Selwyn Township Places Immediate Ban on Burning Brush

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Effective immediately, the Selwyn Township Fire Department is enforcing a strict prohibition on burning brush, announced on Tuesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

According to Selwyn Townshop, the decision comes amidst sustained drought conditions and above-average temperatures.

“Conditions are very dry and we want to protect our residents, their properties and our volunteer firefighters,” made in a press release statement.

What the ban covers:

  • Brush burning, including piles of branches, logs, yard debris, and similar vegetation, is strictly prohibited until further notice.

  • Existing burn permits are immediately revoked.

  • The ban does not extend to certified gas or propane fire pits, barbecues, or small recreational campfires located more than 20 ft. from structures—but even these should be used with extreme caution and direct adult supervision.

This ban remains in effect until conditions improve. Fire officials will reassess the situation daily and announce any changes.

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Willow Yoga Studio Launches Adaptive Yoga Program for Children with Special Needs

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Willow Yoga Studio has launched a first-of-its-kind adaptive yoga pilot program designed specifically for children with special needs.

Demeester in front of her business at 1600 Lansdowne St. W. The Willow Studio was a 2025 recipient of the Starter Company Plus Program through Community Futures Peterborough. Photo courtesy of Willow Yoga Studio.

The program is in partnership with Five Counties Children’s Centre (FCCC).

Angela Demeester, Willow Yoga Studio owner, is a mother to a child with a disability. According to a press release, she recognized a significant gap in programming available to children with diverse needs. Demeester approached FCCC with the program.

“We're excited to announce our partnership with Five Counties Children’s Centre to offer Adaptive Yoga classes for children with special needs this summer at Willow,” said Demeeester. “This offering reflects the very heart of our studio—yoga that is accessible, inclusive, and rooted in connection.”

The adaptive yoga program offers studio space for children to connect socially, build friendships, improve physical fitness, and experience calmness. The first session occurred last Wednesday witha second one on Aug. 6. It is open to FCCC clients receiving therapeutic recreation services.

“We are so thrilled to work with Angela on this adaptive yoga program that benefits children of all abilities,” said Caitlin Gilmer, FCCC recreation therapist. “Our role as therapists is to help children experience and enjoy recreational activities, and this adaptive yoga program is one way to break down those barriers.”

“We believe every child deserves the opportunity to be part of a community, to move their bodies, and to feel included,” said Demeeester. “As both a yoga teacher and a parent of a child with a disability, I understand how meaningful it is to have programs that see and support the whole child.”


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Riverview Park & Zoo Train Closing Early Due to Pumphouse Rehabilitation Work

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The Riverview Park and Zoo’s miniature train is operating until Aug. 4, as it will close for the season to accommodate rehabilitation work on the Water Street Pumphouse and Dam. 

File Photo.

The Dam will undergo construction work to address concrete deterioration and improve its infrastructure to further its long-term functionality. Construction work is expected to begin this summer.

The Miniature Train Ride crosses the dam as part of its route around the Zoo area. The train cannot safely cross the dam while it is under construction.  

The train operates daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Miniature Train Ride will reopen to visitors during the long weekend in May 2026.  

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Peterborough Man Arrested For Exposing Himself at Jackson Park

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A 41-year-old Peterborough man is facing charges after several calls to police about a man exposing himself in Jackson Park.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 7 p.m., officers arrived at the park and began searching the area. They located the man lying near the creek with his clothes beside him. The clothes matched the description given to the police.

The man was arrested and charged with:

  • Indecent Act- public place

  • Fail to Comply with Probation Order

  • Fail to Comply with Prohibition Regarding Children

The accused is currently bound by a probation order with the following conditions: to keep the peace and be of good behaviour, to stay away from Jackson Park in Peterborough.

The accused is currently bound by a prohibition order with the following condition: to not be at a public park or other areas where people under 16 can be reasonably expected to be.

