DARRYL KNIGHT Local Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: A community-led vision, for the future of the Blackstock Arena, was brought before Township of Scugog council recently, as a delegation called on the municipality to partner with residents, to revitalize the aging facility and secure its long-term future. Kirk Swain, Mike Blakey and Rob Harvey addressed council, at their meeting on Monday, December 9th, on behalf of the newly formed Blackstock Arena Planning and

by Shawn Lackie It’s that time of the year again, when all the best and worst end of the year lists come out. So I thought, hey why not? Except this isn’t a list, it’s a collective look at what has happened and maybe some crystal ball gazing in what might happen next. Please don’t hold me to any of this. These are merely my thoughts on what might happen. The past year provided many people with a more realistic look at the Real Estate market. We know this market is like all ot

Brandon Clark The Standard BROCK: Brock Township Council took time, during its meeting last week, to recognize the volunteers serving on the Township’s Non-Profit Sector Review Committee (NPSRC), acknowledging their ongoing efforts to support local community organizations. Council heard an overview of the committee’s mandate, focusing on identifying challenges and opportunities facing non-profit groups in Brock Township, as well as encouraging collaboration and networking am

DARRYL KNIGHT  Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG:  A regular review of the Township of Scugog’s capital program has resulted in more than $830,000 being returned to municipal reserves, after council approved the closure of several completed or discontinued projects. Council received the third Capital Account Closing Report of 2025, at a recent meeting, following a presentation from, Director of Finance and Treasurer, Laura Barta. The report recommen

DARRYL KNIGHT, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Concerns over housing affordability and tenant stability prompted local elected officials to call on the provincial government to rethink proposed changes to rent control legislation which could further strain the rental market. At a recent meeting, council supported a resolution, after receiving a memorandum from Councillor Pat Warren, regarding rent control. The resolution endorses a moti

DARRYL KNIGHT , Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK : With the Sunderland Arena temporarily closed for renovations, Brock Township is making sure residents still have plenty of opportunities to enjoy ice time, this holiday season. A full slate of free public skating sessions is being offered, at the Rick MacLeish Memorial Arena, in Cannington, and the Foster Hewitt Memorial Arena, in Beaverton, with several local organizations and businesses stepping f

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard SCUGOG: Downtown Port Perry welcomed a fresh new addition on Sunday, December 7th, with the opening of Anyway Fruit at 88 Water Street . The shop specializes in fresh, natural fruits and vegetables, emphasizing flavour, quality, and affordability. Daniel, one of the co-owners, explained the business grew from a lifelong passion for fresh produce. “We’re all childhood best friends — 15 plus years,” he said. “One of our friends’ families has been in

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Residents’ concerns about the condition of their local roads are shaping a new approach to road planning, in the City of Kawartha Lakes, following Council’s support of the Roads Task Force recommendations, at its meeting on Tuesday, December 9th. Councillor Mike Perry told Council, the Task Force focused less on technical processes and more on how residents experience their roads every day.

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: An aging and structurally compromised sand storage facility, in Sunderland, will soon be replaced, after council approved the purchase of a new fabric-covered dome with a temporary foundation, at its meeting, on Monday, December 8th. Council’s decision followed the presentation of a report, from, Interim Director of Public Works, Ben Kester, which detailed significant deterioration in the existing wo

Dear Readers: Council finalized our 2026 Capital & Operating Budget. After much discussion and deliberation, our final numbers are as follows: Operating 2.9 percent, Infrastructure 2 percent and Police 1 percent. Affordability is always on my mind, when trying to reduce expenditures, in a tight budget year. Some important projects for next year, in Ward 6, will be: the $6.7 million renovation of the Emily Omemee Community Centre, final exterior renovation of Coronation Hall,

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: A new shade structure is one step closer to becoming a reality in MacLeod Park, after Brock Township Council approved the proposed location for a donated gazebo, during its Monday, December 8th meeting. The structure is expected to be installed near the skate park, with construction anticipated to begin in spring of 2026. The decision followed a report from, Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilitie

by Shawn Lackie It’s that time of the year again and I always want to send my list to Santa for things to wish for. Against all logic, I thought I would share here: 1. Awesome clients, like I have had in the last few years. It makes the job a joy and really NOT a job. These people have dreams and wishes, and being able to fulfill some of their aspirations is inspiring to me. Especially when they find THAT place. Especially first-time buyers. Matt, Hannah, Sarah and Anujan, An

I thought I would share of some of the Christmas traditions we have entered into, in our home and family time. Christmas, many will agree, is especially marketed to children these days, however, it's truth has nothing to do with children frantically opening boxes of gifts, set aside so quickly they have no time to truly appreciate the thought behind the offering. In our early years of being married, my wife Colleen and I attempted to start a new Christmas tradition of making

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Plans for the long-anticipated Queen Street and Perry Street construction project, in downtown Port Perry, have been revised following public consultation, business input and recent changes to the Township of Scugog’s capital budget. Council discussed the updated design, after receiving a report, from Dan Rosebrugh, Manager of Capital Projects, and an overview, from, Director of Public Works and Rec

SCUGOG: Hosted by our very own Jon vanBilsen as well as Jillian Howsam. With video footage from Standard Videographer James J. Green and Tom Poupore. With direction from Peter Lauricella, More credits at the end of the video.

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Twenty-five years after it was sealed beneath Lindsay’s eternal flame, the community’s Millennium Time Capsule will be opened, on Tuesday, December 16th, in front of the Kawartha Lakes Library’s Lindsay Branch. The capsule was installed, in the year 2000, during the renovation of Queens Square, a project which blended renewal with reflection, as residents marked the arrival of a new century. T

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: A recent council meeting, on Monday, November 24th, featured the presentation of the 2024–2025 status update, for the Township’s 2022–2026 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (MYAP). It offered a detailed look at the accessibility upgrades, completed throughout Brock, over the past two years. Deputy Clerk Maralee Drake, who delivered the report, said, the municipality has made steady, meaningful progress t

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Students looking to line up a summer job will have the chance to meet Township staff, later this month, when Scugog hosts a Student Job Fair, on Monday, December 29th, at the Scugog Community Recreation Centre. The drop-in event runs from 3 to 5 p.m. and is open to both high school and post-secondary students. Departments represented will include: aquatics, summer camps, parks, communications, the Sc