Send a Kid to Camp AXE-travaganza with the Peterborough Axe Club and Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation

The Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation has announced they are hosting the Send a Kid to Camp AXE-travaganza fundraiser May 1st at the Peterborough Axe Club.

photo courtesy of the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation.

In partnership with Herod Financial Services and supported by AON Inc, Kawartha Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (KOMFS), Terra FirmConstruction and Camp Kawartha and Kawartha Gymnastics, the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation will host an evening of friendly axe throwing competition to help enrich the lives of children in our community.

“This event is our largest fundraiser of the year and plays a vital role in helping us send children to summer camp,” said Carrie Truman, Executive Director of the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation. “Camp provides children involved with the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society the opportunity to build self-esteem and confidence, form meaningful connections and spend time just being a kid.”

Over the past 42 years, the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation has sent over 5740 kids to summer camp.

Their goal is to help 150 children involved with the Kawartha Haliburton Children’s Aid Society attend camp this summer. By participating in the Send a Kid to Camp AXE-travaganza presented by Herod Financial Services, attendees can ensure local at-risk children have the opportunity to experience the joy of camp this summer.

Tickets are available now for $50 per person or $500 per lane. Two axe-throwing time slots are offered on May 1 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and 8 10 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online.

Event sponsorship opportunities remain available, and those interested can contact carrie@k-hchildrensfoundation.com for more information. Monetary donations in support of the Summer Camp Program can also be made online.

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Peterborough Women Arrested On Impaired Driving Charge After Striking Pole and Rolled Over Vehicle

A 49-year-old Peterborough woman is facing an impaired charge after a single-vehicle collision on Monday night.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 9 p.m., officers were called to the area of Lansdowne Street and Ford Street for a vehicle that had struck a pole and rolled. Officers saw that Peterborough Fire was extracting the woman and two dogs from the vehicle with no injuries. In speaking with the driver, officers noticed signs of impairment. The area was closed while officers investigated.

The woman was arrested and charged with:

• Operation while impaired- blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)

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

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on April 14.

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Peterborough Folk Festival Receives FEO Provincial Sustainability Award

The Peterborough Folk Festival has been recognized for their commitment to environmental leadership and sustainable practices, being awarded the 2026 Festivals and Events Ontario Sustainability Award.

photo courtesy of the peterborough folk festival.

The Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) 2026 Sustainability Award was presented to Peterborough Folk Festival’s (PFF) treasurer, Chad Hogan, at the FEO Awards Gala this week in Kitchener, amongst festival and tourism industry colleagues from across Ontario.

The FEO Sustainability Award recognizes festivals and events that demonstrate commitment to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. The award highlights festivals and events that implement innovative and effective sustainability initiatives, including waste reduction, energy efficiency, community engagement and environmentally responsible operations.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors of Peterborough Folk Festival, I want to express how honoured we are to receive the 2026 Festivals and Events Ontario Sustainability Award recognizing a value that has guided our festival for 37 years”, said Emma MacDonald, Chair of the festival’s Eco Committee. “This recognition is a testament to the extraordinary work behind the scenes by our volunteers and community partners: the teams scrubbing dishes, parking bikes, sorting waste and recycling and supplying on-site solar energy. It takes a village to run a sustainable festival, and this honour belongs to the dedicated community that makes it possible.”

Highlights of PFF’s sustainability efforts include a commitment to waste reduction, complimentary bike valet parking, a Generation Solar stage, park stewardship at Nicholls Oval and a commitment to supporting local businesses and vendors.

“Congratulations to Peterborough Folk Festival on being named the recipient of Festivals and Events Ontario’s Sustainability Award! In addition to capturing the essence of Peterborough’s culture community, the Folk Festival is an exemplary steward of the land, water and community surrounding Nicholls Oval Park," City Councillors, and Community Services co-chairs Lesley Parnell and Alex Bierk shared in a joint statement. "This award honours Peterborough Folk Festival’s long-standing commitment to sustainability through waste reduction, active transportation, supporting local businesses, and even having a solar-powered stage. The festival and the entire Peterborough community can feel very proud of this recognition.”

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring the City's Green Bin Pilot and International Women's Day Celebrations

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…

Downtown Restaurants: Go Green with Phase 2 of the City’s Green Bin Pilot

Peterborough restaurants have a fresh opportunity to lead the way in sustainability. The City of Peterborough is launching Phase 2 of its successful Green Bin program—a voluntary pilot targeting approximately 25 downtown restaurants to divert food scraps and organics from landfills. Restaurants generate 10–25 kg of organics daily, so this pilot will help the city refine collection logistics for high-volume commercial zones and prepare for broader rollout. Participation is completely voluntary, reduces your garbage load, and contributes to a cleaner, greener Peterborough. If you’re a downtown restaurant, apply now—the deadline is March 6 at peterborough.ca/greenbin.

International Women’s Day: Two Powerful Ways to Celebrate

March 8 is International Women’s Day, and Peterborough is marking the occasion with inspiring events.

The Tiffany Show returns for its 3rd annual free International Women’s Day Party, hosted by the dynamic Tiffany Arcari at The Venue downtown. This sold-out event promises high energy with powerful stories from local women, the transformative Self-Love Mirror experience, epic prizes, swag bags, and more. If you secured a ticket, remember to bring a menstrual product donation to support United Way’s Period Promise and help end period poverty. Check out thetiffanyshow.ca for all the details.

For those who didn’t get a ticket, there’s still a meaningful way to celebrate. On Saturday, March 7, join the community rally and gathering to honour women’s achievements and highlight this year’s theme: strengthening access to justice for women and girls. The day starts at 11:30 a.m. at City Hall with drumming, a declaration reading, and poetry, followed by a march downtown. The afternoon features live music, inspiring speakers, and community connection—all free. Registration is required at ptbolibrary.ca/libcal.com.

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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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.”

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