Peterborough Lakers Dominant In First Playoff Game, Routing Brooklin L.C. to 12-4 Victory

The Peterborough Lakers kick off the postseason with a bang, routing the Brooklin L.C. in Game one of the Major Series Lacrosse semifinals, 12-4 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Lakers.

The Lakers had a perfect opening period to start the playoffs, shutting out Brooklin while tallying three goals thanks to Thomas Hoggarth, Mike Robinson and Joe Resetarits for a 3-0 lead.

Peterborough’s offense rolled in the second stanza, scoring the next six for a nine-goal run. Braedon Saris, Holden and Taite Cattoni, Carter Page and Brad McCulley got their first goals of the playoffs while Resetarits had his second of the game. The Lakers had their shutout broken fby two Brooklin powerplay goals but McCulley tacked on one more, shorthanded, for a 10-2 lead into the final frame.

“You know, it makes it a lot easier when you hold a team to zero goals for almost two full periods,” said Robinson. “We’re clicking right now and I think, you know, the goal is always to peak at the end of the year, we don’t want to peak in the middle. We're just going to keep doing those little things and keep moving forward and keep getting better each game.”

The final period saw both teams score two goals each, as both Cattonis scored for the Lakers and Peterborough cruised to a 12-4 victory, taking game one of the best-of-seven series.

“We obviously got out to real good start and I was seeing the ball early and they were keeping the ball to the outside where we like it,” said Nick Rose, Lakers goaltender. “We built a pretty big lead and that kind of game was a little out of hand for a game one but we know that they're going to be a lot better at home on Saturday.”

Game two is on Saturday night at Iroquois Park Sports Centre in Whitby at 8 p.m.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough Man Arrested On Drug Possession/Trafficking Charges Valued Around $220,000

David Soady, a 48-year-old Peterborough man, has been arrested after an investigation by the Peterborough Police Service Drug Unit resulted in a significant seizure of cocaine and fentanyl with a street value of around $220,000 on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

At roughly 2:15 p.m., officers with the Drug Unit arrested Soady and executed a search warrant at a residence in the Water Street and Marina Boulevard area. 

In total, officers seized:

• Approximately 1.2 kg of Cocaine

• Approximately 1 kg of Fentanyl

• Approximately 380 Hydromorphone Pills

• Drug paraphernalia

• Cell phones

• Approximately $21,000 in Canadian currency

Soady was arrested and charged with:

• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine

• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking- Fentanyl

• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking- Hydromorphone

• Possession Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 - in Canada

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

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

List of City Services On Civic Holiday (Aug. 4)

For the Civic Holiday on Monday, many City services and facilities will be operating under holiday hours or will be closed.

File Photo.

City Hall  

City Hall offices, including Service Peterborough, Building Services and the Clerk’s Office will be closed on August 4. Online services are available at peterborough.ca.  

Waste collection and facilities  

There are no changes to the curbside waste collection schedule.  

The City/County Landfill at 1260 Bensfort Rd. will be closed.  

The Hazardous and Electronic Waste Depot at 400 Pido Rd. will be closed. The Hazardous and Electronic Waste Depot’s normal operating hours are Wednesday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

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 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Visit peterborough.ca/transit for details or call Transit Customer Service at 705-745-0525.  

Airport  

Peterborough Regional Airport will be open regular hours, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visit peterborough.ca/airport for more information.  

Art Gallery of Peterborough  

The Art Gallery of Peterborough at 250 Crescent St. will be closed on the Civic Holiday.

Peterborough Public Library  

The Peterborough Public Library at 345 Aylmer St. N. and the Miskin Law Community Complex branch will be closed on Monday, August 4. Information and digital resources are available online at ptbolibrary.ca.   

Peterborough Museum and Archives  

The Peterborough Museum and Archives at 300 Hunter St. E. will be open noon to 5 p.m. on the Civic Holiday. Information on exhibits and events is 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. 

The Kinsmen Civic Centre, Healthy Planet Arena, McDonnel Street Community Centre and the Recreation Facility Booking office will be closed. 

A Major Series Lacrosse semi-finals game will take place at 7 p.m. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre, 151 Lansdowne St. W., with Peterborough Lakers hosting the Brooklin Lacrosse Club. The Grant Thornton Box Office will be open from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday. Tickets for Memorial Centre events are also available for purchase online at memorialcentre.ca.   

Beaches, splash pads and wading pools   

Lifeguards will be on duty at Beavermead beach, 2011 Ashburnham Dr., from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Peterborough Public Health tests water at local beaches. Water testing results are posted at the beaches, and available online at peterboroughpublichealth.ca.   

Splash pads in City parks are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The splash pad at the Riverview Park and Zoo is open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.  

Lifeguards supervise City wading pools daily from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.   

