George Street Set to Become a Runway for Downtown Peterborough’s Final Sidewalk Sale

By Scott Arnold

The final Second Saturday Sidewalk Sale of the season is bringing local shopping, live music and a brand new fashion show to downtown Peterborough this Saturday, September 12th.

Fleming College is welcoming its first cohort of entrance scholarship recipients as students begin the Fall 2026 semester. (photo courtesy of Fleming college)

If you’ve been looking for an excuse to spend part of Saturday downtown, this is a pretty good one.

The Downtown Peterborough Business Improvement Area is wrapping up its season of Second Saturday Sidewalk Sales on September 12th, with businesses taking things outside and a full day of shopping, food, music and activities planned throughout the downtown.

But this time around, there’s something new to look forward to.

At 12:30pm, George Street will become a runway for the first-ever George Street Fashion Show, featuring local businesses and local models.

“It’s just a way, it’s a different way to showcase what businesses have to offer without you walking in and browsing, sort of just seeing it live on a model and piecing it together,” DBIA Executive Director Nour Mazloum said.

Participating businesses currently include Wild Rock, Knook & Cranny Vintage, Statement House, Cahills, Hi Ho Silver and T-Elle Boutique, with more expected to be added.

The idea is simple: instead of seeing what local shops have to offer one store at a time, shoppers will get to see it all come together on the street.

And it’s not just the clothing and accessories that are local.

“The models are local,” Mazloum said.

The fashion show is just one part of what will be happening downtown, with the Sidewalk Sale getting underway at 10am.

Businesses will have specials and sales, while food, patios, pop-ups, vendors and artisan markets will add to the atmosphere. There will also be face painting and a photo booth for families to enjoy.

Over on Charlotte Street, the local band Pressure Point will provide the soundtrack for the day.

The young group of friends, who came together while in school, reached out to the DBIA themselves after enjoying the previous sidewalk sales.

“They reached out saying, hey, we love your sidewalk sales. Can we play some music for three hours on Saturday?” Mazloum said.

The answer was an easy yes.

Charlotte Street will be closed between George Street and Aylmer Street to create more room for pedestrians, while George Street will also be closed from Hunter Street to Simcoe Street.

That means more room to walk, browse and take in everything happening around downtown without worrying about traffic through the event area.

Parking is also free, with street parking and downtown lots available. Just don’t try to park in the closed-off sections.

The Sidewalk Sale is part of a larger Second Saturday tradition that has been happening downtown for years. According to Mazloum, local businesses originally came together to create Second Saturday, with the DBIA now helping provide the resources needed to expand the event into the streets.

There will also be a Second Saturday market happening at the Bankers Commons and down on Sherbrooke Street there will be a pop-up with local artisans out front of Avant-Garden.

Come for the shopping. Stay for the food. Check out the local vendors, catch some music, let the kids get their faces painted and, at 12:30pm, see what downtown Peterborough looks like when George Street turns into a runway.

“Just come on down, you know, bring your family, bring your friends, and be ready to have lots of fun,” Mazloum said.

The final Second Saturday Sidewalk Sale of the season takes place this Saturday, September 12th, beginning at 10am. The George Street Fashion Show begins at 12:30pm.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Two More NHL Alumni Join Peterborough’s Battle of Ontario Rivalry Night

By Scott Arnold

Two more familiar names from the Battle of Ontario era are coming to Peterborough, with Nik Antropov and Chris Phillips joining the alumni lineup for Rivalry Night on November 6th.

fan favourites Nik Antropov and Chris Phillips will join the Leafs and Senators Alumni teams respectively for The Battle of Ontario on November 6th at the peterborough memorial centre (photo courtesy of the greater peterborough health services foundation)

Antropov will join the Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni team, while Phillips will suit up with the Ottawa Senators Alumni team at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

The pair join previously announced alumni Darcy Tucker and Chris Neil, giving fans four former NHL players who were key parts of the Toronto-Ottawa rivalry of the early 2000s.

Antropov was selected 10th overall by the Maple Leafs in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft and spent 10 seasons in the Leafs organization. The 6-foot-6 forward was a familiar presence on Toronto’s top lines during the rivalry’s peak.

Phillips was selected first overall by Ottawa in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft and spent his entire NHL career with the Senators. The defenceman became a longtime fixture on Ottawa’s blue line and was part of the rivalry’s biggest years.

The Battle of Ontario became a regular playoff matchup in the early 2000s, with Toronto and Ottawa meeting in the postseason four times in five seasons between 2000 and 2005.

