Peterborough Police Seeking Suspects Involved In Series of Distraction Thefts

Officers with the Peterborough Police Service are investigating after several reports of a distraction theft in the past week.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Police Service.

At roughly 11 a.m. on Saturday, an 86-year-old man was approached by a vehicle in the Clonsilla Avenue and Ford Street area. The victim thought they were asking for directions. However, the driver put a fake gold ring in his hand. When the victim then bent down to speak to the female passenger, she grabbed his face and put a heavy gold chain around his neck while seeming to be praying for his well-being.  Later that night, the victim noticed that his gold necklace was gone.

At approximately 2:50 p.m. on Monday, an 86-year-old man was approached by a vehicle while walking in the Stewart Street and Rubidge Street area. While speaking to the female passenger, it’s believed his necklace was exchanged for a fake one.

At approximately 2:10 p.m. on Tuesday, a 66-year-old woman was approached by a vehicle in a parking lot in the Clonsilla Avenue and Goodfellow Road area. While speaking to the female passenger, the victim said her gold chain was exchanged for a fake gold chain.

In each instance, it was reported that there was a male driver, a female passenger, and one or two children in the back seat. The adults had accents and were in their 40s.

A photo of the vehicle was found and is described as:

• White Ford Edge

• Nova Scotia plate HCL 257

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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CMHA HKPR Accepting Nominations For Community Mental Health Awards and Annual Tam Grant Bursary

The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) is now accepting nominations for the Annual Community Mental Health Awards and Tam Grant Bursary, announced on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of CMHA HKPR.

According to CMHA HKPR, community members are encouraged to nominate someone who deserves recognition for their efforts in improving mental health in our community. This includes volunteers, community leaders, individuals with lived experience of mental illness, and their family members.

Applications for the annual Tam Grant Bursary are open for students entering post-secondary education with a diagnosed mental illness. The deadline for award and bursary submissions is June 23 at 4:30 p.m.

CMHA HKPR is calling for submissions for the following awards:

• The Achievement Through Adversity Award honours a client of CMHA HKPR services, or a survivor of mental illness, who has shown continued courage and tenacity in reaching their goals. In education, employment, volunteering, or through the tasks of daily living, this individual is a role model for others on the journey to a healthy life.

• The Maurice Lovnes Award is presented to an individual or individuals who have volunteered with CMHA HKPR, and who have exemplified the following traits during the year: Vision, Dedication, Caring, Support and Commitment.

• The Caregiver Champion Award honours a family member or caregiver who has shown continued support to a person living with mental health concerns.

• The Naresh James Award recognizes an individual who has championed critical issues, pioneered initiatives, and has achieved lasting impacts in support of those who live with mental health issues, as well as assisting their families and friends. This individual has demonstrated commitment to support individuals who live with mental health challenges through their leadership, advocacy, and perseverance.

• The Champion of Mental Health acknowledges individuals or organizations that have made outstanding contributions in the community by supporting mental health. These contributions should support Knowledge, Hope and Belonging: the three pillars that form the foundation of our organization to enable Mental Health for All.

• Tam Grant Bursary – Access to educational programs is one way for individuals living with schizophrenia or other serious and persistent mental illnesses to realize their own potential. The Tam Grant Memorial Bursary seeks to encourage and support these individuals as they pursue higher education.

Bursaries are awarded yearly at CMHA HKPR’s Annual Meeting for registration for the upcoming school year. The maximum amount awarded annually is $1,000.  Applicants must be Peterborough and County, Northumberland, Kawartha Lakes, or Haliburton residents.

Tam Grant Memorial Bursary applications and nomination forms can be found online.

All award nominations and bursary applications must be received by June 23 at 4:30 p.m. Successful nominees and applicants will be presented with their awards or bursaries at the CMHA HKPR Annual Meeting in September.

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List of City Services On Victoria Day 2025

Many City services will offer modified hours and some City facilities will be closed for Victoria Day on Monday.

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

City Hall 

City Hall, including Service Peterborough, the Clerk’s Office and Building Services, will be closed on Monday. 

Waste collection and facilities 

Due to the Victoria Day holiday, curbside Green Bin, yard waste, and garbage collection schedules have not changed.  

The City-County Landfill at 1260 Bensfort Rd. and the Hazardous and Electronic Waste Depot at 400 Pido Rd. will be closed on Monday. 

Airport 

The Peterborough Airport will be open regular hours, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Art Gallery of Peterborough 

Art Gallery of Peterborough at 250 Crescent St. will be closed.

Peterborough Public Library 

The Peterborough Public Library at 345 Aylmer St. N. and the Miskin Law Community Complex branch will be closed on Monday.

Peterborough Museum and Archives 

Peterborough Museum and Archives at 300 Hunter St. E. will be open noon to 5 p.m. on Victoria Day. Information about current exhibitions is available online at peterborough.ca/museum. 

Recreation facilities and arenas 

The Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre at 775 Brealey Dr. and the Miskin Law Community Complex at 271 Lansdowne St. W. will be open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday.

