DARRYL KNIGHT Local Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Motorists in Port Perry can expect smoother drives ahead, as Scugog Township moves forward with a targeted plan to repair several high-traffic roads, following a punishing winter season. At its meeting, on Monday, March 23rd, council approved a recommendation, from the Public Works and Recreation Department, to use unallocated Roads Levy Reserve funds to rehabilitate key stretches of roadway in the Port Perry

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

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

By Jonathan van Bilsen Flying always comes with a degree of uncertainty, but I have long believed, as long as the aircraft remains airborne, I am prepared to negotiate the rest. After more than 800 flights, I have accumulated a respectable collection of mishaps and close calls, all of which I have survived, clearly against the odds. One of the more memorable episodes unfolded on a short hop between Saint Petersburg and Moscow, twenty-five years ago. Reaching Saint Petersburg

BRANDON CLARK & DARRYL KNIGHT  Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES/BROCK: Ontario has experienced brutal winter weather since last November, and with it have come repercussions for road and sidewalk maintenance. The City of Kawartha Lakes and Durham Region are two municipalities among many across the province that have experienced harsh seasonal conditions. Kawartha Lakes typically sees an average of 50 winter weather events that require snowp

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard BROCK: Progress continues on the long-anticipated replacement of the Beaver River Bridge in Beaverton, as the Region of Durham advances regulatory steps required under federal legislation and prepares for construction to begin next year. The Region has submitted detailed information about the project to the Navigable Waters Registry, as required under the Canadian Navigable Waters Act. The submission, now open for public comment, outlines the proj

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard DURHAM/KAWARTHA LAKES: The proposed Alto high-speed rail network is moving forward with an ambitious vision. It aims to connect Toronto to Québec City, advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, and invite Canadians to help shape the future of national transportation. From the earliest stages of planning, Indigenous peoples have been recognized as key partners in the project. Discussions began at the outset and continue through open, respectful

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: As Ontario prepares to welcome back the Northlander passenger train, the release of the revived service’s proposed schedule has reignited calls, in Beaverton, for a long-sought return to the passenger rail map. Ontario Northland recently announced details of the restored Northlander service, which will operate between Toronto’s Union Station and Timmins, with a rail connection to Cochrane. The return

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Residents’ concerns about the condition of their local roads are shaping a new approach to road planning, in the City of Kawartha Lakes, following Council’s support of the Roads Task Force recommendations, at its meeting on Tuesday, December 9th. Councillor Mike Perry told Council, the Task Force focused less on technical processes and more on how residents experience their roads every day.

From The Standard's “Rolling News” Desk At the corner of Reach Street and Highway 12, the crew at Northport Tire proved once again no job is too big—or too hilariously tiny—for them to tackle. Here we see Larry, the shop’s owner, wielding two industrial-sized jacks to hoist what can only be described as the cutest enclosed mobility scooter in Durham Region history. Onlookers report the vehicle weighs about as much as a strong breeze, but Larry insists: “ Safety first—big jack

RACHEL SNODDON Moto Solutions UXBRIDGE: Students in the automotive program at Uxbridge Secondary School will now have access to industry-standard brake machining equipment thanks to a recent donation from Moto Solutions, a Canadian supplier of professional automotive and heavy-duty shop equipment. The company has donated a fully serviced Ammco 4000 Brake Lathe package to the school’s technology department, giving students the opportunity to train on equipment commonly used

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES/NORTH DURHAM: As the holiday season approaches, communities across the City of Kawartha Lakes are gearing up to welcome Santa Claus, with festive parades and family-friendly events. From Fenelon Falls to Sunderland, towns and villages are alive with the holiday spirit, offering something for everyone to enjoy. These celebrations kicked off, on Saturday, November 29th, with Fenelon Falls Santa

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Residents, business owners, and visitors are being invited to help shape a new Municipal and Tourism Wayfinding Strategy, a plan designed to make it easier for people to navigate the municipality and find key destinations. The strategy will evaluate current signage, identify gaps, and establish a consistent, user-friendly approach across Kawartha Lakes. This involves everything from municipa

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard UXBRIDGE: Three members of the Uxbridge Fire Department were injured Sunday evening after a vehicle lost control and struck them while they were assisting at the scene of a separate collision. According to police, on Sunday, November 16th, at approximately 7:40 p.m., emergency crews from North Division and Uxbridge Fire responded to a motor vehicle collision on Wagg Road near Old Highway 47. The initial cras

UXBRIDGE: In support of Durham Vision Zero, The Regional Municipality of Durham will be installing a 70 kilometre per hour (km/h) posted speed limit on Lake Ridge Road (Regional Road 23) in the Township of Uxbridge. The speed limit reduction from 80 km/h to 70 km/h will take place on Lake Ridge Road, from 740 metres south of Chalk Lake Road (west leg) to 675 metres north of Chalk Lake Road (west leg), in Uxbridge. The speed limit reduction signs will be installed in early No