The late afternoon sun appears pinkish orange on July 19, 2021 due to smoke from active forest fires in northwestern Ontario moving over southern Ontario. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW)
Environment Canada issued a special air quality statement on Monday afternoon (July 19) for all of southern Ontario, including all of the Kawarthas.
Smoke from active forest fires in northwestern Ontario has moved over southern Ontario.
Elevated particulate matter levels and hazy conditions have been reported at several stations.
Advertisement - content continues below
Reduced visibility and deteriorating air quality are possible if the smoke descends to ground level.
Conditions are expected to improve Tuesday with the passage of a cold front.
If you or those in your care are exposed to wildfire smoke, consider taking extra precautions to reduce your exposure. Wildfire smoke is a constantly changing mixture of particles and gases which includes many chemicals that can be harmful to your health.
Individuals may experience symptoms such as increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath. Children, seniors, and those with cardiovascular or lung disease, such as asthma, are especially at risk.
Visit www.airhealth.ca for information on how to reduce your health risk and your personal contribution to pollution levels, as well as for current and forecast Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) values.
Here’s an update on COVID-19 cases in Ontario as well as in the greater Kawarthas region.
Today, Ontario is reporting 130 new COVID-19 cases today, with 6 of Ontario’s 34 health units reporting double-digit increases — Toronto (18), Peel (17), Waterloo (16), Hamilton (14), Grey Bruce (10), and Middlesex-London (10) — and 10 health units reporting no new cases at all.
The seven-day average of daily cases has increased by 2 to 155.
Hospitalizations have increased by 10 to 115, but the actual number of hospitalizations may be higher as more than 10% of hospitals did not submit data for the daily bed census. The number of ICU patients has increased by 1 to 151 for the second day in a row and the number of patients on ventilators has decreased by 5 to 94.
Ontario is reporting no new COVID-related deaths today.
Over 18.2 million vaccine doses have been administered, an increase of 91,320 from yesterday, with over 96% of Ontario’s total population now having received at least one dose. Over 7.9 million people have been fully vaccinated, an increase of 81,014 from yesterday, representing over 53% of Ontario’s total population.
The vaccination rate has been slowing over the past four weeks, from an average of 220,000 daily doses administered four weeks ago to an average of 155,000 daily doses administered over the past week.
COVID-19 cases in Ontario from June 18 – July 18, 2021. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU admissions in Ontario from June 18 – July 18, 2021. The red line is the daily number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of hospitalizations, and the purple line is the daily number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 vaccinations in Ontario from June 18 – July 18, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily doses administered and the green line is the cumulative number of people fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccine. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
Advertisement - content continues below
Over the past 3 days, there are 12 new cases to report in the greater Kawarthas region, including 6 in Hastings Prince Edward, 4 in Kawartha Lakes, and 2 in Peterborough. There are no new cases in Northumberland or Haliburton.
There has been one new COVID-related ICU admission in Hastings Prince Edward.
An additional 7 cases in the region have been resolved, including 4 in Kawartha Lakes and 3 in Peterborough.
Regional active cases have increased by 6 in Hastings Prince Edward, decreased by 1 in Peterborough and by 1 in Kawartha Lakes, and remain the same in Haliburton.
There are currently 32 active cases in the greater Kawarthas region, an increase of 4 since July 16, including 13 in Kawartha Lakes, 11 in Hastings Prince Edward (1 in Quinte West, 4 in Belleville, 1 in Tyendinaga & Deseronto, 4 in Central Hastings, and 1 in North Hastings), 7 in Peterborough, and 1 in Haliburton. There are no active cases in Northumberland.
Since the pandemic began in the greater Kawarthas region, there have been 1,625 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (1,596 resolved with 22 deaths), 1,139 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (1,081 resolved with 58 deaths), 946 in Northumberland County (929 resolved with 17 deaths), 123 in Haliburton County (121 resolved with 1 death), and 1,144 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties (1,122 resolved with 11 deaths). The most recent two deaths were reported in Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes on June 29.
Peterborough-area residents stand in line waiting for a dose of COVID-19 vaccine at the Evinrude Centre on July 8, 2021. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW)
Peterborough-area residents who haven’t yet received their first or second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine can now get one at a Evinrude Centre walk-in clinic in Peterborough without needing an appointment.
