DARRYL KNIGHT Local Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: A community-led vision, for the future of the Blackstock Arena, was brought before Township of Scugog council recently, as a delegation called on the municipality to partner with residents, to revitalize the aging facility and secure its long-term future. Kirk Swain, Mike Blakey and Rob Harvey addressed council, at their meeting on Monday, December 9th, on behalf of the newly formed Blackstock Arena Planning and

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Residents’ concerns about the condition of their local roads are shaping a new approach to road planning, in the City of Kawartha Lakes, following Council’s support of the Roads Task Force recommendations, at its meeting on Tuesday, December 9th. Councillor Mike Perry told Council, the Task Force focused less on technical processes and more on how residents experience their roads every day.

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 The Standard Long before Basil McRae carved out a 16-year career in the National Hockey League, his hockey journey was taking shape in the rinks of small-town Ontario, where the game was as much about community as competition. Born and raised in Beaverton, where he made his mark early, helping his hometown teams capture several provincial championships. Those successes opened the door to junior hockey, and in 1975 he arrived in Port Perry, to suit up for the Fl

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: A new shade structure is one step closer to becoming a reality in MacLeod Park, after Brock Township Council approved the proposed location for a donated gazebo, during its Monday, December 8th meeting. The structure is expected to be installed near the skate park, with construction anticipated to begin in spring of 2026. The decision followed a report from, Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilitie

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Plans for the long-anticipated Queen Street and Perry Street construction project, in downtown Port Perry, have been revised following public consultation, business input and recent changes to the Township of Scugog’s capital budget. Council discussed the updated design, after receiving a report, from Dan Rosebrugh, Manager of Capital Projects, and an overview, from, Director of Public Works and Rec

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard The Uxbridge Bruins enjoyed a dominant weekend, in the Provincial Junior Hockey League, picking up two big wins over North Durham rivals. For the second straight Sunday, the Bruins travelled to Scugog Arena and skated to victory, against the Port Perry LumberJacks, in the Battle of North Durham. Returning from a three-game suspension, goalie Robby DiMaria stopped 29 shots, to secure the win. Uxbridge struck early, when Danny Thomakos scored, just 2:

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Twenty-five years after it was sealed beneath Lindsay’s eternal flame, the community’s Millennium Time Capsule will be opened, on Tuesday, December 16th, in front of the Kawartha Lakes Library’s Lindsay Branch. The capsule was installed, in the year 2000, during the renovation of Queens Square, a project which blended renewal with reflection, as residents marked the arrival of a new century. T

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: A recent council meeting, on Monday, November 24th, featured the presentation of the 2024–2025 status update, for the Township’s 2022–2026 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (MYAP). It offered a detailed look at the accessibility upgrades, completed throughout Brock, over the past two years. Deputy Clerk Maralee Drake, who delivered the report, said, the municipality has made steady, meaningful progress t

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Students looking to line up a summer job will have the chance to meet Township staff, later this month, when Scugog hosts a Student Job Fair, on Monday, December 29th, at the Scugog Community Recreation Centre. The drop-in event runs from 3 to 5 p.m. and is open to both high school and post-secondary students. Departments represented will include: aquatics, summer camps, parks, communications, the Sc

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: As temperatures drop, community organizations, in Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County, are working together to make sure no one has to face the cold alone. Through a renewed partnership with A Place Called Home (APCH), emergency shelter and support services will be available across the region, this winter. The 2025–2026 Out of the Cold Program will operate from December 1st, 2025, to March 31

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: A comprehensive review, of how the Township of Scugog communicates with residents, is setting the stage for potential improvements in outreach, storytelling, and public engagement, though council has opted not to endorse the recommendations at this time. The findings were presented as part of a detailed report, from, Director of Communications and Strategic Projects, Lori Bowers. This was included on

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard It was an eventful weekend for North Durham’s PJHL teams, highlighted by a thrilling Battle of North Durham between the Uxbridge Bruins and Port Perry LumberJacks. On Sunday at Scugog Arena, the Bruins came away with a 6-2 victory over their archrivals. Port Perry struck first just 26 seconds in when Kyle Den Ouden scored, assisted by Liam Rampersad. Uxbridge quickly responded, with Jack Kemp tying the game in the first period. Tanner Ryan gave the

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: A trio of recent “Your Voice, Your Fairgrounds” pop-in sessions left many local residents feeling frustrated and underwhelmed after the long-awaited consultations offered little more than sticky notes and suggestion boards. The three drop-in events, which were held over the past week in Port Perry at the Library and Vos’ Independent grocery store, as well as at Greenbank Hall, as part of the Townshi

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

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Residents, business owners, and visitors are being invited to help shape a new Municipal and Tourism Wayfinding Strategy, a plan designed to make it easier for people to navigate the municipality and find key destinations. The strategy will evaluate current signage, identify gaps, and establish a consistent, user-friendly approach across Kawartha Lakes. This involves everything from municipa

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: A packed house, at Scugog Arena, helped make this year’s Hockey Night in Port Perry a rousing success, as fans, families, and hockey stars came together, on Saturday, November 29th, for an evening of entertainment and community spirit, in support of Oak Ridges Hospice. Now, in its second year, the charity showcase, once again, delivered a high-energy blend of on-ice action and family-friendly fun. Do

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard It was an action-packed weekend of Provincial Junior Hockey League play across North Durham and Kawartha Lakes, featuring high-scoring wins, intense rivalries, and overtime drama. The Uxbridge Bruins bounced back from a rare loss on Friday against Georgina with a dominant 10-2 road victory over the Clarington Eagles on Thursday night in Bowmanville. Darin Bain led the way with a hat trick, while Jack Kemp, Luke Kemp, Colin Tingay, Cameron Meek, Tuck

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Programming at Blackstock Arena was briefly disrupted last week after a small fire broke out, on the exterior of the Church Street facility, on Monday, November 17th. At approximately 5 p.m., Scugog Fire, supported by Uxbridge Fire and Durham Regional Police, responded to reports of a fire on the building's outside wall. The blaze was quickly brought under control. Early assessments indicated while t

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