Peterborough Man Arrested For Breaching Probation After Discovered Throwing a Knife Into the Ground

A 20-year-old Peterborough man was arrested and charged in connection with not following a probation order on Thursday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 7:30 p.m., a general patrol officer in the Brock Street and Aylmer Street area, spotted a man in the park acting strangely and throwing a knife into the ground. They took him into custody without incident and learned that he was bound by a probation order with the following condition: not to possess knives.

The man was arrested and charged with:

• Fail to comply with probation order

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

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Peterborough Lakers Down to Last Lifeline After Overtime Loss to Brooklin L.C. In Game Five

The Peterborough Lakers’s season hangs in the balance as they were defeated by Brooklin L.C. in game five, 8-7 in overtime, at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers.

The first period was a low-scoring affair as each team only scored once. Holden Cattoni drew first blood for Peterborough and it was 1-1 headed into the second.

Brooklin came out strong in the next stanza, scoring the first five of the six goals with Daniel Clark getting his first playoff goal for the Lakers. Peterborough gave a little push in the final 24 seconds as Joe Resetarits scored, followed by a last-second goal from Thomas Hoggarth to make it 6-4 after two periods.

Brooklin tacked on a shorthanded goal to kick off the period, making the deficit three for the Lakers. Braedon Saris notched a pair of powerplay goals to draw Peterborough to within one score. Cattoni got his second of the game to tie the game at seven with 11:40 however, both teams disallowed any mroe goals to send the game to overtime.

Despite outshooting Brooklin 6-5, the visitors saw Will MacLeod get the walk-off game-winning goal with 2:43 left. It gave Brooklin their third-consecutive win over Peterborough and a 3-2 series lead, their first one over the Lakers.

“They're young, they're kind of pushing us around and I think we're sitting back, we're not being aggressive like we were in Game 1,” explained Colton Armstrong, Lakers transition. “We just have to get back to fundamentals and just kind of be the Lakeshow, be who we are. Get out on hands, make sure they're not shooting the ball, help Rosey out, get the ball to the offence and let them do their work.”

Both teams get a long break after playing their fifth game in eight days, as game six is on Wednesday at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre in Whitby. Game seven, if necessary, is back at the Memorial Centre on Thursday.

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Peterborough Petes Trade Forward For Two Draft Picks; Team Announces New Skills and Development Coach

The Peterborough Petes traded away centreman Alex Hage for Barrie’s third-round pick in 2028 and a conditional fifth-round pick in 2029 from the Niagara IceDogs.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes originally selected Hage in the sixth round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection from the Vaughan Kings U16s. Last season, the 2008-born forward played with the Chicago Steel of the USHL, picking up 11 points in 37 games.

Hage had never played a game for the Petes.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The team has also added alumnus Ryan Ramsay as the team’s new Skills and Development Coach.

“We are pleased to have Ryan join our staff,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “With his experience as a player, and more recently as a coach at the junior level, he’s a great fit for our team. Our organization is committed to the development of our players on and off the ice. In Ryan’s role with the Petes, he will assist our players in their individual skill development.”

The Ajax native has been the Head Coach/General Manager for the Haliburton County Huskies of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) since the 2021-22 season. He has eight years of experience working in the OJHL with the Huskies and the Whitby Fury. Ramsay has also served as a Player Development Consultant for the North Bay Battalion for the last two years.

“I’m very excited to be joining the Petes as their new Skills and Development Coach,” said Ramsay. “It’s definitely a full circle moment for me to be back with Peterborough after beginning my OHL career here. I’m looking forward to joining this great staff and amazing organization. I can’t wait to meet the players and get started.”

A former first-round pick of the Petes, Ramsay played five seasons in the OHL from 1999-2004, picking up 283 points in 295 games with the Petes, Kitchener Rangers, and Plymouth Whalers. After his OHL career, he signed with the St. Louis Blues and play 11 seasons in the AHL, ECHL, Germany and Italy. Ramsay played the majority of his professional career in the DEL, Germany’s top league, picking up 212 points in 296 games over seven years.

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Second Annual Mayoral Golf Tournament Fundraiser Announced to Benefit PRHC Foundation

Mayor Jeff Leal is back on the links as he invites the public to join his second annual Peterborough Mayoral Invitational Charity Golf Tournament on Sept. 8 at Kawartha Golf Club, announced on Thursday morning.

(left to right) Nigel Lister, Regional Manager, Market Development of Cambium Inc; Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation president; Blake Ulrich, Head Golf Professional at Kawartha Golf Club and CEO and Jeff Leal, Peterborough Mayor. Leal is displaying his putting prowess in a demonstration at his press conference. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The announcement was made at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC), where its Foundation is this year’s recipient of the proceeds.

