The Peterborough Examiner
Stabbing victim begins testimony at Peterborough murder trial
Jurors in the murder trial of Jesse Rowe heard testimony Monday from the man who survived the stabbing that killed Cynara Lewis inside a downtown Peterborough apartment. Daycota Csiszar, 33, testified in the Superior Court of Justice before Justice...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
`Crazy Canucks' big hit on Austrian ski hill
A nod to the “Crazy Canucks” turned Peterborough's Bill Lett and three friends into celebrities and media darlings for three days in Austria. Lett, owner of Unity Design Studio, and three friends from Blue Mountain Ski Resort in Collingwood fulfilled...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
City paid more than $280K to group for four hires
The City of Peterborough paid $282,676 to Torontobased executive recruitment firm Phelps Group between March 2023 and January 2025, documents show. The records were obtained by The Examiner through a freedom of information request and relate to...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Rellinger back on the roof to help United Way hit goal
Hearkening back to days gone by, Paul Rellinger headed to the roof in a lastditch effort to raise money for the local United Way. Rellinger, the current United Way Peterborough and District campaign chair, decided to relive his “Relly on the Roof”...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Students walk out of class to protest cuts to OSAP
Peterborough high school students joined those across the province Wednesday in walking out of class to protest the Doug Ford government’s changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). At the corner of Parkhill and Armour roads at Nichols...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
City moves forward with onstreet parking pilot
A pilot program allowing onstreet parking in specific areas of Peterborough will go ahead, but will not include a neighbourhood located in the city's northwest end as originally proposed by city staff. Coun. Andrew Beamer, who represents Northcrest...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Students alarmed by shooting on George Street
Students living near the corner of George Street North and Parkhill Road say they are shaken after a person was shot inside a nearby apartment Sunday afternoon and airlifted to a Toronto hospital. Peterborough police say officers were called to a...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Palestinian student hoping to attend Trent still in Gaza
While the Canadian government and the department of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) are promising faster timelines and processing for graduate students, a Palestinian student accepted to a graduate program at Trent University...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Police board paid $73,000 to recruit Chief Stu Betts
The Peterborough Police Services Board paid $73,030 to Torontobased executive search firm Phelps Group to recruit and hire police Chief Stu Betts, according to documents obtained by The Examiner through freedom of information. The Examiner originally...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Trent University students rally against OSAP changes
Trent University students voiced their concerns with Premier Doug Ford's changes to Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) funding as they rallied outside of PeterboroughKawartha MPP Dave Smith's office Wednesday. OSAP's current structure consists...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
`Visibility is so important' for Easter Seals campaign
Zoe Gibbons was a guest of honour at a news conference at Lansdowne Place on Wednesday — and she arrived with a big smile. The sevenyearold lives in Ajax with her family. She is the Easter Seals ambassador for PeterboroughDurham this year. On...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Mayor Leal refutes suggestion Alto should bypass city
Peterborough Mayor Jeff Leal is taking exception to the opinion of one Torontobased transportation expert, Stephen Wickens, after Wickens expressed his doubts about whether Peterborough is a suitable stop along the proposed Alto highspeed rail...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
SGS expands workforce to meet growing mining needs
A Lakefield company celebrating its 85th anniversary is expanding its workforce to meet the demand of what it calls Canada's 21st century gold rush. Founded in 1941, the SGS Metallurgical Centre of Excellence (formerly Lakefield Research) has long...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Province grants $1.3M for water upgrades in Lakefield
The province of Ontario is investing more than $1.3 million in the Township of Selwyn, which will support water infrastructure rehabilitation in the Village of Lakefield. The funding will be put toward the George Street water main and trunk sewer and...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Onstreet parking program pondered
Peterborough will roll out an onstreet parking pilot program as early as the end of March if councillors approve recommendations in a staff report on Monday's general committee agenda. “The need for an onstreet parking permit program has been...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Council set to approve more than $225k in community grants
Peterborough city council will be asked to approve more than $225,000 in grants to community groups and organizations during an upcoming general committee meeting Monday. A staff report recommends council approve $20,965 in Community Project Grants to...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Board calls for consultation over possible trustee cuts
Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board trustees have joined thousands of other voices calling for provincewide consultations in relation to the potential elimination of English public school board trustees. A motion brought forward by trustee Cathy...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
MPP Smith talks funding with city councillors
PeterboroughKawartha MPP Dave Smith appeared before Peterborough city council at a meeting Monday night to talk about funding. But Smith — who is the parliamentary assistant to finance minister Peter Bethlenfalvy — said details about the forthcoming...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Performers step into spotlight at Peterborough's Got Talent
Rayelle Ellis and Rory O'Neil have been crowned the winners of this year's Peterborough's Got Talent contest. Ellis and O'Neill won the coveted titles in the over 18 and under 18 categories respectively. They competed with 12 other contestants, seven...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Sport system under strain showed in Milan Cortina
