🗞️ JUST THE FRONT PAGE NEWS for Peterborough, Kawarthas, and the Highlands. The essential council, crime, and local headlines you need to start your day in less than 5 minutes.🗞️ June 15th, 2026

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#Bancroft Mayor Defends Photo with Local Business Selling Bikers' Support Gear: Bancroft Mayor Paul Jenkins is addressing significant public blowback after posing for an official photo at Choice Cuts, a new storefront in town. The photo—posted to the town's social media pages—shows the mayor shaking hands with a co-owner while holding a T-shirt. The OPP's Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau clarified that the business sells merchandise supporting Satan’s Choice, which police classify as a "one per cent" outlaw motorcycle gang that re-emerged in Ontario in August 2025. Mayor Jenkins stated he was simply welcoming a new local business, was uneducated on their current status, and has no intention of taking the photo down since no bylaws or provincial laws are being broken.

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#HastingsHighlands Outlines Broad Road Closures for Summer Maintenance: The Municipality of Hastings Highlands, just north of Bancroft, has issued an updated public bulletin outlining targeted road closures and traffic delays scheduled throughout June and July. Heavy road-surfacing, ditching, and dust-suppression crews are prioritizing major rural corridors to reinforce them before peak summer cottage traffic peaks.

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Great Canadian Cheese Festival Draws Thousands to Morrow Building: Food lovers from across Ontario converged on #Peterborough over the weekend as the historic Morrow Building on Lansdowne Street hosted the massive Great Canadian Cheese Festival. The reinvented two-day culinary showcase featured extensive small-batch dairy tastings, artisan food pairings, and educational masterclasses highlighting regional craft creators, wineries, and breweries.

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 Former Media Executive Takes Reins of Lakefield Landmark: A notable face from regional business is making waves in #Selwyn Township. Darren Murphy, the former publisher of the Peterborough Examiner, has officially transitioned full-time into his new role as the owner of The Market in #Lakefield. Murphy, a Young's Point resident who took over the gourmet grocery business, announced over the weekend a heightened focus on partnering strictly with local producers, small businesses, and Canadian manufacturers to elevate the storefront's rural and cottage-country footprint.

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The historic 1890 red-brick boiler house of the former St. Joseph’s Hospital on Armour Road has been successfully converted into a modern, industrial-style office space for the engineering firm GHD. The engineering firm, which has been in #Peterborough for 38 years, leases the unique space from developer TVM Group. While its materials testing lab stays on Pido Road, approximately 60 engineers, scientists, and technicians have relocated to the new facility. GHD plans to expand its local workforce to 100 employees within the next three to five years.

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Trustees for the #Peterborough #Victoria #Northumberland and #Clarington Catholic District School Board expressed frustration upon learning that $300 of the province's announced $750 classroom supply allocation must come out of the board's existing budget. The Ministry of Education plans to implement a central online portal handled by Supply Ontario to source discounted supplies, naming Staples and Brant Basics as potential central vendors. Trustee Kathleen Tanguay questioned the efficiency of a single mandated vendor, noting that teachers are already adept at finding bargains. A final board budget proposal for 2026–2027 is expected at the June 23 meeting. 

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The #PeterboroughPetes used their first-round pick (13th overall) in the 2026 Priority Selection to draft right-shot centre Landon Roulston from the GTHL champion Vaughan Kings. Standing 6'1'' and weighing 189\text{ lbs}, the 16-year-old St. Catharines native is regarded as physically ready to transition directly into junior hockey. In the third round (59th overall), the Petes selected right-winger Mason Quinn, a Little Britain native who previously skated for the Central Ontario Wolves and Toronto Marlboros. Quinn already trains closely with Petes head coach Rob Wilson and assistant Nate Oke during summers.

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Members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Community Street Crime Units (CSCU) from the City of Kawartha Lakes and Grey Bruce have recovered approximately $290,000 worth of stolen property.

The items—including heavy equipment, vehicles, and tools—were originally stolen on April 27, 2026, from a rural property in Southgate Township. Following a tip on May 28, 2026, officers executed a search warrant at a vacant property in Woodville that had recently been damaged by a house fire. The investigation is ongoing. Police have identified **two persons of interest**, and charges are currently pending.

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The Township of #MindenHills has called a Special Meeting of Council for June 18, 2026. The session will feature a facilitated consultation with the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) regarding a community-wide Affordability and Governance Structure Study. Council members from across the county are prioritizing regional infrastructure capabilities and long-term affordability frameworks to better address rural development challenges and local service deliveries.

