Peterborough Drop Pair of Weekend Games; Petes and Otters Head Coach Ejected After Bench Altercation

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It was a weekend to forget as the Peterborough Petes drop a pair of games to the Brantford Bulldogs and Erie Otters on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Peterborough first lost to the Bulldogs with a 4-3 overtime loss at the Brantford Civic Centre on Saturday night.

Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations, called up affiliate players Calum Hartnell, Kaiden Thatcher and Dylan Turcotte for the road trip against Brantford and Erie.

“With some suspensions and injuries to our team this weekend, we’ve called up Calum, Kaiden and Dylan to the Peterborough Petes,” he said. “We’ve been monitoring all three players very closely this year and they have all had strong seasons with their respective teams.”

Gavin Bryant had two assists in his 200th OHL career game. Martin Matejicek, Brennan Faulkner and Brady Stonehouse scored, while Petes goaltender Easton Rye would stop 34 of 38 shots.

The Petes crossed the border to play the Otters but had better days as they lost 7-2 at the Erie Insurance Arena on Sunday.

Matejicek scored his 12th goal of the season while Faulkner tacked on a goal. Quinton Pagé, Stonehouse and Aiden Young all had a helper in the game.

Just under halfway through the second period, Erie’s Alex Messier went after Peterborough’s Francis Parish for a fight at a faceoff but before the puck was even dropped.

This escalated as Rob Wilson, Petes head coach and Kris Mallette, Otters head coach went face-to-face between the benches in a heated argument. They had to be separated by assistant coaches and referees. Both coaches could face supplementary discipline.

Messier also got between the benches and tried to grab Wilson but Strohack quickly pushed his hands away. Wilson and Mallette were eventually ejected. Messier and Strohack were also thrown out.

The Petes return home to face the Ottawa 67’s on Big Brothers Big Sisters Night at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday at 7:05 p.m.

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Acceptance Nurse Psychotherapy, Peterborough Musicfest, Right to Heal and Tariffs Panel

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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…

There’s a lot going on at Acceptance Nurse Psychotherapy right now.

A big warm welcome to nurse practitioners Emma Winson, Andrea Marsh, and Sarah Priess. There are two new psychotherapists, Savanna Smith and Kim Berrio. It’s not just the team that’s expanding, but also their services. Acceptance Nurse Psychotherapy now offers nurse practitioner care and more options to support ADHD, mental health, gender-affirming care, and perimenopause and menopause. You can also book with one of their Nurse Practitioners for assessments, medication management, and ongoing care. Find out more at acceptanceclinic.ca.

There’s a big announcement from Peterborough Musicfest — Serena Ryder is back!

The Juno-winning powerhouse and local legend is kicking off the opening night for the 2025 season on June 28 at 8 p.m. at Del Crary Park. As always, the concerts are free to attend, but they aren’t free to put on. Talk to Tracey and the team at Musicfest about sponsoring this summer’s lineup and supporting Canada’s longest-running free concert series or pick up your diner’s book and support both Musicfest and some of our best local restaurants.

Right to Heal PTBO is hosting Soul Spa, a special wellness event open to all women in the area, on Sunday from 2 to 7 p.m.

It is a celebration of self-care, connection, and community. Soul Spa offers a welcoming space for women of all backgrounds to come together, recharge, and experience holistic wellness. This event is presented in collaboration with ELLES—a networking initiative for holistic wellness practitioners in the Peterborough area. Right to Heal is an organization dedicated to making healing a fundamental right, not a privilege. Find out more and get your tickets at righttoheal.ca.

Businesses looking to make sense of the current Canada/US trade dispute can get some helpful advice from the experts.

Join us for a free event tomorrow morning called Bridging the Divide: Future-Proofing Your Business Against the Effects of US Tariffs. We have a panel of top experts for this free event. Join us on March 4 at Market Hall at 140 Charlotte St. Doors open at 8 a.m. and the speakers and panel discussion will get underway at 8:30 a.m.

If you want to have your business featured on the Business Beat or know of a business doing something new and interested, shoot an email to joel@pkchamber.ca.

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Rotary Club of Peterborough Makes Big Splashes At the 39th Annual Carl Oake Rotary Swim

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The 39th annual Carl Oake Rotary Swim dipped into the YMCA Central East Ontario pool to fundraise their goal of $50,000 for Easter Seals Ontario and Rotary Club of Peterborough on Friday morning.