Peterborough Public Health is encouraging all residents who are eligible and haven’t yet received their second dose to attend a clinic, as two doses of the vaccine provide the best protection against highly contagious variants such as the delta variant.
Anyone 12 years and older who received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days ago is eligible to attend a vaccine clinic now for a second dose.
Advertisement - content continues below
“Residents who have second dose appointments booked for August and into the fall are strongly encouraged to move up their second dose by either changing their appointment in the booking system or attending a walk-in clinic that is available now,” says Donna Churipuy, the health unit’s chief officer of COVID-19 operations, in a media release.
“If you plan to gather with people from outside your household, you are putting them and yourself at risk of transmitting COVID-19. For a safe and fun summer, get your second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.”
Dates and times for upcoming COVID-19 vaccine walk-in clinics at the Evinrude Centre include:
July 19 to 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7:30 p.m. (ages 18 and older)
July 22 and 25 to 29 from 9 a.m to 2 p.m. and July 22 and 26 to 29 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. (ages 12 and older)
July 23 and 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (ages 12 to 17).
Advertisement - content continues below
Residents aged 12 to 17 will receive the Pfizer vaccine; adults 18 years and older will receive either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
Peterborough-area residents do not need to book an appointment to attend one of the Evinrude Centre’s walk-in clinics, but are encouraged to bring their Ontario health card and proof of residence in the city or county of Peterborough City or Curve Lake or Hiawatha First Nations.
The Weber Brothers band (Emily Burgess, Ryan Weber, Sam Weber, and Marcus Browne) performed at the Peterborough Musicians' Benevolent Association's Deluxe Blues Jam held on July 17, 2021, outside Dr. J's BBQ & Brews in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Paul Rellinger / kawarthaNOW)
Come hell or high water — or more specifically rain water — the Peterborough Musicians’ Benevolent Association (PMBA) was going to host its monthly fundraiser on Saturday afternoon (July 17) at Dr. J’s BBQ & Brews in downtown Peterborough.
That’s exactly what happened under threatening skies in the parking lot of the pub at King and Aylmer streets, as The Weber Brothers band delivered a high-energy three-hour show for some 70 live music fans who handed over $30 each in support of the PMBA’s mission to help local musicians in need.
The resulting camaraderie proved to be nothing less than a tonic for both the band and its audience, as memories of the live music-less pandemic time receded with the very first note struck.
Advertisement - content continues below
“This is huge … it literally warms my heart and lifts my soul to hear live music again,” said an overwhelmed Don McBride, a PMBA board member along with Jo Pillon, Al Black, and Norm Kastner.
Despite being unable to stage its monthly Deluxe Blues Jam fundraiser over the course of the pandemic, the PMBA has given thousands of dollars to local musicians hit hard by the closure of venues where they regularly perform. That’s in addition to those musicians who needed emergency assistance for any one of a number of reasons beyond their control.
“We’ve helped out people with broken bones who couldn’t gig,” McBride said. “We’ve helped people with their teeth. We’ve helped people with cancer. It makes you feel really good inside that we’re lucky enough that we can do this and live in this generous community. I can’t imagine anything that’d make me feel better than this.”
Singer and keyboardist Phil “Mr. Deluxe” Marshall, founder of the Peterborough Musicians’ Benevolent Association, died of a heart attack in 2013. (Photo: SLAB Productions)
Late singer and keyboardist Phil “Mr. Deluxe” Marshall was, and remains, the inspiration and founding member behind the PMBA.
As a proud member of the musical community in Peterborough, Marshall perceived a need to assist local musicians and came up with the idea of “musicians helping musicians”. He began to host an informal blues jam on the third Saturday of every month at his favourite pub, the long gone Pig’s Ear Tavern on Brock Street.
Marshall’s hope to expand his initiative by reaching out to the entire community of musicians seemed lost when he passed away suddenly from a heart attack in December 2013. But at the urging of Marshall’s partner, McBride (along with Black and Kastner, joined by John Punter, owner of the former The Pig’s Ear) kept the momentum going, staging the first PMBA Deluxe Blues Jam in January 2014.
