Suspect Wanted For Second-Degree Murder From Dec. 6 TVM Towers Homicide Still Being Sought

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Peterborough Police continue to search for 44-year-old Michael Waterman, who has been wanted for second-degree murder in a homicide at TVM Towers (Brock Towers) on Dec. 6 and may be in the Durham Region area.

Michael Waterman. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

At roughly 6 a.m. on Dec. 6, officers were called to TVM Towers, where a 33-year-old man with severe head injuries was located in an apartment. Despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers have already arrested suspects involved in the incident. They arrested 28-year-old Peter Pople of Peterborough for second-degree murder and 29-year-old Kaya Coughlin for manslaughter. Peterborough man and 32-year-old Dominick Rivers had also been arrested for accessory after the fact to murder.

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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Blue Box Program to Accept More Recyclable Items Starting Jan. 1

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Starting Jan. 1, Peterborough residents will be able to recycle more items through the Province’s Blue Box program.  

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Circular Materials, a not-for-profit organization, manages the recycling collection and processing program in the City of Peterborough through its local contractor, Emterra Environmental, under Ontario’s Blue Box Regulation. Recycling collection and processing in the City of Peterborough was assumed by Circular Materials effective Jan. 1, 2024. 

The expanded list of items eligible for recycling through the Blue Box program is part of Ontario’s move to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which shifts responsibility for recycling to the companies that produce packaging and paper products.  

The changes to the Blue Box program allow the same recyclable materials to be accepted across the province and more items can now be recycled.  

Newly accepted items include: 

  • Black plastic containers 

  • Hot and cold beverage cups 

  • Deodorant and toothpaste tubes 

  • Frozen juice containers 

  • Ice cream tubs and similar packaging 

  • Foam packaging, including meat trays, takeout containers, cups, plates, bowls and foam packaging for products 

  • Flexible packaging, which includes potato chip bags, bubble wrap, snack wrappers, cereal box liners, deli pouches and plastic gift bags

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Two Stunt Driving Charges Issued Over the Weekend

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Traffic Services Unit Officers of the Peterborough Police Service issued two stunt driving charges under the Highway Traffic Act this past weekend.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

On Friday at 8:44 p.m., an officer on general patrol spotted a vehicle being driven on Lansdowne Street near Clonsilla Avenue at a high rate of speed. The driver's speed was excessive and the maneuvers made while passing vehicles endangered other motorists. The observed driving met the criteria for Stunt Driving: Race a motor vehicle. 

As a result of the investigation, a 35-year-old man was charged with:

  • Perform Stunt - Race a Motor Vehicle (Highway Traffic Act)

The driver received a 30-day license suspension and a 14-day vehicle impoundment. 

On Saturday at 12:16 a.m., an officer on general patrol spotted a vehicle being driven at 99km/hr in a posted 50 km/hr zone on Lansdowne Street in the area of Monaghan Road and was locked in on radar at 96 km/hr. The officer conducted a vehicle stop and as a result of the investigation, a 20-year-old male was charged with:

  • Speeding (Highway Traffic Act)

  • Perform Stunt - Speeding by 40 or more km/hr in a zone that is less than 80km/hr (Highway Traffic Act)

The driver received a 30-day license suspension and a 14-day vehicle impoundment.

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Rotary Club of Peterborough's Annual Holiday Lunch Puts Giving Spirit On Display; Donation Amounts and Breakfast Club Awards Announced

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The Rotary Club of Peterborough’s Annual Christmas Lunch had its share of fun and giving at the Northminster United Church on Monday afternoon.

Rotarians and a FCCC representative with the cheque presented to FCCC of $8,500 from the Rotary Club’s “Fore the KIds” golf tournament. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The organization announced a total of $17,000 raised from its Fore the Kids Golf Tournament, held at the Katchiwano Golf Club on Sept. 25. Those funds are split equally ($8,500) between Five Counties Children’s Centre and the Rotary Club for their projects.

“I believe our portion of that is going towards the zoo legacy project, which is making an accessible playground at the (Riverview Park & Zoo) zoo a reality,” explained Tony Grady, Rotary Club of Peterborough president.

The Koeslag Cup was awarded to the Breakfast Club team that prepared the most nutritious, delicious, and elaborate breakfast for the children at Prince of Wales Elementary School. The Friday Breakfast Crew captured the cup, with Rotarians Nick Avlonitis and Doug Armstrong, as well as friends of Rotary, Linn Thain, Donna Burley-Chestnut, Jeff Clark, Dale Wilson and Brian Wilson on the team.

The team served the students Nick’s “world-famous” pancakes with chocolate chips, whipped cream, sprinkles, fresh fruit and chocolate milk.

The cup was named last year in honour of its creator, the late Peter Koeslag, a dedicated volunteer of the Prince of Wales Breakfast Club.

