Northumberland at 5 Sept. 3, 2026
By Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
David Stambook said if elected Mayor of Port Hope he will seek bureaucratic efficiencies, hard cap tax increases to 2.5 percent annually and help to prepare the municipality for the proposed Wesleyville nuclear facility. Stambrook is not looking to cut critical services, like policing, emergency response, water and community services, which he believes people value. His online platform indicates a review of the $8.5 million in annual corporate overhead or meaningful efficiencies.
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A Cobourg man is advocating for the municipality to participate in a provincial e-scooter pilot program. Mark Richardson says the three year project would allow Cobourg to evaluate how e-scooters are used and the information will assist the province in formulating a policy for speed, safety and age. He notes, while there is a ban on e-scooters, enforcement seems to be non-existent. Yet, these popular modes of transportation do not appear to be going away anytime soon. Adam Bureau and Nicole Beatty are in favour of the pilot program, Lucas Cleveland is not.
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Christina Bergmann is the lone outside candidate seeking to become Brighton mayor. Both Brian Ostrander and Bobbi Wright have municipal council experience. However, Bergman says she sees room for growth in planning for commercial and residential development in the community, being transparent in how tax dollars are spent, by creating an online portal for the public to track expenses, and by boosting economic growth in the downtown area. While her platform says she wants to avoid tax increases through responsible financial management, she concedes that zero percent tax increases will be impossible to avoid, given inflationary pressures of staff wages and procurement of goods and services.
Northumberland at 5 August 13, 2026
By Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Volunteers were preparing 850 backpacks Tuesday for children in need across the County as part of the Northumberland United Way Backpacks for Kids program. Now entering its 21st year of ensuring students from JK to Grade 12 start the school year with the tools they need, including essentials like math supplies, pencils and colouring materials. As well, nutritious snacks were also included. United Way Executive Director Alicia Vandine says the community is really supportive of the program.
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The Port Hope Historical Society has been operating for over 60 years, documenting and preserving the rich history of the region. It has documents and objects dating back centuries. Catherine Tozer presented to Port Hope Council this week, saying the municipalities Town Hall once served as a community dance hall, school room and had an apartment building.
Northumberland At 5, July 30, 2026
Photo courtesy of Melly's Market + Cafe Facebook.
By Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.
A summer training program has now launched in Port Hope to assist young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities build skills needed to enter the workforce.
Melly’s, a charity, public cafe and workplace is providing practical training, real work experience and confidence to participants to be successful in employment.
Young people with disabilities are less likely to have the resume experience potential employers are expecting.
Melly’s curriculum develops transferable skills combining repetition, and coaching in a paid environment.
Aimee Ruttle, co-founder at Melly’s says many graduates of the program are now gainfully employed.
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A very successful and popular program in Whitby, but with roots in Northumberland has expanded to Port Hope.
Melly’s has opened a summer cafe, aimed at helping young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities gain the skills and confidence necessary to enter the workforce.
Ellen McCrea, a Director at Melly’s says the program originated in Grafton and has helped 38 people obtain meaningful employment