Canada losing ground to other countries in the 2026 Olympic Games is a symptom of a sport system under strain, said a Canadian Olympic Committee leader Sunday. Canada finished outside the top five countries in the medal table at the Milan Cortina...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Ontario pouring in $8.7M for water infrastructure
Ontario is investing nearly $8.7 million in water infrastructure in the City of Peterborough. The funding announcement was made Friday by PeterboroughKawartha MPP Dave Smith, who was joined by Mayor Jeff Leal, who noted that the funding will support...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Chief Betts welcomes provincial inspection of police services
Peterborough police Chief Stu Betts urged the police services board this week “to feel confident, as a board” that Peterborough police can stand up to scrutiny from a forthcoming Ontariowide inspection of police services. “Audit processes are...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Riel still asking for apology from chief
City Coun. Keith Riel is still holding out for an apology from Peterborough police Chief Stu Betts for alleging, in a January letter sent to all city councillors and some staff, that Riel holds an “antipolice bias.” Riel told The Examiner in an...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Remembering the missing and murdered
Residents were invited to remember missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, trans and twospirited people at the Strawberry Ceremony on Saturday. The Feb. 14 ceremony was held outside the Peterborough Police Station on the west side of the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Highly Likely festival makes its return to Peterborough
After a successful first year, the Highly Likely Festival of Music and Literature is returning to Peterborough's Take Cover Books (59 Hunter St. E.). From Feb. 26 to March 1, the East City bookstore will host the fourday allages festival featuring...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
`If we don't save everyone, we haven't gotten there yet'
When musician Mark Beatty sat down to write his song “Where Do You Lay Down,” he never thought how perfectly fitting the lyrics would become to a cause to help end homelessness in Peterborough. On Thursday, he opened a news conference singing the song...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Store clerk calls home to India after jury acquittal
The first thing Tejeshwar Kalia did after hearing the words “not guilty” was call home. Standing inside a private room in the courthouse, the 24yearold pulled out his phone and opened FaceTime. On the screen were his mother and sister in...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Luminary awards will `shine a light' on women in business
Peterborough & Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce announced nominees for its second annual Luminary Awards for Women in Business, on Wednesday at the Chamber of Commerce. “Being nominated is no small thing: it means someone saw your impact,” said Susan...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
CHEERING ON CANADA
Trent University Prof. Liana Brown, front, Champlain College principal James Onusko, left, Melanie Buddle, principal, Gzowski College, back, and students Gemma Iezza, and Aly Saydam were cheering on Team Canada as they battled the United States in...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
EYES ON THE PRIZE
Kawartha Gymnastic Club gymnast Mya Joseph competes on the uneven bars during the second annual Kawartha Cottage Country Classic held in Peterborough on Saturday. More than 500 athletes competed in the provincial qualifying tournament over the weekend.
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Special night for Petes team and fans at Pink in the Rink
Pink in the Rink hit close to home for Peterborough Petes head coach Rob Wilson on Saturday night. A day earlier Wilson said goodbye to a childhood friend, he grew up with in Etobicoke, who lost her battle with cancer. Kirsty Duncan, former Liberal...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Conquering racism by celebrating `Black joy'
Black History Month recognizes significant historical events and accomplishments, but for Charmaine Magumbe and Cheryl Edwards, it's also about celebrating “Black joy.” That's what the duo fosters with their nonprofit group — the Afrocentric...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Sahira, a multidisciplinary artist and prominent drag performer, entertains during the Black History Month Showcase and Proclamation event at Showplace in Peterborough on Wednesday. The event was hosted by the Community Race Relations Committee of...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Ticked off: Peterborough's famous clock has stalled
Never mind glancing up at the Market Hall clock tower to check the time: the clock stopped, weeks ago. Although it strikes the hour, the hands (on all faces) are stuck at a few minutes to 7 o'clock. “The clock is an everlooming reminder of error —...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Council approves cellphone ban during meetings
Peterborough council adopted a new procedure bylaw Monday following a series of delegations from the public outlining concerns over its impact on public trust. Council voted 83 in favour of adopting the new bylaw, with councillors Alex Bierk, Joy...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
ReFrame Film Festival 2026 edition now underway
The ReFrame Film Festival is back in Peterborough. This year's festival kicked off with the inperson portion from Friday to Sunday, featuring showings at Market Hall and Showplace. Saturday's schedule also featured a panel discussion of the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Spalding primed for Olympic debut
Cameron Spalding may have had options in life other than becoming an Olympic and professional snowboarder, but you'll never convince him of that. From the time he won his first contest at age six and did his first backflip at seven, it's been all he's...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
`Our work is not yet done,' peace medal winner says
Linda Slavin and Lesley Kirton each received a YMCA Peace Medal at a ceremony Friday morning at the McDonnel Street Community Centre in Peterborough. Mayor Jeff Leal thanked each recipient “for their leadership, generosity, courage, kindness and their...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Investor appealing decision to deny Parkhill condo conversion
Peterborough city council's decision to deny a condo conversion application for the 128 rental townhouses at 700 Parkhill Rd. W. has been officially appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT). The appeal, which has now been posted to the OLT's...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
