Delayed Opening of One Hour for Metro Schools
Schools in the metro region will be opening an hour later than usual this morning to allow time to dig out from the latest blast from Old Man Winter.
There’s about 20 cm of fresh snow down at St. John’s International Airport.
A full list of delays can be found on the NLSchools website.
Gerber Arrowroot Biscuits Recalled Over Possible Presence of Plastic or Paper
A brand of arrowroot biscuits commonly consumed by toddlers has been recalled due to the possible presence of plastic or paper.
Gerber arrowroot biscuits sold in the 155 g package have been recalled by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
The product should not be consumed and should be returned to the store for a refund.
Man Caught Driving 103 km/h in 50 km/h Zone
A 33-year-old man won’t be behind the wheel again any time soon after topping the RNC’s radar gun at 103 km/h in a 50 km/h zone in Mount Pearl.
Officers on patrol caught the man driving way too fast just off Old Placentia Road around 9:30 yesterday morning.
He was ticketed for excessive speeding, had his licence suspended and pickup truck impounded.
Pair Arrested After Efforts to Evade Police Result in Crash and Foot Chase
Two men are facing a slew of charges after giving metro police the run around yesterday afternoon.
Officers on Blackmarsh Road spotted a car that had failed to stop for them earlier in the day around 4:15 p.m.
RNC flashed the lights but quickly called off the chase due to public safety concerns.
A while later, officers were alerted that the vehicle in question had been involved in a collision with two other vehicles at an intersection downtown.
The occupants took off on foot but were located a short while later thanks to the canine unit.
The 35-year-old driver was arrested and charged with flight from police, dangerous driving, driving while prohibited, resisting arrest and breach of probation order.
The 48-year-old passenger was charged with public mischief, resisting arrest, failure to attend court and breach of release order.
The two were held for court.
NL Opting Out of Federal Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program
Newfoundland and Labrador is joining the ranks of the disenchanted regarding the federal government’s “Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program,” and will not be participating in it.
The province says it is committed to reducing gun violence, but it does not feel the program reflects the realities of what is happening in Newfoundland and Labrador, or aligns with its priorities.
Government is concerned about the strain the weapons buyback could place on policing resources, and whether it would deliver meaningful improvement in terms of public safety. The PC government believes that law enforcement resources should be directed toward tackling violent crime, drug-related activity, and repeat offenders – not toward what they believe are measures that “risk targeting law-abiding citizens.”
The federal effort includes an amnesty period, which expires on October 30th.
Several other provinces have opted out.
Man Charged After Police Officer Sent to Hospital With Injuries Following Assault
RCMP in Nain have laid charges against a 23-year-old man after a police officer was assaulted and seriously injured.
Law enforcement was called to reports of a disturbance at a home on Middlepath Road Sunday afternoon. Officers arrested Tyrese Rich, who was wanted on an outstanding warrant and was in violation of his release and probation orders.
RCMP say Rich assaulted an officer and resisted and failed to comply with police commands.
Later that same evening, Rich allegedly assaulted and seriously injured another officer in the detachment cell block.
That cop had to be transferred to a larger medical facility for further treatment.
Rich is facing charges of assaulting a police officer, assault causing bodily harm on one, and failing to comply with the conditions of release and probation orders.
He was remanded to custody and is scheduled to appear in court February 24th.
Heavy Snowfall Closes Businesses, Makes Driving Tricky
Driving is difficult on much of the island with a winter storm bearing down on the Avalon, south coast, east coast and parts of central.
A lot of public buildings and services are shut down and some private businesses have called it a day meaning there is little traffic on the roads.
A winter storm warning is in effect for the south coast and Avalon Peninsula, with snowfall warnings through central and a blowing snow advisory in place for the west and southwest coast.
Environment Canada meteorologist David Neil says the most significant snowfall is expected on the south coast, central Newfoundland and the Avalon before it peters out in the overnight hours.
Neil says areas under winter storm and snowfall warnings could see total snowfall amounts in the 15 cm to 25 cm range by the time all is said and done.
Things improve considerably tomorrow but flurries will persist, with stiff winds and temperatures well below freezing.
RNU Meets with Health Minister on Future Direction of Health Care in NL
The president of the Registered Nurses’ Union recently met with the health minister with a simple question at the fore: “Where to from here?”
Late last week Pat Parfrey was relieved of his duties as CEO of NL Health Services, with Ron Johnson taking over the position on an interim basis.