“I was faced with a cancer diagnosis two years ago but I’m cancer-free today because of the swift and effective care I received right here in our community,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “We must ensure that PRHC has all the resources they need to continue to provide the best quality care for the residents of our City and Region. That’s why I have chosen to support the PRHC Foundation’s Campaign for PRHC, with the proceeds of the second annual Mayoral Invitational Charity Golf Tournament helping to reimagine healthcare in our region.”  

“We’re grateful to Mayor Jeff Leal for supporting the Campaign for PRHC,” said Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation president and CEO. “We recently announced an ambitious expansion of our campaign goal from $60 million to $70 million. It’s a bold step that reflects the growing and urgent healthcare needs in our region. Support from community-driven events like the Mayor’s invitational are vital to helping bring innovative, life-changing care to patients in our region.” 

@ptbo_canada The second annual Peterborough Mayoral Invitational Charity Golf Tournament is on Sept. 8 to support the PRHC Foundation. ##ptbocanada##ptbo##peterborough##journalism##journalist##news##fyp ♬ original sound - PTBOCanada

The day will include a round of golf, lunch and dinner.

Registration and lunch begin at 11 a.m., followed by opening remarks at 12:30 p.m. The shotgun start is at 1 p.m. with dinner to follow at the end of the round.

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Peterborough Petes Sign Austrian Import Draft Pick to Standard Player Agreement

The Peterborough Petes have signed 2025 import pick Leon Kolarik to an OHL Standard Player Agreement (SPA), announced on Thursday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

“We’re very happy to be able to add Leon Kolarik to our team,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “Leon is a player who brings experience playing at the highest professional level in Austria. We believe that his game is a great fit for the OHL and we look forward to having him join our group.”

“It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the CHL,” exclaimed Kolarik. “I knew Peterborough was the right spot when I spoke to Tommy Purdeller, who only had great things to say about the organization. It feels amazing to be a part of the Petes.”

The 2007-born forward from Vienna, Austria, was selected by the Petes in the second round, 63rd overall, of the 2025 CHL Import Draft. He featured in 36 games for the RB Hockey Juniors in the AlpsHL last season, scoring 10 goals and adding 13 assists for 23 points. He also played in seven games for EC Salzburg in the ICEHL (Austria’s top league), scoring once and adding two assists for three points. In the playoffs, Kolarik led EC Salzburg U20 in scoring, with eight goals and six assists for 14 points in eight games.

“We are excited to announce the signing of Austrian Leon Kolarik to the Peterborough Petes,” said Patrick O’Connor, Petes assistant coach and director of player personnel. “Having spent extensive time in Europe ahead of the Import Draft with Coach (Rob) Wilson, we had already identified Leon as a highly skilled and competitive player. We feel his skillset and drive will contribute well with our new look team, while we also work to continue his development ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft.”

Kolarik has also represented his home country of Austria at multiple levels. This past year, he had seven points in five games at the U18 World Championship Division 1A, while also picking up four assists in five games at the U20 World Championship Division 1A.

Kolarik is the third and final import player to sign with the Petes ahead of the 2025-26 season, after Peterborough signed 2024 first-round pick Adam Novotný on July 9 and 2025 second-round pick Yanis Lutz on July 25.

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Series Evened After Peterborough Lakers Drop Game Four After Brooklin L.C. Rally

The series has become a best-of-three after the Peterborough Lakers suffered a rally from the Brooklin L.C. to fall 15-9 at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre Rink on Wednesday night.

Photo courtesy of Anna Taylor and the Peterborough Lakers.

Peterborough had a great start to the game, putting their offensive prowess on display on the road. They scored five goals in the first period thanks to Thomas Hoggarth, Joe Resetarits, Braedon Saris, Taite Cattoni and Justin Sykes. Brooklin only managed two goals and the Lakers had a 5-2 lead after the first period.

However, things came crashing down for Peterborough after that. Brooklin scored the first six of seven goals in the stanza to lead 8-6. The Lakers were able to two late special teams goals courtesy of Holden Cattoni and Resetarits to tie it at eight into the third period.

Despite Peterborough opening the scoring in the final frame — with a Holden Cattoni goal — Brooklin L.C. kept pouring on their offense, scoring seven unanswered goals. Peterborough failed to find the back of the net since then and the series was evened at two apiece after a 15-9 win for Brooklin.

“We just didn’t push back like we should have,” said Bobby Keast, Lakers’ defensive coach. “I think they got some bounces that they earned.”

