Peterborough police are investigating several incidents of mischief, theft, and nuisance calls coinciding with Trent University’s homecoming and Head of the Trent Regatta on Saturday night (October 1).

In one incident, a crowd of young people flipped over a private security car on London Street in downtown Peterborough. In another incident, a pedestrian was struck in the area of George Street and King Street and was taken to Peterborough Regional Health Centre for treatment of injuries.

In a media release issued on Sunday, police stated they would be following up on the incidents over the next few days.

On Monday afternoon, police issued a media release indicating they had concluded their investigation into the pedestrian being stuck and determined no charges would be laid in connection with the incident.

Anyone with any information or video evidence to share is asked to call the Peterborough Police Service’s non-emergency line at 705-876-1122. If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.stopcrimehere.ca

“The Peterborough Police Service would also like to acknowledge that despite the ongoing investigations, the vast majority of the participants in homecoming and the (Head of the Trent Regetta) were peaceful and respectful,” a media release states. “Trent University has expressed that they will assist in the investigation wherever it will be helpful.”

Police say that extra officers were on patrol, including paid duty officers through Trent University, on both Friday and Saturday to help with an anticipated increase in calls for service. In an interview on Tuesday morning with CBC Ontario Morning, a police spokesperson said that up to 500 young people were involved in the gatherings and officers did not intervene out of concerns for safety.

Several videos of the raucous behaviour, including the flipping over of the security car and large crowds of young people partying, were shared on social media.

This video was shared with our newsroom as the ‘Head Of The Trent’ festivities continue around the city pic.twitter.com/e1c8rS5qzf

— PTBOTODAY.ca (@PTBOTODAYca) October 2, 2022

More footage of @TrentUniversity Homecoming weekend activities. @PtboPolice

Also reference to for-profit enterprise: https://t.co/kmGH1sZD1d

They have monetized these antics. Maybe they should pay for property damage. 🤷‍♀️ https://t.co/F6Gyiq7ZfG pic.twitter.com/g95GlTA7t1

— Tanya (@TanyaFusco) October 3, 2022

On Sunday, Trent University — which had on September 26 prior to the homecoming weekend reminded students of their “collective responsibility to be good neighbours” and advised “behaviour that causes disruption, noise, damage or danger to yourself or others could result in university sanctions or provincial/municipal fines — issued a statement condemning the unsanctioned gatherings and “irresponsible” and “reckless” behaviour.

“We are very disappointed in the behaviour of these groups and individuals and will be working with police and the community to address the situation,” said Trent University president Leo Groarke. “Homecoming and (Head of the Trent Regatta) events were carefully planned and we were clear with students about our expectations before this event. We will be pursuing disciplinary action for any students who were involved.”

The statement says the university and its security team will be working with Peterborough police to identify any students involved in causing damage and harm in the community. Students involved will be followed up with in accordance with the Trent University Student Charter of Rights and Responsibilities, “and the outcomes will be in proportion to the level of impact on our community. Student Affairs will work with these individuals to ensure they work to repair harm and rebuild trust.”

This story has been updated with a new photo, a statement from Trent University, and an update from police on their investigation.

Local celebrities Linda Kash and Megan Murphy are emceeing a night of “song, story, and solidarity for anyone touched by cancer” in November.

The inaugural “Cancer Takedown” fundraiser begins at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 16th at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough, with all proceeds going to cancer care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC).

Described as a “spirit-raiser” as much as a fundraiser, the evening will feature local musicians Kate Suhr and Melissa Payne and their bands, along with musical director Anthony Bastianon and singer, dancer, and actor Denise Oucharek.

Along with the performances, people with cancer will also be sharing their stories.

Tickets are $50 for assigned cabaret table seating and $30 general admission seating. Prices include all taxes and fees. You can buy tickets over the phone at 705-775-1503 or in person at the Market Hall box office at 140 Charlotte Street (3rd floor) from noon to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, or online anytime at tickets.markethall.org.

Sponsors for the event include Arrowhead Homes, Paradigm Pictures, Kemp Insurance Brokers Ltd., and Peterborough Volkswagen.

VIDEO: “Cancer Takedown” fundraiser promo

A local climate action advocacy group has released the results of a survey of all the municipal election candidates in the city and county of Peterborough.

For Our Grandchildren (4RG) invited all candidates in the City of Peterborough and Asphodel-Norwood, Cavan-Monaghan, Douro-Dummer, Havelock-Belmont-Methuen, North Kawartha, Otonabee South Monaghan, Selwyn, and Trent Lakes to answer five questions about their intentions on the issue of the climate crisis:

1. Could you give one or two examples from your personal or public life of something you have done to mitigate climate change?
2. How high among the proper concerns of an elected official would you place climate change mitigation?
3. Could you briefly describe policies which you would like to see enacted, and actions which you would like to see taken, for the purpose of cutting greenhouse gas emissions in your municipality?
4. What do you consider the one or two biggest challenges which will be faced by the residents of your municipality as a result of global warming and climate change?
5. If elected, would you join the Climate Caucus, a national group through which elected officials share best practices for addressing the climate emergency? With which other organizations — local, provincial, or national — would you expect to consult and collaborate?

4RG first sent the survey to candidates on September 4, with two subsequent reminders. As of September 29, all mayoral candidates in the City of Peterborough had answered the survey questions, with more than half of all the other candidates also responding. The responses of candidates to the survey is available on the 4RG website at forourgrandchildren.ca/2022-municipal-election/2022-candidate-survey/.

