Douro-Dummer Man Charged With Uttering Threats While Leaving Residence

An 18-year-old Douro-Dummer Township man is facing several charges, including uttering threats and possessing a knife, after an incident early Saturday morning.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

Around 1 a.m., two men entered a residence after being let in; several of the women became uncomfortable and asked them to leave. While leaving, one of the men verbally threatened two other males in the home, as well as verbally threatening to damage property. The man then left the house with a large knife. No one was injured in the incident.

The man turned himself in to police on Sunday and was charged with:

• Uttering Threats - Cause death or Bodily Harm x2

• Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose

• Uttering Threats - Damage Property

The accused was released on an undertaking with conditions and is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 15.

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Nominations Open for 2026 YMCA Peace Medal in Peterborough Region

By Scott Arnold

Know someone who quietly makes Peterborough a more welcoming and inclusive place? The YMCA is looking for nominations for its 2026 Peace Medal.

The YMCA Peace Medal recognizes individuals making a difference by promoting inclusion, understanding, belonging and positive change in their communities. (photo courtesy of the YMCA of Central East Ontario, Balsillie Family Branch)

The YMCA of Central East Ontario is looking for people in the Peterborough region who are making a difference in their community, often without seeking recognition for it themselves.

Nominations are now open for the 2026 YMCA Peace Medal, which recognizes individuals who demonstrate a meaningful commitment to building peace through actions that promote inclusion, understanding, belonging and positive social change.

The YMCA is encouraging community members, organizations and local leaders to nominate someone who helps break down barriers, creates opportunities for others or works to build a more connected community.

“Building stronger communities often requires significant personal sacrifice. Across our communities, there are many individuals who dedicate themselves to breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for others,” says Cindy Mytruk, Manager of Partnerships, Inclusion and Engagement. “The YMCA Peace Medal is an opportunity to recognize the impact these individuals have on the lives of those around them and to help amplify the important work and messages they bring forward.”

Nominations must be submitted by Sunday, October 18th at 11pm.

Nominations can be made through the YMCA of Central East Ontario’s online Peace Medal nomination form, available through ymcaofceo.ca. Paper nomination forms and verbal nominations by phone are also available upon request by contacting the YMCA.

The selected recipient will be honoured at a recognition ceremony in November, with the YMCA working with the recipient to determine the date, time and location.

The YMCA Peace Medal is awarded annually across Canada to individuals who, without special resources, status or authority, demonstrate a commitment to peacebuilding and strengthening their communities.

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

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Public Figures Send Condolences to Belleville Synagogue Shooting

Peterborough public figures have sent their condolences over the events of the Sons of Jacob Congregation shooting that occurred in Belleville on Sunday evening.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The shooting resulted in a Belleville police officer and one suspect being transported to Kingston General Hospital at approximately 7:10 p.m., according to the Belleville Police Service. Congregants were observing Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, when the incident occurred.

The Belleville Police Service stated that they have notified the province’s Special Investigations Unit of the incident.

Stuart Betts, Peterborough Police Chief contacted Murray Rodd, Belleville Police Chief and extended his condolences on the incident.

“I have had a conversation with the Chief in Belleville to offer our support and of course relay our best wishes to their injured officer,” he said. “I have also had conversations with the President of the Beth Israel Synagogue in our City to discuss the situation and local impacts. As a Service we are being vigilant and there will be heightened police presence at the synagogue here in Peterborough throughout the day.”

Mayor Jeff Leal has issued the following statement regarding the incident:

“On behalf of the City of Peterborough, I want to express my deep sadness and concern following the shooting at the Sons of Jacob Congregation in Belleville last night. 

My thoughts are with the Jewish community in Belleville, here in Peterborough, and across Canada.  

It is especially disturbing that this violence occurred at a synagogue as members of the Jewish community gathered to observe Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. 

Everyone deserves to gather, to worship, and to practice their faith in safety and without fear. Antisemitism, hate and violence have no place in our communities. 

