Peterborough’s Riverview Park and Zoo has announced the passing of Yao Ming, a male Sichuan takin.

“He had been experiencing a decline in his overall health and body condition over the last few months,” reads a media release from the Riverview Park and Zoo on Friday (June 7). “Extensive diagnostics, research, and testing had been done by our animal health team to help determine the cause and treatment.”

Despite these efforts, Yao Ming died suddenly overnight at the age of nine. To determine the cause of death, the zoo has sent his remains to the Guelph University Animal Health Laboratory in Kempsville.

Native to Tibet and some provinces in China, Sichuan takins live in the same dense bamboo forests as giant panda. Although they are considered a national treasure of China along with the giant panda and have the highest legal protection, they are threatened by ongoing poaching and habitat destruction.

The Sichuan takins at the Riverview Park and Zoo are part of a species survival plan that ensure that healthy numbers of certain species of animals live in captivity to prevent their extinction.

Often referred to as a goat-antelope species, Sichuan takins are golden in colour and appear to have the horns of a wildebeest, the nose of a moose, and the body of a bison. They normally live between 16 to 18 years in the wild, and up to 20 years in captivity.

“We would like to especially thank our consulting veterinarian Dr. John Sallaway and his team of health experts and specialist who offered their knowledge and support in the diagnosis and treatment of the beloved takin,” the zoo states.

“As well, we extend our gratitude and condolences to the caring zookeepers who had given extra attention to Yao Ming’s special needs and health over his lifetime at Riverview Park and Zoo.”

“His loss will be significantly felt in the community, and he will be sorely missed by his (Riverview Park and Zoo) team.”

Peterborough GreenUP has recognized local residents and businesses who are “shifting gears” by choosing healthy and planet-friendly transportation options.

GreenUP has announced this year’s winners of the Shifting Gears May challenge, which has been held annually for the past 20 years. The event encourages Peterborough residents to make the switch to active and sustainable transportation.

To mark the wind down of the challenge, GreenUP bestowed the top participants with awards during a celebration and bike-in movie last Friday (May 31) at Nicholls Oval Park on Armour Road in Peterborough.

According to a media release from GreenUP, participants in this year’s challenge took 6,472 active and sustainable trips during May, which accounted for 46,627 kilometres of travel by walking, cycling, taking transit, carpooling, and telecommuting.

The May challenge resulted in a total greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 6,064 kilograms, highlighting participants’ contributions to reducing their local impact on the climate and environment.

“What struck me most about this year’s participation was how many participants were new to the challenge and also new to using active and sustainable travel for their daily trips,” GreenUP program coordinator Ashley Burnie told kawarthaNOW.

“Twenty-seven per cent of participants report that before the Shifting Gears May Challenge, they either never used, or infrequently used, active and sustainable travel,” Burnie said. “An additional 22 per cent only used it for exercise, not travel. That means that nearly half of participants are deciding to make different transportation choices — for the betterment of themselves, their community, and the environment — and I think that is really inspiring,”

In addition, she was struck by how much fun the winners had with the challenge.

“We haven’t held in-person workplace awards since 2019, and I think some of them missed the camaraderie that comes along with rallying a team to take on the May challenge. Many were doing internal prizes for their workplace participants, planning group rides, meeting at our pop-ups, and otherwise doing a lot to engage in the campaign.”

At the May 31 awards celebration, Shifting Gears workplace awards were presented to Three Sisters Natural Landscapes in the micro workplace category, Trent Health in Motion in the small workplace category, Engage Engineering in the medium workplace category, Peterborough Public Library in the large workplace category, and BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada in the extra-large workplace category. In addition, the Art Gallery of Peterborough received the “Get in Gear” workplace award as the closest runner-up in the micro workplace category.

The Shifting Gears Spirit Award was presented to Reanna Montopoli, co-owner of Trent Health in Motion.

Montopoli “has been a passionate advocate for benefits of participating in Shifting Gears; promoting it enthusiastically in-person and online,” GreenUP noted in the release. “By setting up displays, committing to daily bike commutes, sponsoring local bike events and presenting in educational webinars, Reanna has gone above and beyond in her embodiment of what it means to shift gears.”

Shifting Gears began in 2004, with “Travel-Wise Employer” awards given to workplaces that recorded top numbers of participants and trips. Among the winners were Fisheries and Oceans Canada, HGC Management, the Peter Robinson Building (MNR), and Green Communities Canada. The program has grown over the years to include community members and schools, workshops, rides, special events and more.

“With help from community events, peer-to-peer support and encouragement, and useful incentives, hundreds of employees across Peterborough made the switch to active and sustainable transportation that first year,” GreenUP noted. “Since then, the annual program has moved new and returning participants to make the shift in pursuit of both personal and community benefits — added daily activity, savings of transportation costs, social time and/or ‘me’ time, decreased vehicle congestion, improved air quality, and reduced greenhouse gases.”

Hear more from Burnie in an upcoming article on kawarthaNOW about her hopes for Shifting Gears beyond the month of May.

Hydro One is holding three community consultations in June about its plans to build a new double-circuit 230-kilovolt transmission line between Clarington and Peterborough over the next five years.

Formerly known as the Greater Toronto Area East Line, the Durham Kawartha Power Line will run for around 50 kilometres between the Clarington Transformer Station in the Municipality of Clarington and the Dobbin Transformer Station in Selwyn Township just on the edge of the City of Peterborough.

The route for the proposed project will use existing Hydro One transmission corridors where possible. The transmission line would cross a small northwestern portion of Municipality of Clarington, a small southeastern portion of Scucog Township, a southern portion of the City of Kawartha Lakes, a northern portion of Cavan Monaghan Township, and a small southwestern portion of Selwyn Township. Alternative routes are being considered for a three-kilometre section of the project just north of the Clarington Transformer Station.

