kawarthaNOW | News, events, and community information for residents, visitors, and cottagers in Peterborough and The Kawarthas

Symons Campus at Trent University in Peterborough. (Photo: Trent University)

Watermain break closes Trent University’s Symons Campus in Peterborough through September 27

All in-person classes cancelled and residence students are asked to leave, with normal operations expected to resume Monday

kawarthaNOW - September 22, 2026

At its general committee meeting on September 21, 2026, Peterborough city council considered the 234-page Effectiveness and Efficiency Review prepared for the City of Peterborough by Ernst & Young. The recommendations of the review will be considered by the next city council during its deliberations on the 2027 budget. (Graphic: Ernst & Young)

Peterborough councillors question impact on residents of city’s effectiveness and efficiency review

Kawartha Lakes police vehicle. (Photo: Kawartha Lakes Police Service)

Two Port Hope residents charged after police find dead dog and two other animals in poor health in Kawartha Lakes

Located in downtown Peterborough, Studio Savvy is a versatile event space and photography studio founded by content creator Carley Beal. The bright and minimalistic space has high ceilings with various backdrops and props to suit a wide range of content creation and photography needs, including a textured sofa, a wainscot wall, a brick wall, and an infinity wall. With a bar and "get ready" area, the studio can also be booked for intimate private events including bridal showers, workshops, and micro-weddings. (Photo courtesy of Studio Savvy)

Know Your Locals: Studio Savvy in downtown Peterborough is a versatile space for content creation and private events

The seven candidates to become Peterborough's next mayor in the 2026 municipal election answer kawarthaNOW's questions on economic development, including what actions the next council should take to strengthen downtown Peterborough's economy, public safety, and quality of life. (Photo: Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area)

Peterborough’s mayoral candidates outline their plans for jobs, business growth, and downtown renewal

Seven contenders answer kawarthaNOW's questions on economic development and strengthening the downtown's economy, public safety, and quality of life

Bethan Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter - September 21, 2026

An Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) police car with lights flashing. (Photo: OPP)

Police seeking witnesses to hit-and-run on County Road 28 that seriously injured a motorcyclist

encoreNOW for September 21, 2026 features (from left to right, top and bottom) Jeff Leeson at Lindsay's FLATO Academy Theatre, Cultivate Festival in Port Hope, the Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour in the city and county of Peterborough, "A Woman's Love List" at Bobcaygeon's Globus Theatre, the Small Town Shorts Film Festival at Campbellford's Aron Theatre, and New Stages Theatre's staged reading of "Mustard" at the Market Hall in Peterborough. (kawarthaNOW collage)

encoreNOW – September 21, 2026

Police officers outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville on September 20, 2026, when an exchange of gunfire near the synagogue where worshippers had gathered for Yom Kippur sent a 29-year-old man man and a police officer to hospital. (Photo: CBC)

Peterborough police heighten presence at Beth Israel Synagogue after Belleville shooting

Located in the northern part of Haliburton County, the Township of Algonquin Highlands is a rural municipality with a population of around 2,600 permanent residents and around 10,000 seasonal residents. Communities in Algonquin Highlands include half the village of Dorset, part of Carnarvon, and the hamlets of Boshkung, Buttermilk Falls, Halls Lake, Little Hawk Lake, Maple Lake, Ox Narrows, and Oxtongue Lake. (Photo: Township of Algonquin Highlands)

Township of Algonquin Highlands candidates explain why they are running in the municipal election

First instalment in kawarthaNOW's Haliburton County election series features the county's most northern municipality

Bethan Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter - September 20, 2026

Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of police that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault, or the discharge of a firearm at a person. All investigations are conducted by SIU investigators who are civilians. (Photo: SIU)

SIU clears OPP officers in May death of 28-year-old man held at Cobourg detachment

With Ennismore Pharmacy owner and pharmacist Mehul Pathak standing to her left, Selwyn Township mayor Sherry Senis cuts the ribbon to officially open the pharmacy's new telemedicine clinic. The clinic offers OHIP-covered virtual consultations with licensed healthcare professionals for assessments, treatment, prescription services, referrals, and follow-up care. (Photo courtesy of Ennismore Pharmacy)

Telemedicine clinic opens at Ennismore Pharmacy in Selwyn Township to expand access to primary care

Introduced in May 2024 to replace VIA Rail Train 651 that was suspended during the pandemic, VIA Rail Train 641 included stops in Cobourg and Port Hope before arriving in Toronto just before 9 a.m. (Photo: VIA Rail Canada)

Cobourg mayor calls VIA Rail’s cancellation of early-morning Toronto train ‘beyond unacceptable’

Watermain break closes Trent University’s Symons Campus in Peterborough through September 27

kawarthaNOW - September 22, 2026

All in-person classes cancelled and residence students are asked to leave, with normal operations expected to resume Monday.