“From the response to our survey, we saw a wide range of opinion about the importance of taking action and what candidates were interested in trying to accomplish,” 4RG states on its website. “For a minority of candidates who responded to our survey, taking action to reduce GHG emissions was a top or high priority.”

“However, for many, the priority was much lower or was not seen as important at all. Some didn’t think there was anything their municipality could do. We don’t know what opinion was held by those who chose not to respond to our survey.”

4RG has also produced a “report card” highlighting the voting record of all City of Peterborough councillors in the last session of council on five specific issues. The report card is available on the 4RG website at forourgrandchildren.ca/2022-municipal-election/2022-council-report-card/.

“We are in a climate emergency,” states a media release from 4RG. “Peterborough is responding to this crisis with a patchwork of projects whose gains are useful but insufficient to meet Peterborough’s commitment to a 45 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. We need municipal council leaders who consistently push for climate action and a long-term funded plan to reach our greenhouse gas reduction goals: plans that have already been developed by several Canadian cities.”

Established in 2006, For Our Grandchildren is a Canadian not-for-profit voluntary organization with a mission to engage and mobilize the community to take effective action to combat
climate change, to advocate support from local governments, and to collaborate effectively with like-minded community organizations.

A garage fire at a Peterborough home on Thursday afternoon (September 29) caused an estimated $75,000 in damage.

At 3:38 p.m. on Thursday, Peterborough Fire Services responded to the report of a garage fire on Brunswick Avenue west of High Street.

Upon arrival, fire crews found the garage fully engulfed in flames, with a vehicle inside the garage also fully engulfed in flames.

The intensity of the fire had caused it to spread to a home on one side of the garage. The fire also caused exposure damage to the home on the other side of the garage. Another vehicle in front of the garage received exposure damage as well.

Fire crews quickly extinguished the fire in the garage and the two vehicles and homes.

An occupant of one of the homes was treated for burns and transported to Peterborough Regional Health Centre, where they were treated and released.

The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time.

Environment Canada has issued a frost advisory for most of the greater Kawarthas region for Thursday overnight (September 29).

The frost advisory is in effect for Peterborough County, Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Hastings County.

Temperatures are expected to dip near or below the freezing mark overnight Thursday into Friday morning.

Frost may damage some crops in frost-prone areas.

Cover up plants, especially those in frost-prone areas, and take preventative measures to protect frost-sensitive plants and trees.

Environment Canada issues frost advisories when temperatures are expected to reach the freezing mark during the growing season, leading to potential damage and destruction to plants and crops.

The Peterborough County detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has announced that Inspector Chris Galeazza is the new detachment commander.

Galeazza began his OPP career in December 1998 and was first assigned to the South Bruce Detachment. He also served at Haldimand County, the Caledonia Command Post, City of Kawartha Lakes and, most recently, at Peterborough County as the interim detachment commander.

He has participated in various projects and working groups, including a post as Pan Am Games venue commander.

Galeazza holds a Bachelor of Arts in sociology with a focus in criminology from Brock University and has completed the senior police administration course from the Canadian Police College.

He is also the recipient of the Police Exemplary Service Medal (20 years).

“I can certainly speak for all of us in Peterborough County who are delighted to welcome Chris as the new detachment commander,” states County of Peterborough Warden J. Murray Jones in a media release. “Chris has proven time and time again that he has the skills and the compassion to lead our local detachment. His down-to-earth approach serves us well. Congratulation Chris, we are all in this together.”

The Twisted Trauma Foundation has donated $5,000 to BGC Kawarthas (Boys & Girls Clubs of Kawartha Lakes) to support three programs to help youth address their mental health needs and fight the stigma of mental illness and addiction.

Delivered by the Youth Warehouse team at BGC Kawarthas, the three programs — “Flex Your Head,” “Creating Connections,” and “REACH” — will be offered at no cost to youth in local schools, at BGC Kawarthas and through the Youth Outreach Program. Twisted Trauma Foundation’s will support the BGC Kawarthas’ delivery of six full sessions during the 2022-23 school year.

“It is an honour and a privilege for the Twisted Trauma Foundation to fund the programs for youth mental health at the BGC Kawarthas,” says Jon Perrin, who co-founded Twisted Trauma Foundation with his wife Jen, a registered nurse. Jon became a mental health advocate after developing post-traumatic stress disorder in his role as a Kawartha Lakes OPP officer.

Created by BGC Canada, “Flex Your Head” is designed to help youth think about, talk about, and understand issues of mental health and wellness. The program’s goals are to tear down barriers youth face in helping them cope with stress, and to create awareness and understanding of mental health and mental illness.

“Creating Connections” is a program designed to enhance addiction awareness among youth, prevent harm associated with substance use, and help reduce harmful stigma while focusing on health promotion.

“REACH” is a program to support children and youth in addressing daily challenges. Outcomes for the program include participants feeling more confident to use skills in a social environment and recognizing how their feelings, emotions and behaviours are connected.

“We are so grateful for Jon’s support as we try to help young people in our community build healthy habits and strengthen their resiliency,” says BGC Kawarthas executive director Amy Terrill.

For more information about BGC Kawarthas, visit www.bgckawarthas.com. For more information about Twisted Trauma Foundation, visit twistedtraumafoundation.com.