The rivalry was revived in the 2024-25 season when the Leafs and Senators met in the first round of the playoffs.

Rivalry Night will also have a local purpose beyond the alumni matchup. The event is a fundraiser supporting concussion education and awareness in youth sport through the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation’s Concussion Fund.

The game takes place November 6th at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. Meet and greet packages are available with the alumni teams, and complete rosters will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets are available through the Peterborough Memorial Centre website.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Little Lake Cemetery Tour Will Spotlight Peterborough Women

By Scott Arnold

A walking tour at Little Lake Cemetery will uncover the stories of women whose contributions to Peterborough history deserve a closer look.

Fleming College is welcoming its first cohort of entrance scholarship recipients as students begin the Fall 2026 semester. (photo courtesy of Fleming college)

Trent Valley Archives is hosting its “Ladies of the Lake” walking tour on September 20th, led by guide Maddie More.

The tour will feature women from the 19th and 20th centuries who are buried at Little Lake Cemetery, including Katherine A. Dennistoun, who was instrumental in the founding of the Peterborough Golf and Country Club course, Charlotte Nicholls, Peterborough’s first female philanthropist, and the Honourable Iva Campbell Fallis, Canada’s second female Senator.

The tour will also share stories of women whose lives were less publicly recognized, including their experiences as mothers, wives, workers and neighbours.

The walk begins at the Little Lake Chapel at 2pm and will take place rain or shine. Some hilly terrain is involved, so comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended.

Tickets are $20 per person, with registration and payment required in advance. Tickets are available through Trent Valley Archives or by calling 705-745-4404 or emailing admin@trentvalleyarchives.com.

Participants are asked to arrive 5 to 10 minutes before the tour with a printed ticket or screenshot of their ticket.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Fleming College Awards $120,000 in Entrance Scholarships to 54 Students

By Scott Arnold

Fifty-four students starting their Fleming College journey this fall are receiving a combined $120,000 in entrance scholarship support.

Fleming College is welcoming its first cohort of entrance scholarship recipients as students begin the Fall 2026 semester. (photo courtesy of Fleming college)

The scholarships mark the first year of Fleming’s new Entrance Scholarships program, which awarded $100,000 to 50 incoming students.

Each student received $2,000, with scholarships awarded across five categories: mature learners, skilled trades students, applied health students, students entering the new Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography program and Fleming alumni returning to college.

The remaining $20,000 is being provided to four students entering environmental science programs at Fleming’s Frost Campus through scholarships established by The Pick Family Foundation in honour of the late business leader and philanthropist Tom Pick. Each student will receive $5,000.

The scholarships are being awarded to students entering programs across Fleming’s Schools of Health and Community Services, Trades and Technology, and Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences.

Recipients were selected based on academic achievement and the eligibility requirements established for each award.

Fleming announced its first-ever entrance scholarship program in April, with the goal of providing additional financial support to incoming students. The 50 Fleming scholarships were made possible through the Fleming Forward Fund.

For Fleming student Zahid Hasan, who is entering the new Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography program, the support is already making a difference.

“Receiving this scholarship means a lot to me and will provide valuable support as I begin my studies,” said Hasan. “I appreciate Fleming College’s commitment to supporting students and investing in those pursuing important and in-demand fields. I am excited to join the Fleming community and look forward to starting this academic journey.”

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Close to 10,000 Peterborough Residents Connected to Primary Care as Local Waitlist Milestone Reached

By Scott Arnold

A coordinated effort across Peterborough City and County has cleared the provincial Health Care Connect waitlist for 9,473 local residents who had been waiting for primary care since before January 1st, 2025.

Peterborough Ontario Health Team (POHT), in partnership with local primary care professionals and health system partners, has reached an important milestone in improving access to primary care across Peterborough City and County (photo by scott arnold)

The milestone was announced Wednesday by the Peterborough Ontario Health Team, which worked with local family doctors, nurse practitioners, primary care organizations and other health care providers to connect residents with ongoing care.

The work involved the Peterborough Family Health Team, Peterborough Community Health Centre, Peterborough 360 Degree Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic, Victorian Order of Nurses Nurse Practitioner Clinic in Keene, community family doctors, nurse practitioners, interprofessional health care providers and Health Care Connect Care Connectors.

Some residents had been waiting more than four years for a family doctor or nurse practitioner.

