First Responders Rescue Person Who Fell Into Water At Lock 19
/An individual who fell into the water at Lock 19 was rescued and brought to safety by first responders on Tuesday afternoon.
Photo courtesy of Parks Canada.
Peterborough Blogs
Residents Encouraged to Contribute to the City of Peterborough’s Corporate Accessibility Policy
/Residents are invited to provide input into the City of Peterborough’s Corporate Accessibility Policy update.
file photo.
The City says the Corporate Accessibility Policy will help strengthen and standardize accessible service delivery across all City departments. By providing staff with consistent guidance and improving procedural access to City services, the policy promotes equity, inclusion and customer-focused service.
The update ensures the City continues to meet current accessibility legislation, adopts modern best practices and applies accessibility principles consistently across all City programs, services and operations.
Residents can review the proposed policy and share their thoughts through the Connect Peterborough page. The draft policy can be viewed under the “documents” section on the webpage. Comments can be submitted directly through the online portal.
Any feedback received will be used to inform the final policy and revise language where necessary. All comments will be reviewed by the Program Manager of Accessibility Standards and Integration, as well as the Accessibility Advisory Committee, before the policy is presented to City Council for final review.
The public comment period will remain active until Feb. 27.
The OFAH Under the Lock Fishing Derby Returns to Peterborough this April
/The OFAH Under the Lock Fishing Derby is back to the Peterborough Lift Lock for its 37th year starting April 25.
Photo by david tuan bui.
The Youth Derby begins April 25, and is open to children aged 15 and under.
The All-Ages Derby casts off the following day and runs until May 3. Tagged fish sponsored by local businesses will be swimming with cash prizes, giving anglers even more reason to keep their lines in the water a little longer.
Businesses interested in sponsoring a fish can find details online.
“Local sponsorships play a huge role in making the derby possible,” said Nicole Lemke, Promotions Coordinator for the Under the Lock Fishing Derby. “They not only add excitement with prize fish, but also help cover the cost of stocking trout for the youth event.”
There are four grand prizes up for grabs, including the return of “Walter” the rainbow trout. Estimated to weigh between five and eight pounds, Walter carries a $1,000 cash prize for the angler lucky enough to land him.
The High School Derby also returns April 30, welcoming up to 1,000 students for five hours of fishing fun. Up to 500 trout will be stocked for instant prizes, and students will also have a shot at remaining grand prizes and tagged fish. Schools can register online. If there are still open spaces left on March 2, registration will open to individual students.
All participants must register online or in person (at Peterborough Canadian Tire locations) to take part. Anglers who register by April 10 will be entered for a chance to win one of 20 early-bird prizes.
Peterborough Petes Split Friday and Next-Gen Games Over Family Day Weekend
/The Peterborough Petes fell to the last-place Oshawa Generals on Friday but rebounded with a shootout win over the Kitchener Rangers during the Next-Gen Family Day game on Monday afternoon.
The Petes are third in the East Division with a 31-20-1-2 record. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.
The last-place Generals won the game by a score of 8-4 at the Tribute Communities Centre.
Leon Kolarik led the Petes with a goal and an assist, giving him eight points in his last four games. Newly signed defenceman Holden Carter grabbed his first OHL point in the loss, picking up two assists in his second career game. Calum Hartnell scored his first OHL goal, while Garrett Frazer and Brett Hammond each scored their first goal as a Pete. Adam Novotny and Aiden Young also had an assist in the game.
Peterborough rebounded, defeating the second-place Rangers in a 3-2 shootout win during their Next-Gen game at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. The game was in front of the team’s 18th sold-out crowd of the season in support of Five Counties Children’s Centre.
(From left to right) Nate Smoke, Kaisyn Dyer, Mason Webster and William Webster. The kids had an opportunity to experience the game up close and personal as a part of the Petes staff. Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Petes.
The Petes signed the following Next Gen Staff to one-day contracts:
Nate Smoke - General Manager
Mason Webster - Head Coach
Kaisyn Dyer - PA Announcer
William Webster - Scout
Adam Novotný had two points with an goal and an assist. Kolarik also scored, extending his goal streak to five games, while Yanis Lutz, Francis Parish and Brennan Faulkner picked up assists. Easton Rye stopped 37 of 39 shots and all three shootout attempts for his league-leading 30th win.
