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Articles by Bruce Head

Bruce Head
848 Articles
Bruce Head is kawarthaNOW.com's managing editor, chief technical officer, and a contributing writer. If he has any spare time, he enjoys songwriting, playing acoustic guitar, and taking photos of Cait the border collie.
Sacha Lai-Svirk, volunteer board chair of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), addresses Peterborough city council during a meeting on December 1, 2025 to consider a proposed by-law that would see the City of Peterborough assume administrative control of a $150,000 annual payment from the city to the DBIA as part of a 20-year settlement agreement made in 2017. (kawarthaNOW screenshot of City of Peterborough video)

After fierce pushback, Peterborough city council rejects by-law to assume control of DBIA funds

Bruce Head -
The DBIA and downtown businesses warned the proposed by-law threatened trust, autonomy, and the 2017 settlement agreement before councillors voted 11-0 to reject it
Representing around 400 businesses in the downtown core, the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) is a non-profit organization that works to promote and enhance commercial activities, aesthetics, and overall development of Peterborough's downtown. (Photo: Peterborough DBIA)

Peterborough DBIA responds with ‘strong warning’ as city council considers by-law to reclaim annual...

Bruce Head -
Executive director and board chair say proposed move threatens downtown stability and economic recovery, breaks trust, and could trigger further action.
Representing around 400 businesses in the downtown core, the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) is a non-profit organization that works to promote and enhance commercial activities, aesthetics, and overall development of Peterborough's downtown. (Photo: Peterborough DBIA)

City of Peterborough drafts by-law to claw back $150K annual payment to DBIA

Bruce Head -
A legal manoeuvre under the Municipal Act would let city assume the board's power to receive the settlement funds first awarded in 2017 after casino appeal.
Founded by Waterloo native and Billboard-charting and award-winning artist Scotty James (middle), Backyard Music Co. is bringing Nashville-style intimate concerts to 13 locations across Canada in 2026, including Bobcaygeon and Fenelon Falls in Kawartha Lakes. (Photo: Backyard Music Co.)

Backyard Music Co. bringing Nashville-style intimate concerts to Bobcaygeon and Fenelon Falls next summer

Bruce Head -
Three-day July festival will feature 15 surprise songwriters in up-close 'writers round' performances inspired by Nashville's iconic Bluebird Café.
Mayor Jeff Leal reads a motion unanimously approved by the Peterborough police service board in closed session on November 19, 2025 that reaffirmed the board's request for a 9.22 per cent increase in the police service's operating budget in 2026. During budget deliberations on November 18, city council had voted to send the request back to the board for potential reductions. (kawarthaNOW screenshot)

Peterborough police service board makes short work of city council’s request for potential budget...

Bruce Head -
Less than a day after the request and after a brief closed session, board reaffirms ask for a 9.22% increase in the police service's 2026 operating budget.
Peterborough city council voted unanimously on November 18, 2025 to transfer $3 million from the city's legacy income retention reserve account to reduce the all-inclusive rate increase in 2026 by 1.3 per cent. The proposed increase for 2026 now stands at 6.56 per cent, with the draft budget scheduled to be presented to city council for adoption on Monday, December 8, when public delegations will be heard. (kawarthaNOW screenshot of City of Peterborough video)

Peterborough city council trims 2026 tax increase to 6.56% by deferring projects and tapping...

Bruce Head -
Councillors vote to use $3 million in interest income to reduce tax levy, but Mayor Jeff Leal warns of 'tough sledding' ahead for 2027 budget.
In 2027, Peterborough County is planning rehabilitation work on the Lakefield bridge on County Road 29 (Bridge Street) that crosses the Trent Canal and the Otonabee River. (Photo: Google Maps)

Peterborough County eyes future second river crossing as Lakefield’s lone bridge slated for 2027...

Bruce Head -
As long-term planning study evaluates new Otonabee River crossing, county and Selwyn Township to collaborate with local businesses in advance of bridge closure.
Cobourg police chief Paul VandeGraaf providing an update to the police service board in July 2024. (kawarthaNOW screenshot of Cobourg Police Service video)

Cobourg police chief continues to push for bail reform as police seek 20.5% budget...

Bruce Head -
Chief Paul VandeGraaf says cycle of release and re-offending 'strains resources and puts victims and residents at risk'.
Trent University French studies professor Sylvie Bérard and partner and long-time collaborator Suzanne Grenier won the 2025 Governor General's Literary Award for their translation of American-born Canadian author and literary critic Larissa Lai;s 2018 novel "The Tiger Flu." (Photo courtesy of Trent University)

Trent University professor wins Governor General’s Literary Award for ‘captivating translation’ of dystopian novel

Bruce Head -
Peterborough's Sylvie Bérard and collaborator Suzanne Grenier honoured for French translation of Larissa Lai's 2018 biopunk thriller 'The Tiger Flu'.
Peterborough City Hall is located at 500 George Street in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW)

Peterborough’s projected 2026 rate increase rises to 7.92 per cent ahead of budget deliberations

Bruce Head -
Council's recent decision to award a low-barrier shelter contract to One City adds $1.12 million to draft budget.
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