DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Fresh ideas, as well as some lingering concerns, are expected to surface as the Township of Scugog prepares to host a new round of community workshops, focused on the future of the Port Perry Fairgrounds. Set for Wednesday, May 13th, at the Township Municipal Office, the sessions mark the next phase of the “Your Voice, Your Fairgrounds” community visioning exercise. Residents will get their first look

One of Ontario’s most historic paddling events is back. The 46th annual Marsh Mash will hit the water on Saturday, May 9th, welcoming canoeists, kayakers, stand-up paddleboarders, and outrigger paddlers from across the province. The canal, which surrounds the Holland Marsh, provides one of the best canoe racing courses in Ontario. Marsh Mash offers a wide range of recreational and competitive race categories. Distances range from five kilometres to 28 km, including adult and

DARRYL KNIGHT, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: 2025 was a year defined by extremes, and a financial balancing act few municipalities ever face. A report, presented at the Tuesday, April 21st council meeting, detailed how a series of severe weather events and economic pressures pushed the municipality toward a potential $44 million deficit in 2025. In the end, staff outlined a plan to absorb the hit through reserves, rather than passing th

SCUGOG: The township of Port Perry is set to become an international hotspot for equestrian sport this spring, as Restoration Ranch welcomes riders, from across North America, for a four-day Working Equitation event, from May 28th to May 31st. The show will serve as a critical qualifying event, for the World Equitation Games, scheduled to take place in Spain this September. Hosted by Working Equitation Canada (WECAN), the event will feature riders, from Ontario, Vermont, Nort

Darryl Knight – Local Journalism Initiative Reporter / Brandon Clark – The Standard News SCUGOG: Plans to develop a long-term vision for the Port Perry Fairgrounds are moving into their next stage following strong community participation in the first round of public consultation. At a special meeting on Monday, March 9th, Scugog council reviewed an interim report on the “Your Voice, Your Fairgrounds” land-use visioning project and agreed to move the process forward as the c

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Agriculture remains a driving force in Durham Region’s rural communities, and members of the Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee (DAAC) brought that message to council, during their annual update, on Monday, February 23rd. Matt Somerville and Nicole Swain outlined the committee’s ongoing work and the major issues currently facing the agricultural sector, emphasizing DAAC’s role as a key advisory

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: From dog and cat adoptions to responding to complaints about wildlife, Scugog Township’s Animal Control team handled another busy year, in 2025, maintaining stable animal populations while expanding community engagement. The department presented its year-end report to council, on Monday, February 2nd. “Even with modest increases in dog impoundments and decreases in cat and wild animal calls, our anim

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: As many tractors sit idle between seasons and winter planning takes shape around kitchen tables and barn offices, Kawartha Lakes is inviting the people behind the region’s food system to help shape what comes next. A new Agriculture and Food Action Plan survey is now open, giving farmers, agri-businesses, food producers, and community members the opportunity to share their experiences, challe

SARA URBANOWICZ Daisy Consulting Group SCUGOG: Darwin Pivot, the Toronto-based consulting firm, hired by Scugog Township to lead the Fairgrounds consultation, insists its mandate is strictly to listen and report and is not intended to advance or justify any predetermined outcome, including the sale of the Fairgrounds. That clarification stands in contrast to ongoing concerns raised in the community, including, following public statements indicating Council may choose to sell