Police have identified the victim of a fatal two-vehicle collision in Haliburton County on Friday afternoon (February 11).

On Friday at around 12:10 p.m., Haliburton County OPP and emergency services responded to the collision involving a passenger vehicle and flatbed truck on Highway 35 near Shoe Lake Road, south of Dorset in the Township of Algonquin Highlands.

As a result of the collision, one driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Haliburton County OPP have identified the victim as a 28-year-old woman from Callander near North Bay.

Highway 35 was closed for several hours for the police investigation.

At the request of the victim’s family, this story has been updated to remove the name of the victim and a photo of the collision released by police.

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for all of the greater Kawarthas region, with a forecast for a messy mix of wintry weather from late Wednesday (February 16) through Friday morning.

The special weather statement is in effect for Peterborough County, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, Haliburton County, and Hastings County.

A low pressure system is expected to track northeast across Lake Erie and Lake Ontario which could bring a messy mix of wintry precipitation to southern Ontario.

Precipitation will likely begin as rain late Wednesday, with 15 to 25 mm possible, and transition to snow Thursday afternoon, with 10 to 20 cm possible by Friday morning, except in Northumberland County, where snowfall accumulations of 4 to 8 cm are possible.

Freezing rain and ice pellets are also possible Thursday afternoon and evening.

Localized flooding is possible. Surfaces may become icy and slippery. Snow will be heavy at times, with reduced visibility in snow and blowing snow. Road closures and utility outages are possible.

As the track of the low pressure system is currently uncertain, the types of precipitation, timing, and amounts may change.

Police have located the truck cab of the tractor trailer carrying more than 2,000 small-calibre firearms that was stolen in Peterborough early Sunday morning (February 13) — but the trailer and its cargo are still missing.

At around 9:30 p.m. on Monday, Peel Regional Police advised Peterborough police that the truck cab had been located in Brampton, in an industrial area in the Queen Street and Goreway Drive area.

Police describe the trailer as a 2014 Hyundai 53-foot Dry Freight Van trailer, license plate V3092A, white in colour. with a silver metallic line that runs horizontally the whole length of the trailer.

Police have also provided additional information about the trailer: the number on the trailer is 14002.

Along with other municipal police forces, Peterborough police are working with the OPP, RCMP, Homeland Security, and the Canada Border Services Agency to locate the trailer.

“At this point Peterborough Police has no information that would connect the theft of firearms to the ongoing protests across the province,” reads an update to the media release issued on Tuesday afternoon (February 15).

Peterborough police believe Sunday’s theft of the tractor trailer is connected to at least five other attempted thefts of tractor trailers that took place between Friday, February 11 and Monday, February 14.

Two of the businesses were on Neal Drive, two on Technology Drive, and one on Parkhill Road East. In several cases, the businesses reported suspects attempted to start up trucks and hook them up to trailers before fleeing the scene.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Peterborough police at 705-876-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at stopcrimehere.ca.

Peterborough mayor Diane Therrien has temporarily stepped down for health reasons, and has asked deputy mayor Andrew Beamer to act on her behalf.

Therrien issued a statement a few minutes shy of 6 p.m. on Monday (February 14), just before a general committee meeting of city council was set to begin.

“Today, I asked Councillor Andrew Beamer, Deputy Mayor for the City of Peterborough to temporarily take on the role of acting mayor,” Therrien wrote. “I am taking a leave of absence, effective immediately, to address my personal health.”

Therrien did not provide any further details about her personal health in the statement.

“While it pains me to step away from my responsibilities as our community continues to deal with the impacts of COVID, I deeply appreciate Deputy Mayor Beamer’s willingness to step up as well as my fellow councillors for filling in as they are able,” she wrote. “I know the important work of the city will continue in my absence, and I look forward to re-joining you all soon.”

Therrien did not attend the general committee meeting. At the end of the meeting, Beamer acknowledged her leave of absence.

“The mayor has our complete support while she takes the time that she needs,” Beamer said. “When Mayor Therrien is ready, she will resume her role as mayor of the city of Peterborough.”

In November, Therrien announced she would not be seeking re-election when voters go the polls in the next municipal election on October 24, 2022, and did not intend to seek another level of political office.

This story has been updated to correct a typo in the final aragraph.

Peterborough radio personality Vince Bierworth is the new executive director of GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation in Peterborough.

“We are excited to have Vince assume the role of executive director and are confident in his ability to lead the foundation forward with our continued objectives of supporting our community and the Peterborough Family Health Team,” writes the board in an announcement on Monday (February 14).

