Ontario Government Invests $100,000 For Local Emergency Preparedness In Peterborough-Kawartha

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The Ontario Government is investing $100,000 in North Kawartha and Havelock-Belmont-Methuen to improve local resilience and respond to emergencies more effectively, announced on Monday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This funding is delivered through the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant (CEPG) and is designed to help small and medium-sized municipalities accordinf to Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

“Last year’s March 2025 ice storm was a stark reminder of how quickly our communities can be cut off when the power goes out and roads are blocked,” he said. “This investment is a direct response to those challenges. By providing the tools for reliable communication in North Kawartha and ensuring the HBM Community Centre has a backup generator to stay open as a warming site, we are making sure our residents are never left in the dark again.”

The CEPG funding is being allocated to address specific infrastructure and equipment gaps in the region:

  • North Kawartha ($50,000): The township will use this investment to modernize emergency communications and field operations. Key purchases include radios for parks and recreation vehicles, communication upgrades, a backup generator, and chainsaws. These tools will ensure safer, faster road clearance and more coordinated responses during natural disasters

  • Havelock-Belmont-Methuen ($50,000): Funding will support the purchase of a permanent backup generator for the HBM Community Centre. This upgrade ensures the facility can serve as a reliable emergency shelter and warming/cooling centre during power outages—a critical need identified following the prolonged outages of the March 2025 ice storm

“The $50,000 Community Emergency Preparedness Grant will assist the Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen with the purchase of a permanent backup power source for the local Community Centre,“ said Jim Martin, Havelock-Belmont-Methuen mayor. “This purchase will allow the Community Centre to be the Township’s main gathering spot in an emergency situation when the power is out.”

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PTBO Women’s Initiative Network Inc Formed to Support Local Athletes Competing in Ireland

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A new community-driven initiative, the PTBO Women’s Initiative Network Inc (PTBO WIN), has formed to support local athletes who have been selected to compete on the Canada 2 team at the 2026 Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) World Games in Waterford, Ireland this July.

photo courtesy of PTBO WIN.

Local athletes Zoe King, Ciara Gunn, Michelle Schevers and Tash Ennis, all members of the Peterborough GAA club, have been selected to compete on the Canada 2 team.

PTBO WIN originally came together to rally behind these athletes in their fundraising efforts. While the immediate focus is helping send the women to compete on the international stage, the network says they have a long-term vision of advocating for and supporting local women in pursuing their goals, whether in sport, business or beyond.

“What started as a couple of women meeting at a networking breakfast quickly turned into a dedicated group of women committed to supporting other women in the community,” said PTBO WIN President, Kelly Carbajal. “We recognized very quickly that there is a real need in the area for women pursuing their goals and dreams. Our hope is that the Ptbo Women’s Initiative Network can make a meaningful difference for these incredible athletes and for so many more women in the future.”

PTBO WIN aims to raise $20,000 to support these athletes and their journey to the World Games, including training, travel, and ongoing skill development by focusing on three main initiatives:

PTBO WIN Launch Food Festival

Date: June 6

Time: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Location: Peterborough Square Outdoor Patio

This event will feature local food vendors, live music, shopping and an opportunity to meet the athletes and PTBO WIN members.

PTBO WIN 100 x 100 Campaign

Running now through July 1, PTBO WIN is calling on 100 community members or businesses to support local athletes by contributing $100 each, helping to directly fund their World Games journey.

PTBO WIN World Games Send-Off

Date: June 28

Time: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: 100 Acre Brewing Co.

Admission: $20 entry including a free drink or $40 for families (2 adults and 2 kids)

This send-off celebration will feature food and drink sales, a silent auction, live music and a Gaelic football demonstration with opportunities to engage and play alongside local athletes. Attendees can expect interactive challenges, prizes and a vibrant, community-focused atmosphere to help send these athletes off in style.

In addition to the PTBO WIN events, there are several other ways to support the local Team Canada 2 athletes:

Online Raffle

$20 tickets available now until May 1.

Prizes include a $1,000 flight voucher, a signed Toronto Maple Leafs jersey and more. Tickets can be purchased by contacting the athletes directly or at local events.