Marina   

Customer service at Peterborough Marina will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.   

Riverview Park and Zoo  

The Riverview Park and Zoo is open from 8:30 a.m. to dusk. Guest Services is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Otter Enrichment takes place at 1:30 p.m., and a Meet the Keeper session will take place at 2:30 p.m. The splash pad at the Zoo will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

The Hatch Coffee Shop will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Monday is the last day to ride the Miniature Train before it closes for the season for construction work on the Water Street dam. The train will operate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the holiday weekend. 

Parking Services  

Parking in City-operated parking garages, surface lots and on-street parking spaces is free on holidays. The Parking Services office located in the King Street Parkade will be closed on the Civic Holiday. Visit peterborough.ca/parking to find more information, including locations.  

Provincial Offences office   

The Provincial Offences office at 99 Simcoe St. will be closed on Monday, August 4. Fine payments can be made online at peterborough.ca/POA.   

Social Services   

Social Services office at 178 Charlotte St. will be closed on Monday.  

City-operated child care centres will be closed.   

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.   

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Local Government Leaders Meet With Economy Professionals to Address Industry Challenges

Local government leaders met with key industry stakeholders and economic development professionals to address recent economic shifts and their impact on employment in the Peterborough community at the Peterborough + Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce on Thursday morning.

(from left to right) Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP; Mayor Jeff Leal and Bonnie Clarke, Peterborough County Warden. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The leaders included Mayor Jeff Leal; Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP and Bonnie Clark, Peterborough County Warden. Emma Harrison, Peterborough-Kawartha MP, was not in attendance physically but endorsed the actions taken to address the issue. According to her communications assistant, Jessica Nyznik, Harrison had attended the meeting virtually via Zoom.

On Monday, Smith had called leaders to meet with economic professionals at the Chamber of Commerce for Thursday.

The meeting’s purpose was to determine how to reverse current trends, fortify Peterborough's business environment and understand local economic growth challenges.

“A real emphasis today, Peterborough County and City have a lot of top-notch homegrown industries,” said Leal. “Those homegrown industries are the ones that make the decisions every day, right here in our local community so we need to continue to look at ways that we can expand that base in order to create those new job opportunities.”

The call for the meeting followed three days after Peterborough’s Minute Maid facility announced it would discontinue frozen products and production would cease in the first quarter of next year. This results in job losses but the number is undisclosed.

Last week, Lufthansa InTouch announced they were shutting down its Peterborough facility in May next year. One month prior, Siemens had announced its consolidation operations in Concord on June 25, relocating approximately 160 manufacturing positions over the next two years.

The local politicians meet bi-weekly to address any issues and concerns. The economic challenges were on their radar but the changes in the three companies, as mentioned above, were a tipping point that led to calling the meeting, according to Smith.

“These companies are making decisions based on their global footprint, not necessarily the local footprint,” he explained. “We will do what we can do then, to ensure that the local environment here is as conducive as possible to keep those companies, to expand those companies.”

Thursday’s discussions aimed to uncover the reasons behind the most recent downsizing and company relocations from Peterborough to other jurisdictions.

“This is the start,” explained Clark. “We will be supportive, we will put plans in place that Peterborough grows — the City of Peterborough and the County. We want to make sure that our businesses are supported and that we retain businesses and we grow businesses.”

Smith added that US President Donald Trump and his tariffs are not a direct factor in the economic shift in Peterborough but they do play a role in companies’ decisions.

“There have been other things that have given them the decision to do that,” explained Smith. “Everything that happens in the market affects other parts of the world. Because there is uncertainty in the US market, that trickles into other areas of the world economy and there is uncertainty in all of them.”

All four politicians released a joint statement regarding Peterborough’s business challenges:

“Mayor Jeff Leal, Warden Bonnie Clark, MPP Dave Smith and MP Emma Harrison conducted the first of a series of consultations with industry and economic development experts to understand the challenges faced by industry operating in the Peterborough area. Recognizing that all levels of government play a role in ensuring job creators in the region can be successful, a task force will be formed to facilitate the cooperative approach that all four elected officials will use to work together to address the concerns of businesses and improve the conditions for their operations. Working together to find ways to leverage each level of governments tools and programs in a collaborative approach to help businesses in the region succeed will be the main goal of the task force.

Mayor Leal, Warden Clark, MPP Smith and MP Harrison commit to work together to enhance the prospects of the local job creators in the Peterborough region to be successful and continuing to contribute to the fabric of the region.”

Meetings are ongoing to continue addressing this issue.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

The Rotary Club of Peterborough's Fore the Kids Golf Tournament Scheduled For Sept. 25

The Rotary Club of Peterborough has released the date of its Fore the Kids Golf Tournament fundraiser at the Katchiwano Golf Club on Sept. 25.

