CBC News Posted: Apr 30, 2014 9:06 AM ET Last Updated: Apr 30, 2014 9:08 AM ET
Jerry Bokma, who went missing on April 4, has been found.
Police say the 42-year-old Hamilton man has been located and that they are no longer concerned for his safety.
Bokma was reported missing on April 5. He had last been seen leaving his West Mountain home the day before.
Police thank members of the public for their help during the investigation.
Last week Robert Safko noticed that his eldest son had a very long bus ride from school to home in West Flamborough, so he took to the road to find out exactly how long.
He and his 13-year-old son got in the car, and his son navigated them through the bus route he takes to get from Freelton to Spencer Valley.
"I said, 'Where do we go next?' He said, 'Keep going, keep going.' And I said, 'Are you serious?'" Safko recalled.
Upcoming HWDSB accommodation review delegation nights at Hamilton City Hall
East Hamilton — Monday, May 5, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Central Mountain — Tuesday, May 6, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
To speak at a session, delegates must register by noon on the day of they wish to attend. To register, contact Tracy McKillop by email at tmckillo@hwdsb.on.ca or by phone at 905-527-5092 ext. 2261.
For more information, go to the school board's elementary accommodation review page.
"We just kept winding around and making U turns, driving around the catchment area, and by the time we got back, it was 36.7 kilometres."
Safko's son's one-way bus ride is nearly an hour and a half some afternoons. It's the same distance as from their home to Mississauga along Highway 5 if they were, along the way, to hit 28 consecutive stoplights. That's onerous for adults in air-conditioned cars, he said, let alone kids on a bumpy school bus.
Safko was among dozens of presenters at a Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board meeting at Hamilton city hall about the West Flamborough accommodation review committee (ARC).
The board is looking at closing three schools (Seaton, Millgrove and Greensville) and building or expanding Beverly Central, and building a new 525-student school at Spencer Valley. Like most of the parents there, Safko wanted Millgrove to stay open.
West Flamborough timeline
April 29: delegation nightMay 26: standing committee makes a decision
June 16: board ratifies decision
Safko has two children at Millgrove, and fears they'll end up on a similar bus route. Right now, their trip takes 25 minutes each way.
"When he comes home, he's more drawn out. He sits on the couch," Safko said of his oldest son.
That sort of hour-long stop-and-start commute is hard on adults, he said, "and this is a nice sedan we drive in, not in a bouncing, noisy, sometimes diesel-fueled, non-air conditioned type of ride."
His son leaves Spencer Valley at 2:30 p.m., he said, and gets home as late as 3:55 p.m. some days. Keeping Millgrove open is "a no brainer."
Other Millgrove supporters brought up the school's homey small-town environment and its high standardized test scores, as well as its occupancy rate of about 80 per cent. Councillors Judi Partridge, Robert Pasuta and Brian McHattie all spoke in favour of keeping Millgrove. Pasuta also urged against building a 525-student school at Spencer Valley.
Robert Safko said closing Millgrove will mean longer bus rides for many children. (Samantha Craggs/CBC)
"That's just too many kids in a group" for the rural way of life, he said.
Not everyone agreed. David Arbuckle, representing the Greensville school council, took to the microphone to support the closure of Millgrove, Greensville and Spencer Valley.
Greensville parents realize the board's pressures, such as increasingly empty classrooms and higher capital maintenance costs, he said.
Chair Jessica Brennan asked for a staff report on the travel times Safko mentioned. Provincial policy dictates that children not travel longer than 20 kilometres on a school bus, said Ted McMeekin, MPP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale.
McMeekin said he supports keeping Millgrove open, and if the board wanted to build new schools at Spencer Valley and Beverly Central, "I would be a passionate supporter of that."
The board's standing committee will make a decision on west Flamborough on May 26, followed by a board meeting on June 16.
A controversial downtown halfway house is leaving Hamilton.
Corrections Services Canada has confirmed that it's closing its halfway house at 94 York Blvd. by the end of the year. It will not relocate it in Hamilton, and its current residents will go to other facilities around Ontario, said Shannon Mills, Corrections Services Canada spokesperson.
Politicians have urged the government to move the halfway house since a near-fatal stabbing in 2004 and late last year, the department went as far as confirming the halfway house would be leaving downtown. It gave strong indications at that time that the facility would be leaving the city altogether.
The federal government will not renew its lease with the Salvation Army, which shares space with the 25-bed halfway house.
'It shouldn't have taken this long, but better late than never.'- Larry Di Ianni
For the past 10 years, local politicians have asked the government to move what was initially supposed to be a temporary facility.
The outcry began in 2004, when a resident walked across the street to Jackson Square and stabbed a female shopkeeper. There have also been instances of residents with violent records walking away from the facility.
Council renewed its efforts last year, when it heard that three corrections officers would be pulled from the facility in April 2014 and replaced with one reintegration officer.
In November, Corrections Services officials told council that it wouldn't be renewing its lease with the Salvation Army.
It's good news for the downtown, said Coun. Jason Farr of Ward 2, and dispels the notion that the area is unsafe. It's also hard to know if the halfway house scared off development.
"It's been a concern to both commercial and residential occupants in the immediate vicinity," he said.
Larry Di Ianni, a former mayor who led the charge to get the halfway house moved, called Tuesday's news "a great day."
"It's long overdue, and the federal government did the absolute right thing," he said.
"It shouldn't have taken this long, but better late than never."
Police are called to the halfway house about 14 times per year, mostly for parole violations.
The lease with the Salvation Army expires on Dec. 31, 2014.
U.S. Steel says it turned a quarterly profit for the first time in more than a year as its costs decreased and its flat-rolled steel business performed better.
U.S. Steel last reported a profit in the third quarter of 2012, and it has lost money for five consecutive years. The company has been restructuring its business and reducing capacity to lower its spending.
The Pittsburgh company said Tuesday it earned $52 million, or 34 cents per share, in the first quarter, compared with a loss of $73 million, or 51 cents per share, a year earlier. Its revenue fell 3 per cent to $4.45 billion from $4.6 billion.
Analysts expected income of 33 cents per share and $4.51 billion in revenue, according to FactSet.
U.S. Steel said shipments fell to 5.1 million tons from 5.5 million tons, but unlike last year, the flat-rolled steel business was profitable.
Steelmakers have struggled as the weak global economy failed to produce enough demand for their products, and U.S. producers face price competition from imports. In the fourth quarter U.S. Steel permanently shut down its Hamilton Works operations in Ontario, and it also took a large goodwill impairment charge connected to its North American flat-rolled and Texas Operations units. In total it lost $2 billion for the year.
The company said that it expects weather-related logistical issues to temporarily slow shipments in the second quarter, reducing its income from operations, although it did not give specific guidance.
Shares of U.S. Steel Corp. rose 2.4 per cent to $26.34 during the day and lost 64 cents, or 2.4 per cent, to $25.70 in late trading.
New
CBC News Posted: Apr 30, 2014 11:33 AM ET Last Updated: Apr 30, 2014 11:33 AM ET
Ex-Hamilton mayor Larry Di Ianni has announced his support for his former rival Fred Eisenberger.
With Eisenberger standing at his side, Di Ianni made the endorsement during a Wednesday morning news conference at the Powerhouse restaurant in Stoney Creek.
Eisenberger called Di Ianni a "great friend" and thanked him for his support.
"I'm really look forward to working with you, Larry, on the campaign," he said.
He said the role Di Ianni will play hasn't yet been decided.
Di Ianni, who served as Hamilton's mayor from 2003 to 2006, lost to Eisenberger in the 2006 mayoral election.
Current mayor Bob Bratina beat out both men in the 2010 vote, with Di Ianni edging out Eisenberger by fewer than 1,500 votes to secure second place.
Di Ianni had said he was considering running for the mayoralty in October's municipal election, but announced in April that he would not be entering the race.
More to come
CBC News Posted: Apr 29, 2014 9:20 AM ET Last Updated: Apr 29, 2014 9:20 AM ET
A Hamilton man has been arrested for allegedly locking a woman in a Brant County gas station bathroom and sexually assaulting her, police say.
Officers were called to the Husky gas station on 75 Colborne Street East around 12:22 p.m. on April 25. A woman had stopped to get gas about 20 minutes before, and had gone inside to pay for it. That's when she was pushed into a bathroom and sexually assaulted, police say.
A 23-year-old Hamilton man was arrested and is facing charges for sexual assault and forcible confinement. He is being held in custody awaiting a bail hearing, police say.