Square Dance

Date: April 10

Time: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Location: The Social

$15 admission at the door, an evening of live music, dancing, raffle prizes and community connection.

Arriba Indoor Co-Ed Volleyball Tournament

Date: May 2

Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location: TASS School

Registration: https://www.arribavolleyball.com/coed-tourney-registration-may-2/

VIVA Beach Co-Ed Volleyball Tournament

Date: June 6

Time: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Whitby Free Methodist Church

Registration: https://www.vivavolleyball.ca/tournaments

“This is such an amazing initiative,” says King. “The community is really coming together to support us. The cost for the whole team is upwards of $60,000 so I hope we can build strong excitement and attendance at these events.”

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Two People Face Graffiti Charges After Spray Painting a Building, Streetlights and Electrical Boxes

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Two Peterborough residents are facing charges after several reports of graffiti being spray-painted on a building, streetlight poles and electrical boxes on Friday evening.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

At roughly 10 p.m., officers were called to the Safe Consumption Site regarding a man and a woman spray-painting on the building. Officers located two people matching the description given to police and took them into custody.  During a search after arrest, officers seized four cans of spray paint and a knife. While investigating this incident, officers were made aware of a reported incident involving people of the same description who were spray-painting street light poles and electrical boxes in the Sherbrooke Street and Bethune Street area.

A 35-year-old Peterborough man was arrested and charged with:

  • Carrying concealed weapon

  • Mischief Over $5,000

  • Mischief Under $ 5,000

A 32-year-old Peterborough woman was arrested and charged with:

  • Mischief Over $5,000

  • Mischief Under $ 5,000

Both accused were held in custody and appeared in Weekend and Statutory Holiday court on Saturday.

At this time, Police state that there is nothing to indicate these incidents are connected to the graffiti written on a fence in the west end of Peterborough on March 20.

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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Kieran Walton Plays Overtime Hero Twice to Give Peterborough Petes 2-1 Series Lead Over North Bay

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Kieran Walton played overtime hero not once but twice, winning Games 2 and 3 for the Peterborough Petes to take a 2-1 series lead over the North Bay Battalion.

The Petes ended the regular season with a 40-24-1-3 record for third place in the East Division. Photo courtesy of Tom Martineau and the North Bay Battalion.

On Friday, the Peterborough Petes hosted Game 2 after being down one game in the best-of-seven series.

Walton scored on the backhand after receiving a centring pass just under 14 minutes into overtime to give Peterborough a 4-3 win and tie the series at 1-1.

Brennan Faulkner, Braydon McCallum and Walton each had a goal and an assist, Adam Levac had two helpers. Francis Parish scored while Calum Hartnell, Aiden Young and Grayden Strohack each tacked on an assist. Easton Rye stopped 40 of 43 shots for his first career playoff win.

The Peterborough Petes travelled to the Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens in North Bay for Game three with the series evened on Sunday afternoon.

Peterborough scored in the first 12 seconds of regulation for an early 1-0 lead thanks to Levac. He shot it from the high slot which was saved but he chopped at his own rebound and found the back of the net for a 1-0 game.

The visitors had a late power play in the second period but a Pete blew a tire which allowed the Battalion to counter on the rush. They had an outnumbered attack despite being a man short and scored to make it 1-1.

In the dying seconds of the third period, Walton had the chance to win it in regulation but was denied. Unable to reach a decision, the game went to overtime.

No one had scored for the first 15:39 of the extra frame but North Bay goaltender Mike McIvor had a costly match penalty for roughing that gave the Petes a five-minute power play.

Walton capitalized on his second chance, scoring uncontested on a one-timer from the faceoff circle and gave the Petes a 2-1 win and 2-1 series lead.

Walton had a two-point afternoon with a goal and an assist, Levac scored and both Garrett Frazer and Adam Novotný got an assist. Rye made a few highlight-reel saves, stopping 47 of 48 shots for his second-career OHL playoff win.

The series continues with game four back at the Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens on Tuesday with puck drop for 7:05 p.m.

@ptbo_canada Kieran Walton played overtime hero not once but twice as he won Games two and three for the @Peterborough Petes to take a 2-1 series lead over the North Bay Battalion. #ptbocanada #journalism #fyp #news #sports ♬ Winning - ROKKA

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Porter Martone Signs Three-Year Entry Level Contract With Philadelphia Flyers

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Peterborough’s Porter Martone is one step closer to playing in the NHL as he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday.