Photo courtesy of teh Rotary Club of Peterborough.

Tournament proceeds will help fund Rotary projects and the kids who use the services of the Five Counties Children’s Centre.

Tickets are $150 per person, which includes a round of golf, a cart for convenience, lunch to recharge and compete in hole prizes.

One child supported by the cause is four-year-old Jude, who has cerebral palsy and a global developmental delay. He has been accessing Five Counties programs like physiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy since he was four months old.

“Thank you to everyone who supports this event. It shows the families at Five Counties that they have an entire community behind them, cheering them on.” said Julie Grant, Jude’s mom.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

United Way Peterborough & District Unveils 2025 Community Campaign Cabinet

The United Way Peterborough & District has announced the members of its 2025 Community Campaign Cabinet on Thursday morning.

Photo courtesy of the United Way/

On May 21, United Way named journalist Paul Rellinger as its 2025 Campaign Chair.

The Cabinet had its first meeting of the campaign season this week. Rellinger says the gathering set the tone for a year of meaningful engagement, collaboration and impact.

“I wish there was a way that all Peterborough city and county residents could have been at the first Cabinet meeting to see, hear and feel the energy and spark I saw, heard and felt,” he explained. “A fierce commitment to building stronger and more equitable communities, where no one is left behind and all are provided the opportunity to thrive, was evident from the get-go. It reminded me that whatever we accomplish, be it with this campaign or with any like endeavour, success is inevitably rooted in the character, compassion and commitment of those driving things forward. We are indeed in the best of hands, fueling my unbridled optimism for a very good campaign result.”

The following are this year’s cabinet members:

• Darcy Bonner, Community Ambassador

• Dr. Michael Eamon, Trent University

• Ann Farquharson, Farquharson Law

• Coby Fewings, Scotiabank

• Dr. Bruce Gibson, Community Ambassador

• Marg Glenn, Glenn Isle Farms

• Sheridan Graham, County of PTBO

• Greg Kidd, KPRDSB

• Richard Lambert, BMO

• Evan Lyons, PRHC

• Laken MacFarlane, City of PTBO

• Vipesh Patel, Community Ambassador

• Dr. Thomas Piggot, HKNP Health Unit

• Amanda Pinder, RBC

• Dr. Stephan Ragaz, Community Ambassador

• Paul Rellinger, 2025 Campaign Chair

• Balkaran Singh Sathi, Sathi Law

• Jeannine Taylor, KawarthaNOW

• Sebastien Tinor-Roy, TD Bank

• Staff Sargeant John Townsend, PTBO Police

• Shirley Turner, EXIT Realty Liftlock

• Danielle Turpin, Community Ambassador

“The people around the table are difference-makers,” Jim Russell, United Way CEO. “They bring vision, compassion and energy to this campaign and we’re incredibly grateful for their leadership.”

The Cabinet will reconvene in September to continue planning for this year’s Campaign Launch, scheduled for the Healthy Planet Arena on Sept. 25.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Shoplifter Arrested By Off-Duty Officer

An off-duty officer, who was grocery shopping, helped the store arrest a 63-year-old Peterborough man in a shoplifting incident Wednesday evening.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 6 p.m., the officer was in the store located at the intersection of Towerhill Road and Chemong Road and became aware that store staff had stopped a man attempting to leave the store without paying for over $350 worth of items. The officer took the man into custody. 

During the investigation, it was learned that the man was wanted on warrants for assault, assault with a weapon, failure to comply with an undertaking and failure to attend court.

The man was arrested on the strength of the warrants and further charged with:

• Theft under $5,000

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

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

The 66th Annual Liftlock U11 Hockey Tournament To Be the Finale

A continued Peterborough hockey tradition hits the end of the road as the 66th edition of the Annual Liftlock U11 Hockey Tournament will be the last, announced on Tuesday evening.

Last year’s U11A Petes competed in the “Chris Fee Cup”, defeating the U11A Toronto Wolverines. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Formerly known as the Peterborough Liftlock Atom Hockey Tournament, the decision came down to two contributing factors: a lack of volunteers and the shifting landscape of minor hockey.

The tournament has relied heavily on local volunteers, but organizers say, “finding and retaining enough individuals to manage the extensive logistics, from scheduling to arena operations, has become increasingly difficult.”

Organizers also state that “changes within the broader minor hockey landscape may have also contributed to the challenges faced by the Peterborough Liftlock Atom Tournament.”

The tournament began during the 1958-59 season as a one-day, eight-team affair for Pee Wee players. Over the years, it adapted to age-grouping changes by the OMHA, eventually settling on the ‘Atom’ (now U11) designation in 1974.

