Peterborough, Ontario has long been viewed as a quiet regional city, but law-enforcement observers say that perception is beginning to shift. In recent years, authorities have noted signs that organized criminal groups are increasingly using smaller cities like Peterborough as strategic hubs—particularly individuals relocating from Quebec and aligning themselves with established networks in Toronto and Montreal. Police sources and criminal-intelligence analysts point to a fam

Peterborough County OPP have arrested a 41-year-old Toronto man after uncovering a chop-shop containing stolen vehicles in Buckhorn. On January 29th, police received information about a possible stolen vehicle at a business in the area. Officers learned that an attached unit was being leased, though limited details were available about the occupant. The following day, the OPP Peterborough/Northumberland Community Street Crime Unit searched the leased unit. Inside, officers fo

Council has approved amendments to the Zoning By-law and Official Plan to allow the development of a 17-storey mixed-use building on several properties along Crescent and Lake Streets, including 195–229 Crescent St., 131–137 Lake St., and 362 George St. S. The project, submitted by RPM Holdings (2006) Inc., also known as Ashburnham Realty, will include up to 225 residential units and at least 465 square metres of commercial space. Council reduced the originally proposed maxim

The City of Kawartha Lakes Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police is investigating a two-vehicle collision on County Road 48 that sent two people to hospital. Shortly after 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, officers responded to reports of a crash between Maritime Road and Ferguson Road. One driver was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries, while a passenger in the same vehicle suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the second vehicle reported no injuries. Pol

PETERBOROUGH-A 70-year-old Peterborough man is facing several charges in connection with a sudden death in March 2024. On March 10, 2024, the Peterborough Police Service attended a residence in the Talwood Drive and Goodfellow Road area in response to a 53-year-old Peterborough man found without vital signs. The death was determined to be the result of a drug overdose and a criminal investigation was launched. On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, detectives with Investigative Serv

General Motors is moving forward with plans to eliminate the third shift at its Oshawa assembly plant, a move expected to impact more than 1,000 union jobs across the facility and its supply chain. The shift reduction, announced earlier this year, marks one of the largest setbacks for Oshawa autoworkers in recent years. Union estimates indicate up to 1,200 Unifor members could complete their final shift as operations are scaled back, despite GM reporting $10 billion in North

The Peterborough Police Service will not be actively participating in the Federal Assault Style Firearm Compensation Program (ASFCP), Chief Stu Betts announced. “This means, we will not be deploying officers or resources to actively seek out those with firearms that fall within the scope of this program,” Betts stated. The Police Service Board is aware of the decision, and a report will be presented to the Board at its next meeting in February 2026. The federal government has

Parents will have to make some changes to their plans to start the week. Schools will be closed in both the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board and the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board due to the winter weather hitting the region. In addition to schools, there will be closures of all buildings and worksites operated by each board. Board officials say the decision was made to ensure the safety of students, staff and famil

For several years, renters in Peterborough, Ontario have faced one of the toughest housing markets in the province. Tight vacancy rates — often hovering near just over 1 % — have kept competition fierce and rents elevated well above what many local incomes can comfortably support. A low supply of available units combined with sustained demand has meant that landlords could command higher monthly rates, with average rents rising sharply compared to past years. Despite this pre

Cold warning issued for Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, and Northumberland as temperatures plunge this weekend Lakelands Public Health warns wind chills as low as -36°C could pose serious health risks Lakelands Public Health has issued a cold warning for the entire Kawarthas region this weekend as low temperatures and strong winds are forecast to grip the region, significantly increasing the risk of frostbite and hypothermia. The cold warning is in effect for Saturd

Seven people are facing several charges after the seizure of a large amount of illicit drugs and four handguns. In early December of 2025, the Peterborough/Northumberland OPP Community Street Crime Unit began an investigation involving the trafficking of cocaine and fentanyl within the Peterborough area. On Tuesday, three separate warrants were simultaneously executed at different locations in Peterborough and Peterborough County resulting in seven arrests and the seizure of

A proposed 17-storey mixed-use building on Crescent Street behind the Art Gallery of Peterborough could climb to 20 storeys according to a city staff report that will be presented during city council’s general committee meeting on Monday (January 26). During that meeting, which will also serve as a public meeting under the Planning Act for official plan and zoning by-law amendments for the proposed development, councillors will consider a report from Blair Nelson, the city’s

The City of Peterborough is inviting residents to review and provide feedback on its draft Community Planning Permit (CPP) By-law, which will replace the existing Zoning By-law and establish new rules for land use and development across the city. The draft By-law and interactive mapping are now available for public review online . Residents can attend in-person drop-in open houses to learn more and share their input. No formal presentation will be provided, and the same infor

Are you headed to the pumps today? If it’s time to fill up your car, here’s some info on local gas prices in Peterborough, on Wednesday, January 21st, as of 8:00 a.m. PETERBOROUGH Costco $1.17.9 Petro-Canada $1.21.6 Esso $1.21.6 MacEwen $1.22.0 Ultramar $1.22.3 Canadian Tire $1.22.3

Peterborough city councillors have approved measures to strengthen anti-racism policies and training following a report from the Integrity Commissioner Guy Giorno into the use of a racial slur by Mayor Jeff Leal while speaking at Trent last year. Council directed staff to amend the 2023–2050 Strategic Plan to include anti-racism and race relations as a priority under the Community and Wellbeing pillar. All members of Council and city staff will receive anti-racism, diversity,

A 47-year-old Peterborough man is facing impaired driving charges following a traffic stop. At approximately 11:55 p.m. on Monday, an officer on patrol in the Sherbrooke Street and Clonsilla Avenue area observed a vehicle speeding in snowy conditions. The vehicle was stopped near Sherbrooke Street and Goodfellow Road, where the officer noted signs of impairment in the driver. The man was charged with operation while impaired by alcohol and drugs, operation while impaired with

Peterborough, ON —  In recent years, citizens and officials in Peterborough have raised growing concerns about public safety, citing increases in certain types of criminal activity tied to illicit drug use and a difficult homelessness situation. Crime Trends and Police Activity According to internal reports from the Peterborough Police Service, overall calls for service rose in recent years, and arrests and charges increased dramatically. Between 2023 and 2025, officers repor