City Hosting Public Information Session for Riverside Park and East City Bowl Upgrades

The City of Peterborough is inviting residents to learn more about proposed upgrades to Riverside Park and East City Bowl at a public information session at the Peterborough Lions Community Centre April 3 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

City staff are available to answer questions about the project. Residents can provide feedback on what amenities they want to see in the proposed revitalization of the park.

Riverside Park and East City Bowl ball diamonds, located at 325 Burnham St., require repairs to address areas of deterioration.

Riverside Park was identified as a priority project by the City following input from local baseball groups. The wood fence, bullpen, batting cage, irrigation, scorekeepers tower and lighting were identified as areas needing improvement.

Phase 1 work includes replacing the outfield wall and scorekeeper’s tower and providing irrigation at Riverside Park.

Phase 2 work, subject to budget approval, includes replacing the bleachers and scorekeeper’s booth, new dugouts, irrigation and a new lighting system at East City Bowl. 

“These proposed upgrades to Riverside Park and East City Bowl will address areas of deterioration in our existing sports diamonds and will ensure the park continues to meet the needs of Peterborough residents. We encourage residents and park user groups to share their insights and perspectives during this community engagement process,” said Community Services (excluding homelessness) co-Chairs Lesley Parnell and Alex Bierk in a statement.

“Riverside Park and East City Bowl is an East City gem. Investing in and repairing these facilities will ensure this valued space will continue to serve our community for years to come, and help support the local athletes, families and the many residents who gather to enjoy the park,” said Ashburnham Ward Councillors Keith Riel and Gary Baldwin in a joint statement.

A public survey is available online. Hard copies of the survey are available at City Hall, 500 George St. N.  The survey will be open until 11:59 p.m. on APril 11.

Residents with questions or concerns can also call 705-742-7777 ext.1829.

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Three Men Face Drug Possession/Trafficking Charges; Over $133,000 In Value Seized

Jonathan Morningstar, Antonio Williams and Kyle McLelland are facing a combined seven charges under the Criminal Code (CC) and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) after search warrants were executed in Peterborough, Ottawa and Sault Ste. Marie, reported on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB) and Peterborough Police Service (PPS) Drug Unit began a drug trafficking investigation last summer which resulted in arrests in January.

Officers conducted a vehicle stop and arrested an individual for drug trafficking offences on March 3. Three search warrants were also executed in Peterborough, Ottawa and Sault Ste. Marie by officers from OPP OCEB, OPP Provincial Operations Intelligence Bureau, Sault Ste. Marie OPP, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry OPP Community Street Crime Unit, PPS and Sault Ste. Marie Police Service (SSMPS).

SSMPS executed a search warrant in Sault Ste. Marie on March 6.

The investigation resulted in the seizure of the following items:

• Approximately 635 g of suspected fentanyl

• Approximately 60 g of suspected cocaine

• Approximately $10,000 in Canadian currency

• Four cell phones

The estimated street value of the drugs seized is $133,000.

Morningstar, age 31 of Ottawa, has been charged with the following two offences under the CC and CDSA:

• Possession of property obtained by crime

• Possession for the purpose of trafficking - fentanyl

The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Ottawa on April 17.

Williams, age 30 of Toronto, has been charged with the following three offences under the CC and CDSA:

• Possession of property obtained by crime

• Possession for the purpose of trafficking - fentanyl

• Possession for the purpose of trafficking - cocaine

The accused was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sault Ste. Marie on March 31.

McLelland, age 20 of Sault Ste. Marie, has been charged with the following two CDSA offences:

• Possession for the purpose of trafficking - fentanyl

• Possession for the purpose of trafficking - cocaine

The accused was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sault Ste. Marie on March 31.

Anyone with any information about the possession, manufacturing or trafficking of illicit drugs should contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

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Water Services Transitioning to the City of Peterborough Starting April 1

City water services, currently provided by the Peterborough Utilities Commission on behalf of the City, will transition to a directly operated service by the City of Peterborough beginning April 1.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The City says there will be no immediate changes for customers.

