The Brad Sinclair Team, Rural Real Estate-Buy, Sell, Invest. Re/Max Professionals North

Are you looking to buy or sell in cottage country? I am Brad Sinclair, a dedicated Real Estate Sales Specialist with Re/Max Professionals North. As a strategic marketer and expert problem solver, I specialize in navigating the rural and waterfront markets of the Kawarthas, Peterborough, and Haliburton areas. We are the leading authority in this region. We don't just list homes; we look to earn your business by bringing you deep local knowledge, fierce representation, and unmatched service.

Monday, June 8, 2026

🗞️ JUST THE FRONT PAGE NEWS for Peterborough, Kawarthas, and the Highlands. The essential council, crime, and local headlines you need to start your day in less than 5 minutes.🗞️ June 9th, 2026

🗞️ JUST THE FRONT PAGE NEWS for Peterborough, Kawarthas, and the Highlands. The essential council, crime, and local headlines you need to start your day in less than 5 minutes.🗞️

Tragic #Omemee Motorcycle Collision: Emergency response crews from the Kawartha Lakes OPP, fire, and EMS units responded to a catastrophic multi-vehicle crash at the intersection of Highway 7 and New Heights Road in Omemee on Saturday evening. The collision involved a passenger vehicle and four motorcycles, tragically resulting in three fatalities—an 18-year-old driver from Peterborough, a 72-year-old motorcyclist from Dunchurch, and a 65-year-old motorcyclist from Barrie. Two other riders from Sudbury were injured.
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Downtown Commercial Vandalism Outcry: Business owners are demanding immediate police accountability after a prominent storefront window at La Mesita Restaurante on George Street North in #Peterborough was completely smashed out by vandals around 4:00 AM Sunday. The incident has triggered massive local outrage online, with independent business operators criticizing delayed police response times and pointing to a sharp spike in downtown property damage overhead costs.
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#PeterboroughLakers Face Strategic Reset on the Injured Reserve: Following Thursday's physical 12-10 loss to the Brooklin Lacrosse Club on John Grant Jr. Night, the senior management team spent the weekend evaluating roster adjustments. With the team sitting at an even 2-3 record, the focus has shifted entirely to the training room after heavy defender Adam Jay and forward Holden Cattoni were officially designated on the Injured Reserve list.
NO HOME GAMES UNTIL JUNE 25: The Lakers are entering a massive, much-needed scheduling break with no home floor dates at the Memorial Centre until June 25. This extended window gives Captain Robert Hope and the core defensive unit vital time to integrate their systems before a high-stakes road rematch against Brooklin this Wednesday at Iroquois Park.
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Downtown Shooting Investigation: #Bancroft OPP are actively investigating a high-intensity incident after gunshots were fired in downtown Bancroft late Saturday afternoon. Officers rushed to the area of Hastings Street North around 6:30 PM following multiple emergency calls. Investigating units discovered a vehicle riddled with bullet holes and recovered multiple spent shell casings on site. An elevated tactical police presence remained locked down on the main corridor until 11:00 PM. Investigators state the shooting appears to be an isolated dispute with no ongoing broader threat to public safety, but they are urgently appealing to business owners and drivers for any dashcam or security footage from the downtown strip.
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Jr. Petes & OHL Petes Honour Local Legend: The Peterborough Minor Hockey Council Jr. "AAA" Petes, alongside the OHL Peterborough Petes, announced a proud $2,000 community donation to the Gary Dalliday Memorial "Caring for Our Communities" Golf Tournament. The contribution honours the late, beloved local sportscaster and Petes announcer, with all proceeds directly backing Community Care Peterborough's vital Meals on Wheels programs.
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Annual Weed & Plant Control Begins: The #CityofKawarthaLakes has officially launched its seasonal Roadside Plant and Weed Control Program. Weekday crews will be operating between now and November 1, deploying targeted cutting, mowing, and herbicide applications to eliminate designated noxious weeds (like Giant Hogweed and Wild Parsnip) across regional road corridors.
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Knights of Columbus Bowl Renaming Proposal: City Councillor Gary Baldwin is introducing a motion to rename the Knights of Columbus Bowl in honour of local lacrosse icon #BobbyAllan. The outdoor bowl, currently undergoing renovations as part of the Knights of Columbus Park redevelopment, sits where the old Civic Arena used to be. Legendary hockey player Bob Gainey endorsed the idea, stating the honour is highly appropriate for Allan, who grew up two blocks away. A final city council vote is scheduled for June 15.
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Provincial Primary Care Investment: The Ontario government is investing $2.01 million into the Peterborough Family Health Team and its community partners (including the 360 Nurse Practitioner Clinic, the #PeterboroughCommunityHealthCentre, and the Peterborough Newcomer Health Clinic). Part of the Ontario Primary Care Action Plan, this funding aims to connect up to 4,762 unattached patients in the City and County to primary medical care via the Connect Clinic while they wait for long-term physician attachment.
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Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Inductions: The 2026 induction class was celebrated at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC). Six new portraits will join the PMC walls:

