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Articles by Bethan Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Bethan Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
69 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.
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...

Bethan Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter -
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...

Bethan Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter -
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

Bethan Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter -
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...

Bethan Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter -
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

Bethan Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter -
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...

Bethan Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter -
'I started as a placement student 27 years ago and I just never looked back' says the recently appointed executive director.
Peterborough mayoral candidate Neil Morton held a 'working session' on the topic of civic engagement at the Peterborough Animal Care Centre on June 9, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Morton campaign)

Peterborough mayoral candidate Neil Morton hosts first ‘working session’ on topic of civic engagement

Bethan Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter -
Attendees at June 9 event raised concerns about council delegation limits, late-stage public consultation, and the need to rebuild trust with City Hall.
The AIDS Memorial Quilt, on display in Washington DC in 2012, has inspired Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Pride's "Woven Together" theme for Pride Week 2026, which takes place from September 18 to 27. The 54-ton quilt, considered to be the largest community arts project in the world, was originally started in 1985 and has since inspired memorial quilts in 35 other countries, including Canada. (Photo: Elvert Barnes Photography)

‘Woven Together’ theme for Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Pride Week honours connection, resilience, and the AIDS Quilt

Bethan Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter -
Planning underway for Pride Week from September 18-27 as local organizations continue to support gender-diverse and 2SLGBTQIA residents.
Peterborough's Consumption and Treatment Services site (CTS), located at 220 Simcoe Street, included a medical room with a full-time registered nurse from the Peterborough 360 Degree Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic to provide walk-in primary care services such as wound care, antibiotic prescriptions, and systems navigation support. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW)

Peterborough CTS closure raises concerns over loss of low-barrier healthcare for vulnerable residents

Bethan Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter -
Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic says the loss of on-site registered nurse removes centralized walk-in service for unattached, unhoused, and substance-using residents.
While Peterborough'a annual Pride Week and Pride Parade (pictured) takes place in September instead of during Pride Month in June, DJ Roxxy Waters (Nikki Lawrence) and Michael Bishop are launching a series of monthly Pride events over the summer to celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, starting with Pride + Boba: A Community Dance Party on June 13, 2026. An online raffle associated with the event will raise funds for Peterborough AIDS Resource Network (PARN). (Photo: Sean Bruce)

DJ Roxxy Waters launches new Pride event series in Peterborough supporting local charities

Bethan Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter -
Free Pride + Boba community dance party at Milk + Tea on June 13 will feature DJs, games, artists, and a charity raffle supporting PARN.
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