Ontario Offering Free Fishing Until July 6
/The Ontario government is celebrating Canada Day by allowing all Canadian residents to fish for free in Ontario until Saturday.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Peterborough Blogs
Erratic Driving Leads to Impaired Driving Arrest For Peterborough Man
/A 24-year-old Peterborough man is facing impaired charges after an incident early Saturday morning.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
At roughly 1:45 a.m., officers received a 9-1-1 call about a possible impaired driver in the area of Sherbrooke Street and Brealey Drive.
A general patrol officer in the area located the vehicle and noticed some erratic driving. A traffic stop was conducted in the area of Sherbrooke Street and Goodfellow Road. Upon speaking with the driver, officers observed signs of impairment.
The man was arrested and charged with:
Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
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 Aug. 5.
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City to Temporarily Close Roads For Canada Day Fireworks
/Temporary road closures will be in place from noon to 10:30 p.m. to ensure public safety for the Canada Day fireworks display on Tuesday.
File Photo.
The following are the affected roads:
Perry Street from the east side of George Street to the west side of Crescent Street
Lake Street from the east side of George Street to the west side of Crescent Street
Crescent Street from the north side of Romaine Street to the south side of Perry Street
Lock Street from the north side of Romaine Street to the south side of Crescent Street
The fireworks display will take place at 9:30 p.m.
Detour routes will be in place.
The City requests that everyone follow all signage related to road closures and on-street parking restrictions in the area.
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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring EC3, JA-Neo, Leadership in Sustainability and Pathway of Fame
/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…
We’re going to do something a bit different this week. Some great community organizations have held various awards and recognition events in recent weeks and we’re going to highlight some of the people who go above and beyond.
First up, the Electric City Culture Council recently hosted their Celebration of the Arts event.
Peterborough has a vibrant arts scene, which doesn’t happen by accident. It takes a lot of hard work and EC3 recently recognized a few of our outstanding arts champions: Lynda Todd, Olivia Whetung, Syd Birrell, Sarah DeCarlo, David Goyette, and Chad Hogan. Thanks for all that you do! Our arts and culture sector plays a crucial role for many local businesses.
Junior Achievement Northern and Eastern Ontario held their 10th annual Business Hall of Fame.
They inducted Darrell Junkin, Diane Richard, Tony and Kelli Grady, Grant Seabrooke, Matt Holmes, Michael Riseley, Donnell Leahy, Natalie McMaster, Julia Leahy, Margo and Paul Hudson, Nancy Wiskel, Martin and Kelly Carbajal, Drew Merrett, Raj Patel and the Eatson family. Thank you all for your leadership and enormous contributions to our local business community. Junior Achievement is an organization that promotes getting young people prepared for the workforce and entrepreneurship.
We have a lot of progressive businesses who are leading the way in sustainability and environmental action. Green Economy Peterborough, a part of GreenUP, held their annual Leadership in Sustainability Awards.
This year’s recipients include Morton Medical Centre, Woodleigh Farms, Wild Rock Outfitters, Unity Design Studio, and Kelly Jamieson of Charlotte Products. Well done all of you. You’re not only making our community a better place – you’re leading by example, showing us who we can build stronger and more sustainable businesses.
We have one more group of esteemed community builders being honoured, this time through recognition in the Pathway of Fame. The class of 2025 is Jerry Allen, Julie Fallis, Ted Dawes, Bob Trennum, Peggy Shaughnessy, Dr. Garry Humphreys, Ray Caft, and Susan Dunkley.
Thanks to all of you for being an inspiration and volunteering countless hours to building a stronger community. If you want to find out more about these amazing people’s contributions, check out the organizations honouring them for the complete writeups on everyone mentioned here.
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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Peterborough's Porter Martone Drafted Sixth Overall to the Philadelphia Flyers
/The NHL dream has come true for Peterborough’s Porter Martone as he was drafted sixth overall by the Philadelphia Flyers at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, Ca. on Friday evening.
Photo by Jordan Cooper.
Martone spent the majority of his Ontario Hockey League career with the Mississauga/Brampton Steelheads and had a brief stint with the Sarnia Sting, playing 29 games during the 2022-23 season.
He finished this season with 37 goals and 61 assists in 57 games while captaining the Steelheads. He also captained Team Canada to a gold medal at the IIHF U18 World Championship last year in Finland.
The Peterborough forward was a member of the Petes U15 AAA team, scoring six goals and 15 assists in 36 games.
Porter is the son of his father and former NHL player Mike Martone. The latter was known for scoring the game-winning overtime goal in the 1996 OHL Championship against the Guelph Storm.
