Peterborough Man Given Second-Degree Murder Charge From Suspicious Death On Charlotte Street

A 40-year-old Peterborough man is facing another charge in connection with a suspicious death that occurred on Charlotte Street, reported on Friday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The accused has been charged with:

• Second-Degree Murder

The accused has also been charged with Indignity to a Dead Body.

They are being held in custody and appeared in court on Friday.

The victim, a 33-year-old Peterborough woman, was found deceased in an apartment on Charlotte Street on Tuesday. 

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GPHSF 2025 Senior Care Microgrant Now Open

The Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation’s (GPHSF) Senior Care Microgrant program to support senior care projects and healthy aging initiatives in the Peterborough area is open for applicants.

These grants have been made possible due to funding provided by the June Towle Trust. She passed away in 2023. Photo courtesy of GPHSF.

This is the second year that GPHSF is offering the microgrant.

“2024 was the first year we offered the Senior Care Micro Grants program, and it was a great success” said Vince Bierworth, GPHSF executive director. “We had a number of really great projects submitted for funding and we truly wish we had more grants available to offer. We are excited to see who applies for the grants and what project they are working on in 2025.”

Two grants are available with the application deadline on Sept. 30.

The new Senior Care Microgrant program is meant to be a low-barrier applicant process according to GPHSF. The grants can be used as seed money to address a new need or as financial support to an existing program in Peterborough, County, Hiawatha First Nation and Curve Lake First Nation. 

Two grants are available, with up to $5,000 in funding available with each grant.

Applications are open to community and not-for-profit organizations, including medical organizations, that run programming and services or propose to run programming and services within the boundaries of Peterborough City and/or Peterborough County, Hiawatha First Nation and Curve Lake First Nation.

Proposed projects must be general in scope (including and impactful on as many people as possible). Project completion must occur within one year of approval unless GPHSF grants an extension. Grant funding can be applied to existing projects or used as seed money for new projects.

A maximum of $5,000 is available for each gran, and a maximum of $10,000 is available across all grants (two total).

The project timeline and budget must be provided.

Senior Care Microgrant projects may include.

• Research

• Equipment

• Nutrition

• Physical Activity

• Mental Health

Priority will be given to projects that:

• Have a lasting impact on our community.

• Support emerging needs in our community.

• Improve the quality of life for seniors in the community.

Applications can be submitted online.

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Fall Recreation Program Registration Has Opened

Registration for fall recreation programs with the City of Peterborough is currently open.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Classes include fitness, judo, Taekwondo or partaking in one of the City’s skating or tennis programs. Children’s dance classes and registered pickleball, birthday party packages and personal training programs are also available.

Information on aquatic programs can be found at peterborough.ca/swim.  

Registration for all programming can be done online, in person at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre or by calling 705-742-0050 ext. 2201. 

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Rotary Club of Peterborough and Riverview Park and Zoo’s Launch New Accessible Playground Fundraising Campaign to Raise $1.5 Million

The Rotary Club of Peterborough and the Riverview Park and Zoo have teamed up for Project ROAR, a $1.5 million fundraising campaign for an accessible playground, announced on Thursday morning.

Photo courtesy of the Rotary Club of Peterborough.

The Project Roar Committee unveiled its plans for a completely redesigned Rotary Accessible Playground at Riverview Park and Zoo to allow anyone of all abilities and all ages to enjoy the space.

Upgrades include widened pathways between play areas for people using strollers and mobility devices, new surfaces throughout the playground to make getting around easier, relaxing shady spaces with great sight lines to make it more comfortable for visitors and their caregivers.

Rotarian Betty Halman-Plumley was the president of the Rotary Club during the 2023-2024 term. During that time, the Club conducted extensive community outreach and local needs assessments in the lead up to deciding on the club’s next big Legacy Project said Halman-Plumley.

“Rotary is thrilled to take the lead in making this playground accessible because we believe everyone and every child deserves a place to play, learn, and grow – regardless of ability,” she said. “This project reflects our commitment to inclusion, community service, and building spaces where everyone feels welcome. Together with the Riverview Park & Zoo we are building more than just a play space – we’re building a stronger, more inclusive community for families to thrive.”

Cathy Mitchell, Riverview Park and Zoo CEO, first presented the concept for this project to the Rotary Club in 2024.

