That’s the tag line of the first annual survey of area businesses being conducted this summer by Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED).
PKED’s “Business Count” was launched on June 15th and is continuing until the end of August. The survey is intended to deliver insight into the region’s economy, better inform economic development decisions and programming efforts, and improve access to information for local businesses.
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So far, PKED has surveyed businesses in the townships of North Kawartha, Trent Lakes, Havelock-Belmont-Methuen, Douro-Dummer, Apshodel Norwood, Otonabee South Monaghan, and Cavan Monaghan.
This week (August 10th to 14th), PKED will be contacting businesses in Selwyn Township, with businesses in the City of Peterborough to be surveyed starting August 17th.
PKED staff will be contacting businesses over the phone or by email.
If you’re a local business owner and you want to complete the survey yourself, or if your business is in one of the already-surveyed areas and you were not contacted, you can do so at surveymonkey.com/r/BusinessCount2020.
The first annual Business Count in Peterborough and the Kawarthas continues until August 31, 2020. (Graphic: Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development)
The survey, which is voluntary, takes around five minutes to complete. It will ask questions about your business including how many people you employ, the square footage of your business, whether your business imports or exports, the legal status and ownership of your business, and more.
Among other things, data from the Business Count will help identify vacant properties and spaces for new and existing businesses to locate, provide improved regional workforce data, and help inform decisions related to job growth, workforce development, business opportunities, and community development initiatives.
For more information about PKED’s Business Count project, visit ptbobusinesscount.ca.
In place of its popular Applefest event, Lang Pioneer Village Museum in Keene is hosting a drive-through tour called "Harvest Time in the Village" on October 4, 2020, that will include a glimpse into the Applefest demonstrations and activities, but as a completely hands-off and visually rich experience. (Photo: Lang Pioneer Village Museum in Keene)
Lang Pioneer Village Museum in Keene has announced its preliminary schedule of events for this fall.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the museum’s traditional autumn events can’t proceed as they normally would. However, the museum is planning several events that provide a similar experience but with enhanced safety precautions.
First up in September is a guided version of the museum’s previously scheduled “Village by Lantern Light”. Visitors can tour the historic village in the evening by the soft glow of lantern lights with a costumed interpreter who will light the way.
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Tours for this family-friendly event will be booked in advance with timed entry, ensuring that everyone will experience a safe tour.
“Village by Lantern Light” is scheduled to take place over four days: Friday and Saturday, September 11th and 12th, and Thursday and Friday, September 17th and 18th.
In October, the museum is replacing its popular Applefest event with a drive-through tour called “Harvest Time in the Village”. From the comfort of their own vehicles, visitors will slowly drive through the village and experience snapshots of pioneer life at harvest time.
Tours for the family-friendly “Village by Lantern Light”, taking place over four days in September, will be be booked in advance with timed entry, ensuring that everyone will experience a safe tour. (Photo: Lang Pioneer Village Museum in Keene)
Taking place on Saturday, October 4th, this event also provides a glimpse into the museum’s Applefest demonstrations and activities, but as a completely hands-off and visually rich experience.
Also in October, the museum will celebrate Halloween with its popular “Historic All Hallows’ Eve” event. Visitors will discover the origins and traditions of Halloween during this evening guided tour exploring the stories behind modern-day Halloween beliefs and practices. Featuring enhanced safety measures, tours will be booked in advance.
Historic All Hallows’ Eve will run on Friday and Saturday, October 23rd and 24th, and Thursday and Friday, October 29th and 30th.
Tours for the family-friendly “Village by Lantern Light”, taking place over four days in September, will be be booked in advance with timed entry, ensuring that everyone will experience a safe tour. (Photo: Lang Pioneer Village Museum in Keene)
The museum is also working on another Halloween-themed event, and may announce additional events for the fall season.
“Many factors will affect the museum’s ability to ensure that the seasonal tours are able to run as planned including safety, volunteer availability, and cost,” says assistant manager Elizabeth King.