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#Peterborough County Economic Development, in partnership with local townships, has rolled out a new #tourism and #small-business support initiative called The Kawarthas Quest. Operating via the Driftscape app, the program aims to drive foot traffic directly into local retail storefronts through interactive, community-based experiences. The very first adventure launched this month is the #LakefieldScavengerHunt, which guides visitors and locals through downtown Lakefield to explore vibrant independent shops and historical points of interest.

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Early Saturday morning, June 13, #PeterboroughPolice successfully utilized their Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) drone to apprehend a suspect. Officers responded to a 4 a.m. break-and-enter call at an enclosed business compound near Ashburnham Drive and Lansdowne Street. Because officers could not immediately breach the secure fencing, the drone was deployed to track a 43-year-old man as he tried to slip out the back onto a nearby walking path. He was intercepted, taken into custody, and charged with break and enter and possession of break-in instruments. 

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 Local services remain impacted as #CommunityLiving #Trent #Highlands developmental service workers enter their second week of a province-wide strike. The pickets in Haliburton are part of a broader labor dispute involving roughly 4,000 workers across nearly two dozen community organizations in Ontario. Families relying on regional respite and adult day program services are watching closely as the union pushes for improved wages and increased provincial funding to address chronic staffing shortages

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Questions? Let’s chat.

📞 705-927-6236 👤 Brad Sinclair | Re/Max Professionals North 📍 Your Inside Source to the Kawartha Real Estate Market

Families love the Kawarthas. Let’s find your place in it.

#Peterborough #Ptbo #KawarthaLakes #Kawarthas #LocalNews #PtboCanada #PtboPolitics #PtboRealEstate #KawarthasRealEstate #LocalExpert #Haliburton #LocalNews #PtboCanada #BradSinclairRealtor #PtboRealEstate #HaliburtonHighlands #PeterboroughNews #LocalGovernment #BradSinclair #KawarthaRealEstate #YourLocalRealtor

🗞️ JUST THE FRONT PAGE NEWS for Peterborough, Kawarthas, and the Highlands. The essential council, crime, and local headlines you need to start your day in less than 5 minutes.🗞️ June 14th, 2026

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#Peterborough Police Chief Stuart Betts defended a plea deal that led to the resignation of disgraced officer Mackenzie Rogers. Rogers was arrested by the OPP in September 2024 and was facing charges of breach of trust and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. He pleaded guilty in Cobourg to the possession charge, involving a stolen 2022 Dodge Ram pickup truck registered with a fraudulent vehicle identification number. Chief Betts noted that under the Community Safety and Policing Act, Rogers could not be suspended without pay; therefore, accepting the plea and forcing his immediate resignation saved taxpayers from funding a lengthy trial salary. Rogers remains lawfully entitled to his pension earned through OMERS.

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The permanent closure of #Peterborough's consumption and treatment services (CTS) site at the end of May has sparked differing viewpoints among downtown business owners. The closure followed the provincial Ford government’s decision to end funding for remaining sites in favor of the HART Hub recovery model. Scott Murison, co-owner of Wild Rock Outfitters, expressed deep concern, stating that the site had drastically reduced abandoned needles and public drug use on Charlotte Street, and its loss would strain emergency services. Conversely, Dave Dame, owner of Runner's Life, welcomed a shift toward law enforcement and treatment, noting he had seen no long-term improvements downtown over the past four years. 

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#Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland announced his intention to present a notice of motion on June 24 to heavily revise the town’s draft parks and recreation master plan. Cleveland strongly objects to language framing homelessness or encampments sympathetically, stating that taxpayer-funded plans should not endorse or ease illegal activities. He specifically targets recommendations calling for syringe disposal bins at Victoria Park, Victoria Beach, and the Ecology Garden, arguing they "normalize illegal drug use". Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty defended the draft, stating an honest assessment of current challenges is necessary to build a stronger community vision.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough announced its inaugural golf tournament scheduled for September 26 at #LiftlockGolfClub. Executive Director Zoe King stated that the event aims to raise critical funds to support local youth and reduce the mentorship program's waitlist. Registration is $150 per person or $600 per foursome, with sponsorship opportunities available to local businesses.

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More than two dozen staff members from #Mariposa Dairy volunteered to transform one of the company's Lindsay-based parking lots into a temporary construction zone. In partnership with Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region, the team built house segments for three new affordable homes designated for local families in Norwood. Habitat Operations Manager Natalie Raponi highlighted the critical need for affordable options, noting the average selling price of a Peterborough home in May was $714,267.

