Oshawa resident among finalists in Australia’s “Best Jobs in the World”
May 25th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Tourism Australia’s “Best Jobs in the World” copetition has chosen 18 finalists. Greg Snell of Oshawa has made the top three in the category for Wildlife Caretaker. The candidates from 12 countries will travel down under next month, all competing to score their dream job in Australia. They will spend the week – in the final stage of the competition – writing blogs about their Australian travel and creating content for inspiring tourism videos. Snell says he’s confident in his abilities and can’t stress how incredible this experience is. He says Australia has been one of his top destinations to explore for a long time. The six winners will be announced on June 21 in Sydney.
Ontario judge rules G20 detainees can’t sue as group
May 25th, 2013 | Comments (0)
An Ontario judge has ruled that hundreds of people who were detained during the G-20 in 2010 cannot sue as a group. This means their proposed $45-million dollar class action lawsuit against the Toronto Police Force cannot proceed. The Plaintiffs’ lawyers say they will appeal. More than 1,000 people were detained by police that weekend in June 2010 after protesters using so-called Black Bloc tactics broke away from a peaceful rally and ran through the downtown, smashing windows and burning police cruisers.
Plans to move three Toronto Zoo elephants to California delayed yet again
May 25th, 2013 | Comments (0)
The transfer of three aging elephants from the Toronto Zoo has been postponed … again. It looks like the three resident elephants will remain at the zoo until at least the fall. The Defence Department says it’s still in talks to help move the trio to California, but it can’t be done before warm weather sets in. City council voted in November to move the elephants to the Performing Animal Welfare Society Sanctuary (PAWS) by year’s end. Former “The Price Is Right” host Bob Barker has promised to pick up the million dollar tab. Last time plans were delayed becasue of permits, flight arrangements, crate training and the risk of infectious disease at the PAWS facility.
Bike Fun and Safety Day kicks off at Kids’ Safety Village, Saturday
May 25th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Kids from all over Durham Region will be strapping on their helmets and taking their bikes to the Safety Village in Whitby. Police are hosting their annual Bicycle Fun and Safety Day on Saturday to help kids of all ages learn about personal and road safety tips for cyclists. The village features small buildings, detailed roadways, traffic lights and road signs, and an operational railway crossing. Everyone needs to bring their own bike and helmet and donations of non-perishable food items will be accepted. The event runs from noon until 3 p.m. For more information on Bicycle Fun and Safety Day or the Kids Safety Village, visit the Kids Korner or call 905-668-9893.
Durham Humane Society hosting ‘People for Pets’ Walkathon this weekend
May 25th, 2013 | Comments (0)
The Humane Society of Durham is beginning its annual fundraising initiatives. Animal Health Coordinator Ruby Richards says they’re asking former adopters and animal lovers to lace up their kicks, and take part in the annual People for Pets Walkathon. The event is happening on Sunday at Heber Down Conservation area in Whitby. Richards says if you can’t make the event, they’ll be hosting a Straw Purry Fair Fundraiser on June 22. That will take place all day at the region’s shelter.
OPP warning people about dangers of cold water
May 25th, 2013 | Comments (0)
There’s frost warnings is some parts of Ontario, and O-P-P are urging people to be aware of the danger of falling into cold water. It follows the rescue this week of a wind surfer in Long Point Bay after he struck a sandbar. Earlier this week, a 30-year-old man was rescued by a Canadian Coast Guard vessel and a private watercraft. Police say the water is still very cold at this time of year, and death from sudden cold water immersion happens quickly. The colder the water, the higher the death rates, and OPP say water conditions never remain constant. Click here for more information.
Ford scandal not over, Toronto councillors say
May 25th, 2013 | Comments (0)
At least one Toronto City Councillor says he doesn’t think Mayor Rob Ford is telling the truth. Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker says he thinks Ford should resign. The mayor finally addressed allegations he was caught smoking crack cocaine on Friday in a carefully-worded statement. Baeremaeker says instead of “acknowledging that there’s an issue and trying to get help, Ford made things worse by going on the attack. The editor of the American website Gawker.com, which first reported on the cellphone video, says Ford’s statement did not actually refute the allegations. John Cook notes Ford did not say outright that he never smoked crack cocaine. Meanwhile, The Globe and Mail also published an investigation on Saturday. The report alleges the mayor’s brother, Doug, sold hash in the 80’s, and another brother, Randy, was once charged with a drug-related kidnapping.
Toronto mayor addresses allegations about crack cocaine smoking video
May 24th, 2013 | Comments (0)
“I do not use crack cocaine nor am i an addict of crack cocaine…” those are the words from Toronto City Hall on Friday. Mayor Rob Ford finally addressed allegations he was caught on a cellphone video smoking crack cocaine. He says he can’t comment on a video that he hasn’t seen or does not exist. The mayor also thanked the young men that he coached at Don Bosco, and says he’ll continue to sport them in spirit. Ford — who didn’t take any questions — thanked Toronto residents for their outpouring of support. Doug Holyday, the city’s deputy mayor, and Ford’s brother, Doug, were also thanked.
Police looking for suspects following robberies in Durham
May 24th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Police are continuing to hunt for suspects, following a pair or robberies in Durham Region. On Wednesday before noon, officers say two men went into a Pharmasave on Wilson in Oshawa. One of the men went up to the counter, but before any employees would talk to him, they called police. The pair were seen fleeing the scene. A short time later, one man went into a Brooklin pharmacy, and demanded drugs by passing a note to an employee. He indicated he was armed. The first suspect is described as white, in his 20′s or 30′s, 5’7 with a large build, short red-brown hair, and a goatee and moustache. Suspect two is white, 5’2 to 5’3, with a large build, short brown hair. He was clean-shaven. And the last suspect in Brooklin is described as white, 5’7, a large build, with a goatee. Anyone with information is being asked to call police at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5355 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
York police search for man wanted in Markham home invasion
May 24th, 2013 | Comments (0)
York police are looking to the public for help in tracking down a man wanted for a home invasion in Markham. Officials say back on May 1st, the suspect forced his way into a residence in the Castlemore and Landsown area before fleeing the scene. The man is described as brown, in his mid-to-late 20’s, stood about 5’8 and had a thin build. Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police #5 District Criminal Investigation Bureau at 1-866-876-5423 ext. 7541. To view a composite sketch, click here.
Despite ongoing saga with Rob Ford, Toronto’s deputy mayor says city hall is still functioning as usual
May 24th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Despite the ongoing saga of Rob Ford, Toronto’s deputy major says it is business as usual at city hall. Doug Holyday says the government is still functioning regardless of several external distractions. The mayor’s executive committee is drafting a letter to urge him to address allegations of a cellphone video that is said to show him smoking crack cocaine. Last Friday, the mayor called the allegations “ridiculous” but has said little else about them. Holyday says he will be talking to the former aide to see if he can find out why Ford has been unavailable for the past week.
Group of missing hikers found safe and sound in the Bruce Peninsula area
May 24th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Provincial police say a group of 15 missing teens are cold but alright after spending the night in the area of Bruce Peninsula National Park. Officers searched for the 16-and-17 year-olds after they became separated from the main group around 5:00 p.m. Thursday. The teens were part of an Algonquin hiking experience through their school in Waterloo, with an emphasis on survival and outback camping.