Around 15 teams/organizations signed up to participate in the Swimathon. Groups and individuals signed up to do swim lanes, catwalk and cannonball challenges to support Easter Seals and Rotary Projects in our Community for the event’s 39th rendition.

“It's amazing to have an event go on this long,” explained said Vanessa Oake Hogan, event organizer. “I think it means a lot to the community and it's had so much support that we're able to carry that support forward and we don't plan on stopping anytime soon.

This is the first swim without Carl Oake, as the family announced his passing in early January. He started this event 39 years ago.

“I hope he's here watching over us and I think he'd be really proud,” said Oake Hogan.

At the end of the swim, Century 21 Realty presented the Oake family with a bench dedicated to Carl Oake’s memory and legacy to remain at the YMCA.

“It was hard coming back into the pool after dad passed because he swam here all the time but to be able to come here now and see that bench, I think it's going to be really special for us,” explained Oake Hogan.

Since its inception, the Swimathon has raised over $1.4 million for Easter Seals and Rotary Projects. Other recipients of the proceeds are literacy programs, various shelters (Brock Mission, Yes Shelter and more), Breakfast for Kids, Camp Kawartha, Rotary Trail and more.

Over $17,500 of the $50,000 goal was already raised online at the publication of this article but more funds have yet to be accounted for with a final tally.

Anyone can donate at any time online at the Rotary’s website.

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Those Willing to Lend a Hand Invited to Volunteer Peterborough's Open House

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Volunteer Peterborough and District 36 Peterborough of Retired Teachers of Ontario (RTOERO) invites residents to discover meaningful volunteer opportunities at an open house held on March 5, announced on Thursday.

Lois Tuffin (pictured) launching Volunteer Peterborough at Trent University outside Bata Library. Since 1968, RTOERO has been a voice for teachers, school and board administrators, educational support staff and college and university faculty in retirement. Its mission is to improve the lives of its members and other seniors, who often seek rewarding volunteer roles after retirement. Photo by David Tuan bui.

The open house runs from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce’s boardroom at 175 George St. N.

The two groups entered a new partnership and will launch a welcome brochure for residents new to this region or new to volunteering. It outlines the benefits of community work and how to do it.

“Many seniors have the time and inclination to volunteer but don’t know where they can contribute, especially if they’re new to the community,” said Kathryn Reynolds, President, District 36 Peterborough, RTOERO. “Our grant will help Volunteer Peterborough raise awareness. Ultimately, this will strengthen community connections and well-being.”

The most significant current barrier to volunteering is the lack of awareness of which organizations match people’s talents and interests according to Lois Tuffin, Volunteer Peterborough founder.

“We have started to bridge that gap by signing up 1,660 volunteers and 162 organizations,” she said. “However, in a region of 184,000 people, there is still much work to do.”

District 36 has about 1,200 members, serving the City of Peterborough and the surrounding rural areas of Peterborough County.

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Windsor Spitfires Dynamic Duo Proves Too Much For Peterborough Petes in 7-1 Rout

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Windsor Spitfires Liam Greentree and Ilya Protas became menaces, combining for seven points to rout the Peterborough Petes, 7-1, at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth ANdersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The game was Indigenous Heritage Night that featured a pre-game ceremony with a land acknowledgement, a ceremonial faceoff including representatives from Crowe’s Gas, Alderville First Nation, Curve Lake First Nation and Hiawatha First Nation and the National Anthem, sung by Curve Lake First Nation School students.

The first period was all Windsor. Protas, the Washington Capitals prospect, fed Ryan Abraham who one-timed it at point-blank range for the 1-0 lead just 29 seconds in. Los Angeles Kings prospect Greentree lent a hand this time with a toe drag, then gave it to Protas in the slot, who rung it home for a 2-0 lead. The goal marked the 100th point of the season for both players. It was the first time two Windsor teammates hit the century mark in a season since 1994-95. Windsor tacked on a late goal from AJ Spellacy to make it 3-0 after the first.