“For now, we are pleased to share some tentative plans, in hopes that we can all be at the village in a way that will ensure everyone stays safe but gets to enjoy all of the history and fun the village has to offer this fall.”
Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the northern areas of the greater Kawarthas region for Monday afternoon and evening (August 10).
The watch is currently in effect for Haliburton and Hastings counties only.
Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms on Monday afternoon and evening that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail, and heavy rain.
The main threats are strong damaging winds up to 100 km/h and torrential downpours.
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Strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles. Intense lightning is likely with any thunderstorm that develops. Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads.
Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors!
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.
The Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management recommends that you take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches.
This photo of a triplet of black bears by Cliff Homewood was our top post on Instagram in July 2020. (Photo: Cliff Homewood @kerrybrook / Instagram)
As we head into month five of a global pandemic and I review the July top photos, I am reminded how pristine our Kawarthas are.
I know that many of our local photographers are naturalists and environmentalists. So I hope they will appreciate that I am reminding everyone this month to “take only photos and leave only footprints”.
Many thanks once again to all of our photographers who allow us to share their photographs and please keep doing what you do.
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Do you want to get on our top photographers list? All you need is an Insta account and to tag us using our hashtag #kawarthanow when posting your photo.
We share photos from across our readership area, which is the five-county area surrounding Peterborough which includes Peterborough, Northumberland, City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, and Hastings (we sneak in the occasional Algonquin Park picture as well, particularly if it’s by a Kawartha photographer).
To see our daily shares of photos, follow us on Instagram @kawarthanow and check out our feed’s highlight reels for recaps of every month in 2020.
#1. Black bear triplets by Cliff Homewood @kerrybrook
Posted July 28, 2020. 7,586 impressions, 625 likes
Some of the 3,444 cannabis plants at an illegal cannabis grow op in Cramahe Township in eastern Northumberland County. On August 6, 2020, police arrested and charged three people with violations under the federal Cannabis Act. (Photo: OPP)
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) took down a major illegal cannabis grow op in Cramahe Township in eastern Northumberland County last week.
On Thursday (August 6), police executed two search warrants under the federal Cannabis Act at two adjoining rural properties near Colborne.
At the two properties, police seized a total of 3,444 cannabis plants, 41 pounds of processed cannabis, and 31 pounds of cannabis resin.
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They also seized a farm tractor and cell phone.
Police estimate the street value of the seized cannabis at $3.9 million.
As a result of the investigation, police arrested and charged 51-year-old Ronald Forget and 54-year-old Faith Forget, both of Cramahe Township, and 55-year old Ken Hung Yap of Scarborough, with possession of illicit cannabis, possession of cannabis for the purpose of distribution, cultivate more than four cannabis plants, and cultivate place other than residence.
Police estimate the street value at $3.9 million of the cannabis plants and processed products they seized on August 6, 2020 at an illegal cannabis grow op in Cramahe Township in eastern Northumberland County. (Photo: OPP)
The three accused were released and are scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg on October 14, 2020.
The investigation was a joint effort of the Northumberland/Peterborough OPP community street crime Unit (CSCU) with the assistance of the City of Kawartha Lakes CSCU, Bracebridge CSCU, Orillia CSCU, Nottawasaga CSCU, Central Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, and Central Region emergency response teams and canine units.
On August 6, 2020, police executed two search warrants under the federal Cannabis Act at two adjoining rural properties near Colborne in Cramahe Township in eastern Northumberland County. (Photo: OPP)The illegal cannabis grow op was located inside and outside at two adjoining rural properties near Colborne in Cramahe Township in eastern Northumberland County. On August 6, 2020, police seized 3,444 cannabis plants along with 72 pounds of street-ready product and charged two Cramahe Township residents and one Scarborough resident. (Photo: OPP)
Here’s an update on COVID-19 cases in Ontario as well as in the greater Kawarthas region.