Yvette Coffey met with minister Lela Evans Friday afternoon.
She referenced the hearings into agency nurse contracts, and how they heard that there were many problems that plagued the four former regional health authorities.
“Well, the leadership of the four RHAs has formed the leadership of NLHS. What we want to know, is going forward, is there going to be a change? Because we cannot keep repeating the mistakes of the past.”
Man Ticketed for Driving with an Expired Licence After SUV Leaves the Road
A man who was driving with an expired licence escaped injury when his SUV left the road after he swerved to avoid colliding with an oncoming snow plow.
Clarenville RCMP responded to the crash on the Trans Canada late Friday afternoon near the White Hills Resource Road turnoff.
The SUV ended up on its roof in a ditch.
The 36-year-old driver was ticketed under the Highway Traffic Act.
Cabinet Committee Provides Update on Provincial Wildfire Response
The cabinet committee tasked to oversee the recovery and response to the disastrous wildfires last summer today provided an update on their activities to-date.
More than 200 structures were destroyed in nine communities all along the Conception Bay North Shore.
Volunteers with Team Rubicon on the Conception Bay North Shore (Team Rubicon)
Justice and Public Safety Minister Helen Conway Ottenheimer, who chairs the committee, says they’ve toured the area to see the damage first-hand.
She says as difficult as it was to see the damage caused, they did also see hope and resilience “which was really encouraging.”
She says they’ve met with representatives of the town of Small Point-Broad Cove-Blackhead-Adam’s Cove and unincorporated areas to hear the outstanding needs.
Conway Ottenheimer called yesterday’s meetings “positive and meaningful” and helped to identify main priorities.
Kirk Keeping Drops Appeal of Conviction in Murder of Chantel John
The man who murdered Chantel John in Conne River seven years ago this month has dropped his appeal of his conviction.
Family and friends of Chantel John have had little relief from their grief in the aftermath of her brutal murder at the hands of Kirk Keeping.
But this morning’s development in the province’s highest court might just provide some.
Keeping appeared lawyer-less in the Appeal Court by video from the Atlantic Institution in New Brunswick for an update on his plans to appeal his second-degree murder conviction.
The two-judge panel was seeking clarity as to whether he’ll have or want a lawyer, and any he’s efforts made to retain one.
Instead, Keeping informed the court he would be filing a formal Notice of Abandonment and dropping his appeal.
John was 28 and Keeping 35 when he killed her in the Miawpukek First Nation community on January 9, 2019.
He was sentenced in 2024 to life in prison with no chance of parole for 16 years, but appealed shortly thereafter.
Keeping was instructed to fax his form to the court to formally drop the matter.
The Crown confirmed this afternoon that they have received the document and the case is closed.
SJRFD’s First Female Firefighter Thankful for Support She’s Received Over Career
The very first woman to serve as a firefighter with the St. John’s Regional Fire Department says she’s had a great career.
Captain Gina Burke is retiring after 34 years as an emergency responder.
She was hired at the Mount Pearl station back in 1992 and says while she received a lot of support from the men she worked with, it was also a challenge.
Over the years she’s helped to mentor other young women starting a firefighting career and give them the same support she received.
“Everybody supported me throughout the whole role, a lot of people took me under their wing, so I think as people came in, especially the girls, I wanted to do the same for them.”
“I wanted them to feel that they chose the right profession, and that they were accepted and that…they were working with a great bunch of people.”
Prime Minister Defends Service and Sacrifice of Canadian Armed Forces in Afghanistan
U.S. President Donald Trump insulted fellow NATO members last week by suggesting that allies held back and avoided the front lines in Afghanistan following 9-11 terrorist attacks.
That claim immediately drew an angry response from allies, including Canada, and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer who demanded an apology.
More than 450 U.K. troops were killed in Afghanistan, followed by Canada with 158 – including soldiers from this province.
Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canadians recognize the “extraordinary contributions” of the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces “in a variety of theatres” including Afghanistan.
“We sent 40,000 Canadian troops, serving over 13 years on the front lines in Afghanistan. In Kandahar, as one example, 158 of those soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice. One of our diplomats paid the ultimate sacrifice. Thousands more were injured. Thirty of our soldiers won the American Bronze Star for…courage in combat.”
No Decision Yet on Whether to Rebuild Cabot Academy, Destroyed by Wildfire
The provincial government says replacing provincial government infrastructure destroyed by the wildfires last summer will be part of longer-term planning as the region rebuilds.
