DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: On a chilly February morning, the halls of the Scugog Community Recreation Centre will soon be filled with laughter, bright colours, and the excited chatter of children because Family Day Fun is back. Scheduled for Monday, February 16th, the event promises a full day of free activities, where families can craft, play, skate, and make memories together. From crafts and games, to inflatables, balloon m

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Fifteen local entrepreneurs are being celebrated for successfully completing the Starter Company PLUS Program, a provincially funded initiative which helps aspiring and existing business owners launch and grow their ventures. This year’s graduates represent a diverse and innovative group of individuals, who have demonstrated resilience, creativity and dedication while turning their ideas into

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: A new three-year strategy is set to boost tourism and highlight the Township of Brock as a vibrant destination. The 2026 to 2029 Visitor Growth Plan, presented to Council, by, Communications and Tourism Coordinator Tamra Kaiser, provides a roadmap for increasing visitation, supporting local businesses, and enhancing residents’ quality of life. It was moved by Councillor Hodgson, seconded by Regional C

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard BROCK: Progress continues on the long-anticipated replacement of the Beaver River Bridge in Beaverton, as the Region of Durham advances regulatory steps required under federal legislation and prepares for construction to begin next year. The Region has submitted detailed information about the project to the Navigable Waters Registry, as required under the Canadian Navigable Waters Act. The submission, now open for public comment, outlines the proj

BRANDON CLARK The Standard UXBRIDGE: The Township of Uxbridge held a press conference, on Thursday, January 15th, to cover the replacement of a faulty culvert, on Brock Street, which has existed for over a century. The township has known it needs to be replaced for more than 30 years. Mayor Barton said, the project was delayed at the time he was elected, as the land was not owned by the Township. He mentioned other reasons for project delays, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. M

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard DURHAM/KAWARTHA LAKES: The proposed Alto high-speed rail network is moving forward with an ambitious vision. It aims to connect Toronto to Québec City, advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, and invite Canadians to help shape the future of national transportation. From the earliest stages of planning, Indigenous peoples have been recognized as key partners in the project. Discussions began at the outset and continue through open, respectful

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard SCUGOG: For fans flipping through the Port Perry LumberJacks gameday program this season, one section has quickly become a favourite. The “Where Are They Now?” feature has struck a chord, by doing more than revisiting old stats or familiar names. It has highlighted the deep, lasting bond between the team, its alumni, and the wider Scugog community. Each week, the feature profiles a former player and explores where life has taken them, since their ju

Durham Region and Kawartha Lakes are facing a housing crisis. First-time buyers struggle to afford homes, seniors seek manageable living options, and many residents simply cannot find stable, affordable housing. As local leaders search for solutions, one idea deserves serious attention: tiny homes. Tiny homes, compact, efficient dwellings often under 500 square feet, are more than a trendy concept. They provide affordable, flexible housing for a wide range of residents. Young

by Shawn Lackie A client called me recently, asking about the benefits of land leases. I had to choke back on this one but I did carry on. I asked, why on earth would they be asking about this. Strictly a personal opinion here, but a Land Lease is very similar to a condo purchase, and I have NOT been a fan of condo purchases, for my clients. For a myriad of reasons. In short order, you are buying the air space you live in, and really nothing more. You are subject to monthly m

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

By Patricia Dawson Winter fun is coming to Kawartha Lakes! The inaugural Kawartha Lakes Winter Festival takes place Sunday, February 1st, at Eganridge Golf Course, starting at 10 a.m. This inclusive, family-friendly event invites people of all ages and abilities to enjoy outdoor activity, fresh air, and community spirit. The morning features endurance runs on snow-covered trails, while the afternoon, 1:30 to 4 p.m., is packed with family fun activities. Highlights include sno

by Pat Asling For many folk, the news of the week was the weather, which affected much of North America! Of course, along with other things Canada got the blame for, that came out of the Arctic, a location much in the news lately for other political reasons. Thankfully, we are more used to this cold than many of the parts of the US to our south. The only thing hot there is the politics, which leaves me colder! I must apologize for no news last week due to a computer glitch. I

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard Rivalries, special teams, and strong goaltending were all on display over the weekend as the three local Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) clubs packed plenty of drama into a schedule that was ultimately cut short by winter weather. The action began Friday night in Uxbridge, where the Bruins delivered a statement performance at the Bear Den, shutting out the Clarington Eagles 4–0. Uxbridge controlled the pace early and leaned heavily on its pow

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard SCUGOG: Dana’s Goldsmithing marked a major milestone in community support with the presentation of an $8,000 donation to the Port Perry Hospital Foundation on Monday, January 19th, at its Queen Street location in Port Perry. The cheque presentation saw Tanya Latreille, Chair of the Port Perry Hospital Foundation, accept the donation from Dana Smith, alongside partners Kyra Martin and Lynda Bruno and members of the Dana’s Goldsmithing team. Proceeds

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Plans for new public washrooms at Beaverton Harbour are moving forward, after Council directed staff to hire Flexcell Engineering Inc. to begin design work and soil testing. The decision was made at Council’s regular meeting, on Monday, January 12th, following the presentation of a report, from, Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities, Wayne Ward which outlined the results of a competitive tender

TANNY CHIU Integrated Media SCUGOG : Just 15 minutes from Port Perry, the Mississaugas of Scugog Island is being recognized, on a national stage, for something its residents practice every day: kindness. The community has been named one of the Top 10 finalists in Canada’s Kindest Community , a nationwide program, presented by Coca-Cola Canada. The recognition comes after an extensive search which saw 804 communities across the country submit nearly 5,400 acts of kindness, ran

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

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard HALIBURTON/SCUGOG: One of Ontario’s most distinctive winter motorsports traditions is preparing to celebrate a major milestone. Ice racing in Minden will mark its 50th anniversary, during the 2026 season, celebrating five decades of competition, camaraderie, and cold-weather thrills. The roots of Minden ice racing stretch back to the mid-1970s, when races were first held on frozen swampland. By the late 1970s, the event found a permanent home at th

Carissa Ferguson, Kawartha Community Foundation KAWARTHA LAKES : The Kawartha Community Foundation is pleased to announce a $180,000 community investment, through the Together for Justice program, awarded, in recognition of the Foundation’s leadership capacity and its strong track record of community collaboration, to strengthen access to justice services and address systemic barriers across the City of Kawartha Lakes. Delivered locally, through the Kawartha Community Founda

by Geoffrey Carpentier The idea of animals being spies in our midst is not a new phenomenon. Historically, we used animals for varying purposes, mostly functional, such as beasts of burden, but over time we realized they could be used for other purposes. For example, during WWII, carrier pigeons were used to deliver messages to and from the front lines, to help the Allies. During the Cold War, the CIA developed small cameras which were strapped to homing pigeons. As the birds