One person has been seriously injured in a two-vehicle collision Thursday morning (January 18) on County Road 28 near Bewdley in the Municipality of Port Hope.

At around 8:54 a.m. on Thursday, Northumberland Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and fire and emergency medical services responded to collision between a passenger vehicle and a tractor trailer near Boundary Road.

As a result of the collision, one of the drivers was transported by air ambulance to receive medical treatment for serious injuries.

A section of County Road 28 from 9th Line to County Road 9 has been closed while police investigate and document the scene.

Peterborough and area residents can support high-demand treatment services for kids with developmental disabilities by taking part in two upcoming fundraisers in support of Five Counties Children’s Centre.

Two events — one new and the other a returning favourite — are coming up in February and benefit clients of Five Counties.

Candlelights for Kids is an evening outdoor family skate on February 10 at the Ontario Speed Skating Oval in Lakefield. The Next Gen Game with the Peterborough Petes takes place on the afternoon of Family Day, which is February 19, with a pre-game family skate prior to the Petes facing off against the Kitchener Rangers at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

“The intent of both of these events is to raise funds — but we hope, also some fun for families,” said Bill Eekhof, communications co-ordinator for Five Counties Children’s Centre.

“We don’t have any set fundraising goals but proceeds from both will go towards our Building Abilities for Life (BAL) campaign. Our overall fundraising goal for BAL is $500,000 this year; money raised from BAL goes directly to support high-demand treatment services at Five Counties,” Eekhof explained.

High-demand treatment services include speech, occupational, and physio therapies provided to local children and families.

Last year’s Petes’ Family Day game raised approximately $3,000.

Money generated through BAL is above what Five Counties receives from the provincial government, allowing the centre to serve more kids in an effort to reduce wait times, Five Counties noted.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Peterborough Petes and the Ontario Speed Skating Oval on these two separate events that will offer family fun and support the life-changing work that we do every day,” said Lyn Giles, director of fund development for Five Counties. “Come out and embrace winter activities and help ensure more kids get the treatment they need, when they need it, to be the best they can be.”

Candlelights for Kids is the first-ever joint fundraiser for Five Counties and the Ontario Speed Skating Oval. The February 10th event takes place at the oval at 3358 Lakefield Rd. in Lakefield.

Weather permitting, families can lace up for outdoor skating on the oval by candlelight. Two skating sessions will be available, with one from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and another from 7 to 8:30 p.m. There will be hot chocolate and food at the venue.

Tickets are $10 per adult and $5 per child. Tickets are limited and will be available at the end of January on the Ontario Speed Skating Oval website at ontariospeedskatingoval.com.

At the Next Gen Game with the Peterborough Petes, attendees can participate in a pre-game family skate starting at 1 p.m., with the game beginning at 2:05 p.m. A silent auction fundraiser, face painting, giant LEGO and more will be held during the game.

“Five Counties kids will take part in behind-the-scenes experiences at the game, including playing the role of coach, scout, general manager and PA announcer,” Five Counties noted.

Game tickets are available directly from Five Counties for $15 each by calling 705-748-2337 ext. 248 or by emailing development@fivecounties.on.ca.

Five Counties Children’s Centre provides speech, physio, and occupational therapies, as well as other treatment services for kids and youth from birth to age 19 years in the counties of Haliburton, Northumberland, Peterborough, and the City of Kawartha Lakes.

This past year, Five Counties served more than 6,200 children and youth in its region — the highest number of clients in its nearly 50-year history.

With an upcoming screening of a film called A Human Picture, the Basic Income Peterborough Network (BIPN) is hoping to “help galvanize public conversation and ideally influence policy-makers” around the importance of a basic income.

BIPN is co-presenting the short documentary on Friday, January 26th at 3 p.m. during the ReFrame Film Festival.

The film is about Ontario’s Basic Income Pilot project, which was launched in 2017 under the former Liberal premier Kathleen Wynne’s government. Shortly after being elected in 2018, the Ford government announced it was ending the pilot project.