Customer billing will remain the same at this time, with no changes required by customers for April 1. Customers will continue to receive water services bills from Peterborough Utilities for a period after April 1.

Notice will be provided to customers before any future change to billing. 

Customer service contact information will also remain the same after April 1.

The same Water Services team of employees that currently delivers high-quality water services and responsive customer service today as part of Peterborough Utilities will continue to deliver the service as they integrate into the City of Peterborough organization.

Water Services customer service can be reached at 705-748-6900, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

City Council decided to streamline the governance structure related to the delivery of water services by transferring responsibility for that service delivery from Peterborough Utilities Commission, a local board of the City, to a directly operated model.

Council gave direction in June 2024 to proceed with the transfer to the City of water assets and operations, information technology assets and operations of the Riverview Park and Zoo.

Peterborough’s Riverview Park and Zoo will continue to be a publicly owned and operated facility, with Riverview Park and Zoo employees providing the same excellent care for animals and welcoming experience that has made the Park and Zoo an attraction for residents and visitors. 

A review of water and wastewater services, including both the sanitary and stormwater networks, in 2021-22, recommended the services be directly operated by the City to create operational efficiencies and align with City Council’s existing responsibility and accountability for water services.

In December 2023, City Council approved a motion to support in principle the transfer of the water operations to the City, with added stipulations that staff report back to Council in 2024 with further details on the transfer and that no current International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers employees be displaced as a result of the transition. 

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Keene Man Wanted On Warrant Arrested For Drug Trafficking After Refusing to Leave Party

A 26-year-old Keene man wanted on a warrant was arrested and faces a drug trafficking charge on Saturday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Officers received a noise complaint from a party on Aylmer Street. The noise issue was addressed and police were informed of a man in the crowd who was not wanted and refused to leave despite being asked. 

Officers discovered a warrant for his arrest for assault – spousal, forcible confinement and mischief under $5,000.

The man was taken into custody and during a search after arrest, officers located:

• 2.9 grams of cocaine

• Drug paraphernalia

• Canadian currency

The man was arrested on the strength of the warrant and further charged with:

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

The accused was held in custody and appeared in Weekend and Statutory Holiday court on Sunday.

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Wastewater Plant Gets Brief Secondary Treatment Bypass Due to High Water Flows; Residents Asked to Reduce Water Intake

Residents are asked to reduce water intake after significantly increased volumes of water entered the City of Peterborough Wastewater Treatment Plant that briefly caused a bypass of the secondary treatment process at the facility early Monday morning.

The Wastewater Treatment Plant fully treated 105,751 cubic metres of sewage on Sunday. Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The extra water came from melting snow and rainfall, according to the City.

The secondary treatment bypass was experienced from about 3:30 a.m. to 3:50 am. Less than 50 cubic metres of partially treated effluent was discharged into the Otonabee River.

The discharge had received primary treatment, which includes full screening, primary treatment and UV disinfection.

The Wastewater Treatment Plant resumed full treatment operations at 3:50 a.m.; however, it continues to monitor a high volume of water flowing through the plant due to current conditions.

Residents are asked to reduce water consumption by taking short showers instead of baths, limiting or delaying loads of laundry and turning off taps while brushing teeth and doing dishes.

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Peterborough Police In Search of Missing 49-Year-Old Woman With Ties to Peterborough

The Peterborough Police Service and Kingston Police Service are asking for help in locating a 49-year-old woman Shannon Mingo, reported missing on Monday afternoon.

Mingo was last seen in Kingston on Jan. 25 in the Charles Street and Montréal Street area. She is known to have ties to the Peterborough area.

Mingo is described as:

• 5’0 with a medium build

• Shoulder length red dyed hair

• Last seen wearing a pink hooded sweater, black pants and black shoes.

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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Peterborough Lakers Acquire Goaltender Nick Rose In Exchange For Landon Kells and First-Round Pick

The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers have acquired veteran goaltender Nick Rose from the Oakville Rock in exchange for goalie Landon Kells and a 2026 first-round pick, announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers

The 37-year-old is the starting goaltender for the Calgary Roughnecks of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The 37-year-old brings leadership, stability and a championship pedigree as the Lakers set their sights on another Mann Cup title.