Photo byJordan Cooper.

He was drafted to the Flyers, sixth overall, in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft last June.

Martone is the first player from Philadelphia’s 2025 draft class to ink an entry-level deal. He is the fifth prospect to sign with the Flyers in the last month, which includes Noah Powell, Cole Knuble, Alex Ciernik and Riley Thompson. 

He committed to Michigan State University and the Spartans a month after being drafted. The team plays out of Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing, Mi.

In the 2025-26 season, Martone completed his first season of collegiate hockey with Michigan State University and had 25 goals and assists in 35 games. He scored once and racked up two assists through two games at the 2026 NCAA Tournament. He led his team in both goals and points as a freshman throughout the season. Martone was the only freshman selected to the All-Big Ten First Team. He also took home Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors.

He spent most of his OHL career with the Mississauga/Brampton Steelheads and had a brief stint with the Sarnia Sting.

Martone also captained Team Canada to a gold medal at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship in Finland.

The Peterborough forward was a member of the Petes U15 AAA team, scoring six goals and 15 assists in 36 games.

Porter is the son of his father and former NHL player Mike Martone. The latter was known for scoring the game-winning overtime goal in the 1996 OHL Championship against the Guelph Storm.

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Heming Landscape Equipment Recognized As Authorized John Deere Dealer For 50 Years

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Heming Landscape Equipment hit the 50-year milestone as an authorized John Deere dealer and was formally recognized with the distinction at their store on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The business was founded in 1952 by Frank and Betty Heming, under the ownership of Scott and Donna Heming. The business and became a John Deere dealer in 1976.

“It was an opportunity we couldn't pass up,” explained Drew Heming of Heming Landscape Equipment. “It's a good quality product with a well-established name and you don't let an opportunity like that pass you by. I’m very proud to be a John Deere dealer.”

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Heming Landscape Equipment has been one of the longest-running lawn and garden equipment dealers in the Peterborough area, spanning three generations as a family-owned business. Drew has been part of the Heming for the past 20 years.

“My grandparents were farmers from Guelph, moved to Peterborough and started to get into the automated farming industry and electronic milking equipment,” said Drew. “Then they realized that farmers needed equipment, so they started to sell lawnmowers, chainsaws, garden tractors, tillers, everything that farmers might need.”

The business sells John Deere lawnmowers and snowplows.

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Peterborough Petes Hit Fundraising Total of $43,486 For 17th Annual Pink In the Rink Campaign

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The Peterborough Petes raised $43,486 during their 17th Annual Pink in the Rink Campaign in support of the Survivors Abreast Peterborough Dragon Boat Team. 

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

“The Peterborough Petes organization is thrilled to announce that the 17th Annual Pink in the Rink Campaign has raised a total of $43,486 in support of Survivors Abreast,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “We are incredibly grateful to our fans, partners, community members, staff, volunteers, and Survivors Abreast whose generosity and support made the 17th Annual Pink in the Rink Campaign a success. Initiatives like Pink in the Rink continue to demonstrate the power of our community coming together to support an important cause.”

This year, Pink in the Rink featured a month-long fundraising campaign that included customized Pink in the Rink merch and jersey replica sales, ticket sales through Survivors Abreast and the sale of names for a special Pink in the Rink rinkboard. Multiple other fundraising activities took place on game night, including a silent auction, an on-ice game-worn jersey auction, a pass the bucket and Pizza Hut Chuck-A-Pep.

The net proceeds from the Pink in the Rink Campaign will support Survivors Abreast, a group of breast cancer survivors from the Peterborough area in various stages of treatment and recovery. Known for hosting Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival, which so far has raised over $4.9 million dollars towards cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment at Peterborough Regional Health Centre, their mission is to improve fitness and develop paddling skills required for dragon boating, and to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer care in the Peterborough Community.

“We are beyond grateful that the Petes chose to support our organization this year,” said Janice James, Survivors Abreast President. "These funds will go a long way in supporting our mission.  Recovery after a cancer diagnosis doesn’t just end with surgeries and treatments. Survivorship is a journey of its own and Survivors Abreast plays a huge role in this.”