Almost 4,000 people were enrolled in the pilot program in five regions: Lindsay, Thunder Bay, Hamilton, Brantford, and Brant County. A provincial minister said at the time it was part of a plan to “reform social assistance to help more people get back on track.”

The screening of A Human Picture, being held at the Peterborough Public Library, located at 345 Aylmer St. N., also includes a post-screening panel discussion called “Impact of Basic Income” with filmmakers Simon Brothers and Luke Mistruzzi, basic income pilot participant and activist Jessie Golem, and author and activist Jamie Swift.

“BIPN is thrilled to be able to partner with ReFrame for this event,” said BIPN’s Steph Benn. “We feel the film and the panel afterwards will help galvanize public conversation and ideally influence policy-makers to adequately address the growing epidemic of poverty and poverty-related issues in communities across Canada.”

Benn describes A Human Picture as “a powerful short honouring the lived experiences of some of the participants of the Ontario Basic Income Pilot.”

Specifically, the filmmakers were moved by the response of pilot project participant Jessie Golem after the newly elected Ford government unexpectedly and prematurely cancelled the pilot — “a devastating blow to the 4,000 Ontario participants,” Benn explained.

“Jessie’s response was to photograph many of the participants as they held signs to say what basic income had meant for them. It was a beautiful effort by Jessie to document what participants had experienced.”

BICN is screening the film because it sheds light on such vital issues, Benn said.

“Many community members are living with extreme poverty, insecurity, precarious housing, poor health, access to education, opportunity, and loneliness. Poverty can be extremely isolating. The impact of poverty on families and individuals is devastating and current social safety policies are stigmatizing and inadequate.”

Benn hopes the film offers the audience a chance to listen to some of the pilot’s participants, who share what it meant to them to be able to make ends meet.

“The film is a beautiful documentation of many important aspects of this story.”

The panel afterwards provides attendees with the opportunity to ask questions and share experiences from a variety of different perspectives, she added.

“We hope that many will leave the event determined to make the elimination of poverty and a guaranteed livable income a public demand, an election issue, and a reason for hope,” Benn said.

“A guaranteed livable income shifts the approach away from safety nets and instead moves us toward a raised floor — giving everyone that needs it, a guaranteed livable income with no strings attached.”

More information about the film and panel discussion is available on the ReFrame website at https://reframefilmfestival.ca/film/a-human-picture/, where you can also purchase passes and individual tickets.

To promote income-based accessibility to the festival, ReFrame provides a pay-what-you-can option for individual screenings (tickets are available at festival venues 20 minutes in advance of screenings).

ReFrame also distributes a limited number of free festival passes and ticket packages to the community through the Community Access Program. These are available to the public through the Peterborough Public Library. ReFrame also partners with local advocacy groups and service organizations to distribute free tickets to their membership.

The merger of two community housing sites in Peterborough will ultimately mean more housing and support for people who have disabilities, high-risk seniors, and others.

That’s the goal of a recent initiative that encompassed Kawartha Participation Projects (KPP) officially changing its name to Thrive Housing and Support (Thrive). The decision to rebrand coincides with the amalgamation of KPP and Hilliard Park Homes at 800 Hilliard St. into a single organization.

Thrive manages community housing, and provides outreach and 24/7 support to people with physical disabilities, cognitive impairments, acquired brain injuries and seniors who are considered to be at high risk. Along with Hilliard Park Homes, housing includes 18 units at Towerhill Village (17 Towerhill Road) and 30 units at St. Peters (443 Reid St.).

Sandy Woodhouse, Thrive’s CEO, said there are key projected benefits of the merger.

“I would say the most exciting part of the partnership is that two great community housing sites have officially come together to form Thrive Housing and Support, an agency whose mission is to deliver exceptional housing and support services that positively impact people in our community,” Woodhouse told kawarthaNOW.