“Connecting thousands of residents to primary care across Peterborough City and County is a monumental achievement for our region,” said Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith.

The local progress is part of Ontario’s broader Primary Care Action Plan, which aims to connect every resident in the province with a family doctor, nurse practitioner or primary care team by 2029.

While the priority waitlist has now been cleared, the need for primary care has not disappeared.

Peterborough City and County residents who still do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner are encouraged to continue registering with Health Care Connect. Registration is available online through the provincial program or by calling 8-1-1.

Locally, residents without a family doctor or nurse practitioner can also access the Peterborough Family Health Team’s Connect Clinic. Intake appointments can be booked online or by calling 705-651-4866.

The Peterborough Ontario Health Team says the milestone represents a significant step toward making ongoing primary care more accessible closer to home.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Countdown to the Peterborough Petes Home Opener: Adam Levac’s Birthday to Remember

By Scott Arnold

For Adam Levac, turning 18 came with a birthday celebration he won’t soon forget, as the Peterborough Petes forward watched one of the biggest moments of his young hockey career unfold surrounded by his family.

Adam Novotný was back in Peterborough briefly after a busy summer that has seen him selected 24th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2026 NHL Draft. (photo by scott arnold)

The Peterborough Petes centre was celebrating with his family at a cottage on June 27th when the Detroit Red Wings selected him 108th overall in the fourth round of the 2026 NHL Draft.

It was the latest milestone in a breakout second season with the Petes, where Levac went from 10 points as a rookie to 44 points in 60 games, scoring 16 goals and adding 28 assists.

After a summer that included plenty of training and skating, Levac is heading into his third OHL season with a different role on the Petes.

With several younger players joining the team, he is now one of the veterans who can help show them the way.

“I just got to lead by example, welcome all the new guys and be a good teammate and a good leader for this team.”

On the ice, Levac has his own areas he wants to continue working on, including getting more shots on net and playing with confidence.

“I think just shooting the puck a bit more, playing hard now, it’s going to be my third year in the league. So just keep improving, keep playing with confidence and yeah, it should be a good year.”

And while Levac knows there is still plenty of work to do, there is a genuine belief inside the Petes dressing room that this group can make some noise this season.

“Yeah, it’s very exciting. I think we all feel it. We feel in the dressing room with the group of guys we have, coaching staff we have and the management. I think we have a good chance this year.”

Levac’s third season will bring a bigger role, a new group of teammates and a little extra attention after hearing his name called by the Red Wings on his birthday.

The Petes will open their season at home against the Kingston Frontenacs on Thursday, September 17th, at 7pm at the Memorial Centre.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Porter Martone Pulls Back Curtain on His Peterborough Training Routine Ahead of Rookie NHL Season With Flyers

By Scott Arnold

Peterborough native Porter Martone was putting in the work at home this summer as he prepares for his first full NHL season with the Philadelphia Flyers.

peterborough native porter martone showed off his summer workout routine in a new tiktok video, which included several familiar local spots around the city (screenshot from video)

The 6th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft recently gave fans a look at what his summer training routine looks like in a TikTok video he created that was shared by the NHL.

And for Martone, getting ready for the NHL means getting plenty of work in right here at home.

His routine includes running the stairs at the Peterborough Lift Lock, workouts at Hybrid Fitness, and plenty of time on the ice at the Miskin Law Community Complex.

Martone also gets some help from a familiar face. His father, former Peterborough Petes captain Mike Martone, joins him on the ice to run drills and work with his son.

The younger Martone has already had a taste of NHL hockey. After his freshman season at Michigan State, he joined the Flyers for the final nine regular-season games and recorded four goals and six points before adding two goals and three assists in 10 playoff games.

Now, with his rookie NHL season on the horizon, he was back in Peterborough putting in the work.

And judging by the video, he made the most of being home while he could, with golf, boating, fishing and time with family and friends filling out the rest of his summer.

@portermartone94

Training camp 🔜

♬ original sound - Porter Martone

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Thinking About Riding an E-Scooter in Peterborough? There’s Only One Place You Can

By Scott Arnold

E-scooters may be becoming more common, but they are not currently permitted on Peterborough’s roads, sidewalks, trails or other public spaces.

Residents are reminded that electric kick-scooters, commonly known as e-scooters, are not permitted to be operated on roads, sidewalks, trails, paths, walkways or in public parks in the City of Peterborough.

The City of Peterborough is reminding residents that electric kick-scooters cannot be operated on public roads, sidewalks, trails, paths, walkways or in public parks.

