June is Pride Month, and Peterborough GreenUP is celebrating with a Rainbow Rock Garden.

The garden, filled with colourful painted stones, is located in the DePave Paradise boulevard right in front of the GreenUP Store & Resource Centre at 378 Aylmer Street North in downtown Peterborough.

The idea for the Rainbow Rock Garden began on a sunny day this pandemic spring when the GreenUP water department team was weeding and planting the boulevard (while maintaining physical distancing).

While they were planting, they were discussing Pride Month (and Peterborough Pride, which is celebrated in September). They were also talking about how they could use river stones to spruce up areas of the boulevard that don’t have plants.

The two ideas soon came together when they realized they could paint rocks with rainbow colours for Pride Month and place them in the space.

“The entire GreenUP team loved the idea and thought we could also encourage all of Peterborough to paint and place rainbow rocks in their own gardens or yards,” GreenUP communication and marketing specialist Leif Einarson tells kawarthaNOW.

“We’re using the hashtag #RainbowRockGarden and asking everyone to spread the message that, however you identify and whoever you love, you belong here.”

GreenUP is encouraging Peterborough residents to place painted rocks in a publicly visible area of their homes or in shared green spaces.

Take photos of the rocks, post them on social media with the hashtag #RainbowRockGarden, and tag @PtboGreenUP.

Of course, as an environmental organization, GreenUP is asking that people respect pathways, lawns, growing plants, sidewalks, and habitats when placing rocks.

One person has been airlifted to hospital after a serious collision on Highway 28 near Big Cedar Lake Road between Burleigh Falls and Woodview.

On Monday (June 22), the Peterborough County OPP and emergency crews responded to a report of a vehicle that left Highway 28 at around 1:30 p.m. and collided head-on with a rock cut.

The driver was treated at the scene before being airlifted to a Toronto-area hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Highway 28 was closed as of 4:30 p.m. between Big Cedar Lake Road and Mount Julian Viamede Road while police trained in collision reconstruction measure and document the scene.

A detour is in place on Highway 28 at County Road 6 to Northeys Bay Road (County Road 56).

The closure will remain in place for several hours while police investigate.

kawarthaNOW is providing a daily report of COVID-19 cases in the greater Kawarthas region.

Here’s today summary: there are 95 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area, 162 in the City of Kawartha Lakes, 19 in Northumberland County, 9 in Haliburton County, and 43 in Hastings County and Prince Edward County.

There is 1 new case to report today in Kawartha Lakes. There are no new cases to report in Peterborough, Northumberland, Haliburton, or Hastings and Prince Edward.

There has been a total of 39 deaths. The most recent death was reported on May 7 by Hastings Prince Edward Public Health.

Province-wide, there are 33,637 confirmed cases, an increase of 161 from yesterday’s report. A total of 28,933 cases are resolved, an increase of 214 from yesterday. There have been 2,609 deaths, an increase of 3 from yesterday, with 1,654 of the deaths being residents in long-term care homes, a decrease of 3 (the decrease is unexplained, but appears to be a data reporting adjustment). A total of 1,196,627 tests have been completed, an increase of 21,900 from yesterday, with 10,027 tests under investigation, a decrease of 5,397.

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 and hospitals. This information is at least 24 hours old, so it is not real-time data.

We publish the daily report, usually by late afternoon, with the most current information released by health units. Note that each health unit reports the information in a different way.

Peterborough Public Health

Peterborough Public Health’s service area is the City and County of Peterborough and the Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.

Confirmed positive: 95 (no change)
Active cases: 4 (no change)
Deaths: 2 (no change)
Resolved: 89 (no change)
Total tests completed: Over 15,000 (increase of 100)
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.

Confirmed positive: 190, including 162 in Kawartha Lakes, 19 in Northumberland, 9 in Haliburton (increase of 1)
Probable cases: 0 (no change)
Hospitalizations: 13 (no change)
Deaths: 32 (no change)
Resolved: 165 (no change)
Institutional outbreaks: Fenelon Court Long Term Care Home in Fenelon Falls (no change)

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health’s service area is Hastings County (including Bancroft) and Prince Edward County.

