kawarthaNOW | News, events, and community information for residents, visitors, and cottagers in Peterborough and The Kawarthas

4th Line Theatre's Salon Reading Series will feature staged readings of works by acclaimed playwrights Drew Hayden Taylor and Brad Fraser, along with 4th Line's own managing artistic director Kim Blackwell, in different local homes on October 15, November 11, and January 14. (Graphic: 4th Line Theatre)

Millbrook’s 4th Line Theatre invites audiences to experience a ‘house play’ with new Salon Reading Series

Off-season series features intimate staged readings of plays by Drew Hayden Taylor, Brad Fraser, and Kim Blackwell, accompanied by food, drink, and conversation

Bruce Head - September 2, 2026

New owners Theresa Thibadeau and Mark Walsh cut the ribbon at the entrance to Grady's Feet Essentials at 231 King Street in downtown Peterborough as retiring owners Kelli and Tony Grady look on during a ceremony on September 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Grady's Feet Essentials)

Grady’s Feet Essentials in downtown Peterborough begins new chapter under new owners

This edition of kawarthaNOW's "Kawartha Localist" editorial series features end-of-summer bucket list across the Kawarthas, including Silent Lake Provincial Park, The Canadian Canoe Museum, the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge, Ganaraska Forest, Algonquin Provincial Park's South Gate, Sanctuary Flower Fields, The Gut, Haliburton Sculpture Forest, Doube's Trestle Bridge, Liftlock Cruises, and more. (kawarthaNOW collage)

Kawartha Localist: Your end-of-summer bucket list

Centrally located in Peterborough County, Selwyn Township is home to the communities of Bridgenorth, Lakefield, Ennismore, Young's Point, and Buckhorn. With nearly 18,700 residents, it is the county's most populous municipality. (Photo: Selwyn Township website)

Selwyn Township candidates tell voters why they are seeking office

The 23rd annual Hike Haliburton Festival is returning to the Haliburton Highlands from September 17 to 20, 2026. The award-winning festival features more than 35 guided hikes led by local volunteers, self-guided hikes, paid excursions by local adventure outfitters, and cultural events and activities taking place across Haliburton County. (Photo courtesy of Haliburton County)

Award-winning Hike Haliburton returns September 17 to 20 across the Haliburton Highlands

Four-day festival features free guided hikes led by knowledgeable and passionate volunteers, paid excursions, arts and culture events, and more

Megan Gallant - September 1, 2026

Almonte-based singer-songwriter Jordan Holman, who performs as Kentucky, will be travelling on a Le Boat houseboat to give a series of five free concerts along the Trent-Severn Waterway in the City of Peterborough and Peterborough County from September 11 to 17, 2026. (Photo: Kentucky website)

Musical houseboat tour to bring free concerts to Peterborough and the Kawarthas September 11 to 17

An Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) police car with lights flashing. (Photo: OPP)

23-year-old motorcyclist and 22-year-old passenger seriously injured in Sunday evening crash on Northeys Bay Road

The Township of Asphodel-Norwood is a rural municipality in southern Peterborough County with a population of over 4,600 residents. (Photo: Township of Asphodel-Norwood website)

Township of Asphodel-Norwood candidates explain why they are running in the municipal election

"Reacher" star Alan Ritchson in an Instagram reel posted from Minden Whitewater Preserve in the Haliburton Highlands on August 29, 2026, one of the Ontario locations for the fifth season of the popular Amazon Prime Video action-thriller series based on the best-selling books by Lee Child. (kawarthaNOW screenshot)

‘Reacher’ wraps up filming at Minden Whitewater Preserve in the Haliburton Highlands

The fifth season of the popular Amazon Prime Video action-thriller series is based on Lee Child's 2015 book 'Make Me'

Bruce Head - August 31, 2026

Special weather statement for showers and embedded thunderstorms in effect for Kawarthas region starting Monday night

