Municipal operations and local access are front and center this week. A major city efficiency review outlines potential cost-saving measures for Peterborough, including parking and admission fees for non-residents at Riverview Park and Zoo, as well as shifting sidewalk snowplowing duties. Meanwhile, members of Curve Lake First Nation are speaking out after the province installed barriers at a historical Burleigh Falls parking area without consultation, raising significant treaty rights concerns.
On the health and governance front, Lakelands Public Health is advising local councils against adopting BYOB bylaws for community events to mitigate health risks and municipal liability. Local voters will also have the chance to meet candidates one-on-one at the upcoming Electionfest on October 1 at Healthy Planet Arena!
Out in the community, the Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour brings 52 regional artists to life this weekend, and the 5th annual Trees 4 Peterborough project is looking for volunteers to plant 500 native trees at Heritage Park on Saturday. Over in local sports, the Peterborough Rugby Club inducted three community legends into its Wall of Fame, while the Adam Scott junior girls basketball team claimed the early-bird tournament title!
Local & Regional Shorts!
Peterborough & Region
Peterborough County OPP Continue Investigation Into 2024 Cold Case Homicide: OPP investigators continue to appeal for public information following the arrest of an 81-year-old Peterborough resident charged with second-degree murder and indignity to a human body in connection with a 2024 cold case homicide in the region. The accused remains in custody awaiting a court appearance later this week.
Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Pride Week Continues Downtown Celebrations: Downtown events, educational workshops, and community showcases are entering their second week as part of Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Pride Week, running through September 27 across the city and surrounding townships.
- Efficiency Review Suggests Ways City Can Save Money: An efficiency review conducted by Ernst & Young suggests Peterborough could save $20 million to $30 million over four years through measures like implementing parking fees ($1.75–$2.50/hour) and out-of-town admission fees ($15/adult, $5/child) at Riverview Park and Zoo, stopping residential sidewalk snowplowing, and revising corporate sponsorships and municipal grants.
- Woman Tired of Being Unhoused: Kathrine Williams, a 55-year-old Trent University graduate student living in a retrofitted shuttle bus, faces uncertainty as the season ends at Beavermead Campground, where she paid $3,850 for a seasonal site after experiencing local evictions and parking lot removals.
Four Years into $10/Day Program, Some Ontario Wait-Lists Growing: Child-care wait-lists in Ontario have lengthened significantly under the affordable daycare expansion, leaving parents struggling to find local spots as advocates call for expanding space creation rather than solely lowering daily fees.
Public Board to Amend School Policy Regarding Using Video in Classrooms: The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board plans to revise its learning resources and digital communications policies by late 2026 to set clear guidelines for YouTube and video usage in classrooms following a delegation from a local parent.
Annual Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour Returns: The 42nd annual Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour features 52 participating artists across 42 studio stops from Stoney Lake to Keene, alongside a featured exhibition at the Art Gallery of Peterborough.
Community Events & Fundraisers: Local upcoming initiatives include the Aces of Harmony "Country Roads" concert supporting the Peterborough Children's Chorus, The Misfits fundraising concert for One City Peterborough, Community Care Peterborough's "Golf Fore Care" at Wildfire Golf Club, the Canadian Canoe Museum's Lakeside Gala, and a Houseplant and Garden Social benefiting the PRHC Foundation.
Help Plant the Future of Peterborough's Urban Forest: Peterborough GreenUP, the City of Peterborough, and RBC Wealth Management are hosting the 5th annual Trees 4 Peterborough Community Tree Planting Event at Heritage Park on September 26 to plant roughly 500 native trees along Riverview Creek.
Car, Truck and Corvette Show in Buckhorn: The Buckhorn Community Centre hosted its classic vehicle show featuring a range of models, while announcing upcoming local programming and a municipal candidate debate organized by the Buckhorn Ratepayers Association for October 6.
Glow Ride Returns During Peterborough Pride Week: Town Bike presents the P(RIDE) Glow Ride on Thursday evening starting at Quaker Foods City Square as part of Peterborough Pride Week, which culminates in the annual Pride Parade on Saturday.
