City of Peterborough Launches Interactive Map Showcasing Halloween-Ready Highlights

The community is invited to contribute their favourite haunts and spooky Halloween displays at homes and businesses by sharing locations for the City of Peterborough interactive fall display map and guide.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Created by the City’s Geomatics and Mapping program area, the interactive tool is designed to encourage locals and visitors to explore different parts of the city and showcase the community’s celebration of fall and Halloween.

The map will also highlight locations featured on the Trent Valley Archives’ guided ghost walks. The ghost walks are ticketed experiences taking place in late October and available for purchase through the Trent Valley Archives website.

Residents and businesses can submit their address to be included in the 2025 Fall Display Map by uploading at least one photo and requesting information through an online form on the City of Peterborough’s website.

To be eligible, displays must be visible from a public location such as the street or sidewalk. Submissions to the map will be accepted until Oct. 31..

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Trent Excalibur Men's Soccer Start Playoffs Against Ottawa This Wednesday

As the Trent Excalibur men’s soccer team completed their record-breaking regular season on Sunday, they begin their playoff run on the road to Ottawa to face the Carleton Ravens on Wednesday at 8:15 p.m.

Photo courtesy of David Pickering and Trent Excalibur.

This marks Trent’s first playoff appearance in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) playoffs in 14 years.

Trent finished the regular season 6-5-1 for 19 points, setting a new program record for both wins and points in a season (the previous record of five wins and 17 points was set in 2010-11). The Excalibur set both records in their 3-2 victory over Nipissing in North Bay on Saturday

Trent finished the regular season in a three-way tie for fourth place in the OUA East Division but dropped to sixth place due to the tie-breakers. Carleton finished the season in third place in the OUA East Division and are ranked eighth nationally. 

The two teams played once this season, at Carleton on Sept. 26 in a 3-3 draw.

The game will be livestreamed on OUA.tv. 

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Otonabee Memorial Community Centre Holds Contest to Create Mural Project

After two rounds of renovations at the Otonabee Memorial Community Centre, the Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan is giving artists a chance to add their creativity to the arena’s main entrance in a contest for a mural project for the facility, announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of the Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan.

Submissions from the public are being sought until Nov. 15.

Once the winning design is chosen, it will be etched onto boards for community members to help paint. It will be mounted on the arena’s outer wall in spring next year. The Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan reminds participating artists to keep this style in mind when creating and submitting their work.

The contest is open to all individuals and groups regardless of background.

The Township has given the following suggestions:

• Recreation or the value of teamwork in sports played within this Township;

• The Indigenous history of this region;

• The landscape or natural history of the Township;

• The history of the communities that now make up the Township.

A complete set of rules and an outline of the project is available by emailing OSMMuralProject@gmail.com. A judging committee will choose the main artwork, which must be approved by Township Council.

Upgrades at the Keene-based arena began in 2018 and wrapped up in 2024. The project modernized the 1977 facility to meet modern accessibility standards and the community's recreational needs.

Since then, the Parks and Recreation Committee in Otonabee-South Monaghan Township has decided to add a 24-foot by nine-foot mural at the main entrance.

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Peterborough Police Seeking 13-Year-Old Missing Boy Last Seen In the North End

The Peterborough Police Service is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 13-year-old Daniel, reported missing on Tuesday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

Family and police are concerned for his safety because he is unfamiliar with the area. He was last seen at approximately 10:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, leaving a residence in the Chemong Road and Milroy Drive area. 

He is described as:

• Male

• White

• Medium build

• Brown eyes

• Brown hair

• Wearing: Black shirt, white track pants, no shoes

Anyone with information is asked to call Peterborough Police at 705-876-1122 x555.

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Oshawa Man Asleep at the Wheel Charged With Drug Possession and Impaired Driving

A 43-year-old Oshawa man is facing several charges, including impaired driving and drug possession, after an incident on Sunday morning.

Pthoto courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

At roughly 8:20 a.m., Police received multiple calls about a vehicle at the intersection of Lansdowne Street East and Television Road and a man appeared to be asleep in the driver’s seat.

Officers had to break the driver’s side window as the driver was not responding to the first responders' attempts to wake him up. In speaking with the driver, officers noticed signs of impairment as well as drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. They also learned that he was a suspended driver.  