The following were the shootout results:
PBO - Leon Kolarik (No Goal)
KIT - Jack Pridham (No Goal)
PBO - Kieron Walton (Goal)
KIT - Christian Humphreys (No Goal)
PBO - Adam Novotný (No Goal)
KIT - Tanner Lam (No Goal)
@ptbo_canada The @Peterborough Petes take down the Kitchener Rangers 3-2 in a shootout on their Next Gen Family Day Game in support of Five Counties Children’s Centre. #ptbocanada #journalism #news #fyp #sports ♬ Winning - ROKKA
Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Quickmill, City of Peterborough and K9 Health In Motion
/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…
Quickmill is Headed on a Trade Mission
Local company Quickmill has been selected to join one of the largest government-led trade missions Canada has ever sent to Mexico between Feb. 15 to 20. Quickmill, based right here in Peterborough for over 40 years, is a world leader in building large-scale CNC machining centers — which are powerful machines that cut and shape metal parts for industries like aerospace, oil and gas, mining and defense.
This comes as Quickmill uses a smart diversified growth plan to stay strong amid trade challenges. Only a select group of top export-ready firms were chosen. To learn more about this read their recent blog post on www.quickmill.com/blog
New Plough Map for the City of Peterborough
We have had a winter, and the City of Peterborough has launched a new interactive snowplow map to help residents and businesses track winter maintenance in real time.
Introduced in early February, the online tool uses GPS technology to show where plows are and how recently roads have been serviced, with updates every five minutes and colour-coded routes across the city.
It highlights priority areas like arterial roads, transit routes, and neighbourhood streets, giving a clearer picture of snow-clearing operations. To see the map in action visit www.Peterborough.ca/snow
Canine Rehabilitation is Coming to the County
A new canine rehabilitation and wellness centre is opening in Norwood. K9 in Motion Wellness Rehab officially opens its doors March first, offering services to support dogs recovering from injury, managing mobility issues, or simply aging comfortably. The facility will provide therapeutic massage, red light therapy, mobility aids, pet first-aid courses, and educational sessions for owners.
Operating since 2016, this new location is designed to give dogs individualized care in a calm, supportive environment while helping pet owners stay informed. Visit their website k9inmotionwellness.ca to learn more about their services and stay tuned for their grand opening.
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 brenda@pkchamber.ca.
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List of City Services On Family Day 2026
/Several City services will be offering modified hours and some City facilities will be closed for Family Day on Feb.16.
File Photo.
Snofest events will take place from Friday to Feb.16. Visit peterborough.ca/Snofest for a full listing of free activities, including public skating, swimming and a pancake breakfast.
Information regarding holiday closures and hours within City of Peterborough facilities are provided below.
Art Gallery of Peterborough
The Art Gallery of Peterborough, 250 Crescent St., will be closed on Family Day. For information about gallery exhibitions and programs, visit agp.on.ca.
City Hall
City Hall offices at 500 George St. N., including Service Peterborough, Building Services, the Clerk’s Office and the Provincial Offences Office, will be closed on Family Day.
Online services are available at peterborough.ca. Fine payments can be made online at peterborough.ca/POA.
Parking Services
Parking in City-operated parking garages, surface lots and on-street parking spaces is free on weekends and holidays.
The Parking Services office located in the King Street Parkade will be closed on Family Day.
Peterborough Museum and Archives
Add a little roar to your Family Day! The Peterborough Museum and Archives at 300 Hunter St. E. will be open noon to 5 p.m. Don’t miss the chance to explore the feature exhibit, Carnivorous Dinosaurs. Discover how these prehistoric predators ruled the earth millions of years ago.
Information about current exhibitions is available online at peterborough.ca/museum.
Peterborough Public Library
Peterborough Public Library, 345 Aylmer St. N., and the Miskin Law Community Complex branch, 271 Lansdowne St. W., will be closed on Family Day.
Peterborough Regional Airport
Peterborough Regional Airport, located at 925 Airport Rd., will operate from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Public Works
Public Works can be reached at 705-745-1386. This line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Recreation Facilities
The Kinsmen Civic Centre and the Healthy Planet Arena
The Kinsmen Civic Centre and the Healthy Planet Arena, including the Recreation Facility Booking office, will be closed on Family Day except to scheduled user groups.
Miskin Law Community Complex
Miskin Law Community Complex will be open. A free Snofest Family Day public skate, sponsored by Royal LePage ProAlliance Realty, will take place from noon to 1:50 p.m.