Advertisement - content continues below
After The Pig’s Ear closed in spring 2017, PMBA found a new home for its monthly fundraising shows at Dr. J’s BBQ & Brews.
“Phil would be so proud today, to see what this has become,” said McBride. “It has really become an event. It’s not just ‘OK, third Saturday, we’re going to do a fundraiser.’ It’s become an event that people look forward to.”
That was no different on July 17th tables of four people, safely distanced under a sheltering tent, took in live music — many of them for the first time in close to a year and a half.
Around 70 very appreciate live music fans gathered under a tent at Dr. J’s BBQ & Beers on July 17, 2021 for the return of the monthly Peterborough Musicians’ Benevolent Association’s Deluxe Blues Jam fundraiser in support of local musicians in need of a helping hand. For many in the crowd, it was the first time in close to a year and a half they have been to a live music event. (Photo: Paul Rellinger / kawarthaNOW)
“It’s absolutely great,” raved Larry Ridpath of Ennismore, adding “I’ve been to a couple of PMBA events and each has been great.”
His friend Dave Fitzgerald had double reason to celebrate. A native of the Selwyn area now living in the United States, he was marking his first time back home in two years.
“This is glorious,” said a grateful Fitzgerald. “It’s incredible to get back up here and enjoy a good time with my friends and family.”
Advertisement - content continues below
Meanwhile, Terry Coughlan and Lorna “Phred” Fyfe acknowledged they’ve been luckier than most live music fans over the course of the pandemic. In collaboration with SLAB Productions, the pair has hosted a series of invitation-only concerts in their backyard, most recently welcoming Jackson Delta and raising $300 for the PMBA in the process.
Ahead, said Coughlan, are shows featuring The Emburys, Mayhemingways, Dylan Ireland and Melissa Payne, Tony Silvestri, and Jimmy Bowskill.
In addition, the pair made and sold more than 1,000 face coverings during the pandemic, raising well more than $4,000 for the PMBA.
Emily Burgess and Ryan Weber of The Weber Brothers band, which performed at the Peterborough Musicians’ Benevolent Association’s Deluxe Blues Jam held on July 17, 2021, outside Dr. J’s BBQ & Brews in downtown Peterborough. The Weber Brothers released their 13th full-length album in May 2021. (Photo: Paul Rellinger / kawarthaNOW)
“I just love this group,” said Coughlan. “They love their music and they’re just delightful people to be around. This is a terrific show — the Weber Brothers are always fabulous.”
No less thrilled to come out of COVID hibernation was Ryan Weber, who performed alongside his brother Sam, Emily Burgess, and Marcus Browne.
“It’s a huge day for us … amazing,” said Ryan. “When was the last time we have been able to gather in this way? We did a gig on Wednesday (July 14 in Trenton) but, before that, the last one was back in November.”
Advertisement - content continues below
While live gigs all but dried up during the pandemic’s darkest days, Ryan and Sam’s work on a new project kept them busy.
“We couldn’t get together and practice as a band,” Ryan explains. “Everybody was doing those split-screen videos, so we thought ‘OK, let’s do one of those.’ We did one with Tim (Bracken) and our friend Frank in New York. It was so fun, really good. It sounded live somehow. We thought ‘Let’s do a couple more of these.’ Lo and behold, a year and a half later, we had enough for a full album .”
Choose Your Own Adventure, The Weber Brothers’ 13th full-length albums, was released in May 2021.
VIDEO: “Toys in the Junkyard” – The Weber Brothers
“So the past year has been a great one for us in some ways,” Ryan says. “That said, we are definitely ready for it to go back and be playing live. If today is the starting point for that, and we can keep up the momentum and everything is safe and good, bring it on. As much as we’ve missed playing live, I imagine and hope that there are people who have missed coming and being a part of the live thing because there’s nothing else like that.”
On a more personal level, Ryan says the lockdowns have made him “appreciate things to a larger degree. Things that were just run of the mill are now something to really be grateful for. And I am.”
The PMBA, adds Ryan, will always have the band’s support.
