📰 WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE KAWARTHAS & HIGHLANDS! 📰

 

Mayoral Candidates Debate

At a debate hosted by Activity Haven Recreation Centre in Peterborough, all seven candidates for mayor—Keith Riel, Neil Morton, Jacob Méthot, Michael Eamon, Rebecca Schillemat, Brian Lumsden, and Rob Hailman—discussed hot-button municipal issues including homelessness, downtown revitalization, property taxes, and regional employment. Key proposals ranged from Morton advocating to shift local homelessness funding burdens to federal and provincial governments, Lumsden committing to freeze property taxes through spending cuts, Riel pushing General Electric to remediate its 43-acre contaminated site, and Méthot rejecting strong-mayor powers.  

AI Data Centre Framework Proposal

Peterborough City Councillor Joy Lachica has introduced a motion for an interim control bylaw that would impose a one-year freeze on approving AI data centres in the city to give staff time to evaluate their environmental, power, and water impacts. Lachica warned that these facilities consume up to 1,000 times more energy than standard data infrastructure, risking higher local energy costs and increased fossil fuel emissions. The proposal follows similar moratoriums or regulatory reviews initiated by other Ontario municipalities like Oakville and Mississauga.  

Father Charged in Disappearance and Murder of Son

Kawartha Lakes OPP have arrested 81-year-old Bazil Walker of Peterborough and charged him with second-degree murder and indignity to a dead body in connection with the disappearance of his 57-year-old son, Michael Walker. Michael was last seen in November 2023 in the Kinmount and Minden area, prompting a multi-year investigation and rural land searches by OPP units and volunteer group Please Bring Me Home.  

Local Culinary Feature: Pies By Zach in Millbrook

Former corrections officer Zach Washburn has successfully expanded his home-based and food truck pizza operations into a brick-and-mortar shop, Pies By Zach, located on King Street in Millbrook. Washburn utilizes seasonal regional produce and handcrafted dough, offering local diners specialty pizzas that are often enjoyed nearby at Needler's Mill Pond Park.  

Downtown Business Reopening: The Vine

The Vine restaurant on Sherbrooke Street in downtown Peterborough reopened after a five-month closure caused by health complications suffered by co-owner and sole kitchen worker Tyrone Flowers. Supported by his wife Lauren Mortlock and newly hired kitchen staff, Flowers resumed operations with modified reservation-only weekday lunch hours and plans to reintroduce Saturday service.  

Nature and Wildlife: Heron and Cormorants in Kawartha Lakes

Local wildlife photographer Dave Ellis documented a great blue heron capturing and swallowing a two-foot catfish along a regional Kawartha Lakes waterway, successfully outmaneuvering a gathering flock of double-crested cormorants. Ellis noted that the large concentration of cormorants indicates early grouping for their annual fall migration.  

Economic Development: Starter Company Plus 2026 Cohort

Community Futures Peterborough announced the 23 local entrepreneurs selected for the 2026 Starter Company Plus cohort out of nearly 90 regional applicants. Funded by the Ontario government, the initiative provides mentorship, training workshops, and potential $5,000 grants to small business owners across the City of Peterborough, Peterborough County (including Selwyn, Cavan Monaghan, Otonabee-South Monaghan, Asphodel-Norwood, Douro-Dummer, and Trent Lakes), and Curve Lake First Nation.  

Local Business Celebration: Euphoria Wellness Spa 20th Anniversary

Euphoria Wellness Spa in downtown Peterborough launched a 20-day downtown scavenger hunt featuring $1,500 in hidden prizes to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The campaign leads up to a main anniversary event on October 7, offering product discounts, physician demonstrations, and a rooftop reception.  

Community Event: Candidate Karaoke

Thirteen non-incumbent municipal candidates running in Peterborough's upcoming election participated in a "Candidate Karaoke" event at Shoeless Joe's to introduce their platforms and connect with voters. Organizers and judges awarded fun recognition prizes to participants, including Town Ward candidate Jessica Kuhlmorgen-Hille and Northcrest Ward candidate Charmaine Magumbe.  

Community Health: Canadian Blood Services Opens New Donor Centre

Canadian Blood Services officially opened its new, modernized donor centre at Lansdowne Place Mall in Peterborough, relocating from its previous site at George and Perry streets. The upgraded facility features six donation beds split between whole blood and plasma, built to expand local donor capacity and raise awareness through patient stories like local pediatric cancer survivor Ezra Gulliver.  

Regional Transit: VIA Rail Cancels Early-Morning Commuter Service

VIA Rail announced the cancellation of Train 641 effective October 25, eliminating early-morning weekday commuter rail stops in Cobourg and Port Hope bound for Toronto. Local representatives and commuters expressed disappointment over the service cut, which was originally reinstated in 2024 following public advocacy.  

Summaries of Local Sports

OHL Hockey: Peterborough Petes Home Opener

The Peterborough Petes opened their 70th OHL season with a 6-3 loss to the Kingston Frontenacs at the Peterborough Memorial Centre despite outshooting Kingston 47-25. Petes rookie Landon Roulston scored his first career OHL goal, while Adam Levac and Leon Kolarik added second-half markers, but Kingston capitalized on defensive breakdowns and strong goaltending from third-string netminder Royden Smith.  

OHL Western Conference Season Preview

An OHL preview highlights the Guelph Storm as heavy contenders as they prepare to host the 2027 Memorial Cup, alongside strong competition expected from the London Knights and Saginaw Spirit. Meanwhile, defending champions the Kitchener Rangers and several division rivals are expected to undergo roster rebuilds following significant player graduations.  

National Pickleball Championships: Peterborough Athletes Win 43 Medals

Twenty-seven athletes representing the Peterborough Pickleball Association earned 43 total medals (20 gold, 16 silver, and 7 bronze) at the 2026 IG Wealth Management National Pickleball Championships in Toronto. Peterborough players Cole Lester and Marie Aubie were selected to represent Team Ontario, helping the provincial squad capture silver in the team competition.