We know that what happened in nearby Belleville will be deeply felt by Jewish members of our own Peterborough community. At this difficult time, I encourage everyone to show friendship, empathy and kindness to our Jewish friends, family members and neighbours. 

My thoughts are also with the Belleville Police Service officer who was injured in the shooting, as well as the officer’s family and loved ones. We are grateful to the police officers and first responders who acted to protect the community during this frightening incident. 

Peterborough stands with the Jewish community in Belleville and here at home.”

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Trent Excalibur Men’s Lacrosse Team Improves to 3-1 With Win Over Ottawa

By Scott Arnold

The Trent Excalibur men’s lacrosse team picked up another win on Sunday, beating the Ottawa Gee-Gees 8-6 to improve their record to 3-1.

the trent excalibur handed the ottawa gee gees their first loss of the season with an 8-6 win on home field sunday, improving their record to 3-1 in the process (photo courtesy of trent excalibur, via david pickering)

Trent got on the board first and never trailed, taking a 1-0 lead after the opening quarter before adding four more goals in the second to take a 5-2 lead into halftime.

Jaiden Maseko scored twice in the second quarter, while Jordan Dool and Nick Fournier also found the back of the net for the Excalibur.

Ottawa cut into the lead in the third quarter, but Trent answered with goals from Mason Tardiff and Maseko to take a 7-4 advantage into the final 15 minutes.

The Gee-Gees scored twice early in the fourth to make it a one-goal game, but Dallyn Rai scored with 6:45 remaining to give Trent some breathing room and seal the 8-6 victory.

Tardiff led Trent with two goals and two assists, while Maseko finished with two goals and one assist. Fournier added a goal and three assists, with Dool recording a goal and four assists.

Goaltender Geordy Addison played all 60 minutes for Trent, making 16 saves on 22 shots.

The Excalibur return to action on Saturday, September 26th, when they travel to Ottawa to take on the Carleton Ravens.

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

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City of Peterborough Invites Public to Celebrate Nature During the Great Canadian BioBlitz

The City of Peterborough invites residents to celebrate nature's beauty and learn more about local biodiversity during the Great Canadian BioBlitz until Saturday.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

A bioblitz is a fun and educational way to record observations of plants, animals, and fungi that helps scientists better understand local population sizes and biodiversity trends.  

Tahe Great Canadian BioBlitz encourages people of all ages to explore parks and natural spaces and contribute to citizen science.   

“The Great Canadian BioBlitz offers residents a chance to learn about the quality and quantity of habitat available within Peterborough’s urban parks, community gardens, and other naturalized landscapes,” said Jasmine Gibson, the City of Peterborough’s Planning Ecologist. “Every species documented helps map important green spaces that sustain our community’s biodiverse natural heritage system. With the support of enthusiastic community members lending their knowledge and talents during the Great Canadian BioBlitz can help improve the City’s natural heritage map.” 

Residents are encouraged to visit a City park to participate in a self-guided bioblitz using the iNaturalist app to record nature observations. A full list of the City’s parks can be found at peterborough.ca/parks.

The Peterborough Field Naturalists are leading two guided walks at Mark S. Burnham Provincial Park to help residents learn more about native mushrooms living in the region. The walk takes place on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Space is limited. Register for the walks at peterboroughnature.org/events. 

A white oak tree has been planted in Beavermead Park to mark the weeklong event and further enhance tree biodiversity.   

Nature sightings can be uploaded directly to the Great Canadian BioBlitz project page in the iNaturalist app.

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From Petes Forward to NHL Referee: Nick Isaacson’s Hockey Journey Takes Another Turn

By Scott Arnold

Former Peterborough Pete Nick Isaacson is heading to the NHL officiating system after just one season as an OHL referee.

Caption 1: Nick Isaacson during his time with the Peterborough Petes, where he played 137 regular season games over parts of four seasons. (photo courtesy of peterborough petes)

For Nick Isaacson, the road to the NHL has taken a few unexpected turns.