The accused is being held in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

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Photos: Gob Takes Centre Stage With Their Punk Rock Antics at Peterborough Musicfest

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The Vancouver punk rock stylings of Gob hit the Musicfest stage to rock out with the Peterborough crowd at Del Crary Park on Saturday night.

The band consists of Tom Thacker (vocals and lead guitar), Theo Goutzinakis (rhythm guitar and vocals), Gabe Mantle (drummer) and Steven Fairweather (bassist).

@ptbo_canada Tom Thacker) (left) and Theo Goutzinakis (right) of Gob rock out at Peterborough Musicfest before a huge crowd at Del Crary Park. #ptbocanada #ptbo #peterborough #journalism #journalist #news #fyp #ptbomusicfest ♬ Punk rock for sports, battles, OPs(1407616) - Cheng Lee

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Hilliard Street Undergoing Road Reconstruction Until Mid-August

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Hilliard Street will be closed to through traffic between Anson and George streets until Aug 15 for road reconstruction work.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Work in the area of Hilliard and George streets includes the installation of new traffic signals at the intersection of George and Hilliard streets, partially reconstructing and realigning the intersection, the addition of sidewalk and trail links at the intersection and new lighting along the Rotary Greenway Trail Link from Hilliard Street to Bethune Street. 

Access to properties in that section of Hilliard Street will be maintained through formal detours when required during the construction. 

The City asks that motorists follow posted detour routes.

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David Tuan Bui


Undermanned Peterborough Lakers Give Valiant Effort In Overtime Loss to Owen Sound

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Despite being down several starters, the Peterborough Lakers just fell short of a comeback bid, falling 10-9 in overtime to the Owen Sound North Stars at the Eddie Bush Memorial Arena on Saturday night.

Photo courtesy of Anna Taylor and the Peterborough Lakers.

The Lakers were down several starters since they were attending defenceman Jordan Stouros’ wedding.

The opening frame looked like Peterborough had not skipped a beat, scoring the first two goals thanks to Braedon Saris and Justin Sykes. They allowed a three-goal run to find themselves down 3-2 but rang off another pair of scores with Saris’s second and Nick Fournier’s first for a 4- 3 lead after one period.

The middle stanza was all Owen Sound. They had five of the six goals with Micheal Blaymires getting the lone score for the Lakers for a 7-5 game in favour of the home team.

Both teams alternated scores for the opening five goals. Lucas Fraser, Alex Pace and Jeremiah Wade all scored their first goal of the season for Peterborough. Adam Thistlethwaite had some last-minute heroics for the Lakers, scoring with just four seconds left to tie the game at nine to force overtime.

“We had a play set up for Justin Sykes to come down the side on a double steal,” explained Thistlethwaite. “We’d run it once or twice before in the game so they kinda knew what was coming. So when I came up from the bottom to seal up on Sykes’ guy, I just flashed into the middle into Saris and he threw it to me. Page was double sealing through on the backside just kind of bear-hugging guys, creating chaos and I shot overtop and hit it top left.”

The extra frame did not take long as Owen Sound scored just 29 seconds in to get the 10-9 victory.

“There were a lot of roles that were getting filled tonight,” said Thistlethwaite. “A lot of different guys in the lineup so a lot of guys were stepping up in different places all over the floor. We had a lot of good young players who were running the floor and playing well.”

“Not happy at all with the result, but happy with the effort,” said Bobby Keast, Lakers assistant coach. “The group that we called up to support did an outstanding job.”

The Lakers finish their last home game this Thursday against the Brampton Excelsiors for Little Lakers Night support of Five Counties Children’s Centre and Fan Appreciation Night.

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Peterborough Man Arrested and Charged After Trying to Flee From Police On Motorcycle

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A 29-year-old Peterborough man faces multiple charges after attempting to evade police on Saturday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 10:45 a.m., an officer on general patrol spotted a suspended driver on a motorcycle. The officer attempted to make a traffic stop but the vehicle took off and ran through two red lights. The officer located the driver at their residence several hours later. 