Peterborough Marina will be open 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Victoria Day. 

The Kinsmen Civic Centre, Healthy Planet Arena, Peterborough Memorial Centre, Grant Thornton Box Office, McDonnel Street Community Centre including Peterborough Youth Space, and the Recreation Facility Booking office will be closed on Monday.

Tickets for Memorial Centre events are available for purchase online at memorialcentre.ca. 

Parks 

Some City parks and trails remain closed due to tree hazards. An updated list of open parks is available at peterborough.ca/StormUpdate. 

Park seasonal washrooms are expected to open in time for the Victoria Day long weekend and remain open for the season. Park washrooms are generally open from about 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily; however, some locations close earlier based on maintenance schedules. 

Parking Services 

On weekends and holidays, parking in City-operated garages, surface lots, and on-street spaces is free. The Parking Services office located in the King Street Parkade will be closed on Monday.

Provincial Offences Act office 

Provincial Offences Act office at 99 Simcoe St. will be closed on Monday. Fine payments can be made online at peterborough.ca/POA. 

Transit 

Peterborough Transit will operate on a Sunday/Holiday service schedule on Monday. The customer service desk will be open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and then from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

Visit peterborough.ca/transit for details or call Transit Customer Service at 705-745-0525. 

Social Services 

Social Services office at 178 Charlotte St. will be closed on Monday. Extended office hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. resume on Tuesday.

Child care centres 

City-operated child care centres will be closed on Monday.

Emergency shelter services 

Emergency shelter services remain open: to access emergency shelter services outside of regular business hours or on holidays, please call After Hours service at 705-926-0096. 

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Peterborough Teen Charged With Robbery at Brock Street FreshCo.

An 18-year-old Peterborough male is facing multiple charges including a robbery at a Brock Street FreshCo on Wednesday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 1:15 p.m., a robbery was in progress at the grocery store where a Loss Prevention Officer and the store owner had been injured after a confrontation with a male. Both victims were taken to Peterborough Regional Health Centre for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.  

Officers searched the area and located a male matching the description given to police a few blocks away. He was taken into custody and had an article search conducted by Emergency Response Team officers and K9 Gryphon. A knife was located and seized along with some other items.

The teen was arrested and charged with:

• Robbery with violence x2

• Failure to comply with youth sentence order x2

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

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Otonabee Conservation Releases 2024 Annual Report

Otonabee Conservation released its 2024 Annual Report to the Watershed Community at its board meeting on April 17, announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

The report is an interactive, web-based story map featuring maps and videos highlighting last year’s accomplishments.

“This report highlights the power of collaboration—celebrating the shared accomplishments of our eight member municipalities, dedicated community organizations, staff, and the Board of Directors as we work together to protect and enhance the Otonabee Region watershed,” said Michael Metcalf, Otonabee Conservation Board of Directors Chair.

Highlights from 2024 include:

• 910 trees and shrubs by 180 volunteers at 3 locations in the watershed

• 427 daily canoe and kayak rentals in 2024 - 1,961 hours of paddling

• 31,505 campers were hosted in our three campgrounds in 2024 and hosted 22,815 day-use visitors at Warsaw Caves Conservation Areas

• 16 Flood Forecasting and Warning watershed safety messages were issued but did not issue any low water messages

• 850 hours were spent engineering new models and finalizing new floodplain mapping in 2024, including for Byersville Creek and Jackson Creek

• Two anniversaries for our Conservation Areas were celebrated last year, 30 years for Hardold Town and 60 Years for Warsaw Caves

“Otonabee Conservation’s 2024 Annual Report highlights the year’s accomplishments as we continue to address the impacts of climate change and foster collaboration to build a safer, more resilient watershed for everyone,” said Janette Loveys Smith, Otonabee Conservation CAO.

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James Stevenson Park Becomes Site For 40th Pet Valu Walk For Dog Guides Fundraiser

Canines and humans will march at the 40th Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides fundraiser, which will be held at James Stevensen Park on May 25 at 1 p.m., announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides.

As one of 200 community walks across Canada, proceeds go towards Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. This year’s Walk is five km and aims to raise $1.6 million for more dog guides.

“When Dog Guides hosted its first fundraising walk forty years ago, it was a small community affair that supported our Canine Vision Program, the only program we offered at the time,” said Bev Crandall, Dog Guides CEO. “Dog Guides has grown significantly over the past four decades. Today there are more than 800 working dog guides across seven different programs, providing life-changing assistance to their handlers in every province.”

According to the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, each dog guide costs approximately $35,000 to breed, raise, train, and place.

Registration for the event can be found online.

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Voice of Business: Government In Action

On this week’s Voice of Business, we’re taking a closer look at how the Government of Ontario has responded to the growing economic pressure caused by U.S.-imposed tariffs and international uncertainty.

While these measures won’t solve all challenges overnight, and many businesses are still struggling, Ontario’s action represent significant steps in addressing the stress and pressures facing various industries.