Anyone who was at the Husky gas station on Colborne Street East on April 25 between 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 a.m. is asked to call police at 519-442-2242 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
A study lauding the effectiveness of the "housing first" model for addressing homelessness couldn't have come at a better time.
Research out of McMaster University shows that by putting the importance of a bed ahead of treatment for addictions or mental health issues, it is not only more effective, but cheaper, too.
This month, federal dollars assigned to curb homelessness in Hamilton switched over to a model that allocates 65 cents of every dollar to the housing first model, which focuses on finding permanent housing rather than shelter maintenance for the street populations.
One housing first Hamilton program being used right now goes even further, and may be the next step in evolving strategies against homelessness.
Julia Woodhall-Melnik, the author of a year-long study out of McMaster and the Centre for Research on Inner City Health at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, said the "graduation" model offered by Wesley Urban Ministries in Hamilton is providing the last, important step to the housing model.
Once stable housing is found, participants are put into a "maintenance" mode that checks in on their graduates who have found housing, provides support in case of slip ups, and fosters a recreational network that is providing to have harm-reduction qualities.
And for participants, it's all at their own pace.
"They're able to dictate the level of support that they want," said Woodhall-Melnik.
"We're allowing for people to be housed, irregardless of the other concerns that they have going on in their lives and it's showing they are able to fare well, they are able to be stable, and we are able to save money. So it's kind of a win-win."
At Wesley, the Transition to Home (T2H) program not only helps find participants a home, but also helps them apply for subsidies, 30 per cent of which is tapped for rent. Funds from the city and Wesley top up the rent.
What is different about the Hamilton program, says Woodhall-Melnik, is the extra recreational activities. The Homeless Baseball League – which was named so by the players – is one example of programming out of Wesley that is providing a much needed link for participants who have recently found housing, and are being weaned off the shelter system.
Other programs include cooking classes, movie and bowling nights, said Woodhall-Melnik.
"In our research, we found that onsite addictions supports and access to recreational therapy assisted participants in rebuilding stability in their lives," writes the report. "For example, in offering therapeutic recreation activities, the T2H program was able to assist participants with harm reduction and forming new social connections with other program participants."
CBC Hamilton Casino Chat 20:31
CBC Hamilton Casino Chat20:31
A live chat with two panelists on whether a casino in downtown Hamilton is positive or negative for the city.
CBC Hamilton Casino Chat 20:31
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation had an internal goal to put a casino in downtown Hamilton by winter 2015, shows a new report from Ontario's auditor general. And that's news to at least one city councillor.
Bonnie Lysyk's report shows that the OLG's 2012 modernization plan — which she dubbed "overly ambitious" and "overly optimistic" — hinged on councils such as Hamilton's agreeing to a downtown casino.
Coun. Terry Whitehead of Ward 8, who was "leaning toward" a downtown casino, says that is "not at all" what he heard from OLG officials.
"My impression was that it was the geographic zones and that it would be bidded on, and that the preference (for location) could be dictated by council," he said.
Opponents say it's no surprise that the OLG aimed for a downtown gaming centre, but they never heard it explicitly stated.
"I'm certainly not surprised," said Matthew Green, a local anti-casino advocate, about the goal of a downtown Hamilton casino.
"All of their actions around the consultation process and around their dealings with council show that they favoured a downtown casino."
Graham Crawford, who also rallied against a downtown casino, said he's never heard the goal stated as clearly as it was in Lysyk's report.
But "it was always clear by paying attention to what the OLG had said that that's exactly what was on the table."
The proposed goal of a downtown Hamilton casino came from private OLG documents Lysyk viewed as part of her audit, she told CBC Hamilton. The plan also included pulling the slots from Flamboro Downs.
Lysyk examination of the modernization plan, released Monday, shows the plan was "overly ambitious" and "overly optimistic" about the money the plan would generate. It also assumed city councils would approve downtown casinos.
The OLG originally projected casinos in Hamilton and elsewhere would bring in an additional $4.6 billion in gaming profits between 2013 and 2015. But the OLG later lowered that projection by 48 per cent, or about $2.2 billion.
Lysyk estimates the actual benefits could be 60 per cent less than forecasted.
The OLG also abruptly cancelled the Slots at Racetracks program, which hurt the horse-racing industry in Flamborough and elsewhere. The program saw horse racers share a portion of the slot revenue.
"OLG developed its modernization plan without sufficiently consulting such stakeholders as municipalities and the horse-racing industry," Lysyk said.
"The profit estimates should have been more realistic, and the abrupt impact on the horse-racing industry could have been mitigated had more people been consulted beforehand."
After much community debate, Hamilton city council passed a resolution last year that its first preference was to have gaming at Flamboro Downs, but if that location isn't viable, to have it at another Hamilton location to be approved by council.
The OLG is getting interest from private-sector operators.
The OLG also proposed casinos in the GTA, Kenora, North Bay, Collingwood/Bracebridge and Cornwall. It proposed replacing slots in Chatham-Kent, Kitchener-Waterloo, Peterborough, Ottawa, Sudbury and Kingston and replacing them with downtown casinos.
Lysyk's report found that the modernization plans were based on an "ambitious best-case scenario."
The OLG could not be reached for comment on Monday.
By Adam Carter, CBC News Posted: Apr 29, 2014 7:50 AM ET Last Updated: Apr 29, 2014 9:41 AM ET
Ontario Provincial Police are still investigating what caused an SUV to plow into several cars and fly through the air on the 403 near Waterdown Road Monday evening, snarling traffic for hours and sending two people to hospital in critical condition.
"It's unknown yet because we're examining all factors," Const. Graham Williamson told CBC Hamilton. "One possibility that is being looked at is a medical condition."
The incident happened around 6:30 p.m., when five vehicles — including a tow truck and a police officer – were stopped on the shoulder of the 403's westbound lanes for a "relatively minor collision," Williamson said.
A black Cadillac Escalade then plowed into the five vehicles on the shoulder and then into two other cars on the roadway. The 44-year-old Ancaster driver of the SUV and a 59-year-old Burlington woman who was in one of the vehicles were both taken to hospital with life threatening injuries.
Three children — two of whom were visiting the area from Holland — were also taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. A Toyota Yaris that was involved in the incident was completely totaled, and could be seen by drivers passing by.
"Speed has not yet been determined as a factor," Williamson said.
Traffic was snarled for several hours because of the crash, and many GO Transit buses were delayed up to an hour. The roadway opened again around 10:10 p.m.
New
CBC News Posted: Apr 29, 2014 9:45 AM ET Last Updated: Apr 29, 2014 9:45 AM ET
A 38-year-old man has been arrested on impaired driving charges after almost running into the car of an off duty police officer, police say.
Calls first started coming in to police about a possible impaired driver in the area of the Linc and Upper Wentworth Street around 4:45 p.m. on Monday. The driver exited the Linc at Upper James and then nearly collided with the car of an off-duty police officer, police say.
The man then drove back onto the Linc going eastbound and could be seen weaving across lanes, police say. Uniformed officers caught up with the vehicle on Quaker Crescent. The driver initially stopped, but then drove off a short distance before pulling into a driveway.
A "brief struggle" broke out between the man and police, but in the end he was arrested without further incident, police say.
The driver was taken to the police station for a breathalyzer and blew over the legal limit.
A 38-year-old Hamilton man was arrested and charged with impaired driving, over 80 and flight from police. He was released on a promise to appear.
By Adam Carter, CBC News Posted: Apr 28, 2014 7:33 AM ET Last Updated: Apr 28, 2014 10:24 AM ET
An 85-year-old man and a 50-year-old man were rushed to hospital Sunday night after a knife fight in central Hamilton, police say.
The brawl broke out at the 85-year-old's house on Wellington Street South just before 7 p.m.
The older man was taken to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries, police Const. Debbie McGreal-Dinning told CBC Hamilton. The 50-year-old was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
"Both are still in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries," McGreal-Dinning said.
The two men knew each other, she said, but wouldn't elaborate on what their relationship was.
No charges have been laid in connection with the incident. McGreal-Dinning said even if the two men aren't looking to press charges against each other, police still could do so because of the "seriousness of the assault."
Police aren't searching for any additional suspects.
Live Chat
CBC News Posted: Apr 26, 2014 1:02 PM ET Last Updated: Apr 28, 2014 9:22 AM ET
The spring warm-up is a mixed blessing for millions of Canadians who suffer from seasonal allergies.
Because of long, frigid winter, the sniffling and sneezing, brought on by pollen floating in the air, is expected to start in Ontario later than usual this year, experts say.