John Grant Jr. (Athlete: Lacrosse): One of lacrosse's most prolific scorers, he joins his father in the hall and reminisced about winning his first Mann Cup at the PMC in 2004.

Jeff Twohey (Builder: Hockey): Spent 30 years with the Peterborough Petes, including 17 years as general manager, helping secure four OHL championships.

Terry Paul (Athlete: Rowing): An Olympic gold medal-winning coxswain from the 1992 Barcelona games who got his start through Peterborough Collegiate.

Al Crowe (Builder: Fastball): Won nine local men's softball titles as a coach and led Curve Lake to two provincial Indigenous championships.

Kelleigh Traynor-Hartnett (Athlete: All-Around): A standout competitor across hockey, field hockey, soccer, softball, track, and golf.

Tim Watts (Athlete: Archery): Holder of hundreds of provincial and national medals, making history as the hall's first-ever archer inductee

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Clint Eastwood Retires: Actor and director #ClintEastwood, 96, has officially retired from filmmaking, according to his son, musician Kyle Eastwood. Eastwood skipped the 2024 premiere of his final film, Juror No. 2, and has recently endured personal difficulties, including the passing of his long-term girlfriend, Christina Sandera, in July 2024.
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Forced Labour Tariff Threats: Canada faces potential new trade tariffs from Donald Trump's U.S. administration, which claims Ottawa has a poor track record of stopping imports made with forced labour. The dispute arrives as CUSMA is up for renewal. Former Liberal MP John McKay called the U.S. claim "hypocrisy," stating it is a political play for trade leverage, though he noted Canada has historically under-enforced its own 2023 supply chain transparency laws.
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Carney Heads to G7 in France: Prime Minister Mark Carney travels to Europe this week, making stops in Dublin and Paris before attending the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France. Geopolitical experts indicate a central focus of the summit will be "managing" an unpredictable President Trump. Carney will also look to solidify trade relations, noting that bilateral trade with Ireland hit $6 billion in 2025.
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Questions? Let’s chat.
📞 705-927-6236 👤 Brad Sinclair | Re/Max Professionals North 📍 Your Inside Source to the Kawartha Real Estate Market
Families love the Kawarthas. Let’s find your place in it.
#Peterborough #Ptbo #KawarthaLakes #Kawarthas #LocalNews #PtboCanada #PtboPolitics #PtboRealEstate #KawarthasRealEstate #LocalExpert #Haliburton #LocalNews #PtboCanada #BradSinclairRealtor #PtboRealEstate #HaliburtonHighlands #PeterboroughNews #LocalGovernment #BradSinclair #KawarthaRealEstate #YourLocalRealtor

The Shawn Evans Curse? Why It’s Time for the Peterborough Lakers to Mend Fences

If you’ve been sitting in the stands at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on recent Thursday nights, you’ve probably felt it. That unmistakable shift in the atmosphere. The crowd is a little thinner, the cheers are a little quieter, and the product on the floor? It’s missing that signature, electric bite.

As a longtime season ticket holder, I’m just going to throw this out there: Do the Peterborough Lakers have a Shawn Evans curse?

Ever since the messy "divorce" between the Lakers and our longtime franchise star, this team has been on a noticeable downward trend. You only have to look at the record so far this season to see that the powerhouse we once took for granted is searching for its identity.

