Parks Canada Hosting Public Information Sessions For Infrastructure Projects in Peterborough

Parks Canada is hosting two Public Information Sessions on several major infrastructure projects taking place along the Trent–Severn Waterway National Historic Site in Peterborough. 

Parks Canada is undertaking these projects to help ensure public safety and support the long-term stewardship of the Trent–Severn Waterway National Historic Site, preserving this important historic canal corridor for future generations.  Photo courtesy of Parks Canada.

Contractors are currently on site and work will soon begin on coordinated, multi-year projects that include the rehabilitation of the Peterborough Earth Dams, repairs and maintenance to the Peterborough Lift Lock and the replacement of the Maria Street Swing Bridge says Parks Canada.

The Public Information Sessions will provide an opportunity to learn more about the projects, including construction phases, timelines, anticipated impacts, mitigation measures, and the long-term benefits they will bring to the community. Representatives from Parks Canada will present project information and be available to answer questions. 

The same information will be presented at two sessions: 

• Virtual Public Information Session: March 23 at 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. 

• In-Person Public Information Session: March 24 at 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. 
  Peterborough Lions Club, 347 Burnham St. 

Residents can register for either session by emailing Parks Canada at trentsevern@pc.gc.ca.  

Residents can also sign up for project updates by emailing trentsevern@pc.gc.ca and including “Peterborough Canal Projects” in the subject line. 

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Peterborough’s Mac & Cheese Festival Returns This April With Downtown Grand Finale Event

The cheesy goodness is back as the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) hosts the Mac & Cheese Festival, running from April 1 to April 25.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.

This month-long celebration invites residents and visitors to explore a lineup of limited-time mac & cheese features from 20 restaurants, culminating in the Grand Finale Event on April 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Quaker Foods City Square. Attendees can sample dishes from select vendors and watch as a panel of local celebrity judges crowns the 2026 Mac & Cheese Champion.

According to the DBIA, some of the participating restaurants are taking the classic cheesy dish in bold and unexpected directions. Lola’s Cakes and Coffee is offering a Mac and Cheese Tiramisu, the first time a dessert is being served in the festival’s history.

“People are going to ask if there is really macaroni in the tiramisu and the answer is yes. It sounds crazy, but one bite and you’ll be hooked,” says Nino Ante, Lola’s Cakes and Coffee owner. “It’s the dessert adventure you didn’t know you needed. We decided to push the boundaries and make people smile with every bite.” 

Throughout April, locals and visitors are encouraged to try as many dishes as possible and vote online for their favourite to determine the People’s Choice Award winner.

Restaurants offering in-store features this year include:

• Agave by Imperial

• Ashburnham Ale House

• The Back 40 Smokehouse

• By the Bridge

• Cork and Bean

• Dreams of Beans

• La Mesita

• Lola’s Cakes and Coffee

• Love You, Mean It

• McThirsty’s Pint

• Pappas Billiards

• The Revy

• Bar Vita

• Riverside Grill

• Sam’s Place Deli

• St. Veronus

• The Boardwalk Game Lounge

• The Railyard Cafe

• The Vine (last year’s People’s Choice award winner)

• Turnbull Cafe (the Judge’s Choice winner for 2025)

“Our downtown is home to so many passionate entrepreneurs and talented chefs, and this event is a great way to experience that firsthand. Mac and Cheese fest is a great example of what downtown Peterborough is all about” says Nour Mazloum, Executive Director of the Peterborough DBIA. “Showcasing this talent is a large part of how we’re building a vibrant, welcoming downtown people want to return to all year long.”

The contenders for the grand finale event include:

• Agave by Imperial

• The Back 40 Smokehouse

• By the Bridge, La Mesita

• Lola’s Cakes and Coffee

• The Revy

• The Boardwalk Game Lounge

• The Vine

• Turnbull Cafe

@ptbo_canada The cheesy goodness is back as the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area hosts the Mac & Cheese Festival, running from April 1 to April 25. ##ptbocanada##journalism##fyp##news##macandcheese ♬ Macaroni & Cheese - David Chicken

Other vendors will be on site with treats and beverages.

The Mac and Cheese Festival Grand Finale event is also fully licensed this year for attendees 19+. With the mac & cheese, there will be live music, family-friendly activities, brews & seltzers and cozy lounge spaces.

Mac & cheese lovers can vote online for your favourite dish to help determine the People’s Choice Award winner. Voting will go live on April 1.

To vote in the People’s Choice Award, visit theboro.ca.

