DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SUNDERLAND: The long-awaited return of activities to the Sunderland Memorial Arena is getting closer, as the Township of Brock now anticipates ice allocations for local user groups to begin December 7th. The major renovation project continues to make “excellent progress,” with substantial completion currently expected by the end of October, provided no further unforeseen conditions arise. The arena, originall

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Driving schools, operating on roads throughout Kawartha Lakes, could soon face new municipal rules. City council has directed staff to develop a business case and licensing program for driving school operators, following concerns raised about traffic, road safety, and the repeated use of some local streets for driver training. The issue came before council, at a recent meeting, in a report fro

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: The Kawartha Art Gallery is inviting artists to submit work, for its 2026 Annual Juried Exhibition, which will focus on the relationship between women, art, and political change. Voices & Visibility: Women, Art, and Political Change will run from October 7th to December 19th. The exhibition will explore themes including: democracy, advocacy, leadership, identity, protest, belonging, representa

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Seventy-nine firefighters are currently answering the call when emergencies strike across Brock, with volunteers serving from fire stations in Sunderland, Cannington, and Beaverton. Brock Councillors received an update on the Fire Department’s personnel, during its meeting on Monday, July 27th, with, Fire Chief and Community Emergency Management Coordinator, Rick Harrison presenting a report outlining

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: The spirit of the Old West rode into Port Perry and the surrounding Lake Scugog community over the weekend, as the 96th annual Lake Scugog Regatta celebrated its Western Hoedown theme from July 31st to August 2nd. The long-running summer tradition brought together residents and visitors for a weekend of family entertainment, community events, and plenty of Western-themed fun. The mechanical bull prove

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard UXBRIDGE: Brock Webster’s remarkable rise in professional rugby has reached another milestone. The Uxbridge product has been named Major League Rugby(MLR)’s Player of the Year, after helping the Chicago Hounds make history, with a perfect championship season. The honour caps a remarkable two-year run for Webster, who has gone from uncertainty about his rugby future to becoming a back-to-back MLR champion and one of the league’s top players. Webster'

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: The heartbeat of the drum echoed across Scugog, as the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation (MSIFN) welcomed dancers, drummers, Elders, community members, and visitors for the 28th annual MSIFN Pow Wow, on Saturday, July 18th, and Sunday, July 19th. Held on the Pow Wow grounds of Scugog Island, the annual gathering once again drew large crowds, from across Durham Region, Kawartha Lakes, and beyo

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard NORTH DURHAM: Cyclists, looking to explore the countryside this summer, have plenty of reasons to head north, as Durham Region is highlighting a collection of scenic cycling routes, through Brock, Scugog, and Uxbridge as part of its Shift Into Scenic Durham Region campaign. The initiative encourages residents and visitors to discover North Durham's picturesque landscapes, historic downtowns, and rural communi

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: The vision for Lodwick Park, in Beaverton, took another step forward recently, as Brock’s councillors directed staff to seek updated pricing, to complete key improvements, including: enlarging the park's pickleball courts, adding a soccer pitch, and installing permanent park signage. At a recent meeting, council instructed staff to prepare a Request for Quotation (RFQ), to determine the additional fund

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard SCUGOG: As Scugog Arena prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary, this season, the Port Perry Lumberjacks are hoping to reconnect with the players who were among the first to lace up their skates in the building, more than five decades ago. The organization is searching for former members of the Port Perry Flamingos, the club's original name from 1972 to 1980, when the team was named after the famed Flamingo Pastries bakery and its legendary butte

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: The waters of Lake Simcoe, once again, proved why they are regarded among Canada's premier smallmouth bass fisheries, as anglers from across Ontario converged on Beaverton for the 2026 Competitive Sport Fishing League (CSFL) Bronzeback Cup, on July 4th and 5th. After two days of competitive fishing, Cory and Chris Johnston claimed the championship title, with an impressive combined two-day weight of 56

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Travellers, on Brock Township's rural roads, should continue to see improvements throughout the summer and autumn, as municipal crews press ahead with an expanded maintenance program, funded through council's emergency rural roads initiative. At a meeting, on Monday, June 29th, Brock Township Council received an update on the municipality's previously approved Rural Roads Emergency Funding program, in

DARRYL KNIGHT The Local Journalism Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: A former executive director of Kawartha Lakes Food Source (KLFS) is facing multiple criminal charges, after police allege more than $50,000 was improperly spent using the organization's credit card, during her time leading the local food security agency. According to court documents, Kathy Ridout was charged, by the Kawartha Lakes Police Service, in April of 2026, with fraud over $5,000, theft over $5,000, and crimin

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Residents will have a chance to help decide where municipal dollars should be spent next year, as public consultation gets underway, for the Township of Scugog's 2027 budget. Municipal officials are encouraging residents and property owners to share their priorities, through a new online engagement platform, complete a community survey, and participate in one of three public town hall meetings, next w

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES/DURHAM: A powerful line of severe thunderstorms swept across Kawartha Lakes and Durham Region on Canada Day, bringing damaging winds, torrential rain and intense lightning, disrupting celebrations, toppling trees and hydro lines, and leaving thousands of residents without electricity. Environment and Climate Change Canada issued severe thunderstorm warnings, as the fast-moving system crossed ce

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: The sights and sounds of horns, sirens, and heavy equipment will once again fill the Port Perry Fairgrounds, as the popular Port Perry Touch-a-Truck returns, on Friday, July 10th, promising an evening of hands-on family fun, supporting a worthy local cause. The event will run from 4 to 8 p.m. The 3rd Annual Port Perry Touch-a-Truck, presented by Brass Inc., invites children and adults, alike, to climb

NANCY NEWTON Soroptimist International of Kawartha Lakes KAWARTHA LAKES: Four young women graduating from our local high schools were recognized, in June, for their peer leadership, with the Soroptimist Positive Influence Award, from Soroptimist International of Kawartha Lakes. Soroptimist International of Kawartha Lakes joins with the schools in their annual recognition activities, by presenting the award to a female graduating student, from each of the city’s four secondary

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: The future of one of Scugog's most recognizable community gathering places will take centre stage, later this month, as local councillors convene for a special meeting, to consider the final recommendations from the Port Perry Fairgrounds Visioning Exercise. Council will meet, on Monday, July 13th, at 5:30 p.m., to receive the Port Perry Fairgrounds Visioning Exercise Final Report, along with a staff

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Residents are being asked to help determine the future of recreation facilities across the City of Kawartha Lakes, as the municipality begins work on a long-term plan to guide investments in community centres, arenas, swimming pools, and other recreational spaces. The City has launched its Recreation Facility Master Plan, a project which builds on the 2025 Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan a

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: A significant increase in policing resources for North Durham, the hiring of hundreds of new officers and stronger community engagement efforts, were among the key messages delivered to Brock Township Council, during a presentation from the Durham Regional Police Services (DRPS) Board. At its June 29th meeting, council welcomed, Board Vice-Chair, Karen Fisher, who provided an overview of policing prior