Peterborough Public Health announced on Friday afternoon (May 1) that 22 positive COVID-19 test results reported for the week of Wednesday, April 22nd to Wednesday, April 29th may be invalid.

Bio-Test Laboratories in Ottawa notified the health unit that it has rejected 94 positive test COVID-19 results, including 22 from the Peterborough area, due to a technical error.

There is a concern the results may have been false positives.

“Peterborough Public Health has been significantly impacted by this lab event,” says Peterborough medical officer of health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra. “Our staff has worked swiftly to ensure those impacted are informed and retested as we want to resolve this as quickly as possible.”

Dr. Salvaterra says that 22 of 27 positive cases reported for the period of April 22 to 29 were processed at Bio-Test Laboratories and will require further testing to determine their validity.

One of the 22 people affected has since passed away, but the health unit has already contacted the remaining 21 people to advise them of the potential error and to recommend they be retested.

The need for retesting will also impact the close contacts of these cases.

The health unit says Public Health Ontario is aware of the situation and has discontinued sending any more specimens to Bio-Test Laboratories for COVID-19 testing for the time being. The health unit says there is no reason to question the validity of any negative results from Bio-Test Laboratories.

Peterborough Public Health has reported 86 positive COVID-19 test results as of Friday (May 1), but says this number may now be inaccurate and will be revised as results from retesting become available.

The Ontario government will allow certain businesses and workplaces to reopen just after midnight on Monday, May 4th, as long as they comply with strict public health measures and operate safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford made the announcement on Friday (May 1) along with health minister Christine Elliott, economic development minister Vic Fedeli, and finance minister Rod Phillips.

Businesses that can open include garden centres and nurseries (with curbside pick-up and delivery only), lawn care and landscaping, automatic and self-serve car washes, and auto dealerships (open by appointment only).

In addition, golf courses can begin preparing courses for the upcoming golfing season and marinas can begin preparing for the recreational boating season by servicing boats and other watercraft and placing boats in the water — but these businesses cannot open yet.

For marinas, boats and watercraft must be secured to a dock in the marina until public access is allowed.

“We are allowing certain businesses to reopen under strict guidelines because we are confident they can operate safely and adapt to the current environment,” said Premier Ford. “While further reductions in the spread are needed before we can begin reopening the province, we have the right framework and the right workplace guidelines in place to do so gradually and safely.”

Portions of the construction sector can begin operations again, including: shipping and logistics; broadband, telecommunications, and digital infrastructure; any other project that supports the improved delivery of goods and services; municipal projects; colleges and universities; child care centres; schools; and site preparation, excavation, and servicing for institutional, commercial, industrial and residential development.

Although the Ontario government is allowing certain businesses to reopen, Ford says it is critical that people continue to stay home, practise physical distancing, and only go out for essential reasons.

YWCA Peterborough Haliburton has announced it is ending the annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event in Peterborough after 11 years, according to a media release.

“We want to express our heartfelt appreciation to all past participants, sponsors and volunteers whose shared compassion has resulted in more than $950,000 in critical funding for women who experience violence,” says YWCA’s Ria Nicholson, organizer of the 2019 Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event.

The annual event is usually held in late May. In 2019, the event raised $103,028 for the YWCA Crossroads Shelter.

While the May event would have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton does not say whether the pandemic was a factor in its decision to end the event. However, the organization is currently focused on the consequences of the pandemic when it comes to domestic violence.

“Unfortunately, the effects of physical distancing are complex and will be long-lasting, particularly for women we serve,” says YWCA Peterborough Haliburton executive director Kim Dolan.

“While physical distancing is essential in reducing exposure to COVID-19, isolation and uncertainty are creating additional barriers and risks for women who are now trapped and have fewer opportunities to get help. We anticipate dramatic increases in the need for shelter, safety planning, and crisis support over the coming months.”

The Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses, which represents over 70 shelters across Ontario, has said 20 per cent of their organizations have experienced an increase in calls related to domestic violence since the pandemic began.

Peterborough-Kawartha MP and Minister for Women and Gender Equality Maryam Monsef has said there has been a 20 to 30 per cent increase in rates of gender-based violence and domestic violence in some regions of the country.