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Statement on the Closure of Peterborough’s Consumption and Treatment Services Site

The Peterborough 360 Degree Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic (360 NPLC) discusses the closure of Peterborough’s Consumption and Treatment Services Site in a statement; expressing their gratitude for the frontline staff working at Peterborough’s Consumption and Treatment Services Site (CTS).

Counsellors, dignitaries and notaries during the original Ontario Government funding announcement of $6.2 million for a new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hub in January 2025. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The 360 NPLC, located in downtown Peterborough, provides primary care and health system navigation for marginalized and vulnerable populations, many of whom access care through or alongside CTS services.

“Their work has been compassionate, skilled and lifesaving,” said the statement. “Every day, they have demonstrated unwavering commitment; preventing overdoses, building trust and connecting individuals to care. Their contributions have made a meaningful and lasting impact in Peterborough. The recent announcement of the CTS closure will have significant and far-reaching effect; not only for individuals who relied on this service, but for the broader community and the many partners who support it.”

“The closure of the CTS represents not only the loss of a critical harm reduction service, but also the loss of an important entry point into primary care for individuals who often face substantial barriers to accessing traditional healthcare. This comes at a time when our clinic has already experienced reductions in harm reduction capacity, including the loss of funding for the Safer Supply Program (SSP) last year. Programs like SSP and CTS are not standalone services; they are interconnected components of a broader continuum of care that support engagement, stability and safety. Evidence shows that supervised consumption services and related harm reduction programs reduce overdose deaths, improve access to treatment and act as critical gateways into healthcare and social supports.”

The closure of the CTS is expected to increase pressure on the Emergency Department, as more individuals will require acute care for overdoses and related complications that were previously managed in a supervised setting. The BLANK has concluded that the loss of on-site nursing care, including preventative wound care, means more untreated infections and complications, and the added demand will contribute to longer wait times and increased strain on an already overburdened system.

“The impacts of this closure will extend well beyond the healthcare sector,” the statement continues.  “Without a comparable service in place, we can expect increased pressures on paramedic services and police, who will see a rise in overdose responses and crisis calls. Public spaces, including the library, transit hubs and other shared community environments, will experience increased challenges as individuals who previously accessed supervised care are displaced. Public works teams will also face increased demands related to community safety and public space maintenance.”

Supervised consumption services have been shown to reduce harms not only for individuals, but for communities; decreasing overdose-related morbidity and mortality and supporting safer public environments.

“We remain encouraged that organizations such as FourCAST, PARN and PRHC’S RAAM clinic will continue to play a critical role in supporting individuals who use substances. Their work in treatment, recovery and harm reduction remains essential. However, with the narrowing of the continuum of services available in Peterborough, gaps in care will inevitably emerge. The CTS has been a vital point of connection for many individuals and its closure will leave a noticeable void.”

“This moment underscores the importance of coordinated, community-based responses that prioritize both individual wellbeing and public safety,” the statement concludes. “It is essential that we work together to ensure that those most at risk remain connected to care.

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Fleming College Launches New Early Childhood Education Leadership Development Specialization Course For Professionals

With increasing demand for early years programming and childhood educators across the province, Fleming College Continuing Education has launched its Early Childhood Education (ECE) Leadership Development specialization for professionals, beginning in May.

Ontario’s Canada-Wide Early Learning and Childcare system aims to expand and create 86,000 new licensed childcare spaces. Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

The online program supports the transition of frontline educators into supervisor and administrator roles without stepping away from the early learning service centres that need them, according to the College.

“Fleming College has a long-standing reputation for excellence in ECE training,” says Nick Stone, Associate Vice President of the School of Health and Community Services. “We are continuing that legacy with this leadership development specialization, providing the childcare and early years sector with the expertise to lead it.”

Eligible applicants can qualify for financial support through the Ontario ECE Leadership Grant Program. Funding applications are accepted starting April 13.

Built on Fleming’s well-established two-year ECE diploma program, this new professional specialization allows educators to gain advanced skills in communication strategies, advocacy and professionalism, management and staff development, marketing, financial planning and adapting curriculum practices according to the school.

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Millbrook Man Faces Impaired Driving Charge After Car Winds Up In Ditch

A 65-year-old Millbrook man is facing an impaired charge after a concerned motorist reported a vehicle in a ditch on Tuesday night.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 9 p.m., officers were called to the area of Tapley ¼ Line and County Road 21. They located a vehicle in the ditch. It was still running with a man in the driver’s seat. While speaking to the driver, officers noticed signs of impairment and took him into custody.

The 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 appearance notice and is scheduled to appear in court on April 28.

