Photos: City of Peterborough Proclaims Red Dress Day For Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

City Hall was covered in red dresses to mark the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited People (MMIWG2S) in a ceremony on Monday morning.

All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Mayor Jeff Leal proclaimed Monday as Red Dress Day, recognizing Indigenous women who were missing or murdered throughout Canada.

“Red Dress Day is a powerful reminder of the heartbreaking and ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people in Canada,” said Leal. “The red dresses hanging in silence call out for justice, action and for the recognition of lives lost and families forever changed. On the National Day of Awareness, I encourage all residents of Peterborough to take a moment to reflect on the lives behind the statistics, and to consider hanging a red dress in a window, on a porch, or in a public space as a powerful symbol of remembrance and solidarity.”

The ceremony had smudging, drumming and singing, speeches and stories told throughout the event. A red flag with a black handprint was flown at half-mast as City Hall to mark the event.

“We cannot turn away from the systemic racism and gender-based violence that have made Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people disproportionately vulnerable,” said Shelley Knott, Advisor, Indigenous Relations with the City of Peterborough. “As a country, and as a community, we have a responsibility to listen, to learn, and to act. On this National Day of Awareness, we ask that you stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities in honouring the memory of those who are missing or murdered—and in committing to a future where all people can live in safety, dignity and respect.”

City Hall’s windows have red dresses hung inside to show solidarity with the event.

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Peterborough Man Charged With Impaired Driving From Parking Lot Collision

A 33-year-old Peterborough man is facing impaired charges after a parking lot collision in Peterborough on Friday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 9:30 p.m., officers recieved a call of a collision near The Parkway and Lansdowne Street West. Officers spoke with the drivers and while speaking with one of them noticed signs of impairment. No one was injured in the collision.

The Peterborough man was arrested and charged with:

• Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs

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

• Careless driving (Highway Traffic Act)

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

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court June 10.

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City of Peterborough Advises Public to Be Prepared During Emergency Preparedness Week

The City of Peterborough encourages residents be informed of taking the necessary steps and be ready for an emergency, with Emergency Preparedness Week running until Saturday.

File Photo.

This year’s theme is ‘Be prepared. Know your risks.’

“We can’t always predict when an emergency will strike, but we can take steps to be ready,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “The recent ice storm showed just how quickly severe weather can disrupt our lives. By having a plan, staying informed, and keeping emergency supplies on hand, we can help protect ourselves, our families, and our community. Preparedness saves lives, and it starts with each of us.”

Residents can access Alertable, a new tool to help stay informed during emergencies and critical events.

The free download tool is a community notification system that provides emergency alerts and essential updates directly through text messages, SMS notifications, telephone messages and emails. It is designed to ensure clear and timely updates to users and ensure effective communication to enhance public safety.

“Alertable is a vital tool in keeping our community informed during emergencies,” said Jodi DeNoble, director of emergency and risk management. “We encourage everyone to register and choose their preferred method of communication - whether it’s a phone call, text message, email, or notifications through the Alertable app. In an emergency, important information will be shared through the method you select, helping the community stay safe and prepared.”

The City says simple steps like creating an emergency plan and having an emergency kit on hand can help residents be prepared.

An emergency preparedness kit should include:

• Battery powered or windup flashlight

• Battery powered or windup radio

• First Aid Kit

• Portable external battery charger for cellphones, laptops, etc.

• Water (Two litres per person per day)

• Canned or dried food that won’t spoil

• Manual can opener

• Extra batteries for your flashlight or radio

• Cash-if there is an extended power outage many stores may only be able to accept cash as a form of payment

• Blankets

• Candles and matches

• A list of emergency numbers and important contacts

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring The Resilient Retailer, Cark Oake Rotary Swim, Lakefield Pantry and Fairlife

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…

Today’s economy is evolving and Peterborough County want to equip local retailers with the tools and strategies they need to remain profitable, adaptable, and competitive.

They’ve organized The Resilient Retailer, a dynamic one-day event on May 14 at the Cavan Monaghan Community Centre. The day will feature keynote speaker Barbara Crowhurst, CEO of Retail Makeover. An internationally recognized retail specialist, business coach, and speaker, Crowhurst brings decades of experience working with some of North America's largest retail corporations and thousands of independent business owners. Attendees will gain invaluable insights into best practices, customer engagement, merchandising and sustainable growth.