Peterborough councillors question impact on residents of city’s effectiveness and efficiency review

September 22, 2026

Two Port Hope residents charged after police find dead dog and two other animals in poor health in Kawartha Lakes

September 22, 2026

Peterborough’s mayoral candidates outline their plans for jobs, business growth, and downtown renewal

September 21, 2026

Police seeking witnesses to hit-and-run on County Road 28 that seriously injured a motorcyclist

September 21, 2026

Know Your Locals: Studio Savvy in downtown Peterborough is a versatile space for content creation and private events

Megan Gallant - September 22, 2026

Carley Beal's chic and minimalist photography studio can also be used for showers, parties, workshops, micro weddings, and other intimate events.

This edition of kawarthaNOW's "Kawartha Localist" editorial series features fun fall destinations across the greater Kawarthas region, including MacArthur's Pumpkin Patch in Oakwood, the Hike Haliburton festival, Applefest at Lang Pioneer Village Museum in Keene, the Apsley Autumn Studio Tour, McQuaid's County Market in Omemee, Pieter's Appleyard in Colborne, Kawartha Farmfest in Kawartha Lakes, Bragg Farms in Clarington, Pumpkinfest at Buckhorn Berry Farm, Stellmar Farm in Little Britain, the Lindsay Ex, and more. (kawarthaNOW collage)

Kawartha Localist: Get ready for fall fun in the Kawarthas region

September 15, 2026

Peterborough County is partnering with local consulting firm IntegrAlign Partners to deliver free AI training sessions for business owners in Keene, Bridgenorth, Millbrook, and Norwood in September and October 2026. Led by Sherry Hill, each hands-on workshop will advise on practical uses of AI in the workplace across industries, including construction and trades, small business operations, tourism and hospitality, health and wellness, and non-profits. (Photo courtesy of IntegrAlign Partners)

Know Your Locals: Learn how to use AI for business efficiency and growth at fall workshops across Peterborough County

September 13, 2026

This edition of kawarthaNOW's "Kawartha Localist" editorial series features wine destinations across the greater Kawarthas region, including Rolling Grape Vineyard in Bailieboro, Kawartha Country Wines in Buckhorn, Applewood Farm and Winery just southwest of Kawartha Lakes, Cheeky Duck Vineyard in Selwyn, and Elmhirst's Resort in Keene. (kawarthaNOW collage)

Kawartha Localist: Raise a glass to locally crafted wine experiences in the Kawarthas

September 8, 2026

This edition of kawarthaNOW's "Kawartha Localist" editorial series features end-of-summer bucket list across the Kawarthas, including Silent Lake Provincial Park, The Canadian Canoe Museum, the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge, Ganaraska Forest, Algonquin Provincial Park's South Gate, Sanctuary Flower Fields, The Gut, Haliburton Sculpture Forest, Doube's Trestle Bridge, Liftlock Cruises, and more. (kawarthaNOW collage)

Kawartha Localist: Your end-of-summer bucket list

September 1, 2026

encoreNOW – September 21, 2026

Paul Rellinger - September 21, 2026

Featuring Jeff Leeson, the Cultivate Festival, the Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour, 'A Woman's Love List', the Small Town Shorts Film Festival, and 'Mustard'.

Cobourg native Sue Passmore, best known as one-third of the Juno award-winning roots trio Good Lovelies, will be the featured guest at an open mic hosted by Matt MacLeod at The Railyard Cafe & Taphouse in Peterborough's East City on Sunday afternoon. (Photo: Paul Rellinger / kawarthaNOW)

nightlifeNOW – September 17 to 23

September 17, 2026

Pat Mastroianni and Stacie Mistysyn as Joey Jeremiah and Caitlin Ryan in the 1989-91 CBC television series "Degrassi High" and the 1992 television movie "School's Out." (Photo supplied by Oak Artist Management)

Degrassi stars Pat Mastroianni and Stacie Mistysyn bring ‘School’s Out’ to Peterborough and Lindsay this October

