DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard NORTH DURHAM: Businesses in Durham can now drop off Blue Box recycling at Regional Waste Management Facilities (WMFs) without paying fees, a move designed to ease the transition to Ontario’s new producer-run recycling system. The fee waiver was approved, as part of Durham’s 2026 Regional Budget, and is now in effect. Businesses which previously received municipal curbside Blue Box collection can bring dedicat

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: A defining landmark, on Port Perry’s waterfront, is poised for a new chapter, following a major federal funding announcement. The Township of Scugog, through the efforts of the volunteer-led charity PPGE Renovation & Revitalization Inc. (PPGE), has been successful in securing $500,000 from the Government of Canada’s Legacy Fund, to support the restoration and revitalization of the Port Perry Grain E

BRANDON CLARK & DARRYL KNIGHT  Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES/BROCK: Ontario has experienced brutal winter weather since last November, and with it have come repercussions for road and sidewalk maintenance. The City of Kawartha Lakes and Durham Region are two municipalities among many across the province that have experienced harsh seasonal conditions. Kawartha Lakes typically sees an average of 50 winter weather events that require snowp

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Residents of Beaverton may soon see improvements to local pickleball facilities, after a recent request brought the issue before Brock Township Council. At a council meeting, on Monday, January 26th, Andrew Wingrove, a longtime Beaverton resident and community supporter, submitted a letter raising concerns about the newly created pickleball court at Lodwick Park. Mr. Wingrove noted, the court does not

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 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

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 Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Early results from Brock Township’s Downtown Community Improvement Plan (CIP) suggest the program is already making a visible impact on local main streets, helping to encourage reinvestment and refresh the look of downtown areas. The update was outlined in a recent staff report, presented by, Director of Development Services, Robin Prentice, detailing activity since the updated Downtown CIP was appro

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: An aging and structurally compromised sand storage facility, in Sunderland, will soon be replaced, after council approved the purchase of a new fabric-covered dome with a temporary foundation, at its meeting, on Monday, December 8th. Council’s decision followed the presentation of a report, from, Interim Director of Public Works, Ben Kester, which detailed significant deterioration in the existing wo

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: The 2026 Operating and Capital Budget for the Township of Brock was adopted, following a formal presentation on Monday, November 24th, and Council deliberations on Wednesday, November 26th. In accordance with provincial legislation, under the Strong Mayor Powers framework, the budget was deemed adopted at the conclusion of the November 26th meeting. The 2026 budget encompasses: a 2 percent increase, d

BRANDON CLARK The Standard NORTH DURHAM: After a comprehensive procurement process, the townships of Uxbridge and Scugog have announced progress on the construction of a new Animal Shelter, with a total project budget of $3.8 million. The 6,457-square-foot facility will include designated spaces for dogs and cats, outdoor exercise areas, quarantine and isolation rooms, maternity spaces, and other amenities. A sod-turning event took place this Tuesday afternoon at 5500 Lakeri

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: At a Special Council Budget Meeting, on November 12th, 2025, the City of Kawartha Lakes (CKL) outlined its proposed 2026 Capital Budget, Special Projects Budget and Water–Wastewater Budget, representing more than $178 million in planned investments. Director of Corporate Services, Sara Beukeboom, presented the plans, emphasizing continued infrastructure renewal, service modernization, and prep

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Recreation and Leisure Coordinator, Alicia Bagshaw, presented the Annual Camp Summary to Brock Township Council this month, outlining the successes, challenges, and financial outcomes of the 2025 camp season. Following the report, Council directed staff to move ahead with planning the 2026 March Break Camp, scheduled for March 9th to 13th. and the 2026 Summer Day Camp, running from June 29th to Augus

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Long-standing concerns, over the future of the Blackstock Arena, were back before Scugog councillors, on Monday, November 10th, as the General Purpose and Administration Committee reviewed a detailed follow-up report, outlining five potential remediation options for the facility’s failing refrigeration plant. After extensive and, at times, tense discussion, councillors ultimately defeated a recommend

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Residents of Kawartha Lakes could see new investments in healthcare, roads, housing, and child care, under the proposed 2026 budget, presented at a Special Council Budget Meeting, on Wednesday, November 12th. The plan reflects months of public input and aims to balance community priorities while keeping taxes as low as possible. Chief Administrative Officer, Ron Taylor and, Director of Corpor

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Plans to expand the wetland, at the Baagwating Stormwater Management (SWM) Pond, in Port Perry, could mean changes for local baseball players. However, council says the project is crucial for protecting Lake Scugog’s water quality. The Township of Scugog council endorsed, in principle, “Option 1,” a large wetland pond, requiring the removal of the south baseball diamond at Joe Fowler Park, while direc

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Concern for the future of rural mail delivery has prompted Brock Council to take a stand, in defence of local postal services. At a recent meeting, councillors unanimously passed a resolution, urging the federal government and Canada Post to protect rural post offices and mail delivery routes, stressing their importance as a vital communications link, for residents and businesses across the township.

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Inititiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Residents of Kawartha Lakes could again cast their votes, online or by phone, in the 2026 municipal election. This, following a presentation to council, on November 4th, by, City Clerk, Cathie Ritchie. The proposal, presented during a Committee of the Whole meeting, would see the continued use of internet and telephone voting, not only for the election of Mayor, Councillors, and School Board

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Early ice will arrive at the Rick MacLeish Memorial Community Centre, in Cannington, beginning with the 2026–2027 season, following a decision by Brock Council at its October 27th meeting. The move comes after months of discussion and consultation with local sports organizations, agricultural societies, and community groups, about how to balance ice availability with long-standing fall fair tradition

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Concerns about housing affordability and business competitiveness took centre stage, at a recent Kawartha Lakes council meeting, when residents and developers weighed in on a proposed by-law to update the city’s development charges. As required under the Development Charges Act, a statutory public meeting was held, on October 21st, to review the proposed by-law and its background study. Dr.