The Petes are right back at game two against North Bay this Friday at the PMC with puck drop for 7:05 p.m.

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City of Peterborough To Host Candidate 101 Information Session For Those Interested in Running For Municipal Council

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Members of the community interested in running for Municipal Council or learning more about local government are invited to attend an information session outlining the roles and responsibilities of council members on March 31. 

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

The information session is designed for anyone thinking about running for Council, as well as their spouses or partners, and anyone interested in learning more about the roles and responsibilities of municipal council members. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions, meet others and learn about the expectations and realities of public office. 

The event will be led by Nigel Bellchamber, an experienced municipal governance trainer who has worked with elected officials and senior staff across Ontario since 2002. Bellchamber provides practical guidance on governance and leadership in municipal government. 

The Candidate 101 Information Session will be held at 7 p.m. at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St.)

The 2026 municipal election will be held on October 26.

Reserve your spot by registering online. 

The nomination period when papers may be submitted to become a candidate runs from May 1 until August 21 at 2 p.m., in accordance with provincial legislation. Additional information about eligibility requirements, nomination forms and key election dates is available online. 

If you are a resident, owner or tenant of property in the City of Peterborough, a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years of age, you are eligible to vote. 

Students living in Peterborough while attending school can vote in the Peterborough municipal election as well as in their home municipality. 

If you are experiencing homelessness, or do not have a permanent home or a fixed address, you can still vote. 

To ensure you are on the voters list, visit the website.

Visit the interactive What's My Ward map to determine which ward you reside in. 

The information session is hosted by the City of Peterborough and townships in Peterborough County, including the Township of Asphodel-Norwood, Township of Cavan Monaghan, Township of Douro-Dummer, Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen, Township of North Kawartha, Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan, Township of Selwyn and the Municipality of Trent Lakes.

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Peterborough Petes Drop Game One to North Bay Battalion In Goaltenders Duel

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Goaltenders Easton Rye and Jack Lisson put on a clinic between the pipes but it was the North Bay Battalion who won the battle with a 1-0 victory over the Petes to take game one at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) on Thursday night.

The Petes ended the regular season with a 40-24-1-3 record for third place in the East Division. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

Rye was tested early in the first period, just 1:38 in, as the Battalion were attacking off the rush, put a shot right at Rye’s right pad with a juicy rebound that wound up on North Bay forward Cam Warren’s stick. He one-timed it right at the net but Rye made the sliding save to keep it scoreless.

Both teams were evenly matched in the first period as Rye and Lisson stopped nine shots apiece and it was scoreless after one.

It took until the final five minutes of the second period to see the game’s first score, and it was courtesy of Lirim Amidovski of the Battalion in strange fashion. Amidovski took a point shot that found its way through traffic and hit the crossbar. However, it ricocheted off Rye’s back and trickled into the net for a 1-0 game. Lisson stopped all 14 shots this period while Rye stopped 12 of 14.

The third period provided few opportunities as both teams totalled 11 shots on net. Rye did his job, stopping the seven shots that went his way but the Petes had to pull the goalie with 42.9 seconds remaining. Peterborough could not find the equalizer, and North Bay escaped game one with a 1-0 win.

Lisson was named the first star of the game, stopping all 26 shots. Rye was the second star, stopping 29 of 30 and Amidovski claimed the third star with the game-winning goal.

@ptbo_canada Goaltenders Easton Rye and Jack Lisson put on a clinic between the pipes but it was the North Bay Battalion who won the battle with a 1-0 victory over the @Peterborough Petes to take game one. #ptbocanada #journalism #fyp #news #sports ♬ Winning - ROKKA

The Petes are right back at game two against North Bay this Friday at the PMC with puck drop for 7:05 p.m.

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Go Bus Driver Charged With Careless Driving After Collision

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A GO Bus driver was charged under the Highway Traffic Act for Careless Driving after a collision with a vehicle that occurred on Thursday night.

File Photo.

The collision happened around 9:55 p.m. at the intersection of High Street and Lansdowne Street.

There were about 20 passengers on the bus and a driver in the second vehicle. 

No injuries were reported.

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