To help allergy sufferers prepare for the onslaught, CBC Hamilton is hosting an interactive audio live chat on Monday at noon ET with Dr. Susan Waserman, a professor in the division of clinical immunology in McMaster University's department of medicine. Our host will be reporter Adam Carter (whose allergies include pollen and cats, in case you were wondering).
Susan Waserman is a clinicial immunologist at McMaster University. (Handout)
An allergy expert, Waserman says Ontario may be spared the continent-wide "Pollen Vortex" that some commentators are expecting, but she says the season will come on quickly.
During the live chat, she will answer your questions and give tips on how to minimize the allergy-season misery.
To listen in, visit this page on Monday at noon. You can submit questions for Waserman in advance by emailing hamilton@cbc.ca or by sending a tweet to @cbchamilton.
How bad are your allergies this Spring?
You will also be able to ask you're question in typing them into the chat bar during the conversation.
Happy spring!
(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external links.)
CBC News Posted: Apr 27, 2014 2:16 PM ET Last Updated: Apr 28, 2014 7:49 AM ET
Here's some bad news for commuters who drive or ride the GO bus between Hamilton and Toronto each day — your trek is about to take longer.
Starting on Monday, some lanes on the Gardiner Expressway will be closed due to construction. The roadwork is expected to wrap up in December 2016, but crews will take a break in July 2015 for the Pan Am Games.
GO Transit says the closures will affect travel times on at least three of its bus routes, including No. 16, which runs between Union Station in Toronto and the Hamilton GO Centre on Hunter Street East.
Delays reported Monday morning lasted at least 30 minutes during rush hour.
Go Transit said in a statement on its website that "buses should remain en-route, with slight detours as required," it said.
To keep-up-to date on the construction, go to the City of Toronto's expressway and major route closures website.
(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external links.)
Enjoy that sun today, Hamilton. This looks like the last time we'll see it all week before loads of rain – so get out there and enjoy it.
Commuters should remember that starting today, some lanes on the Gardiner Expressway will be closed due to construction. The roadwork is expected to wrap up in December 2016, but crews will take a break in July 2015 for the Pan Am Games.
Passengers going to or from Toronto should expect delays of at least 30 minutes during peak hours.
On top of issues on the Gardiner, GO Transit is also warning of slowdowns close to Aldershot station. The Ministry of Transportation has begun repairs on the Waterdown Road Bridge. While two–way traffic has been somewhat restricted, all ramps and exits remain open, GO Transit says. The construction should be completed sometime in July. In the meantime, GO Transit is recommending you allow for extra time entering and leaving the station.
Here are the issues police are reporting on the roads this morning:
Monday should be sunny with increasing cloudiness this afternoon, Environment Canada says. Today's high is 12 C except 7 C near Lake Ontario. Winds becoming northeast 30 km/h late this morning. UV index 7 or high.
Tonight will be cloudy, with periods of rain beginning late this evening. Amount 5 mm. Wind northeast 30 km/h. Low 7.
Tuesday will be even more damp, with rainfall amounts of 15 to 25 mm expected.
This shot comes courtesy of Susan Braithwaite, the executive director of the International Village BIA:
Two men in their 50s were rushed to hospital Sunday night after being stabbed multiple times. Emergency crews were called to a home on Wellington Street South near Hunter Street in central Hamilton just after 8 p.m., EMS Manager Carmen D'Angelo told CBC Hamilton.
"Both had multiple stab wounds," he said.
And Hamilton residents will have the opportunity starting this week to weigh in at a series of meetings about a dramatic plan to close a total of 10 elementary schools in three areas of the city.
On Tuesday, the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) will host a 6 p.m. community consultation at city hall about a staff recommendation to shutter three schools in West Flamborough and replace or expand two more. The board is set to hold two more sessions at city hall next week to get feedback on similar proposals for East Hamilton and the Central Mountain.
You probably missed the "blood moon" lunar eclipse from earlier this month, as it was dreary and rainy that night.
But here's a time lapse of the whole thing:
HWDSB accommodation review delegation nights at Hamilton City Hall
To speak at a session, delegates must register by noon on the day of they wish to attend. To register, contact Tracy McKillop by email at tmckillo@hwdsb.on.ca or by phone at 905-527-5092 ext. 2261.
For more information, go to the school board's elementary accommodation review page.
Hamilton residents will have the opportunity starting this week to weigh in at a series of meetings about a dramatic plan to close a total of 10 elementary schools in three areas of the city.
On Tuesday, the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) will host a 6 p.m. community consultation at city hall about a staff recommendation to shutter three schools in West Flamborough and replace or expand two more. The board is set to hold two more sessions at city hall next week to get feedback on similar proposals for East Hamilton and the Central Mountain.
The meetings represent the last round of community consultations before trustees vote on the current slate of school closure plans, which promise to save the board millions of dollars, but also threaten to alter the fabric of several long-established Hamilton neighbourhoods.
Ward 15 Coun. Judi Partridge said she'll be in attendance at Tuesday's meeting and expects trustees to get an earful from Flamborough residents who are angry about the proposed shutdown of Millgrove Elementary School. The century-old facility is situated in a rural village on Concession Road 5 near Highway 6 that is already slated to lose its public library in the fall.
"If you shut that school down, you're basically tearing that community apart," Partridge said.
The Flamborough councillor said she's also heard complaints about the handling of the accommodation review, the provincially mandated process that dictates how school boards must go about deciding to close schools or build new ones.
Coun. Judi Partridge of Flamborough says she's received emails from resident who say they're "confused" about how to voice their concerns about the proposed school closures. (Samantha Craggs/CBC)
In particular, Partridge said, some residents are "confused" about how community members can register to speak at the upcoming meetings.
"There's been little notification to let people know what the process is or how to do this."
Jessica Brennan, chair of the HWDSB, said she finds Partridge's comments "curious" and said Flamborough trustee Karen Turkstra has worked hard to inform her constituents about how they can participate.
"I think she's been very open in communicating in many places about what the process is and how people can get involved."
The board, Brennan added, has shared the information widely and has made it easily accessible on the HWDSB website.
The public meetings represent the last chance for public input into the accommodation reviews for schools in the West Flamborough, Central Mountain and East Hamilton areas. The process has seen a committee of community stakeholders from each of those regions advise the board on which schools it should close, renovate or replace.
HWDSB staff then made their own recommendations based upon the committees' suggestions and authored a report that was presented at a board meeting in late March.
Facing dwindling enrolment and aging infrastructure at many of its schools, the board can save tens of millions of dollars if it consolidates its resources, the document suggests.
HWDSB staff have recommended the closure of Millgrove Elementary School as part of a plan that would save the board tens of millions of dollars. (Samantha Craggs/CBC)
The pressure to close schools, Brennan said in March, stems from provincial policies that dictate how boards are allotted funding for capital projects.
Armed with the suggestions of staff, the accommodation review committees and other Hamilton residents, trustees are set to vote on the fates of the schools on June 6. A final ratification vote is slated for June 16.
They will also vote on a plan to close Bell Stone school in Glanbrook and send its students to Mount Hope Elementary.
Brennan says she's looking forward to hearing residents' reactions to the staff recommendation and to how the accommodation review has been conducted.
"I certainly, as one trustee, want to hear what people ideas are," she said.
"Our fiscal reality isn't going to go away, but we're certainly inviting people to say what they have to say about the process."
Board staff made its report in response to proposals authored by three accommodation review committees (ARCs), which were tasked to make recommendations on future of schools in West Flamborough, on the Central Mountain and in East Hamilton. Each ARC was made up of community stakeholders — including a trustee, parents and school staff — from the area it was assigned to study.
Here's a summary of board staff's recommendations on which schools should close and which ones should be replaced or expanded. It includes maps that show the schools that have been flagged for closure. Click on each one for more information.
Financial impact: Closing the three schools and replacing two others, the staff report suggests, would save the board $22.6 million in capital and renewal costs over the next 10 years — provided the old properties are sold off and Ontario's Ministry of Education picks up the $16.8-million tab to erect the new schools. Even if the provincial money isn't forthcoming, the board can expect to save millions, especially when reduced operational costs are factored in.
Financial impact: If the old properties are sold off and the province kicks in funding for a new $10-million building at the Viscount Montgomery site, the board can expect savings in the ballpark of $27.7 million on capital and renewal costs, the report suggests.
Financial impact: Closing three Mountain schools and selling off the properties would save the school board $17.9 million, staff estimate. The bulk of the savings would come from not having to renovate the schools that have been flagged for closure. Because this plan doesn't involve the building of any new schools, it doesn't rely upon a large infusion of Ministry of Education money for capital projects.