He was named the 2024 NLL Goaltender of the Year while playing for the Toronto Rock.

“We’re thrilled to bring Nick to Peterborough,” said Mike Hasen, Lakers head coach and general manager. “His track record speaks for itself—he’s a proven winner, and his experience will be a huge asset for us. We also want to thank Landon Kells for his time in Peterborough. He has a bright future, and we wish him all the best in Oakville.”

Rose said he is eager to join the Lakers and play for the fans.

“I had a conversation with Mike Hasen, and Peterborough was a very attractive option. They are always in the hunt. I’m excited to go to one of the most historic Sr. franchises there is,” he explained. “I don’t have too many cracks left at winning a Mann Cup, so 100 per cent, I want to try and win one. The Lakers organization is in the mix every single summer for it and I’m excited to battle with my new teammates.”

Rose will have some familiar faces to greet him in the Lakers dressing room.

“I know Withers from Team Canada and I know Hoggarth really well from his time in Orangeville in junior,” he said. “I also know Hopey pretty well too, so it’s great to be joining a team with guys I already have a connection with.”

The Lakers begin thier season on the road against the Brooklin L.C. on May 21. They will have a major rivalry night in their home opener the next day against the two-time defending MSL champion Six Nations Chiefs.

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Peterborough Police In Search of Missing 61-Year-Old Peterborough Man

The Peterborough Police Service is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a 61-year-old Peterborough man Mark Miele, who was reported missing on Monday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

He was last seen in the area of Murray and Aylmer Streets around 5 p.m. on Sunday. He is known to frequent the downtown core as well as Jackson Park.

Police are concerned about his safety. 

Miele is described as:

• White male

• Grey beard

• Slight build

• Wearing blue and black jacket, jeans, black sneakers and a black toque

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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Peterborough Petes Nab One Point In Pair of Weekend Games

The Peterborough Petes took losses in both of their games on Friday and Saturday but managed to get one point in their matchups the the Kingston Frontenacs and Sudbury Wolves.

Photo courtesy of KEnneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The Peterborough Petes travelled to Kingston for the final time this season to take on the Frontenacs at the Slush Puppie Place on Friday. The Frontenacs pulled away late in the second period, winning the game by a score of 8-2.

Brennan Faulkner had two assists in the game for Peterborough. Captain Jonathan Melee scored his 21st goal of the season, while Adam Levac also scored. Petes prospect Raiden Doxtator made his OHL debut in the game, wearing number 24.

The Petes hosted the Sudbury Wolves at the Peterborough Memorial Centre in front of their 20th sell-out of the season for their St. Patrick’s Day game on Saturday. The Wolves won the game in overtime by a score of 2-1.

Petes goaltender Zach Bowen stopped 39/41 in the loss. Francis Parish scored, while Gavin Bryant picked up an assist.

The Petes play their final home game this Thursday as they host the Frontenacs at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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Newcastle Teen Charged With Impaired Driving During RIDE Check Weekend

An 18-year-old Newcastle man has been charged with impaired driving charges during a RIDE check on Saturday night.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 11:20 p.m. officers conducted a RIDE check on Water Street near Carnegie Avenue. The 18-year-old Newcastle man was stopped and as a result, he was charged with:

• Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)

The driver was also issued two provincial offence notices for:

• Person under 19 years having liquor (Liquor Licence Act)

• Driving motor vehicle with open container of liquor (Liquor Licence Act)

The accused was issued an automatic 90-day licence suspension and seven-day vehicle impoundment.

The accused was released on an appearance notice and is scheduled to appear in court on April 22.

Officers with the Peterborough Police Service conducted two RIDE details over the weekend. 

In total, 1,194 vehicles were stopped in three locations in the City of Peterborough. 

Saturday night:

• 200 vehicles were checked

• 15 sobriety tests were administered

• 1 person was charged with impaired

• 1 person received a warning

Sunday night:

• 994 vehicles were checked

• 11 sobriety tests were administered

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