Promotions manager for almost seven years for Bell Media’s Pure Country 105, MOVE 99.7, and Bounce 91.9 and the afternoon drive host on Pure Country 105, Bierworth has been a volunteer and supporter of GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation for almost 10 years, including as vice-chair of the organization’s board of directors.

Bierworth assumes the role from Laura Kennedy, who departed the non-profit organization in January after over five years as executive director.

Kennedy is now vice president of marketing communications at Park Place Financial.

GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation raises funds for medical equipment, programs, and services for patients of the Peterborough Family Health Team in the City and County of Peterborough.

Peterborough police have released further details about a tractor trailer carrying more than 2,000 firearms that was stolen from a trucking yard in Peterborough early Sunday morning (February 13).

The tractor trailer was stolen from a trucking company’s yard on Parkhill Road East at around 3 a.m. on Sunday, according to police.

“We have received numerous questions concerning the type of firearm that was taken and can say that through investigation it has been determined that all the firearms that were stolen were of small calibre with the clips attached,” said detective staff sergeant Mike Jackson in a video released by Peterborough police on Monday.

“We can also confirm that no ammunition for the firearms was within the trailer,” Jackson said. “However, that said, the Peterborough Police Service understands the heightened sense in the community and beyond surrounding this theft. So far, the investigation is leaning toward an isolated crime of opportunity rather than a than a targeted incident.”

Police believe the suspects entered several other commercial yards in the city and attempted to take different trucks and trailers, before successfully stealing the tractor trailer being sought in this incident.

VIDEO: Peterborough police sergeant Mike Jackson on theft of firearms

The truck is a 2019 Freightliner New Cascadia 126 with Ontario license plate 938 2PV, white in colour, with the company name in red on the doors and a red #97 in red on the side of the hood.

The trailer is a 2014 Hyundai 53 foot dry freight van trailer with license plate V30 92A, white in colour, with a silver metallic line that runs horizontally the whole length of the trailer.

Jackson says the suspects appeared to arrive in a four-door blue sedan, which followed the stolen tractor trailer out of the yard.

“The focus of the investigation is currently on locating the trailer and its contents as well as uploading the stolen firearms onto the national database,” Jackson says. “The Peterborough Police are also working with other enforcement agencies including the OPP, RCMP, Homeland Security, Canada Border Services Agency and other municipal services.”

Jackson says both the trucking company and the firearm manufacturer are “fully cooperating” with police. According to a report from Greg Davis at Global News, the firearm manufacturer is Savage Arms of Lakefield.

“The incident involved Savage Arms products,” Kasper wrote in an email to Global News. “Strict security measures were in place and local authorities were notified immediately and are leading the active investigation.”

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Peterborough police at 705-876-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at stopcrimehere.ca.

Additional photos of suspect vehicle

Ontario will be removing capacity limits on most indoor settings this week and will be removing remaining capacity limits, along with proof of vaccination requirements, at the beginning of March.

Premier Doug Ford made the announcement on Monday morning (February 14) at a media conference at Queen’s Park in Toronto, along with health minister Christine Elliott and Ontario’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Kieran Moore.

Ford said the government will “fast track” its reopening plan as positivity rates have fallen and new admissions to hospitals and intensive care units have continued to decline week over week, indicating the omicron wave has peaked.

“Over the weekend, I received recommendations from Dr. Moore on a plan to safely reopen our economy and remove Ontario’s vaccine passport system,” Ford said. “I’ve accepted these recommendations.”

Beginning on Thursday (February 17), all capacity limits will be removed on indoor settings — including restaurants, bars, cinemas, gyms, meeting and event spaces, and casinos, bingo halls, and other gaming establishments — except for sporting events, concert venues, and theatres, which will remain at 50 per cent until March 1. Capacity limits at nightclubs, restaurants where there is dancing, as well as bathhouses and sex clubs, will increase to 25 per cent.

Social gathering limits increase to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors, and limits on organized public event will be increased 50 people indoors, with no limit outdoors. Capacity limits for indoor weddings, funerals, and religious services will increase to the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance.

On Tuesday, March 1, capacity limits in all remaining indoor public settings will be lifted, and proof of vaccination requirements for all settings will also be lifted (although businesses and other settings can choose to continue to require proof of vaccination).

“We are now down the slope from the peak of omicron activity,” Dr. Moore said, adding 92 per cent of Ontarians 12 and old have received at least two doses and 6.7 million Ontarians have received three doses. “We no longer need the proof of vaccination. It served its purpose.”

However, masking requirements in indoor settings will remain in place for the time being.