The complex’s walking track is open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Peterborough Memorial Centre
The Petes annual Family Day hockey game will take place at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Feb.16. The puck drops at 2:05 p.m. with the Peterborough Petes hosting the Kitchener Rangers.
Tickets are available for purchase at memorialcentre.ca or by calling the Grant Thornton Box Office at 705-743-3561. The box office will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb.16.
McDonnel Street Community Centre
McDonnel St. Community Centre will be closed on Family Day.
Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre
The Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre at 775 Brealey Dr. will open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Snofest Drop-in Sports featuring pickleball, badminton and basketball will take place from 6:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Learn more at peterborough.ca/Snofest.
Outdoor Rink at Quaker Foods City Square
The outdoor rink at Quaker Foods City Square, 215 Charlotte St., will be open for skating from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., weather permitting.
Riverview Park and Zoo
Riverview Park and Zoo, 1300 Water St. N., is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to dusk, including on Family Day. Visit https://www.riverviewparkandzoo.ca/ for more information.
Social Services and Child Care Centres
The Social Services office at 178 Charlotte St. will be closed on Family Day. Extended office hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, resume on Feb.17.
Emergency shelter services remain open over the holiday. To access emergency shelter services outside of regular business hours, or on holidays, call the after-hours service at 705-926-0096.
City-operated child care centres will be closed on Family Day.
Transit
Peterborough Transit will operate on a Sunday/Holiday service schedule on Feb.16.
The Customer Service desk will be open from 9 a.m. to noon and 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Waste Collection and Facilities
There will be no changes to curbside Green Bin and garbage collection on Feb. 16.
The City/County Landfill at 1260 Bensfort Rd. and the Hazardous and Electronic Waste Depot at 400 Pido Rd. will be closed on Feb.16.
Water Services
Water Services Customer Service will be closed on Family Day.
For water services emergencies over the holiday, including watermain breaks, leaking hydrants, low water pressure, emergency water shut-offs, water quality concerns, or rental water heater issues, call 705-748-9300.
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Trent University Receives $1.1 Million Investment From Ontario Government to Expand Local Primary Care Workforce
/Trent University has received a $1,132,500 investment from the Ontario Government to expand the local primary care healthcare workforce, announced at Bata Library on Friday morning.
(From left to right) Dr. Lynn Mikula, PRHC president and CEO; Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP and Dr. Cathy Bruce, Trent Universit president and vice-chancellor. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
This funding will upskill 350 registered nurses through a specialized program at the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing. This is part of the government’s $2.1 billion Primary Care Action Plan to connect everyone in Ontario to primary care by 2029.
To support the recruitment and retention of nurses in primary care, Ontario is providing Trent University with $1,132,500 over three years for a new, innovative program.
This 12-week upskilling initiative will help nurses gain skills, including:
Chronic disease management
Maternal and child care
Immunizations and cancer screening
Rural and Indigenous health specializations
Launching this year, the program at Trent is designed to equip registered nurses with the expertise needed to work immediately in primary care settings, freeing up time for family doctors to focus on patients with more complex needs, according to Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.
“This investment in Trent University is a major win for the health and well-being of families here in Peterborough-Kawartha,” he said. “The Ministry of Health’s recognition of the high quality of education provided by Trent University is an endorsement of small urban, rural institutions and the value they provide to the health care system. The upskilling of 350 registered nurses at the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing gives our local health-care heroes the advanced tools they need to provide top-tier primary care right here in our community. Trent’s partnership with PRHC and other local rural hospitals demonstrates that the Ministry of Health recognizes the value of rural Ontario.”
The funding for Trent University is scheduled to scale over the next three years to meet growing demand:
“This upskilling program reflects Trent’s long-standing commitment to community-focused health education and addressing system-level challenges,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, Trent University president and vice-chancellor. “By creating accessible advanced primary care education for registered nurses, we are helping strengthen care teams and improve access to healthcare services for people and communities across Ontario.”
“Investments into rural healthcare are incredibly important,” says Dr. Lynn Mikula, PRHC president and CEO. “Communities like ours, with urban and rural populations spread across broad geographies, have unique needs and challenges when it comes to accessing care. PRHC looks forward to continuing to work with Trent and our other post-secondary partners to ensure learners are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in their healthcare careers, and to provide patients with the best possible care and support, today and into the future.”