In October 2026, Angela McDonald's Sweet Fern Floral Studio will move from its current location at 387 Water Street in downtown Peterborough to a larger space at 208 Charlotte Street, where her parents once operated a flower shop for 22 years. (Photo: Sweet Fern Floral Studio)

businessNOW: Local businesses open, expand, relocate and celebrate milestones across the region

Having just wrapped up his second season as Patrick Hickey in 4th Line Theatre's "Wild Irish Geese" at the Winslow Farm in Millbrook, Darragh O'Connell is a rising star in Peterborough's art scene. The 14-year-old actor has been in about 15 local productions and has starred in commercials for national brands like Staples Canada and AAA Auto Insurance. Now working with a Toronto talent agency, O'Connell is eager to take on more acting gigs ranging from local theatre to on-screen performances. (Photo courtesy of Darragh O'Connell)

From community theatre to national commercials, emerging actor Darragh O’Connell is one to watch

Selwyn Township candidates tell voters why they are seeking office

Bethan Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter - September 1, 2026

One acclaimed incumbent and four candidates in contested ward races introduce their campaigns in Peterborough County's most populous municipality.

23-year-old motorcyclist and 22-year-old passenger seriously injured in Sunday evening crash on Northeys Bay Road

September 1, 2026

Township of Asphodel-Norwood candidates explain why they are running in the municipal election

Updated September 1, 2026

Special weather statement for showers and embedded thunderstorms in effect for Kawarthas region starting Monday night

August 31, 2026

The Township of Cavan Monaghan is a rural municipality in southwestern Peterborough County with a population of over 10,000 residents. (Photo: Township of Cavan Monaghan website)

Township of Cavan Monaghan council hopefuls introduce their campaigns ahead of October election

Updated August 30, 2026

Kawartha Localist: Your end-of-summer bucket list

Megan Gallant - September 1, 2026

Summer is not over yet! Make the most of it with our picks for 14 Kawarthas adventures, from paddling and hiking to shopping, exploring, and cruising.

This edition of kawarthaNOW's "Kawartha Localist" editorial series features favourite bakeries and bake shops in the Kawarthas, including in Downeyville, Peterborough, Douro-Dummer, Millbrook, Bancroft, Roseneath, Haliburton County, and Bailieboro. (kawarthaNOW collage)

Kawartha Localist: Discover some of the sweetest stops in the Kawarthas

August 25, 2026

This edition of kawarthaNOW's "Kawartha Localist" editorial series features favourite pizza joints in the Kawarthas as selected by our readers, including in Lindsay, Peterborough, Haliburton, Bailieboro, Buckhorn, Coe Hill, Millbrook, Port Hope, and Minden. (kawarthaNOW collage)

Kawartha Localist: Where to find mouthwatering pizza across the Kawarthas

August 18, 2026

This edition of kawarthaNOW's "Kawartha Localist" editorial series features our favourite animal experiences in the Kawarthas, including in Haliburton County, Douro-Dummer, Port Hope, North Kawartha, Asphodel-Norwood, Roseneath, and Havelock-Belmont-Methuen. Kawartha Localist is sponsored by Kawartha Financial Services. (kawarthaNOW collage)

Kawartha Localist: Amazing animal experiences await across the Kawarthas

August 11, 2026

Know Your Locals: Proud Peterborough native Ruby Byrne supports clients with estate planning and administration at LLF Lawyers

August 10, 2026

Millbrook’s 4th Line Theatre invites audiences to experience a ‘house play’ with new Salon Reading Series

Bruce Head - September 2, 2026

Off-season series features intimate staged readings of plays by Drew Hayden Taylor, Brad Fraser, and Kim Blackwell, accompanied by food, drink, and conversation.