Confirmed positive: 43 (no change, last positive case reported on May 18)
Probable cases: 181 (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: 36 (no change)
Total tests completed: 8,161 (increase of 461)
Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)

Province of Ontario

Confirmed positive: 33,637 (increase of 161)
Hospitalized: 265 (decrease of 21)
Hospitalized and in ICU: 76 (increase of 10)
Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 58 (decrease of 1)
Deaths: 2,609 (increase of 3)
Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 1,654 (decrease of 3, 63.4% of all deaths)*
Total tests completed 1,196,627 (increase of 21,900)
Tests under investigation: 10,027 (decrease of 5,397)
Resolved: 28,933 (increase of 214)

*The decrease in deaths of residents in long-term care homes is unexplained, but appears to be a data adjustment.

For more information about COVID-19 in Ontario, visit covid-19.ontario.ca.

Effective Wednesday (June 24), the Ontario government is allowing the City of Toronto and Peel Region to move into stage two of Ontario’s reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic — leaving Windsor-Essex as the sole region remaining in stage one because of a high number of cases among temporary foreign workers in the agri-food industry.

Premier Doug Ford made the announcement on Monday (June 22) at Queen’s Park, along with health minister Christine Elliott, finance minister Rod Phillips, and labour minister Monte McNaughton.

“No-one wants to see every region of Ontario open more than I do, but we have to do it right,” Ford said. “Unfortunately, right now the threat of this virus in Windsor-Essex is still too great.”

Moving into stage two means that restaurant patios in Toronto and Peel can open, along with shopping malls (except for sit-down dining), hair salons, tour and guide services, swimming and wading pools, libraries, and more. For a full list of places that can open in stage two, visit ontario.ca/page/reopening-ontario-whats-each-stage#section-2.

Windsor-Essex will remain in stage one as the government continues to assess the situation there.

“We’ve already taken a number of steps, including enhancing and expanding our testing strategy,” Ford said. “On Saturday, we began proactive testing on farms, starting with sending our mobile testing units to the largest farms, including many in Windsor-Essex. We’re also conducting the same proactive testing at many of our food processing plants.”

On Monday (June 22), the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit reported 32 new cases of COVID-19, with 31 of those cases among workers in the agri-food sector. There are currently seven workplace outbreaks in the sector.

Given that only one case was not a farm worker, a reporter asked Ford whether he would consider taking a regional approach to reopening in Windsor-Essex, to allow areas without farm workers to enter stage two.

Ford’s frustration with the lack of testing of farm workers was evident in his reply.

“I love the farmers, but guys, you gotta help us here,” Ford said. “We’re sending in units, but farmers just aren’t cooperating — they aren’t sending out the people to be tested.”

He urged farmers to get their workers tested.

“You’re affecting the largest region, and it’s not fair to the people of Windsor. It’s not fair for the region, for the businesses, by not getting the workers tested. It’s very simple.”

Ford also threatened to take additional steps if the situation does not improve.

“I’ll go to the extreme, whatever tool I have to protect the people of Windsor, and the food supply chain, and the farmers, and the workers,” he said. “I’ll start pulling out every tool I have at my disposal to make sure this gets done.”

Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Monday afternoon (June 22) for Hastings Highlands, including Bancroft.

Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail, and heavy rain.

Thunderstorms are expected in the area on Monday afternoon (June 22).

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!

Severe thunderstorm watches are issued 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.

kawarthaNOW is providing a daily report of COVID-19 cases in the greater Kawarthas region.

Here’s today summary: there are 95 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area, 161 in the City of Kawartha Lakes, 19 in Northumberland County, 9 in Haliburton County, and 43 in Hastings County and Prince Edward County.

There are 2 new cases to report today, including 1 in Kawartha Lakes and 1 in Haliburton (the first positive case in Haliburton since June 1). There are no new cases to report in Peterborough and Northumberland. A report for Hastings and Prince Edward is not available on weekends, but the last reported case there was on May 18.

