January - Year in Review 2022

Ontario introduces new COVID-19 measures

NORTH DURHAM/KAWARTHA: With COVID-19 case numbers rising to record highs in Ontario, the provincial government has introduced more measures. As of Wednesday, January 5th, the government is not allowing indoor dining at restaurants and bars. Gathering limits are being reduced to five people indoors and 10 people outdoors. Indoor weddings, funerals, and religious services will be limited to 50 percent capacity of the room they use. Indoor concert venues, theatres, cinemas, museums and galleries will be closed.

DDSB Kindergarten masks required

DURHAM: The Durham District School Board (DDSB) has decided to require Kindergarten students to wear masks when in-person learning returns to their schools. The decision was made at a special board meeting held on Wednesday, January 5th. A five to three vote approved the Kindergarten masking motion.

PJHL season pause

NORTH DURHAM/KAWARTHA: Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) teams: Port Perry MoJacks, Uxbridge Bruins, and Little Britain Merchants are going on hiatus for at least the majority of this month. On Tuesday, January 4th, citing the current “provincial mandate,” the PJHL announced they would pause the season from January 5th until January 27th.

Brock ice surface idea

BROCK: The Township of Brock will consider creating an outdoor ice-skating surface at the Sunderland Fairgrounds. During a meeting on Monday, January 10th, Councillor Ted Smith motioned to have the township staff create a report, exploring the possibility and feasibility of an ice surface in front of the grandstand. The motion was seconded by Ward 4 Councillor Cria Pettingill.

Return to in person schooling

DURHAM/KAWARTHA LAKES: Elementary and Secondary School students across Ontario returned to in-person classes, on Monday, January 17th. The government had originally planned to allow in-person learning to begin on Wednesday, January 5th. However, earlier this month, the provincial government announced they were delaying the reopening of schools and having schools pivot to virtual learning instead, due to increased COVID-19 spread in Ontario.

Kawartha Lakes investigates water capacity in Woodville

KAWARTHA LAKES: The City of Kawartha Lakes is looking for some clarity on the village of Woodville’s future capacity for expansion. At a Committee of the Whole meeting, on Tuesday, January 11th, councillors voted to have city staff create a report for council, regarding “an update on water service capacity of the existing system in the Village of Woodville.” The motion, brought forward as a memorandum from Ward 4 Councillor Andrew Veale, also stated, the report should include information on “existing capacity availability for future development, and the feasibility of service expansion, including existing test well capabilities and use.”

Kawartha Lakes feral pigs motion

KAWARTHA LAKES: The City of Kawartha Lakes is taking action to protect the municipality from feral pigs. At a Committee of the Whole meeting, on Tuesday, January 11th, councillors voted to have city staff “initiate public education on the environmental damage and risks of allowing an invasive feral pig population to be established in Kawartha Lakes, [including] the need for public reporting of all sightings,” as well as actively monitoring “sightings of feral pigs reported in the provincial database from within Kawartha Lakes.” The approved motion also called for staff to create a report later this year regarding “a recommended program to deal with feral pigs in Kawartha Lakes.”

Hospital Foundation reaches goal

SCUGOG: The Port Perry Hospital Foundation has surpassed their fundraising goal to bring a CT scanner to the local hospital. On Monday, January 17th, the hospital foundation announced they had reached $4.15 million in donations for the ‘Here for You’ campaign. The hospital foundation had a goal of $4 million for the campaign.

Ontario new three step approach

NORTH DURHAM/KAWARTHA: The Ontario government has announced a new phased approach to ease health restrictions, in the province, in the coming months. On January 31st, gathering limits will be increased to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. Restaurants, bars, grocery stores, shopping malls, gyms, cinemas, galleries, and casinos will be able to operate at 50 percent capacity. Attendance at sporting events will be capped at 500 people. But in all indoor environments proof of vaccination will still be required to stay in. On February 21st, gathering limits will increase to 25 people indoors and 100 people outdoors again. At that time, capacity limits will be removed for restaurants, indoor sports and recreation facilities, and cinemas. But, nightclubs and wedding receptions in meeting or event spaces, where there is dancing, will have to operate at 25 percent capacity. But in all indoor environments proof of vaccination will still be required to stay in. On March 14th, the government will lift capacity limits for all “indoor public settings,” but proof of vaccination will still be required to stay in. Gathering limits will also be set at 50 people indoors, but there will be no limits for outdoor gatherings.

Port Perry garage fire

SCUGOG: A garage fire in Port Perry, on Tuesday, January 18th, led to an estimated $95,000 in damages. The Scugog Fire Department has determined this was an accidental fire, caused by “improper handling of the ignition source.”

Uxbridge applies for a grant

UXBRIDGE: The Township of Uxbridge has applied for My Main Street, a community grant. The program is a $23.25 million investment, created to help communities across southern Ontario. The Township of Uxbridge applied for this grant, after getting permission from the Uxbridge town council on Monday, January 24th. The Uxbridge Township would like to use this grant to create a “pop-up” town square for downtown Uxbridge.

Kawartha Lakes mental health

KAWARTHA LAKES: Kawartha Lakes' mayor commented on the importance of Bell Let's Talk Day, at the start of a meeting, on Tuesday, January 25th. "It is a day to reach out, breakthrough barriers, conquer stigma and help combat the feeling we're alone. After the last couple of years we've had, it's no wonder so many in our community are struggling," Mayor Andy Letham said. Bell Let's Talk Day, an annual mental health awareness event, was held on Wednesday, January 26th.