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In a three-way trade involving Oakville and Cobourg, the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers have acquired 28-year-old right-handed forward Ryan Lanchbury. Known for his high lacrosse IQ and prolific passing, Lanchbury is expected to boost the Lakers' offense and ease pressure on teammate Rob Hellyer. Lakers' head coach Mike Hasen, who previously coached Lanchbury in the NLL, praised his vision and playmaking ability, which recently netted him 106 points this past season with the Rochester Knighthawks.

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Emergency crews responded to a near-drowning outside of Buckhorn after a 19-month-old boy slipped outside unnoticed and was found unconscious in a pool by his mother. She immediately pulled him out and administered CPR, causing him to regain consciousness, breathe, and cry. Paramedics rushed the boy to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) for further care.

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An officer from the #PeterboroughCountyOPP arrested 44-year-old Michael Konieczny of Indian River, Ontario, after pulling him over for speeding on Highway 115. Following a roadside breath test, Konieczny was charged with impaired driving, speeding, and failing to have an insurance card. His driver's license was suspended for 90 days, his vehicle was impounded for seven days, and he is scheduled to appear in court on July 21, 2026.

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K.O. Martial Arts Opens New #Minden Dojo: Owner Kelly Outram has relocated his studio from a rented basement in Haliburton to a newly renovated, freestanding facility at 108 Golf Course Road in Minden. The building—a gutted and completely refurbished former automotive garage—opened its doors on June 1 and offers combat sports, fitness, qigong, and meditation.

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#Bobcaygeon Sesquicentennial Draws Massive Crowds Across the Water: Bobcaygeon officially celebrated its 150th Anniversary of incorporation this weekend, June 13. High-traffic transit routes and locks connecting Pigeon Lake and Sturgeon Lake were completely packed with travellers. The historic milestone kicked off at Beach Park, featuring extensive family exhibits before a massive afternoon parade marched down Joseph Street toward the arena. The heavy celebration ran past midnight with live music, delivering a massive single-day economic spike to local hospitality operators and cottage-country hubs. 

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Urgent Public Warning Issued Following #Minden Black Bear Sighting: Haliburton Highlands OPP have issued a public safety alert after a black bear was spotted wandering through a highly trafficked commercial area in Minden, specifically between Bobcaygeon Road and the local Home Hardware parking lot. Residents are being strongly urged to secure garbage bins, keep pets strictly leashed, and report non-emergency sightings to the Ministry of Natural Resources' Bear Wise line.

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 "Let's Bike" Safety Events Heading to Cavan Monaghan: Building directly on the launch of the city-county's data-driven Transportation Safety Program, community organizers finalized locations for the seasonal Let's Bike! safety clinics. Running through June, these free, family-friendly events are designed to tackle roadside visibility and route habits, with a primary regional clinic day locked in at the #CavanMonaghanCommunityCentre in Millbrook to engage rural youth cyclists.

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Questions? Let’s chat.

📞 705-927-6236 👤 Brad Sinclair | Re/Max Professionals North 📍 Your Inside Source to the Kawartha Real Estate Market

Families love the Kawarthas. Let’s find your place in it.

#Peterborough #Ptbo #KawarthaLakes #Kawarthas #LocalNews #PtboCanada #PtboPolitics #PtboRealEstate #KawarthasRealEstate #LocalExpert #Haliburton #LocalNews #PtboCanada #BradSinclairRealtor #PtboRealEstate #HaliburtonHighlands #PeterboroughNews #LocalGovernment #BradSinclair #KawarthaRealEstate #YourLocalRealtor

🗞️ JUST THE FRONT PAGE NEWS for Peterborough, Kawarthas, and the Highlands. The essential council, crime, and local headlines you need to start your day in less than 5 minutes.🗞️ June 13th, 2026

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Arrest Warrant Remains Active for GTA Teen Following Downtown Shooting: #BancroftOPP are continuing their active search for a 17-year-old male from the Greater Toronto Area following last weekend's brazen daytime shooting. Emergency services responded to a parking lot at the corner of Bridge Street and Hastings Street just before 5:00 PM after reports of gunfire. A male victim subsequently arrived at a local hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. The suspect, whose identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, fled the area on a bicycle and faces extensive charges including assault with a weapon and discharging a firearm with intent

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Haliburton Launches Public Survey and Town Halls for Major County Review: The #CountyofHaliburton, alongside the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN), has officially launched an extensive community survey and a slate of five public town halls. Following unanimous council endorsement, the affordability and governance study is examining ways to simplify municipal processes and lower taxpayer burdens. Independent scenario modeling will evaluate everything from targeted shared services to a complete single-tier amalgamation model. The public survey is live on the county's Wade In portal until June 28, with the first in-person open house scheduled for June 23 at the Haliburton Legion.

