News
Copy by Patrick Lewis
A 15-year-old boy is facing serious charges following a brawl involving 10 youths in Belleville last night. City police responded to the area of Pine and Foster Streets around 8:20 p.m. after a citizen reported a fight with youths yelling that one of them had a knife. There were no reported injuries and some of the young people had fled before police arrival. During the investigation, police contacted a parent of the youth who was said to have the knife. Later in the evening, the parent attended the Belleville Police Service with the youth to deal with the charges. He was charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, two counts of assault, uttering death threats and breach of a release order. The male was held in custody for a bail hearing.
A man has died after being shot by Peel police at Toronto Pearson’s Terminal 1, prompting a major emergency response that’s affecting operations at the country’s busiest airport this morning. Three officers discharged their weapons, the SIU said. The 30 year old man was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead. The Special Investigations Unit said that no police officers were injured and the shooting “is an isolated incident and there are no known threats to public safety,”
Across the pond in France a student at a French high school stabbed four other students at his school today, killing at least one and injuring three others before being arrested. A national police official said the attack occurred at the private Notre-Dame-de-Toutes-Aides High School in Nantes on France’s Atlantic coast. The circumstances of the attack were not immediately clear. Images from the scene showed police surrounding the school as the investigation got under way. Fatal attacks are relatively rare in French schools.
A “right-sizing” strategy mandated by the Ontario provincial government a couple of years ago has led to layoffs at Highland Shores Children’s Aid. At a recent Highland Shores Board of Directors meeting, Executive Director Jess Uddenberg announced that after an organizational review, nine people have been laid off. Over 300 people work for the organization. Positions affected include managed access worker, resource worker, and administration workers. The provincial government is now beginning an audit of child welfare agencies to identify best practices leading to more cost-effective services. Highland Shores CAS provides services to families and children in Hastings, Prince Edward, and Northumberland counties.
A forecast by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business estimates the economy saw muted growth in the first three months of the year and predicts a significant contraction for the second quarter. The report estimates the Canadian economy grew at an annualized rate of 0.8 per cent in the first quarter of the year. However, it forecasts the economy will contract at an annualized rate of 5.6 per cent in the second quarter. The report is based on the CFIB’s most recent monthly business barometer data and says the drop comes from an historically low long-term business sentiment in the context of the trade war. CFIB chief economist Simon Gaudreault says the raging trade war will likely drive up the costs of doing business and lead to inflation.
The Liberals have a four-point advantage over the Conservatives on Day 33 of the 36-day federal election campaign, with the gap narrowing on both national ballot preference and who Canadians want as prime minister. A three-day rolling sample by Nanos Research conducted between April 21-23 has the Liberals at 43 per cent over the Conservatives, who are up over the past three days at 39 per cent nationally. The NDP is at seven per cent, followed by the Bloc Quebecois (six per cent), Green Party of Canada (three per cent) and the People’s Party of Canada (one per cent).
Sports
There were a lot of sad-looking faces leaving the Duncan McDonald Community Gardens last night. The better part of 1262 in attendance were somewhat shocked as the Trenton Golden Hawks were shut out 4-0 by the Milton Menace in Game 3 of the OJHL championship series. Milton broke open a tight game with three goals in the third period. Carter Bickle made it stand up with 28 saves for his third shutout of the playoffs. The Golden Hawks still lead the series two games to one. Game 4 is in Milton Friday night with Game 5 Monday night in Trenton.
The PGA’s only mens team event is underway today as pairs including Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry take to the course at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
The 3rd annual Pickleball Tournament hits the court this afternoon to support the local YMCA’s Strong Kids Campaign. Team Durkins Gherkins and Team Belleville Big Dills will face off on the pickleball court in support of the YMCA of Central East Ontario for the 3rd Annual Pickleball Tournament. This year’s event will see 36 participants from Belleville and Quinte West enter into a draft on the day of the event to create the two teams.