During a vehicle search after the arrest, officers located and seized:

• 35.3 grams of Crack Cocaine

• 36.8 grams of Fentanyl

• 5 grams of Heroin

• 1.6 grams of Psilocybin

• Drug paraphernalia

The man was arrested and charged with:

• Operation While Impaired - Alcohol and Drugs

• Operation While Prohibited Under the Criminal Code 

• Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine X2

• Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Heroin

• Possession of a Schedule I Substance - Opioid (Other Than Heroin) X5

• Possession of a Schedule III Substance

• Driving While Under Suspension (Highway Traffic Act)

The accused was issued an automatic 90-day license suspension and a seven-day vehicle impoundment.

He was also was held in custody and appeared in the Weekend and Statutory Holiday court on Sunday.

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Demolition Underway From Lakefield Home Hardware Fire Aftermath

Due to the extensive structural damage and urgent safety concerns, the Township of Selwyn has begun the demolition of the remaining Home Hardware structure from Thursday’s fire.

Photo courtesy of Selwyn Township.

The cause of the fire remains unknown; however, the fire is believed to have originated in an upper-floor apartment unit. No injuries were reported form the incident.

The Township made applications for demolition permits on Saturday, the Selwyn Building Department issued the permits the same day.

Material is being handled with a grappler and vibration impacts are not expected from the work. Dust will be minimal as the material remains saturated with water from firefighting activities according to the Township. The demolition is being directed by engineering professionals and supervised by Priestly staff from a boom truck stationed above the work site. The area is fenced off to ensure public safety. Queen Street from Albert Street to Reid Street and Burnham Street from Queen Street to Charlotte Street remain closed.

Businesses in Lakefield remain open, except for Lakefield IDA which has experienced significant water and smoke damage. The only parking available in downtown Lakefield is in the Municipal Parking Lot located beside The Village Inn. Customers will need to walk to access open businesses.

“This has been an incredibly difficult few days for the community of Lakefield,” said Mayor Sherry Senis. “Our hearts go out to everyone affected by these tragic events. We extend our deepest gratitude to the first responders, Township staff and community members who have shown such compassion and resilience during this challenging time.”

Community-based support initiatives are being organized by Century 21 United Realty, Canoe & Paddle, The Nutty Bean Café, Village Pet Food Supply, The Loon Restaurant and many others working directly with displaced residents and business owners.

Residents wishing to assist are encouraged to contact these local businesses directly for information on how they can contribute to ongoing support efforts.

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Knights of Columbus Park Closed This Week For Improvements

Knights of Columbus Park is expected to be temporarily closed starting this week, with work starting on improvements to the park, including park lighting, new tennis courts and upgrades to the Legacy Bowl.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Located at 5 Park St. N., the Park was identified as a priority during the City of Peterborough’s Parks and Outdoor Recreation Study.  

Improvements to the park include: 

• four new tennis courts 

• improved lighting 

• Legacy Bowl upgrades 

• an off-leash dog area 

• upgrading the wading pool to a splash pad 

• adding washrooms 

• adding more trees 

• a shade structure 

• enhancing accessibility  

Construction on the tennis courts is set to finish in the summer of next year and the remainder of the project is to be completed by fall of the same year.

Parking, including overnight parking, will be prohibited in the Knights of Columbus Park parking lot during construction. The no parking regulation for the parking lot during construction will be enforced, which can include the issuance of a penalty notice, towing and impoundment of the vehicle or a combination of these measures.  

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring DBIA, Lansdowne Place, TD Canada Trust and JA-NEO

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…

Halloween is coming up and there are some events you don’t want to miss.

First, there’s Halloween in the Booro on Oct. 25 from 4 to 6 p.m. in Downtown Peterborough. Hosted by the Downtown Business Improvement Area, this event features 45 participating locations for tricks and treats. Plus, there will be costume prizes and a photobooth. This is your chance to get a head start on Halloween and check out some of the interesting shops in downtown Peterborough.

On Oct. 31, head to Lansdowne Place from 4 to 7 pm for another round of trick-or-treating with local businesses.

This event is in support of Autism Ontario. Collect treats from participating businesses and try your hand at spooky crafts in the Centre Court. Wrist bands are already on sale. Come out for a safe, inclusive, and fun-filled Halloween experience.

Lansdowne Place is looking a bit different these days.

The new TD Bank is open beside The Keg in the parking lot of the mall at the corner of Lansdowne and High Streets. It has been an ambitious build that creates more banking options for local TD customers and adds to the growing collection of businesses at Lansdowne Place.

Junior Achievement Northern and Eastern Ontario are looking to connect workers with local farms. T

hey have a pre-apprenticeship training program for the agriculture sector for people ages 15 to 24 to take on paid work placements. Employers are reimbursed up to $250 per week over 8 weeks. If you are interested in getting involved, contact Junior Achievement at ja-neo.org.