`There's nothing you can do': Milliondollar home destroyed
A fire recently ripped through a milliondollar, custombuilt log home in Trent Lakes, leaving homeowners Dave and Gayle Roberts homeless and with little more than the clothes they were wearing. The married couple of 54 years were on the road to...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
`One last trip in the truck and trailer and with the last laugh'
If you live around Lakehurst — or really, anywhere between Gannon's Narrows and Buckhorn — you probably knew Roger Jackson for his sweet corn. He and his wife Sylvia were wellknown for it. But Roger wore a lot of hats. He drove a truck in his younger...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Susan Fisher takes top honours at Rotary adult spelling bee
In what has become one of the Rotary Club of Peterborough's favourite annual traditions, local media personalities faced off against club members during an adult spelling bee on Monday. The event was held to promote the Rotary Club's upcoming 12th...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
New rules could limit councillors phone use
A proposed update of the rules governing Peterborough city council meetings would restrict elected officials from using cellphones — or any other electronic device, either personal or cityissued — for communication during meetings. “Members (of...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Cold snap heats up shelter concerns
With temperatures expected to dip as low as 37 C with wind chill Saturday, Peterborough's cochairs of housing and homelessness are again raising concerns about shelter spaces for the city's homeless population. “Our own city numbers show that...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Demolition of historic farmhouse closer to reality
A derelict farmhouse on Carnegie Drive in the city's north end — the old house that overlooks the Heritage Park subdivision — is a step closer to demolition. The Peterborough Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (PACAC) met Wednesday evening...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
AURORAS OVER CHEMONG
Deb Aben basks in the glow of a brilliant northern lights display over Chemong Lake in Ennismore on Tuesday night. The aurora borealis were vibrant as they danced across the sky, a phenomenon caused by charged particles from the sun interacting with...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Leal walks out on debate over his use of racial slur
Peterborough Mayor Jeff Leal walked out of council chambers Monday, refusing to hear from residents addressing an integrity report regarding his use of a racial slur. Two residents had signed up to speak on an integrity commissioner report that found...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Rotary swim marks 40th anniversary
The 40th annual Carl Oake Rotary Swim is taking place at the YMCA in Peterborough on Feb. 27 at 7 a.m. “Forty years later, this event is still bringing people together and still changing lives,” said Tony Grady, president of the Rotary Club of...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Early Petes goal proves to be winner over Niagara IceDogs
A quick start for the Peterborough Petes proved to be everything Saturday night. Kieron Walton's goal 46 seconds into the game stood as the winner as Easton Rye stopped 25 shots for his second shutout of the season in a 10 win over the Niagara...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Pappas Billiards marks 120 years
Pappas Billiards on George Street in Peterborough celebrates its 120th anniversary this year, with the business being handed down from father, Dean Pappas, to son Basil Pappas. “I'm 60 years old — I'm half the age of the business,” said Dean — former...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
New Peterborough business hall of fame class announced
The COVID pandemic took its toll on a number of small businesses, but the Avant Garden Shop found a way through it, and Brenda Ibey says the Peterborough community deserves a lot of the credit. “During the pandemic, there were customers that were...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Habitat for Humanity hands keys to newest homeowners
A milestone was celebrated on Sunday when the keys to Habitat for Humanity's 100th home were handed over to a Fraserville family. Kayla, Jimmy and their three children achieved their dream of affordable home ownership thanks to Habitat for Humanity...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Gaza man's Trent hope remains in limbo
A Palestinian student accepted to a doctoral program at Trent University in 2024 has had to defer his studies for a second time as he remains stuck in Gaza without word from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Waseem, whose last name...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Leal's use of slur did not break council code of conduct
Peterborough's integrity commissioner has found that Mayor Jeff Leal did not contravene the council code of conduct when he used a racial slur against Black people during a guest lecture at Trent University in March 2025. In the report, released...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Petes joining with cancer survivors for charity game
Two Peterborough teams who lead the way in cancer research fundraising are joining forces for the 17th annual Pink in the Rink. The Peterborough Petes and Survivors Abreast, through their annual Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival, have combined to...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Wilson dedicated his life to community
Paul Wilson, noted rugby and squash player, founding sports director of Trent University and former city alderman in Peterborough, has died. He was 86. Wilson died Sunday following a short hospitalization. He is survived by wife Gillian and daughter...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Leal welcomes city residents to new year
Mayor Jeff Leal says he is looking forward to getting back to work for the people of Peterborough in 2026, noting that the city is set to make headway on some major projects this year. During the annual Mayor's New Year's Levee, held this year at the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
DiCunzolo and Rye shine in Petes' new year's win
Gerry DiCunzolo has shown flashes of the offensive skills which made him coveted by the Peterborough Petes and Penn State University. His first OHL gamewinning goal was a highlight reel type in the Petes' 31 New Year's Day matinee win over the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
What made headlines in 2025 in Peterborough?