For the fifth day in a row, Ontario is reporting fewer than 100 new cases of COVID-19, with 88 new cases reported today. A decline in active cases continues, with 118 more cases resolved. Hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and patients on ventilators have also all declined. Of Ontario’s 34 public health units, 27 reported five or fewer cases, with 18 reporting no new cases at all.
In the greater Kawarthas region, one new case has been reported in Northumberland. There are no new cases to report today in the Peterborough area, Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, or Prince Edward and Hastings counties.
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Since the pandemic began, there have been 99 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (94 resolved with 2 deaths), 176 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (156 resolved with 32 deaths), 26 in Northumberland County (25 resolved with no deaths), 14 in Haliburton County (12 resolved with no deaths), and 44 in Hastings County and Prince Edward County (38 resolved with 5 deaths). The most recent death was reported on May 7 by Hastings Prince Edward Public Health.
Province-wide, there have been 39,897 confirmed cases, an increase of 88 from yesterday’s report, with 36,024 cases (90.3% of all cases) resolved, an increase of 118. There have been 2,783 deaths (no change from yesterday), with 1,799 deaths reported in long-term care homes, an increase of 1. A total of 2,346,433 tests have been completed, an increase of 25,136 from yesterday, with 25,077 tests under investigation, an increase of 5,785.
This report is based on data supplied by the province’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS), as well as any additional information supplied by health units. This information is at least 24 hours old, so it is not real-time data. Note that each health unit reports the information in a different way.
Peterborough Public Health’s service area is the City and County of Peterborough and the Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.
Confirmed positive: 99 (no change) Active cases: 3 (no change) Deaths: 2 (no change) Resolved: 94 (no change) Total tests completed: Over 22,150 (increase of 150) Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)
Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s service area is the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and Haliburton County.
The health unit provides reports on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, excluding statutory holidays.
Confirmed positive: 216, including 176 in Kawartha Lakes, 26 in Northumberland, 14 in Haliburton (increase of 1, in Northumberland) Probable cases: 0 (no change) Hospitalizations: 14 (decrease of 1)* Deaths: 32 (no change) Resolved: 193, including 156 in Kawartha Lakes, 25 in Northumberland, 12 in Haliburton (no change) Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)
*One case has been removed, as the case was not hospitalized for COVID-19 treatment
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health’s service area is Hastings County (including Bancroft) and Prince Edward County.
The health unit provides reports on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, excluding statutory holidays..
Confirmed positive: 44 (no change) Deaths: 5 (no change) Hospitalized: 0 (no change) Hospitalized and in ICU: 0 (no change) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 0 (no change) Recovered: 38 (no change) Total tests completed: 18,633 (increase of 602) Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)
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Province of Ontario
Confirmed positive: 39,897 (increase of 88) Resolved: 36,024 (increase of 118, 90.3% of all cases) Hospitalized: 66 (decrease of 5) Hospitalized and in ICU: 28 (decrease of 1) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 12 (decrease of 1) Deaths: 2,783 (no change) Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 1,799 (increase of 1) Total tests completed: 2,346,433 (increase of 25,136) Tests under investigation: 25,077 (increase of 5,785)
New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from July 7 – August 6, 2020. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 tests completed in Ontario from July 7 – August 6, 2020. The red line is the number of tests completed daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of tests completed. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
Megan Murphy and Kate Suhr are bringing performing arts to your front (or back) door with 'The Verandah Cafe. (Photo courtesy of The Verandah Cafe)
With local performance venues still closed due to the pandemic, singer-songwriter Kate Suhr and storyteller Megan Murphy aim to make your home the performance venue.
The two Peterborough women have joined forces to create The Verandah Cafe where, “in the tradition of Irish storytellers” according to a media release, they will come to your verandah or yard to share stories and songs.
Suhr and Murphy will perform for around 30 minutes at a safe physical distance from the audience. Each performance will be limited to a maximum of 15 people.
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Both day and evening performances are available between Thursday, August 13th and Saturday, August 29th.