On April 4th, the federal government announced up to $26 million in funding for Women’s Shelters Canada to distribute to approximately 575 violence against women shelters across the country.

To learn more about YWCA Peterborough Haliburton services for women and children, visit www.ywcapeterborough.org, call 705-743-3526, or email info@ywcapeterborough.org.

Organizers have announced that Peterborough Pulse, the annual open streets event that takes place in downtown Peterborough, has been cancelled for 2020.

The popular family-friendly event, where George Street is transformed for a day into a car-free corridor filled with activities and events, was originally scheduled for Saturday, July 18th.

“Public health must come first — now and always,” says Terry Guiel, executive director of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area and Peterborough Pulse co-chair.

The inaugural Peterborough Pulse was held in July 2015 and it has since grown into a favourite summer event in downtown Peterborough attended by many thousands of people.

“Just like our community, Pulse is extremely resilient,” says Peterborough Pulse coordinator Hillary Flood.

“We look forward to a future when it is safe again to gather in the streets. When Pulse returns it will be with all the colourful community magic one could expect from our hyper-local open streets festival.”

The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) has approved Hydro One’s purchase of the business and distribution assets of Peterborough Distribution Inc. (PDI) from the City of Peterborough.

The deal for $105 million includes plans for Hydro One to invest in a new operations centre and fleet maintenance facility in Peterborough.

The OEB also approved Hydro One’s application to purchase Orillia Power Distribution Corporation from the City of Orillia in a deal worth $41.3 million

Peterborough city council approved Hydro One’s proposal to buy PDI in December 2016. In August 2018, Hydro One announced the parties had reached a definitive agreement that was then submitted to the OEB for its consideration.

The city’s decision to sell PDI was met with opposition from several organizations and community groups, including the Save PDI Coalition, which made submissions to the OEB.

The Save PDI Coalition argued the sale would increase rates for PDI customers and result in loss of municipal control over PDI. The coalition also argued that Hydro One would be less likely to to adapt to the future needs of a small city like Peterborough.

When evaluating the PDI deal, the OEB used its “no harm test” to evaluate whether a proposed transaction will have an adverse effect on OEB’s statutory objectives under the Ontario Energy Board Act, which consider price, economic efficiency, and cost effectiveness.

The OEB’s decision is complicated but, in responding to concerns expressed by the Save PDI Coalition, the OEB concludes the deal offers the potential for cost savings for both existing and new customers.

In its decision, the OEB also states it does not consider a community’s desire to maintain local control of a utility, unless there is evidence a change in control would have a negative impact on the OEB’s statutory objectives. The OEB states there is no evidence a loss of local control would have a negative impact on those objectives.

With the OEB’s approval, the deal is expected to close with the next few months. The deal includes a one per cent reduction in base distribution rates for PDI electricity customers, along with a five-year rate freeze followed by increases aligned with inflation for years six to 10, subject to OEB approval of rates. PDI workers will receive offers for employment with Hydro One with a 12-month service and location guarantee and recognition of past service for seniority purposes.

“Hydro One’s purchase of PDI brings new investments and combines the city’s electricity distribution network with Hydro One’s substantial presence in the broader Peterborough region to bring value and enhance service,” says Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien. “The city looks forward to working with Hydro One on its planned construction of a new regional operations centre and fleet maintenance facility in Peterborough, once the deal has closed.”

PDI is the electricity distribution company of the Peterborough Utilities group of companies. The City of Peterborough is the sole shareholder of City of Peterborough Holdings Inc., which is the parent company of Peterborough Utilities.

PDI serves approximately 37,000 customers in the City of Peterborough and villages of Lakefield and Norwood.

After debt and other liabilities related to PDI, the city is expected to receive $50 million to $55 million from Hydro One’s purchase of PDI. Council is considering how to invest the revenue as part of its 2021 budget process, including options such as creating a legacy fund for long-term returns to the community and re-investing in Peterborough Utilities to support renewable energy projects with ongoing returns on the investment.

Ontario Energy Board Decision and Order for PDI sale – April 30, 2020

Kawartha Lakes police have arrested one Lindsay man and have issued an arrest warrant for another following a violent assault earlier this week that sent two people to hospital.