The Missing Spark

Let’s be real—Shawn Evans was the heartbeat of the Lakers for over a decade. Love him or hate him, "Evvy" brought a relentless, competitive fire to the floor every single night. He was the guy who could turn a game on its head with a brilliant pass, a gritty goal, or just sheer, unadulterated will.

Right now, that’s exactly what’s missing. There is a glaring lack of a spark out there.

To be clear: I know Shawn has officially retired from playing. I am not suggesting we pull a 40-something legend out of retirement and ask him to run the offense on the floor.

But anyone who knows lacrosse knows that Shawn Evans' value wasn't just in his stickwork—it was in his determination and his leadership. He has a mind for the game that you can't teach, and a presence that demands excellence from everyone around him. That is exactly what this current roster desperately needs right now: offensive spark and veteran leadership.

The Cost of the Divide

As fans, most of us don’t know the exact, gritty details of what went down behind closed doors between management and Evans. Lacrosse politics can be complicated, and breakups are rarely clean. But whatever happened, the collateral damage is starting to affect the team, the culture, and the community.

Look around the PMC on a Thursday night. The dwindling attendance and fading attention aren't just a fluke. Peterborough is a proud lacrosse town, but fans can sense when a team has lost its mojo.

Peterborough Lakers: Then vs. Now
┌───────────────────────────────────────────┬───────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ The Evans Era                             │ The Present Day                           │
├───────────────────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Packed, electric PMC crowds             │ • Noticeably thinning Thursday attendance │
│ • Relentless offensive swagger            │ • Searching for a consistent spark        │
│ • Multiple Mann Cup championships         │ • Struggling to find an identity          │
└───────────────────────────────────────────┴───────────────────────────────────────────┘

Time to Think Outside the Box

It is time to mend fences.

The Lakers organization needs to do what is right for Evans, what is right for the team, and what is right for the fans who have supported this franchise. Leaving a legend out in the cold while the product on the floor suffers helps absolutely no one.

Whether it’s bringing him into the coaching staff, installing him as an offensive consultant, or finding some minutes on the floor, the Lakers need to think outside the box. Leaving the past in the past and welcoming #88 back into the fold could be exactly the jolt this franchise needs to break the slump and re-engage a restless fan base.

It’s time to bury the hatchet, Lakers. Bring Evvy home, break the curse, and let's get back to winning Mann Cups.

What do you think, Lakers fans? Is the "Shawn Evans Curse" real, or is the team just going through a standard rebuilding phase? How would you like to see the organization handle this? Let me know in the comments below!

Sunday, June 7, 2026

JUST THE FRONT PAGE NEWS for Peterborough, Kawarthas, and the Highlands. June 7th, 2026

🗞️ JUST THE FRONT PAGE NEWS for Peterborough, Kawarthas, and the Highlands. The essential council, crime, and local headlines you need to start your day in less than 5 minutes.🗞️

Major Weekend Police Presence Investigated: #Bancroft residents noted a heavy, highly visible OPP presence in town on Saturday. Rumours and initial regional reports indicating potential gunfire are currently circulating; local authorities are expected to release a formal clarifying statement regarding the nature of the operation.

Northern Hastings Fire Danger Rating Remains Elevated: The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNRF) continues to track elevated fire risk indexes across the #Bancroft and Ottawa River corridors. While heavy forest fires like Timmins 9 (currently sitting at over 3,100 hectares) are keeping crews busy further north, Bancroft fire officials are keeping local restrictions tight as unseasonably warm, dry air persists through the weekend.

#Bancroft Farmers' Market Sees Heavy Early June Foot Traffic: With ideal daytime summer weather settling over North Hastings, the Bancroft Farmers’ Market saw one of its biggest turnouts of the seasonal year this weekend. Organizers noted high local and seasonal cottage traffic, boosting sales for independent regional producers, bakers, and artisans.

Massive #Lindsay Tactical Raid Captures Murder Suspect: A high-risk, multi-agency operation turned heads in Lindsay. The Kawartha Lakes Police Criminal Investigation Branch, alongside the provincial ROPE squad and the OPP Central Tactical Rescue Unit, executed a search warrant at a local home. They safely apprehended a suspect wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for second-degree murder out of Saskatchewan and seized approximately 226 grams of illicit fentanyl valued at $45,200.

