DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES/DURHAM: A powerful line of severe thunderstorms swept across Kawartha Lakes and Durham Region on Canada Day, bringing damaging winds, torrential rain and intense lightning, disrupting celebrations, toppling trees and hydro lines, and leaving thousands of residents without electricity. Environment and Climate Change Canada issued severe thunderstorm warnings, as the fast-moving system crossed ce

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: The sights and sounds of horns, sirens, and heavy equipment will once again fill the Port Perry Fairgrounds, as the popular Port Perry Touch-a-Truck returns, on Friday, July 10th, promising an evening of hands-on family fun, supporting a worthy local cause. The event will run from 4 to 8 p.m. The 3rd Annual Port Perry Touch-a-Truck, presented by Brass Inc., invites children and adults, alike, to climb

NANCY NEWTON Soroptimist International of Kawartha Lakes KAWARTHA LAKES: Four young women graduating from our local high schools were recognized, in June, for their peer leadership, with the Soroptimist Positive Influence Award, from Soroptimist International of Kawartha Lakes. Soroptimist International of Kawartha Lakes joins with the schools in their annual recognition activities, by presenting the award to a female graduating student, from each of the city’s four secondary

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 significant increase in policing resources for North Durham, the hiring of hundreds of new officers and stronger community engagement efforts, were among the key messages delivered to Brock Township Council, during a presentation from the Durham Regional Police Services (DRPS) Board. At its June 29th meeting, council welcomed, Board Vice-Chair, Karen Fisher, who provided an overview of policing prior

By Shawn Lackie Imagine, for a second, going into a fast food place and ordering a cheeseburger. You pay for it and they deliver it to you wrapped up. However, when you open the wrapper, there it sits, just the burger and whatever toppings you ordered. No bun. Nada. That’s kind of like what the condo market morphed into the last 20 years or so. It’s no wonder that market is in free-fall right now, and justifiably so. For years, the deck was stacked in favour of the condo deve

SCUGOG: Motorists travelling along Regional Road 57 in the Township of Scugog should expect lane restrictions throughout much of the summer as the Regional Municipality of Durham undertakes road rehabilitation work. The project is scheduled to begin during the week of July 6th and continue until August 31st, although the timeline may be affected by unfavourable weather conditions. Lane restrictions will be in effect on two sections of Regional Road 57: from approximately 100

UXBRIDGE: Drivers in the Township of Uxbridge are being advised of a significant upcoming road closure on Zephyr Road as Durham Region prepares to begin a major reconstruction project this summer. The Region of Durham says Zephyr Road (Regional Road 13) will be fully closed between Concession Road 3 and Concession Road 4, starting July 13th, with the closure expected to remain in place until October 7th. Following the full closure, lane restrictions will continue through the

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

BRANDON CLARK The Standard NORTH DURHAM: The Townships of Scugog and Uxbridge are warning residents about an unauthorized third party, who is selling products with the Uxbridge-Scugog Animal Shelter's logo. The animal shelter is aware of online advertisements, giving out clothing and hats which have the Uxbridge-Scugog Animal Shelter logo on them. Neither of these are associated with the animal shelter or Uxbridge Township. The issue was brought forward by a community member,

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Additional dwelling units are expected to become easier to understand, and safer to build, following the launch of a new Township of Scugog guide and registration framework, designed to help homeowners create legal secondary living spaces. Approved by Council, on June 22nd, the new Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU) Guide and ADU Registration By-law build on housing policies, first adopted in March of 202

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: A renewed partnership between the City of Kawartha Lakes and BGC Kawarthas will help ensure youth, families, and children continue to have access to important programs and services across the municipality, for years to come. At a recent meeting, on Tuesday, June 23rd, councillors approved a refreshed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with BGC Kawarthas, replacing the original agreement signed

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 KAWARTHA LAKES: Residents who have ever wondered, what it takes to serve their community from the council table, will have a chance to find out next month. The City of Kawartha Lakes is hosting a Candidates' Information Session, on Tuesday, July 14th, from 4 to 6 p.m., offering prospective candidates and interested residents an opportunity to learn about the 2026 municipal election process and the responsibil

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

By Shawn Lackie That’s a question which seems pretty easy on the surface. However, once you start peeling back the layers like an onion, it might not be so straight forward. Most people start out in a simple way, renting an apartment or room, in the early stages of career advancement. There will be all sorts of exceptions to the rule, especially for those who are privileged to start out with more. I’m just talking in general terms here. I think many people never take the time

BRANDON CLARK The Standard PORT PERRY: Residents of Port Perry, Ontario, Canada are invited to take part in a full slate of Canada Day festivities this year, with events taking place throughout Historic Downtown Port Perry and at the Scugog Shores Museum Village. The celebration features a packed schedule of entertainment, family activities, food, and fireworks. Festivities begin early in the morning with the Canada Day Parade at 10:30 a.m. The parade, featuring “Vettes-for-V