Board members of the Peterborough Musicians’ Benevolent Association: Don McBride, Jo Pillion, Norm Kastner, and Al Black. (Photo: PMBA / Facebook)
“It’s an extension of Peterborough. I’ve been a lot of places. I don’t know of anywhere else that comes together the way Peterborough does with all the benefits and fundraisers. I don’t know where it happens like that quite to that degree. The PMBA is picking up that torch.”
McBride notes the PMBA is planning another live show for Saturday, August 21, possibly inside Dr. J’s if allowed but most likely outside again. More details, including the host band, will be announced as they become available.
Here’s an update on COVID-19 cases in Ontario as well as in the greater Kawarthas region.
Ontario is reporting 177 new COVID-19 cases today, with 6 of Ontario’s 34 health units reporting double-digit increases — Grey Bruce (33), Waterloo (32), Toronto (22), Hamilton (16), Peel (12), and Porcupine (10) — and 11 health units reporting no new cases at all.
The seven-day average of daily cases has increased by 2 to 153.
Hospitalizations have dropped by 38 from yesterday to 105, but the actual number of hospitalizations may be higher as more than 10% of hospitals did not submit data for the daily bed census. The number of ICU patients has increased by 1 to 150 and and the number of patients on ventilators has fallen by 10 to 99.
Ontario is reporting 6 new COVID-related deaths today, with none in long-term care homes.
Over 18.1 million vaccine doses have been administered, an increase of 134,654 from yesterday, with over 95% of Ontario’s total population now having received at least one dose. Over 7.8 million people have been fully vaccinated, an increase of 118,862 from yesterday, representing over 53% of Ontario’s total population.
COVID-19 cases in Ontario from June 17 – July 17, 2021. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU admissions in Ontario from June 17 – July 17, 2021. The red line is the daily number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of hospitalizations, and the purple line is the daily number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 vaccinations in Ontario from June 17 – July 17, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily doses administered and the green line is the cumulative number of people fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccine. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
Advertisement - content continues below
Numbers for the greater Kawarthas region are unavailable on weekends as health units in the region no longer publish reports on Saturdays or Sundays. The weekend’s numbers will be provided when regional health units issue their reports on Monday.
As of July 16, there were 28 active cases in the greater Kawarthas region, including 14 in Kawartha Lakes, 8 in Peterborough, 5 in Hastings Prince Edward (1 in Belleville, 1 in Tyendinaga & Deseronto, and 1 in North Hastings), and 1 in Haliburton. There are no active cases in Northumberland.
Since the pandemic began in the greater Kawarthas region, there have been 1,623 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (1,593 resolved with 22 deaths), 1,136 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (1,077 resolved with 58 deaths), 946 in Northumberland County (929 resolved with 17 deaths), 123 in Haliburton County (121 resolved with 1 death), and 1,138 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties (1,122 resolved with 11 deaths). The most recent two deaths were reported in Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes on June 29.
Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Sunday evening (July 18) for all of Peterborough county.
At 7:39 p.m. Environment Canada meteorologists are tracking a severe thunderstorm capable of producing strong wind gusts up to 80 km/h, nickel-sized hail, and heavy rain.
This severe thunderstorm is located near Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Park, moving south at 40 km/h. A second severe thunderstorm is located near Silent Lake Provincial Park, moving south at 40 km/h.
Advertisement - content continues below
Take cover immediately, if threatening weather approaches. Large hail can damage property and cause injury. Strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles.
Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors!
Environment Canada issues severe thunderstorm warnings when imminent or occurring thunderstorms are likely to produce or are producing one or more of the following: large hail, damaging winds, torrential rainfall.
The Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management recommends that you take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches.
This story has been updated with the latest weather updates from Environment Canada.
Here’s an update on COVID-19 cases in Ontario as well as in the greater Kawarthas region.
Ontario is reporting 176 new COVID-19 cases today, the largest daily increase in the past week, with 7 of Ontario’s 34 health units reporting double-digit increases — Toronto (37), Peel (20), Waterloo (20), Grey Bruce (15), York (11), Halton (10), and Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (10) — and 9 health units reporting no new cases at all.
The seven-day average of daily cases remains unchanged at 151.
Hospitalizations have dropped by 16 from yesterday to 153, with the number of ICU patients decreasing by 9 to 149 and the number of patients on ventilators decreasing by 3 to 109.
