Peterborough Blogs
Local Musician James Higgins Reports Professional Music Equipment Stolen From His Vehicle in Peterborough
/Campbellford musician James Higgins speaks out after the majority of his music equipment was stolen from his vehicle following a performance in Peterborough Saturday night.
Photo by Felicia Massey.
Higgins says his vehicle, which was parked in the King Street parking garage, held nearly all his music equipment, which he stored “out of sight, covered with a blanket.”
“I've never had any issue in my history of having gear in my vehicle overnight in Peterborough, but I'm feeling gutted now,” said Higgins in a Facebook post.
Items that he has reported stolen include:
Epiphone J-200 Guitar in case
Yamaha LJ-16 Guitar in case
Blue Montreal Expos duffle bag
Boss VE-8 pedal
Microphone stand
Shure Microphone
Yorkville XM400 speaker tower (3 pieces)
Harmonica and mount
Manfrotto Camera Tripod
4FT × 4FT James Higgins logo banner
Pvc piping banner stand
Acryllic Tip Box with my logo on it
150+ custom logo guitar picks
Custom logo vinyl die cut stickers
Higgins has reported the theft to both the parking garage security and the Peterborough Police. He asks that if the community comes across any of these pieces, which are often equipped with his custom logo, to contact the Peterborough Police.
“I will not be cancelling any gigs,” continued Higgins. “I will figure things out. I just wanted to spread the word.”
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Havelock Receiving Over $4.1 Million Ontario Government Investment to Upgrade Its Wastewater Treatment Plant
/The Havelock Wastewater Treatment Plant’s (WWTP) infrastructure is being upgraded, with the Ontario Government investing up to $4,136,362 in the facility, announced at Havelock’s Council Chambers on Monday afternoon.
Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP (left) and Jim Martin, HBM mayor after the funding announcement was made before the township’s staff and council members. This funding is part of an investment of $4 billion in the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, included in Ontario's $220 billion capital plan. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The funding comes from the province's Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program's Health and Safety Water Stream (MHIP-HSWS), which has increased by $700 million for a total of $875 million to support access to safe drinking water, housing, job creation and community protection in case of extreme weather events, according to Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.
“Our government is taking the necessary steps to ensure that Havelock has the robust, modern infrastructure needed to support its growing community," he explained. "By investing this critical funding into the Havelock Wastewater Treatment Plant, we are not only protecting our local environment but also clearing the way for new housing developments. This is about building a safer, more prosperous community where families can thrive for generations to come.”
The (MHIP-HSWS) funding will be utilized in Havelock-Belmont-Methuen (HBM) to systematically upgrade the Havelock Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Revitalizing the plant helps remove development bottlenecks to support significant local housing growth, resulting in laying the groundwork for more than 1,500 new homes and a projected population of 2,400 residents by 2041, said Jim Martin, Mayor of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen.
“We will be able to increase the functional capacity of the wastewater treatment plant,” he said. “This over four million dollars will help us upgrade the wastewater treatment infrastructure and let us continue to prepare for future growth opportunities in HBM.”
He adds that this is just the first phase of HBM's growth and hints at the next phase.
“The next phase would probably be the Wastewater Treatment Plant and adding a new cell is huge,” said Martin. “It’s a huge cost, with I think around 15 million dollars. This part here will get us a few years to get this part done and any growth that’s coming, we’ll be able to care of the immediate needs but we’ll continue planning for further out.
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Peterborough Petes Split Games On Weekend Michigan Road Trip
/The Peterborough Petes earned two points in their two-game road trip in Michigan over the weekend.
The Petes are third in the East Division with a 34-22-1-3 record. Photo courtesy of Eric Young of Dream Bigger Media.
The Peterborough Petes started the second game of a three-game road trip against the Saginaw Spirit at the Dow Event Center on Saturday. Despite the Petes outshooting the Spirit 49-25, Saginaw scored four unanswered in the third period for a 5-2 win.
Brennan Faulkner and Matthew Soto scored for Peterborough, while Adam Novotný, Adam Levac, Kieron Walton and Brody Partridge each picked up an assist.
Peterborough hit the final leg of the trip against the Flint Firebirds on Sunday. The Petes took the lead in the third period, with Novotný scoring a late empty net goal to seal the 4-2 win.
Easton Rye stopped 32 shots for his league-leading 33rd win of the season. Aiden Young and Matthew Perrault had two helpers. Yanis Lutz, Carson Cameron, Brennan Faulkner and Novotný all scored. Matthew Soto and Adam Levac also tallied an assist.