Game five is at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Tuesday at 8 p.m. Both teams get a long rest after that, as game six is on Wednesday in Whitby. If necessary, Game seven is on Thursday at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

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Peterborough Police Investigate Collision On Lansdowne Street; One Man Sent to Toronto Hospital For Injury Treatment

Peterborough Police Service Traffic Management Unit officers are investigating a collision between a motorcycle and an SUV that occurred at Lansdowne Street West and Webber Ave on Wednesday evening.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The collision happened at approximately 5 p.m. The motorcyclist was flown to a Toronto hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash.

The area was closed for about 3.5 hours while officers conducted a reconstruction.

The Traffic Unit also issued four tickets to motorists who drove around a police barrier while the collision was being investigated. 

Anyone with information or video footage of the collision 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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City of Peterborough Celebrates Opening Of Millennium Time Capsule

Community members gathered at Millennium Park Fountain on Wednesday morning to commemorate the opening of the Millennium Time Capsule, sealed 25 years ago on Aug. 6, 2000.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The event marked both the 25th anniversary of the time capsule and the City of Peterborough’s 175th anniversary since its incorporation as the Town of Peterborough. 

“When we open a time capsule, we’re doing more than unveiling artifacts, we’re remembering who we were, and asking who we want to become,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “We reflect on all the ways Peterborough has changed, through resilience, innovation, and the growing diversity that strengthens our community.”

Contents of the original time capsule were unveiled and will become part of an exhibit at the Peterborough Public Library, which opens Aug. 22..  

The event also marked the official dedication of a new 175th Anniversary Time Capsule, created in partnership with the New Canadians Centre, the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre and the City of Peterborough. The latest capsule reflects the diversity, culture, and community spirit of Peterborough today and will remain sealed until 2050. 

The celebration opened with a land acknowledgement and a performance by Naandewegaan - Healing with Drums. Other speakers included:  

• Ken Armstrong, Chair of the original Celebration 2000 Committee 

• Janine Simard-Rose, original project coordinator of the Millennium Time Capsule 

• Adam Hopkins, President of the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre 

• Marisa Kaczmarczyk, Interim Executive Director of the New Canadians Centre 

• Sam Banton, local poet and spoken word artist, who performed a poem titled "Trains on a Traintrack,” commissioned for the event to reflect on Peterborough’s past, present, and imagined future. Her piece is sealed within the new 175th Anniversary Time Capsule.

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PRHC Foundation Unveil $1.5 Million Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit Courtyard to Support Mental Health Patients; Expansion of Campaign Extended to $70 Million

The Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) has unveiled and celebrated the opening of its $1.5 million Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) courtyard to support the hospital’s most vulnerable mental health patients, announced on Wednesday morning.

The hospital also announced the expansion of its $60 million fundraising campaign to $70 million.

From left to right) Jen Taylor, PRHC VP of finance and corporate services; Jennifer Cox, PRHC mental health and addictions director;Dr. Rajasekar Baskar, PRHC Chief of Psychiatry and Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation president and CEO. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“This is a transormative memont for mental health care at PRHC and a wonderful example of how your donations can make a positive difference in the lives of patients, who could be your family, friends or neighbours,” said Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation president and CEO. “This space changes where patients heal, which changes how they heal.”

The courtyard was purely donor-funded and is uncommon in Ontario hospitals and PRHC has been reached out about its idea and functions according to Heighway.

“Some of the work that happens here is truly remarkable and groundbreaking,” she explained. “The team, since announcing this courtyard, has had inquiries from some major hospitals in the Toronto marketplace where their PICU patients don't yet have access to the outside.”

PRHC says the courtyard’s features include:

• Colourful native vegetation to attract butterflies, a natural aid for mindfulness

• Seating areas in different configurations that offer patients solitude when they need it and space to visit with care providers and loved ones

• Open gathering areas for group activities and social connection

• A shaded area to accommodate those who are sensitive to sunlight due to their treatments

• A colourful, tactile recreation surface

The courtyard’s use will occur in the coming days.

“The courtyard is a game-changer, for which we’re incredibly grateful,” said Jennifer Cox, PRHC mental health and addictions director. “Until now, PICU patients had no access to outside, even during stays that could last weeks or months. This secure outdoor treatment space is not only safe and dignified but healing. It allows our patients to engage in mindfulness, movement and connection with others and their environment in ways that improve health, wellness and their quality of care.”

@ptbo_canada The Peterborough Regional Health Centre has unveiled and celebrated the opening of its $1.5 million Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit courtyard to support the hospital’s most vulnerable mental health patients. #ptbocanada #ptbo #peterborough #journalism #journalist #news #fyp ♬ Valse - Evgeny Grinko

During the ceremony, Heighway announced that the original $60 million fundraising campaign — announced in June last year — has been extended to $70 million. PRHC has already raised $55 million and extended it to fund future projects by no later than December of 2027 but could finish in March of the same year.