Ontario is reporting 3 new COVID-related deaths today, with 1 new death in a long-term care home.
Almost 18 million vaccine doses have been administered, an increase of 169,103 from yesterday, with over 95% of Ontario’s total population now having received at least one dose. Over 7.7 million people have been fully vaccinated, an increase of 148,713 from yesterday, representing over 52% of Ontario’s total population.
COVID-19 cases in Ontario from June 16 – July 16, 2021. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU admissions in Ontario from June 16 – July 16, 2021. The red line is the daily number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of hospitalizations, and the purple line is the daily number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 vaccinations in Ontario from June 16 – July 16, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily doses administered and the green line is the cumulative number of people fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccine. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
Advertisement - content continues below
Numbers for the greater Kawarthas region are unavailable on weekends as health units in the region no longer publish reports on Saturdays or Sundays. The weekend’s numbers will be provided when regional health units issue their reports on Monday.
As of July 16, there were 28 active cases in the greater Kawarthas region, including 14 in Kawartha Lakes, 8 in Peterborough, 5 in Hastings Prince Edward (1 in Belleville, 1 in Tyendinaga & Deseronto, and 1 in North Hastings), and 1 in Haliburton. There are no active cases in Northumberland.
Since the pandemic began in the greater Kawarthas region, there have been 1,623 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (1,593 resolved with 22 deaths), 1,136 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (1,077 resolved with 58 deaths), 946 in Northumberland County (929 resolved with 17 deaths), 123 in Haliburton County (121 resolved with 1 death), and 1,138 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties (1,122 resolved with 11 deaths). The most recent two deaths were reported in Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes on June 29.
Christine Hoogkamer's kayak loaded with garbage she's collected from the water, as she paddles by the beach at Emily Provincial Park near Omemee. She has an Instagram account called 'Emily Garbage Shark' where she shares photos of the litter she's removed from the environment. (Photo courtesy of Christine Hoogkamer)
An Omemee woman hopes her efforts to clean up the environment from her kayak become a source of inspiration and education for others.
During her regular paddles, Christine Hoogkamer finds and removes trash from Pigeon River near Emily Provincial Park.
She shares photos of her garbage hauls, along with photos of the wildlife she encounters, on an Instagram account where she’s coined herself as the ‘Emily Garbage Shark’.
Advertisement - content continues below
“I just love being in the country, and I want to preserve that nature as much as I can,” Hoogkamer explains.
Hoogkamer moved to a home near Emily Provincial Park about four years ago. When she began taking leisurely paddles on Pigeon River adjacent to the park, she was dismayed to find garbage in the water.
“I love being on the water,” she says. “I would go out there to cruise and chill and look for turtles. I would do that, and I just kept finding garbage and picking it up, because how could you not.”
Christine Hoogkamer, pictured paddling in a canoe in Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park, lives across from Emily Provincial Park. Hoogkamer uses her Instagram account to spread awareness about the importance of respecting nature while enjoying outdoor recreational activities. (Photo courtesy of Christine Hoogkamer)
As she continued collecting massive hauls of garbage, Hoogkamer felt the urge to share what she was finding with the public — so she created an Instagram account.
“I was like, ‘People need to see this,'” Hoogkamer recalls. “It’s important for people coming from out of town to see too. Say they’re on Instagram and looking for #explorekawarthalakes or #exploreontario — that’s where I wanted it to reach them. I didn’t know how else to reach a broad audience.”
Hoogkamer first started the Instagram account in 2019 and still updates it regularly. With the account, she hopes to spread awareness about how garbage can so quickly end up in the water and what impact this could have on wildlife.
Advertisement - content continues below
“I think awareness is the number one thing,” Hoogkamer says. “Sometimes it takes people seeing or hearing a story like this, and something clicks in people’s brains, and they’re like, ‘Maybe I should re-think the things that I bring with me when I go fishing.'”
Hoogkamer hopes her garbage photos garner a reaction of shock and disgust in those who see them — perhaps the necessary emotions to prompt meaningful change.
Whether the photos prompt people to make sure their own garbage does not end up in the water, or even to begin picking up litter themselves, any behaviour change is mission accomplished for Hoogkamer.