Windsor struck again, thanks to Greentree, early in the second period on the power play. He sniped it from the far-side point that made its way through traffic for a 4-0 score. Peterborough finally found the scoresheet as Brady Stonehouse won the draw in the faceoff circle and immediately got it to Genz Ula, who wristed it home to make it 4-1. Greentree and Protas struck again as they were the two assists to a Wyatt Kennedy goal to restore the four-goal lead. Greentree struck again on the power play, this time, he sniped it from the far-side faceoff dot and got his second goal of the game and fourth point; good enough to earn first-star honours.

The third period only saw Nathan Gaymes score for Windsor and the Spitfires left Peterborough with a 7-1 win.

The Petes are on the road for their next game at the Brantford Civic Centre to take on the Bulldogs this Saturday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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Peterborough Police to Let Kids Take Charge With "Chief For a Day" Program Essay Contest

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The Peterborough Police Service is returning the ‘Chief For A Day’ program which gives a Grade 5 student an opportunity to experience a day as Police Chief for the Peterborough Police Service. 

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

Students from Peterborough, Lakefield and Cavan-Monaghan are eligible to enter. Entrants are asked to write a 300 to 500-word essay on what they would do if they were Chief for a day.

The contest winner will be fitted with a full Peterborough Police Service Uniform and experience a day in the life of our Police Chief, including being sworn in, meeting the officers and different units, as well as presenting your essay to the Peterborough Police Service Board.

Completed essays can be sent to chiefofpoliceoffice@peterboroughpolice.ca with the entrant’s full name, school, the city the school is in and the school board the student attends. The deadline is on March 25.

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Fleming College's Haliburton School of Art and Design to Offer Courses During March Break

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Fleming College’s Haliburton School of Art + Design is offering courses for kids, youth and adults to have fun this upcoming March Break, announced on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

Young artists (ages five to nine) can get their hands dirty and creative in Kids Art Camp: Wild About Clay. According to Fleming, participants will explore three-dimensional art through various hand-building techniques such as pinching, coiling and slab work as they create unique clay masterpieces. They will find natural objects to press into clay and sculpt their favourite animals.

Teens and adults (ages 17 and up) can engage in Canadian winter through Painting the Winter Landscape. Participants will paint in real-time or work from photographs, drawing inspiration from Haliburton’s scenery, including the Sculpture Forest.

Artists are guided by the techniques of artists such as Tom Thomson, Lawren Harris, Doris McCarthy and Kim Dorland to develop their own interpretations of the winter landscape.

These courses run daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Haliburton Campus from March 10 to 14. 

Registration is now open and can be done online.

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MPP Dave Smith Gets Three-Peat and Is Elected For Third Consecutive Term For Conservative Party

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Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith has reached the political three-peat as was elected for a third term representing the PC Party after the provincial election held on Thursday.

Smith wins a third-consecutive term for the PC Party. John Melville Turner (1977-1987) was the last Conservative member to win three-straight terms. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Smith won the riding with 40.5 per cent of the votes (22,383). This was an increase from 38.5 per cent (20,188 votes) in his last election in 2022. He beat Liberal Party candidate Adam Hopkins, who had 36.4 per cent of the votes (20,135) as the runner-up.

“It is truly an honour to be able to do this. I've said it multiple times, I owe a debt to the people of Ontario that I can only repay by doing something like this, by giving back to our community,” exclaimed Smith. “I really appreciate the people of this area have decided they'll put their trust in me for four more years. To be able to move the needle so that we have a better place for all of us to live in.”

Smith held his election party at the Peterborough Golf & Country Club and had roughly 80 people in attendance. He was declared the winner roughly 80 minutes after the polls had closed, securing his third term. Premier Doug Ford was re-elected to a third term six minutes after polls closed and immediately had a majority government declared.

“When people take a look at the hard work that we've put into it, what we've tried to accomplish, the steps that we have taken so far, the groundwork has been laid,” explained Smith. “We have help coming and we have things starting to make a difference now.”

As Smith remains MPP, he says it’s obvious that healthcare needs to be worked on but employment opportunities are an even greater priority.

“We saw 3,900 jobs that could have come to this area because we did not have the appropriate land for it. We also had an agricultural company that came to look at it, they needed 65 acres of land. The largest that we had was 44. That company chose to go another location as a result of it,” explained Smith. “We need to have to find a way to have more employment land available so that when we have those opportunities to bring a company here, they actually decide this is the location for them.”

