Suspect Arrested From Series of Thefts Including Construction Equipment

The Peterborough Police Service Street Crime Unit have investigated a series of thefts across the province of Ontario, resulting in charges against a 34-year-old Peterborough man.

All photos courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

Last Wednesday, after an eight-month investigation, the Peterborough Police Service Street Crime Unit conducted a search warrant at a property east of Peterborough.

Officers seized:

• Skid Steer, confirmed stolen out of North York on Aug. 17, 2024

• Side-by-side, confirmed stolen off Highway 65 in Cane Township on May 25

• Commercial generator stolen from the GTA

• Cube truck, confirmed stolen from Toronto in October of 2022

• Stolen flatbed trailer

• .22 calibre rifle

• Black powder firearm  

• Crossbow x3 (Seized due to prohibition order)

• Pellet guns x2 (Seized due to prohibition order)

• 2.8 grams of Crystal Methamphetamine

• A quantity of pills (suspected codeine and acetaminophen)

The total value of the stolen property recovered is approximately $255,000. 

The man was charged with:

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 x4

• Operation While Prohibited

• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm

• Careless Storage of a Firearm

• Possession of Firearm or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order X2

• Fail to Comply with Release Order

• Breach of Recognizance

The accused is currently wanted on a warrant in another jurisdiction and at the time of his arrest was bound by a weapons prohibition order to not possess any firearm, crossbow, prohibited weapon, restricted weapon and prohibited device.

The accused is currently bound by several driving prohibitions as well as a recognizance order with the following conditions: to keep the peace and be of good behaviour and to not possess any weapons as defined by the Criminal Code.

They are also bound by a release order with the condition to reside with their surety.

The accused is currently being held in custody as a result of the theft of a skid steer in Toronto on July 22.

“I am very proud of the work by our Street Crime Unit. This has been a lengthy investigation that has resulted in recovery of stolen property and an arrest of an individual who has a history of criminal activity,” said Chief Stuart Betts. “With weapons and drugs recovered along with the stolen equipment, these are crimes and situations that could pose a significant danger in our community. We hope the public recognizes, as we do, that these types of projects are important in helping keep our community safe.”

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Seven Organizations Funded a Total of $250,000 For Senior Healthy and Independent Living

As part of Seniors Month, the Ontario government has invested $250,000 in seven organizations throughout Peterborough-Kawartha to help seniors increase independence, reduce social isolation and create positive connections, announced at the Activity Haven Senior Centre on Monday afternoon.

(From left to right) Councillor Dave Haacke; Bonnie Clarke, Peterborough County Warden; Raymond Cho; Minister for Seniors and Accessibility; Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP and Mark Tinkler, Activity Haven board president. The government is investing $7 million in the SCGP this year to protect seniors and older adults by supporting over 330 community projects that help them to stay fit, active, healthy and socially connected. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“Seniors are the backbone of our community, and ensuring they have the resources to live healthy, independent, and connected lives is a top priority," said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “This $250,000 investment through the Seniors Community Grant Program will directly support vital local initiatives, from social drop-in programs to fitness classes and intergenerational mentorship, allowing our seniors to thrive right here in Peterborough-Kawartha.”

These projects are part of the Seniors Community Grant Program (SCGP). Their recipients can receive up to $25,000 to support local programs, services and events to provide seniors with opportunities for greater social inclusion, volunteerism and community engagement. This year’s investment includes an additional $1 million, specifically for programs dedicated to improving the quality of life for senior veterans.

One of the projects is going towards the Activity Haven Senior Centre and its newly-initiated ‘Lift for Life” program.

“Our members will have the opportunity to work with the experts at Trent Health In Motion to improve their life and well-being following a very valuable program to address osteoporosis,” said Mark Tinkler, Activity Haven board president.

The following are the supported organizations:

• The Township of Selwyn Public Library has been awarded $21,570 for its ‘Building Connections: Senior Social Drop-In Program.’

