After an extensive six-week search, a beloved Regina dog named Olive was found deceased near a creek on April 30. Owner Adam Metzger expressed gratitude for the overwhelming community support during the search, which involved Facebook and WhatsApp groups and hundreds of volunteers. Metzger plans to establish a non-profit organization called Olive’s Angels to honor his dog’s legacy and continue the search efforts for other missing pets.
Calgary police have arrested and charged a 34-year-old doctor in connection with an alleged sexual assault that took place in January 2023. According to the police, the accused, Ali Ayyaz Chatha, allegedly met the victim at Cowboys Dance Hall on January 14, 2023. The pair reportedly took a taxi to a nearby hotel, where Chatha allegedly rented a room and sexually assaulted the woman. The victim left the hotel and reported the incident to the police. Staff Sgt. Tom Hanson of the Calgary Police Service Sexual Assault Investigative Unit commended the victim for coming forward, acknowledging the sensitive nature of such crimes.
The Regina Police Service (RPS) has implemented biometric monitoring technology in its detention facility, becoming the first police service in Saskatchewan to do so. The initiative aims to enhance detainee monitoring and safety after a tragic incident of a detainee’s death in custody last August.
A major road reconstruction project is underway in downtown Port Hope, Ontario, aimed at replacing century-old infrastructure. The second phase of the Walton Street reconstruction project involves redesigning the main street, including replacing watermains, sanitary sewers, and storm sewers. The project is expected to benefit a significant portion of the town’s urban area and enhance accessibility and streetscape with improvements like extended curbs, benches, and planter beds. Despite the project leading to road closures, public transit is now free in Port Hope to ease travel and support downtown businesses.
The Parliamentary ethics committee has approved a motion to summon Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault and ethics commissioner Konrad von Finckenstein to testify about the minister’s alleged ties to a lobbyist and a medical supply company. Following investigations by Global News, concerns have been raised regarding Boissonnault’s business dealings, including his connections to a lobbyist who secured $110 million in federal grants for a client and his involvement in a PPE company that received $8.2 million in provincial and municipal contracts amidst legal challenges. The committee will examine potential violations of conflict of interest and lobbying laws, with the goal of publicly reporting its findings.
On May 8th, 2024, Strathcona County RCMP responded to a suspicious vehicle fire on the Anthony Henday southbound near Wye Road around 6:15 a.m. The vehicle was engulfed in flames and was subsequently destroyed, with no injuries reported. Strathcona County Fire Services extinguished the fire, while the cause remains undetermined as RCMP seeks for any available dashcam footage from the time period of 5:50 a.m. to 6:15 a.m. in the area. Witnesses or anyone with information are urged to contact Strathcona County RCMP at 780-467-7741 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222 TIPS (8477).
Members of the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) are currently voting on the provincial government’s final offer, which could potentially end the ongoing labour dispute. Voting commenced on Wednesday and is set to conclude at 6 p.m. Thursday. As of two hours after the polls opened, over 45% of members had cast their ballots. The STF and the province have been engaged in contract negotiations since May 2023, which culminated in a strike by teachers in January 2024 due to an unsatisfactory offer. The STF has been advocating for addressing issues related to classroom size and complexity in the new agreement, while the province contends that these matters fall within the jurisdiction of school boards. Following the breakdown of negotiations, multiple one-day strikes occurred, eventually escalating to rotating strikes, limited lunchroom supervision, suspension of extracurricular activities, and work-to-rule measures.
A workshop fire on a farm north of Lindsay, Ontario, on Tuesday night caused an estimated $450,000 in damage, but no injuries were reported. Firefighters responded to the blaze on County Road 36 around 11:45 p.m. and found a fire in a workshop and implement shed containing custom-cut cedar lumber. They believe the fire started in a tractor and then spread, damaging the building and its contents. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
An online petition demanding a halt to the redevelopment of Bonnerworth Park in Peterborough, Ontario continues to gain support, with over 2,500 signatures collected in just two weeks. Residents, led by D’arcy Jenish, are concerned about potential noise, loss of green space, and lack of proper environmental impact studies. Despite a motion to delay the project being defeated by city council, the petition highlights community opposition to the $4 million redevelopment, which includes a 16-court pickleball complex.
Over 13,000 fans witnessed an instant classic as the Blades and Warriors battled in a thrilling Western Hockey League (WHL) series that will go down in history. The Warriors opened the scoring in the first period, but the Blades responded in the second. Despite both teams having ample opportunities, overtime was needed to determine the winner. Ultimately, it was Lynden Lakovic who sealed the victory for the Warriors, sending them to the WHL final against the Portland Winterhawks. The Warriors will now travel to the United States for Game 1 on Friday night.
