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 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

KIM COULTER, RMH Foundation KAWARTHA LAKES: Champions of accessible health care, FDC (Fidani D. Carlo) Foundation has donated $1,200,000 to the Ross Memorial Hospital (RMH) Foundation to transform ultrasound imaging services at Ross Memorial Hospital. To inspire even greater support for this high-priority hospital need, FDC Foundation is challenging the community to join them. Once $500,000 is raised, it will unlock an additional $500,000 match gift from FDC, bringing their t

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: If Scugog Council was looking for a clear message from residents, heading into the 2027 budget process, roads and infrastructure came through loud and clear. Ninety-four percent of respondents, to the Township’s budget survey, identified roads, sidewalks, and infrastructure maintenance as a priority for 2027, making it by far the most frequently selected service area. Winter maintenance was next, with

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Local hockey players, figure skaters, ringette players, and other ice users are back on the ice in Cannington, following the completion of a series of major renovations, at the Rick MacLeish Memorial Community Centre. The arena has reopened for the new season after work focused on modernizing key components of the facility's ice-making and refrigeration systems. The improvements are intended to make th

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Beaverton’s four-legged residents now have a new place to run, play, and socialize, following the official opening of the Township of Brock’s new municipal dog park. The dog park, located at Mill Gateway Park, 204 Simcoe St. in Beaverton, officially opened September 9th with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by Brock Township Council, staff, residents, and their dogs. The new facility provides separa

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Residents across Kawartha Lakes can expect routine watermain flushing to begin Tuesday, September 15th, as the municipality carries out its annual autumn maintenance program. The flushing program will run through October 14th and will affect drinking water systems throughout the municipality. Woodville will see flushing between September 21st and October 9th, while other communities will be serviced on specific dates. Flushing is sch

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: A major investment in Brock Township’s rural road network continued recently, as crews carried out road maintenance work on four local routes. Lane restrictions began Thursday, August 27th, for the application of Flexible Asphalt Cold Technology (FACT), a self-healing road treatment, designed to help extend the life of existing road surfaces while reducing future maintenance and upkeep costs. The work

BRANDON CLARK The Standard SCUGOG: Scugog Township invites everyone to celebrate 50 years of memories, milestones, and community spirit at the Scugog Arena. For five decades, the Scugog Arena has been a cornerstone of the community, hosting: generations of athletes, families, volunteers, and fans across hockey, figure skating, ringette, broomball, lacrosse, and ball hockey. To honour this legacy, the Township is hosting two special anniversary events, on Saturday, September 1

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: After a long wait, construction of Beaverton’s new Mill Gate Dog Park is set to get underway this week. Brock Township recently announced the construction was set to begin on Monday, August 24th, as crews install fencing and posts, at the long-anticipated community dog park. The work is expected to be completed by the end of August, weather and site conditions permitting. The new facility will provide

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: A long-term plan for improvements to MacLeod Park, in Cannington, has taken another step forward, with Brock Township Council endorsing the park’s refined concept plan, at its July 27th meeting. The plan sets out a phased approach to upgrading the community park, with a focus on accessibility, safety, active recreation and environmental sustainability. Council identified three priorities for the plan:

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: A major infrastructure project, the construction of a new Beaver River Bridge, is set to get underway this week, on Regional Road 15, in the Township of Brock. It is expected to continue into late 2027. The Regional Municipality of Durham has hired Esposito Bros. Construction Ltd. to replace the existing temporary modular bridge, over the Beaver River. The contractor is expected to be on site, during t

SIERRA MILLER Strategic Planning & Communications Officer, Township of Uxbridge UXBRIDGE: Just after 4 p.m., on July 21st, the Uxbridge Public Library was impacted by a fire, caused by a lightning strike. The Uxbridge Fire Department responded quickly, arriving on scene and extinguishing the fire before significant damage occurred. During the incident, library staff acted quickly, to secure the site. All library staff and camp participants were safely evacuated, and no injuri

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 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

By Colleen Green, The Standard SCUGOG: The future of the Port Perry Fairgrounds remains uncertain after the Township of Scugog Council voted to defer consideration of the Port Perry Fairgrounds Visioning Exercise Final Report until the first quarter of 2027, leaving long-term plans for the site in limbo. Council chambers were filled to capacity during the July 13th meeting, with residents turning out in large numbers to voice concerns over the future of the fairgrounds and th

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Police are investigating after vandals spray-painted foul language and hate symbols, including swastikas, on a building at the baseball diamonds in Beaverton overnight on Wednesday, May 13th. The graffiti targeted a community facility used by local baseball teams, families, and community events. Volunteer Shana Stephenson, of the Beaverton Minor Baseball Association, said the incident was upsetting for

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 NORTH DURHAM: Residents and motorists, in the boundary area between Brock and Scugog, are being advised to prepare for several months of traffic disruptions, as the Regional Municipality of Durham moves ahead with a full replacement of the Saintfield Road Bridge over the Layton River. Durham Region has awarded the construction contract to Looby Construction Limited, and crews are expected to arrive the week o