Opinion Columns
Rules of the road
Whether you’re here for the summer or live here full time, there are some unofficial rules of the road to make note of in Kawartha Lakes. Consider this a survival guide to blend in better.
Stories by Roderick Benns
Community
Kawartha Lakes Pride Week drag events being met with community support
Family-friendly drag events across Canada, many hosted by local libraries, have been targeted by a deluge of hateful comments, CBC News is reporting – but the same can’t be said locally.
Provincial
Basic income class action lawsuit can proceed: Ontario Court of Appeal
In a turn-of-events basic income supporters were hoping for, the Ontario Court of Appeal has determined that the class action lawsuit by four former basic income recipients can proceed against the province.
Community
Missing boy shed his clothes, police say, as search continues
An 11-year-old boy who went missing yesterday afternoon shed his clothes in the Caroline-Colborne Street area, according to Kawartha Lakes Police Service.
Community
David Rapaport on the importance of language, Schmale and the trucker convoy, and the need for a GO bus
I love hearing a Brooklyn accent while sitting inside a Greek restaurant in downtown Lindsay, talking national and provincial politics with a Jewish professor. It just seems very Canadian somehow.
Business
Lindsay man tapped for Canadian task force that will address supply chain issues
Lindsay resident Bob Armstrong will join a task force created by the federal government to help alleviate supply chain issues.
Community
Nicki Dedes on family ties and living life with intention
To understand what makes Nicki Dedes tick, we have to talk about family.
Provincial
Libertarian candidate runs again, pushing for less government
Gene Balfour is once again running for the Libertarian Party for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock, one of only 16 such candidates in Ontario.
Education
Premier on hand as FLATO makes $1.2 million donation to Fleming College
FLATO Development Inc., has pledged a donation of $1.2 million to Fleming College -- the largest, single gift in Fleming College’s history. All the money is earmarked for Lindsay’s Frost Campus.
Community
Ivory Conover on monster leeches, open marriages and the terror of skydiving
She can breathe fire, save horses and is a sought-after burlesque dancer. Oh, and she once jumped from a plane with a tiny Russian man on her back. But we’ll get to the tedium a bit later.
Health
OMNI to build 192-bed long-term care home in updated Frost Manor building on new site
The Ontario government is adding 73 new and 247 upgraded long-term care beds to modernize and expand two long-term care homes in Cannington and Kawartha Lakes.
Opinion Columns
Charest could oversee a strong Tory reboot
Even before Jean Charest had made it official that he was entering the Conservative leadership race, Pierre Poilievre, the party’s most adroit malcontent, had already become unglued at the prospect of the former Progressive Conservative Party leader running to regain his old job.
Opinion Columns
Benns' Belief: Avis Glaze helped break down barriers
The theme for International Women’s Day this year was Break The Bias. What a great opportunity, then, to highlight my mentor and friend, Dr. Avis Glaze.
Municipal
Ward drops out of mayoral race, citing wellbeing, family
Jason Ward, the high-profile Lindsay lawyer, is withdrawing from the mayoral race, saying he needs to focus on his own mental health and spend more time with his family.
Community
Flato donates $20,000 so Cameron-area school can purchase new playground equipment
Fenelon Township Public School principal, Greg Arkwright, says he was “shocked” when he got a phone call about three weeks ago from Flato Developments, letting him know his school was green lit for a big donation of $20,000 from the builder.
Environment
Lindsay sycamore trees awarded heritage designation by Forest Ontario
The five sycamore trees lining Victoria Avenue just north of Peel Street in Lindsay have been given Heritage Tree status by Forests Ontario, a distinction only bestowed on about 100 trees in Southern and Central Ontario.
Opinion Columns
Benns' Belief: Value of unions should be taught by schools, media
When I open my Globe and Mail newspaper, I can easily find the business section. I can learn about the latest corporate acquisitions. I might find an analysis of how the economy is faring.
Opinion Columns
Benns' Belief: Windows of change
My grandmother never wanted me to grow up. She told me so every time I would visit her rural Apsley-area home.
Community
City’s Adopt a Child program brings cheer at holiday time to families in need
Not all families can give gifts to their children in the way they would like. For those families who are on Ontario Works, disability, or receiving childcare subsidies, the city’s Adopt a Child program can help.
Opinion Columns
Benns' Belief: Perspective is everything
As I write this in mid-November the thermometer dips. Winter’s here, I realize, and the maple tree starts to shed its leaves outside my office window. I despise winter.
The Arts
Flato gives more than $1 million to Academy Theatre over 15 years
Lindsay’s storied but long-struggling Academy Theatre just got a major financial shot in the arm from Flato Developments -- $1.125 million over 15 years.
Opinion Columns
Benns' Belief: Public school board’s delay in getting back to normal semesters hurts students
There’s not much that Education Minister Stephen Lecce says these days that is widely supported. But when he announced a return to normal semesters in time for Feb. 1 – the traditional time when a new semester would begin – students, parents, school boards, and even unions were largely happy with the idea.
Environment
The Green Resilience Project to explore links between climate change, income security
A series of 25 to 35 conversations is set to happen across the country – including in the riding of Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock – which will explore the link between climate change, income security, and community resilience.