Missing teen found thanks to community efforts
A teenager who has been missing in the St. John’s area since mid-March was located by police today.
16-year-old Liam Tripp was located this afternoon in centre city. The RNC is sending thanks to the community for their assistance.
FFAW Pushes back on bait fishery
The union representing fish harvesters is once again crying fowl over the bait fishery announced this morning for Atlantic Canada & Quebec. Moments after that announcement was made, the FFAW issued a statement – arguing a bait fishery for mackerel would do nothing for harvesters here.
The union says instead, they want a directed commercial quota for this province.
FFAW-UNIFOR says todays federal announcement isn’t clear on what portion Newfoundland & Labrador harvesters would receive and when. FFAW-UNIFOR proposed a quota of 10,000T for a directed commercial fishery for mackerel license holders here. The union is calling for both the federal and provincial fisheries ministers to respond.
Sports world mourns death of legendary hockey broadcaster, Bob Cole
He was the voice for a generation of hockey fans.
Bob Cole, the legendary broadcaster who called his last game at age 85, has died. He passed away this morning, at 90. Some of his calls are simply unforgettable, from the Summit Series and Edmonton Oilers’ Stanley Cup dynasty to the Olympics. “Oh baby,” his voice was a part of the Canadian fabric.
Born and raised in St. John’s, Cole became a national treasure. The play-by-play legend called his final game for Hockey Night in Canada in 2019, capping off an incredible 50-year run behind the microphone. Regarded by many as the greatest at his craft, Cole was inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame in 1996.
It was right here, though, in this province, where Cole’s career began, calling provincial junior and senior games. That humble beginning would take him all the way to the show.
His career with HNIC started with a radio broadcast in the late 1960s and he would move to television in 1973. Cole would call thousands of games, capturing iconic moments in history.
He was an athlete himself, playing hockey and soccer, and even skipped Newfoundland and Labrador at the 1971 and ’75 Brier national curling champonships.
His career was unrivaled. He won nine Geminis, was an Order of Canada recipient. and, above all, his voice was the soundtrack for hockey.
Today, the hockey world mourns the voice of our game.
Bonavista RCMP arrest woman for driving almost double the speed limit
A 23-year-old woman who reportedly sped away from Bonavista police at almost double the speed limit is facing a raft of criminal driving charges.
Morgan Runzer was prohibited from driving, but on Monday, was allegedly spotted operating a blue Suzuki Grand Vitara along Route 230, near Melrose. RCMP officers tried to pull the vehicle over, but said Runzer failed to stop and drove away at a speed of more than 150 kilometres an hour in a posted 80-kilometre-an-hour zone. Officers did not pursue the vehicle in the interest of public safety.
Runzer was later located and arrested at a residence. She’s charged with dangerous driving, flight from police, prohibited operation of a vehicle and breach of probation. She also faces Highway Traffic Act violations, including operating an uninsured and unregistered vehicle.
She made a brief court appearance earlier this week and was remanded into custody. She’s due back before a judge Friday.
Bonavista RCMP are asking residents to check for any available dash cam footage capturing the operation of the involved vehicle on Monday, April 22, between 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Route 230 between Melrose and Port Rexton.
Local Optometrist Wins International Award
An Optometrist from this province has won the Rising Member of the Year Award from The College of Optometrists in Vision Development.
The award was presented to Dr. Sarah Hutchens, Founder of The Vision Development Centre in St. John’s. The award was presented to Hutchens in San Francisco earlier this month.
The award is presented to a member of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development who has shown dedication to the mission of the College and whose work demonstrates strong initiative towards the field of optometric vision therapy and rehabilitation.
Hutchens founded The Vision Development Centre in 2021, with the goal of bringing vision therapy services to the province. It was the first vision therapy practice in Newfoundland and Labrador and focuses on developmental and neuro-optometry.
St. John’s Launches Healthy City Advisory Committee
The City of St. John’s and NL Health Services are now accepting applications for their new Healthy City Advisory Committee.
The committee will discuss community health and quality of life issues and provide leadership, guidance, and support for evidence-based decision-making on the actions of the Healthy City Strategy. The committee will be co-chaired by City of St. John’s Mayor Danny Breen and Dr. Nazlee Ogunyemi, Medical Officer of Health, Public Health, NL Health Services.
Potential members must hold positions in a decision-making role within their own organizations. This includes non-profits, government departments, and academic institutions.
Applications Open for Well-Being Week Grants
The Provincial Government is inviting applications from community-based organizations to hold and promote events during Well-Being Week 2024.
Scheduled for September 22-28, Well-Being Week is focused on creating awareness of the social determinants of health and how they contribute to an individual’s health and well-being.
Community-based organizations can apply for up to $1,000 to host events pending the event aligns with the objectives of Well-Being Week and takes place within that week.
Provincial Government Partnership to Support Growth of Housing Sector
The provincial government has announced a partnership with the Community Housing Transformation Centre to establish a $1.5 million Newfoundland and Labrador Community Housing Growth Fund.
The fund will support non-profit, co-operative and Indigenous organizations and registered charities in the creation of affordable housing and will be used to complete planning and pre-development work.
Funding is available to support a wide range of planning and pre-development activities including, but not limited to, appraisals, site surveys, legal, consulting, and development fees.
The $1.5 million invested in the fund includes $1.25 million from the Provincial Government and a $250,000 contribution from CHTC.