Regional Business Milestones: Entrepreneurship and community service were celebrated at the 11th annual #JuniorAchievement Business Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The event honoured nine prominent Peterborough business leaders while paying tribute to the enduring local legacy of longtime former JA-NEO CEO John McNutt and his wife, Sheryl Hopkins.

Transit Bus Assault and Weapon Arrest: A 14-year-old #Peterborough youth faces multiple criminal charges—including assault, weapon possession, and carrying a concealed weapon—following a disturbing incident on a city transit bus Thursday afternoon. Police were dispatched to Parkhill Road and Armour Road after the driver halted the vehicle. Investigators determined the masked suspect had punched and verbally threatened another teenager before fleeing; officers quickly intercepted him on foot, recovering a sword and bear mace during the arrest.

#Peterborough City council is set to review its updated Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) plan. A recent city survey revealed concerning trends: fewer residents feel a sense of belonging or safety in their neighbourhoods compared to previous years. Additionally, housing anxiety has risen sharply, with residents struggling against shelter costs; those reporting access to affordable housing dropped from 46% in 2022 to 37% in 2026. Council will also look over a new tourism strategy and settle a development charge appeal on Jameson Drive.

#KawarthaLakesPoliceServices (KLPS) Police Chief Kirk Robertson highlighted the exploration of AI technology to assist officers with administrative tasks like generating reports from body cameras and dispatch data. The plan aims for zero growth in violent, property, and youth crime compared to 2025 numbers, leaning heavily on public education and bail compliance initiatives.

The historic community of #Bobcaygeon is marking its 150th milestone anniversary on June 13. Organized by a 16-citizen steering committee, the day-long celebration will feature a family fun zone at Beach Park, an artisans' market, historical displays, a classic car show, a community parade, and a free evening dance.

#The City of Peterborough is hosting an in-person public drop-in center to gather feedback on its new 15-year Transportation Safety Program (TSP), aimed at significantly reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

Date: June 10, 2026

Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Location: Healthy Planet Arena, Banquet Hall (911 Monaghan Rd, Peterborough)

County CAO Sparks Amalgamation Debate: #Haliburton County CAO Gary Dyke has set off a major wave of political conversation across the area. At a recent council meeting, Dyke avoided using the highly sensitive term "amalgamation" directly but formally challenged regional leaders to rethink a nineteenth-century system of fractured governance to solve modern twenty-first-century infrastructure and service backlogs.

#HastingsHighlands Summer Infrastructure Preps: The Municipality of Hastings Highlands is preparing to deploy its heavy June road-surfacing and dust-suppression schedules. Rural routes surrounding Maynooth are being prioritized this week for grading and calcium chloride applications to stabilize roads before peak summer tourist traffic arrives.

Questions? Let’s chat.

📞 705-927-6236 👤 Brad Sinclair | Re/Max Professionals North 📍 Your Inside Source to the Kawartha Real Estate Market

Families love the Kawarthas. Let’s find your place in it.

#Peterborough #Ptbo #KawarthaLakes #Kawarthas #LocalNews #PtboCanada #PtboPolitics #PtboRealEstate #KawarthasRealEstate #LocalExpert #Haliburton #LocalNews #PtboCanada #BradSinclairRealtor #PtboRealEstate #HaliburtonHighlands #PeterboroughNews #LocalGovernment #BradSinclair #KawarthaRealEstate #YourLocalRealtor

Saturday, June 6, 2026

Governing Bancroft: A Reality Check on Transparency and Civic Engagement

In Ontario, the municipal government is the administrative body closest to the resident. In Bancroft, the Town acts as the primary service provider under the Municipal Act, responsible for infrastructure, planning, and community standards. While the theoretical framework of municipal government is designed to serve the public, the practical reality of living and participating in local governance often reveals a disconnect between the institution and the community it serves.

What the Town Is Supposed to Manage

By mandate, the Town of Bancroft is responsible for:

Infrastructure: Road maintenance, bridges, sidewalks, and winter control.

Utility Services: Operation of water and wastewater systems.