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Peterborough Homicide Investigation: A 45-year-old Peterborough woman has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder following the sudden death of her 74-year-old mother. Emergency services originally pulled the victim from the Otonabee River near the London Street footbridge on June 9, and subsequent follow-ups by the Major Crime Unit led to the criminal charge.

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Petes Select Landon Roulston 13th Overall: The Peterborough Petes kicked off the first round of the 2026 OHL Priority Selection draft last night by selecting Oakville native Landon Roulston. The 6'1" center put up 38 points in 33 games with the Vaughan Kings U16s this past season, helping lead them to a GTHL Championship. General Manager Michael Oke praised Roulston’s two-way game and competitiveness ahead of rounds 2 through 15.

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Prolific Spree Thief Jailed: Thomas Smiley, 36, has been sentenced to 20 weeks in prison and handed a 14-month driving ban at Peterborough Magistrates' Court. Smiley was captured on CCTV executing a string of shoplifting incidents and using a stolen black Land Rover to flee the scenes, continuing his crime spree while actively subject to other pending court proceedings for motor vehicle theft.

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Planned Power Outage Notice: #HydroOne has scheduled a planned power outage for maintenance work affecting close to 10,000 residents across Lindsay, Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, and Dunsford. The outage will run from 8:00 PM on Sunday, June 14, until 4:00 AM on Monday, June 15. Residents are reminded to prepare emergency kits and unplug electronics to prevent power surge damage. 

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2026 Municipal Election Voting Rights: A public notice released clarifies that seasonal cottage owners, renters, and students attending school outside of town all possess legal voting rights within #KawarthaLakes for the upcoming 2026 municipal election. 

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OPP Detachment Board Approves Local Service Challenge Coins: The #HaliburtonHighlandsOPP Detachment board unanimously approved an $800 budget to purchase 100 local "service challenge coins". Station commander Deb McClure proposed the initiative to recognize local officers in a timely manner for exemplary deeds or milestones. In board reappointments, Andrew Hodgson was formally renewed as a community board member for up to two years

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K.O. Martial Arts Opens New #Minden Dojo: Owner Kelly Outram has relocated his studio from a rented basement in Haliburton to a newly renovated, freestanding facility at 108 Golf Course Road in Minden. The building—a gutted and completely refurbished former automotive garage—opened its doors on June 1 and offers combat sports, fitness, qigong, and meditation.

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Canoe FM Call for Board Applications: Not-for-profit community radio station #Canoe 100.9 & 97.1 FM is accepting applications to join its leadership Board of Directors. Interested applicants have until June 30 to submit their resume to Station Manager Roxanne Casey

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Both city and county councils have been actively reshaping how local tourism is managed heading into the peak summer season: #Peterborough Council officially endorsed a new tourism growth strategy aligned with provincial priorities. However, the decision was met with ongoing debates regarding the efficiency and long-term viability of transitioning to an in-house service model versus using third-party regional tourism organizations.

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Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board: The board officially approved its $552 million operating budget for the 2026-27 school year. The balanced budget manages to preserve student programming despite navigating rising operational costs and slight enrolment shifts across the broader region. 

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Questions? Let’s chat.

📞 705-927-6236 👤 Brad Sinclair | Re/Max Professionals North 📍 Your Inside Source to the Kawartha Real Estate Market

Families love the Kawarthas. Let’s find your place in it.

#Peterborough #Ptbo #KawarthaLakes #Kawarthas #LocalNews #PtboCanada #PtboPolitics #PtboRealEstate #KawarthasRealEstate #LocalExpert #Haliburton #LocalNews #PtboCanada #BradSinclairRealtor #PtboRealEstate #HaliburtonHighlands #PeterboroughNews #LocalGovernment #BradSinclair #KawarthaRealEstate #YourLocalRealtor

🗞️ JUST THE FRONT PAGE NEWS Regional, National, & World News Shorts🗞️ June 12, 202

