DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: More frequent wastewater bypasses, in Fenelon Falls, are prompting renewed calls for action at the municipal level, with councillors asking staff to investigate additional ways to reduce overflows, before major upgrades are scheduled later this decade. During a Committee of the Whole meeting, on May 5th, members received a memorandum from Mike Perry, requesting staff examine options for reduci

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: A deteriorating rural crossing, west of Old Simcoe Road, is set for a major upgrade, after council endorsed a modular bridge solution, aimed at improving safety while saving both time and money. At its meeting, on April 27th, council approved a plan to replace a failing concrete box culvert, on Scugog Line 2, with a prefabricated modular bridge system, awarding a single-source contract, valued at roug

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 Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Motorists in Port Perry can expect smoother drives ahead, as Scugog Township moves forward with a targeted plan to repair several high-traffic roads, following a punishing winter season. At its meeting, on Monday, March 23rd, council approved a recommendation, from the Public Works and Recreation Department, to use unallocated Roads Levy Reserve funds to rehabilitate key stretches of roadway in the Port Perry

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard BLACKSTOCK: Residents and businesses in the Hamlet of Blackstock are being asked to limit water use as the Regional Municipality of Durham implements temporary conservation measures in support of ongoing infrastructure work. The advisory applies to all municipal water users in Blackstock, located in the Township of Scugog, from March 27th through April 27th, though officials note that unfavourable weather conditions could affect the project timelin

by Geoffrey Carpentier A few years ago, a cloud was just that, a cloud. Now it seems it’s actually a remote computer which mysteriously stores any information I wish to entrust to it. While we may not understand it, if you’ve ever saved a photo to ‘the cloud,’ streamed a movie on Netflix, or backed up your phone, you’ve used the ‘cloud.’ The term sounds nebulous and abstract, as if your data floats somewhere above the Earth, but in reality, the cloud is firmly grounded in bui

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: The dream of a national title came to an end for Blackstock, on Saturday night, but the pride and momentum built, through the 2026 Kraft Hockeyville campaign, will carry on, long after the final votes counted. During the live broadcast, on the evening of Saturday, March 21st, it was announced, Taber and Tumbler Ridge had been selected as the Top two communities in this year’s competition, leaving Blac

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: The small North Durham community of Blackstock is celebrating national recognition, after being named Ontario’s provincial winner in the 2026 edition of the Kraft Hockeyville competition. The announcement was made during the March 14th broadcast of Hockey Night in Canada, placing the Blackstock Arena among 13 communities across Canada selected as provincial and territorial winners. The recognition mea

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

Natasha O’Dell, Digital Brand Manager LSRCA DURHAM/KAWARTHA LAKES: The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) is warning residents, across the Lake Simcoe watershed, to exercise extreme caution near rivers, lakes, and streams, as warming temperatures and melting ice create increasingly hazardous spring conditions. After a winter, marked by heavy snowfall and significant ice buildup, a rapid warmup is now accelerating the seasonal thaw. Weather forecasts indicate t

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Repairs are moving ahead, on a well-used pedestrian link in the heart of Cannington, after council approved a contract for rehabilitation work, on the MacLeod Park Pedestrian Bridge, at its meeting, on Monday, February 23rd. Council awarded a contract to Melfer Construction Inc., the lowest compliant bidder, following a competitive Request for Tender process which closed on February 5th. Eleven bids

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

by Shawn Lackie Quick question. Do you ever just pause and take a look around you and acknowledge the changes which have been happening? John Lennon wrote, in one of his songs, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” He was so right. We often get caught up in the day to day madness of jobs, raising kids, making and saving money; always making future plans. Then we wake up one morning, take a look around and say, “Where did all these houses come fro

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Long-anticipated repairs at the Blackstock Recreation Complex are moving a step closer to reality, with council approving a design assignment which could lay the groundwork for major roof and structural upgrades at the community facility. At a recent meeting, council received a report from Grant Taylor, Director of Public Works & Recreation, recommending the Township retain Sense Engineering (GTA) I

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 SCUGOG: Generations of skaters, players, and families are uniting behind a shared goal, as the community puts forward the Blackstock Recreation Complex, as its nominee for the 2026 edition of the Kraft Hockeyville contest. Blackstock Arena is one of Canada’s true hockey originals. First opening in 1933 as an outdoor skating pad, it holds the distinction of being the second-oldest ice surface in the country.

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