DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: The spirit of community service was front and centre, at the Beaverton Legion, on Thursday, April 30th, as local volunteers were recognized for their years of dedication to boards, committees and community organizations which help shape life across Brock. Hosted by council, the Township of Brock’s Volunteer Appreciation Night celebrated residents who have spent the past four years, and in many cases fa

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard SCUGOG: Residents in Scugog should prepare for upcoming lane restrictions on Island Road as Durham Region begins a road rehabilitation project later this month. Lane restrictions will be in place on Island Road (Regional Road 7) from Fralicks Beach Road to Hood Drive beginning May 19th and continuing through June 2026. The work is being carried out to safely rehabilitate the roadway. Durham Region noted that unfavourable weather conditions could aff

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Growing demand for skilled trades workers was front and centre at a City of Kawartha Lakes Committee of the Whole meeting, on Tuesday, May 5th, as councillors received a memorandum, calling for stronger municipal support of trade programming at Fleming College’s Frost Campus. The memorandum, brought forward by Ward 5 Councillor Mark Doble, asked the municipality to advocate for the advancement

UXBRIDGE: Residents in the Township of Uxbridge are being invited to review and provide feedback on a proposed new roundabout planned for the intersection of Brock Road and Goodwood Road. The Regional Municipality of Durham is proposing the construction of a single-lane roundabout at the intersection of Brock Road (Regional Road 1) and Goodwood Road (Regional Road 21), along with the addition of an eastbound truck climbing lane. Regional officials say the proposed improvement

by Shawn Lackie Time to take a trip back in time. You know the saying, “What goes around comes around?” Well how about a return to old time advertising and the benefits which come with it? Since 1996 we have been taken over by, what was then referred to as, this new thing called, the Internet. Many said it was just a trend and wouldn’t last. Really? Here we are 30 years later looking at the newest trend called AI. Many are saying that won’t last either. I guess what I am tryi

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

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard SCUGOG: There’s something refreshing happening at the Port Perry Dairy Queen, and it goes far beyond a cone or a Blizzard. Since taking ownership, in November 2025, this hardworking husband-and-wife team of Mahir and Meeda Patel, has brought new energy, warmth, and creativity to a location they had admired for years. Their journey to ownership wasn’t overnight. Both came to Canada with big ambitions and a willingness to work. From early days, at pla

BRIAN J. EVANS Special to The Standard UXBRIDGE: The Uxbridge Prayer Breakfast has expanded to become the North Durham Prayer Breakfast, with the 2026 edition uniting Uxbridge, Scugog and Brock townships. Taking place on Wednesday, May 20th, from 7 to 9 a.m., at Mill Run Golf Club, in Uxbridge, the popular breakfast will feature keynote speaker Dr. Steven Russell. In 2016, Dr. Russell became the first chair of the Board of Oak Ridges Hospice, a palliative care facility, locat

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Fresh ideas, as well as some lingering concerns, are expected to surface as the Township of Scugog prepares to host a new round of community workshops, focused on the future of the Port Perry Fairgrounds. Set for Wednesday, May 13th, at the Township Municipal Office, the sessions mark the next phase of the “Your Voice, Your Fairgrounds” community visioning exercise. Residents will get their first look

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard/BRANDON CLARK The Standard BROCK: A long-running community tradition continues to support local groups across Brock Township, as more than $18,000 raised through the Annual Township of Brock Charity Golf Tournament has been distributed to community organizations. At a late-April council meeting, township officials celebrated the funding, which was awarded to 14 organizations spanning youth sports, arts, cultu

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

by Shawn Lackie How long have you been living in the home you are currently in? It used to be, many years ago, you would buy a home and pretty much live there all your life, unless you had a job transfer or some other upset in your life (i.e. family death, divorce). My grandparents lived in two homes their entire married life. The first was a small home, then they built a large four bedroom home, to move into and start their family. It was also on the same street, so that is

HELEN NICOLAOU, Special to The Standard True signs of spring have daffodils blooming in gardens. What a delight to wake to songbirds and their cheerful twittering, on these spring mornings. The arrival of purple martins, is no surprise, it also means the mosquitoes are back for the season as well. On Saturday, April 25th, the members from the Pine Ridge Garden Club attended the District 17 AGM, at Club Caribe, in Oshawa. We enjoyed morning refreshments, enjoyed some delicious

By Shawn Lackie Think about this for a minute. You want to sell your home and an agent advertises, “I can list your home and if it doesn’t sell in 30 days or less, I will buy it.” Too good to be true, right? Pretty much. Sure, they will buy it, for well under market value. Remember those lovely faux hand written pieces you used to get in the mail, from “buyers” willing to buy your home, without you even having to go through the arduous process of listing it? Well, this is ano

DARRYL KNIGHT, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Potholes, ruts, and washboard surfaces have become a daily frustration for drivers across Scugog Township this spring, as lingering frost and wet weather delay much-needed grading on the area’s gravel roads. Following a harsh and unpredictable winter, many rural roads are in rough shape, prompting residents to ask when repairs will begin. Timing is critical for grading operations. As frost leaves the

One of Ontario’s most historic paddling events is back. The 46th annual Marsh Mash will hit the water on Saturday, May 9th, welcoming canoeists, kayakers, stand-up paddleboarders, and outrigger paddlers from across the province. The canal, which surrounds the Holland Marsh, provides one of the best canoe racing courses in Ontario. Marsh Mash offers a wide range of recreational and competitive race categories. Distances range from five kilometres to 28 km, including adult and

DARRYL KNIGHT, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: A proposal which could reshape how school boards are governed across Ontario is drawing concern at the municipal level, with Brock Council throwing its support behind a request for further oversight and public consultation. At its Monday, April 13th meeting, Brock Council endorsed a motion supporting the Durham District School Board (DDSB) in its call for the Ombudsman of Ontario to review the potenti