“The biggest impact on the people as a result of the merger is that Hilliard Park Homes now has the designation as a special needs provider — the same as Towerhill Village — so we are able to house and support more clients with physical disabilities, high-risk seniors, and people with acquired brain injuries.”

The KPP board, after much contemplation, “seized the perfect timing” for the name change, Thrive noted. As part of the transformation, Thrive has released a video explaining the rationale behind the choice of the new name. The video can be viewed at www.thrivehs.ca/thrive-video.

“The rebranding not only reflects the organization’s commitment to growth, but also introduces a new mission statement — creating communities where people can thrive,” Thrive said in a media release.

The organization’s newly launched website at www.thrivehs.ca contains the new vision and values statements, along with other features, including photos and stories about real tenants, clients, and the staff members who work at Thrive.

“In terms of services, Thrive Housing and Support will continue its unwavering commitment to providing community housing and personal support to people with physical disabilities, high risk seniors and people with acquired brain injuries in order for them to live independently and thrive in a way that is meaningful to them,” the organization said. “Clients and tenants can expect the same, if not enhanced, level of service that has become synonymous with the organization.”

Thrive has also announced the addition of 10 new supportive housing units at 191 Rink St., also known as the Sawmill. These units will provide new opportunities for people to live independently.

Out of the 10 new units, five have been specifically designated to Thrive clients, with a priority given to those at risk of homelessness or patients in the hospital who need a home more suitable to their needs.

The Brain Injury Association Peterborough Region has partnered with Thrive, employing a dedicated case manager to provide wrap-around supports to residents in five additional units, to complement the services provided by personal support workers through Thrive.

“This initiative has been made possible through the combined efforts of numerous partners,” Thrive added. “Ashburnham Realty, who constructed and owns the Sawmill, played a pivotal role in working collaboratively with Thrive and providing both units and office space. The City of Peterborough has also demonstrated its commitment to the well-being of the community and prevention of homelessness by generously providing rent supplements, ensuring that living costs remain affordable for clients of the program.”

Thrive dates back to 1978 when it was established under the KPP name. Today, Thrive supports approximately 120 clients with physical disabilities, acquired brain injuries, and those considered to be high-risk seniors. The organization employs about 100 front-line and administrative staff who support the group of clients. Thrive also extends property management services to its community housing partners.

A charitable organization is striving to keep Haliburton County residents toasty in their homes amidst plummeting temperatures and rising heating costs this winter.

Over the past year, the demand for services from Heat Bank Haliburton County, a program of the Central Food Network (CFN), has grown, as the cost of living continues to increase or people incur extra costs such as for medical expenses, noted Tina Jackson, CFN’s executive director.

The mission of Heat Bank Haliburton County is to keep residents’ homes heated and to create opportunities to help those living in poverty. According to CFN, Haliburton County has one of the highest rates of energy poverty in Canada.

“For some, the added cost of filling up the oil or propane tanks or stocking the woodshed is a minor inconvenience — for others, it means heartbreaking sacrifices and juggling whether to heat or eat,” CFN noted. “Many homes in our community will not have enough money for both and will have to cut on their grocery or medication costs in order to keep their homes at minimal temperatures.”

Heat Bank Haliburton County began in 2013 as a community initiative with a mission to increase the supply of, and ease of access to, emergency firewood and heat for vulnerable residents of Haliburton County.

The bank formed when several community groups, agencies and community members recognized the need for a united front to provide support.

Jackson was one of the founders, along with A Place Called Home, Heather Reid and Abbey Gardens, Judy MacDuff and David Ogilvie and 4C’s of Haliburton, Ken Mott and Wilberforce Food Bank, Robert Spurrier and Cardiff Community Food Bank, John Teljeur and JT’s Food Crusade, and Terry Goodwin and Men of Integrity.

“We decided if we all just collectively work together …. we could build up bigger supplies,” Jackson said.

Heat Bank Haliburton County is now a registered charity operating in the Municipality of Highlands East in the Haliburton Highlands.