ArtsVote All-Candidates Mayoral Debate: The Electric City Culture Council is hosting "ArtsVote," an all-candidates mayoral debate focused on the local arts sector, at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday evening.
Falls Access Was Blocked Without Any Consultation: First Nations: Members of Curve Lake First Nation and Kawartha Nishnawbe First Nation state that Infrastructure Ontario infringed on Treaty 20 harvesting and cultural rights by installing barriers at a Burleigh Falls parking lot without prior consultation.
Son Remembers His Father Beyond the News Headlines: Jesse Walker shares a personal tribute to his father, Michael Walker, who disappeared near Kinmount and Minden in November 2023, urging the public for empathy following second-degree murder charges laid against his grandfather, Basil Walker.
Electionfest Returns to Peterborough: The Peterborough Examiner and the Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce are hosting Electionfest on October 1 at Healthy Planet Arena, allowing voters to speak directly with local ward and mayoral candidates.
Health Unit Asks Municipalities to Refrain from BYOB Bylaws: Lakelands Public Health advises local municipalities against passing bylaws under Ontario's Bring-Your-Own-Beverage legislation, citing rising regional alcohol-related emergency room visits and municipal liability risks.
Take Back the Night Marked with Downtown March and Vigil: The Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre and community partners held the annual Take Back the Night march, vigil, and drum performance in downtown Peterborough to protest sexual violence.
Lakelands Public Health Releases Five-Year Strategic Plan Priorities: Lakelands Public Health outlined core priorities for its upcoming five-year strategic plan—including mental health, addictions, primary care access, and extreme weather—while addressing budgetary challenges following its regional merger.
73rd Annual Curve Lake First Nation Traditional Pow Wow: Curve Lake First Nation celebrated its 73rd annual Traditional Pow Wow, "Rooted in Tradition," at Lime Kiln Park with traditional drumming, dancing, and honor ceremonies.
German Youth Fire Brigades See Rising Popularity: Germany's youth fire brigades report a 42% increase in youth membership over five years, engaging young people early through affordable community programming and team-building.
Bancroft & Area Focus
35th Annual Bancroft & Area Studio Tour Wraps Up First Major Weekend: The 35th annual Bancroft & Area Studio Tour officially concluded the first of its two multi-day weekend runs. Local artisans and workshop hosts across Bancroft, Hastings Highlands, and surrounding North Hastings townships reported strong visitor numbers as art lovers and early fall foliage travelers explored juried paintings, woodwork, pottery, and jewelry. The tour will return for its final two-day run this coming weekend, September 26–27.
Cardiff All-Candidates Meeting Hosted by Health Democracy Project Set for This Week: Voter registration and question submissions remain active for the upcoming municipal all-candidates forum in Cardiff organized by the Health Democracy Project. Local candidates running across Highlands East and North Hastings will address pre-submitted resident questions focused directly on rural emergency room stability, doctor recruitment initiatives, and local elder care services.
North Hastings Community Centre Rink Prepares to Open Ice Surface: Municipal arena operators in Bancroft are conducting final surface checks at the North Hastings Community Centre following the installation of a delayed cooling plant component. Rink doors are scheduled to open this week for minor hockey, figure skating, and public recreational skating.
North Hastings Hospital "Care in the Cart" Campaign Celebrates Continued Community Backing:Following the successful completion of the $1.25-million Care in the Cart fundraising goal, local healthcare advocates in Bancroft are highlighting the upcoming delivery schedule for new emergency diagnostic tools and patient monitoring equipment heading to North Hastings Hospital.
35th Annual Bancroft & Area Studio Tour Wraps Up First Major Weekend: The 35th annual Bancroft & Area Studio Tour officially concluded the first of its two multi-day weekend runs. Local artisans and workshop hosts across Bancroft, Hastings Highlands, and surrounding North Hastings townships reported strong visitor numbers as art lovers and early fall foliage travelers explored juried paintings, woodwork, pottery, and jewelry. The tour will return for its final two-day run this coming weekend, September 26–27.