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The United Way Peterborough & District Announces Results of Tenth Annual Period Promise Menstrual Product Collection Drive

The United Way Peterborough & District announced their menstrual product total for the 2026 Period Promise drive on Monday; collecting 41,556 period products.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

The includes 29,366 pads, 4,533 liners, 7,550 tampons, 26 cups, 7 reusable pads, 55 reusable period underwear, 7 disposable underwear and 12 disposable discs with an estimated value of $20,725.

Donated products will be distributed by Kawartha Food Share to local food banks and other agencies in order to get items into the hands of those who struggle to afford them on their own.

The goal for the tenth annual Period Promise drive was to collect at least 25,000 items, while opening opportunities for dialogue about menstruation. By focusing on inclusion, awareness building, advocacy and greater diversity of product options, the United Way team hopes that those who menstruate, including women, trans-men and non-binary individuals feel more comfortable discussing the realities of their bodily experience.

“We still have a lot of work to do in terms of normalizing menstruating as a whole, as this process is not talked about nearly enough,” said Lindsay Young, Trans Peer Outreach Worker and Trans Family Support Worker at Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge. “One big step moving forward would be to talk about the way different bodies menstruate, allowing for more inclusive and diverse products and conversations.”

The United Way team has collaborated with several organizations and workplaces as part of this work, including three International Women’s Day events running menstrual product drives as part of their efforts: Kawartha World Issues Centre, the Tiffany Show and Delta Phi Nu at Trent University.

Several workplaces ran internal collection drives and the City of Peterborough provided three public drop off locations: City Hall, Miskin Law Community Complex and the Peterborough Public Library. The Women’s Business Network kicked off this year’s Period Promise campaign by donating 6,101 items, nearly one quarter of the 25,000-item goal.

“With our renewed focus on reconciliation, equity, accessibility, diversity and inclusion or READI, it’s important that these efforts are embedded across everything we do, so it’s been exciting to see our Community Impact Officer and two Campaign Officers take this on board as they promoted our 2026 Period Promise drive,” said Jim Russell, CEO of United Way Peterborough & District. “The two pillars that guide our work are Poverty to Possibility and Building Strong & Healthy Communities, and I believe that this year’s Period Promise has truly embodied those aims.”

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Peterborough Police Service and Fourcast Partner On Addictions Specialist Team

The Peterborough Police Service and Fourcast have announced a new partnership under Fourcast’s Police Outreach Program aimed at supporting individuals experiencing substance use.

photo courtesy of the peterborough police service, facebook.

In January 2026 a new Addiction Specialist Team was formed within the Peterborough Police Service consisting of a police constable and an addictions counsellor. The team of PC Tim Fish and Addictions Counsellor Storm Brown has been tasked with outreach and foot patrol to check-in with unhoused and vulnerable people in our community. They will also respond to Calls for Service such as open-air drug usage, wellbeing checks and unwanted persons. Further, the team will liaise with community partners in this space (e.g. shelters, hospital, HART Hub services and other outreach groups) to continue to build positive relationships.

"We are excited to contribute dedicated Fourcast resources to this Addiction Specialist Team response with the Peterborough Police Service,” said Donna Rogers, Executive Director of Fourcast. “We welcome the opportunity to partner and explore new opportunities for outreach with all community partners. Our hope is to gain new learning and experiences that further our collective goals."

Fourcast has access to programming ranging from counselling to addiction treatment services to supportive housing programs. The goal is to try and connect people to these services and follow-up as appropriate.

All officers with the Peterborough Police Service have also been asked to reach out this unit with referrals.

“We are thrilled to have Storm join our team in this capacity. So far, the partnership is working well, and we anticipate that it will continue to be successful in assisting some of the more vulnerable people in our community,” said Stu Betts, Chief of the Peterborough Police Service. “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Fourcast to help improve the safety and wellbeing of those in our community.”

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U13 AA Peterborough Petes End Undefeated Season With Lakeshore League Championship; Win Punches Ticket to OMHA Championship

The U13 AA Peterborough Petes capped off their undefeated season and punched their ticket to the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) Championship after winning the Lakeshore League Championship at the Campus Ice Centre in Oshawa on Monday night.

Photo courtesy of the U13 Peterborough Petes.

“ (This was) a victory built on a group of players who fully bought into our system from day one,” said Mark MacDonell, Petes U13 AA head coach. “Their commitment shows every single practice by demonstrating relentless effort, attention to detail, and a drive to get better that carries straight into how they compete on game day.”

