Undefeated U11 AA Peterborough Petes Crowned Ontario Minor Hockey Association Champions

The U11 AA Peterborough Minor Petes are bringing home the hardware as they were crowned Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) champions at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre in Whitby on Sunday.

Photo courtesy of Chad Buchner.

The team opened the three-day tournament with two victories over the Glancaster Bombers and Barrie Colts, shutting them out 2-0 in both games.

The Petes only had one game on Saturday against the Upper York Admirals to a 4-4 tie. The draw clinched the top seed for Peterborough in Group A with five points and qualified for the playoffs.

In the semi-final matchup, they drew the second-seeded Centre Wellington Fusion from Group B. It was a close battle but the Petes broke the tie with 59 seconds left in regulation to win the game 3-2 and advance to the championship.

The team had their toughest matchup in the finals. They were pitted against the undefeated Clarington Toros, who won Group B with a perfect 3-0 record. Peterborough rung off two goals later in the first period to go up 2-0. With 8:34 left in the second, they added extra insurance with a power play goal for a 3-0 lead. The Petes coughed up an early goal in the third but hung on for the 3-1 win and OMHA championship.

“I’m still at a loss for words,” explained Chad Buchner, U11 AA Petes coach. “There’s nothing better than watching someone realize they can do something—that their goals aren’t just dreams, but something real, something achievable. And there’s nothing more powerful than watching a group of kids come together to shift their mindset, to turn belief into reality.”

The Petes ended with an overall record of 4-0-1 as the last remaining undefeated team in the tournament.

“It was about the culture we built—the countless hours given by coaches, team staff, grandparents, and families who poured their hearts into something bigger than hockey,” said Buchner. “It was about respect, kindness, philanthropy and a group of young athletes who didn’t just play for each other, but because of each other.”

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Photos: Lacrosse Fans Treated To "Lunch With the Lakers" Meet & Greet Event at Smitty's Family Restaurant

Lacrosse fans got to enjoy a meal at the “Lunch With the Lakers” meet-and-greet event held at Smitty’s Family Restaurant on Tuesday morning.

Lakers Taite Cattoni, Colton Armstrong, Jake Withers and mascot Teddy giving a young fan Waylon Barton, 7, a jersey. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

The public could eat with Lakers staff and players, get their pictures taken, and have autographs signed by Lakers Taite Cattoni, Colton Armstrong and Jake Withers.

The Lakers open their season on the road against the Brooklin L.C. on May 21 before having their home opener against the two-time defending Mann Cup-champion Six Nations Chiefs on May 22.

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Ice Storm Updates From City of Peterborough (April 1)

Warming centres remain open for residents of the City and County experiencing extended power outages caused by the weekend’s severe ice storm as Hydro One crews continue to work to restore power to affected areas.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The City’s three warming centres are open at the following locations:

• Healthy Planet Arena, banquet hall, 911 Monaghan Rd.: during the day and overnight, will be open until at least noon on April 2.

• Miskin Law Community Complex, 271 Lansdowne St. W.: open until 11 p.m. on April 1

• Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, 775 Brealey Dr.: open until 11 p.m. on April 1

Food is being provided by community partners, including the Salvation Army, at the Healthy Planet Arena.

With widespread power outages continuing, the City urges those to check on neighbours and loved ones.

Peterborough Public Health provides information on food safety and storage, including safety guidance related to extended power outages following the ice storm. Please follow this guidance and monitor food spoilage.

Peterborough Transit resumed services on most routes on Tuesday morning. The Social Services office at 178 Charlotte St. also reopened on Tuesday after power was restored to the building.

Peterborough Public Library and Peterborough Museum and Archives reopened on Tuesday.

Recreation facilities, including arenas, the pool, and community centres, remain closed until at least noon on Wednesday. Depending on conditions and power, they are expected to reopen at noon on Wednesday.

The Provincial Offences Office at 99 Simcoe St. remains closed.

Riverview Park and Zoo remains closed due to extensive tree damage. Damage is being assessed and recovery efforts are being planned to determine when the zoo can safely reopen for visitors. The care of the animals is being maintained and the animals are safe.

Public Works crews continue to respond to downed trees on streets and sidewalks, addressing hazardous situations. There were additional reports of downed trees on Monday night and Tuesday morning.