Protective Services: Fire department and emergency preparedness.

Land Use & Development: Building permits, zoning by-laws, and development oversight.

Community Services: Parks, recreation, libraries, and waste/recycling.

Administrative/Regulatory: By-law enforcement, property standards, and licensing.

The Culture Problem: Beyond the Structural Challenges

While rural municipalities face inherent challenges—such as aging infrastructure backlogs, limited tax bases, and heavy provincial mandates—Bancroft faces a more acute, cultural hurdle: a historical lack of receptivity to perspectives outside of the municipal staff or council "inner circle."

For many residents, engaging with local government has felt like a closed loop. There is a deeply ingrained friction that occurs when community members attempt to offer alternative viewpoints or propose solutions that differ from the administration's predetermined path.

The reality for many involved citizens is this:

A "Complainer" Narrative: When residents push for accountability or challenge the status quo, the response from within the institution often frames them as merely "complainers" or obstacles to progress, rather than as stakeholders contributing to a better town.

The Transparency Gap: Transparency is frequently presented as a box to be checked rather than a core operating principle. Meaningful participation often feels performative; while the process of engagement exists, the influence of that engagement is rarely felt in final council decisions.

Defensiveness over Dialogue: There has been a pattern of the institution being remarkably unaccepting of external input. When views differ from the staff or council narrative, the tendency has been to shut down discourse rather than leverage that community expertise to improve the outcome.

The Path Forward: What Needs to Change

If Bancroft is to move past these issues, it requires a shift in how the Town views the citizen. A "them versus us" mentality is a barrier to success. True improvement requires the following shifts in culture:

1. Shift from "Defensive" to "Collaborative"

Council and staff need to recognize that public dissent is not a nuisance—it is an early warning system. When residents voice concerns, it is a signal that a policy or project is missing the mark. The Town must stop labeling concerned residents as "complainers" and start viewing them as consultants who want to see their town succeed.

2. Radical Transparency

Transparency is not just about posting agendas online; it’s about explaining the why behind complex decisions in plain language. If the Town wants to improve, it must proactively publish data, financial analysis, and decision-making rationales before final votes are cast, rather than forcing residents to dig for information after the fact.

3. Formalizing Public Input

Engagement processes must be restructured to ensure public feedback is documented and addressed, not just noted in the minutes. The Town could adopt a "Feedback Loop" system where concerns raised by delegations are assigned a tracking number and a formal, written response from the relevant department, ensuring that no resident is simply ignored.

4. Embracing External Expertise

Bancroft is home to professionals, business owners, and active citizens with diverse skill sets. Council would be well-served by creating more informal, transparent advisory committees that pull from this community expertise, rather than relying exclusively on internal staff reports.

A Call for a New Civic Culture

The historical pattern of excluding outside views has hindered our growth. However, a town is only as strong as its ability to listen to its people. Residents who hold the government accountable are not the problem; they are the most engaged assets the municipality has.

To build a better Bancroft, we need a Council that values the uncomfortable, necessary work of listening—even when the message isn't what they want to hear. A healthy municipality doesn't fear critique; it uses it to build a better future.

Do you believe it is possible for the current municipal culture in Bancroft to pivot toward a more collaborative and open model, or does it require a fundamental change in leadership to achieve real transparency?

Questions? Let’s chat.
📞 705-927-6236 👤 Brad Sinclair | Re/Max Professionals North 📍 Your Inside Source to the Highlands/Kawartha Real Estate Market
Families love the Highlands/Kawarthas. Let’s find your place in it.

🗞️ JUST THE FRONT PAGE NEWS for Peterborough, Kawarthas, and the Highlands. June 6th, 2026

#Peterborough SIU Investigation Critical Crash in Cavan-Monaghan Following Police Chase: The province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has officially invoked its mandate following a serious collision late yesterday morning. Shortly after 11:00 AM on Friday, Peterborough Police received reports of an erratic driver operating a Dodge Charger on Tupper Street in Millbrook. An officer activated emergency lights and sirens to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver immediately fled the scene. Following a brief pursuit, the driver lost control, clearing multiple collisions before ending up in the ditch on County Road 10, south of Highway 115. An Ornge air ambulance responded directly to the scene, airlifting the male driver to a Toronto trauma centre with critical, life-threatening injuries. Three SIU investigators and two forensic specialists are currently managing the investigation; expect minor traffic anomalies or residual restrictions along that County Road 10 stretch this morning