It’s not every year a Canadian mayor is caught saying a racial slur in the middle of a university lecture, and perhaps even more seldom is it that the same mayor is found to have broken his own council’s code of conduct on two separate occasions. But...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
A look at Examiner's news photos of the year
The year 2025 was a busy one for news in Peterborough. Here is a look at some of our best news photos of the year, captured by awardwinning staff photographer Clifford Skarstedt.
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Examiner's favourite sports photos of the year
There was no shortage of local sports action for Peterborough Examiner photographer Clifford Skarstedt to capture in 2025. Here is a look back at some of Clifford's favourite photos of the year.
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Our favourite news, feature photos of 2025
Not all great photographs are taken during breaking news events. Some of veteran Examiner photographer Clifford Skarstedt's favourite photos from 2025 are of people living their daytoday lives in Peterborough and our surrounding communities. Here...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Liberals are `headed in the right direction,' MP says
There is a sense of optimism in Ottawa among members of the Liberal caucus as 2025 comes to a close, according to Peterborough MP Emma Harrison. This shouldn't come as a surprise after a year which saw the political tables turn following the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Mayor talks affordability, housing as year wraps up
Mayor Jeff Leal is hosting his New Year's Levee at the Miskin Law Community Complex on Jan. 4, starting at 1 p.m. “There will be free skating at our brandnew facility,” he said in his office at city hall. Leal mentioned it as he sat down with The...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
MPP Smith looking to the future after year of victories
At the end of a year that returned Doug Ford’s PC government to power following a snap election called in the midst of widespread uncertainty caused by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith says he remains focused...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Northcrest neighbours GoFundMe campaign wraps up
Northcrest Neighbours for Fair Process (NNFP) has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to cover the costs of a $22,500 settlement following the group’s abandoned legal challenge of strong-mayor powers. Last week, the group announced it had...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
`Harmony for Healing' returns in February
The third annual “Harmony for Healing” concert returns in February with “Power of Love: Voices of Youth.” This locally produced mentalhealth awareness event is a live concert experience that brings the community together for a night of...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Sherbrooke Heights workers reach agreement
Workers at Sherbrooke Heights have reached a tentative agreement with their employers for better wages and benefits. The ratification of a threeyear agreement was reached on Saturday and prevented a strike or lockout, which was expected to occur on...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
HEALING WITH HARMONY
Musician Caitlin O'Connor performs during an event at The El(P) to announce details of the third annual Harmony for Healing: Power of Love concert at Market Hall on Feb. 19. The event has sold out every year and has become a signature community...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Mount Community Centre purchases Argyle property
The Mount Community Centre has taken ownership of the sixacre property at 780 Argyle St. in Peterborough to be developed into a community hub for affordable housing and nonprofit and medical office space. The announcement was made Wednesday during an...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Birrell takes his final bow with inspiring performance
An emotional performance of Handel’s “Messiah” on Monday night marked Syd Birrell’s final performance with his beloved Peterborough Singers. The concert at Emmanuel United Church in downtown Peterborough was Birrell’s final time conducting the choir...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Kids' Christmas Party tradition continues dad's legacy
Christmas came early for about 80 Peterborough children on Saturday as Santa made a special appearance to deliver gifts during a party organized by Tom Crewe, his daughters Melanie and Shantelle, and volunteers from St. Andrews Church. “Every seat was...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
LOONIES ON THE STREET
Santa and the Grinch collect donations in East City on Friday morning during the 25th Loonies on the Street fundraiser in support of Kawartha Food Share. To date, more than $205,000 has been raised. For more on the fundraiser, see
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Deal struck to maintain slots at Kawartha Downs
A new fiveyear agreement has been reached to keep Shorelines Slots operating at Kawartha Downs, reversing a closure scheduled for 2026 and saving approximately 150 jobs. Kawartha Downs president Richard Weldon confirmed Thursday that a new fiveyear...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Agency raises alarm over plan to require cash for bail
Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough executive director Debbie Carriere says the province's new cash for bail proposal will only punish the disadvantaged. Last month, the Ontario government announced it would introduce legislation that would require...
Read Full Story (Page 1)