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: The wonder of the holiday season will light up Ken Reid Conservation Area, near Lindsay, once again, as The Illuminated Forest returns for its fourth year. From Friday, December 12th to Sunday, December 28th, visitors can wander through trails adorned with thousands of twinkling lights, creating a winter wonderland for the whole family. Since it first opened in 2022, The Illuminated Forest has

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

By Patricia Dawson Come out to a fun event put on by the United Way of Haliburton Kawartha Lakes. This will take place on December 2nd from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at 68 McLaughlin Road, in Lindsay. Get ready to jingle all the way through a festive night of fun and friendly competition. Expect multiple trivia rounds with various holiday categories, prizes for winning teams, snacks and drinks, the party doesn't have to end after trivia, stay for a round of axe throwing after, at a dis

KIM COULTER Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation KAWARTHA LAKES: Whether you’ve lived here all your life or you are new to Kawartha Lakes, what matters most, for you and your family, is knowing the highest quality care is available nearby. That is the message Jeff Todd is sharing this holiday season, through the RMH Foundation holiday appeal letters, being delivered to households across Kawartha Lakes. Having grown up here, moved away for 20 years, and returned to raise his fa

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

BRANDON CLARK The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: As the City of Kawartha Lakes considers the future of the Waite Municipal Drain, property owners and residents in the Fenelon Falls area are watching closely. The Drainage Board met on October 30th, to review an engineer’s report under the Ontario Drainage Act, putting potential changes to drainage infrastructure on the community’s agenda. The meeting raises important questions about how drainage improvements could affect farmland,

KAWARTHA LAKES: On September 12th, Caressant Care on Mary Street, the long-term care home in Lindsay, proudly celebrates its 50th anniversary, a milestone half a century in the making. Since its early days, this home has become a cornerstone of care in the Kawartha Lakes, providing comfort, dignity, and community to generations of residents. Founded as part of Caressant Care Nursing & Retirement Homes Ltd., the broader organization traces its roots to 1975, when its first lo

By Patricia Dawson The Winter Makers Market 2025 will take place on Saturday, November 22nd, at 10 a.m. Join us at Kent Place Mall, 189 Kent Street West, for the 4th Annual Winter Makers Market, featuring the work of local artisans and celebrating the holiday season. We're so excited to present the incredible work of local artists . This event is the opportunity to discover and purchase original Handcrafted Creations just in time for the holiday season. Explore the jewellery,

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 Inititiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Residents of Kawartha Lakes could again cast their votes, online or by phone, in the 2026 municipal election. This, following a presentation to council, on November 4th, by, City Clerk, Cathie Ritchie. The proposal, presented during a Committee of the Whole meeting, would see the continued use of internet and telephone voting, not only for the election of Mayor, Councillors, and School Board

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Efforts to protect fish habitats and improve water quality, near the Bobcaygeon Dam, are taking another step forward, as Kawartha Conservation continues its detailed study of how dam operations affect the surrounding aquatic ecosystem. The conservation authority shared its latest findings and future plans, with Kawartha Lakes councillors, during a Committee of the Whole meeting, held on Tuesda

KATIE HUNTER The Standard DURHAM: Tyrone Tackles Hunger is a grassroots approach our family, (the Bell’s), initiated back in 2020. Now running its sixth annual food drive campaign benefiting the Bowmanville Salvation Army Food Bank, running from November 1st until December 6th, 2025. It’s based out of Tyrone but support is also rallied across our northern communities of Haydon, Enniskillen, Burketon, Hampton and places in between! We have a ‘reindeer mascot’ who we grow our

By Patricia Dawson Come out to a fun weekend in Bobcageon for the Kawartha Lakes Festival of Trees from November 14th to 16th. There will be fun for all ages: the family can visit the candy shop, the children can see Santa, and there will be a silent auction. The address is 85 Dunn Street, in Bobcaygeon. Some exciting activities and attractions include a horse-and-wagon ride, children's activities, and a general store selling unique gift ideas. The festival pass is 15 per per

DARRYL KNIGHT  The Standard It was a busy weekend on the ice for local Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) teams, with the Uxbridge Bruins, Little Britain Merchants, and Port Perry LumberJacks all seeing action across several rinks. The Uxbridge Bruins extended their season-opening win streak to 14 games on Thursday night in Schomberg, skating to a 6-4 victory over the Cougars. Tanner Ryan opened the scoring late in the first period, and the Bruins built a 3-0 lead midway

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.