Despite Peterborough having a college and university, many graduates are not staying in town for work; something that needs to change according to Smith.

“We need to reverse that trend,” he said. “That's one of the main things we'll be working on the next four years.”

When asked about the people that did not vote for him, Smith says he’s happy they exercised their right to vote and he is willing to listen to their concerns.

“My door is always open, please feel free to reach out to us, talk to me about what your issues are,” he said. “If it's something that we can help with that's going to make a positive difference, we are going to take every opportunity then to look at that and make this place a better place for everyone.”

The following were the results of the Peterborough-Kawartha Riding:

  • Dave Smith (Conservative) - 22,383 votes (40.5 per cent)

  • Adam Hopkins (Liberal) - 20,135 votes (36.4 per cent)

  • Jen Deck (New Democratic) - 9,480 votes (17.1 per cent)

  • Lucas Graham (Green Party) - 1,738 votes (3.1 per cent)

  • Andrew Roudny (New Blue) - 864 votes (1.6 per cent)

  • Brian Martindale (Ontario Party) - 684 votes (1.2 per cent)

Smith (left) beign congratulated by Hopkins (right) moments after the former was declared the winner of the provincial election.

Hopkins made a brief visit congratulating Smith’s win. He is newer to the political world, being elected two weeks prior to the election. Despite being unable to defeat Smith, he was happy with the results since he was named the Liberal Party candidate in a short amount of time. He said he didn’t know how it was going to go or had a lot of confidence to start but it grew quickly with the election results since the Liberals gained some seats and regained official party status as a result with 14 (12 being the official threshold).

“There's some good numbers and we've got some momentum behind some additional seats,” he said.

Liberal Party Leader Bonnie Crombie lost her Mississauga East-Cooksville riding to PC Party candidate Silvia Gualtieri by a vote count of 46.5 percent (16,763) to 43.1 per cent (15,536).

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PATH and One City's "Tiny Home" Project Available For Tenancy Starting Friday

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Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) and One City Peterborough have completed their first ‘Tiny Home’ project, with tenancy availability opening on Friday.

Photo by David Tuan bui.

This project was initiated in September last year following planning approval by the city under its 2023 Additional Rental Unit (ARU) guide. The project was funded by charitable donations from PATH and One City donors and building gifts and materials from Kingdon Timber Mart and Gus’s Kitchen and Bath.

PATH provided design and contract management, along with arranging for 1500 volunteer hours toward the completion of this project, ensuring that the house was completed on time and within budget. The resulting 400-square-foot home is a fully equipped, accessibly designed, affordable private home that adds to One City’s growing supportive housing stock.

One City currently provides housing support to 34 people in their congregate housing program, all of which are congregate housing sites. This project is their first single-occupancy housing unit.

“There is a distinct need for this kind of private accommodation for people who are transitioning from being unhoused,” said Michael Van Der Herberg, One City property development manager. For many people who were previously unhoused, living in a shared space, while cost effective, is not ideal for personal recovery.”

Plans are underway for similar units to be constructed in the coming year at an estimated cost of $100,000 or less per unit, according to PATH. Low-cost construction is key to making these tiny homes affordable. PATH will continue to work with community partners, local builders, and city staff to provide design studies, permit applications and construction support to help make this possible.

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Peterborough Man Charged With Uttering a Death Threat During An Online Sale

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A 26-year-old Peterborough man is facing charges after uttering death threats to another man on Tuesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The threats were uttered during an online sale attempt between two men known to each other. The threats toward the victim included images of weapons and threats of harm. 

The High Risk Unit, Street Crime Unit and Emergency Response Team (ERT) were called in and the suspect was taken into custody without incident in the Burnham Street and Hunter Street area. Officers also conducted a search warrant at the suspect’s residence, during which officers seized a live round of ammunition.

The man has been charged with:

  • Utter Threats to Cause Death

  • Fail to Comply with Release Order x2

  • Breach of Recognizance

The accused is currently bound by a release order with the following conditions: to not possess a cell phone or device with access to the internet and to not possess any weapon or ammunition as defined by the Criminal Code. 

The accused is also currently bound by a recognizance with the following condition: not possessing any weapon or ammunition as defined by the Criminal Code.

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

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