Due to the extreme forest fire hazard, a total fire ban is now in place in much of the northern Kawarthas region.

Several townships in Haliburton County were already under a fire ban before a county-wide fire ban was implemented last Thursday (June 1), when the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry also declared a restricted fire zone that includes Haliburton County.

Both Hastings Highlands in Hastings County and North Kawartha Township in Peterborough County, which are adjacent to the restricted fire zone, declared total fire bans on Monday (June 5).

Under both a restricted fire zone and under municipal fire bans, no open air fires are permitted, not even for cooking or warmth. Campfires are not permitted at any time, charcoal barbeques are not permitted, and fireworks are not permitted. All open burn permits are suspended.

As of June 5, other municipalities in Peterborough County have yet to declare total fire bans, although both Douro-Dummer and Trent Lakes have declared high or extreme fire hazard ratings. Havelock-Belmont-Methuen and Cavan Monaghan have restricted open air burning except for small evening campfires. Asphodel-Norwood and Selwyn have not updated their fire hazard ratings since April. For the most recent updates on fire bans in individual townships, visit the Peterborough County website and select the corresponding township.

The fire hazard rating in the City of Kawartha Lakes is currently set to extreme, but a fire ban is not yet in place.

Fire bans are also in place at a number of provincial parks, including Algonquin, where two out-of-control fires were burning as of June 3.

PepsiCo Canada’s Quaker Oats has released a new commercial filmed in Peterborough that stars real-life employees of the Hunter Street Quaker plant along with members of the community.

The commercial, which promotes the QUAKERborough brand, shows a QUAKERborough van driving around the city and includes a scene with neighbours helping a newcomer family move a piece of furniture into their home.

“Acknowledging the warmth and support that Quaker has received over the years, the brand is on a mission to personally welcome newcomers to the city with open arms (and oats!) with the help of its dedicated employees and the Peterborough New Canadians Centre,” reads a email from Citizen Relations, a public relations agency.

In April, New Canadians Centre Peterborough shared a casting call for the commercial on social media.

“We’re looking for a family who just moved to Peterborough,” the call reads in part. “We would compensate you for your time and purchase a new piece of furniture for you.”

The commercial can be viewed on the QUAKERborough website at www.quakerborough.ca.

Peterborough author Erica Richmond, the founder of Open Sky Stories, has raised $670 for Peterborough Youth Services.

In May, Richmond announced she would donate half of the proceeds ($10) of each sale of her children’s book Pixie and the Bees during the month of May to the organization, which provides accessible services that engage youth in a respectful, professional, and therapeutic relationship to foster emotional and social health.

“This agency has been life-saving for both of my kids and I want to give back to them and in turn, help other families who rely on them for support,” Richmond says. The month of May marked the anniversary of the death of the father of Richmond’s children to suicide.

This is the second year in a row where Richmond has donated half of her book proceeds to a local charity. Last May, she raised $530 for the Trans Peer Outreach program at the Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (Richmond’s youngest child is transgender).

Richmond says her goal was to match last year’s donation, but she ended up exceeding it by $140 due to the community response to her fundraiser.

“I knew it would be tough but thanks to local media and businesses we kept getting the word out and our community listened,” she says. “I’m happy, relieved, grateful, exhausted and just so incredibly honoured to live in a community that cares so much.”

Published in November 2020, Pixie and the Bees tells the story of a happy Pixie who has an encounter while picking wildflowers that leaves her with constant pain and discomfort that nobody else understands at first. The book is illustrated by Peterborough artist Brooklin Holborough.

For more information about Pixie and the Bees, visit openskystories.com/product/pixie-and-the-bees/.

For more information about Peterborough Youth Services, their programs, or how to access support, visit www.pysonline.ca or call 705-743-1681.

Two local musicians were winners at the 11th annual Country Music Association of Ontario awards, held on Sunday (June 4) at Hamilton’s Theatre Aquarius.

Peterborough native Elyse Saunders took home the Music Video of the Year award for her song “Genes” — which is about inclusivity and celebrating people for who they are — and Bailieboro native Jade Eagleson won the Fans’ Choice award.

Along with the musician awards, Peterborough’s Pure Country 105 won the Radio Station of the Year (Medium Market) award.

