BRANDON CLARK The Standard NORTH DURHAM: On Tuesday, March 24th, the North Durham Chamber of Commerce gathered at Blackstock Recreation Complex for its Annual General Meeting, running from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sponsored by several organizations, including TD, Durham College, and Elevation Accounting. Lunch was served by Mary's Country Kitchen. Following the welcome remarks from emcee Jonathan van Bilsen and Scugog Mayor Wilma Wotten, the meeting continued with an update

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: After two years at the helm of the Township of Brock’s administration, Chief Administrative Officer, Michelle Willson has announced she will be stepping down from her role, effective April 10th, as she prepares to pursue a new opportunity outside the area. The Township of Brock is preparing for a leadership transition, following the announcement Michelle Willson will be stepping down from her role. Ms.

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 KAWARTHA LAKES: A midpoint review of the municipality’s four-year strategic plan shows significant progress, with more initiatives now moving from planning into delivery and completion. At a council meeting, on Tuesday, March 10th, Josh Dunsworth, Manager of Strategy and Innovation for the City of Kawartha Lakes, presented the 2025 annual update and midpoint review of the 2024–2027 Strategic Plan. The repor

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Agriculture remains a driving force in Durham Region’s rural communities, and members of the Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee (DAAC) brought that message to council, during their annual update, on Monday, February 23rd. Matt Somerville and Nicole Swain outlined the committee’s ongoing work and the major issues currently facing the agricultural sector, emphasizing DAAC’s role as a key advisory

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Tourism growth and stronger coordination across sectors were front and centre, at Scugog council’s Monday, February 23rd meeting, where members endorsed a new four-year Visitor Growth Plan, aimed at building on the community’s rising visitation numbers and economic momentum. The plan was presented through a staff report, authored by Lori Bowers, Director of Communications and Strategic Projects. Chu

DARRYL KNIGHT The Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: An innovative road repair product tested last year will see a broader rollout in 2026 after council approved two major rehabilitation contracts aimed at improving driving conditions across the municipality. At its February 9th meeting, council awarded contracts for both Flexible Asphalt Cold Technology (FACT) and slurry seal projects to Miller Paving Limited, the lowest compliant bidder in each te

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 KAWARTHA LAKES: The intersection of Highway 35 and Highway 7A has long been a concern for drivers navigating its busy lanes. With vehicles merging from multiple directions and traffic volumes steadily increasing, residents and commuters have voiced worries about potential accidents and ongoing safety risks. In response, Deputy Mayor Richardson brought forward a proposal, at the Committee of the Whole meeting

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: From Lindsay to Omemee to Bethany, the 2025 Kawartha Lakes Business Count reveals a community full of economic potential and future possibilities. Presented at the Committee of the Whole meeting, on February 10th, the survey paints a picture of businesses thinking ahead, ready to hire, expand, and reach beyond the region. Rebecca Mustard, Manager of Economic Development, said, the survey was a

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard SCUGOG: The Regional Municipality of Durham has announced plans to drill a new municipal water supply well near 12235 Simcoe Street in the Township of Scugog to help strengthen the water supply for the community of Port Perry. Construction activities related to the project are scheduled to take place from February 17th through September 30th. Initial drilling work is expected to begin during the week of February 16th, with full construction of the

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

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 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 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 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 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 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

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard SCUGOG: Port Perry residents are being invited to help shape one of the community’s most valued public spaces, as the Township of Scugog launches its Your Voice, Your Fairgrounds campaign. With the future of the Port Perry Fairgrounds still undecided, the township has hired consultants Darwin Pivot and J.L. Richards (JLR) to gather ideas, concerns, and aspirations from across the community. As part of this effort, residents will have several oppo

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.