How long common trash lasts in the environment. Christine Hoogkamer asks everyone to “leave no trace” when enjoying outdoor recreational activities such as fishing, camping, boating, and more. (Photo courtesy of Christine Hoogkamer)
Since her Emily Garbage Shark Instagram account is meant to be educational, Hoogkamer recently used it to share a photo showing how long it takes for different types of garbage to break down in the environment.
“I know a lot of that stuff would never break down in my lifetime,” says Hoogkamer. “My message is to be more conscious of our impact on land and preserve it for future generations. I would hate for my kids to be doing the same thing as me and for it to keep getting worse if nothing changes.”
Photos of her kayak loaded with trash are not all that Hoogkamer shares on her Instagram. She also share photos of the wildlife she encounters during her paddles, including birds, frogs, turtles, beavers, and more.
Advertisement - content continues below
“Often I’ll just be cruising along, and then sometimes something will feel like it’s erupting underneath me — like a snapping turtle or a massive fish,” says Hoogkamer.
The wildlife she spots motivate her to keep going with Emily Garbage Shark, Hoogkamer says, adding she shares pictures of these sightings to show her followers what the litter is harming.
“Especially the turtles,” she says. “I once saw one that was just the size of my palm. You think, ‘What is going to happen if this little guy gets caught in some fishing line?’. Fishing line is one of the main problems in Pigeon Lake.”
In addition to fishing trash out of the water, Christine Hoogkamer always looks for wildlife during her paddles near Emily Provincial Park. Sightings of turtles, beavers, fish, and other wildlife encourage her to keep coming back to clean up their home. (Photo courtesy of Christine Hoogkamer)
Hoogkamer’s efforts to keep the water free of garbage are their own reward. She not only helps protect the area’s wildlife by removing trash, but keeps the landscape and waterway pristine for her paddles and wildlife photos.
But it recently seemed like nature was also rewarding Hoogkamer more directly, when she found a $20 bill during one of her garbage shark paddles.
“I have a lot of good karma coming my way, and that was just the beginning,” Hoogkamer laughs. “That was amazing to find.”
Advertisement - content continues below
As well as paddling, Hoogkamer also enjoys camping along with her partner Gregory. Both adhere to the “leave no trace” principle, and Hoogkamer is asking others to do the same when enjoying outdoor recreational activities such as fishing, camping, boating, and more.
“Try to keep Kawartha Lakes beautiful or just stay home if you can’t be respectful of the water that you are enjoying,” Hoogkamer urges. “Think twice before you discard something. Be respectful of the land we live on and the waters we enjoy in the summertime.”
Hoogkamer also hopes to inspire others to start cleaning up garbage as well, whether that means picking up litter when you come across it or heading out on your own garbage clean-up hunts.
Christine Hoogkamer was rewarded for her efforts at cleaning up Pigeon River when she discovered a $20 bill during one of her garbage-collecting paddles near Emily Provincial Park. (Photo courtesy of Christine Hoogkamer)
“If you see something and you’re walking along, just pick it up,” says Hoogkamer. “Roadways are getting worse up here, and the fishing spots on either side of the Emily Park bridge are absolutely brutal on land.”
“I just cover the water, and it would be amazing if someone would come to look at the land out here,” she adds.
To support and follow along with Christine as the Emily Garbage Shark, you can follow her on Instagram @emily_garbage_shark.
In addition to kayaking, Christine Hoogkamer loves yoga, crocheting, hiking, and camping. Hoogkamer and her partner Gregory are avid campers. Pictured are Christine and Gregory on a back country portage camping trip in August 2020. (Photo courtesy of Christine Hoogkamer)
Here’s an update on COVID-19 cases in Ontario as well as in the greater Kawarthas region.
On the first day of step three of its reopening plan, Ontario is reporting 159 new COVID-19 cases, with only 4 of Ontario’s 34 health units reporting double-digit increases — Grey Bruce (34), Waterloo (25), Toronto (23), Peel (12) — and 15 health units reporting no new cases at all. The seven-day average of daily cases has decreased by 4 to 151.
Hospitalizations have decreased by 6 from yesterday to 159, with the number of ICU patients falling by 10 to 158 and the number of patients on ventilators decreasing by 2 to 112.
