DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: The Foster Hewitt Memorial Community Centre, in Beaverton, could be in line for a major facelift, as Brock Township looks to tap into a new provincial funding program. Township council approved an application for up to $1 million, through the Ontario government’s Community Sports and Recreation Infrastructure Fund, during its Monday, September 28th meeting. This following a report on the matter from Wa

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard NORTH DURHAM: A long-awaited reconstruction project, on Lake Ridge Road, is now underway. Drivers in Brock and Uxbridge are being warned to expect lane restrictions and delays through next summer. The Regional Municipality of Durham has hired Dufferin Construction to reconstruct and rehabilitate Lake Ridge Road (Regional Road 23), from 200 metres north of Ravenshoe Road to 75 metres south of Concession Road 7

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Inititative Reporter The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: A proposed three-megawatt hydroelectric generating station, on the Burnt River, has received municipal support to move forward with a provincial energy procurement submission, although significant planning, environmental, and regulatory approvals would still be required, before construction could begin. City council voted, on Tuesday, September 22nd, to approve a Municipal Resolution in Support o

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: The map of conservation authorities serving Kawartha Lakes is about to change dramatically. Instead of four conservation authorities, covering different parts of the city, the municipality will be divided between two new regional bodies, when Ontario’s sweeping conservation authority restructuring takes effect next year. City council received an update on the province’s consolidation plans, at

William McGinn, BGC Kawarthas KAWARTHA LAKES: The Boys and Girls Club (BGC) Kawarthas is pleased to announce, Avalon Loube has been selected to represent the Kawarthas as a new member of BGC Canada’s 2026–27 Youth Advisory Circle. The BGC Canada Youth Advisory Circle is comprised of ten youth leaders, between the ages of 16 and 21, from across the country, who have strong connections to their local BGC Clubs. Members bring their diverse experiences, perspectives and skills to

By Shawn Lackie I get asked that question a lot. While there is no simple explanation (much like life itself) there are a number of contributing factors. Top of the list would be unreal expectations from sellers. Many believe they should be getting what a neighbour got, just down the street, for the sale of their home, in 2026. Except, the other home sold in 2020, or around that time when the feeding frenzy was at its peak, and actually out of control. So, comparing these two

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: The midway lights are off, the livestock have headed home, and another Lindsay Exhibition has officially been added to the long history of the annual autumn gathering. Five days of competition, entertainment, agriculture, and community activities brought the fairgrounds to life, from Wednesday, September 23rd, to Sunday, September 27th, as families, exhibitors, and visitors from across the reg

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 BROCK: For decades, they have been preserving Brock’s history, tending its gardens, feeding neighbours, coaching young athletes, and opening doors to the performing arts. On Wednesday, September 23rd, seven individuals and organizations were recognized for that spirit of service, during the second annual Brock Township Awards of Merit ceremony. Mayor Mike Jubb called the evening a celebration of the people wh

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: More than $18 million in road construction and rehabilitation, $4 million in gravel road maintenance and more than $19 million in outside funding are among the highlights from Scugog’s Strategic Plan. The Township presented its Strategic Plan Progress Report to council in September, outlining work undertaken across the five directions adopted in 2023: Infrastructure, Sustainability, Economic Developme

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

by Shawn Lackie The Bank of Canada has resisted raising interest rates, over a number of announcements, in the last year or so, with good reason. I am not an expert on exactly how this impacts buyers, but I know someone who does. Brad Vokins, from Dominion Lending Centres, has been in the business for over 20 years and has accumulated a wealth of knowledge along the way. I have always deferred to the experts in this business, so I’m not going to stop now. Especially with a to

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard LINDSAY: The trucks have been polished, the heavy horses have been groomed, and another fair season is about to get underway in Lindsay. The Lindsay Exhibition (LEX) officially gets underway, on Wednesday, September 23rd, continuing through Sunday, September 27th. The annual gathering once again brings together agriculture, livestock, entertainment and plenty of old-fashioned fair fun. The opening weekend of

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Orange shirts will be a familiar sight around Brock Township, next week, as residents gather to remember the children who never returned home from residential schools and honour those who survived. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also recognized as Orange Shirt Day, will be marked Wednesday, September 30th, with a number of opportunities for residents to learn, reflect, and remember. In

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

There were children playing on the Johnson property everywhere. In the barn, a giant ship-mooring rope hung from a centre beam, with an enormous knot at its end, large enough to hold several children. “Hey, jump on!” prodded one of the bigger kids. “Are you sure it's OK?” I asked. “Oh yeah, we do this all the time.” There were four of us, and we climbed aboard, adding to an already overcrowded knot. We began swinging the knot back and forth like a giant pendulum. Soon after,