The 39th annual Cark Oake Rotary Swim beat their $50,000 goal, raising nearly $58,000.

Oake passed away in January and has left quite a legacy in our community. His swim has raised more than $1.4 million for Easter Seals, the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign, and other Rotary causes. A big shout out to the Oake family and Century 21 United Realty for keeping this legacy going and raising more money for great local causes. This year’s title sponsors were Baker Tilly and Holiday Ford.

Jennie MacKenzie is retiring after 35 years running the Lakefield Pantry, a fixture in downtown Lakefield.

It’s a destination for wholesome food, bulk goods, natural products, and a sense of community. The store was started in 1980 by Cam and June Fraser as a way to give people choice about quantity, quality, and packaging associated with their food. New owners Lindsey and Andrew Irwin plan to keep stalking your favourite food while bringing in some new products. They’re undertaking some light renovations to bring in a frozen yogurt bar. Drop by 44 Queen St. to see what has made the Lakefield Pantry a local icon.

This week’s made in Peterborough producer is Fairlife. Located at 758 The Kingsway, Fairlife uses 100% Canadian dairy in its products.

They specialize in delicious, dairy-based products to give everyone the nutrition they need. They are on a mission to enrich lives by sustainably providing nourishment and vitality to the world. You can find made in Peterborough Fairlife products in stores across Canada.

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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Photos: Monster Truck Makes Monster Visit to Keith Wightman Public School

As part of Edge Entertainment’s Monster Madness Tour, they brought their Sabotoge monster truck to the staff and students of Keith Wightman Public School on Friday morning.

All Photos by David Tuan Bui.

The visit promoted their tour, as Kawartha Downs is a stop for one of their shows this Saturday afternoon. Students from junior kindergarten to Grade 6 were invited to explore the truck, meet the drivers and have their pictures taken.

While the monster truck was inoperable during the visit, the children could touch it, play with it and ask the drivers questions.

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Lighting to Be Installed at Rotary Greenway Trail Link; New Traffic Lights For George Street and Hilliard Street Intersection

The Rotary Greenway Trail Link will receive a 1.5 km stretch of lighting and new traffic signals will be installed at the George Street and Hilliard Street intersection, announced on Friday.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The work scheduled for this month to be completed this fall.

To facilitate the work on the Rotary Greenway Trail, the trail will be closed with posted detours. During various phases of the work on Hillard Street, Water Street, and George Street, a combination of lane shifts, flagging operations, and closures with posted detours will be implemented. Access for local traffic and businesses will be maintained during all construction phases; however, it is expected that local traffic may experience delays within the construction limits.

In addition to the intersection work, there will be a partial reconstruction and realignment and installation of new sidewalk and trail links surrounding the new intersection and associated restoration works.

The City has awarded the project to GIP Paving Inc.

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Adult Leisure Programs Offered at the McDonnel Street Community Centre

The City of Peterborough is offering a range of adult leisure programs at the McDonnel Street Community Centre at 577 McDonnel St.

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Residents can join a free fitness class, drop in for a game of shuffleboard or sign up for a more structured, long-running program.

Drop-in sessions

Drop-in sessions cost $3.50 per person per visit. Please bring exact cash. Participants are asked to bring clean, indoor shoes to wear inside the facility.

Drop-in sessions include the following:

• Short Mat Bowling on Mondays and Fridays. Doors open at 12:30 p.m., play begins at 1 p.m. This drop-in play ends May 16.

• Shuffleboard on Tuesdays. Doors open at 9 a.m., play begins at 9:30 a.m.

• Darts on Thursdays. Doors open at 12:30 p.m., play begins at 1 p.m. This drop-in activity ends May 8.

Fitness classes

Community Care instructs fitness classes and focus on a range of motion, strength and balance.

Classes run every Wednesday as follows:

• Zumba Gold, 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.

• Warm Up and Weights, 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

Registered programs

The MSCC offers a variety of registered programs for residents looking for more structured activities:

• Lawn Bowling Try It Lessons with the Peterborough Lawn Bowling Club. Sessions run from May 5, May 6, May 8 and May 9.

• Painting Workshops: participants learn techniques like colour-mixing, brush selection and creating acrylic paintings on canvas.