It often takes a crisis for us to evolve, and this trade war forced that evolution to happen sooner than expected.

Just last month, Ontario led the way in removing several interprovincial trade barriers, a long-standing issue that has held back economic efficiency and domestic trade. By doing so, the province opened new pathways for goods, services, and talent to flow more freely across the country, a move that reduces our overreliance on the U.S. market and strengthens internal Canadian trade.

Ontario has also taken further action on multiple fronts to support local businesses and future-proof our economy.

One key step is a $750 million investment in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education across post-secondary institutions. This funding will support up to 20,500 new student seats per year, helping Ontario build a future-ready workforce in critical industries like advanced manufacturing, clean tech, and data science. As global demand rises for tech and engineering talent, this investment will help keep Ontario competitive.

The province is also addressing a long-standing challenge around innovation ownership. A $3.39 million investment will help Ontario’s colleges and universities build stronger intellectual property (IP) capacity. This means research breakthroughs developed here are more likely to stay in the province, creating homegrown companies and jobs. It also protects Ontario from the common practice of IP being owned by foreign corporations through research partnerships, ensuring that the economic value of innovation benefits Ontarians first.

To alleviate immediate financial pressure, Ontario has announced $11 billion in tariff relief and cost-saving measures. This includes $9 billion in suspended interest and penalties on various provincial taxes, including the Employer Health Tax and levies on insurance, gas, alcohol, and tobacco. In addition, $2 billion in WSIB rebates are being returned to businesses to help offset operating costs. Together, these moves will allow more businesses to retain staff, invest in operations, and weather economic uncertainty.

The province is also expanding the Skills Development Fund by $1 billion over three years, ringing the fund’s total to $2.5 billion. This investment will help retrain and upskill Ontario workers, especially those affected by layoffs tied to tariff pressures. Whether transitioning into trades, healthcare, or other growing sectors, workers will be supported in securing good-paying jobs with long-term potential.

These investments, from education and innovation to cost relief and workforce development, represent a strategic shift. Ontario is building a future-proofing our economy if a trade war does reappear in the future. While challenges remain, these efforts lay the groundwork for long-term prosperity, job growth, and economic resilience.

For businesses, these measures open new opportunities to access skilled talent, manage costs, and stay competitive. For workers, they offer greater stability and upward mobility during uncertain times. At a broader level, Ontario’s investment in intellectual property is a strategic step toward addressing Canada’s productivity crisis, helping to ensure that innovations developed here stay here, fueling domestic growth and job creation. While no policy can solve every challenge overnight, these initiatives target critical areas in need of support. They provide relief for vulnerable industries like auto and steel, while also empowering post-secondary institutions to play a central role in developing a resilient, future-ready workforce to meet the demands of tomorrow’s economy and keep high-quality jobs in Ontario.

Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.

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Peterborough Lakers Re-Sign Three Local Players For Upcoming 2025 Season

The Peterborough Lakers have re-signed three local players in Mike Robinson, Drew Hutchison, and Colton Armstrong for the 2025 season, announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Lakers Transition Colton Armstrong scoring a crucial goal against the Six Nations Chiefs in Game Two of the MSL Championship. Peterborough had taken a 2-0 series lead after that game. Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Lakers.

All three return home after helping the National Lacrosse League’s (NLL) Halifax Thunderbirds reach the semifinals.

Robinson finished third in rookie scoring this past season in the NLL and currently leads all rookies in postseason scoring with 12 points. After spending last summer under contract with the Premier Lacrosse League’s Boston Cannons, Robinson returns to his hometown team.

Hutchison had a breakout year in Halifax with five wins and three losses.

Armstrong, known for his strong transition play and highlight-reel goals, returns to the Lakers. He was acquired from the Cobourg Kodiaks in a trade in 2023..

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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Lakefield Man Charged With Impaired Driving After Being Involved In Minor Collision

A 66-year-old Lakefield man is facing an impaired driving charge following a minor vehicular accident on Tuesday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 3:30 p.m., a minor two-vehicle collision occurred at the intersection of Bridge Street and Clementi Street in Lakefield. Upon arrival, officers spoke to one of the drivers and noticed signs of impairment. 

The 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 24.

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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Lang Pioneer Village Sets May 20 As Opening Day

May 20 is opening day at Lang Pioneer Village Museum to kick off its 2025 season, Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth King and Lang Pioneer Village.

The museum’s summer hours and special event season kick off with the annual Father’s Day Smoke & Steam Show on Sunday, June 15. Special events this year include Transportation Day Car & Motorcycle Show and Christmas by Candlelight.

The Keene Hotel, which underwent flooring upgrades over the fall and winter, will also reopen this spring.

“Spring is an exciting time for us here at the Museum as we switch gears and look forward to welcoming visitors back to the site for our Spring and Summer programming,” said Elizabeth King, museum operations manager. “Whether you are joining us for the hustle and bustle of an event day, digging in deeper at a workshop, or are here for the slower pace of a regular day - we invite you to experience history and learn with us.”

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