Peterborough Fire Services reminds residents using backup generators and equipment like a gas-powered cooking stove or charcoal grill to follow safe practices to avoid risks from carbon monoxide.

Curbside garbage, green bin, and yard waste collection will proceed regularly this week.

All City parks are officially closed due to the risk of falling trees and tree limbs caused by ice accumulation.

Regular yard waste curbside collection service begins this week.

Residential yard waste and tree debris can be dropped off at the City-County Landfill, 1260 Bensfort Rd., free of charge, until April 14.

Curbside chipping service for large tree debris that cannot be processed through the regular yard waste curbside collection will be provided when resources can be redeployed to provide that service. Resources are dedicated to storm response efforts, addressing hazardous and critical conditions. An update will be provided when the curbside chipping service for large tree debris will begin.

As a result of the ice storm, the City is temporarily waiving the permit requirement to remove trees that have been destroyed, destabilized or structurally compromised as a direct result of the ice storm, with the following condition:

• Residents must send email notification to treebylaw@peterbough.ca, providing photos, property address, tree species information including diameter, and provide the physiological and structural condition of the tree preferably prior to removing the tree or as soon as possible after removing a tree.

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Peterborough Transit Resuming Some Routes From Ice Storm Aftermath

Some Peterborough Transit routes have resumed with some detours due to hazards such as downed power lines affecting routes caused by the weekend’s ice storm.

File Photo.

Power has been restored to the Simcoe Street bus terminal following the aftermath of the weekend weather.

The following transit routes are in operation:

• Routes #5 and #10: Operating regularly scheduled routes. 

• Route #11 will resume operation at 9:30 a.m. Route 11A is not operational yet.

• Route #2: Operating with a minor detour around Reid Street near Hunter Street.

• Route #4: Operating from the Peterborough Museum and Archives via Hunter Street to the bus terminal and extending west to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre via Charlotte Street.

• Route #7: Traveling to and from Fleming College via Lansdowne Street, detouring around River Road, Otonabee Drive and Middlefield Road, connecting to Trent University via Water Street from Parkhill Road.

A shuttle bus taking residents from the downtown core to the City’s three warming centres resumed operations at 8 a.m. this morning.

The shuttle bus runs in a loop and stops to pick up or drop off passengers at the following locations:

• Murray and George streets, outside City Hall

• The Simcoe Street Bus Terminal

• The Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, 775 Brealey Dr.

• Healthy Planet Arena, 911 Monaghan Rd.

• Miskin Law Community Complex, 271 Lansdowne St. W.

The shuttle bus is free and available to all residents. It runs on a 30-minute loop.

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Young Artists Asked to Help Five Counties Show Gratitude For 50 Years

Children of all ages are being asked to lend their creative art skills to help Five Counties Children’s Centre (FCCC) show its appreciation for 50 years of service with its launch of the 50th Anniversary Thank You Card Contest.

Photo courtesy of FCCC.

Coinciding with its golden anniversary in 2025, until April 30, young artists of all ages are encouraged to decorate, colour and create artwork on a selection of 50th anniversary colouring sheets. Centre staff will use all artwork submitted on individual thank you cards shared with donors, volunteers, and supporters to show appreciation for their assistance to Five Counties.

In addition, one winning design will grace the cover of new corporate thank you cards that Five Counties will create in 2025 to mark its 50th anniversary.

Kids who enter the contest can win prizes, including Five Counties’ 50th anniversary T-shirts. Contest rules, entry forms, colouring sheets, and submission information are available online.

“Five Counties has much to be grateful for over its 50-year history, so who better to say thanks than the kids who benefit from our services,” said Maddie Jackson, FCCC Community Engagement Coordinator. “At the core of what Five Counties does is serving and supporting kids of all ages and abilities, so showcasing their artwork on 50th anniversary thank you cards will add extra meaning when we send appreciation to our supporters.”

As part of its 50th festivities, Five Counties is planning family-friendly events at each of its sites, including in Campbellford on May 27, in Cobourg in late June, over the summer in Minden, in Lindsay on Sept. 6, and in Peterborough on Sept. 27. The Centre is also featuring monthly stories from current and former clients, parents, families, staff, volunteers and supporters reflecting on their experiences and successes at Five Counties.