Matthew Good Slated for Peterborough #Musicfest Debut: In a major entertainment drop for the area's summer tourism calendar, festival organizers announced that Canadian alternative rock icon Matthew Good and his band will make their first-ever performance at Del Crary Park this summer on Wednesday, July 22. The three-decade rock fixture will headline the Fred Anderson Stage at 8:00 PM, with local artist Graeme Jonez opening. The free-admission landmark is expected to draw a massive county-wide audience to the downtown waterfront

#Lakers Fall to Brooklin in Physical Battle on John Grant Jr. Night: Despite a packed, high-energy house honoring all-time great John Grant Jr. ahead of his Hall of Fame induction today, the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers dropped a gritty 12-10 decision to the Brooklin Lacrosse Club on Thursday night at the Memorial Centre, evening their MSL record to 2-3.

Hydro One Outage Advisory: Property owners and residents should note that Hydro One has finalized planning for a major scheduled power outage set for next weekend (Sunday, June 14). This planned interruption will impact a large volume of customers across the #Bancroft area to allow for critical grid upgrades and infrastructure maintenance.

In regional sports, the Haliburton County Huskies Jr. A hockey team has officially announced its relocation to Cobourg for the 2026–27 season, ending a five-year run in #Minden. Owner Ryan Ramsay cited unsustainable operational deficits ranging from $30,000 to $50,000 annually, driven by rising travel costs, league fees, and a shortage of local billet families. However, Ramsay is actively working on a plan to bring a more financially viable, locally owned Jr. C team to the area by the 2027–28 season under the same Huskies banner. On a brighter note for local recreation, the Minden Curling Club completed a major $180,000 renovation to re-insulate its facility using an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant, with the township committing an additional $177,000 for a full roof replacement this year. Additionally, Help a Village Effort marked its 44th year by hosting the annual Walk for Water along the Minden Riverwalk to raise funds for clean-water artesian wells in India.

#Haliburton Rotary Bike Share Relaunch: The free summer bike share program has returned to Head Lake Park in Haliburton village. Six bikes are available for adult rental during daylight hours (8:00 AM to 8:00 PM) via smartphone log-in through Thanksgiving.

#AlgonquinHighlands Deputy Mayor Jennifer Dailloux announced she will not seek re-election this fall, ending her eight-year political career. Dailloux weighed running for mayor versus leaving politics entirely, choosing to step aside to focus on her personal creative life, volunteer obligations, and a 70,000-word book she is currently writing. She intends to remain active on local boards, including Point in Time, the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust, and the Haliburton County Public Library.

#OPSEU Local 358 Members Hit Picket Lines Over Job Security and Wages. More than 4,500 social workers and community service professionals represented by OPSEU Local 358 have gone on strike, impacting Community Living Trent Highlands locations in Lindsay, Peterborough, and Haliburton. The strike began after union members overwhelmingly voted (87% against) to reject a final forced offer from the employer. Strikers are demanding a 3% wage increase annually for the next three years—noting that many haven't seen a raise in three years

#Lakelands Public Health is warning residents that much of the Kawartha Lakes region is considered high-risk for ticks, particularly in forested or waterfront locations. Environmental Health Manager Richard Ovcharovich advises individuals to take a cleansing shower and conduct thorough full-body checks (especially in warm, moist areas like underarms and behind knees) after spending time outdoors to prevent Lyme disease transmitted by deer ticks.

Attached ticks should be pulled straight out from the head using tweezers, photographed, and submitted to etick.ca for identification. If caught and removed within 72 hours, Lyme disease can typically be prevented with a single dose of doxycycline.

Local resident Jerry Mous achieved a lifelong milestone by completing his 100th blood donation at the #FenelonFalls Community Centre. Mous set this goal at the age of 16 during his very first donation after meeting a man who was completing his 100th. He continues to donate four times a year and is now setting his sights on reaching 150 total donations.