Trent University's President’s Excalibur Golf Tournament Raises a Record-Breaking $92,000 For Student-Athlete Scholarships
/The 19th annual Trent University President’s Excalibur Golf Tournament showed its support for student-athletes, raising a record $92,000 for the Excalibur Green and White Scholarships, held at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club on Thursday afternoon.
Dr. Cathy Bruce, Trent president and vice-chancellor, tees off at the second hold at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
“Today marks the highest fundraising total in the 19-year history of this tournament, and we couldn’t have done it without our generous sponsors and participants,” said Nathan McFadden, Trent Athletics & Recreation director. “The Green and White Scholarship Fund is a lifeline for many of our athletes. It eases financial burdens, but more importantly, it sends a powerful message: we believe in you. That belief fuels their drive, their discipline and their dreams.”
@ptbo_canada The 19th annual @trentuniversity President’s Excalibur Golf Tournament showed its support for student-athletes, raising a record $92,000 for the Excalibur Green and White Scholarships. #ptbocanada #ptbo #peterborough #journalism #journalist #news #fyp #trentuniversity ♬ Mario like action game 2 - Jun Takahashi
The $92,000 raised brings the cumulative amount raised to over $792,000. To date, the Green and White Scholarship Fund has benefited more than 400 student-athletes.
For the 2024/25 season, 34 student-athletes were awarded a Green and White Scholarship for their academic achievement and athletic talent. Students receiving this scholarship may be eligible for subsequent years if they maintain a minimum academic average, accumulating significant support over their studies at Trent.
“The Green and White Scholarships have made an incredible difference for me and so many other student-athletes,” said Isabelle Pellerine, student-athlete. “Not every athlete gets the chance to compete at the varsity level, but today shows there’s a community that believes in us. At Trent, we’re more than just athletes, we’re supported to succeed in every part of our lives. I’m so proud to be part of a university that invests in us and our future.”
This year, 20 teams of four participated in the scramble tournament and George Ripoll – BMO Nesbitt Burns, captured first place.
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Voice of Business: Peterborough Is Set For a Record-Breaking Summer
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With summer officially setting in, it’s time to explore the tourism trends and business factors shaping the season ahead.
Could this be Peterborough’s busiest tourism year yet? With more Ontarians opting for staycations and fewer Canadians heading south, local tourism is expected to grow. A key boost comes from the Ontario government’s recent removal of tolls on Highway 407 from Pickering to Highway 35/115, making our region more accessible than ever.
Tourism spending is already on the rise. Between January and July 2024, spending reached $639 million, a 10 per cent increase year over year. If you haven’t already, check out our Lakefield Stay and Play section to discover great local spots for you and your family. This year’s calendar is packed with exciting events, including Musicfest, Nine Ships (a 200th anniversary celebration of Irish immigration to the region), farmers' markets, parades, and more.
Peterborough’s tourism scene hosts an abundance of diverse and vibrant options. From wineries, resorts, hotels, and inns to Indigenous cultural experiences, outdoor adventures, animal attractions, and local cuisine. Add in water sports, gaming, history, and the arts, and music festivals! One major highlight: the Trent-Severn Waterway was named the only Canadian destination on the New York Times’ list of 52 Places to Go in 2025—a proud moment for the entire region.
To support this growing industry, local and provincial partners are stepping up. This past January, the Ontario government announced $20 million over two years to enhance rural connectivity, revitalize downtowns, grow rural businesses, and support the local workforce. These investments will strengthen programming delivered by Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8) and the County of Peterborough Tourism Office.
RTO8 plays a key role in building a competitive and sustainable tourism economy. One standout program is the Acceler8 Business Mentorship Program, offering one-on-one coaching to local tourism businesses. This support is open to accommodation providers, retailers, attractions, and food & beverage operators across the City of Peterborough, Peterborough County, Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland County. Another strategy by Peterborough County is to promote pre-planned travel packages, making it easier for both visitors and locals to explore the region. These itineraries reduce planning time and encourage more spontaneous trips. Additionally, the County is working to address wayfinding signage across the region. This initiative will help travelers navigate more easily, making local tourism businesses more visible and accessible while enhancing the overall visitor experience. To attract more visitors, RTO8 is running targeted marketing campaigns aimed at audiences in the GTA, Kingston, Ottawa, and Hamilton. These campaigns promote year-round tourism experiences, highlighting all four seasons. Recognizing the power of social media, they’re engaging every demographic—from Instagram-savvy young travelers to Facebook- for families and older adults. Data and technology are also transforming tourism. RTO8 is also using geo-fencing and visitor analytics to uncover new opportunities and tailor strategies to visitor interests. Research into visitor personas shows that the primary tourist type is the “Connected Explorer”, tech-savvy travelers who love sharing their journeys online. Secondary personas include Nature Lovers, Family Memory Builders, and “Tweeniors” (active adults aged 50+). Most visitors fall between the ages of 35–64, with an average age of 46 which provides important insights to tailor existing tourism packages to specific age groups. Nationally, Canada is also encouraging domestic tourism through free or discounted access to iconic attractions, including national parks, museums, and railroads. No pass is needed, just visit a participating location to enjoy the benefits.
