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

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Local non-profit organizations have new opportunities for support, as Kawartha Lakes announces the opening of its 2026 intake for Economic Development Funds. Applications officially opened, on Friday, November 21st, with three programs available, to help strengthen community-based economic and cultural initiatives. This year brings a significant update with the launch of a new cultural projec

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard It was a mixed weekend, for local teams in the Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL), with the Little Britain Merchants delivering the area’s only win, while the Uxbridge Bruins and Port Perry LumberJacks came up short in their match-ups. A lively crowd of nearly 500 fans packed the Bear Den, on Friday night, November 21st, as the Uxbridge Bruins battled the Georgina Ice. The visitors escaped with a narrow 2-1 victory. After a scoreless first perio

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 BROCK: A unanimous vote at a Special Council meeting on Wednesday, November 12th has resulted in the appointment of Ron Hodgson as the new Ward 4 councillor. The longtime community volunteer and lifelong Brock resident was selected from a field of seven candidates to serve the remainder of the 2022–2026 council term. The vacancy was created earlier this fall when former Ward 4 councillor Cria Pettingill was

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: A 22-year-old man is dead following a late-night shooting in Beaverton, marking Durham Region’s eighth homicide of 2025. Durham Regional Police say officers from North Division responded to reports of gunfire at approximately 11:10 p.m. on Sunday, November 16th. The call came from the area of Mara Road and Simcoe Street, where witnesses reported hearing several shots. A short time later, police were n

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard UXBRIDGE: Three members of the Uxbridge Fire Department were injured Sunday evening after a vehicle lost control and struck them while they were assisting at the scene of a separate collision. According to police, on Sunday, November 16th, at approximately 7:40 p.m., emergency crews from North Division and Uxbridge Fire responded to a motor vehicle collision on Wagg Road near Old Highway 47. The initial cras

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 The Standard The Lindsay Muskies experienced a weekend of highs and lows in Ontario Junior Hockey League action, starting with a tough 3-1 loss to the Trenton Golden Hawks at home on Friday before battling to a hard-fought 3-3 double-overtime draw against the North York Rangers on Sunday. Friday night’s matchup at the Lindsay Recreation Complex saw Trenton pull off a dramatic late surge. Ajay Rai gave the Muskies an early boost in the second period, scoring his

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard After suffering their first defeat of the 2025-26 season last weekend, the Uxbridge Bruins returned to form with two commanding victories, while the Port Perry LumberJacks and Little Britain Merchants each went one-and-one. The Bruins opened their weekend on Friday night at the Bear Den with an 11-1 rout of the Schomberg Cougars. Uxbridge struck early and often, with Tucker Roberts, Darin Bain, and Ryan Shier each scoring in the first period. Evan G

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard NORTH DURHAM : Business owners across North Durham are being told they’ll soon need to handle their own recycling collections, as the region prepares to end blue box service for commercial properties. The North Durham Chamber of Commerce issued an advisory this week, informing members, beginning next year, businesses will no longer be eligible to use the regular curbside blue box program. Instead, they must e

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.