On Monday (April 27) at 3:30 p.m., the two suspects went to a Rideout Street home in Lindsay and confronted the man living there about an incident that took place the previous night.

One of the suspects struck the man over the head with a piece of wood, knocking him to the ground. While the man was on the ground, both suspects continued to assault him, striking him repeatedly with the piece of wood and kicking him.

The man’s girlfriend exited the home and tried to stop the attack, but she was also struck with a piece of wood. The woman was chased back into her home, where she was able to call 9-1-1.

The two attackers fled from the scene before police arrived. The two victims were taken to a local hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

On Tuesday (April 28), police arrested 23-year-old Michael Peter Gallo of Lindsay and charged him with assault causing bodily harm. He was held in custody to attend a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of the second suspect, 30-year-old Robert Paul Gallo, for the offences of assault causing bodily harm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and two counts of assault with a weapon.

Anyone with information about Robert Gallo’s location is asked to contact the Kawartha Lakes Police Service at 705-324-5252. To make an anonymous report, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit www.kh.crimestoppersweb.com.

Sub-Lieutenant Abbigail Cowbrough, a former member and piper with the 534 Raider Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets in Peterborough, is the first victim to be identified in the crash of a Canadian military helicopter in the Mediterranean Sea late on Wednesday (April 29).

A crew member of the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Fredericton, she was killed when the Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone helicopter crashed into the Ionian Sea between Greece and Italy, about 80 kilometres off the Greek resort island of Cephalonia, during a NATO training exercise.

The family of the Nova Scotia woman confirmed Cowbrough’s death on social media on Thursday (April 30).

“My beautiful daughter has been in a military accident and passed away,” wrote Tanya Cowbrough, of Eastern Passage in Nova Scotia, on Facebook. “She will no longer pipe her songs to all those that love her. The very beating no fluttering of my heart has stopped. Nothing can replace her.”

“I am broken and gutted,” wrote her father Shane Cowbrough on Facebook. “There are no words. You made me forever proud. I will love you always, and miss you in every moment. You are the bright light in my life taken far too soon.”

Originally from Toronto, Cowbrough graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in computer science and served in the Canadian Armed Forces as a maritime systems engineering officer.

VIDEO: Abbigail Cowbrough piping “Amazing Grace” on April 24, 2020

“Our church family has lost a wonderful woman,” the church wrote on Facebook. “Our prayers are with her family, and all those who have lost a loved one in this tragic accident. We will surround her family as we walk with them through this and we will keep you posted on ways you can help.”

Cowbrough played her bagpipes at the church and often sent photos of herself to church members.

Following the deadly mass shooting in Nova Scotia on April 18th and 19th that claimed 22 victims, Cowbrough played “Amazing Grace” while on the deck of HMCS Fredericton and shared the video on Facebook last Friday (April 24).

534 Raider Squadron has confirmed on Facebook that Cowbrough was a former member and bagpiper with the squadron.

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) says that it has contacted all primary family members of those who were on board.

On Thursday (April 30), the Department of National Defence confirmed that Cowbrough was killed in the accident — her body has been recovered — and that five other crew members are missing:

• Captain Brenden Ian MacDonald, Pilot, originally from New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
• Captain Kevin Hagen, Pilot, originally from Nanaimo, British Columbia
• Captain Maxime Miron-Morin, Air Combat Systems Officer, originally from Trois-Rivières, Québec
• Sub-Lieutenant Matthew Pyke, Naval Warfare Officer, originally from Truro, Nova Scotia
• Master Corporal Matthew Cousins, Airborne Electronic Sensor Operator, originally from Guelph, Ontario

HMCS Fredericton and NATO allies continue to search for the other five members of the helicopter’s crew.

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to raise funds from Cowbrough’s classmates in the Royal Military College of Canada’s class of 2018, as well as other ex-cadets and current cadets, to create a memorial for Cowbrough.

This story was updated to include the Department of National Defence’s confirmation of Cowbrough’s death and the identities of the missing crew members, and a crowdfunding campaign for a memorial for Cowbrough.