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Peterborough Transit Providing Special Shuttle Bus Service To City's Warming Centres

A free shuttle bus is available for residents who need transportation to any of the City of Peterborough’s three warming centres, announced on Monday afternoon.

File Photo.

The shuttle will run every 30 minutes starting at 2 p.m. The last trip departs City Hall at 10:50 p.m.

The route runs in the following loop:

• Murray and George streets, outside City Hall, 500 George St. N.

• The Simcoe Street Bus Terminal

• The Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, 775 Brealey Dr.

• Healthy Planet Arena, 911 Monaghan Rd.

• Miskin Law Community Complex, 271 Lansdowne St. W.

This shuttle bus is free of charge and available to all residents.

Regular transit service is suspended until further notice.

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Ice Storm Updates From City of Peterborough (March 31)

With ongoing power outages due to the severe ice storm over the weekend, the City will keep warming centres open on Monday for anyone needing a heated location.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The City says Hydro One continues to address downed power lines in the region and City Public Works crews are responding to downed trees and tree limbs on public property.

An emergency declaration remains in place for the City of Peterborough as the immediate response and recovery efforts are expected to extend over several days.

Residents are asked to avoid unnecessary travel.

Warming centres are open at the following locations:

• Healthy Planet Arena, banquet hall, 911 Monaghan Rd., open until at least noon on Tuesday

• Miskin Law Community Complex, 271 Lansdowne St. W., until 11 p.m. on Monday

• Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, 775 Brealey Dr., until 11 p.m. on Monday

Except for the warming centre spaces listed above, City recreation facilities—including arenas, fitness centres and the pool—are closed for regular operations until at least noon on Tuesday. The City will reassess conditions on Tuesday.

Peterborough Transit is stationing buses as temporary warming locations in areas with an identified need, including at:

• 611 Rogers St.

• 486 Donegal St.

• 526 McDonnel St.

• Hedonics Road, in the cul-de-sac

Garbage and Green Bin collection are expected to proceed according to the normal schedule. Yard waste collection begins this week.

For residents who are taking yard waste to the landfill, tipping fees for residential yard waste will be waived until April 14 to assist with recovery efforts following the ice storm.

The Service Peterborough and City Clerk’s Office customer service desks at City Hall, 500 George St. N., are open for in-person services.

Social Services offers in-person services, including social assistance cheque pickups, in Service Peterborough at City Hall, 500 George St. N., on Monday. The Social Services office at 178 Charlotte St. is closed for in-person services; Social Services staff are available by phone and email.

Peterborough Public Library will be open until 8 p.m. on Monday, depending on the facility's power being maintained.

Peterborough Transit has suspended service until further notice due to downed power lines and trees on streets. It is monitoring conditions and will resume service when conditions allow.

Peterborough Museum and Archives, Riverview Park and Zoo and Art Gallery of Peterborough are closed until noon on Tuesday. The City will reassess conditions on Tuesday.

City Council’s General Committee meeting, which was scheduled for Monday evening, has been canceled and rescheduled for the afternoon of April 7.

With sewage pumping stations sporadically operating on backup generators, residents are asked to reduce water consumption to lower the water flow through the wastewater treatment system.

Peterborough Fire Services reminds residents who are using backup generators and equipment like a gas-powered cooking stove or charcoal grill to follow safe practices to avoid risks from carbon monoxide.

With the continued risk of falling tree limbs and trees until recovery efforts can address trees in parks, all City parks are officially closed until further notice.

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City to Resume Yard Waste and Large Item Collection Services

Curbside leaf and yard waste collection resumes Tuesday and continues weekly through the last week of November.

Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough,

The City encourages residents to use paper yard waste bags or rigid, open-top reusable containers with handles. There is no limit to the number of bags or containers that can be placed at the curbside. Plastic bags will not be collected.

Yard waste will be collected weekly on the same day as green bins.

Set-Out Requirements:

• Reusable containers must display two clearly identifiable yellow labels indicating “Yard Waste.” These labels are available free of charge at City Hall (500 George St. N.), Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Brush may be bundled with light rope or twine. Bundles should not exceed 1 meter (3 feet) in length or 30 centimeters (12 inches) in diameter.