The non-profit group Fix Our World is holding the Taste of Africa fundraiser Saturday night in support of building a school in Ghana. The much-needed school will be built in Akuffukrom where Kindergarten students currently are taught under a tree with a hanging chalkboard. The dinner, hosted at the Canadian Legion on Upper Wentworth, will have food, a dance, prizes and a silent auction. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. and goes until 1 a.m.
The Hamilton-Burlington SPCA is at capacity and as a result will be offering a special on adoption prices through to Sunday at 4 p.m. All felines will be available for $125 (cats) and $145 (kittens). All adoption prices include spay/neuter, vaccines, microchip, flea treatment, de-worming and six weeks of pet insurance. The adoption centre is open Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Shoppers will want to make it out for some time-honoured goods at the 2nd annual Vintage Lifestyle Consumer Show at the Careport Centre this weekend. With over 50 vendors the two-day shopping event promises everything from furniture, clothing, home decor, wedding inspirations, and memorabilia. VIP shopping hour is 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday only, giving shoppers first pick for a $10 entrance fee. Normal shopping hours are Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a $5 entrance fee.
Volunteers are being invited to help out at The Escarpment Project's annual clean-up day on Sunday. Last year more than 300 people helped to remove 250 garbage bags as well as furniture, car parts, bikes and shopping carts out of parks and conservation areas. People interested in helping out are invited to sign up at the organization's website.
Handyman Bryan Baeumler will be at the Lowe's on Barton Street East in Hamilton on Saturday helping to hand out 700 free trees in support of communities devastated by the December ice storm. The initiative is part of the store's Project Replant, designed to help rebuild some of the tree canopy lost in Ontario communities. Tree start kits, valued at $30, will include a four to five foot tall red maple.
CBC News Posted: Apr 26, 2014 9:53 AM ET Last Updated: Apr 26, 2014 9:53 AM ET
A Hamilton man who was reported missing on Friday has been found, police say.
Authorities sent out a notice to the media Friday asking for the public's help locating 20-year-old Timothy Albert Cote.
Police said they were worried about him because of the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
However, on Saturday morning, Hamilton police Staff Sergeant Robin Abbott said Cote had been found "safe and sound."
"We appreciate the public's assistance," she said.
Abbott would not provide any details on how Cote was located.
The mating season for the Hamilton Sheraton's resident pair Madame X and Surge is still in full flight despite speculation the female peregrine falcon may be nearing the end of her reproductive years.
Peregrine experts say it's too soon to read too much into the failure of the eggs laid this spring—both for the prospects of more eggs being laid this year and the breeding pair's reproductive future.
"It's our understanding in what we're seeing that the birds are producing right up until the day they die," said Mark Nash, president of the Canadian Peregrine Foundation. "They don't seem to go through menopause likely people do are are incredibly resilient."
Since 2001, the 15-year-old Madame X has produced dozens of newborns with different mates - the most recent of whom is Surge who fought ousted another male falcon from the nest in 2006. Offspring from the nest now span several generations and have been spotted in five states in the U.S. - some as far away as Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Nash credits the Sheraton and local urban watch plans for their efforts in ensuring the nest is undisturbed and ultimately the recovery of a species that at one point was all but extinct 20 years ago.
"We now see that these urban nesting peregrines, egg for egg and hatch for hatch, are outproducing our wild non-urban sites," he said.
The recent disappearance the city's resident falcons' eggs may have been the result of environmental stressors such as territorial challenges from other birds, but there's no doubt hormones among the Sheraton pair remains high.
'Hormonally they'll be stimulated to go back into breeding mode.'- Mark Nash, Canadian Peregrine Foundation
"Hormonally they'll be stimulated to go back into breeding mode," Nash said.
The eggs were likely crushed, and possibly even eaten, by the pair or other migrating peregrines aggressively seeking out a mate.
"When we see this type of behaviour happen it usually spells out territorial challenges," he said. "This is a time of year when all of our northern Ontario peregrines are now starting to pass over from the wintering grounds in the south and they can really cause a lot of disruption."
It's unclear the span Hamilton's falcons consider as their territory, but much of their activity occurs on rooftops where they hunt and prepare food before bringing it back to the nest.
Hamilton "has a very seasoned pair. They've been around for a number of years, they know the territory and the site and each other's routines and behaviours," Nash said. "To see this type of activity happening it's something out of the norm."
Other stressors in the environment such as downtown construction, or activity on nearby rooftops, may also stir a similar reaction in the bird.
"It really does cause a lot of stresses on the individual pairs and their hormones and it can really cause them do some unusual and bizarre things," Nash said.
Across Ontario the Canadian Peregrine Foundation monitors approximately 30 peregrine nests.
A 28-year-old Hamilton man faces several charges, including drunk driving, after a late-night police chase that sent two people to hospital.
Around 3 a.m. Saturday, an officer spotted a 2008 Mazda 6 driving in the wrong direction on Barton Street East near Wellington, said Hamilton police Staff Sergeant Gary Thompson.
The officer turned on his emergency lights, prompting the suspect's vehicle to drive away.
Thompson said the Mazda turned south on Ferguson Avenue North, weaving through several side streets before it "collided with a taxi at Wilson [Street] at Cathcart," said Thompson.
The vehicle then fled the scene, driving south towards Main Street East. Squad cars were able to block the Mazda in at Main Street East at Wellington Street South.
The driver tried to run away from police, but was unsuccessful.
Police took a 28-year-old Hamilton man into custody and charged him with impaired driving, failing to remain at the scene of a crash and attempting to flee from police.
The accused was denied bail, Thompson said.
Two occupants of the taxi were sent to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Protests are scheduled for cities across Canada today against the Harper government's contentious elections bill.
A few dozen people clutched signs and unrolled a banner during a demonstration in downtown Toronto.
Organizer Anna Goldfinch says that despite the Tories' pledge on Friday to strip the bill of some of its most contentious aspects, such as a residency ID requirement, the proposed legislation still goes too far and should be scrapped outright.
She says an Elections Canada pilot project to encourage turnout on post-secondary campuses will not go ahead if the bill is passed.
Protester Andrew Porter also pointed to the bill imposing restrictions on Elections Canada's outreach work as a continuing cause for concern.
Demonstrations are also planned in Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, Calgary, Vancouver and Hamilton today.
Goldfinch, an executive member with the Canadian Federation of Students's Ontario branch, said that even with the changes the government has agreed to, the bill will still discourage election turnout.
"I still think there's so much in this bill that really does a lot to suppress voting, to not encourage people to get out and vote," she said.
The mating season for the Hamilton Sheraton's resident pair Madame X and Surge is still in full flight despite speculation the female peregrine falcon may be nearing the end of her reproductive years.
Peregrine experts say it's too soon to read too much into the failure of the eggs laid this spring—both for the prospects of more eggs being laid this year and the breeding pair's reproductive future.
"It's our understanding in what we're seeing that the birds are producing right up until the day they die," said Mark Nash, president of the Canadian Peregrine Foundation. "They don't seem to go through menopause likely people do are are incredibly resilient."
Since 2001, the 15-year-old Madame X has produced dozens of newborns with different mates - the most recent of whom is Surge who fought ousted another male falcon from the nest in 2006. Offspring from the nest now span several generations and have been spotted in five states in the U.S. - some as far away as Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Nash credits the Sheraton and local urban watch plans for their efforts in ensuring the nest is undisturbed and ultimately the recovery of a species that at one point was all but extinct 20 years ago.
"We now see that these urban nesting peregrines, egg for egg and hatch for hatch, are outproducing our wild non-urban sites," he said.
The recent disappearance the city's resident falcons' eggs may have been the result of environmental stressors such as territorial challenges from other birds, but there's no doubt hormones among the Sheraton pair remains high.
'Hormonally they'll be stimulated to go back into breeding mode.'- Mark Nash, Canadian Peregrine Foundation
"Hormonally they'll be stimulated to go back into breeding mode," Nash said.
The eggs were likely crushed, and possibly even eaten, by the pair or other migrating peregrines aggressively seeking out a mate.
"When we see this type of behaviour happen it usually spells out territorial challenges," he said. "This is a time of year when all of our northern Ontario peregrines are now starting to pass over from the wintering grounds in the south and they can really cause a lot of disruption."
It's unclear the span Hamilton's falcons consider as their territory, but much of their activity occurs on rooftops where they hunt and prepare food before bringing it back to the nest.
Hamilton "has a very seasoned pair. They've been around for a number of years, they know the territory and the site and each other's routines and behaviours," Nash said. "To see this type of activity happening it's something out of the norm."
Other stressors in the environment such as downtown construction, or activity on nearby rooftops, may also stir a similar reaction in the bird.
