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 SCUGOG: A comprehensive review, of how the Township of Scugog communicates with residents, is setting the stage for potential improvements in outreach, storytelling, and public engagement, though council has opted not to endorse the recommendations at this time. The findings were presented as part of a detailed report, from, Director of Communications and Strategic Projects, Lori Bowers. This was included on

BRANDEN CLARK The Standard UXBRIDGE: The Township of Uxbridge recently received a report from its Integrity Commissioner outlining findings that Ward 5 Councillor Todd Snooks violated the Council Code of Conduct by engaging in unwelcome physical contact with township staff. The report, prepared by Principles Integrity, found that Councillor Snooks engaged in three separate incidents of unsolicited touching involving female township employees. According to the Commissioner, t

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Long-standing concerns, over the future of the Blackstock Arena, were back before Scugog councillors, on Monday, November 10th, as the General Purpose and Administration Committee reviewed a detailed follow-up report, outlining five potential remediation options for the facility’s failing refrigeration plant. After extensive and, at times, tense discussion, councillors ultimately defeated a recommend

DARRYL KNIGHT  Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: A unanimous vote at a Special Council meeting on Wednesday, November 12th has resulted in the appointment of Ron Hodgson as the new Ward 4 councillor. The longtime community volunteer and lifelong Brock resident was selected from a field of seven candidates to serve the remainder of the 2022–2026 council term. The vacancy was created earlier this fall when former Ward 4 councillor Cria Pettingill was

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard NORTH DURHAM : Business owners across North Durham are being told they’ll soon need to handle their own recycling collections, as the region prepares to end blue box service for commercial properties. The North Durham Chamber of Commerce issued an advisory this week, informing members, beginning next year, businesses will no longer be eligible to use the regular curbside blue box program. Instead, they must e

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Concern for the future of rural mail delivery has prompted Brock Council to take a stand, in defence of local postal services. At a recent meeting, councillors unanimously passed a resolution, urging the federal government and Canada Post to protect rural post offices and mail delivery routes, stressing their importance as a vital communications link, for residents and businesses across the township.

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Inititiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Residents of Kawartha Lakes could again cast their votes, online or by phone, in the 2026 municipal election. This, following a presentation to council, on November 4th, by, City Clerk, Cathie Ritchie. The proposal, presented during a Committee of the Whole meeting, would see the continued use of internet and telephone voting, not only for the election of Mayor, Councillors, and School Board

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Plans to breathe new life into Cannington’s MacLeod Park took another step forward this week, as Brock Township Council received an update on the long-discussed revision plan, at their October 14th meeting. Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities, Wayne Ward presented the latest concept, explaining, the refreshed plan brings together feedback from residents, user groups, and regional officials w

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: When Cheryl Faber and her team, at the City of Kawartha Lakes Human Services Department, stood before Council, on October 21st, they weren’t just presenting another report, they were outlining a vision for how the community can work together, to ensure everyone has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home. The presentation, led by Ms. Faber, Housing Manager Michelle Corley, and Jesse

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Residents of Brock Township’s Ward 4 will soon have a new representative at the council table, following the declaration of a vacant seat, after the promotion of Cria Pettingill to Regional Councillor. Council formally declared the Ward 4 position vacant in accordance with the Township’s Council Vacancy Policy, which outlines a transparent and accountable process for filling vacancies that occur during

Douglas Ellis , Executive Assistant, Constituency Office of the Hon. Todd McCarthy SCUGOG: The Ontario government is investing $879,549 to help renew and rehabilitate critical infrastructure in the Township of Scugog. The funding will be delivered through the 2026 Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF), as part of the government’s more than $200 billion capital plan to protect Ontario, by building key public infrastructure which will strengthen the economy and keep wor

Edward White, Executive Director, Office of Peter Bethlenfalvy MPP of Pickering-Uxbridge UXBRIDGE: The Ontario government is investing $983,894 to help renew and rehabilitate critical infrastructure in Township of Uxbridge. The funding will be delivered through the 2026 Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF), as part of the government’s more than $200 billion capital plan, to protect Ontario by building key public infrastructure which will strengthen the economy and ke

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Following a thorough and transparent selection process, Councillor Cria Pettingill has been appointed as Regional Councillor for the Township of Brock, filling the vacancy, created earlier this year, when Mayor Mike Jubb was acclaimed and sworn in as Mayor. Residents had the opportunity to see three qualified candidates present their case for the position, during a Special Council Meeting, on Wednesday

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Blackstock Arena, a community cornerstone since 1937, faces...

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Residents had the opportunity to see four candidates present...

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Council has officially declared the office of Regional...

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard NORTH DURHAM: The North Durham Enabling Agriculture-Related and On-Farm Diversified Uses project has taken...

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: The Region of Durham and the Mississaugas of Scugog Island...

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Local officials are inviting residents to weigh in...