🗞️ JUST THE FRONT PAGE NEWS Regional, National, & World News Shorts🗞️

Const. Marc Pinizzotto, a 43-year-old, 18-year veteran of the #TorontoPoliceService and father of two, was fatally shot during a high-risk early morning tactical raid. The Emergency Task Force (ETF) was executing a search warrant on the fourth floor of a highrise on Martha Eaton Way in North York. Nicholas Bennett, 19, allegedly opened fire first and was shot multiple times by returning fire. He remains hospitalized and will face first-degree murder charges. Police launched a massive manhunt for a second 19-year-old suspect, Zara Jabbi, who is wanted in connection with the case. Chief Myron Demkiw revealed the raid was part of a larger, complex international investigation tied to several local shootings, including the March 10 shooting at the U.S. Consulate on University Avenue. U.S. authorities have linked the consulate attack to an Iranian-backed militant network and a senior member of Kata'ib Hizballah. Beyond his 18 years of policing, Pinizzotto was a former professional hockey player in Europe and a highly regarded youth hockey coach in Oakville and Burlington. Hundreds of police officers lined the streets to salute his motorcade.

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Toronto's massive #Greektown summer festival is returning from August 7 to 9. The event is being salvaged by a $200,000 grant from the province, matched by $200,000 from the city. Organizers plan to pivot the festival back to its traditional Hellenic roots rather than relying heavily on generic outside food vendors.

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The province has awarded a $198-million design-and-build contract to Pomerleau Inc. for a five-storey, open-air parking garage at #OntarioPlace. The project will feature space for up to 3,500 vehicles, 680 electric vehicle charging stations, and room for 100 bicycles. Critics argue it will block waterfront views and worsen traffic, while officials claim it will generate $60 million in annual revenue.

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#PrimeMinister Mark Carney announced that the opening of the $6.4-billion bridge connecting Windsor and Detroit has been delayed at the request of the United States to resolve technical and outstanding issues. The announcement comes amid trade tensions and U.S. President Donald Trump's stated desire for compensation regarding toll revenues

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Prime Minister #MarkCarney unveiled a multibillion-dollar federal strategy aimed at expanding the Ontario Food Terminal in Etobicoke to lower food distribution costs for small, independent grocers. The plan includes a $1-billion "Food Link Fund" and $750 million over seven years to double domestic greenhouse crop production to make Canada less reliant on global supply chains

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The #Ontario College of Teachers confirmed that the province's newly shortened teacher education program (shifting from a two-year course to a 12-month consecutive program) will preserve the mandatory 80 days of on-the-job practicum training.

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#Political Clash Over Appointments: Opposition parties have blocked a Progressive Conservative bid to fast-track appointments to influential public agencies and boards without legislative scrutiny during a five-month adjournment

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Just weeks after ratifying a new union contract, #CanadaPost announced that nearly 500,000 addresses across Canada will be transitioned from door-to-door delivery to community mailboxes early next year. Affected GTA communities include Ajax, Pickering, Brampton, and Mississauga. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers criticized the decision, arguing it harms seniors and people with mobility issues.

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Following the #BankofCanada holding its key interest rate steady at 2.25%, mortgage experts suggest that home prices may have finally hit an affordability bottom. Analysts notes that the market is returning to "almost normal territory," where buyers are prioritizing general economic indicators and job stability over fluctuating interest rates.

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The #CarolinaHurricanes took a 3-2 series lead over the Vegas Golden Knights following a 4-2 victory in Game 5. Forward Andrei Svechnikov scored twice on the power play, while rookie goaltender Brandon Bussi made critical saves down the stretch to put Carolina on the cusp of a championship..

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The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that eight-time acting nominee Glenn Close, legendary #Gladiator director Ridley Scott, and pioneering animator Floyd Norman will receive honorary Academy Awards at the upcoming Governors Awards on November 15.

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Canada vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina: Canada opens its tournament run on Friday afternoon in Toronto. The match highlights a premier striker matchup between Canada's all-time leading goal scorer Jonathan David and Bosnia's legendary captain Edin Džeko. Canada will play without superstar defender Alphonso Davies, who is ruled out due to a hamstring injury.

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Questions? Let’s chat.

📞 705-927-6236 👤 Brad Sinclair | Re/Max Professionals North 📍 Your Inside Source to the Kawartha Real Estate Market

Families love the Kawarthas. Let’s find your place in it.

#Peterborough #Ptbo #KawarthaLakes #Kawarthas #LocalNews #PtboCanada #PtboPolitics #PtboRealEstate #KawarthasRealEstate #LocalExpert #Haliburton #LocalNews #PtboCanada #BradSinclairRealtor #PtboRealEstate #HaliburtonHighlands #PeterboroughNews #LocalGovernment #BradSinclair #KawarthaRealEstate #YourLocalRealtor