With the expansion of the fundraising goal comes new projects including a digital command centre that would operate like a triage but in a broader sense, similar to air traffic control for the hospital, according to Heighway.

“It's making sure that the right patient gets the right in the right spot,” she said. “It helps with hospital efficiency, it helps with faster turnaround times for test results, easier access to care so this is the entire digital realm of the hospital all being integrated under one hub, in one physical location.”

Other projects and ideas are in the works but were not disclosed to the public at publication of this article.

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Peterborough Folk Festival Releases 2025 Performance Schedule

The 36th annual Peterborough Folk Festival (PFF) has unveiled its lineup of 30 artists for this year’s free event, taking place from Aug. 14 to 17 at Nicholls Oval Park.

Photo courtesy of PFF.

The four-day celebration kicks off on Aug. 14 at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre with singer-songwriter Basia Bulat and PFF Emerging Artist of the Year, Jeanne Truax.

On Friday, at 8 p.m., another kick-off concert will be held at Sadleir with Nixon Boyd (of Hollerado), PFF 2024 Emerging Artist VANCAMP, and Guelph-based quintet I, The Mountain.

The following is the Saturday schedule:

Children’s Village

• 10:30 a.m. - Village opens

• 10:40 a.m. - Story Time by the Peterborough Public Library

• 11:15 a.m. - Children’s Parade to the Miskin Law Main Stage

• Noon to 5 p.m. - Activities, crafts and games

Food Village

• 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. - Food Village open

Artisan Village

• Noon to 7 p.m. - Artisan Village open

Children’s Village

• 10:30 a.m. - Village opens

• 10:40 a.m. - Story Time by the Peterborough Public Library

• 11:15 a.m. - Children’s Parade to the Miskin Law Main Stage

• Noon to 5 p.m. - Activities, crafts and games

Miskin Law Main Stage

• 11:15 a.m. - Children’s Parade to the Main Stage & Opening Ceremony

• 11:45 a.m. - Songs of Scratch Garden

• 12:35 p.m. - Benj Rowland

• 1:30 p.m. - Grievous Angels

• 3:00 p.m. - My Son the Hurricane

• 4:50 p.m. - Shub presented by Hiawatha First Nation

• 6:30 p.m. - Joel Plaskett

• 8:15 p.m. - Goldie Boutilier

• 9:45 p.m. - Jeremie Albino

Nicholls Oval Pavilion Stage

• 1:10 p.m. - Caitlin Currie

• 2:15 p.m. - Jeanne Truax

• 4:00 p.m. - Doghouse Orchestra

• 5:45 p.m. - The Silver Hearts

• 7:45 p.m. - Swindlers

• 9:20 p.m. - Tapes in Motion

Generation Solar Stage

• 11:45 a.m. - TBA

• 1:00 p.m. - Lancelot Knight

• 2:15 p.m. - Joel Plaskett x Benj Rowland

• 3:15 p.m. - Sister Ray

• 4:35 p.m. - Grievous Angels x Swindlers

• 5:45 p.m. - Bells Larsen x Sister Ray x Jeremie Albino

• 6:50 p.m. - Quinton Barnes

• 7:45 p.m. - Bells Larsen

The following is the Sunday schedule:

Miskin Law Main Stage

• 11:15 a.m. - Children’s Parade to the Main Stage & Opening Ceremony

• 11:30 a.m. - Round Dance with Kelli Marshall

• 11:45 a.m. - Sharon, Lois & Bram Singalong with Sharon & Randi

• 12:50 p.m. - Colin Linden x Jethro’s Blues Jam All-Stars

• 1:55 p.m. - Inn Echo x Benj Rowland x Irish Millie

• 2:50 p.m. - Beau Dixon

• 4:15 p.m. - Lemon Bucket Orkestra

• 5:45 p.m. - A Special Thank You

• 5:50 p.m. - Whitehorse

Nicholls Oval Pavilion Stage

• 1:35 pm - Sue & David Newberry

• 2:25 pm - Kay Silver

• 3:35 pm - Inn Echo

• 5:15 pm - Beau Dixon x Babe Chorus x Michael Cloud Duguay

Generation Solar Stage

• 11:45 a.m. - The Colton Sisters

• 12:40 p.m. - VANCAMP x Kay Silver x Tapes in Motion

• 1:45 p.m. - Babe Chorus

• 2:40 p.m. - Fittonia

• 3:35 p.m. - Whitehorse x Jeanne Truax

• 4:45 p.m. - Colin Linden

The PFF after parties start in Downtown Peterborough at 11 p.m. at the following locations:

• Jethro’s Bar + Stage - The Jet Airliners featuring Jeanne Truax

• Pig's Ear Tavern - The Silver Hearts - $5 at the door

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