The man was arrested and charged with:

  • Flight from peace officer

  • Dangerous operation

  • Fail to stop for police (Highway Traffic Act)

  • Driving while under suspension (Highway Traffic Act)

  • Red light - fail to stop x2 (Highway Traffic Act)

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 26.

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Y-Drive, Home Hardware, MIskin Law and Gauvreau Accounting

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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…

Y Drive has launched a new instant courier service.

This rideshare service is now available to help with getting documents signed and returned, deposits made and orders fulfilled. Y Drive has hundreds of vetted drivers and some of the top technology in Canada to offer a courier service built for speed, security, and convenience. Use the Y Drive app to manage, schedule, and track your courier jobs in real time. Download the app or visit ydriveapp.com to find out more and get started.

A big congratulations to Chemong Home Hardware Building Centre on celebrating 20 years in business.

To mark this milestone, they’re holding a celebration on Aug. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come on out and get some celebratory cake and hear a bit about their story. The day will feature a bouncy obstacle course, vendor booths, a barbecue lunch, giveaways and fun for the whole family. Located at 1699 Chemong Rd. in Selwyn, Chemong Home Hardware Building Centre is a large modern store specializing in kitchen and bath design as well as Beaver Home and Cottage design.

Miskin Law are making it easier to get the information you need at the scene of an accident by releasing their Crash Companion app.

Pre-load your licence, insurance, and vehicle information and you’re ready for an emergency, at which point you can add photos, witness statements, and even provide QR code links for witnesses to file their own accounts. Being prepared with the Crash Companion app will help you be ready for the unexpected.

Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory are launching their 4th Annual Gear Up for Good campaign, which is an initiative dedicated to providing essential resources to underserved local children.

They are looking to fully stock 200 backpacks to help support Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Kawartha Haliburton Children's Foundation. Union Barber is providing free haircuts so the kids can go back to school looking their best and Domino's Pizza are offering a free pizza to each participating family. Your business can help by providing snacks, water bottles, backpacks, and supplies by August 11. Contact Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory or drop off donations at 150 King Street.

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 Women’s Special Olympic Soccer Team Brings Home Gold at Provincials

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Peterborough Women’s Special Olympic Soccer Team made history at the 2025 Provincial Special Olympic Games, taking home a gold medal in an undefeated run in Brantford over the weekend.

Photo courtesy of Debbie Quinlan.

Throughout the three-day event the team hosted a Women’s division at the Provincial Summer Games for the first time. The team won despite extreme heat conditions.

Candace Bushie, Crystal Cochrane, Jasmine Davis, Haley Fowler, Heather Fowler, Nicole Hewitt, Kristen Lackey, Gillian McHugh, Miriam McHugh, Kacee Quinlan, Jenn Wildman, Carlea Wilkie-Ellis and coaches Shawna Goode, Debbie Quinlan and Linda Wilkie were all part of the winning team.

The Peterborough Panthers Soccer team wona silver medal at the Provincial Games. Coached by Patrick Henry, Corlea Freeland and Bill Chapman, the team consisted of: Adam Ferguson, Brian Davis, Blair Bastien, Mary McDougall, Jacob Zitman, Mike Ludlow, Makaya Dafoe, Steve Caban, Ryan Blinn and Dylan Armstrong.

Peterborough’s Special Olympic track athletes, coached by Sydney Venton, saw results from the following atheletes:

  • Gaerrisen Freeland: Gold medal in 100 m., 200 m., 400 m., shotput and Javelin

  • Lisa Butler: Gold medal in 400 m, shot put and javelin. Bronze medal in 100 m

  • Mercedes Laking: Gold medal in shotput and bronze medal in 100 m

Coached by Toni Hill and Alan Brioux, the following Bocce Special Olympic athletes achieved these results:

  • Dalton Davis: Gold medal

  • Jesse Campbell, Julien Cloutier-Austin and Florence Ekman: Bronze medals

  • Monique St Pierre: Fourth place

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