@ptbo_canada The @Peterborough Petes earned two points in their two-game road trip in Michigan over the weekend. #ptbocanada #journalism #fyp #news #sports ♬ Winning - ROKKA
The Petes return home for their Thursday game against the Ottawa 67’s with puck drop at 7:05 p.m. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.
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Peterborough Police Make Three Impaired Driving Arrests Over Weekend
/Three Peterborough men were arrested for impaired driving in separate incidents over the weekend.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
A 30-year-old Peterborough man is facing impaired charges after a concerned resident called police.
At roughly 10 pm on Saturday, officers were called to Carnegie Avenue and Heritage Trail area about a driver slumped over the wheel of a vehicle. Upon arrival, officers noticed signs of impairment with the driver and took him into custody. During a search of the vehicle after arrest, they seized an open bottle of liquor.
The man was arrested and charged with:
Operation While Impaired - Alcohol And Drugs
Operation While Impaired - Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 Plus)
Having Care Or Control Of A Motor Vehicle With Open Container Of Liquor (Liquor License Control 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 April 7.
A 20-year-old Township of Cavan-Monaghan man is facing several charges after an incident early Sunday morning.
At approximately 5 a.m., officers were called to the area of Fisher Drive and Harper Drive about a vehicle in the middle of the road. Upon arrival, officers located the driver asleep at the wheel with the brakes activated. The officers attempted to speak with the driver, who struck the officers and attempted to accelerate away, colliding with a police vehicle. The officer drew their Conducted Energy Weapon (CEW); however, the man continued to resist and the CEW was deployed. Officers gained control of the suspect and took him into custody.
The man was arrested and charged with:
Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
Assault a Peace Officer
Resist Peace Officer
Novice driver - B.A.C. above zero (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 April 14.
A 45-year-old Peterborough man is facing a charge after a report of a suspicious vehicle at a business.
At approximately 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, officers were called about a suspicious vehicle that had been in the parking lot of a business on Erskine Avenue for several hours running. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the driver and noticed signs of impairment. However, the driver refused to comply with the demand for a roadside test.
The man was arrested and charged with:
Failure Or Refusal To Comply With Demand
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 April 14.
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City of Peterborough Receives 2025 Sustainability Award for Battery Recycling
/After diverting 22,689 kg of batteries from landfill last year, the City of Peterborough has been named a recipient of the Leaders in Sustainability Awards by Call2Recycle Canada.
The City participates in the Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! The program is operated by Call2Recycle Canada, providing convenient battery recycling options throughout the community. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The collection was done through the City’s participation in the Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! program.
The Leaders in Sustainability Awards recognize organizations that demonstrate exceptional environmental leadership by responsibly managing end-of-life batteries and making measurable contributions to Canada’s circular economy.
In 2025, Call2Recycle reported its most successful year to date, collecting more than eight million kilograms of batteries across Canada, a 17 per cent increase over the previous year.
Proper battery recycling prevents hazardous materials from entering landfills and supports resource recovery by reclaiming metals such as lithium and nickel for reuse.
Batteries can be dropped off at the following City of Peterborough locations:
City Hall, 500 George St. N
Household Hazardous Waste Depot, 400 Pido Rd.
Healthy Planet Arena, 911 Monaghan Rd.
Kinsmen Civic Centre, 1 Kinsmen Way
Peterborough Public Library, 345 Aylmer St.
Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, 775 Brealey Dr.
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Campbellford Memorial Hospital Redevelopment Planning Takes a Major Step Forward
/The Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) is advancing its redevelopment journey with the development of a comprehensive Clinical Services Plan and Master Program, a critical step in planning for a future hospital facility.
photo courtesy of the The Campbellford Memorial Hospital.
Following a procurement process, CMH has engaged an experienced, integrated consulting team to support this work, including HDR Architecture, Unity Design Studios, Resource Planning Group (RPG), Trans4mation Solutions Consulting and Preyra Solutions Group (PSG). Together, the team will work in close partnership with hospital leadership, staff, physicians and community partners to ensure the future hospital is designed to improve upon how care is delivered today and how it will need to be delivered in the future.
The Clinical Services Plan focuses on understanding current and future health care needs, examining population trends and service demands and identifying opportunities to strengthen care in a modern, integrated rural hospital setting. It will guide decisions about the type of services that will be provided at the new CMH and how those services are organized, while the Master Program will translate those needs into planning assumptions that will guide future planning and design decisions.
