DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: A sharp rise in emergency calls kept firefighters across Brock busy throughout 2025, according to the annual statistics presented to council earlier this month. Fire Chief Rick Harrison delivered the department’s year-end report during the Monday, February 9th council meeting, outlining 504 total responses in 2025, up significantly from 371 calls in 2024. “As required under Ontario regulations, we rep

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Long-anticipated repairs at the Blackstock Recreation Complex are moving a step closer to reality, with council approving a design assignment which could lay the groundwork for major roof and structural upgrades at the community facility. At a recent meeting, council received a report from Grant Taylor, Director of Public Works & Recreation, recommending the Township retain Sense Engineering (GTA) I

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: A new 10-year growth strategy aims to ensure the local library system keeps pace with a growing and evolving community, but officials say action is needed soon, as existing space and staffing levels are being stretched to their limits. At the February 10th Committee of the Whole meeting, council received a presentation outlining the 2026–2036 Growth Management Plan for the Kawartha Lakes Pub

DARRYL KNIGHT The Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: An innovative road repair product tested last year will see a broader rollout in 2026 after council approved two major rehabilitation contracts aimed at improving driving conditions across the municipality. At its February 9th meeting, council awarded contracts for both Flexible Asphalt Cold Technology (FACT) and slurry seal projects to Miller Paving Limited, the lowest compliant bidder in each te

On the first Friday of March each year, a powerful wave of prayer circles the globe as more than 1.5 million Christians in over 150 countries unite in spirit for the World Day of Prayer. Speaking more than 90 different languages, participants gather to pray for issues affecting women and children, continuing a movement active for nearly 100 years. The World Day of Prayer is a global ecumenical movement bringing Christians of many traditions together to observe a common day of

by Shawn Lackie Got my property tax bill in the mail the other day for 2026. I know, I know, let’s not go there. But, as always, I feel I must say something. You should be listening to the excellent Beatles tune, Taxman  written by George Harrison, while you read this. So here goes. The latest half-year interim bill is equal to what we paid for the whole year when we first moved back to Port Perry, 19 years ago. And while I am more than aware things go up (like the price of g

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Inititiative Reporter for the Standard BROCK: Cycling tourism could soon get a visible boost across Brock Township, as council signalled support for a regional wayfinding signage program, at its Monday, February 9th meeting. Communications and Tourism Coordinator, Tamra Kaiser presented a staff report, outlining the Regional Municipality of Durham’s plan to implement a Rural Cycling Wayfinding Signage Program, throughout North Durham, as part

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: As winter winds down and the promise of longer days beckons, families across Scugog and the surrounding area are starting to dream of sun-soaked afternoons and busy summer schedules. From splash-filled days at the pool to action-packed day camps, the Township of Scugog is gearing up to welcome residents with a full lineup of recreational programs, designed to keep kids active, spark creativity, and b

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: The intersection of Highway 35 and Highway 7A has long been a concern for drivers navigating its busy lanes. With vehicles merging from multiple directions and traffic volumes steadily increasing, residents and commuters have voiced worries about potential accidents and ongoing safety risks. In response, Deputy Mayor Richardson brought forward a proposal, at the Committee of the Whole meeting

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: From Lindsay to Omemee to Bethany, the 2025 Kawartha Lakes Business Count reveals a community full of economic potential and future possibilities. Presented at the Committee of the Whole meeting, on February 10th, the survey paints a picture of businesses thinking ahead, ready to hire, expand, and reach beyond the region. Rebecca Mustard, Manager of Economic Development, said, the survey was a

By Shawn Lackie The ever-changing world of Real Estate encompasses many components. One of the largest, and obviously most important, would be how to stimulate new business. After all, you can only count on friends and relatives for so long and then that source dries up. In some cases it was never really there to begin with. In the good old days, Realtors advertised in newspapers, magazines and local publications. Many still do, with good results. (We second that! – Editor –

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: More students could soon be hitting the ice, during the school day, after Council approved a new non-prime school rental rate, at its Monday, February 9th, meeting, a move, sparked by a high school program, is already generating excitement among families with children in local elementary schools. Councillors voted to create a $120 per hour daytime school rate, at the Rick MacLeish Memorial Community C

Emterra Environmental is the new recycling collector for homes across Kawartha Lakes which started on January 1st, of this year, operating on behalf of Circular Materials Ontario. This company will now handle recycling collection, including inquiries about missed pickups or damaged bins. For recycling issues, the quickest way to reach out for assistance is to call 1-888-597-1541 or email customercareont@emterra.ca . Miller Waste will still be retained for normal garbage colle

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Generations of skaters, players, and families are uniting behind a shared goal, as the community puts forward the Blackstock Recreation Complex, as its nominee for the 2026 edition of the Kraft Hockeyville contest. Blackstock Arena is one of Canada’s true hockey originals. First opening in 1933 as an outdoor skating pad, it holds the distinction of being the second-oldest ice surface in the country.

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES/NORTH DURHAM:  Kawartha Lakes and North Durham were hit by dangerously cold temperatures, over the weekend of February 7th and 8th, with overnight lows nearing minus twenty degrees Celsius. Wind chill values, during the early morning hours, made it feel closer to minus thirty to minus thirty-five degrees Celsius, prompting cold weather alerts from Lakelands Public Health and Durham Region Healt

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard SCUGOG: The Regional Municipality of Durham has announced plans to drill a new municipal water supply well near 12235 Simcoe Street in the Township of Scugog to help strengthen the water supply for the community of Port Perry. Construction activities related to the project are scheduled to take place from February 17th through September 30th. Initial drilling work is expected to begin during the week of February 16th, with full construction of the

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard NORTH DURHAM: Businesses in Durham can now drop off Blue Box recycling at Regional Waste Management Facilities (WMFs) without paying fees, a move designed to ease the transition to Ontario’s new producer-run recycling system. The fee waiver was approved, as part of Durham’s 2026 Regional Budget, and is now in effect. Businesses which previously received municipal curbside Blue Box collection can bring dedicat

BRANDON CLARK The Standard NORTH DURHAM: Families across Durham Region will have several options to celebrate Family Day on Monday, February 16th, with a mix of free community events and low-cost outdoor activities planned in Scugog, Brock and Port Perry. In Scugog, the township will host its annual Family Day Fun event at the Scugog Community Recreation Centre, offering a full slate of free activities for families who pre-register for a time slot. Activities include crafts,

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: From dog and cat adoptions to responding to complaints about wildlife, Scugog Township’s Animal Control team handled another busy year, in 2025, maintaining stable animal populations while expanding community engagement. The department presented its year-end report to council, on Monday, February 2nd. “Even with modest increases in dog impoundments and decreases in cat and wild animal calls, our anim