"It really does cause a lot of stresses on the individual pairs and their hormones and it can really cause them do some unusual and bizarre things," Nash said.
Across Ontario the Canadian Peregrine Foundation monitors approximately 30 peregrine nests.
The city's current measles outbreak is not over yet due to a recent suspected case in Burlington that, if confirmed, would be the fourth case originating from a Hamilton resident and could mean continued risk of transmission in Hamilton.
A "probable case" of measles was found in Burlington in a child on Wednesday and the Halton Region Health Department is warning the public of a possible exposure site at a medical centre on Appleby Line.
Hamilton's measles outbreak won't be declared over until the status of the suspected case is confirmed, according to Dr. Ninh Tran, Hamilton's associate medical officer of health.
"We won't declare it to be over until we are sure there's no further transmission," he told CBC Hamilton on Friday.
Earlier this month, health officials said the current outbreak could be declared over as early as April 25, as the city calls off its warning 30 days after the last confirmed case is reported.
Health officials became aware of a Hamilton woman's case on March 26.
If the Burlington case turns out to be a false alarm, Hamilton's measles outbreak could be declared over as early as next week, Tran said.
"Even if it's over, we'll still be on a state of alert because we are seeing cases in nearby jurisdictions," he added.
Measles is a highly contagious disease spread through the air. Common symptoms include a bad cough, runny nose, fever, sensitivity to light and red, watery eyes before a rash starts to appear at the face and moves down the body.
The non-profit group Fix Our World is holding the Taste of Africa fundraiser Saturday night in support of building a school in Ghana. The much-needed school will be built in Akuffukrom where Kindergarten students currently are taught under a tree with a hanging chalkboard. The dinner, hosted at the Canadian Legion on Upper Wentworth, will have food, a dance, prizes and a silent auction. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. and goes until 1 a.m.
The Hamilton-Burlington SPCA is at capacity and as a result will be offering a special on adoption prices through to Sunday at 4 p.m. All felines will be available for $125 (cats) and $145 (kittens). All adoption prices include spay/neuter, vaccines, microchip, flea treatment, de-worming and six weeks of pet insurance. The adoption centre is open Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Shoppers will want to make it out for some time-honoured goods at the 2nd annual Vintage Lifestyle Consumer Show at the Careport Centre this weekend. With over 50 vendors the two-day shopping event promises everything from furniture, clothing, home decor, wedding inspirations, and memorabilia. VIP shopping hour is 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday only, giving shoppers first pick for a $10 entrance fee. Normal shopping hours are Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a $5 entrance fee.
Volunteers are being invited to help out at The Escarpment Project's annual clean-up day on Sunday. Last year more than 300 people helped to remove 250 garbage bags as well as furniture, car parts, bikes and shopping carts out of parks and conservation areas. People interested in helping out are invited to sign up at the organization's website.
Handyman Bryan Baeumler will be at the Lowe's on Barton Street East in Hamilton on Saturday helping to hand out 700 free trees in support of communities devastated by the December ice storm. The initiative is part of the store's Project Replant, designed to help rebuild some of the tree canopy lost in Ontario communities. Tree start kits, valued at $30, will include a four to five foot tall red maple.
A 28-year-old Hamilton man faces several charges, including drunk driving, after a late-night police chase that sent two people to hospital.
Around 3 a.m. Saturday, an officer spotted a 2008 Mazda 6 driving in the wrong direction on Barton Street East near Wellington, said Hamilton police Staff Sergeant Gary Thompson.
The officer turned on his emergency lights, prompting the suspect's vehicle to drive away.
Thompson said the Mazda turned south on Ferguson Avenue North, weaving through several side streets before it "collided with a taxi at Wilson [Street] at Cathcart," said Thompson.
The vehicle then fled the scene, driving south towards Main Street East. Squad cars were able to block the Mazda in at Main Street East at Wellington Street South.
The driver tried to run away from police, but was unsuccessful.
Police took a 28-year-old Hamilton man into custody and charged him with impaired driving, failing to remain at the scene of a crash and attempting to flee from police.
The accused was denied bail, Thompson said.
Two occupants of the taxi were sent to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
CBC News Posted: Apr 26, 2014 9:53 AM ET Last Updated: Apr 26, 2014 9:53 AM ET
A Hamilton man who was reported missing on Friday has been found, police say.
Authorities sent out a notice to the media Friday asking for the public's help locating 20-year-old Timothy Albert Cote.
Police said they were worried about him because of the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
However, on Saturday morning, Hamilton police Staff Sergeant Robin Abbott said Cote had been found "safe and sound."
"We appreciate the public's assistance," she said.
Abbott would not provide any details on how Cote was located.
Good morning Hamilton! It's another slightly chilly morning, so you'll want to grab a jacket on your way out the door.
The sun is still peaking out in most parts of the city at least, so you can soak up that vitamin D. Enjoy it while it lasts – it's set to cloud over later this morning.
Just one delay being reported by GO Transit this morning: the 7:13 a.m. from Union Station to Aldershot 8:16 a.m. is backed up by about 10 minutes.
Here are the issues police are reporting:
That sun will dip under clouds later this morning, with showers beginning this afternoon. The winds will be coming out of the east 30 km/h gusting to 50 km/h.
Today's high is 7 C with temperatures falling to 3 C this afternoon.
Showers will end late this evening then it will be partly cloudy with a 40 per cent chance of drizzle. Winds are forecasted as coming out of the northeast 30 km/h becoming light after midnight. Low of 1 C.
Today's photo comes courtesy of Nick Westoll, who is giving us an update on the Pan Am Stadium:
A 19-year Hamilton police veteran pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of discreditable conduct for receiving oral sex from a sex worker and then lying that she was an informant when another officer caught him.
The $20 encounter with the woman will cost the officer $40,000 in lost salary.
The RCMP is also investigating after containers of toxic chemicals were discovered at a location in Ancaster, findings that police say are "consistent with a synthetic drug lab."
You need to see this video of English singer-songwriter Imogen Heap singing tones into shapes on a drum head:
A 19-year Hamilton police veteran pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of discreditable conduct for receiving oral sex from a sex worker and then lying that she was an informant when another officer caught him.
The $20 encounter with the woman will cost the officer $40,000 in lost salary.
Hamilton police counsel Marco Visentini says Const. Thomas McKay's actions showed a "remarkable lack of judgment" and have embarrassed the police service and the officer's own family.
According to an agreed statement of facts, the charges stem from an incident that happened last July in the east end of the city, when McKay was off duty. He was driving his own car in the area of Barton Street East and St. Olga Street around 3:30 p.m. when another officer — Const. Kobe Saffu — saw a sex worker standing at a bus shelter get into McKay's vehicle.
'The public certainly does not expect a police officer to act this way.'- Hamilton police counsel Marco Visentini
McKay knew that the woman was a sex trade worker when she got into his car, hearing documents say. Saffu lost sight of the vehicle because of traffic, but McKay admitted to driving to a parking lot at 275 Sherman Ave. N, where the woman performed oral sex on him in the front seat.
Saffu saw the vehicle as it was pulling out of the parking lot, and pulled up on the passenger side to see the sex worker—referred to as M.H. in the documents—still sitting in the front seat. According to hearing documents, Saffu stopped the car after M.H. had gotten out — and that's when he recognized McKay as the driver.
"Saffu questioned McKay as to what he was doing. McKay appeared shocked and told Saffu that he was meeting with a confidential informant," the agreed statement of facts reads. "When McKay made his statement to Saffu, McKay knew that the statement was false and that M.H. was not his confidential informant."
"Saffu told McKay that he did not believe him. McKay then drove away from the scene quickly."
Saffu tracked down the sex worker, who told him that she had performed oral sex on McKay for $20, and that she didn't know he was a cop.
At Thursday's hearing, McKay pleaded guilty to the misconduct charges. He appeared in a black suit with a white shirt and had close cropped hair and a short goatee. He spoke little, except to enter his guilty pleas and say he understood the charges against him.
Hearing officer Bob Strathdee upheld the two-year demotion the prosecution was seeking in the case. McKay has been demoted from first class constable to third class constable. He will be upgraded to second class constable next year and reinstated as a first class constable in 2016. He will lose just over $40,000 in salary over that time.
Visentini says that there is a standard of behaviour the public expects from police officers — whether they're on or off duty. "The public certainly does not expect a police officer to act this way," he said, adding that the police service is working "tirelessly" to combat prostitution and crime associated with it. "It's difficult to imagine police Const. McKay was unaware of those efforts."