• Activity Haven Senior Centre (Peterborough) Inc. will receive $23,755 for its ‘Lift For Life’

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough is being granted $24,900 for its ‘Big G Mentor Together Project.’

• The Alzheimer Society of Peterborough Kawartha Lakes Northumberland and Haliburton will receive $23,351 for ‘The Social and Night Out Program.’

• Havelock Belmont Methuen Seniors is being awarded $25,000 for ‘Seniors Tech Connect.’

• Peterborough New Horizons Bands will receive $4,730 to ‘Support for Members.’

• VON Peterborough Victoria Haliburton is being granted $12,815 for their Wellness in Aging Program

“Amid economic uncertainty and rising costs, Premier Ford and our government are proud to protect our seniors and ensure they have access to affordable and reliable community supports,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “The Seniors Community Grant Program is a critical lifeline in every corner of our province for seniors to learn new skills, get fit, enjoy group activities and stay connected to their neighbours and friends.”

According to a press release, the Ontario government is supporting over 100 Seniors Active Living Fairs expected to take place in 2025-26, which will provide more opportunities for seniors to learn about supports and resources in their community.

“We're dependent on funding support from both the province and the City,” said Tinkler. “Getting grants like this is extremely valuable to be able to offer something like the 'Lift For Life' and all these other programs we provide; the government is invaluable and very supportive.”

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BST Vacations Announces Its 2026 Lineup of Travel Destinations

BST Vacations (Blowes & Stewart Travel Group Ltd.) has released its 2026 Peterborough Charter Collection, in its 12th year of offering flights from Peterborough Airport.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The following is the 2026 travel schedule:

• Holland America Volendam Cruise – Canada & New England Circle (May 30 – June 9)

• Charlottetown, PEI (June 4 – 7)

• St. John’s, Newfoundland (June 18 – 21)

• Calgary during the Stampede (July 2 – 5)

• St. Pierre & Miquelon (Sept. 18 – 21)— Sold out, accepting names for a waitlist

• Scottsdale, Arizona (Oct. 15 – 18)

“Every year, our Peterborough program continues to grow in popularity,” says Scott Stewart, BST Vacations president. “We know how much our clients value skipping the long drives and busy airports. These departures make travel easier and more enjoyable—and our 2026 lineup is one of the most exciting yet.”

Locally sourced food and drink are included on all outbound flights. A continental breakfast is prepared fresh the morning of departure. Spirits and beer are sourced from local distilleries and craft brewers.

On return flights, adult beverages are available for a $5 donation, with all proceeds supporting local causes. Over the past two years, this initiative has raised funds for Hospice Peterborough.

All trips include:

• Round-trip charter flights from Peterborough Airport

• Included parking at the airport

• Fast, hassle-free check-in

• In-flight meals and beverages

• Hotel accommodations and airport transfers in destination

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Peterborough Transit Terminal Temporary Relocating Bus Stops Due to Construction

Due to construction at the downtown Peterborough Transit Terminal, all bus stops there for both departures and arrivals will temporarily relocate for the period from Aug. 5 to Sept. 5, announced on Monday. 

File Photo.

Screenshot.

Temporary signs will be posted at each of the new boarding locations. 

All routes will continue to operate on their regular schedules. Some routes will be required to make minor detours to their temporary stop locations. 

Upgrades to the downtown Transit Terminal will remove the requirement for the buses to reverse out of the pick-up and drop-off locations as recommended in the Transportation Master Plan, Transit Route Review and Long-term Growth Study. Construction is expected to take four weeks.

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Peterborough Lakers Playoff Schedule Set Against the Brooklin Lacrosse Club

Major Series Lacrosse has released the playoff schedule for the Peterborough Lakers as they are matched against the Brooklin Lacrosse Club starting Thursday at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Lakers.

The Lakers finished the regular season in second place while Brooklin was in third. This will be the fourth consecutive time the clubs have met in the semi-finals, with the Lakers winning each series. 