“We are thrilled to work with the energy and magnetism of the Rotary Club of Peterborough through their Legacy Project to bring these remarkable plans off the shelf and to fruition,” she said. “Established in 2018 through community consultation, these engineered playground plans were created to address the diverse needs of our community, bringing all ages and all abilities together for outdoor recreation and play. Thanks to Rotary and this Legacy commitment, we are able to move forward, remove barriers, and make it happen.”

The event paid tribute to the late Rotarian Ross Dobbin who founded the Riverview Park and Zoo in 1933. Some of his family members were present to honour his name on his behalf.

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Three People Arrested For Drug Possession and Trafficking After Two Police Searches

Three people have been arrested and charged with drug trafficking and possession after search warrants were executed on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

Peterborough Police Service Drug, Intelligence Unit and aid from the assistance of the Emergency Response Team (ERT) executed two search warrants in the areas of King Street and Bethune Street and Stewart Street and King Street.

Police have seized the following controlled substances:

• 10.7 grams Psilocybin

• 277 Hydromorphone pills

• 86 Oxycodone pills

• 13.1 grams Cocaine

• 16.9grams Fentanyl

• 6 grams Methamphetamine

• Over $7,500 Canadian currency 

Two King Street residents, a 64-year-old Peterborough man and a 38-year-old Peterborough man were charged with:

• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, Fentanyl 

• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, Cocaine.

• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, Hydromorphone

• Possession of a controlled substance, Psilocybin.

• Possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000.00

A 30-year-old female resident of Stewart Street in Peterborough was charged with the following:

• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, Fentanyl 

• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, Cocaine.

• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, Hydromorphone

• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, Oxycodone

• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, Methamphetamine 

• Possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000.00

• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.00

• Weapons prohibition breach (ammunition) X2

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Pooice Service.

All accused are being held in custody and will appear in court on Thursday.

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Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes Hosting BBQ Fundraiser For Aug. 23

Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) is hosting a BBQ fundraiser to aid their causes at their site on Aug. 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The event is located at 385 Lansdowne St. E. It has food, sweet treats, games, live music and a plant and vegetable sale. Cost for food and drinks will be on a sliding scale starting from 50 cents.

A rainout date has been scheduled for the following day on Aug. 24.

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Taite Cattoni's Late-Game Heroics Sends Peterborough Lakers to Game Seven In Overtime Win

Taite Cattoni helped the Peterborough Lakers steal game six after they surged in the third period and overtime to defeat Brooklin L.C., 6-5 in overtime, at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre Rink on Wednesday night.

Photo by Ava Wood.

Brooklin had the start they wanted, scoring the game’s first three goals for a 3-0 lead with 8:05 left in the period. Holden Cattoni got Peterborough on the board late in the period for a 3-1 score going into the second period.

The games seemed to be all Brooklin as they opened with another multi-goal run of two to open the period. It was not until over halfway through the period that Carter Page scored for Peterborough and it was 5-2 after two periods in a low-scoring affair.

Down by three, Peterborough had to muster a comeback to keep their season alive. Joe Resetarits scored for the Lakers just near the halfway point to bring Peterborough within two goals. Taite scored just 83 seconds later to cut the deficit in half.

Brooklin had the ball with 42 seconds in regulation, coming out of a timeout, and Peterborough forced pressure with three men to cause a turnover. The Lakers had set up in the offensive zone. Resetarits made a cross-crease pass to Taite and one-timed it through the back of the net for a tie game and into overtime.

Just over four minutes had passed in overtime as Taite had the ball in his hands again. He went from point to point on the floor and rifled a bounce shot that slipped by the Brooklin goaltender for the natural hat trick and the game-winning walk-off goal to send the series back to Peterborough for game seven.

“We knew we played a pretty poor 40 minutes and the season's on the line,” explained Taite. “We had to come alive as a group and lucky enough and fortunate enough, I had a good third period and it was my turn to go. That's the great thing about this team, every night it can be a different guy that steps up and makes a difference.”

The last game of the series is at the Peterborough Memorial Centre with the opening faceoff at 8 p.m. on Thursday.

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City of Peterborough Recognizes International Overdose Awareness Day On Aug. 31

The City of Peterborough joins communities across the world in remembering the thousands of lives lost to drug overdose on International Overdose Awareness Day, which takes place on Aug. 31.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“International Overdose Awareness Day is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, reduce stigma and remember the friends, family, and community members we’ve lost,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “The overdose crisis doesn’t just shatter families; it fractures our entire community.”