The Oakville native first arrived in Peterborough as a fifth-round pick in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection, joining the Petes 86th overall. Over the next four seasons, Isaacson became a regular part of the lineup, appearing in 137 regular season games and recording 15 goals and 28 assists for 43 points.

He also suited up in 13 playoff games during the Petes’ 2017 playoff run, adding a goal and two assists.

After his time in Peterborough and a brief stint with the Mississauga Steelheads to finish his OHL career, Isaacson continued playing at the University of Guelph before moving into the professional ranks. He spent four seasons in the ECHL, with his playing career also including time in the American Hockey League.

Then came another change.

Isaacson returned to the OHL last season, but this time he wasn't wearing a jersey.

He became a referee for the 2025-26 season.

Just one year later, Isaacson is taking another step up the hockey ladder.

The OHL announced on August 25th that Isaacson has been hired by the NHL on a minor-league officiating contract for the 2026-27 season, officially putting him into the league's officiating system.

It's a pretty quick progression for someone who had only just made the transition from player to official.

Former Peterborough Pete Nick Isaacson has made a quick transition from player to official, earning a spot in the NHL officiating system after his first season as an OHL referee. (photo courtesy of the ontario hockey league)

Isaacson and former OHL players Hayden Verbeek and Chris Martenet were also selected for the 2025 CHL/NHL Officials’ Development Camp in St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, during their first season back in the OHL as officials. The camp gave them an opportunity to work with NHL officiating supervisors through classroom sessions, video review and on-ice game assignments.

For Isaacson, the move into officiating adds another chapter to a hockey career that has already included plenty of different experiences.

During his Petes career, he scored his first OHL goal and point on October 2nd, 2016 against the Niagara IceDogs and recorded his first multi-goal game against Kingston in September 2018.

He also attended the Vancouver Canucks' 2017 Development Camp.

Away from the rink, Isaacson has a few interesting skills of his own. He plays guitar, he’s a former competitive snowboarder and can also fly a plane.

Now he'll be adding NHL official to the list.

Isaacson will begin the 2026-27 season in the NHL officiating system, marking the latest step in a hockey career that has taken him from the Petes lineup to the other side of the whistle.

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

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Peterborough's Shawn Evans Officially Inducted Into NLL Hall of Fame

By Scott Arnold

A remarkable professional lacrosse career has earned Peterborough native Shawn Evans a place among the National Lacrosse League's greatest players.

peterborough native shawn evans, who was officially entered the nll hall of fame on saturday, is pictured on stage at the ceremony with his brother scott (left) and league commissioner brett frood (photo via instagram @nll)

After being named to the NLL Hall of Fame Class of 2026 in July, Evans officially received the honour on Saturday night at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls, New York.

The former Laker is now one of the newest members of the National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame, capping a 17-season career that included a championship, two league MVP awards and some of the most impressive offensive numbers in NLL history.

Evans finished his NLL career with 1,358 regular-season points, 879 assists and 479 goals, placing him among the league's all-time leaders in each category.

He also made history during his time with the Calgary Roughnecks, winning league MVP honours in 2013 and 2015. His 130-point season in 2015 set a new NLL single-season record at the time.

The 2007 championship with Rochester remains another highlight of a career that saw Evans play for six different franchises.

the plaque that will forever immortalize peterborough’s shawn evans into national lacrosse league history (photo via instagram @nll)

A Local Connection Beyond Evans

Evans isn't the only member of this year's Hall of Fame class with ties to Peterborough lacrosse.

Mike Accursi, Gavin Prout and Mark Steenhuis also spent time playing for the Peterborough Lakers during their careers.

The three former Lakers join Evans in a class that includes four players, three veterans and one builder from the media category.

The other members of the Class of 2026 are Dan Dawson, Sandy Chapman, Jake Bergey and longtime broadcaster John Gurtler.