Joel Wiebe is moving on from the Chamber of Commerce.

Here’s what he had to say about his departure:

“It has been an honour working with local businesses through the Chamber over the last five years. My next chapter involves working for Alto on the new high-speed passenger rail line planned from Toronto to Quebec City with a stop in Peterborough. It’s a project I’m excited to be a part of. I’ll still be writing the Business Beat for the next couple weeks while we figure out the next steps for this column.”

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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Fire Contained From Downtown Lakefield's Home Hardware; Several Streets Remain Closed

The structure fire at Downtown Lakefield’s Home Hardware has now been contained, announced by Selwyn Fire Services on Friday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of Selwyn Fire Department.

The fire occurred on Thursday as first responders battled the blaze for hours.

Several road closures remain in effect, including:

• Queen Street from Albert Street to Reid Street (fully closed)

• Burnham Street from Queen Street to Charlotte Street (fully closed)

• Queen from Regent Street to Reid Street (local traffic only)

• Charlotte Street from Reid Street to Burnham Street (local traffic only)

Water Street from Bridge Street to Concession Street has reopened to traffic.

Selwyn Township asks residents and visitors to remain cautious when in this area, as crews are still on scene.

Businesses in Lakefield can reopen (except for Lakefield IDA which has experienced significant water and smoke damage).

The Municipal Parking Lot located beside The Village Inn is the only open downtown parking lot at this time. Customers will need to walk to access open businesses.

The Township of Selwyn released the following statement after the fire’s containment:

”The Township of Selwyn extends sincere thanks to the first responders who have worked tirelessly to contain this fire, including neighbouring municipal fire departments from the Townships of Douro-Dummer, Cavan-Monaghan, Otonabee-South Monaghan, the Municipality of Trent Lakes, and Peterborough Fire Services. The Township also thanks the Peterborough Police Service, Peterborough County-City Paramedics, Enbridge and Hydro One for their support on scene.

The Township would also like to extend heartfelt appreciation to the many Township staff across departments who supported first responders on scene, as well as to members of the Salvation Army, County City Peterborough Disaster Supports, local businesses, and residents who came together to provide food, refreshments, and encouragement to those working to contain the fire and those affected by the fire. Their generosity and community spirit are deeply valued.

Our thoughts are with the residents, business owners, and first responders affected by this devastating event.”

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New Indigenous Studies Dual Credit Program Launched In Partnership With Trent University & Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board

High school students in the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board (HPEDSB) can now earn a credit in Indigenous Studies from Trent University while completing their Ontario Secondary School Diploma with the launch of a new dual credit program.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

“For decades, Trent has been creating curriculum and opportunities to engage students at all levels in Indigenous education. It has been wonderful to partner with the innovative team at Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board to create this unique pathway for students,” said Marilyn Burns, Trent vice president of Communications & Enrolment. “As HPEDSB students gain exposure to Indigenous scholarship and ways of knowing, they are also gaining real university academic experience and getting a head start on their degree.”

The program is in place for the 2025/26 academic year. It gives students in the HPEDSB enrolled in two high school credit courses (Contemporary Indigenous Issues and Perspectives in a Global Context or First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Governance in Canada) the opportunity to earn a 0.5 university course credit in INDG 1001H: The Foundation of Reconciliation at Trent. This means students who are accepted to Trent University in the future will begin their studies with half a credit already earned for their degree.

The Foundation of Reconciliation half-credit course at Trent also fulfills the University’s Indigenous Course Requirement (ICR), which was implemented in 2018 to ensure all undergraduate students take at least one course focused on Indigenous topics during their degree. Over 20,000 students have completed the ICR since its introduction according to Trent.

The new dual credit program will be piloted at Eastside Secondary School in Belleville. As part of the program, students will engage in land-based learning activities and events, receiving instruction and teachings led by faculty and staff from Trent’s Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies. Students will deepen their understanding of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives and build real-world skills through university-level study.

“This agreement reflects our shared commitment to advancing Indigenous education and creating meaningful learning opportunities for students that translate into strong community relations,” said Katherine MacIver, HPEDSB director of education. “This opportunity will no doubt help students strengthen their academic foundation, foster critical thinking, and build confidence for the transition to postsecondary education.”

“This is a perfect opportunity to support students along their learning journey, to build relationships and friendships across our institutions, and to connect students directly with professors, elders, and knowledge holders,” added Dr. Kevin Fitzmaurice, associate professor in the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies.

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