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Peterborough Petes Trounce League-Leading Ottawa 67's In 7-3 Win
/The Peterborough Petes can put a feather in their caps as they took down the league-leading Ottawa 67’s in a 7-3 thrashing at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.
The Petes are third in the East Division with a 30-19-1-2 record. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.
The game started as a low-scoring affair with Ottawa scoring the lone goal of the opening frame thanks to a Nic Sima wrist shot for a 1-0 lead.
The second period is where the floodgates opened for Peterborough’s offense. Adam Novotný was the recipient of a bouncing puck and got it past a sprawling goalie for a tie game just five minutes into the period. Aiden Young struck 40 seconds later, tipping a Matthew Perreault point shot for Peterborough’s first lead of the night. Kieron Walton got on the scoreboard as he dumped the puck but the goaltender mishandled it. Walton tracked the loose puck and scored on a wide-open net for a 3-1 lead.
The goals kept coming as Brennan Faulkner backchecked several 67’s at neutral ice for a turnover. He had a partial breakaway and completed the individual effort for a goal and a 4-1 lead. Ottawa was able to get one back late in the period as their power play subsided, but Peterborough had one more score in them. Young scored his second of the night with a turnaround bid to cap a five-goal period for Peterborough to lead, 5-2, into the final frame.
Walton also got his second goal just past the eight-minute mark. The Pete scored seconds after their power play went from a five-on-three to a five-on-four. Walton wristed it home for a 6-2 game. Ottawa responded two minutes later but Leon Kolarik added a late tally to solidify the game for a 7-3 win.
Walton and Novotný had four points each, Aiden Young scored twice and added an assist. Leon Kolarik had a goal and an assist. Easton Rye made 31 saves to get his 29th win of the season which leads the league.
@ptbo_canada The @Peterborough Petes trounce the league-leading Ottawa 67’s, 7-3, to give them their fourth consecutive win. #ptbocanada #journalism #news #fyp #sports ♬ Winning - ROKKA
The Petes add another chapter to their storied rivalry as they face the last-place Oshawa Generals for Friday Night Faceoff. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at the Tribute Communities Centre.
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United Way’s Peterborough Performs Returns For Its 6th Year to Celebrate Local Music and Raise Funds to Address Homelessness
/At a press conference Thursday, United Way Peterborough and District announced the 6th annual Peterborough Performs: Musicians United to End Homelessness, taking the stage at Showplace Performance Centre Feb. 26.
Photo courtesy of united way peterborough.
This event brings together 14 local acts for a night of music, community and generosity; raising funds to support programs that address homelessness in the region.
Since its inception in 2020, Peterborough Performs has raised over $135,000 to support initiatives in Peterborough and County addressing homelessness, helping hundreds of neighbours access housing and vital services. Last year, United Way partner agencies across the community provided 15,013 nights of safe shelter.
"I have come to know Peterborough as a community that shows up when it matters most, and Peterborough Performs VI is the perfect example,” said Jim Russell, CEO of United Way Peterborough and District. “Every note played, every ticket purchased and every bid in the virtual auction translates into real support for neighbours facing homelessness. Together, we’re not just raising funds, we’re raising hope, dignity and opportunity for those who need it most."
United Way says they have just under $100,000 left to reach this year’s $1.6 million campaign goal.
“This event has grown tremendously since 2020. What began as a one-time idea has evolved into a signature community tradition, with a total of 44 acts taking the stage over the years, representing more than 100 incredible local musicians,” said United Way Peterborough and District’s 2025 Campaign Chair and PTBO Performs coordinator Paul Rellinger. “We couldn’t do this without their generosity and talent, and we certainly couldn’t do it without the unwavering support of our community. I’m especially grateful to United Way for continuing to champion this event year after year. This year’s show is going to be spectacular.”
The PTBO Performs VI Virtual Auction opened Feb. 12. The two week-long auction features items donated by local businesses, organizations and community members.
Bidding for the virtual auction runs until 9:30 p.m. Feb. 26. Auction winners attending the event can pick up their prizes at Showplace, and others can collect items from the United Way office (277 Stewart St.) All proceeds from the auction go directly toward United Way programs addressing homelessness.
Tickets are $50 each or two for $80, available at the Showplace Box Office (290 George St N.) in person or online.
Family Fun Fest This Family Day at the YMCA
/Spend Family Day at the YMCA Balsillie Family Branch with Family Fun Fest event activities, sports and crafts Feb. 16.
file photo.