September 15, 2026

Public Energy Performing Arts' 2026-27 season begins with a performance of "Blood, Water, Earth" on October 14, 2026 at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough. The elemental multimedia dance and music work by acclaimed dancer and creator Santee Tekaronhiáhkhwa Smith and her Kaha:wi Dance Theatre combines dance, music, and visual elements, with Curve Lake First Nation musician Missy Knott opening with a musical set. (Photo: Erik Zennstrom)

Public Energy Performing Arts in Peterborough launches 33rd season featuring dance, theatre, music, and more

September 14, 2026

Directed by Dahlia Katz, New Stages Theatre's staged reading of Kat Sandler's award-winning play "Mustard" on October 4, 2026 at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough features (left to right, top and bottom) M. John Kennedy as Mustard, Aurora Browne as Sadie, Kris Siddiqi as Leslie, Jason Gray as Bug, Jayda Freeman as Thai, and Matt Schermann as Jay. (kawarthaNOW collage of supplied photos)

New Stages Theatre opens 2026-27 season with Kat Sandler’s award-winning dark comedy ‘Mustard’

September 12, 2026

Green tourism takes centre stage at upcoming Green Economy Peterborough discussion

GreenUP - September 17, 2026

Representatives from RTO8, 4th Line Theatre in Millbrook, and Elmhirst's Resort in Keene will share practical sustainability strategies during an October 7 online event,

Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith and Business Advisory Centre manager Rosalea Terry (back and front row, far left) and Peterbough County warden Bonnie Clark and City of Peterborough mayor Jeff Leal (front and back row, far right) with the successful applicants for the 2026 cohort of the Starter Company Plus program at Community Futures Peterborough on September 16, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Community Futures Peterborough)

Community Futures Peterborough announces largest-ever cohort for 2026 Starter Company Plus program

September 16, 2026

Living Local Marketplace founder Alicia Doris in her element, surrounded by the thoughtfully curated products from local artisans and small businesses that have helped her business grow over the past five years. (Photo: Kayla LeFranc)

businessNOW: Local businesses expand, reopen, welcome new owners, and celebrate milestones

September 14, 2026

In October 2026, Fleming College Institute (FCI) is kicking off the P.E.A.K. Executive Leadership Program, an all-new executive program designed to support new and senior leaders in reaching their full potential. Led by leadership coach Sophie Mathewson, the program will take place over six months and include monthly in-person training days, one-on-one coaching, and mastermind groups. (Photo courtesy of FCI)

Fleming College Institute’s new P.E.A.K. Executive Leadership program prepares senior leaders to be more intentional and strategic

September 8, 2026

Rose Terry, manager of the Business Advisory Centre and corporate communications at Community Futures Peterborough, will be leading three of the nine Entrepreneurship 101 workshops offered in fall 2026. Supported by Scotiabank, all workshops are free and will be held at the Venture North building in downtown Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of Community Futures Peterborough)

Community Futures Peterborough expands free Entrepreneurship 101 workshop series for fall

September 3, 2026

Reimagining streets: GreenUP working to make school zones safer for local kids

GreenUP - September 10, 2026

Next phase of pedestrian-friendly street planning will bring car-free pop-ups to Peterborough school zones.

The 2026 Great Canadian Bioblitz happens from September 18 to 27, with observations recorded through the iNaturalist program. There's no cost to create an iNaturalist account or download the app, pictured in use here. GreenUP and the Peterborough Field Naturalists are hosting a kick-off to the Great Canadian Bioblitz at Ecology Park on Saturday, September 19. (Photo: Hayley Goodchild / GreenUP)

Grow your ecological literacy by getting to know the species in your own backyard

September 3, 2026

The 23rd annual Hike Haliburton Festival is returning to the Haliburton Highlands from September 17 to 20, 2026. The award-winning festival features more than 35 guided hikes led by local volunteers, self-guided hikes, paid excursions by local adventure outfitters, and cultural events and activities taking place across Haliburton County. (Photo courtesy of Haliburton County)

Award-winning Hike Haliburton returns September 17 to 20 across the Haliburton Highlands

September 1, 2026

A young girl with gear during summer heading to a beach for a swim. (Stock photo)

The Beach Report for August 28, 2026

August 28, 2026

Jakob Payne and Janelle Wiens, two Trent University learning garden teacher candidates, deliver a "Pollen Power" school program to a Grade 1 class at Ecology Park in Peterborough. GreenUP's education program offers a variety of hands-on, curriculum and experiential-based field trip options for students in kindergarten up to Grade 7. (Photo: Melanie Ellison / GreenUP)

Slow down and notice: what a Trent University teacher candidate learned when volunteering at GreenUP Ecology Park

August 27, 2026

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