There has been a total of 39 deaths. The most recent death was reported on May 7 by Hastings Prince Edward Public Health.

Province-wide, there are 33,476 confirmed cases, an increase of 175 from yesterday’s report. A total of 28,719 cases are resolved, an increase of 251 from yesterday. There have been 2,606 deaths, an increase of 11 from yesterday, with 1,657 of the deaths being residents in long-term care homes, an increase of 6. A total of 1,174,727 tests have been completed, an increase of 23,408 from yesterday, with 15,424 tests under investigation, a decrease of 1,539.

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 and hospitals. This information is at least 24 hours old, so it is not real-time data.

We publish the daily report, usually by late afternoon, with the most current information released by health units. Note that each health unit reports the information in a different way.

Peterborough Public Health

Peterborough Public Health’s service area is the City and County of Peterborough and the Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.

Confirmed positive: 95 (no change)
Active cases: 4 (no change)
Deaths: 2 (no change)
Resolved: 89 (no change)
Total tests completed: Over 14,900 (increase of 450)
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.

Confirmed positive: 189, including 161 in Kawartha Lakes, 19 in Northumberland, 9 in Haliburton (no change)
Probable cases: 0 (no change)
Hospitalizations: 13 (no change)
Deaths: 32 (no change)
Resolved: 165 (increase of 1)
Institutional outbreaks: Fenelon Court Long Term Care Home in Fenelon Falls (no change)

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health’s service area is Hastings County (including Bancroft) and Prince Edward County.

Confirmed positive: 43 (no change, last positive case reported on May 18)*
Probable cases: 181 (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: 36 (no change)*
Total tests completed: 7,700 (increase of 240)*
Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)*

*These numbers are from June 19. The health unit does not issue reports on weekends; the next report is due June 22.

Province of Ontario

Confirmed positive: 33,476 (increase of 175)
Hospitalized: 286 (decrease of 47)
Hospitalized and in ICU: 86 (increase of 6)
Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 59 (decrease of 4)
Deaths: 2,606 (increase of 11)
Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 1,657 (increase of 6, 63.6% of all deaths)
Total tests completed 1,174,727 (increase of 23,408)
Tests under investigation: 15,424 (decrease of 1,539)
Resolved: 28,719 (increase of 251)

For more information about COVID-19 in Ontario, visit covid-19.ontario.ca.

The speed of a major overhaul to Peterborough Transit routes because of provincially mandated COVID-19 health safety measures is creating consternation among bus drivers, according to the local union president.

Among several changes taking effect June 28 is a reduction in the number of bus routes from 12 to nine, with just five of those routes going directly to the Simcoe Street terminal. Up to this point, all 12 bus routes led to the downtown Peterborough terminal. In addition, three new community bus routes are being added and bus stop locations are changing.

While acknowledging the more grid-like route changes are mostly an improvement over the status quo, the president of Local 1320 of the Amalgamated Transit Union that represents bus drivers and garage staff is concerned over the speed with which the changes are being put into effect.

“We pictured a slower implementation so drivers and passengers can get used to it,” says Tyler Burns. “It’s being tossed at us and we’re going to have to hit the ground running.”

“I hope it’s a smooth transition because I think it is time for our transit system to grow up and grow for the better. It would be a real shame if this stumbles hard and we have to wait another 10 years to try something like this out again. My main concern, as it always is, is the safety of my members.”

While acknowledging that the timeline is tight, City of Peterborough transit manager Laurie Stratton says mandated pandemic health safety measures have necessitated the fast tracking of the new route system. She recognizes the speed of the changes has had an impact on transit riders as well as drivers.

“Transit has been making the necessary changes at breakneck speed, responding to the focus on public safety as well as mandates put out to all public transit authorities to deliver safe service to customers as well as keep employees safe,” she says.

“Our customers have adjusted to rear door boarding. They have adjusted to expectations regarding physical distancing and seat limits, and having to wait patiently while we run overflow buses or bring buses in from stand-by locations. This change is another in a series of changes that have come at them quickly.”