• Each paper bag, container, or bundled item must weigh less than 13 kg (30 lbs.).

The City of Peterborough offers a paid large item collection service for items that exceed the regular garbage allowance, such as furniture and appliances.

Large items weigh more than 13.6 kg (30 lbs) and measure longer than 1 meter (3 feet).

City Public Works crews will begin collecting large items at 7 a.m. on the Monday of the designated collection week. Please note that collections may extend over several days depending on the volume of items. Residents are asked not to remove items from the curbside if they have not been collected on the initial day.

Residents must book large item collection in advance. Collection must be booked by the Tuesday preceding the collection date.

Bookings open on Tuesday.

For pricing and to book a pickup, visit peterborough.ca/pickup or call 705-742-7777 (dial 0 for Service Peterborough).

Date Collections and Booking Deadlines:

• April 28, 2025 (Deadline: April 22)

• May 26, 2025 (Deadline: May 20)

• June 23, 2025 (Deadline: June 17)

• July 28, 2025 (Deadline: July 22)

• Aug. 25, 2025 (Deadline: Aug. 19)

• Sept. 29, 2025 (Deadline: Sept. 23)

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32nd Annual Kawartha Woodlot Expo Returns to Fleming College’s Frost Campus

UPDATED: 2:37 p.m. 02-04-25

The event has been cancelled due to the severe ice storm and the State of Emergency declared by the City of Kawartha Lakes.

Fleming College is hosting the 32nd Annual Kawartha Woodlot Expo in partnership with the Ontario Woodlot Association on April 5, announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

Faculty, staff and alumni within Fleming’s School of Environmental and Natural Resources Sciences have created engaging, hands-on workshops to help participants develop woodlot ownership, forest management, and tree identification skills. The Kawartha Woodlot Expo helps property owners and students better understand the big and small forests' role on private land and their environmental impact.

Registration is open to all with fees set at $40 per person.

Participants can attend two workshops (one in the morning and one in the afternoon), a silent auction, a chainsaw draw, raffle prizes, a roast beef lunch, coffee and snacks. Topics range from chainsaw basics and lumber scaling to tree identification, forest bathing, and more.

Workshop spots are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Specific workshops require personal protective equipment (PPE). Participants are encouraged to bring their own, but equipment will be provided if needed.

Registration can be done online.

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Mortsocks, Doody Call, Listening For Spring and Paluski Boats

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…

The team at Mortlock Construction have long prioritized community, taking on projects that support and house those living on the margins.

Now they’re trying something a little different. Upon learning that socks are the most needed clothing item in homeless shelters, they’ve launched Mortsocks. This social venture involved working with a local design company to develop Peterborough-themed dress socks that give back. Buy one pair of Mortsocks and Mortlock Construction will donate six pairs of socks to those in need through Brock Mission and the Peterborough Community Health Centre. You can order them online or pick up a pair at The Vine at 165 Sherbrooke St. in Peterborough. You can make a difference – one step at a time.

Spring is a good time to hire someone to do the dirty work of cleaning up after your dog with Doody Call, a new luxury pet waste removal service.

They offer a premium, discreet, and eco-friendly solution to keep outdoor spaces clean, fresh, and waste-free. Doody Call offers white-glove customer service, flexible scheduling, and top-tier sanitation practices. Their services include single visits to weekly maintenance plans, providing tailored solutions that fit every pet owner’s lifestyle. Find out more at doodycall.ca.

AON’s Canterbury Gardens is presenting Listening for Spring, a magical evening of serenading sounds in support of the Canadian Council of the Blind Peterborough Chapter.

The evening will feature the meaningful mental magic of Ian Crawford, the delightful Jazz of Carling Stephen and Rob Phillips, and a silent auction. It all happens May 2 starting at 6:30 p.m. at Canterbury Gardens. Get more information at ccbpeterborough.com.

We’re going to keep profiling business that are making things right here in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. This week it’s Paluski Boats.

They’ve been making boats since 1980, originally starting with recreational rowing shells. They have built a reputation for high-quality craftwork, design, and durability. Today, Paluski manufactures high-performance and extremely durable canoes, kayaks, and paddles that meet the needs and expectations of recreational boating enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. All their materials are 100% made in Canada with their production facility in Lakefield.

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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