The first-round schedule is as follows:

Game 1 - Thursday, July 31 @ 8 p.m. – Peterborough Memorial Centre

Game 2 – Saturday, August 2 @ 8 p.m. – Iroquois Park Sports Centre

Game 3 – Monday, August 4 @ 7 p.m. – Peterborough Memorial Centre

Game 4 – Wednesday, August 6 @ 8 p.m. – Iroquois Park Sports Centre

Game 5* - Thursday, August 7 @ 8 p.m.– Peterborough Memorial Centre

Game 6* – TBD

Game 7* - Thursday, August 14 @ 8 p.m. – Peterborough Memorial Centre

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Peterborough Challengers Baseball Hit the Road to St. Thomas for 2025 Friendship Games

The Peterborough Challenger Baseball teams went on the road to play their annual Friendship Games held at the Doug Tarry Complex in St. Thomas, Ont. on Saturday.

The Games have a host city where Challenger teams from Peterborough, Hamilton and London come together to compete against one another in baseball.

The event also had a home run derby, accuracy throwing and a base race contest. Representing the Peterborough seniors were Blake Mount (home run derby), David I. (accuracy throwing) and Blair Bastien (base race). Mount and Bastien came second in their respective events while David finished first in accuracy throwing.

@ptbo_canada The Peterborough Challenger Baseball teams hit St. Thomas to play in the Friendship games with the London and Hamilton teams! #ptbocanada #ptbo #peterborough #journalism #journalist #news #fyp #challengerbaseball ♬ Baseball - Glow City

Challenger Baseball supports anyone with cognitive or developmental challenges or chronic health issues that prevent them from playing organized sports.

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Two Hat Tricks Propel Peterborough Lakers to Dominant Win Over the Cobourg Kodiaks

The Peterborough Lakers are finely tuned for the playoffs with two hat tricks, posting their most dominant win of the season, routing the Cobourg Kodiaks 15-4 at the Jack Burger Sports Complex in Port Hope on Sunday night.

Photo courtesy of Anna Taylor and the Peterborough Lakers.

The Lakers had a perfect period, disallowing any goals from Cobourg while netting six of their own. Brad McCulley, Dylan Hutchinson, Ben Trumble, Carter Page, Matt Gilray and Taite Cattoni all found the back of the net for Peterborough to make it 6-0 after the first period.

Cobourg finally got on the board 15 seconds in but McCulley answered 45 seconds later. After letting in another Kodiak goal, McCulley got a hat trick to keep pace with the home team. Page added two more goals to complete his hat trick while Cobourg got one more goal to end the period to make it 10-3.

The Lakers continued to roll, limiting the Kodiaks to one goal while potting five of their own. Frank Coyle found the score sheet, scoring first for the Lakers, followed by a Justin Sykes score. After letting in a Kodiak goal, Joe Resetarits got his first, Sykes got his second and McCulley got his fourth to rout Cobourg 15-4.

McCulley led the team with four goals in a hot arena where the air conditioning was not in service.

“Our staff does a fantastic job making sure we’re cool on the bench, getting fans blowing all over the place, water when we need it,” he explained. “Both teams have to deal with it so we kinda just have to make the most of it but that was a little uncomfortable by the end.”

The win gives Peterborough a 13-5-0 regular-season record to finish second place behind the Six Nations Chiefs.

“Sometimes it gets to these games where the playoff schedule is already set and we have a game on a Sunday night and not everyone can make it, so it’s easy to mail it in or you just stay on track doing what’s made you successful, but like this, getting the sticks going and making sure our confidence is up and chemistry is still there, going far into playoffs this won’t hurt us,” said McCulley.

The Lakers host the third-place Brooklin Lacrosse Club in the Major Lacrosse Series semifinals beginning Thursday at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

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Attempted Arson Incident Leads To Window Broken For Local Business

The Peterborough Police Service are investigating an attempted arson at a Peterborough business early Monday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 3:22 a.m., officers were called after a gas can was thrown through a window of the business in a plaza near Lansdowne Street West and Webber Avenue. 

