Peterborough Police responded to 57 calls in the first month of zero-tolerance approach to open air illicit drug use
/Three arrested since initiative began Oct. 5
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Peterborough Blogs
Teen accused of calling in last week’s bomb threat at Peterborough Regional Health Centre
/Police have arrested a teenage girl in connection with a bomb threat called into Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) last week.
File photo
At around 11:15 a.m. on Oct. 31, police report that PRHC received several threatening phone calls. According to police, one of those calls was a bomb threat.
Through investigation, police report officers determined the threat was not credible and was made by someone in another community.
Police state officers and hospital security also conducted a safety search of the building and cleared it several hours later.
On Nov. 4, London police arrested a London resident on behalf of Peterborough Police.
A 16-year-old female is charged with uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.
She was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 27.
Under the Youth Justice Code, her name cannot be released.
Best Things to do in Peterborough This Weekend: Nov. 10 to 12
/Don’t know what to do this weekend? Don’t worry, we have you covered.
Photo/The Arkells
Friday
‘All Shook Up,’ the latest performance from St. James Players, opens Friday at Showplace Performance Centre. The musical is loosely based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and features the songs of Elvis Presley. The show runs Nov. 10 to 12, and Nov. 15.
Saturday
Comedian Andrew Finlan hosts Keep’n It Campy Variety Show fundraiser at Market Hall, 7:30 pm. The show includes performances by Peterborough’s top artists in the areas of stand-up and sketch comedy.
The Arkells take the stage at the Peterborough Memorial Centre along with special guest K.Flay. The concert begins at 7:50 p.m.
Sunday
7th annual Christmas Craft Show takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Morrow Building. Admission is $2, free for children under 12.
Home for the Holidays Gift and Vendor Market is a one-day free event featuring local artisans. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It takes place at Stonehouse Hall.
The Peterborough Petes host the Brantford Bulldogs at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. Puck drop is 4:05 p.m. For tickets, CLICK HERE.
Do you have an upcoming event that isn’t listed here? Email tips@ptbocanada.com
Handgun, fentanyl and cocaine seized from Peterborough home
/Two people have been charged after police seized a loaded handgun, fentanyl and cocaine in a raid at a Park Street residence.
Photo provided by peterborough police
According to Peterborough Police, the Street Crime Unit was conducting an investigation into street-level drug trafficking from a Park Street address.
On Nov. 8, police state a search warrant was executed at a Peterborough home with help from the Emergency Response Team and canine unit.
Police report officers seized a loaded handgun, fentanyl, cocaine, prescription medication and Canadian currency.
As a result, two people were arrested.
A 41-year-old Peterborough man is charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of a firearm while prohibited, possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm, carry concealed weapon, two counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000.
The man was held in custody and scheduled to appear in court Nov. 9.
A 35-year-old Peterborough man is charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000, and fail to comply with probation.
The man was held in custody and scheduled to appear in court Nov. 9.
Peterborough Homeowners Staring Down a 9.59% Property Tax Hike in 2024
/While inflation has taken its toll on household budgets, it’s also hammering the financial books of the city of Peterborough.
Photo by Keegan Beekers.
Earlier this week, city staff released the draft 2024 budget. As a result of growing costs, the document proposes an all-inclusive property tax increase of 9.59 per cent in 2024.
So, what does that mean for the average homeowner?
The proposed increase would see your annual property tax bill grow by $167.17 per $100,000 of residential property assessment.
Or, if your property is assessed at $260,000, you would pay an extra $434.61 on your yearly tax bill.
To figure out what the proposal means for you, the city of Peterborough has a tool to help.
Where is the money being spent?
Proposed operating expenses for the city in 2024 will be $359 million ($173.9 million of that will be paid through property taxes).
Proposed capital costs will come in at $128.2 million.
The departments and agencies proposing to spend the most tax dollars include police, the fire department, social services, transit, public works, parks and recreation, and paramedics. Another large expense is capital financing costs.
The entire document is available to view HERE.
What’s causing the increase?
There are a number of reasons for the increase. However, general inflationary pressures are a big reason why.
However, other factors for the rise in costs include:
- Upgrading transit service
- Improving customer service
- Strengthening municipal law enforcement
- Rising policing costs
- Increased insurance costs
What could be cut?
Lowering the proposed increase by 1% would require $1.9 million in reductions. City staff have laid out a laundry list of possible cuts across a variety of departments.
Some of the larger potential areas to save money include (savings in brackets):
- Cancel downtown street surface repair program ($2.3 million)
- Defer traffic calming program ($700,000)
- Defer Towerhill Link Environmental Assessment ($600,000)
- Cancel Service Enhancement Plan ($530,000)
- Defer various new sidewalk installations ($500,000)
- Defer hiring four municipal law enforcement officers ($305,305) and purchasing two security vehicles ($200,000)
- Full cost recovery of planning applications ($300,000)
- Cut statutory holiday transit service ($190,000)
- Close directly operated child care ($150,000)
- Increase transit fees ($100,000)
Planned Capital Projects
There are 147 capital projects proposed to begin (or be completed) in 2024. The projects come in at a cost of $128.2 million.
Some of those projects include:
- New arena and aquatics complex
- Brealey Drive construction from Lansdowne Street to Sherbrooke Street
- Pavement preservation program
- Lansdowne Street rehabilitation from Park Street to Otonabee River
- Charlotte Street upgrades from Water Street to Park Street
- Transit Garage replacement
- Curtis Creek watershed improvements
- Bonnerworth Park Redevelopment Project
- Downtown street resurface repairs
How to get involved
Nov. 9: Public meeting, brief presentation and opportunity to ask questions, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at McDonnel Street Community Centre, 577 McDonnel St.
Nov. 14: Informal drop-in from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m. in the main foyer, at City Hall, 500 George St. N.
Nov. 14: Finance committee will hear from registered delegations, starting at 6 p.m., at City Hall, 500 George St. N. Register at peterborough.ca/delegations or call 705-742-7777 ext. 1820
Nov. 15: Finance committee meeting with outside boards and agencies, but no public delegations. Takes place at City Hall, 500 George St. N.
Nov. 20 to 23: Finance committee reviews and debates draft budget, but no public delegations.
Dec. 11: Council votes final budget. Registered delegations can present beforehand. Takes place at City Hall, 500 George St. N.
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Peterborough Under Freezing Rain Warning
/A freezing rain warning is in effect for Peterborough and the surrounding area.
File photo
