DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Inititative Reporter The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: A proposed three-megawatt hydroelectric generating station, on the Burnt River, has received municipal support to move forward with a provincial energy procurement submission, although significant planning, environmental, and regulatory approvals would still be required, before construction could begin. City council voted, on Tuesday, September 22nd, to approve a Municipal Resolution in Support o

BRANDON CLARK The Standard NORTH DURHAM: On September 17th, the Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee (DAAC) held their annual farm tour, where they showcase the importance of Durham Region's agricultural history. The tour is designed to educate politicians, government officials, and key stateholders on the importance of farming and the major role it plays in Durham Region. In addition to the farm tour, the DAAC held a presentation from keynote speaker Brock Dickinson, where

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: More than $18 million in road construction and rehabilitation, $4 million in gravel road maintenance and more than $19 million in outside funding are among the highlights from Scugog’s Strategic Plan. The Township presented its Strategic Plan Progress Report to council in September, outlining work undertaken across the five directions adopted in 2023: Infrastructure, Sustainability, Economic Developme

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Hybrid and hydrogen-powered vehicles are already part of the City of Kawartha Lakes fleet, but electric vehicles remain on the table as the municipality looks ahead to future vehicle replacements. Council received an update, on the city’s Municipal Fleet Greening Program, during its Tuesday, September 22nd meeting, following a report from, Public Works Director, Zayden Alganabi. The report out

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Another round of improvements is taking shape at MacLeod Park, with new basketball and tennis infrastructures, among the latest upgrades, underway at the Cannington recreation hub. Contractors have installed new basketball posts at the park, nets are expected to be added next spring. Work has also been progressing on the park’s tennis courts, where new court posts have been installed. The project was e

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: With the current term of Council nearing its end, the City of Kawartha Lakes is reporting significant progress on the priorities it set out, nearly three years ago, with 98 percent of its tracked strategic initiatives now either completed or moving forward as planned. Council received its 2026 mid-year update, on the 2024–2027 Strategic Plan, during its August 25th meeting. According to the re

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: As summer winds down, six young entrepreneurs, in the region, are wrapping up a season of turning their ideas into businesses, through the 2026 Summer Company Program. The annual program, offered through the Kawartha Lakes Small Business Centre (KLSBC) in partnership with the Province of Ontario, provides students with an opportunity to launch and operate their own businesses, while gaining ha

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 long-overdue overhaul of Brock's rules governing site alteration and fill is moving forward. Municipal officials say, the proposed changes will better protect farmland, natural features, and neighbouring properties while making the approval process easier to understand. Council recently received a report, from, Chief Building Official, Chris Robinson, outlining a proposed new Site Alteration and Fill

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: A proposed mixed-use development which could bring between 950 and 1,375 new homes, employment lands, commercial space, parks, and a long-term care component to Port Perry, took its first public step through the planning process, at a Statutory Public Meeting, held by Scugog Township's Planning and Community Affairs Committee, on June 15th. The proposal affects approximately 64 hectares (157 acres) of

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Businesses across Kawartha Lakes will once again be in the spotlight, this summer, as the 2026 Business Count survey officially gets underway. Conducted in partnership with local Chambers of Commerce and the Lindsay Downtown BIA, the initiative will see survey teams visiting downtowns and employment areas, throughout the municipality, to gather information directly from business owners and ope

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Fresh ideas, as well as some lingering concerns, are expected to surface as the Township of Scugog prepares to host a new round of community workshops, focused on the future of the Port Perry Fairgrounds. Set for Wednesday, May 13th, at the Township Municipal Office, the sessions mark the next phase of the “Your Voice, Your Fairgrounds” community visioning exercise. Residents will get their first look

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Rising demand for affordable living options is prompting a closer look at how more people are sharing space under one roof, across City of Kawartha Lakes. With population growth and housing pressures continuing to mount, municipal officials have launched a public consultation on high-occupancy housing, an umbrella term which includes accessory dwelling units, room rentals, and other shared liv

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: A new roadmap designed to strengthen farms, food businesses, and rural communities, over the next five years, is moving one step closer to approval. During a Committee of the Whole meeting, on Tuesday, April 7th, Kelly Maloney, Economic Development Officer – Agriculture, presented the Kawartha Lakes Agriculture and Food Action Plan 2026–2030, outlining a vision for a more resilient, connected,

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