Musical houseboat tour to bring free concerts to Peterborough and the Kawarthas September 11 to 17

September 1, 2026

‘Reacher’ wraps up filming at Minden Whitewater Preserve in the Haliburton Highlands

August 31, 2026

From community theatre to national commercials, emerging actor Darragh O’Connell is one to watch

August 30, 2026

"Here Comes the Sun" by Barbara Miszkiel, one of 27 artists participating in the 2026 Apsley Autumn Studio Tour being held at artists' studios across North Kawartha Township from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, September 19 and Saturday, September 20. The self-guided, juried tour features nine studios where artists will display and sell their work, connect with visitors and share their creative process, and lead demonstrations. (Photo courtesy of Apsley Autumn Studio Tour)

33rd annual Apsley Autumn Studio Tour returns to North Kawartha on September 19 and 20

August 29, 2026

Grady’s Feet Essentials in downtown Peterborough begins new chapter under new owners

Bruce Head - September 2, 2026

Kelli and Tony Grady retire after nearly three decades at the helm of the footwear business, with employee Theresa Thibadeau and Mark Walsh taking ownership.

businessNOW: Local businesses open, expand, relocate and celebrate milestones across the region

August 31, 2026

Rutger Huntley, Aiden Budd, Zander Bromley, Caleb Galbraith, and Rielle MacDougall are five of the six Peterborough-area student entreprenuers who graduated from the provincially funded Summer Company program, administered locally by Community Futures Peterborough's Business Advisory Centre. Not pictured is Emma George-Peters. The young entrepreneurs participated in a graduation ceremony at Venture North in downtown Peterborough on August 26, 2026 along with a tradeshow showcasing the businesses they launched and operated throughout the summer. (Photo courtesy of Community Futures Peterborough)

Six Peterborough-area student entrepreneurs graduate from Summer Company program

August 26, 2026

Located at 201 St. George Street in Lindsay, Mariposa Dairy has crown from a 100-acre goat farm into one of Canada's largest goat cheese producers and processors, and also produces sheep milk cheese products. (Photo: Mariposa Dairy / Facebook)

Ottawa invests more than $7 million in Lindsay manufacturers ahead of new U.S. tariffs

August 17, 2026

Over seven years of owning and operating Couture Candy PTBO, Lisa Couture has made several adaptations to her business model. From expanding across multiple storefronts to selling exclusively through livestreaming, Couture has trusted her instincts for the better of her business and personal life. In her latest pivot, she will be closing down her downtown Peterborough storefront on George Street at the end of August 2026 to make time for more frequent live selling and community involvement and to have more time to spend with her children and husband. (Photo courtesy of Couture Candy PTBO)

Couture Candy PTBO owner trades bigger margins for more family memories

August 1, 2026

Award-winning Hike Haliburton returns September 17 to 20 across the Haliburton Highlands

Megan Gallant - September 1, 2026

Four-day festival features free guided hikes led by knowledgeable and passionate volunteers, paid excursions, arts and culture events, and more,

A young girl with gear during summer heading to a beach for a swim. (Stock photo)

The Beach Report for August 28, 2026

August 28, 2026

Jakob Payne and Janelle Wiens, two Trent University learning garden teacher candidates, deliver a "Pollen Power" school program to a Grade 1 class at Ecology Park in Peterborough. GreenUP's education program offers a variety of hands-on, curriculum and experiential-based field trip options for students in kindergarten up to Grade 7. (Photo: Melanie Ellison / GreenUP)

Slow down and notice: what a Trent University teacher candidate learned when volunteering at GreenUP Ecology Park

August 27, 2026

Beavermead Beach is the only supervised public beach in the City of Peterborough, with lifeguards on duty daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. from the last week of June to the end of August. (Photo: City of Peterborough)

The Beach Report for August 21 to 27, 2026

Updated August 27, 2026

Camp Kawartha's executive director Jacob Rodenburg inside the newest addition to the camp, Birch Cabin, next to a "truth window." These small portals into the walls show the straw bale insulation holding up many of the camp's buildings and invite visitors to think about construction and consider sustainability in entirely new ways. (Photo: Rebekkah Hyams / GreenUP)

At Camp Kawartha in Peterborough, sustainable buildings are part of the lesson

August 20, 2026

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For more local weather, environmental conditions, and travel resources, visit our Weather & Travel page.

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