McKay's lawyer Gary Clewley told the hearing that his client apologizes to the police service. "He realizes his conduct was misconduct, and he promises not to repeat it," Clewley said, adding that McKay's personnel file is "chock full of commendations."
"It's fair to say this was an isolated incident."
Clewley also pointed to McKay's enrolment in an Elizabeth Fry Society "John School" as evidence of his remorse. John schools are diversion and educations programs set up for people who are arrested for soliciting services from a sex worker.
Visentini told the hearing that he's "confident" McKay learned from the experience and won't be before the tribunal again — because if he is, his employment "would almost certainly be in jeopardy."
Organizers of a rally against the Hamilton Fair Elections Act say it will exclude between 7,000 and 10,000 Hamiltonians from voting.
Community groups concerned about the potential impacts of the on local voters will gather at City Hall Friday morning for an information forum.
The federal government's Bill C-32 proposes changes to the rules around voting, including loosening spending rules and restricting the use of voter information cards previously tested in 2011 as an Elections Canada pilot project,
The Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction and community partners organizing the forum said the Fair Elections Act will make it more challenging for low-income Hamiltonians to cast ballots.
The proposed legislation will ban vouch voting, whereby a guardian or friend living in the same polling division could swear an oath confirming a voter's identity.
"The removal of vouch voting in C-23 will affect the approximately 4,000 individual men and women who emergency shelters in Hamilton each year as well as the estimated 3,000 to 6,500 women alone who live in hidden homelessness" said Laura Cattari, roundtable member and organizer of the event.
Several local MPs including David Christopherson (Hamilton Centre), Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain) and Wayne Marston (Hamilton East - Stoney Creek) are likely to attend the event.
The politicians committed to organizers of the forum that they will bring Hamiltonians' comments back to Ottawa as part of the ongoing debate.
Hamilton Wentworth District School Board Trustee Alex Johnstone and McMaster Student Union representative Eric Gill will discuss the Bill's impact on educators and students.
The forum will also include Rosemary Russell of the Council of Canadians, McMaster Political Science professor Peter Graefe, Evelyn Myrie of the Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion and Audra Petrulis of YWCA Hamilton.
The event gets underway at 9 a.m. in the council chambers of Hamilton City Hall.
Jason Thorne has worked around oil sands and gold mines.
He's helped start a community garden in his neighbourhood in downtown Guelph. He's worked on waterfront restoration and preserving natural areas. And he's preparing for his new job as the city's general manager of planning and economic development by touring around Hamilton on his bicycle.
Thorne met CBC Hamilton at Gore Park to talk about his vision for the city. Hamilton is in transition, with a booming real estate market, a downtown on the upswing and a changing economy. And Thorne, a Hamilton native, is now at the heart of that.
"This is where I hung out when I was in high school," Thorne said, gesturing around the Gore. "We'd come downtown every day after school and I'd go to Cheapies and shop at Jackson Square."
Thorne, a graduate of Sir Allan MacNab high school on the Mountain and later Guelph University, is a decorated figure in the planning field. He's a principal with rePlan and the affiliated firms planningAlliance and regionalArchitects. His current job includes helping establish a regional development plan around the first gold mine in Senegal. He has also done regional plans for the Athabasca and Cold Lake Oil Sands areas in northern Alberta and Ontario.
He's worked as director of transportation policy and planning for Metrolinx, and was one of the architects of The Big Move, through which city council hopes to get fully funded Light Rail Transit.
The 40-year old father of two starts at city hall in late May, replacing Tim McCabe, who retired. Here's what Thorne had to say about his future job:
Why were you interested in coming to Hamilton?
Because it's Hamilton. When it's your hometown, you want to come back. It's a very rare opportunity and a rare privilege to lead a great planning department in a city that's your hometown, and I just couldn't pass it up.
Do you have a planning philosophy?
I'm a very strong believer in community involvement and community engagement, and bottom-up planning, and certainly that's been a big part of the work that I've done. Regardless of the issue, that's the philosophy that underpins how I approach planning.
You worked for Metrolinx. Do you have any thoughts on LRT in Hamilton?
I've followed the debate a little bit. I don't know all of the issues or positions on it. I think great transit is critical to a growing city, but in terms of the details of that, one of my big priorities when I start is going to be to meet with council and understand what council's vision is and where council is coming from, and to help them realize that.
How do you feel about the recent developments in terms of the city being able to develop Piers 7 and 8 at the waterfront?
The waterfront already is sort of a jewel in the city. I know when I was working on waterfront issues with the Bay Area Restoration Council 15 years ago, a lot of the projects there were just dreams and glints in people's eyes. To see those projects coming to fruition is exciting. When it comes to something like waterfront development, it's a generational project. It's something that happens over many, many years. That's one of the things I'm excited about with this job, being able to help move those things forward.
Updated
CBC News Posted: Apr 25, 2014 10:05 AM ET Last Updated: Apr 25, 2014 11:31 AM ET
Hamilton police and RCMP closed a section of highway in Binbrook Friday morning after a second incident involving abandoned barrels suspected of being linked to an illegal drug lab.
Police said Highway 56 from Hall Road to Haldibrook Road was closed for several hours as the hazmat unit removed a number of "small barrels."
All the barrels were sealed and there was no risk to public safety.
On Thursday police closed Trinity Road South from Book Road to Wilson Street after RCMP say chemicals "consistent with a synthetic drug lab" were discovered in several abandoned barrels.
RCMP spokesperson Richard Rollings said he wouldn't specify on the chemical substance found and what it may have been used to create.
"We will continue our analysis and investigation to verify," Rollings said.
Police are looking into the possiblity that both incidents are related.
The provincial Ministry of Environment is also investigating the finds.
Hamilton ranked fourth in the country for gun-related crime in 2012, shows new data from Statistics Canada.
The Hamilton census metropolitan area, which includes Burlington and Grimsby, ranked behind Halifax, Moncton and Saskatoon in relation to violent crime involving firearms. The city had 33 firearm-related crimes per 100,000 people compared to the highest rate, which was 41 in Halifax.
Only about two per cent of violent crime in Canada involved firearms, the report shows. And the rate of firearm-related violent crimes are decreasing faster than other crimes, although gun-related homicides increased slightly, from 158 in 2011 to 172 in 2012.
The highest number of violent crimes involving guns were attempted murders, followed by homicides and robberies.
Canada ranks well below the U.S. in terms of gun-related homicide, with 172 people killed in 2012 compared to 8,813 in the U.S.
Hamilton Police Services presented year-end crime statistics at a police services board meeting Tuesday.
Here were some noteworthy highlights:
Homicides have seen a 62.5-per cent jump over the last five years, the report shows. In 2013, there were 13 homicides compared to seven the year before. But police are also solving more of them — the clearance rate has improved over the last three years, with officers solving 13 homicides in 2013.
Sexual offences in general increased in 2013, to 410, up from 392 the year before. And a higher percentage of them are against children. Police investigated 36 sexual offences against children in 2013, and only 28 the year before. More troubling, Chief Glenn De Caire said, is that they tend to be under reported, so the statistics likely don't tell the whole story.
Robberies are decreasing in Hamilton, with police investigating 407 in 2013 compared to 495 the year before. Robberies have been trending downward since 2009, when there were 683. The bulk of robberies are street robberies.
Vehicle thefts trended downward in 2013, with 1,748 compared to 2,248 the year before. But only 84 were cleared in 2013, which is a clearance rate of 4.81 per cent. Police charged 28 adults last year, and dealt with 22 youth, not all of whom were charged. Vehicle thefts have trended upward the last five years, with a 114.3-per cent increase since 2009.
It's a chilly-for-April Thursday morning. Hamiltonians woke up to lows around –1 C. But with the wind chill, it felt as cold as –6 C.
So don't let the sunny skies fool you. It's a cold morning. But double-digit temperatures are expected for later in the day.
More on that in a bit…
GO Transit isn't reporting any major delays on its train and bus routes running in and out of Hamilton.
Ontario Police Police aren't reporting any collisions on Hamilton-area highways.
After a cold early morning, things are set to warm up on Thursday. A high of 12 C and mostly sunny skies are expected for the day. Environment Canada says a low of 3 C is in the forecast for the overnight period.
Friday is set to be a wet one. Showers are expected to begin in the late morning and continue until the late evening. A high of 7 C is in store for the morning, but temperatures are expected to fall as low as 2 C in the afternoon.
Clouds, a high of 8 C and a 40 per cent chance of showers are in the forecast.
Known for growing produce, Fruitland and Winona are set grow more subdivisions. The city has approved a controversial plan to add 15,000 over the next 20 years.