The big winners of the night were Robyn Ottolini, who took home the Single of the Year and Female Artist of the Year awards, and The Reklaws (siblings Stuart and Jenna Walker) who won the Group or Duo of the Year award and The Compass award (based on the most album sales, digital song downloads, audio streams, and more).

Both Eagleson and Saunders performed at the awards show, along with Robyn Ottolini, Nate Haller, Karli June, Graham Scott Fleming, Sacha, Vincent Bishop, Jason Blaine, Genevieve Fisher, Andrew Hyatt, Ryan Langdon, Owen Riegling, Julian Taylor, and The Western Swing Authority.

The show, which was hosted by Jason McCoy and Shannon Ella, also included a special performance by McCoy and Nicole Rayy in honour of 2023 Impact Award recipients The Family Brown, and a tribute performance to Gordon Lightfoot featuring The Good Brothers.

Here is the complete list of the 2023 winners:

• Single of the Year – “Say It” – Robyn Ottolini
• Album of the Year – Party In The Back – Nate Haller
• Songwriter(s) of the Year – Steven Lee Olsen, Brandon Day – Nashville Or Nothing (recorded by Steven Lee Olsen)
• Female Artist of the Year – Robyn Ottolini
• Male Artist of the Year – Tim Hicks
• Group Or Duo of the Year – The Reklaws
• Record Producer(s) of the Year – Karen Kosowski – Karli June
• Radio Station of the Year (Large Market) – KX-947, Hamilton
• Radio Station of the Year (Medium Market) – Pure Country 105, Peterborough
• Radio Station of the Year (Small Market) – 100.1 FM The Ranch, Listowel
• Roots Artist or Group of the Year – Mackenzie Leigh Meyer
• Rising Star – Josh Ross
• Music Video of the Year – “Genes” – Elyse Saunders
• Music Industry Person of the Year – Dave Woods
• Francophone Artist or Group of the Year – Reney Ray
• Fans’ Choice – Jade Eagleson
• Compass Award – The Reklaws
• Holly & Steve Kassay Generous Spirit Award – Kayla Wilging
• Impact Award – Family Brown

VIDEO: “Genes” – Elyse Saunders

Environment Canada and the Province of Ontario’s special air quality statement for the Kawarthas region remains in place because of high levels of air pollution due to smoke from forest fires.

The special air quality statement is in effect for Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, Haliburton, and Hastings Highlands.

Smoke plumes from forest fires primarily in Quebec but also in northeastern Ontario have resulted in deteriorated air quality.

The poor air quality began on Sunday afternoon (June 4) and may persist through the rest of the week.

Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour.

Wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone’s health even at low concentrations. People with lung disease (such as asthma) or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and people who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke.

People respond differently to smoke. Mild irritation and discomfort are common, and usually disappear when the smoke clears. Drinking lots of water can help your body cope with the smoke.

Stop or reduce your activity level if breathing becomes uncomfortable or you or someone in your care feel unwell. Contact your health care provider if you develop severe symptoms,

Reduce sources of indoor air pollution. If you can, avoid smoking or vaping indoors, burning incense and candles, frying foods, using wood stoves, and vacuuming. Dust on indoor surfaces can be removed by wiping and wet mopping during a pollution episode.

This story has been updated to include the latest forecast from Environment Canada .

The city’s first homicide of this year brought Peterborough police chief Stuart Betts to the scene of the crime Friday afternoon (June 2) where he addressed the media and residents of the area.

According to Chief Betts, at 2:20 a.m. on Friday morning, police received a call reporting shots fired in the area of Wolfe and Aylmer streets in the vicinity of the homeless tent encampment. Upon arrival, officers found a 36-year-old woman suffering from “multiple gunshots.” The woman was rushed to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre where she died from her injuries.

Chief Betts pledged an “all hands on deck” investigation into the shooting death of the woman.

“We don’t believe she is a resident of this particular location (the tent encampment),” said Chief Betts, adding “However, she is a resident here in our city who has lost her life. We speak for her and we will pursue justice.”

“One homicide, one shooting, one death in our city is too many. We take this very seriously, which is why I felt it was important to come here today to address the community.”

“We are appealing to anyone with information, regardless of how small or trivial you think it is, to please, if you want to report anonymously, do so through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.”

People can also submit an anonymous tip online at stopcrimehere.ca.

VIDEO: Peterborough police chief Stuart Betts on homicide investigation

In addition, those with information are urged to call the services’ Criminal Investigation Bureau direct at 705-876-1122, extension 555.

