DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Growing healthcare demands, across Durham Region; emergency department pressures; and major investments in mental health and hospital redevelopment were front and centre during a presentation to council members in Scugog, earlier this week. During the Township of Scugog’s General Purpose and Administration Committee meeting, on Monday, May 4th, Cynthia Davis, president and CEO of Lakeridge Health, and

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard/BRANDON CLARK The Standard BROCK: A long-running community tradition continues to support local groups across Brock Township, as more than $18,000 raised through the Annual Township of Brock Charity Golf Tournament has been distributed to community organizations. At a late-April council meeting, township officials celebrated the funding, which was awarded to 14 organizations spanning youth sports, arts, cultu

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: A deteriorating rural crossing, west of Old Simcoe Road, is set for a major upgrade, after council endorsed a modular bridge solution, aimed at improving safety while saving both time and money. At its meeting, on April 27th, council approved a plan to replace a failing concrete box culvert, on Scugog Line 2, with a prefabricated modular bridge system, awarding a single-source contract, valued at roug

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: A proposal to expand the stage, at Sunderland Town Hall, is moving ahead for further study, after receiving endorsement in principle at Brock Township’s Monday, April 27th council meeting. The plan, brought forward by the Sunderland Youth Theatre Group, calls for a permanent extension to the historic auditorium stage, an upgrade supporters say would improve safety, enhance performances, and better supp

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Potholes, washouts, and soft shoulders have become a familiar, and frustrating, sight, across Brock’s rural concessions, this spring, prompting council to take urgent action, at a special meeting on Friday, April 17th. With more than 100 millimetres of recent rainfall and lingering frost beneath the surface, road conditions, across the township, have deteriorated rapidly in recent weeks, drawing concer

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard UXBRIDGE: Provincial leaders gathered in Uxbridge on April 1st to announce new measures aimed at supporting small businesses, highlighting a significant corporate tax reduction, during an event hosted at the long-standing family enterprise, Low’s Furniture. The announcement brought together Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, Associate Minister of Small Business Nina Tangri, and Dan Kelly, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Busine

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: A roadmap for the future of local fire protection is now in place, after Council gave the green light to a comprehensive new Fire Master Plan, aimed at guiding service delivery over the next decade. The plan, prepared by Emergency Management Group Inc., was first presented to the General Purpose and Administration Committee, on March 2nd, following months of research, consultation, and analysis. It

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Motorists in Port Perry can expect smoother drives ahead, as Scugog Township moves forward with a targeted plan to repair several high-traffic roads, following a punishing winter season. At its meeting, on Monday, March 23rd, council approved a recommendation, from the Public Works and Recreation Department, to use unallocated Roads Levy Reserve funds to rehabilitate key stretches of roadway in the Port Perry

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: A proposed overhaul of purchasing rules, in the City of Kawartha Lakes, is aiming to strike a balance between supporting Canadian businesses and complying with complex trade laws. At a Committee of the Whole meeting, on Tuesday, March 10th, Launa Macey, Supervisor of Financial Services, Procurement, presented a Procurement Policy Update report, co-authored with, City Solicitor, Robyn Carlson.

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 BROCK: Repairs are moving ahead, on a well-used pedestrian link in the heart of Cannington, after council approved a contract for rehabilitation work, on the MacLeod Park Pedestrian Bridge, at its meeting, on Monday, February 23rd. Council awarded a contract to Melfer Construction Inc., the lowest compliant bidder, following a competitive Request for Tender process which closed on February 5th. Eleven bids

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Families across Kawartha Lakes could soon see more licensed child care spaces in their own neighbourhoods, as municipal leaders map out how to meet provincial growth targets while navigating tight timelines and funding uncertainty. At a recent Committee of the Whole meeting, Alyson Truax, Manager of Human Services for the City of Kawartha Lakes, presented the 2025 Child Care Expansion and Directed Growt

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Long-anticipated repairs at the Blackstock Recreation Complex are moving a step closer to reality, with council approving a design assignment which could lay the groundwork for major roof and structural upgrades at the community facility. At a recent meeting, council received a report from Grant Taylor, Director of Public Works & Recreation, recommending the Township retain Sense Engineering (GTA) I

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: A new 10-year growth strategy aims to ensure the local library system keeps pace with a growing and evolving community, but officials say action is needed soon, as existing space and staffing levels are being stretched to their limits. At the February 10th Committee of the Whole meeting, council received a presentation outlining the 2026–2036 Growth Management Plan for the Kawartha Lakes Pub

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Inititiative Reporter for the Standard BROCK: Cycling tourism could soon get a visible boost across Brock Township, as council signalled support for a regional wayfinding signage program, at its Monday, February 9th meeting. Communications and Tourism Coordinator, Tamra Kaiser presented a staff report, outlining the Regional Municipality of Durham’s plan to implement a Rural Cycling Wayfinding Signage Program, throughout North Durham, as part

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: More students could soon be hitting the ice, during the school day, after Council approved a new non-prime school rental rate, at its Monday, February 9th, meeting, a move, sparked by a high school program, is already generating excitement among families with children in local elementary schools. Councillors voted to create a $120 per hour daytime school rate, at the Rick MacLeish Memorial Community C

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