DARRYL KNIGHT, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Several familiar faces will be back on the ballot this autumn, but voters across Kawartha Lakes will have plenty of new choices to consider, as the municipal election campaign takes shape. Five candidates are currently seeking the mayor's chair, while all eight council wards feature contested races, ahead of the October 26th election. The mayoral contest includes current Ward 6 Councillor Ron

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: The race for Scugog Township council is taking shape, as voters set to choose from contested fields for mayor, regional councillor, and all five ward councillor positions, in October. With nomination day just around the corner, 17 candidates are currently listed for the Township’s seven municipal offices, setting the stage for a competitive election campaign across Scugog. Mayor Wilma Wotten is seekin

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Residents will have a chance to help decide where municipal dollars should be spent next year, as public consultation gets underway, for the Township of Scugog's 2027 budget. Municipal officials are encouraging residents and property owners to share their priorities, through a new online engagement platform, complete a community survey, and participate in one of three public town hall meetings, next w

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 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

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 SCUGOG: A proposed mixed-use development which could bring between 950 and 1,375 new homes, employment lands, commercial space, parks, and a long-term care component to Port Perry, took its first public step through the planning process, at a Statutory Public Meeting, held by Scugog Township's Planning and Community Affairs Committee, on June 15th. The proposal affects approximately 64 hectares (157 acres) of

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard UXBRIDGE: Provincial leaders gathered in Uxbridge on April 1st to announce new measures aimed at supporting small businesses, highlighting a significant corporate tax reduction, during an event hosted at the long-standing family enterprise, Low’s Furniture. The announcement brought together Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, Associate Minister of Small Business Nina Tangri, and Dan Kelly, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Busine

by Shawn Lackie “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Dickens wrote this in A Tale Of Two Cities, in 1859, but it could have been written yesterday. Need proof? Take a wander through any of the social media sites and check out the finger pointing and name calling. It is astounding; and a huge amount of the bitterness is around political beliefs. Even the Winter Olympics couldn’t escape the wrath of the political effect. The great divide comes from whether you

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: A proposed overhaul of purchasing rules, in the City of Kawartha Lakes, is aiming to strike a balance between supporting Canadian businesses and complying with complex trade laws. At a Committee of the Whole meeting, on Tuesday, March 10th, Launa Macey, Supervisor of Financial Services, Procurement, presented a Procurement Policy Update report, co-authored with, City Solicitor, Robyn Carlson.

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Regional priorities, ranging from housing and transit to economic development and public safety, were outlined during a recent update, delivered to Brock Township. At council’s meeting, on Monday, March 9th, Regional Chair John Henry presented Brock councillors with the annual Regional Municipality of Durham update, offering a broad overview of major initiatives and the region’s long-term vision. Mr.

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 KAWARTHA LAKES: A push for change on the federal firearms buyback program came from city council, on Tuesday, January 27th, when Councillor Ron Ashmore presented a memorandum raising concerns about its impact on law-abiding gun owners. Council members unanimously supported the motion and agreed to forward a copy of the resolution to MP Jamie Schmale, Public Safety Minister, Gary Anandasangaree, and, the Rt.

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