City council voted Wednesday to move ahead with the Fruitland-Winona Secondary Plan, a sweeping blueprint that maps out future commercial and residential growth. The plan would expand Hamilton's urban boundary into a partially rural area that contains tender fruit farms.
Instagram user Whatisastiles posted this gleaming sunset photo on Wednesday night.
Mexican BMX biker Hector Urribe posted this harrowing video to Facebook.
It's been years of fear and concern, debate and public meetings. But the city has finally approved a controversial plan to grow the Fruitland and Winona area by 15,000 people over the next 20 years.
City council voted Wednesday to move ahead with the Fruitland-Winona Secondary Plan, a sweeping blueprint that maps out future commercial and residential growth. The plan would expand Hamilton's urban boundary into a partially rural area that contains tender fruit farms.
The plan has been a source of anxiety for some Fruitland and Winona residents, who fear issues such as loss of community character, traffic and the impact on agriculture. Coun. Brenda Johnson of Ward 11 was one of two councillors to vote against it on Wednesday.
"It's dragged the community through a horrible ordeal," she said. "I've met people at their kitchen tables. I've met people in their living rooms, in their backyards, in their front yards."
The plan, also known as the Stoney Creek Urban Boundary Expansion (SCUBE), has been in the works for years. The city actually approved the plan — complete with a public consultation process — in June.
But shortly after that, the province approved the city's new Urban Hamilton Official Plan, which cancelled out the Fruitland-Winona one. So council had to go through the process and approve it again.
Air drainage is a phenomenon between the lake and the Niagara Escarpment that impacts fruit growers. Tall buildings impact air drainage, Johnson said.
Under the current plan, buildings will be a maximum of three and a half stories. Johnson wanted three. Initially, the limit was six stories, which would have added as many as 21,000 people to the area over 20 years.
The population density in the current plan will be about 70 residents per hectare. Johnson wanted 50. She's also concerned about the placement of a community park and traffic flow.
Council was initially set to approve the plan in the fall, but Johnson wanted more time to consult with residents. About 250 attended a public meeting in February, and more have called and written letters.
'It's just laying down a mapping saying 'here's what can go here.''- Coun. Maria Pearson
Not all are against it, she said. But those in favour "have been living with this for 30 years and said 'get it over with.'"
In a letter to council on Wednesday, resident Paul Gaudet wrote that Winona is a "beautiful and family-oriented community."
"I am not against development, but putting up two, three, four-storey buildings is not a good idea," he said.
But Coun. Maria Pearson or Ward 10 in Stoney Creek said her area has experienced growth, and it's worked out fine.
"It's just laying down a mapping saying 'here's what can go here,'" she said.
In her ward, farms have become housing developments and it's been "pretty complimentary over the course of the last 30 years," she said.
"If I drive around my neighbourhood, I can't say I'm unhappy with any aspect of my neighbourhood," she said. "And those houses don't sit empty long once the for sale sign goes up."
It's likely not the end of the issue. Community members are expected to appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board. If that happens, it could take six months to a year for a hearing, said Steve Robichaud, manager of development planning.
Johnson predicts that could take years. "If we ever see a shovel, I don't believe it'll be in there for five years."
Community member Cal DiFalco called the plan wrong headed, preferring a "Plan C" that the city approved in April 2009.
"It is expected that this will be a very long fight," he said. "The community is not giving up."
The Canadian Press Posted: Apr 24, 2014 9:07 AM ET Last Updated: Apr 24, 2014 9:58 AM ET
A 68-year-old Burlington man was taken to Hamilton General Hospital on Wednesday after a head-on collision between a sport-utility vehicle and a school bus.
The crash happened just after 3 p.m. Wednesday (on Guelph Line north of 10 Side Road) in Milton.
Halton police say a full-sized school bus with 17 students on board was travelling northbound on Guelph Line when the southbound SUV collided head on with the bus.
Some of the students received minor bumps and bruises and their parents picked up their children from the scene.
The SUV driver, a 68-year-old Burlington man who was the only occupant of the vehicle, was extricated by firefighters and paramedics and taken to Hamilton General Hospital by air ambulance with serious injuries.
Police say the bus driver, a 57-year-old Acton man, was shaken by the incident but escaped serious injury.
The road was closed for more than five hours while investigators examined the scene and collected evidence.
Any witnesses to the crash are asked to contact Halton police's collision reconstruction unit at 905-825-4747 ext. 5056.
CBC News Posted: Apr 24, 2014 9:09 AM ET Last Updated: Apr 24, 2014 9:09 AM ET
A Hamilton man who died while trying to save a drowning person will be honoured by the Governor General for his bravery.
The Medal of Bravery recognizes acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances. (gg.ca)
Dennis Kerridge will posthumously receive the Medal of Bravery from Gov. Gen. David Johnson on Thursday, along with another man, David Mayo, for their actions during a water rescue.
The two are instrumental in saving a drowning man in Georgian Bay in Ontario in 2011 when they ran into the water and struggled through huge waves and the strong current.
Kerridge suffered a heart attack during the rescue and collapsed on the beach and couldn't be revived, while Mayo reached the man and brought him safely to the shore.
Kerridge was born on Oct. 65, 1944 in Toronto, according to an obituary published in the Toronto Star shortly after he died. He is survived by his partner and two children.
Kerridge and Mayo's medal and 41 others will be presented during a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
The Medal of Bravery recognizes acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances.
(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external links.)
CBC News Posted: Apr 23, 2014 9:23 AM ET Last Updated: Apr 23, 2014 9:23 AM ET
Edward Milligan, 34, of Grimsby is set to appear in court on Wednesday. (Supplied)
A 34-year-old Grimsby man who was wanted for attempted murder turned himself in on Tuesday, police say.
The charge stems from a "vicious assault" police say happened last week, when officers and ambulance crews were called to the area of Francis Street and Douglas Avenue for a reported assault.
A 23-year-old man was found with serious injuries caused by blunt force trauma. "He was transported to hospital where he received urgent medical treatment," a police news release reads. "He had been in critical condition but has now improved and he is expected to survive."
Police say the incident was a targeted attack and not a random act — but investigators say they don't believe the suspect and victim knew each other.
Edward Milligan, 34, of Grimsby is set to appear in court on Wednesday.
The city of Hamilton is putting food allergy auto-injectors into two local food courts this summer as part of a pilot project that could eventually see them placed in every food court and restaurant in the city.
Security staff in Jackson Square and Eastgate Mall will be trained to use epinephrine auto-injectors, often referred to by the brand name EpiPen. If someone has a noticeable allergic reaction, security will administer the drug.
The city will spend $82,000 on the project. Part of that will go to Anaphylaxis Canada to train a still-unknown number of security personnel. The rest will go to McMaster University, which will use the pilot as part of a study to test elements such as usage and consumer confidence.
McMaster is still pondering how much legal responsibility it wants to carry. But the legal risk is "so remote," it's not enough to deter city hall, said Coun. Lloyd Ferguson of Ancaster.
"There's risk going down those stairs," he said. "What you have to do is measure that risk."
The pilot will roll out in mid-June. The city is still hammering out agreements with the malls, food vendors and McMaster.
The project started with the Rotary Club of Ancaster AM, which approached Ferguson to take it to council. It's attracted international interest, said Laurie Harada, executive director of Anaphylaxis Canada.
"This has not been done before to the best of my knowledge," she said.
"What's really important is if your'e going to be trying something, you have to measure how effective it is because others are going to be looking to model this."
The closest applicable law appears to be the Good Samaritan Law, which covers everything but gross negligence, said city lawyer Janice Atwood-Petkovski.
It's important to work out those details, Mayor Bob Bratina said during the board of health meeting Tuesday.
"This is not zero risk."
It's important that people with food allergies don't interpret the project as meaning they can leave their auto-injectors at home, Harada said.
City council will ratify the decision at a meeting Wednesday. The project came after a 12-year-old girl died from an allergic reaction in a Burlington food court last year.
Good morning, Hamilton. It's colder out there today than you might think, so make sure you grab a warmer jacket or a sweater on your way out the door. It should warm up as the day goes on.
Today is the great William Shakespeare's birthday – so if you're celebrating a birthday this Wednesday, you get to share it with the bard. He would've been a sprightly 450 years old today.
GO Transit isn't reporting any delays on bus and train lines connecting to Hamilton.
Here are the issues police are reporting this morning:
It's a chilly 2 C this morning in Hamilton. It will be mainly cloudy with a 30 per cent chance of showers early this morning, but clearing later on in the morning. The wind is coming out of the northwest 30 km/h gusting to 50 km/h. Today's high is 11 C.