The reception from the community about having heat resources available, is one of “appreciation,” the executive director said.

“We do so much more than just offer fuel grants,” Jackson explained. “We will also look at people’s household income and what their circumstances are and try to figure out if there are any other services and supports available to also help them.”

For example, the heat bank received a call recently from someone whose propane tanks were getting low, and they didn’t have the cash available for a minimum fill. As Jackson spoke with them about income, hydro bills, and other matters, she was able to tell them they were eligible for a credit.

“So, in addition to a $600 fuel grant, we’re also going to help them with the paperwork to get a hydro credit. Now they’re going to be saving $45 a month off their hydro (bill), which could help them put a little bit of food in the cupboards or help them keep up with the heating costs in the future.”

The heat bank, originally an initiative of A Place Called Home, was taken on by CFN in 2016. Like a food bank, the heat bank runs solely on donations, Jackson noted.

There are firewood depots situated across Haliburton County, which allows for wood donations to be directed to an area close to its source, CFN noted.

“It also means that we are really neighbours helping neighbours, especially given the number of community members who come together to help cut and split wood and the team of volunteers who deliver it, even on the worst of winter days.”

The heat bank provides emergency firewood — small amounts of free, seasoned firewood to households that are struggling with the cost of heating their homes or find themselves in a heating emergency.

As Jackson noted, the intake process helps determine residents’ eligibility to benefit from other programs or supports.

The heat bank’s ‘Home to Home Firewood Program’ connects lower-income households who heat with wood to households that have extra hardwood. This program runs from spring through to early fall.

When it comes to oil and propane, the heat bank provides grants for emergency fuel, information, referral, and advocacy support for access to services and programs, and assistance to “identify longer-term or alternative strategies to promote the household’s autonomy.” It also provides information for low-income hydro customers and staff will advocate and negotiate directly with Hydro One.

The Heat Bank is an authorized intake agency for the Ontario Energy Board’s LEAP – Low-income Energy Assistance Program hydro arrears program and Ontario Electricity Support Program hydro credit program.

For more information about Heat Bank Haliburton County, or to make a donation, visit the website at www.heatbankhc.ca or call or send a text to 705-306-0565.

Renfrew County warden Peter Emon and Peterborough County warden Bonnie Clark will again be leading the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) in 2024.

During EOWC’s inaugural meeting on January 11 and 12 hosted by Lennox and Addington County, Emon was re-elected as chair and Clark was acclaimed as vice-chair.

EOWC is an incorporated non-profit organization comprised of the head of councils of 13 municipalities in eastern Ontario, including 11 upper-tier counties and two single-tier municipalities, and supports and advocates on behalf of its 90 local municipalities and 800,000 residents across the region.

“I am honoured my colleagues in eastern Ontario have shown their faith in me once again,” Emon said in a media release. “We will work together to address the issues and champion solutions that impact residents of rural eastern Ontario. I look forward to the year ahead and being around many decision-making tables.”

“In my second year as vice-chair, I will continue to bring key issues forward on behalf of rural eastern Ontario municipalities and their residents,” Clark added. “I look forward to working together with chair Emon, our caucus colleagues and staff, and identifying new priorities for the remainder of 2024.”

Clark was first acclaimed as EOWC vice-chair in 2023. She was elected Peterborough County warden in 2022, after a 20-year career in public service that began as a councillor for the former Otonabee Township. She later served as deputy mayor of the amalgamated Otonabee-South Monaghan Township and was a member of Peterborough County council since 2018.

Until a priority-setting meeting to be held in March, EOWC will continue with its 2023 priorities which include affordable and attainable housing, the 7 in 7+ Regional Housing Plan, long-term care, and modernizing the construction approval process to support economic development. EOWC will also be sending a delegation to the 2024 Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference being held from January 21 to 23 in Toronto.

“Members of the EOWC are looking forward to attending the upcoming ROMA 2024 Conference later this month to build strong relationships with municipal colleagues and the provincial government,” reads the media release.