The team capped their regular season by going undefeated with eight wins (two in overtime). The Petes opened their season with a 4-0 win over the North Durham Warriors on Feb. 8, then beat the Quinte West Hawks, 2-1, two days later. A Valentine’s Day date with the Kingston Canadians saw Peterborough win convincingly, 5-1. On the second game of a back-to-back, the Petes defeated the Oshawa Generals, 4-1.

Peterborough had a six-day rest before taking down the Hawks a second time, 5-2. The next day, the Petes beat Kingston again, 3-2. The team had two consecutive days of games to start off March and closed their regular season with a pair of wins, 6-0 over the Warriors and 3-2 over the Generals.

The eight-game winning streak earned the Petes a spot in the semifinals against the Whitby Wildcats. The latter swept the best-of-three series with a 1-0 win on March 4 and a 4-2 victory on March 7.

Peterborough met their rival, the Oshawa Generals, in the finals in another best-of-three series. Peterborough won game one, 3-1 at the Healthy Planet Arena on Friday, before capping off the perfect season with a 3-2 win on Monday night.

“What makes this team truly special is how tightly connected they are; they play for each other, push each other and support each other like brothers,” said MacDonnell. “Our coaching staff poured everything into helping these players grow and their dedication set the tone for the culture we built together.”

The win qualifies the Petes to participate in the OMHA Championship in Whitby from March 27 to 29.

“As their coach, watching this group grow into champions, both in skill and in character, has been something I’ll never forget,” concluded MacDonnell.

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Peterborough Police Warn Public of Recently-Surfacing Bank Scams

Over the past week, the Peterborough Police Service has been made aware of at least two bank scams that occurred within several days of each other.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

In one case, the victim received what they believed to be a call from their bank, claiming their cards were compromised and that they would need to be sent to the bank. The victim was instructed to put the cards in an envelope and leave it on their porch for a courier. The envelope was picked up sometime between 9 p.m. on Friday and 5:30 a.m. on Sunday. 

The victim noticed fraudulent activity in their accounts, resulting in a loss of close to $17,000 lost.

A similar incident happened to another Peterborough resident on Wednesday. The victim received a text about possible credit card fraud. The charge was reversed and then the victim received a second text about fraudulent activity. The victim responded that it was not them. Shortly after, they received a phone call from someone claiming to be a fraud specialist at the bank. That person asked the victim a series of questions, sent them a series of texts with the bank logo and told the victim they needed to seize the card. The card, which had been cut in half, was picked up by a courier, resulting in a loss of about $3,000. 

The Peterborough Police are reminding residents that when it comes to fraud and scams, the most important message is to slow down and verify. Fraudsters rely on fear, urgency and confusion to pressure people into making quick decisions. 

If you receive phone calls or texts from your bank, make sure to verify the message is valid by calling the number on the back of the card, not the number in the text or phone call. 

Scam victims can contact police through the online reporting portal.

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Peterborough Folk Festival Names Tristan Konkle the 2026 Emerging Artist

Following a record number of submissions, the Peterborough Folk Festival (PFF) has announced Peterborough-based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tristan Konkle as the PFF 2026 Emerging Artist Award recipient.

Photo courtesy of peterborough folk fest.

Raised in Peterborough, the self-produced artist was drawn early to the architects of late-20th-century pop, pairing energetic performances with a deep commitment to the songwriting craft. Since picking up a guitar at the age of twelve, Tristan Konkle has built a catalogue through years of songwriting and live performances at hometown venues such as Jethro’s Bar + Stage, Sadleir House and the Pig’s Ear Tavern. Through these performances, he has developed a reputation for his songwriting and compelling live shows.

Alongside his work as a performer, Konkle has become an active studio collaborator within the Peterborough music community. In 2025, he produced several songs for the indie-folk band VANCAMP, winner of the PFF 2024 Emerging Artist Award. Also in 2025, Konkle co-produced a full-length album for Edmonton songwriter Ellie Heath alongside acclaimed Canadian producer Hawksley Workman, scheduled for release in mid 2026. Now releasing music under his own name for the first time since fronting the band Tapes In Motion, Konkle blends modern indie pop with vintage influences, guided by thoughtful production and the support of his hometown community.

“I'm so excited for Tristan to be a part of an amazing group of emerging artists who over the past 25 years have contributed so much to our community”, says PFF artistic director Ryan Kemp. “I encourage everyone in our community to support artists like Tristan by going to their shows, buying their merch and sharing their music with others. This award has organically evolved into a family of artists who support one another, which is truly the spirit of the festival.”

For the full list of PFF Emerging Artist Award recipients, visit the website.

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