In 1969, a group including Jack Guerin, Lloyd Hardy, Don Dorsett and Howie Eastman proposed an expansion to a two-day, 16-team event, laying the groundwork for its significant growth.

“(It’s) Not just a hockey tournament...It's a community affair,” said organizers. The Liftlock Tournament was one of the largest Atom-level tournaments in North America. Attracting more than 100 teams from across Ontario, Quebec and even the United States, the tournament proceeds went to lower hockey costs for local minor players and assisting numerous local and national charities, as well as capital projects like the Evinrude Centre and the Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

There are 87 alumni who participated in the tournament and went on to make the National Hockey League.

They include:

• Wayne Gretzky - The Great One and was one of hockey’s greatest goal scorers

• Eric Lindros - NHL MVP

• Bob Gainey - Multiple Stanley Cup winner and successful coach

• Corey Perry - Hometown Stanley Cup champion with the Anaheim Ducks

• Steve Larmer - An ‘iron man’ forward who played 884 consecutive games for the Chicago Blackhawks

• John Vanbiesbrouck - Stanley Cup goaltender and finalist

• Tie Domi - Renowned Toronto Maple Leafs enforcer

• Mickey Redmond - Montréal Canadiens forward and Detroit Red Wings colour commentator

• Cory Stillman - A two-time Stanley Cup champion

• Mike Fisher - An 18-season NHL veteran

Organizers made a final statement regarding the last edition of the tournament, “While the 2026 edition promises to be a celebratory send-off, it will undoubtedly mark the end of an era for a tournament that has been a cherished tradition and a vital part of Peterborough's identity for over six decades. Its legacy, however, will continue to resonate in the memories of those who played, volunteered, and cheered on the young hockey hopefuls at the Peterborough Liftlock Atom Hockey Tournament.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Peterborough and Surrounding Area Under Special Air Quality Statement; Risks Expected to Rise Overnight

The Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit and Peterborough Public Health (PPH) have reported a Special Air Quality Statement as issued by Environment Canada on Wednesday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Current Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) levels in Haliburton are within the moderate (4-6) range but are expected to increase overnight. Despite being low risk, the AQHI in Kawartha Lakes, Peterborough and Northumberland are expected to rise to moderate throughout the evening and into tomorrow according to PPH.   

Reports of smoke from wildfires in the Prairies are moving through the region, resulting in poor air quality. PPH says your health can be impacted even at low or moderate levels and sometimes without a noticeable smell.

If an extreme heat event coincides with poor air quality, residents are advised to prioritize keeping cool.

Common symptoms of smoke exposure include:  

• Sore and watery eyes 

• Runny nose and sinus irritation 

• Scratchy throat and mild coughing 

• Headaches 

Some populations face greater health risks when exposed to poor air quality. This includes, but is not limited to, seniors, pregnant individuals, infants and young children, people who work outdoors, people with pre-existing medical conditions (particularly lung disease like asthma, COPD, or cardiovascular disease), and those in strenuous outdoor activity.

The following is the Air Quality Health Index:

• Low Risk (1–3): Ideal conditions for outdoor activities for everyone. 

• Moderate Risk (4–6): Most people can continue outdoor activities, but those with heart or breathing problems should monitor for symptoms. 

• High Risk (7–10): Consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous outdoor activities, especially if you experience symptoms like coughing or throat irritation. 

• Very High Risk (10+): Everyone should avoid strenuous outdoor activity. Those at higher risk should stay indoors and limit exposure.

PPH suggests doing the following in case of air quality statements:

• Check the AQHI forecast daily

• Receive smog and air quality alerts directly to your email

• Create a clean air space at home by keeping windows and doors closed 

• Use an air purifier with a HEPA filter in your home, if possible

• Monitor your symptoms and adjust your activities as needed

• Check in on others, especially those in the at-risk population

• Tools to help you check in during extreme heat

• If you are included in the at-risk population, consult your primary health care provider about additional ways to protect your health when air quality is poor. 

By taking these precautions, PPH says you can help protect your health and minimize the risks associated with poor air quality conditions.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

City of Peterborough Recognizes World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

With Wednesday as International Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Mayor Jeff Leal has issued the following statement regarding the day.

It is a United Nations initiative that raises awareness about the global issue of human trafficking and stands in solidarity with survivors.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The following is Leal’s statement:

“Human trafficking is a grave violation of human rights that causes deep and lasting harm to individuals, families, and entire communities, it takes away people’s safety and freedom."

On this World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, it is a vital moment for us to reflect on the harsh reality faced by millions worldwide who are exploited and denied their basic human rights.   

As a community, we must remain committed to raising awareness, protecting the rights of victims, and supporting efforts to bring traffickers to justice. Today is a solemn reminder of the suffering endured by millions who are exploited and denied their fundamental human rights.” 

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.