Home Authors Articles by Bethan Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Articles by Bethan Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Bethan Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
43 Articles
Bethan Bates is a writer and charitable sector professional who is interested in the issues affecting our society. An experienced writer and editor, Bethan has covered a host of topics from local events to international affairs to media reviews. Through her work, writing, and volunteering, Bethan is dedicated to advocating for women’s and children’s rights. In her free time she can be found doing yoga, reading, or cuddling with her cat. Her reporting is funded by the Government of Canada through its Local Journalism Initiative.
The candidates running for the two councillor positions in Ward 1 (Otonabee) in Peterborough's municipal election, as of July 4, 2026, are (left to right, top and bottom) incumbent Kevin Duguay, incumbent Lesley Parnell, Chris Potter, and Jessica Correa. (kawarthaNOW collage of photos from candidate websites)

Peterborough Otonabee Ward candidates introduce their campaigns ahead of October’s municipal election

With both incumbents seeking re-election and two challengers on the ballot, kawarthaNOW begins a multi-part councillor candidate series with Ward 1.
21-year-old Trent University student Jacob Méthot is seeking to become Peterborough's next mayor in the 2026 municipal election. He is the youngest of the five current mayoral candidates, who also include Michael Eamon, Neil Morton, incumbent councillor Keith Riel, and Rebecca Schillemat. Incumbent mayor Jeff Leal has yet to declare his intentions. (Photo courtesy of Jacob Méthot)

At 21, Jacob Méthot wants to bring a ‘fresh perspective’ to Peterborough’s mayoral race

The Trent University student says his campaign is focused on transparency, housing affordability, transit, and engaging younger voters in municipal politics.
Running from July 6 to 12, Kawartha Lakes Pride Week 2026 includes the annual family-friendly Pride in the Park event at Victoria Park in Lindsay on Saturday, July 11. Other events takes place during the week in both Lindsay and Fenelon Falls. (Photo: City of Kawartha Lakes)

Kawartha Lakes Pride Week returns July 6-12 with family-friendly events in Lindsay and Fenelon...

Events include a bring-your-own picnic, drag story time, Pooch Pride, a queer opera experience, Pride in the Park, and more.
North Kawartha Township mayor Carolyn Amyotte raised a notice of motion at the meeting of Peterborough County council on June 24, 2026 identifying concerns with the voters' list in her municipality for the upcoming municipal election, identifying that a significant number of seasonal residents appear to be missing from the list. (kawarthaNOW screenshot of Peterborough County video)

Seasonal residents may be missing from Peterborough County voter lists

North Kawartha mayor Carolyn Amyotte says early registration data in her township showed a significant drop in eligible non-resident voters compared to the 2022 election.
Community leaders and representatives of municipal and provincial governments gathered at the Miskin Law Community Complex on June 26, 2026 to mark the launch of the Homelessness and Addictions Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub in Peterborough. Pictured are Trent Lakes mayor Terry Lambshead, Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith, Peterborough County warden Bonnie Clark, Scarborough-Rouge Park MPP and associate minister of mental health and addictions Vijay Thanigasalam, and Selwyn Township deputy mayor Ron Black, who is also board chair of the Four Counties Addictions Services Team (Fourcast), the lead organization for the HART Hub. (Photo courtesy of Ron Black)

Peterborough HART Hub launches as province shifts from supervised consumption to recovery and treatment...

Led by Fourcast, the hub will provide on-site healthcare at Wolfe St. modular housing community, transitional housing, supportive housing, and a sober-living program.
As of June 25, 2026, 27 people have registered as candidates in the municipal election in Peterborough, including five for mayor and 22 for ward councillors. (kawarthaNOW-modified City of Peterborough photo)

With 2 months left before nominations close, the field is already crowded for Peterborough’s...

27 people have registered as candidates so far, including 5 for mayor and 22 for ward councillors.
Members of Township of Asphodel-Norwood council and representatives from Norwood Pride gathered at the Town Hall on June 1, 2026 for the raising of the Pride Flag. (Photo: Township of Asphodel-Norwood)

‘Rainbow Country’ event in Norwood on July 12 celebrates small-town Pride

The entire community is invited to attend family-friendly celebration at the Norwood Legion.
Ontario's rural affairs minister Lisa Thompson (behind lectern) during an announcement in Peterborough on June 15, 2026 of $260,305.50 in provincial funding to support rural development. Also pictured are representatives of the five organizations and municipalities receiving the funding (left to right): Innovation Cluster board chair Nicole Stephenson, Peterborough County warden Bonnie Clark, City of Peterborough mayor Jeff Leal, Farms at Work community farm planner Andrea Hicks, and Community Care Peterborough operations director Catherine Pink. Absent from the photo is Peterborough-Kawartha Dave Smith. (Photo: Bethan Bates / kawarthaNOW)

Peterborough’s Innovation Cluster among five local recipients of over $260,000 in Ontario rural development...

Non-profit organization receives $145,000 to support rural entrepreneurship, with other funding supporting economic and farm business planning and a rural transportation study.
OPSEU/SEFPO Local 358 president Jessica Bushey (front left) with developmental services workers and supporters in front of the Community Living Trent Highlands office on Aylmer Street in Peterborough on June 12, 2026, as workers enter the fourth week of a province-wide strike demanding retroactive funding from the Ontario government for community and social service agencies. (Photo: Bethan Bates / kawarthaNOW)

OPSEU workers enter fourth week of strike as union seeks retroactive Bill 124 funding

Local developmental service workers with Community Living Trent Highlands say province must deal with funding issues before a local contract can be negotiated,
Nicole Byrant in June 2022, when she was manager of shelter operations and outreach at A Place Called Home, welcoming visitors touring the non-profit organization's new purpose-built shelter at 64 Lindsay Street South in Lindsay after a ribbon-cutting ceremony. In May 2026, after 27 years with A Place Called Home since first joining the organization on social work student placements, she was appointed executive director. (Photo: A Place Called Home)

After nearly three decades with A Place Called Home, Nicole Bryant takes the helm...

'I started as a placement student 27 years ago and I just never looked back' says the recently appointed executive director.

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