Year in Review – Part 5 – May

Continued from “Year in Review – Part 4 – April” (https://thestandardnewspaper.ca/year-in-review-part-4-april/)

Virtual learning an option DURHAM/KAWARTHA LAKES: Parents will have the option to enrol their children in virtual learning during the 2021-2022 school year. “What I can confirm to you is, we are ensuring every board in Ontario will provide that choice, of a virtual learning experience, and we’ve asked them to provide more time to parents to make that choice,” Minister Lecce said.

Brock to work with Durham Non-Profit Housing Corporation BROCK: The Township of Brock is hopeful they can repair their relationship with Durham Region Non-Profit Housing Corporation (DRNPH), while working with them to fix issues alleged to be occurring at Allan’s Place. At a meeting on Monday, May 10th, following a closed session discussion, several councillors commented on the township’s current relationship with the housing corporation and the current situation at Cannington’s Allan’s Place. “I call for repairing our relationship going forward in the future,” Councillor Campbell said.

Kawartha Lakes environment summit held KAWARTHA LAKES: The Kawartha Lakes Environmental Advisory Committee (KLEAC) held their first ‘Environmental Round Table Summit’ this month. The event occurred on Monday, May 17th, and ran from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. Some of the groups which took part in the summit were Canopy Project Kawartha Lakes, Couchiching Conservancy, Environmental Action Bobcaygeon, Kawartha Conservation, Kawartha Cycling Club, Kawartha Lakes Green Trails Alliance and the Gaming Nature Center.

Province extends stay at home order DURHAM/KAWARTHA LAKES: The Ontario government has decided to extend the stay-at-home order for another couple of weeks. The decision was announced at a press conference on Thursday, May 13th. The order, which has been in place since Thursday, April 8th, will not expire until June 2nd.

Former mayor dies KAWARTHA LAKES: Former Kawartha Lakes mayor Barbara Kelly has died at the age of 76. Mrs. Kelly passed away on Sunday, May 9th, at Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay. She served as Kawartha Lakes’ first female Mayor from 2004 until 2006. Mrs. Kelly was also previously a Reeve of Mariposa Township.

Students rally to support teacher KAWARTHA LAKES: On Thursday, May 13th, students and local residents protested an alleged decision, by the Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB), to put an I.E. Weldon Secondary School teacher on leave. Allegedly, students say Greer Pedoe was put on a leave of absence. A board investigation was started after he discussed his previous mental health struggles during a class lesson.

Ontario to open some amenities DURHAM/KAWARTHA LAKES: The Ontario government provided a three-step process to reopening the province from lockdown, and announced a plan to reopen outdoor recreational amenities, on Thursday, May 20th. As of Saturday, May 22nd, several recreational amenities could reopen, with restrictions, such as physical distancing. These outdoor spaces include: golf courses, driving ranges, tennis and basketball courts, soccer fields and skate parks.

Kawartha Lakes fireworks bylaw KAWARTHA LAKES: The City of Kawartha Lakes has passed a bylaw restricting the days and times residents can fire off consumer fireworks. Kawartha Lakes councillors saw the new bylaw at a meeting on Tuesday, May 18th. Now, consumer fireworks can only be discharged between dusk and 11 p.m. on Victoria Day, Canada Day, Family Day, Indigenous Peoples Day, Labour Day and New Years Eve. Also, people will be allowed to fire off fireworks the day preceding and following each of these holiday.

911 call centre needs staff DURHAM: The Durham Regional Police Association is raising a concern regarding staffing levels at the 911 call centre. Recently, the Durham Regional Police (DRPS) Services Board received a letter from the association’s president Colin Goodwin stating the association is concerned about staffing shortages at the call centre.

Uxbridge Bruins name new GM UXBRIDGE: The Uxbridge Bruins Junior Hockey Club is pleased to announce, Jay Simmonds has accepted a promotion to general manager. Born and raised in Uxbridge, Simmonds played three seasons with the Bruins before rejoining the team last year as Assistant General Manager. He has spent the past year apprenticing under former general manager Mark Savery, who recently accepted a position with the Elliot Lake Red Wings.

Regional Chair provides a virtual update SCUGOG: Durham Regional Chair John Henry provided an update on regional initiatives during a virtual Scugog Chamber of Commerce event, on Friday, May 28th. As it has been in Ontario for well over a year, the COVID-19 pandemic was a hot topic during the event. Chair Henry also explained how the Region is working towards equality for all people. The Region of Durham created an Anti-Racism Task Force, as a committee of the Regional council.

Brock Senior of the Year BROCK: The Township of Brock is nominating resident Bill Davis for the Ontario Senior of the Year award. The decision was made at a meeting on Monday, May 31st. According to a memorandum from deputy clerk Maralee Drake, the annual award “gives each municipality in Ontario the opportunity to honour one outstanding local Ontarian, who after the age of 65 has enriched the social, cultural or civic life of his or her community.”

Outbreak declared at Lindsay jail KAWARTHA LAKES: The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR) recently declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Lindsay’s Central East Correctional Centre. As of press time, a provincial case dashboard states there are 146 active inmate cases at the facility. As well, the Ministry of the Solicitor General states they are “aware of 20 COVID-positive cases among staff at the facility.”

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