“This phase of work is about taking a thoughtful, evidence-based approach to planning our future,” said Jeff Hohenkerk, President and Chief Executive Officer of Campbellford Memorial Hospital. “By developing these plans now, we are ensuring that the next stages of redevelopment are grounded in a clear understanding of our community’s needs and the realities of providing care in a rural environment.”
A core principle of this planning phase is co-design with a focus on understanding what is working well, where pressures exist and how services can be strengthened in a new environment. Input gathered through engagement with staff, physicians, patients and the community will directly shape future planning decisions and ensure the redevelopment supports safe, sustainable and patient-centred care.
“Redevelopment is not just about a new building,” Hohenkerk added. “It is about creating a hospital that enhances patient and family experiences, supports our staff and physicians, and remains responsive and sustainable for generations to come.”
Empty Bowls Community Fundraising Event Celebrates 22nd Year
/Attendees filled their bowls and their stomachs at the Showplace Performance Centre Friday for Empty Bowls 2026; a fundraising event aimed to address hunger in the local community, with all proceeds supporting One City Peterborough.
After 21 years of Empty Bowls supporting the YWCA Nourish Food Program, which ended in 2025, One City Peterborough has partnered as the new beneficiary for the fundraiser. All proceeds will support One City’s daily meal program at Trinity Community Centre.
180 event attendees received a handmade artisanal bowl from Kawartha Potters Guild, opportunity to participate in the silent auction and an array of food options from local restaurants and vendors including:
Hanoi House
St. Veronus
The Vine
La Mesita Restaurante
Hard Winter Bakery
By the Bridge
The Food Shop
Sam's Place
Love You Mean It
Ashburnham Ale House
Silver Bean Cafe
@ptbo_canada 180 attendees filled their bowls and their stomachs Friday at Empty Bowls 2026; a fundraising event aimed to address hunger in the local community, with all proceeds supporting One City Peterborough! 🥣 Visit ptbocanada .com to read more! #ptbocanada ♬ Does it Really Matter? - Boyan
“It’s really exciting that so many people wanted to participate in this event,” said One City’s Mackenzie Clark-Smith. “So many community members have told me they’ve been coming to this for 10 years, and others have said that this is their first time. It is very exciting that people who have liked the event in the past and those who are newcomers are all here supporting.”
Rotary Club of Peterborough's 40th Annual Carl Oake Rotary Swimathon Fundraiser Hitting Major Milestones
/The 40th annual Carl Oake Rotary Swim aimed to reach major milestones at the YMCA Central East Ontario pool to raise $50,000 for Easter Seals Ontario and Rotary Club of Peterborough projects on Friday morning.
Groups and individuals signed up to do swim lanes, catwalk and cannonball challenges to support Easter Seals and Rotary Projects. Hitting the fundraiser’s $50,000 goal would raise $1.5 million overall to mark its 40th anniversary.
“We've seen it for years and it just never seems to let up,” said Vanessa Oake Hogan, event organizer. “Everyone's really supportive of this event. I think it's a legacy event in our community and the Rotary Club works really hard to put it together. For me, it's really special that my father started it.
This is the second swim without event founder Carl Oake, as the family announced his passing in early January last year.
“It was a lot of effort he put in and I don't know if he ever did it for accolades but I think he'd be very proud,” explained Oake Hogan. “I love hearing his name and when you lose someone you love that's very important to you, it's great to keep them alive. You don't want people to forget him.”
@ptbo_canada The Rotary Club of Peterborough hosted it’s 40th Annual Carl Oake Rotary Swim in support of its projects and Easter Seals! #ptbocanada #journalism #fyp #news #fundraising ♬ Swear By It - Chris Alan Lee
Since its inception, the Swimathon has raised over $1.45 million for Easter Seals and Rotary Projects. Other recipients of the proceeds include literacy programs, various shelters (Brock Mission, Yes Shelter, and more), Breakfast for Kids, Camp Kawartha, Rotary Trail and more.
Over $7,500 of the $50,000 goal was already raised online at the publication of this article but more funds have yet to be accounted for with a final tally.
Donations can be made at any time online on the Rotary’s website.
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Dangerous Offender Escapes Prisoner's Box and Assaults Crown Attorney During Court Proceeding
/A 30-year-old man in court for a dangerous offender hearing is facing an assault charge against a Crown attorney, despite being in shackles, escaped the prisoner’s box and made their attack during court proceedings at the Superior Court (470 Water St.) on Feb. 17.
Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.