Ontario is reporting 10 new COVID-related deaths today, with none in long-term care homes.
Over 17.8 million vaccine doses have been administered, an increase of 168,616 from yesterday, with almost 95% of Ontario’s total population now having received at least one dose. Almost 7.6 million people have been fully vaccinated, an increase of 148,190 from yesterday, representing over 51% of Ontario’s total population.
COVID-19 cases in Ontario from June 15 – July 15, 2021. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU admissions in Ontario from June 15 – July 15, 2021. The red line is the daily number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of hospitalizations, and the purple line is the daily number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 vaccinations in Ontario from June 15 – July 15, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily doses administered and the green line is the cumulative number of people fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccine. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
Advertisement - content continues below
In the greater Kawarthas region, there are 3 new cases to report, including 2 in Hastings Prince Edward and 1 in Haliburton.
An additional 6 cases in the region have been resolved, including 5 in Peterborough and 1 in Kawartha Lakes.
Regional active cases have decreased by 5 in Peterborough and by 1 in Kawartha Lakes, and have increased by 2 in Hastings Prince Edward and by 1 in Haliburton.
There are currently 28 active cases in the greater Kawarthas region, a decrease of 3 since yesterday, including 14 in Kawartha Lakes, 8 in Peterborough, 5 in Hastings Prince Edward (3 in Belleville, 1 in Tyendinaga & Deseronto, and 1 in North Hastings), and 1 in Haliburton. There are no active cases in Northumberland.
Since the pandemic began in the greater Kawarthas region, there have been 1,623 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (1,593 resolved with 22 deaths), 1,136 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (1,077 resolved with 58 deaths), 946 in Northumberland County (929 resolved with 17 deaths), 123 in Haliburton County (121 resolved with 1 death), and 1,138 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties (1,122 resolved with 11 deaths). The most recent two deaths were reported in Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes on June 29.
Every Friday during swimming season, we post The Beach Report™ — our weekly report of the results of water quality testing at beaches in the greater Kawarthas region — and update it throughout the week as conditions change.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, public health officials recommend staying home if you feel sick, visiting a beach close to your home to avoid unnecessary travel, bringing hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes, and maintaining at least two metres of physical distance from other beachgoers.
As of Thursday, July 22, the following beaches have been posted as unsafe for swimming:
Hiawatha (Peterborough County, not currently open to the public)
Omemee Beach – Emily/Omemee (Kawartha Lakes)
Rotary Park Main – Minden Hills (Haliburton County)
Victoria Park beach in Cobourg, while currently safe for swimming, is closed on weekends and statutory holidays.
Advertisement - content continues below
Below are the complete results of water quality testing at beaches in the City and County Peterborough, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, Northumberland County, and Hastings County and Prince Edward County.
In the City of Peterborough, Peterborough Public Health Inspectors sample the beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead every business day, and public beaches in the County of Peterborough are sampled at least once a week (except for Chandos Beach, Quarry Bay Beach, and White?s Beach which are sampled at least once in June, July, and August).
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit provides weekly testing results for beaches in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Northumberland County. Testing is based on the most recent test results from the provincial lab in Peterborough for water samples taken from these beaches.
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health provides weekly testing results for beaches in Hastings County and Prince Edward County.
During the summer, local health units sample water at area beaches and test for bacteria such as E. coli to determine if the water quality at a beach is safe for public use. Popular beaches, like the beach at Roger’s Cove in Peterborough’s East City, are tested every business day while most other beaches are tested weekly. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
Important note
The following test results may not reflect current water quality conditions. Water samples can take one to three days to process and heavy rainfall, high winds or wave activity, large numbers of waterfowl near a beach, or large numbers of swimmers can rapidly change water quality.
You should always check current conditions before deciding to use a beach. You should also monitor other factors that might suggest a beach is unsafe to use, such as floating debris, oil, discoloured water, bad odours, and excessive weed growth.
kawarthaNOW.com offers two enews options to help readers stay in the know. Our VIP enews is delivered weekly every Wednesday morning and includes exclusive giveaways, and our news digest is delivered daily every morning. You can subscribe to one or both.
Submit your event for FREE!
Use our event submission form to post your event on our website — for free.
To submit editorial content or ideas, please contact us.