Cardiff All-Candidates Meeting Hosted by Health Democracy Project Set for This Week: Voter registration and question submissions remain active for the upcoming municipal all-candidates forum in Cardiff organized by the Health Democracy Project. Local candidates running across Highlands East and North Hastings will address pre-submitted resident questions focused directly on rural emergency room stability, doctor recruitment initiatives, and local elder care services.
North Hastings Community Centre Rink Prepares to Open Ice Surface: Municipal arena operators in Bancroft are conducting final surface checks at the North Hastings Community Centre following the installation of a delayed cooling plant component. Rink doors are scheduled to open this week for minor hockey, figure skating, and public recreational skating.
North Hastings Hospital "Care in the Cart" Campaign Celebrates Continued Community Backing:Following the successful completion of the $1.25-million Care in the Cart fundraising goal, local healthcare advocates in Bancroft are highlighting the upcoming delivery schedule for new emergency diagnostic tools and patient monitoring equipment heading to North Hastings Hospital.
Haliburton County
Algonquin Highlands Election Profiles Published as Municipal Races Progress: As reported by kawarthaNOW
Hike Haliburton Festival Concludes Successful Four-Day Fall Outdoor Event: Organizers and trail leaders across Haliburton County concluded the 2026 Hike Haliburton Festival. Featuring over 40 guided walks across local forests and heritage trails, the annual autumn event drew hundreds of hikers to sample local culinary stops, logging history tours, and early fall colours.
Algonquin Highlands Election Profiles Published as Municipal Races Progress: As reported by
Hike Haliburton Festival Concludes Successful Four-Day Fall Outdoor Event: Organizers and trail leaders across Haliburton County concluded the 2026 Hike Haliburton Festival. Featuring over 40 guided walks across local forests and heritage trails, the annual autumn event drew hundreds of hikers to sample local culinary stops, logging history tours, and early fall colours.
The Kawarthas & Peterborough County
Telemedicine Clinic Launches at Ennismore Pharmacy in Selwyn Township: kawarthaNOW
SIU Clears OPP Officers in Investigation of May Death in Cobourg Detachment: The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has officially terminated its investigation, clearing OPP officers of criminal wrongdoing following the May death of a 28-year-old man who was held in custody at the Cobourg OPP detachment.
Telemedicine Clinic Launches at Ennismore Pharmacy in Selwyn Township:
SIU Clears OPP Officers in Investigation of May Death in Cobourg Detachment: The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has officially terminated its investigation, clearing OPP officers of criminal wrongdoing following the May death of a 28-year-old man who was held in custody at the Cobourg OPP detachment.
Local Sports
Petes Comeback Bid Against Wolves Falls Short: The Peterborough Petes fell 2-1 to the Sudbury Wolves, dropping to 0-2 on their OHL season despite a 29-save performance by debut goalie Owen Nelson and a third-period goal by James McMurray.
Minor Hockey Season Arrives with Storylines: Local columnist Chris Hardill outlines key minor hockey storylines for the 2026-27 season following the Pat Larock Memorial Tournament in Peterborough, including team developments across the Quinte Red Devils and Whitby Wildcats.
P.R.U.F.C. Adds Three to Wall of Fame: The Peterborough Rugby Union Football Club inducted founder Tony Emary, player/volunteer Bob Keay, and international player Brian McCarthy onto its Wall of Fame at the Nicholls Oval clubhouse.
Adam Scott Captures Early-Bird Basketball Tournament Crown: The Adam Scott Collegiate junior girls basketball team won the Peterborough Board of Approved Basketball Officials early-bird tournament title by defeating Holy Cross 52-42.
Notices & Announcements
County of Peterborough Land Division Committee Notice: The County of Peterborough issued public notices for consent applications across multiple townships, including Dummer, Otonabee, Belmont, Galway, Harvey, Ennismore, Cavendish, and Lakefield, with public feedback accepted until October 6, 2026.
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