Evans is now the third Peterborough native to be inducted into the NLL Hall of Fame, joining Tracey Kelusky and John Grant Jr.

shawn evans was all smiles as he celebrated his national lacrosse league hall of fame induction with several family members who were in attendance at the ceremony on saturday night (photo via instagram @rockhurstwomenslax)

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

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Peterborough's 46th Annual Terry Fox Run Hits Nicholls Oval This Sunday

To honour a Canadian icon, Peterborough’s 46th-annual Terry Fox Run in support of cancer research is being held this Sunday at Nicholls Oval Park.

Photo courtesy of the Terry Fox Foundation.

Participants are encouraged to walk, run, or ride (bicycles, rollerblades, wheelchairs, and more) at their own pace.

Registration begins at 8 a.m., with the event running from 9 a.m. to noon. Participants can run any distance in the park or along the Rotary Trail.

Admission is free; however, organizers ask that every participant fundraise or make a personal donation, as this is not an awareness event but a fundraiser. Those who cannot attend but wish to donate can do so online.

Peterborough’s fundraising goal is $31,900, with $26,121 already raised at the time of publication.

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Peterborough Police Service Utilized New Technology During Province-Wide 9-1-1 Outage

Peterborough Police Service 9-1-1 Communicators continued to assist residents calling 9-1-1 on their cellular devices despite the province-wide outage in the early morning hours of Thursday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

According to the Peterborough Police, the 9-1-1 Communications Team on shift was testing a technology called Rapid SOS, which helps a 9-1-1 Operator by providing computer-generated information such as the caller's phone number and location. The technology allows the information to be transmitted independent of the 9-1-1 lines. 

During Thursday’s outage, the 9-1-1 team was able to receive the phone number of 9-1-1 callers and while Operators were unable to answer the calls due to inoperable phone lines, they were able to immediately call the number back to inquire about the nature of the emergency call and relay information to the appropriate first responder if required. Fortunately, during the outage, only one call was received.

“Although we had no way of knowing the 9-1-1 lines would be unavailable across the province, our work to mitigate against such risk by ensuring ongoing connectivity for emergency calls ensured we were able to respond as our community would expect us to,” said Stuart Betts, Peterborough Police Chief. “It is highly unusual and rare that 9-1-1 lines are unavailable and it was fortunate that the shift of Operators who have been testing this technology happened to be working when it did happen. We are not yet aware of the reason for the outage, but we were impacted between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2026. It should provide some comfort to residents to know that even during an outage, their call will be seen and Operators can still assist.”

The Peterborough Police Service is rolling out this functionality across all 9-1-1 teams.

“Essentially, last night was the ultimate proof of concept, that supports a full deployment of the technology as even one missed 9-1-1 call would be too many,” said Chief Betts.

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Peterborough Man Arrested On Drug Possession and Firearm Charges After Driving Vehicle With Unconfirmed Insurance

A 36-year-old Peterborough man faces drug and firearm possession charges after a traffic stop for unconfirmed insurance on Thursday evening.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough POlice Service.

At roughly 5:30 p.m., Community F.I.R.S.T Unit officers on general patrol in the downtown area observed a vehicle driving near George Street and Townsend Street with unconfirmed insurance.

Officers initiated the traffic stop and when speaking to the occupants, drug paraphernalia was located within the vehicle. The male was placed under arrest and the vehicle was searched.

The man was arrested and charged with:

• Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition

• Possession of a Schedule I substance

• Possession of a Schedule III substance

After further investigation, officers learned that the accused is also currently bound by a weapons and ammunition prohibition order.

The order states the accused is prohibited from possessing any prohibited firearm, restricted firearm, prohibited weapon, prohibited device and prohibited ammunition for life.

The accused was further charged with:

• Possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to a prohibition order

The accused was transported to the Peterborough Police Station and further released on an appearance notice.

The accused is scheduled to attend court on Dec. 8. 

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