🍁 Kawartha & Highlands Local Update: Community News, Sports & Events

Welcome back, neighbours! Here is your latest roundup of what’s happening across Peterborough, the Kawarthas, and surrounding communities.

🏛️ Local & Regional News

• 🗳️ Peterborough Municipal Election & Online Voting:

  Online voting opens October 5, 2026, at 10 a.m. Eligible voters include residents, property owners, post-secondary students, and unhoused individuals. Across 5 wards, 35 certified candidates (including 7 running for mayor) are competing for 11 council seats.

  • Advance In-Person Voting: October 14 at Healthy Planet Arena

  • Accessible Voting: October 19–23 at City Hall

  • Election Day: October 26

• 🐱 Operation Catnip Needs Urgent Space:

  Over the past 15 years, this volunteer-run rescue has spayed, neutered, and vaccinated more than 2,600 feral cats. Due to losing their donated space on October 15, they urgently need a temperature-controlled space (e.g., heated garage, basement, or shed with water) to temporarily house 5–6 cats recovering from surgery. Volunteers handle all feeding, care, and cleaning!

• 🌲 Kawartha Land Trust (KLT) Hammer Family Nature Preserve:

  KLT hosted an open house for its 1,400-acre preserve in Lakehurst. An Expression of Interest (EOI) is open until January 29, 2027, seeking partners to rehabilitate a 3,400 sq. ft. log cabin, a historic 15-bedroom lodge, and a caretaker's cabin. Plus, three new public trails are coming, with the first 2-km trail having a soft opening this fall off Elim Lodge Road!

• 🌍 David Suzuki Critiques Federal Climate Policy:

  Environmentalist David Suzuki voiced frustration over Prime Minister Mark Carney’s federal climate direction, stating economic interests are overriding climate needs. Suzuki criticized reversals on carbon tax, EV mandates, and emission caps, calling instead for a national climate emergency declaration.

🏒 Local & Regional Sports

• 🏒 Peterborough Petes Fall to Frontenacs:

  The Petes dropped a 5–3 decision to the Kingston Frontenacs, bringing their record to 2–5. Newly acquired goaltender Matthew Koprowski made his debut. Despite a strong 3rd-period surge (outshooting Kingston 22–6) with goals from Masen Minsky (his 1st OHL goal!), Cooper Dennis, and Leon Kolarik, the comeback fell short.

• 🏓 Buckhorn Pickleball Tournament Success:

  The 3rd Annual Glenna McConnell Memorial Pickleball Tournament brought together 56 players at the Buckhorn sports pad, raising $1,600 for the Buckhorn Public School breakfast program and $6,200 for Community Care Buckhorn!

🗓️ Community Notices & Local Events

• 🎟️ Peterborough Humane Society 50/50 & Travel Raffle:

  Tickets are live! Early bird draws take place October 9 ($1,500) and October 23 ($2,000), with the grand prize draw (including a $5,000 travel voucher) on November 6.

• 📸 Pet Halloween Photo Shoot:

  Head to Ren’s Pets on Rye Street on October 17 (9:45 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.) for 15-minute pet Halloween portraits ($25). All proceeds benefit the Peterborough Humane Society!

• 🚶 Kilometres for Care Fundraiser:

  Join Community Care Peterborough at Nicholls Oval on Wednesday, October 7 (10 a.m. – noon) for fitness classes and walking challenges supporting local senior and disability programs.

• 🎵 Greenwood United Church Concert:

  Enjoy "Songs from Shining Waters" on Saturday, October 17 at 2 p.m. (737 Donwood Drive). Admission is $15 at the door, supporting Brock Mission, Cameron House, Camp Kawartha, and Bedford House.

• 🧁 Empress Gardens Fall Bake Sale:

  Visit Empress Gardens (131 Charlotte St.) on Thursday, October 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a Thanksgiving bake sale in support of Kawartha Food Share!

🌎 National & International Briefs

• 🗳️ Quebec Election Day: Voters head to the polls today in a pivotal provincial election, with PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon leading in polls amid key debates on trade and federalism.

• ✈️️ Search for Missing Air Ambulance: Authorities continue searching off Nantucket after locating debris from a Canadian air ambulance jet carrying six people.

• 🎸 Passing of Sass Jordan: Juno Award-winning Canadian rock vocalist and former Canadian Idol judge Sass Jordan has passed away at age 63.

• 🕊️ Nobel Peace Prize Speculation: Anticipation grows ahead of Friday's announcement, with the ISS, Sudan emergency rescue groups, and international courts among top contenders.

• 🇺🇦 German Aid to Ukraine: Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Kyiv to announce a $2-billion support package, including air defence systems and counter-drone production.

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