🍁 Kawarthas & Highlands Community Update

Welcome to your local roundup! Here is everything happening across Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, and Bancroft this week. 🏡✨

🚨 Local News & Community Safety

🚲 E-Bike Battery Explosion Causes South-End House Fire

A severe house fire occurred on McKellar Street near Survey Street in Peterborough, resulting in approximately $500,000 in damage. The blaze was triggered when an e-bike battery exploded against an exterior wall, igniting a fence before spreading into the attic. Emergency crews safely evacuated all residents, with one individual treated on scene for minor injuries.

⚠️ Safety Reminder: Peterborough Fire Services urges everyone never to leave charging lithium-ion batteries unattended or overcharge their devices.

🏢 School Board Fees Stall Senior Housing Project in Lakefield

Construction on a planned 20-unit affordable senior housing build by the non-profit Abbeyfield House Society of Lakefield has stalled. Although the project secured building permits and $748,000 in provincial funding—and local municipalities waived their development fees—the Catholic and public school boards have yet to grant an exemption for the $36,000 in Education Development Charges.

🎭 Arts, Culture & Local Events

🎬 TVO Documentary HOME Features Peterborough & Cobourg

A new hour-long documentary titled HOME, co-directed by Linda Schuyler and Will Bowes, examines homelessness across the region. The film highlights life inside Cobourg's former Brookside youth detention center encampment and Peterborough’s "tiny home" compound on Wolfe Street through discussions with residents and local officials.

🚣 Canadian Canoe Museum Gala Raises $154,000

Hosted at its new Lakefront Campus on Little Lake, the Canadian Canoe Museum's Second Annual Lakeside Gala raised $154,000 in funds along with $62,000 in in-kind donations. The proceeds support educational programming and collection maintenance, while the "Paddles Up" campaign expanded the Youth Backcountry Tripping Program fleet to eight canoes.

🎡 158th Norwood Fair Returns for Thanksgiving Weekend

The Norwood Agricultural Society presents the 158th Norwood Fair under the theme "Where Fall Feels Like Home."Highlights include classic car shows, parades, livestock judging, lawn mower racing, midway rides, heavy horse pulls, and custom fair apparel.

💃 Public Energy Performing Arts Opens 33rd Season

Public Energy launches its new season at Peterborough's Market Hall with Blood, Water, Earth, a multidisciplinary performance by Order of Canada recipient Santee Smith and Kaha:wi Dance Theatre. Curve Lake First Nation singer-songwriter Missy Knott opens the show.

🎪 Circus Nutcracker Preview

The Peterborough Academy of Circus Arts (PACA) staged a free preview performance in the Peterborough Square courtyard ahead of its full December run at Market Hall. Directed by Mackenzie DivAnne, the show combines ballet, live violin and keyboard music, and aerial acrobatics.

🚜 Autumn Highlights & Notices

• 🍁 Leahy's Farm and Market: Located along Highway 28 outside Lakefield in Selwyn Township, offering local produce, fresh-baked goods, cheeses, meats, mums, farm machinery displays, petting areas, and pumpkin fields.

• ⚡ National Heat Pump Week: GreenUP is promoting Canada's first Heat Pump Week, highlighting how modern cold-climate units operate efficiently down to -30°C to reduce heating costs for rural and cottage properties.

• 🗳️ Mayoral Candidates Panel: Discussion on social issues at the New Canadians Centre (221 Romaine St., Peterborough) with a pre-event barbecue hosted by the E.P. Lions Club.

• 🐕 Therapy Dog Handlers Sought: East Central Therapy Dogs is holding an info night at Applewood Retirement Residence (1500 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough) for prospective volunteers.

• 🎨 AGP Printmaking Class: The Art Gallery of Peterborough hosts a four-week adult printmaking course with artist Jeffrey Macklin.

• 🐺 Trent Conservation Café: Public talk at Publican House Brewery by Dr. Brent Patterson on using technology to track wolf predation on moose.

• 🧁 St. James Muffin Party: St. James United Church hosts its Fall Muffin Party ($5 entry).

• 🎶 Hospice Norwood Fundraiser: Pokey LaFarge performs at Norwood Town Hall as part of the Festival of Small Halls, benefiting Hospice Norwood.

🏆 Local Sports

• 🐎 Equestrian Champion: 14-year-old Heidi O'Connor (Endless Journey farm near Fowlers Corners) and her horse Cenccon PS captured the overall title in the Equine Choice Grand Prix Silver Series playoffs at Angelstone Equestrian Park.

• 🎳 National Championship Host: The Lindsay Lawn Bowling Club will host the Canadian National Short Mat Championships at the Commonwell Exhibition Building, serving as a qualifier for the 2028 World Championships.

• 🏎️ Autumn Colours Classic: Peterborough Speedway hosts its 33rd annual stock car marquee event featuring Late Model Electric City 167 qualifying, Mini Stocks, Super Stocks, pit parties, and live music.

🗣️ Regional News & Opinion

• 🚔 Police Transparency: Former Peterborough Mayor Sylvia Sutherland critiqued Police Chief Stu Betts regarding a closed-door meeting held with local municipal candidates, emphasizing the need for public transparency in police operations.

• 🍁 Political Analysis: Columnists Althia Raj and Gillian Steward evaluate federal dynamics following the Parti Québécois minority election victory in Quebec and the upcoming Alberta referendum.

• 🦷 National Dental Care Review: A Canadian Dental Association report notes that while 6.5 million Canadians gained coverage under the Canadian Dental Care Plan, high pre-authorization claim denial rates remain a key challenge.

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