Your local Chamber of Commerce is also doing its part by hosting Tourism Talks—forums where tourism-related businesses can share feedback, voice challenges, and influence local strategies. These sessions help ensure that plans developed by the County and RTO8 reflect the needs of the sector.
Finally, it’s exciting to see the City of Peterborough, Peterborough County, and RTO8 working together with such a strategic and targeted approach. With more Canadians choosing to explore their own backyard, Peterborough’s accessibility by car, boat, bike, or paddle makes it an ideal destination. With all the momentum, 2025 could be a record-breaking year for local tourism and our community.
Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
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Dalhousie Youth Support Services Gets Infrastructure Renovations From $150,000 Ontario Trillium Grant
/Dalhousie Youth Support Services (DYSS) received several new structural upgrades thanks to a $150,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant that was shown to the public on Friday morning.
Last year, Ontario Trillium Foundation invested nearly $105 million in 732 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The funds were used to renovate the exterior of the property, including the installation of a lifetime steel roof, new fascia, eavestrough and soffit.
A concrete sidewalk was laid to facilitate snow removal, creating a more health- and safety-conscious environment for staff and visitors.
A pressure-treated wood fence was also installed around the parking lot behind the building. Two picnic tables, made from recycled plastic, were purchased to create an outside educational space for their school program.
“Our students and staff are grateful for the opportunity to enjoy a comfortable, private outdoor space. These improvements have significantly enhanced our ability to host outdoor classes and events, fostering a more engaging and dynamic learning environment,” said Karen Carr, DYSS executive director. “The funding for a steel roof has relieved the concern of needing to secure funds for roof replacements every 15 years. We are excited about the positive impact these renovations will have on our community. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Ontario Government for their invaluable support.”
DYSS is a not-for-profit organization that has been delivering programs to youth in conflict with the law for over 20 years.
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Peterborough Lakers Drop Third-Straight Game In Loss to Cobourg Kodiaks
/The woes continue for the Peterborough Lakers as they lost their third straight game, 9-8, against the Cobourg Kodiaks at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.
Photo courtesy of Anna Taylor and the Peterborough Lakers.
The Lakers started strong with two goals from Joe Resetarits and Taite Cattoni. However, they allowed a three-goal run from Cobourg to cap off the period, 3-2.
Both teams alternated the first three goals with the Kodiaks striking first. Cattoni got his second of the game but the Lakaers found themselves trailing 5-3. On the next four-goal run, both teams traded scores with Thomas Hoggarth and Matt Gilray scoring for Peterborough but found themselves trailing 7-5 after two periods.
The Lakers opened with two straight goals from Hoggarth and a shorthanded goal from Cattoni for the hat trick. Special teams went in favour of Cobourg as they scored two straight on the power play and shorthanded respectively. Cattoni scored his fourth goal of the game to pull the Lakers to within one with 9:23 left in regulation. Despite 13 shots on goal, they could not find another past Cobourg goaltender Jackson Brown and the Kodiaks escape Peterborough with a 9-8 win.
“It’s a tough time for us. Our best players were not our best players tonight. We need to stick to our roles,” said Mike Hasen, Lakers head coach. “The guy are frustrated. They’re disappointed. We’re searching for answers within ourselves.”
The loss puts the Lakers at a 7-4 record but they remain in third place in the standings.
“We have to look at ourselves in the mirror and come back focused and ready to… commit to each other, trust each other and play our best because there are no easy games in this league,” said Hasen. “We have to consistently take that next step. We took steps on Tuesday, and tonight there were good moments, but overall we took a step back.”
The Lakers wore special Canada-themed jerseys that were auctioned off at the game in support of the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation. Over $4,000 was raised through both a silent auction during the game and live auction after the game. Holden Cattoni’s game-worn jersey fetched the highest winning bid at $700.
The Lakers return to the Memorial Centre next Thursday for Country Night against the Owen Sound North Stars.
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List of City Services For Canada Day 2025
/Many City services and facilities will operate under holiday hours or be closed on Canada Day this Tuesday.
File photo.