Tonight will be clear with a low of –1 C. Thursday's forecast is sunny becoming partly cloudy in the evening with a high of 12 C.
It's 1983 in front of the Lister Block this morning. This image comes courtesy of Twitter user Steve C:
At city hall today, councillors will be discussing a request for an impact study for the closure of Parkside high school in Dundas. A post-employment "cooling off period" for city employees will also be discussed. When senior city officials retire, they often take up positions as consultants, or join other organizations that have dealings with the city.
Coun. Sam Merulla will introduce a motion for a "cooling-off period" — a length of time senior staff have to wait before they deal with the city from the other side. The move is to prevent the city from having an unfair disadvantage.
Follow along with the debate on Twitter with reporter Samatha Craggs, who will be tweeting live from the meeting.
Think Hamilton traffic is bad? Check out this busy intersection in Meskel Square, Ethiopia. Who needs stoplights?
Burlington is dealing with a "probable case" of measles – which if confirmed would be the fourth case that originated from a Hamilton resident.
The Halton Region Health Department is warning the public that the North Burlington Medical Centre is a possible exposure site. The potential new case is a child.
Anyone who visited the medical centre on Appleby Line on April 19 between 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. is encouraged to contact the health department, the department said in a news release.
This possible measles case started with a Hamilton resident, which led to another person being infected in Hamilton, then a Halton case, and now this one.
The first confirmed measles infection in the region came from a man who travelled to the Philippines on March 14.
Measles is spread through the air, and people are usually contagious before they have symptoms. A bad cough, runny nose, fever, sensitivity to light and red-watery eyes are symptoms commonly associated with the virus. Spots with a white centre can also appear inside the mouth. A red rash may also appear and last for four to seven days.
About four days after infection, a rash starts at the face and moves down the body. White spots may appear inside the mouth. People with measles are contagious until four days after the rash first appears.
The virus spreads easily to people who aren't immune. Infants under a year of age, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems can get particularly ill.
Complications can include ear infections, pneumonia, croup and brain inflammation.
In just 16 days after the online volunteer portal for Pan Am/Parapan Am Games was opened, organizers have received more than 10,000 applications. They are now calling for more Hamiltonians and residents across Ontario to step up to be part of the "once-in-a-lifetime" experience.
Twenty thousand volunteer positions are available in Hamilton and 15 other Ontario municipalities. A wide range of tasks are offered, including medical services, protocol and ticketing, venue management and ushers.
Interviews will start in June and positions will be offered starting from September and continuing up Games time, organizers announced on Wednesday.
In particular, Hamilton volunteers will be needed for the soccer games at the new stadium with positions ranging from drivers to locker room stockers, says Dino Rossi, sport organizing committee chair for TO2015.
The stadium could host as many as four soccer games per day during the 2015 Games, which will require dozens of volunteers, Rossi told CBC Hamilton earlier.
In addition to an amazing experience, organizers say all volunteers will also receive training, a keepsake uniform a volunteer certificate from the province.
Residents aged 16 and up are eligible to apply online at TORONTO2015.org/volunteer.
Those with language skills in French, Spanish and Portuguese are especially encouraged to apply.
The Pan Am Games will take place from July 10 to 26, 2015 and the Parapan Am Games August 7 to 15.
CBC News Posted: Apr 22, 2014 9:23 AM ET Last Updated: Apr 22, 2014 9:23 AM ET
Three train cars derailed just after midnight Tuesday in the CN rail yard in Aldershot, officials say.
The cars all derailed upright and weren't carrying any dangerous goods, communications officer Lindsay Fedchyshyn told CBC Hamilton. The trains were carrying a type of rock called callast.
"It didn't affect any main lines or commuter traffic," Fedchyshyn said. GO Train service was not affected.
Crews should be finished cleaning up in the rail yard by the afternoon.
Good morning, Hamilton – and happy Earth Day.
Each year, Earth Day marks the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. According to the movement's website, over one billion people in 192 countries are marking the day and taking action to protect the environment.
This year, Earth Day Network is focusing on "Green Cities" – and talking about a transition to a sustainable future through efficiency upgrades, investment in renewable energy, and regulation reform. You can learn more on the Earth Day website.
The Queen Street Hill will be closed from 10 a.m. to noon because a small rockslide on the hill from last week has Hamilton Public Works conducting a site inspection Tuesday.
Construction is also set to resume today on Queensdale Avenue from East 24th Street to Upper Sherman Avenue.
GO Transit isn't reporting any substantial delays on bus or train lines this morning connecting to Hamilton. The Union Station 7:13 a.m. to Aldershot GO 8:16 a.m. train is delayed by just under seven minutes.
Here are the issues police are reporting for Hamilton area roads this morning:
It's a damp one out there this morning. Showers are set to end this morning then a mix of sun and cloud for the rest of the day. Winds will be coming out of the southwest at 20 km/h becoming northwest 30 km/h gusting to 50 km/h. Today's high is 14 C.
Tonight's forecast is mainly cloudy with a 60 percent chance of showers and a low of 2 C. We should see sunny skies Wednesday and a high of 11 C.
Now that all that ice has melted, we get treated to this great shot of Albion Falls from Twitter user Drake White:
Back in October, Hamilton became the first city in Canada to move towards putting auto-injectors — more commonly known as EpiPens — in every restaurant in the city. At Tuesday's board of health meeting councillors will discuss rolling out the program in two Hamilton malls.
There's also a Pan Am games committee presentation slated for today's public works meeting. You can follow along with both meetings with reporter Samantha Craggs on Twitter.
Here's some ultra slow motion video of people holding fire — a trick performed with butane and soap water:
Almost a month after the sudden retirement of a disgraced police officer who collected more than $550,000 in salary in four years while being suspended, the issue of suspension without pay will be under the spotlight again for Hamilton police.
Police Chief Glenn De Caire will present a white paper at the police services board meeting on Tuesday, seeking amendments to Ontario's Police Services Act to allow suspension without pay for officers charged with serious criminal offences and those held in custody.
In addition, De Caire is asking the province to give police chiefs "the discretionary ability" to suspend officers without pay for serious Police Services Act misconducts.
In his white paper, De Caire cited the case of former Hamilton police inspector David Doel, who collected $552,626 in salary while being suspended since 2009 due to serious Police Services Act offences.
Doel faced 14 misconduct charges, which include having sex on duty, keeping pornography on his work computer, and using video equipment and the national criminal database for personal use.
Doel abruptly announced his retirement last November in the midst of his hearing — six months shy of a full pension — which meant he was no longer subject to the Police Services Act and the charges were stayed. His last official day was March 31.
De Caire said the $552,626 that was collected does not include the costs of the outside prosecutor, the hearing officer, the rental hotel room for hearing dates or the investigator's time.
He said he also recognizes that Doel's case "has brought tremendous negative feedback from the community."
Hamilton Police Chief Glenn De Caire has been a vocal opponent of paid suspension of police officers charged with serious offenses. (Adam Carter/CBC)
The issue of suspension without pay is not a new one, the white paper pointed out, and there is a recognized need across the country to address the issue.
Ontario is the only province where suspended police officers must be paid.
Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec and Manitoba all have legislation to allow suspension of police officers without pay in certain circumstances.
Under Ontario's Police Services Act, the only circumstance in which a police officer doesn't get paid while suspended is if he or she is convicted and sentenced to imprisonment.
If an officer is convicted of a crime but doesn't have to serve time behind bars, they remain suspended with pay until they can be fired through the police disciplinary procedure. The same process applies to officers internally charged with misconduct.
If the officer appeals their termination, it can be delayed for months, even years.
In 2007, the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police passed a resolution asking the government to give police chiefs the ability to suspend officers without pay for serious criminal offences, or if officers charged are held in custody or subject to court-ordered conditions that would prevent them from carrying out their duties.
De Caire, who has been a vocal opponent of suspension with pay, supports this resolution, and he wants to take it a step further by adding serious Police Services Act misconducts to the criteria.
In his white paper, De Caire said the purpose of the document is to "further state it is additionally necessary to permit a Police Chief to suspend an officer without pay for serious Police Services Act misconducts."
"Allegations of serious Police Service Act misconduct also represents a fundamental breach of public trust," the white paper continued, adding that suspension without pay would be reserved only for serious misconduct allegations in which dismissal is sought.
Critics of suspension without pay said police officers, like all other citizens, are presumed innocent until proven guilty and they should still get their pay while they are exercising their right to appeal.
The police services board meeting will take place on Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Hamilton city hall.
Should cops charged with offences be suspended without pay?