“We’re chasing down every possible lead,” assured Chief Betts. “Every statement we take helps us paint a bigger picture of what it is that we’re looking at. Right now we don’t have a very clear idea of who the suspect is but we are working towards that.”

Noting “It’s too early to say” if the shooting was targeted or “a case of circumstance,” Chief Betts says details around that will made public once determined. As for a suspect description, Chief Betts said that’s still being put together.

“This took place in the middle of the night which makes it difficult to find any sort of visualization in terms of who that suspect may or may not be,” Chief Betts added. “We don’t know what the weapon was. A gun, for sure, but whether it was a handgun or a long gun is something we’re also still working out.”

Addressing the fact that the shooting took place in a crowded area, Chief Betts said “It’s very fortunate that nobody else was injured.”

“I’ve made it clear that firearms in our community used in this way are a danger. Here we had somebody who was prepared to discharge a firearm multiple times, ultimately taking the life of a young woman. That puts everybody at risk.”

As some residents of the neighbourhood in the vicinity of the tent encampment watched on and listened to Chief Betts, he emphasized that the lives of all Peterborough residents matter in the eyes of police.

“Here we have some folks behind us who find themselves homeless. Just as it’s tragic when someone loses their life, it’s tragic when someone has to live in this way.”

“Our community is compassionate. Our community cares. What I heard from the residents here is a genuine desire to see these folks better off. How can they be safe as homeowners in this area but how can they contribute to the safety of those who are living here?”

While acknowledging that the growing presence of illegal firearms in the city is disturbing, Chief Betts pointed to a bigger challenge.

“More concerning is the likelihood of more people that are prepared to use them. That’s frightening. We are actively pursuing anyone who would perpetrate this kind of violence.”

Peterborough Mayor Jeff Leal, meanwhile, issued a statement in the aftermath of the deadly shooting.

“Any violent crime is a concern and a tragedy,” he wrote, noting “It (violent crime) happens in all areas of our community.”

“People who are homeless, living in tents, are among the most vulnerable in our community and in our society. While police investigate the incident on Wolfe Street, the City will be offering support services for people in that area who are already faced with so many challenges in their lives.”

“Tenting is unsafe and unhealthy. We encourage people who are experiencing homelessness to speak with outreach workers about available housing and shelter services. At the same time, we acknowledge some people are unable, or unwilling, to access those services and we’re taking action to provide new services.”

“Recently, Peterborough City Council approved a multi-component initiative to address individuals experiencing homelessness, to help get people on a better trajectory in their lives and to improve conditions for the broader neighbourhood.”

Sandy Hill is one of the residents of that neighbourhood, having lived on nearby Dalhousie Street for 57 years.

“I’m sorry that this has happened … I truly am,” she said. “We have lots of campers behind us that are very nice people who really need help. This isn’t the type of help they need. I have a lot of questions (about the Wolfe Street modular homes initiative). What do they do with the paraphernalia that’s around their tents now? There’s no room. People are people. They have to have their privacy.”

For her part, Miriam Davidson, who also lives on Dalhousie Street, said “We were warned that a tragedy might happen and now it’s happened. We’re worried about the people in the encampment and we’re worried about ourselves and our community. There are children. There are elders. There are families.”

“There are also very vulnerable people here (in the encampment) who are not criminals, but there is a criminal element that has been terrorizing our neighbourhood over the last year or so. We’ve all had break-ins. We’ve all had vandalism. We’ve all had encounters that have not been positive. We’re supportive of our more vulnerable neighbours. This is a different thing. This is ruining our neighbourhood.”

Leslie Woolcott, also a Dalhousie Street resident, said it’s “a sad day,” not only for the victim’s family and friends but also for the neighbourhood “and for the broader Peterborough community.”

“Homelessness is a much bigger issue than the block around Dalhousie Street,” she said, adding “We have the opportunity to do something that’s very innovative and responsible and helps to build connection.”

“There has been violence, and unsafe situations and experiences, happening (here) for a number of months, if not years. It’s a persistent, ongoing issue that needs to be addressed. It’s more concentrated here but it’s an issue we’re all grappling with.”

Prior to his remarks to the media, Chief Betts took a few minutes to speak directly with those area residents on hand. Woolcott said that “was helpful” but added “I would have hoped community policing would have reached and tried to set something up proactively that builds relationships prior to this happening.”