Before last year’s school calendar, Prince of Wales School had received two new ovens from the Rotary Club and Leon’s Peterborough. The breakfast program serves over 500 students and has a positive impact on their learning according to Brad Conlin, Prince of Wales vice-principal.

“We noticed a huge difference in kids having a full belly. They're coming down, and they're ready to learn when they get into class,” he explained. “When kids get into their classrooms without something to eat, we often see them disregulated and it’s hard for them to concentrate.”

Brad Conlin, Prince of Wales vice-principal (left) with Rotarian Nick Avlonitis, being presented with the Koeslag Cup. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Club also awarded prizes for the best Christmas Sweaters:

  • Funniest sweater: Bruce Gravel

  • Most creative sweater: Marie Press

  • Best overall sweater: Bruce Clark

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Trent University Co-Launches First Canadian Association for the Philosophy of AI

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Trent University is leading a country-wide network of experts in examining and informing ethical, social and human implications of AI, co-launching the first Canadian Association for the Philosophy of AI.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

Two Canadian scholars have launched the first and only Canadian Association for the Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence (CAPAI) to address Canada’s AI landscape.

“While Canada has strong communities of researchers working on AI from technical and policy perspectives, there was no dedicated space for philosophers of AI to connect. Networking and collaboration that once happened in isolation can now take place in a more organized, systematic, and efficient way,” says Dr. Martina Orlandi, co-founder of CAPAI and assistant professor in AI degree programs at Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area.

Co-founded alongside Dr. Nicholas Dunn, assistant professor of Philosophy at the University of Lethbridge, CAPAI is said to bring together scholars and their work examining both foundational questions, such as the nature of intelligence, cognition and decision-making, and urgent ethical and social concerns, including AI’s impact on labour, healthcare, bias, surveillance and democracy.

“AI is accelerating faster than institutions and policies can keep up, and philosophers have an important role to play in helping articulate the values and principles that should guide how these technologies are designed and deployed. Without that clarity, we risk allowing innovation to outpace reflection,” said Dr. Dunn. 

Both scholars emphasize that the increase in AI adoption and the ways platforms are being used are raising deeper questions about human identity and well-being. Researchers are increasingly focused more on how AI is implemented in the social sphere.

CAPAI has 14 members and has introduced a national website and online speaker series, with plans for in-person meetings and public engagement.

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Peterborough Petes Enter Holiday Break After Loss to Ottawa 67's

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The Peterborough Petes can have their holiday break after suffering a 4-1 loss to one of the league’s top teams in the Ottawa 67’s at TD Place on Friday night.

The Petes are third in the East Division with a 18-14-1-1 record. Photo courtesy of Tim Austen and the Ottawa 67’s.

The first period was all Ottawa as they scored twice while stopping all of Peterborough’s ten shots. Filip Ekberg and Brock Chitaroni were the 67’s goal-scorers.

The next period almost saw no scoring until Ottawa tacked on a goal late with 2:14 remaining, with Ekberg’s second score to make it 3-0. Peterborough had another 10 shots on goal with none finding the back of the net.

Ottawa extended its lead with another goal just over halfway through the period as Shaan Kingwell found the scoresheet for a 4-0 lead. Peterborough finally broke the shutout in garbage time as a centring pass went off a 67’s stick and into the hands of Braydon McCallum. He scored with 1:57 in regulation but it made no difference as Ottawa coasted to the 4-1 win.

The Petes return from the holiday break to play on Sunday as they hit the road to Oshawa to take on the Generals.

Bridgenorth Man Charged With Driving the Wrong Way

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A 26-year-old Bridgenorth man is facing charges after driving the wrong way on Rubidge Street which turns into Park Street on Friday night.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 10:50 p.m., an officer on general patrol in the Park Street North and Albert Street area spotted a vehicle driving the wrong way down Rubidge Street where it meets Park Street. The officer turned around and initiated a traffic stop after observing signs of impairment by the driver. However, the driver refused to provide a breath sample.

The man was arrested and charged with:

  • Failure or refusal to comply with demand

  • Drive wrong way - one-way traffic (Highway Traffic Act)

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

The accused was released on an appearance notice and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 27.

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YMCA of Central East Ontario Honour Two Local Community Builders with Peace Medals

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The YMCA of Central East Ontario has announced its 2025 Peace Medal recipients, honouring individuals who have made meaningful, lasting contributions to peace building in the community.

photo courtesy of the ymca.