“Based on the advice of Dr. Moore, and what we have learned over the pandemic, we will need to keep masking in place for just a little bit longer,” Ford said. “This is an important layer of protection that will allow us to proceed with our reopening plan safety.”

In addition, as of 8 a.m. on Friday (February 18), Ontario is expanding booster dose eligibility to youth aged 12 to 17. Appointments can be booked through the provincial booking system and the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre, as well as at select pharmacies administering the Pfizer vaccine. Appointments will be booked for approximately six months (168 days) after a second dose. To book an appointment online, youth must be 12 years old at the time of appointment.

Monday’s announcement comes three days after Ford declared a state of emergency in the province in response to truck convoy protestors occupying the city of Ottawa and blockading the border crossing in Windsor, including enacting emergency orders to protect critical infrastructure with non-compliance resulting in maximum fines of $100,000 and up to a year in jail.

Before declaring the state of emergency on Friday, Ford said the province is “on track” to remove almost all remaining public health restrictions, including removing the vaccine passport system — one of the demands of those occupying Ottawa and blockading border crossings.

“Let me be very clear, we’re moving in this direction because it’s safe to do so.” Ford said on Monday. “Today’s announcement is not because of what’s happening in Ottawa or Windsor, but despite it. On Friday morning, I made the difficult decision to declare a state of emergency in Ontario. The police now have every single tool they need, they have every resource available to them, and we’ve made progress since speaking with you last time.”

While police cleared the blockade at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor over the weekend, the truck convoy protest in Ottawa is now into its third week. Over the weekend, Ottawa residents held two counter-protests, with around 500 people marching from Lansdowne Park through the Glebe on Saturday, and around 1,000 people gathering at Bank Street and Riverside Drive on Sunday.

“While Ottawa remains a more complex situation, involving municipal, provincial, and federal law enforcement, all three levels of government are focused on ending the illegal occupation,” Ford said.

“To those who are still there, to those of you who are there with the sole objective of causing disruption and chaos, there’ll be serious consequences for this lawless activity,” Ford said. “We will continue to raise the consequences against those who are holding millions of jobs and people hostage.”

Ford said a number of vehicles were seized over the weekend in Ottawa, and those seizures will continue.

“If you choose to use your vehicle to create chaos, you will lose that vehicle and your licence, plain and simple,” he added.

After thanking police officers for their efforts, Ford acknowledged the pandemic “has been one of the most divisive times in our history.”

“One of the hardest things about this pandemic is the way it’s fractured us as a society,” he said. “Differing views about government policies, the limits of personal freedoms, different views about vaccines, public health measures, and what steps are necessary. All of it has polarized us in a way that we could have never imagined.”

“I’ve experienced this in my own family,” he added. “It’s been one of the hardest things my family and I have ever gone through.”

“I take comfort in known that this awful pandemic will soon be behind us. As hard as this period has been, time will heal this pain and we will come out on the other end of this ordeal stronger, more resilient, and more united as Canadians.

The original version of this story has been expanded with additional details from Monday’s media conference.

Peterborough police are investigating the theft of a truck carrying firearms early Sunday morning (February 13).

At around 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, officers were called to a trucking company on Parkhill Road East after reports a truck carrying more than 2,000 firearms with clips was stolen from the yard.

Through an investigation, it was determined that the incident happened around 3 a.m. Officers attended the scene and canvassed the area.

Police believe there is no ammunition on the truck and, at this point in the investigation, that it is an isolated incident.

Other law enforcement agencies across the province have been notified.

Further details are expected to be released on Monday.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Constable Mike Penney at Peterborough Police at 705-876-1122 x232 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at stopcrimehere.ca.

Vinnies plans to open its new East City location at the end of February.

The non-profit thrift store, operated by The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, is located at 52 Hunter Street East at the corner of Driscoll Terrace, near the Hunter Street bridge and across the street from the East City Coffee Shop.

The building once housed a grocery store operated by Len Welch and was most recently occupied by consulting and engineering company Cambium.

The East City Vinnies store replaces the one at 539 George Street, which closed at the end of January. The downtown Peterborough property where the store was located was sold in 2019 to Toronto developer ZZY Property Group, which intends to demolish the building and build a multi-storey rental apartment building.

Vinnies, which also has stores at 799 Erskine Avenue in Peterborough and at 144 Queen Street in Lakefield, accepts donations of gently used clothing, household goods, electrical appliances, and more.

Profits from no-tax sales at Vinnies stores support the Saint Vincent de Paul’s food pantry at 256 Murray Street, which feeds almost 1,900 people in need every month.

For more information about Vinnies, visit www.vinnies.ca.