Stratton points out there normally would have been a traditional consultation process before implementing changes of this scope, but the summer months provide an opportunity for on-the-fly consultation before the busier fall season.

“Typically we would have had traditional consultation. We plan to have that going forward. With our ridership low right now, we’re looking toward a fall ridership increase. Can we make these changes in September? That’s unthinkable. This July/August timeline while our ridership is lower gives our drivers and customers the opportunity to experience it and learn about the changes, and for us to gather feedback, prior to the busier fall.”

Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien admits the new transit route system has been rolled out quickly, “like everything that we’ve done in response to COVID-19,” adding, “we don’t have the luxury of time.”

“Under the state of emergency, staff is empowered to make some of the decisions they have to make to ensure public health and safety. They’ve been really good at informing council of any changes. In a normal year there would probably be a staff recommendation to change some things. There are budgetary implications when you’re running more buses or running less buses. Something like that would come to council for the okay.”

Mayor Therrien notes one positive outcome of the new route system will be less crowding at the downtown terminal, which speaks directly to the physical distancing requirement. She adds that bio-shields to protect drivers will be installed at some point in July, creating the ability to again collect fares again — an important consideration during a year that has seen the city lose many of its regular revenue streams.

While Burns gets that driver and passenger safety is the motivation for bringing in the new route system quickly, he says he’s looking for even quicker answers on their effect on drivers.

“Traditionally drivers have had their lunch breaks either at the terminal or the bus garage, but with these changes that will no longer be the case,” he notes. “We’ll have people have their lunch at Lansdowne Place, at Trent University, and at Fleming. We’re not 100 per cent sure on the logistics of that — what we’ll have access to, what we won’t have access to.”

“It’s pretty apparent it won’t be business as usual come the fall, so we’re not sure what we’ll have available in terms of facilities, or access to a kitchen or a hand-washing station,” Burns adds. “We have just a few days before the changes come into effect. I like to know there’s something set in stone by then in terms of what drivers will be doing for breaks and meals.”

Regarding that concern, Stratton says management is working with driver trainers to solicit feedback on how to best accommodate meals and breaks at locations other than the terminal or garage.

“Feedback about the (people) crunch at the terminal, this has been a historic complaint of our drivers. This new system addresses that. We’ve heard a lot of concerns from our drivers about crowding on limited peak time buses. This addresses that as well.”

“If we had not changed the routes, the option was reducing service. We’re here to support the community through its economic and social recovery. We’re trying to get the trust of the public, to let them feel confident to use transit. Jamming them down here at the terminal or jamming them into the limited peak time buses is not a safe way to do that.”

Along with the implementation of the new transit route system, a possible second challenge is looming.

Should Trent and/or Fleming not be open in September for traditional classes, transit ridership will take a major hit. Student fares bring in about $1.6 million annually. Unless other levels of government step up with funding to offset any major loss of revenue, a reduction in routes is possible that, in turn, could possibly result in driver layoffs.

“It’s a tough budget year and we don’t want to be losing any more money than we already are,” says Mayor Therrien.

Union concerns aside, the new transit route system will roll out June 28. Both Stratton and Burn do totally agree on one thing — the need for transit users to give the changes a chance to succeed.

“Change is always a challenge,” says Stratton. “We expect both positive and negative reaction.”

“The biggest thing with transit is to try and optimize what you can deliver to the most people. We know this new system will mean some folks will have to travel a little further to get to their stop, and that they will experience untimed on-the-street transfers. That’s new. But what it allows us to do is reduce overall travel times. We don’t want people on the bus longer than they need to be in a confined space.”

“I urge the public to be patient with the drivers,” adds Burns. “We’re learning the new route system at the exact same time as everybody else.”

“Tt’s going to be frustrating for drivers. Passengers are going to be frustrated too. There’s various ways to contact the city and transit management with your concerns, so take advantage.”

The new routes and other information can be viewed at www.peterborough.ca/transit. Transit customers can provide feedback on the new routes at forms.peterborough.ca/Transit/Transit-Feedback-New-Routes.