Moms Stop the Harm and Peterborough Aids Resource Network will hold a flag-raising ceremony on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at City Hall. A purple flag will be raised in memory of those lost to drug poisoning and in recognition of the grief carried by their loved ones.

A Community Memorial and Awareness Event will be held at Confederation Square, across the street from City Hall, on Aug. 29 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

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Community Futures Peterborough Celebrates 2025 Summer Company Program Student Graduates

The Business Advisory Centre (BAC) at Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) celebrated the achievements of six aspiring young entrepreneurs who graduated from the Government of Ontario’s Summer Company program at the Venture North Building on Wednesday afternoon.

(From left to right) Neha Mervin, 15, Sparks of Bollywood; Bisma Razaque, 17, Shirt Spark; Spencer Toth, 16, Farm Hands and Lauren Connolly, 18, Connolly Swim Academy after reciving their certificates of recognition from MPP Dave Smith. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The program lets students aged 15 to 29 take a business idea and bring it to life. Graduates receive $3,000 in grant funding and they have also received expert training and ongoing mentorship from CFP staff during their entrepreneurship. Along the way, these young entrepreneurs gained skills in problem-solving, financial management, customer service, and resilience – skills that extend far beyond the summer months.

“We know our economy — regionally, provincially and nationally — is made on small businesses,” said Devon Girard, CFP executive director. “That is the future we are going in. It is important for all of us to recognize the importance of the idea of entrepreneurship through programs like this and the investment of the province but also to be at the high schools, that they're learning about these career options.”

“The Summer Company Program is igniting fresh ideas and building tomorrow’s businesses right here in Peterborough,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough–Kawartha MPP. “With our government’s support and expert advice from the Community Futures Peterborough team, these young entrepreneurs get the funding, mentorship, and skills they need to hit the ground running—and their success fuels a stronger, more dynamic local economy.”

@ptbo_canada The Business Advisory Centre at Community Futures Peterborough celebrated the achievements of six aspiring young entrepreneurs who graduated from the Government of Ontario’s Summer Company program.#ptbocanada #ptbo #peterborough #journalism #journalist #news #fyp ♬ Suns - Official Sound Studio

The 2025 Summer Company entrepreneurs are:

• Spencer Toth, Farm Hands – Cavan-Monaghan

• Neha Mervin, Sparks of Bollywood – Otonabee-South Monaghan

• Haydon Meade, Scrub Window Cleaning – City of Peterborough

• Bisma Razaque, Shirt Spark – City of Peterborough

• Lauren Connolly, Connolly Swim Academy – City of Peterborough

• Teaghan Hartnett, West End Property Care – City of Peterborough

The young entrepreneurs learned how to manage budgets, attract customers, deliver high-quality products and services and adapt to unexpected challenges. This typically is the first time they have been solely responsible for the success of a business.

“Youth entrepreneurship matters because it builds the next generation of leaders, problem-solvers, and innovators,” said Allison Adam, BAC entrepreneurship officer. “When young people are given the chance to start a business, they learn first-hand how to take initiative, adapt to challenges, and create value in their community. Those lessons will serve them for the rest of their lives, whether they choose to continue as entrepreneurs or bring their skills into other careers.”

“Entrepreneurship isn’t just about starting a business; for young entrepreneurs, it’s about building skills, resilience, and confidence that last a lifetime while giving them the awareness of entrepreneurship as a career path,” said Rose Terry, BAC manager. “Through our first-ever Summer Company Program delivered by Community Futures Peterborough, we’ve watched each student grow in remarkable ways, turning their ideas into fully functioning businesses.”

Whether these young entrepreneurs keep up with their businesses or pursue new ventures, going through the program has developed vital life skills, said Girard.

“I hope one of their key takeaways is that financial literacy is important regardless of whether you're managing a budget for your family or a business,” she explained. “Areas of how you interact with others and how you present yourself through marketing and how you develop a brand and image. Those are all life skills that are critical to any facet of where they decide to grow.”

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Charged Laid on Peterborough Man From Suspicious Death On Charlotte Street

Detectives with the Investigative Services Unit have laid a charge in connection with a suspicious death investigation that occurred on Charlotte Street, reported on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

During the investigation, there was an ongoing police presence in the area of Charlotte Street and Rubidge Street.

A 40-year-old Peterborough man has now been charged with:

• Indignity to dead body

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

The investigation is still ongoing.

Anyone with information about this incident 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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