Although the sprinkler system activated, there was no fire but extensive water damage occurred. 

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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Peterborough Petes Sign Second-Round Import Draft Pick to Standard Player Agreement

The Peterborough Petes have signed second-round import pick Yanis Lutz to an OHL Standard Player Agreement (SPA).

Photo courtesy of Philipp Hegglin EV Zug.

“We’re very excited to announce that we’ve signed Yanis Lutz to an SPA,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations.. “Yanis is a player that Rob Wilson, Patrick O’Connor, myself and other members of our staff have had a chance to see both in-person and on video. We feel that he has the abilities to succeed in the OHL and is a player that we’re excited to be able to add to our group heading into next season.”

Lutz, a 2008-born forward from Lachen, SUI, featured in 34 games for EV Zug U20 last season, scoring 14 goals and adding eight assists for 22 points. He also played in 12 games for EV Zug U17, scoring eight goals and adding five assists for 13 points. Lutz has represented his home country of Switzerland at the U17 level, accumulating 12 points in 16 games during the 2024-25 season. He is currently attending the Switzerland U18 camp in preparation for the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

“We are thrilled to announce the signing of Yanis Lutz to our organization for the 2025-26 season here in Peterborough,” said Patrick O’Connor, Petes assistant coach and director of player personnel. “Yanis is an offensive, skilled young player who is a strong skater with a very good hockey IQ. His track record has shown that he can produce offensively at every level that he has played in Switzerland, including his National Team. I would like to personally acknowledge Pat Pilloni and Nxtshot Sports for their work and assistance in making this exciting import deal possible. We very much look forward to Yanis arriving here in Peterborough and welcoming him to our city and the team.” 

Lutz is the second import player to sign with Peterborough for the upcoming season, after the Petes signed Czech forward and 2024 first-round import pick Adam Novotný on July 9.

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Pondview Estates, Of Whimsy and Wonder, Cosmic Charlie's and Lakefield Sidewalk Sale

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 Belsey family have launched a new wedding venue business at their Pondview Estates property.

Parents Mike and Linda own the property while their eldest daughter Samantha runs the wedding venue. Samantha has a decade of experience in the wedding industry, including her business Samantha Ann and Co. Booking Pondview includes the use of her wedding planning and coordination services. The property features a beautiful setting with a permanent tent, refurbished church pews, and thoughtful décor. Book your wedding or event at Pondview Estates for a picturesque and stress-free experience. Find out more at samanthaannandco.com.

Local artist and illustrator Susie Armstrong now has a physical shop where you find some beautiful creations.

Of Whimsy and Wonder is now open at 444 George St. N. in downtown Peterborough. The shop is a dreamy art boutique and gift shop specializing in unique art products such as prints, stationary, and custom paintings. They offer a wide selection of curated vintage and pre-loved clothing, gently used books, and antiques. Susie started the business in 2020 and it’s exciting to see it continue to grow.

This week is your last chance to go get some delicious food from Cosmic Charlie’s.

Maria and Mario Salalila are retiring after nearly 30 years. Cosmic Charlies has been a downtown icon, with original international cuisine. It will close as of July 31. Thank you, Maria and Mario, for all your hard work and all the delicious meals you’ve served the community. Drop by 170 Charlotte St. in Downtown Peterborough for your last chance to dine at Cosmic Charlie’s.

The Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Sidewalk Sale on Queen Street in Lakefield on Aug. 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The street will be closed between Reid to Albert streets for this fun outdoor shopping event where you’re sure to find some unique items, delicious food, and activities. There will be a community barbeque, fire trucks on display, activities for children, and of course, deals from local businesses. Vendor registration is open until July 31. Make sure to drop by downtown Lakefield on Aug. 9 to see what it’s all about.

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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