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, going to the beach is a different experience this year. 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, August 13th, the following beaches have been posted as unsafe for swimming:
Norwood in Peterborough County (based on August 12 sample)
Bewdley Optimist Park in Hamilton Township (based on August 10 sample)
Bond Street in Fenelon Falls (based on August 10 sample)
Rotary Head Lake Beach in Haliburton County (based on August 7 sample)
The following beach is closed due to high levels of E. coli:
Hastings Waterfront North in Trent Hills (based on August 10 sample)
The following beaches are closed until further notice due to COVID-19:
Crowe Bridge Park in Trent Hills (Northumberland County)
Victoria Park in Cobourg (Northumberland County)
Little Lake in Cramahe (Northumberland County)
Sandy Bay Beach in Alnwick Haldimand (Northumberland County)
Hiawatha in Hiawatha First Nation (Peterborough County)
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Below are the complete results of water quality testing at beaches in Peterborough, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Northumberland 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.
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.
While we strive to update this story with the current conditions, you should confirm the most recent test results by visiting the local health unit websites at Peterborough Public Health and Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit. As noted above, the beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead are tested every business day so the results listed below may not be current.
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Peterborough City/County
City of Peterborough Beaches (sampled each business day)
Roger’s Cove (131 Maria St, Peterborough) – sample date 12-Aug-2020 – SAFE
A 19-year-old Coe Hill man is facing multiple charges after a rollover in Hastings County on August 2, 2020. (Photo: Bancroft OPP)
A 19-year-old Coe Hill man is lucky to be alive after rolling over his pick-up truck last Sunday (August 2).
At around 3 a.m. on Sunday, Bancroft OPP officers responded to a single-vehicle rollover on Highway 620 in the Township of Wollaston in Hastings County.
The driver was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Officers attended the hospital where they placed the driver under arrest.
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As a result of an investigation, 19-year-old Easton Morrison of Coe Hill faces four charges: operation while impaired – alcohol; operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration 80 plus; novice driver – B.A.C above zero; and drive motor vehicle, no currently validated permit.
Morrison’s driver’s license was suspended for 90 days and his vehicle (which is a write-off) was impounded for seven days.
He was released on an appearance notice to attend at the Ontario Court of Justice in Bancroft on August 25th.
A 19-year-old Coe Hill man is facing multiple charges after a rollover in Hastings County on August 2, 2020. (Photo: Bancroft OPP)
Ross Memorial Hospital is located at 10 Angeline Street North in Lindsay. (Photo courtesy of Ross Memorial Hospital)
Effective on Thursday (August 6), Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay has expanded its visitor guidelines.
The hospital is now allowing one visitor per patient, once per day, with two visitors per day for patients in palliative care.
Patients with appointments or attending the Emergency Department should come alone, unless a support person is essential.
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All visitors must follow these guidelines:
Visitors must be over the age of 16 (visitors to palliative patients will be considered on a case-by-case basis).
Visits are available between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Enter at the main entrance, clean your hands with hand sanitizer, and answer screening questions honestly.
You’ll be provided with a sticker to wear for the duration of your visit.
You must provide your full name and contact information.
Bring a mask if you have one, or you will be provided one. Keep your mask on throughout your visit.
Food or drink must not be consumed while visiting. You may bring food or drink for the patient, if it does not require storage or heating.
Do not bring animals to visit, with the exception of service animals.
Check in with staff upon arrival to the unit. Stay in the patient’s room. Do not visit other areas in the hospital.
Once onsite, you cannot leave and return on the same day.
Maintain physical distance of two metres or more from all hospital staff and patients.
Sanitize your hands when entering and leaving a patient’s room, and at doorways and high-touch surfaces.
Exit at the main entrance and sanitize your hands as you are leaving.
As always, visitors should not visit if they are feeling unwell.
If you cannot visit, there are other ways to stay connected with your loved one.
You can contact the Virtual Visit line (705-324-6111 ext. 5268) to arrange a video call. You can also send a message to a patient through the hospital’s website at rmh.org/information-for-visitors/send-a-message-to-a-patient. Your message will be delivered within one business day.
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.
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