• Adult Mixed Dart League takes place each Monday until May 26. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., play begins at 7 p.m. All levels welcome.

Registration information

Registration for programs can be done online by visiting peterborough.ca/adultleisure. Registration can also be done by calling 705-742-0050 or in person at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, 775 Brealey Dr., or Miskin Law Community Complex, 271 Lansdowne St. W., during operating hours, Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Accessibility and subsidies

Adults can apply for the Recreation Program Subsidy, which provides up to $200 per year (based on household income) per individual for sport, aquatic, or recreational programs offered by Peterborough Recreation at City facilities.

The MSCC is hosting an Open House on June 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to explore the facility and learn more about the variety of programs offered at the MSCC. A complimentary hot lunch will be served from noon to 1:30 p.m.  

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Peterborough Lakers Extend Deadline For Season Ticket Renewals

The Peterborough Lakers have extended the season ticket renewal deadline to Wednesday at 5 p.m., announced on Friday.

Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Lakers.

The team has made season tickets available to the general public, who can purchase a full season package without having previously held tickets.

Following the May 7 deadline, any additional unclaimed seats will be released to the public beginning Thursday at 10 a.m. Fans can upgrade or swap their seats that dya during the Lakers’ Season Seat Swap/Upgrade Day at the Grant Thornton Box Office at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

Season ticket packages can be picked up starting on May 12. The Grant Thornton Box Office is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. They can also call 705-743-3561 to purchase or reserve their seats.

The Lakers have also announced that single-game tickets will be sold to the general public starting May 19.

The Lakers have their home opener against the Six Nations Chiefs on May 22. 

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Peterborough Man Arrested and Charged With Impaired Driving While Partially Stopped In a Live Lane

A 45-year-old Peterborough man is facing impaired charges after being partially stopped in a live lane on Thursday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 2:45 p.m. at George Street North and Murray Street, officers were directed to the vehicle. While speaking with the driver, officers noticed signs of impairment.

The man was arrested and charged with:

• Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs

• Operation While Prohibited under the Criminal Code

During the investigation, it was learned that the man was a prohibited driver.

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

The accused was released on an appearance notice and is scheduled to appear in court on June 10.

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Peterborough Poutine Feast Is Back At Morrow Park For 2025 In Four-Day Event

The combination of fries, gravy and cheese curds (and other toppings) is back at Morrow Park as Peterborough Poutine Feast returns in a four-day event from Thursday to Sunday.

Andrew McMullen of Fat Les’s Chip Stand (left); Bailey McGlennon, staff (middle) and David Conway, emcee (right) showcase old and new poutines this year’s Peterborough Poutine Feast, such as the Lobster Poutine, Mexican Street Corn Poutine and the classic. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The free-admission event, hosted by Poutine Feast Ontario, runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Four poutine vendors with roughly 30 different poutines are at this year’s event. Food trucks selling poutines include Fat Les’s Chip Stand, Groovy Gravy, The Tragically Chip Wagon and new ship truck Dude Bro Potato Co.

In addition to classic-style poutines, popular favourites are back including maple pulled pork, General Tao Chicken and lobster poutine. A few new flavours are in this year’s event such as the Big Mack (inspired by the McDonald’s signature burger), Mexican Street Corn and Pizza Pocket poutine.

Mrs. Mini Donuts, Trin’s Treats and Miss Ellie’s Lemonade were other food and drink vendors at the event. New this year is the Boba Bar, which serves six varieties of the popular Taiwanese drink, bubble tea.

Lobster poutine (left), classic poutine (top) and Mexican Street Corn poutine (right) are some old and new poutines featured at this year's event. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Mexican Street Corn Poutine by Dude Bro Potato Co.

Lobster Poutine by Fat Les's Chip Stand.

Big Mack Poutine by Dude Bro Potato Co.

Two drinks showcase by the Boba Bar food truck, a new addition to this year's Poutine Feast.

Merchandise dealers are also at Poutine Feast such as clothing, jewellery, raffles, temporary glitter tattoos and more.

Peterborough was one of the original locations of Poutine Feast’s tour before the tour expanded. The travelling food group is hitting 23 cities with Peterborough as the third leg of its tour. Petawawa and Renfew were the first two stops, respectively.

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