This year, the YMCA recognizes Linda Slavin of Peterborough for her decades of leadership in social justice, gender equity and community building. Slavin has been an active participant in various community groups, including as a member of the anti-nuclear-weapons group Kawartha Ploughshares, co-founder of the annual One World Dinner, and co-founder of Peterborough’s Persons Day Breakfasts. She has also supported local women’s participation in the 1995 UN Conference on Women, advanced anti-racism initiatives with KWIC and participated in gender-equity efforts with Elizabeth Fry and community development efforts through the Social Planning Council, GreenUP and For Our Grandchildren.

The YMCA says Linda’s impact is felt widely across the community, and she is regarded by many as one of Peterborough’s most inspiring and deserving champions of peace.

“Our Peace Medal recipients demonstrate that peace-building is not one moment in time; it’s a lifelong commitment to lifting others up. Their work gives us hope and reinforces the YMCA’s belief that strong, connected communities are created when people lead with empathy, courage and purpose.” says David Allen, YMCA of Central East Ontario President and CEO.

The YMCA is also recognizing Lesley Kirton for more than two decades of service to Peterborough and the Kawartha Lakes. Kirton is a dedicated advocate through MADD Canada, Victim Services, the Children’s Aid Society and human trafficking outreach.

They say Kirton has consistently modelled empathy, resilience and community responsibility, quietly delivering meals to those in need, supporting victims of trauma and empowering others to step forward and help. Her work has had a meaningful impact locally, nationally and globally, making her a deserving recipient of the YMCA Peace Medal.

Slavin and Kirton will be formally recognized at an in-person ceremony in 2026.

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City of Peterborough Celebrates Completion of Several Key 2025 Infrastructure Projects

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The City of Peterborough completed several major transportation and infrastructure projects in 2025, including road work, trail upgrades, improved intersections, and walking and cycling connections, extending the life of roadways and supporting a more accessible, connected community. 

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

“These infrastructure projects reflect our City’s commitment to building a safer, more connected and more accessible Peterborough,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “By investing in roads, trails and key infrastructure, we’re improving everyday travel for residents while laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and viable community, now and for the future.” 

Brealey Drive Reconstruction

Brealey Drive underwent a major upgrade, with work focused on modernizing critical underground services and creating a safer, more comfortable route for all road users. The project included: 

  • New storm sewers, sanitary sewers, and watermains; 

  • Underground Low-Impact Development stormwater infiltration chambers; 

  • New curbs and gutters;   

  • New traffic signals at Cherryhill Road, Kawartha Heights Boulevard, and Hewitt Drive; 

  • New transit pads, sidewalks, buffered bike lanes, and a multi-use path; 

  • Planting more than 150 new trees. 

George Street and Hilliard Street Intersection Improvements and Rotary Trail Lighting Implementation

The improvements to the intersection of George Street and Hilliard Street, along with the implementation of lighting and amenities along the Rotary Greenway Trail Link, were designed to make the Rotary Greenway Trail Link more accessible and functional for all users.  

New traffic signals at the George Street and Hilliard Street intersection allow users to travel through the area via dedicated multi-use trail crossings. Trail lighting and other amenities, including benches and rest areas, were installed along 1.5 kilometres of the Rotary Greenway Trail Link between Hilliard Street and Bethune Street, providing improved functionality for users year-round, especially during morning and evening commutes. 

Hunter Street Multi-use Trail Crossing Enhancements

To improve accessibility and functionality for multi-use trail users, the Rotary Greenway Trail crossing on Hunter Street was upgraded with new dedicated traffic signals. Sidewalks, curbs, road surfaces, and signs were also improved. New landscaping and fresh pavement markings make the area more visible, accessible and welcoming for everyone. 

Pavement Preservation Work Across the City

Through the City’s pavement preservation program, approximately 30 kilometres of road surface was improved across 10 locations throughout Peterborough. These treatments extend the service life of the City’s infrastructure, reduce long-term maintenance costs, and provide a smoother driving surface for residents.  

A special Remembrance Day commemorative crosswalk was installed at the McDonnel Street and George Street intersection, creating a meaningful visual landmark in the downtown core. 

Road Surface Repairs on Park Street and Rubidge Street

The City upgraded the road surfaces on Park Street and Rubidge Street, improving approximately six kilometres of road surface. These repairs enhance drivability, reduce vehicle wear and strengthen two important north-south corridors in the community. 

Downtown Road Surface Repairs

Seven downtown locations received new road surface upgrades, covering about 3.6 kilometres. These improvements help maintain reliable access throughout the downtown core for residents, businesses, and visitors. 

Together, these 2025 projects represent significant investments in the City’s transportation system, helping improve accessibility, mobility, and quality of life for everyone who lives, works, and travels in Peterborough. 

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Photos: Peterborough Police Service Roll Up Their Sleeves By Giving to Canadian Blood Services In Holiday Blood Drive

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The Peterborough Police Service contributed to the community beyond their duties, earning the title ‘Holiday Heroes’ from Canadian Blood Services for donating blood and plasma.

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