Hydro One says that, once the new transmission line is completed, it will increase the power capacity in eastern Ontario by over 400 megawatts and increase “resiliency and capacity” for the Peterborough area.

“This new transmission line will not only enhance the reliability and resilience of our energy infrastructure but, by investing in clean energy transmission, we will be reducing our carbon footprint and contributing to a healthier, greener future for our city,” says Peterborough mayor Jeff Leal in a media release.

In addition to continuing to collaborate with the two First Nations in the areas where the transmission line will run (Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and Hiawatha First Nation), Hydro One will host three community open houses in June to share project updates, present route details, and gather local input.

PDF: Durham Kawartha Power Line Project
Durham Kawartha Power Line Project

The open houses take place at the Solina Community Hall (1964 Concession Rd. 6, Clarington) from 2 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25th, at the Peterborough Lions Centre (347 Burnham St., Peterborough) from 2 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26th, and at the Bethany United Church (3 George St., Bethany) from 2 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 27th.

“Integrating local feedback and knowledge from Indigenous partners and the community is vital for the planning and design of the Durham Kawartha Power Line project,” says Sonny Karunakaran, Hydro One’s vice president of strategic projects and partnerships.

“Electricity demand in eastern Ontario is expected to grow rapidly over the next 20 years and once built, this transmission line will increase reliability, advance First Nations equity partnerships, and promote economic prosperity in the region today and in the future.”

As part of Hydro One’s “journey towards reconciliation with Indigenous people and communities,” the company says it will offer the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and Hiawatha First Nation a 50 per cent equity stake in the transmission line component of the project “and will work to advance the project together in true partnership.”

“Hydro One has set itself apart as a leader in the energy industry, and we are pleased that they have begun to recognize the value in a shared journey of prosperity with our First Nation,” says Hiawatha First Nation chief Laurie Carr. “Their renewed approach is the first step in a long journey of consensus building, environmental and rights protection, and economic empowerment with Hiawatha.”

The Durham Kawartha Power Line project is currently in the planning stages, with field studies and research to begin over the summer in support of a Class Environmental Assessment (EA) required under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act.

The selection of the route alternative in Clarington would be announced this fall, when Hydro One will hold another series of community open houses.

Assuming the successful completion of the Class EA process next summer and approval of the project by the Ontario Energy Board, construction on the transmission line would begin in 2027 and be completed by 2029, if not sooner.

For more information about the Durham Kawartha Power Line project and updates, visit www.hydroone.com/dkpl.

The Northumberland County Housing Corporation (NCHC) is inviting Northumberland County community members to help build “brighter futures for residents” by getting involved in the planning and provision of local affordable housing services.

People interested in making a contribution to address the current housing crisis can apply to join the NCHC board of directors.

The NCHC board of directors oversees all operations relating to the NCHC’s portfolio of more than 350 rent-geared-to-income and affordable rental units throughout Northumberland.

“Board members are able to help shape the planning and delivery of affordable housing services in Northumberland by sharing their experience, knowledge, and professional expertise,” Rebecca Carman, associate director of housing and homelessness for Northumberland County, said in a statement provided to kawarthaNOW. “In doing so, they are building brighter futures for residents of our community.”

Board members are responsible for maintaining corporate by-laws, agreements and reports, appointing roles on the board, guiding long-term strategic planning for the corporation, and overseeing the board’s budget and finances.

The board includes county council representatives, the county’s CAO, and members of the public.

The NCHC is currently hoping to fill two citizen positions, and is accepting applications from members of the public with interest, experience, or knowledge in any of the following areas:

• Planning services, including legislation in the multi-residential sector
• Development planning and asset management planning
• Legal and financial expertise
• Facilities management
• Social services delivery
• Lived experience of homelessness, poverty, and housing insecurity.

The county encourages residents who are interested in joining the board to submit an application online by Friday, June 14.

The community housing provider has more than 366 owned and operated housing units in Northumberland County. Additional units are currently under development at the Elgin Park redevelopment and the Ontario Street housing development in Cobourg.

In March 2019, Northumberland County announced plans for the Elgin Park redevelopment in Cobourg to increase the number of subsidized and market rental housing units at this location from 18 to 40. In addition to 12 market rental units, there will be 28 subsidized units — an increase of 10 more than the current availability at the site.

The county calls the Elgin Park project “a major step forward in the collective commitment of Northumberland County and (NCHC) to tackle the pressing issue of affordable housing in Northumberland. redevelopment project.”

Meanwhile, Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS), Habitat for Humanity Northumberland, NCHC, and the county are partnering to jointly develop and manage an affordable housing complex at 473 Ontario St.

The development will introduce 62 new affordable housing units to the community, including units geared to Indigenous households (with direct access to Indigenous supports such as First Nation, Métis, and Inuit cultural teachings, traditional healers, and other programming), rent-geared-to-income housing, and affordable and attainable market rental units.

For information about the Northumberland County Housing Corporation, including how to apply for housing, visit northumberland.ca/nchc.

Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Kawarthas region for Wednesday evening (June 5).

The severe thunderstorm watch is currently in effect only for southern Kawartha Lakes.

A line of thunderstorms preceding a cold front is moving across southwestern Ontario and Lake Huron. This line of thunderstorms, which is expected to push through central and eastern Ontario Wednesday evening, could bring wind gusts up to 90 km/h, heavy downpours, and up to nickel-sized hail.

Emergency Management Ontario recommends that you take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches.

Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. Water-related activities may be unsafe due to violent and sudden gusts of wind over bodies of water. Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors. If you hear thunder, then lightning is close enough to be dangerous.

Environment Canada issues severe thunderstorm watches when atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms that could produce one or more of the following: large hail, damaging winds, torrential rainfall.