Your Child Can Learn About Taking School Bus At Lansdowne Place First Rider Sessions

This is a great opportunity for parents to get their young kids onto a bus before the first day of school so they know what's happening and aren't caught off guard!

There are "First Rider" sessions at Lansdowne Place Centre Court (near the escalators) taking place Friday, August 28th and Saturday, August 29th.

"First Rider" allows students—and their parents—to become familiar with the bus riding experience (and important safety rules) in advance of the new school year through this unique hands-on free event.

Registration is not required for these sessions, and the Dates & Times are as follows:
Friday, August 28th > ongoing sessions from 3 pm to 6 pm
Saturday, August 29th -> ongoing sessions from 9 am to 1 pm

**Please spread the word on your social media channels to parents about these sessions.

—By Aaron Elliott

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UPDATE: 14 Year Old Male Arrested For Threats Made To Area High Schools

UPDATE: An arrest has been made. Here's the release from police...

On Thursday, April 2nd, the Peterborough Police Service received information from the community which led to the arrest of a 14 year old male for the threat to Crestwood Secondary School, Adam Scott High School and a blanket threat received on April 1 directed at Peterborough high schools.  

The male has been charged with:

    • Mischief X3
    • Utter Threats X3
    • False Messages X3

The male was held in custody and will appear in court later today (April 2).  Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act the name of a young offender cannot be released.

The Peterborough Police would like to thank the OPP, the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board and the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board for their assistance and support during this investigation. We would also like to thank the public for their assistance and support.

The Peterborough Police would like to remind the public that making false accusations that interrupts or interferes with the lawful use or enjoyment of property is a criminal offence and the police service will exhaust all avenues to identify these parties and make our community the safest place we can.  

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ORIGINAL POST below...

According to a special new police release, the Peterborough Police Service and the Peterborough County OPP continue to jointly investigate threats made to local secondary schools that first began on Tuesday.

Both police services are working closely and co-operatively with both the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board and the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board in ensuring the safety of staff, students and our community.

**Both the Peterborough Police Service and the Peterborough County OPP have additional officers stationed at area high schools today (April 2) as an added safety measure. 

Police want to reassure parents, students and our community that our schools are safe places and all necessary safety precautions are in place.
 
The joint investigation is ongoing at this time.

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Buckhorn Woman Launches "No Traps On Trails" Petition After Her Dog Dies In A Baited Kill-Trap

UPDATED POST:
Valerie, who sent us along a few more pictures of George, tells us more about her beloved dog: "Let me tell you a bit about George. He had a rough start to life as a homeless dog living on a reserve on James Bay, 16 hours north of Montreal. He was rescued along with his best friend Gracie a few short years ago and they found their way to us. George had a very regal bearing while he thought deep thoughts, but he was also a goofball who loved to play and cuddle. He loved boat rides, going to work with my husband Ric and, of course, long walks on local trails."

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ORGINAL POST

Buckhorn's Valerie Strain is petitioning Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry MPP Bill Mauro for "No traps On Trails" after her dog George was caught and killed in a baited kill-trap (aka Conibear) just before Christmas. "He died a slow death while I struggled unsuccessfully to free him," Valerie says in the petition, adding that "The trap was located on Crown Land just a few feet from a side trail and within 20 ft of a popular snowmobile/ATV trail."

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) was informed of what happened and is investigating but told Valerie there are no rules about how close to trails the trap can be set and no requirement to notify the public that they are there. "There does not seem to be any way for the public to find out where traplines are; they could be anywhere on Crown Land, on your neighbour's property, even in Provincial Parks and you wouldn't know," she says.

George meeting a moose on same trail where he died

"My husband and I both grew up in rural areas," adds Valerie in the petition. "We had no idea the risk we were taking every time we took our dogs out on this trail. One of our responsibilities as pet owners is to keep them safe. We failed George in that regard. Please help us make sure this doesn't happen to another family pet, or worse, a child out on a walk with his parents."

To prevent more deaths on Ontario trails and improve the safety of everyone sharing our outdoor spaces, she is urging the MNRF to:

1. launch a public awareness campaign about the danger to pets and people from active traps - including publishing maps online that show registered trapline areas, and

2. improve trapping practices and regulations – including setting a minimum distance from public trails, and marking trails that run close to traplines.

Learn more about her petition here.

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12 Essential Winter Safety Driving Tips From Peterborough Police

Peterborough Police remind citizens to slow down and drive the conditions. Please remember the following tips...

1. Be aware and be cautious. Weather conditions can deteriorate quickly or change as you travel.

2. Slow down and wear your seat belt. Posted speed limits reflect ideal conditions, but don't reflect wet or snowy conditions. Adjust your speed accordingly.

3. Keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. On slippery road surfaces, double the two-second rule.

4. Avoid sudden turns of the steering wheel, and sudden braking and accelerating that could cause a skid.

5. Avoid situations where you may have to break suddenly on a slippery surface.

6. See and be seen. Always clear ice and snow from all vehicle windows to maximize visibility, and turn on your vehicle's full lighting system when blowing snow and white-outs impair your visibility.

7.  Make sure you know how to use your braking system in all weather and road conditions.

8. Allow more time to get to your destination. Extra time is required to negotiate snow-covered roads.

9. Your vehicle's tire treads should be in good condition and you should always have plenty of windshield washer fluid to assist with visibility.

10. Pack an emergency kit and keep it in your vehicle at all times.

11. Snow and ice are more slippery at 0°c than at -20°c or below.

12. Watch for black ice at temperatures between +4°c and -4°c where the road surface ahead looks black and shiny. It is often found on shaded areas of the road, bridges and overpasses long after the sun has come out.

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Petes Player Apologizes For Derogatory Comments Made On Tinder, Organization Asks Public To STOP Harassing The Woman

In the wake of the social media incident that took place at the beginning of the week, Greg Betzold—backed by the Peterborough Petes organization—is urging the public to cease all negative communication with involved parties.
 
In a just released statement, Betzold—who is suspended 15 games from the organization—said the following:

“On Monday morning, an excerpt of a conversation I had on Tinder was made public. My language and attitude in that conversation were unacceptable, insulting, and I exercised poor judgment in speaking to an individual in that manner. I am truly sorry to the woman I offended, her family, my own family, the Peterborough Petes, our fans, and the Ontario Hockey League for my insensitive remarks. I am going to use this as an opportunity to reflect on how my words can affect others, and to fully appreciate the standard expected of me as a member of the Peterborough Petes.
 
The language I used is a result of an attitude and behavioral issue that I have to change. The Peterborough Petes organization has already arranged for me to receive sensitivity training, and I thank them for working with me to address my mistake. I am fully committed to learning from this situation, becoming a positive member of the community, and a positive example of how to treat others.  
 
Furthermore, I have become aware that others have contacted the woman I insulted with inappropriate and threatening remarks. I am asking those people to stop this immediately. It was my mistake to use this language, and she deserves nothing but support in this situation.”

Jim Devlin

Jim Devlin, President of the Petes Board of Directors, adds “it has come to our attention that the young lady that was the target of Greg’s communication has and continues to receive threatening and harassing messages through a variety of platforms.

The Petes are pleading with the public to refrain from making negative or unsupportive comments toward the woman or any other involved parties.”
 

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11 Essential Halloween Safety Tips From Peterborough Police

Peterborough Police want everyone to have a fun and safe Halloween! Please share these safety tips from them with children and young adults who will be trick-or-treating...
 
1. Only visit houses with the lights on
2. Never enter a stranger’s home unless with a parent or responsible adult
3. Use face paint or makeup instead of a mask, and wear costumes that are short so you don’t trip
4. Never take shortcuts through backyards, parks or laneways
5. Stay away from lit pumpkins and other potential fire hazards while in costume
6. Don’t eat any treats unless they are first checked by a parent or responsible adult
7. Carry a glow stick or flashlight, and stay alert and be aware of what is going on around you
8. Obey all traffic signs!
9. Trick-or-Treat in a group; it’s safer and more fun! Young children should always be accompanied by an adult
10. Always walk on the sidewalk and not on the street
11. Watch out for cars. It can be difficult for drivers to see you when it’s dark

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Video Of Nick Ritchie Getting Hit By Slapshot Shows How Vital Wearing A Visor Is

During last Thursday's home win against the Belleville Bulls, Peterborough Petes star forward Nick Ritchie took a slapshot to his face, knocking the visor off his helmet. He got up uninjured, but the TV Cogeco Peterborough video—which has already had almost 10,000 views on YouTube—shows just how vital the visor was in protecting Ritchie (Anaheim Ducks first-round pick) from serious injury. Watch for yourself..

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9 Things You Should Know About Smoke Alarms In Your Home

It's Fire Prevention Week, and this year's campaign is “Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives: Test Yours Every Month!” Here are 9 things you should know...

1. Working smoke alarms save lives
2. Smoke alarms should be tested monthly. Test alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button
3. Working smoke alarms cut the chance of dying in a fire in half
4. Almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no working smoke alarms.
5. In a fire, seconds count. “Roughly half of home fire deaths result from fires reported at night between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most people are asleep. Home smoke alarms can alert people to a fire before it spreads, giving everyone enough time to get out," says Peterborough Fire Chief Chris Snetsinger.
6. Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home—including the basement
7. Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. This way, when one sounds, they all do.
8. Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or sooner if they don’t respond properly.
9. Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the smoke alarm and understands what to do when they hear it.
 

To find out more about Fire Prevention Week, contact Peterborough Fire Services at 705.745.3284 or visit peterboroughfireservices.ca.

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