The rules come from Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act. Municipalities can choose to allow e-scooters through the province’s pilot program, but Peterborough has not opted into the program and has not passed a by-law permitting them.

For now, e-scooters can only be used on private property with the permission of the property owner.

Anyone operating an e-scooter in a prohibited location could face a fine or a court summons.

The provincial e-scooter pilot program has been extended until November 27th, 2029, giving municipalities the option to consider whether e-scooters should be permitted in their communities.

For more information about Ontario’s e-scooter rules, residents can visit the province’s e-scooter information page.

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Peterborough Police Issue 30 Tickets During First Day Back-to-School Traffic Detail

By Scott Arnold

Peterborough police issued 30 Provincial Offence Notices on the first day of school as officers monitored traffic around school zones in Peterborough, Lakefield and Cavan-Monaghan Township.

Officers were out at the beginning of the school day and again after school in Peterborough, Lakefield, and Cavan-Monaghan Township. (photo by scott arnold)

Officers were out during the morning drop-off and again after school on Tuesday, keeping an eye on motorists and students as the new school year got underway.

Of the 30 tickets issued, approximately 27 were for speeding in community safety zones. Other tickets included offences such as using a cell phone while driving and disobeying signs.

Police also issued seven Part III summonses, including two for operating a motor vehicle without insurance, along with other equipment-related charges. Fourteen warnings were also given to motorists for a variety of offences.

Police say officers will continue to be present in school zones throughout the week.

Motorists are reminded to slow down, pay attention and be aware of students and crossing guards.

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A Familiar Face Joining the FireWolves Broadcast Team for Upcoming NLL Season

By Scott Arnold

Katrina Squazzin is adding to her broadcasting resume once again, but this time she’ll be doing it from the sidelines in Oshawa.

former chex newswatch reporter katrina squazzin will join the oshawa firewolves broadcast crew this season as a sideline reporter, working alongside dan malta and scott arnold (photo courtesy of the oshawa firewolves)

The former Chex Newswatch reporter has been named the sideline reporter for the Oshawa FireWolves’ home broadcasts for the 2026-2027 National Lacrosse League season, putting her back in a familiar environment covering the sport while also bringing a distinctly Peterborough connection to the FireWolves broadcast team.

Squazzin spent several years working in Peterborough with Global News, where she covered both the Peterborough Petes and Peterborough Lakers. She also spent a season in the Petes broadcast booth as the colour commentator on Freq 90.5 broadcasts.

Since leaving Peterborough, Squazzin spent three years with Sportsnet as an associate producer, host and reporter, including hosting Sportsnet Central, the network’s flagship highlight show.

Now, she’s joining the FireWolves’ lacrosse broadcast team, who are heading into their second season at Oshawa’s Tribute Communities Centre after relocating from Albany.

And she won’t exactly be walking into an unfamiliar broadcast booth.

Squazzin will be working alongside play-by-play announcer Dan Malta and colour commentator Scott Arnold, bringing together three broadcasters whose paths have crossed many times through Peterborough sports. Malta spent years working as a producer and host with YourTV Peterborough and has also been part of Peterborough Petes and Lakers broadcasts, while Arnold works with PTBOCanada and is the colour commentator for Petes and Lakers broadcasts on YourTV.

katrina squazzin and her husband, dan malta, on the memorial centre ice after the peterborough petes won the ohl championship in 2023. the duo will be part of the oshawa firewolves broadcasting trio for the upcoming nll season. (photo by scott arnold)

Malta and Squazzin also happen to be married, adding another unique layer to their shared broadcasting history.

“This opportunity is even more special because I get to work alongside my husband, Dan Malta, and my good friend, Scott Arnold,” said Squazzin. “Both have done an outstanding job on the FireWolves’ broadcast, and I’m thrilled to join them.”

The FireWolves’ second season in Oshawa will give Squazzin a chance to tell those stories from a different perspective, while reconnecting with a sport and a community she knows well.

“I’m incredibly excited and honoured to join the Oshawa FireWolves broadcast team,” she said. “I followed the team’s inaugural season in Oshawa and was fortunate enough to attend a couple of games, witnessing firsthand the passion and pride this fanbase has for its team. I’m looking forward to sharing the stories of the players and organization throughout the season.”

And for those who have followed Peterborough sports broadcasting over the years, the FireWolves’ home broadcasts will feature a trio with local connections.

The only difference is the address on the broadcast truck.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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