game Lounge

• Kids activities including colouring pages and photo opportunities with Peterborough Petes’ mascot Roger

• Merchandise and gift cards for sale from The Boro, as well as Petes’ merchandise from downtown retailer Rawscoe’s Sports Collectibles

• Downtown vendors with food and beverage items available for purchase including hot chocolate from The Vanilla Room, beverages from BOBO Tea, and cookies and treats from The Chill Desire and Em and Oms Cookies

• Peterborough Regional Health Centre presents promoting “The Sharing Tree” holiday fundraising campaign

• Free skate sharpening by Runner’s Life

The tree-lighting will take place at 6 p.m. when Mayor Leal will turn on the lights.

The event also kicks off the outdoor skating season in the Square. Depending on weather conditions, the refrigerated skating rink is anticipated to be open through the winter months.

City staff are currently preparing the site and monitoring conditions to ensure safe ice.

Parking is available on-street or at the King Street Parkade, which is adjacent to the square.

Free two-hour holiday parking is available at all downtown municipal parking spaces, including on-street parking, municipal parking lots, the King Street Parking Garage and the Simcoe Parking Garage until Dec.31.

Wolfe Personal Injury Lawyers sponsored the parking initiative with all voluntary parking fees going towards Kawartha Food Share.

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