Education Minister Paul Dinn says that includes deciding whether to rebuild Cabot Academy in Western Bay which was leveled by fire.
The students have been dispersed. Many are now attending school in Carbonear, with others accommodated at Persalvic in Victoria and Tricon (TRY-Con) in Bay de Verde.
Dinn says the province is fully engaged with residents in the area and the Cabinet Committee is working closely with those on the ground to support recovery efforts.
Education Minister says MUN Needs to ‘Consider Everything’ as Future of Harlow Campus in Doubt
The future of Memorial’s Harlow campus remains in doubt as the province’s education minister expects the university to begin “shrinking its footprint” as it confronts a nearly $20 million deficit.
Premier Tony Wakeham and Minister Paul Dinn met with the President of MUN last week, where government confirmed its commitment to a tuition freeze this year.
However, when it comes to the future of Memorial’s Harlow campus in the U.K., Dinn indicated that the university needs to “consider everything” as it deliberates potential cuts.
‘We got to realize that we deal with thousands of students here in the province and you have to maintain that quality of education.”
“So looking at (Harlow) and looking at the fiscal constraints, you have to look at everything, as a possible cut or a possible reduction. So I think the university is being responsible in moving ahead on the whole fiscal constraints piece.”
Premier to Join Counterparts for Premiers’ Meeting in Ottawa
Premier Tony Wakeham is heading to Ottawa for meetings with the other premiers from across the country tomorrow.
All of the provinces and territories will be represented at the meetings.
The provincial government says it is focused on health care, lower taxes, and safer communities, and collaboration with other provinces is a key part of that.
No Fat to Cut: Stoodley Warns PCs Face Challenge Delivering on Campaign Pledges
The Opposition finance critic is warning that there isn’t a lot of fat for the provincial government to cut as it prepares to deliver its first budget.
Last week, government called for input on the budget, with Finance Minister Craig Pardy saying he’s looking to make good on the promises outlined in the PC Blue Book.
Sarah Stoodley says there isn’t a lot of room for new spending, and she’s wondering how the government will live up to its nearly $300-million in campaign promises – including providing better healthcare.
“They are spending a lot on health care. Forty per cent of the budget goes on health care. I think they’re going to have a very large challenge of how do they deliver better health care with the existing budget,” she told VOCM News.
“I’ll be honest, I’d be surprised if they can do that within the existing budget. They’ll probably need to add more to that.”
Unnecessary Paperwork Costing Canada 9,000 Doctors a Year, New Report Finds
A new report indicates that physicians across the country are losing 20-million hours of work each year to unnecessary paperwork and administrative tasks, the equivalent of having 9,000 full-time physicians in the system.
The report from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and the Canadian Medical Association was released as part of Red Tape Reduction Week.
It argues that the elimination of burdensome administrative work would mean each individual doctor would reclaim 199 hours per year, which is more than a full month of work.
According to the report, 93 per cent of doctors say it disrupts their work-life balance, 95 per cent feel less fulfilled professionally, and 90 per cent link it to burnout.
If such work were eliminated, 79 per cent of physicians say they would use the time to improve their work-life balance, 44 per cent would spend more time with existing patients, and 43 per cent would take on new ones.
The CFIB’s executive vice president of advocacy, Corinne Pohlmann, says doctors are spending too much time on work that could be eliminated entirely or done by someone else, arguing that cutting red tape isn’t optional – it is a “critical solution that we can’t afford to ignore.”
Town of Harbour Grace Warns Not to Consume Tap Water
The Town of Harbour Grace is asking residents not to consume any water coming from its main water supply.
The town says the non-consumption order is not a boil water advisory, and water should not be consumed under any circumstances – that includes brushing your teeth or cooking.
The order is in place until further notice and updates will be provided as they become available.
‘Well, Alright,’ Paddy Daly Signs Off on Last Open Line Show
Today marks the end of an era at the VOCM / Big Land Radio Network.
Paddy Daly, who is in his 16th year as the host of VOCM talk programs, has announced he is stepping down.
Daly began his radio talk show career as the host of VOCM Nightline in 2010 before taking the reins of Backtalk then Open Line.
Paddy fielded thousands of calls over the years – from bricks to bouquets.
Daly says it has been a remarkable journey.
Blessed with an unflinching memory and a gift for navigating even the most difficult of conversations, Daly thanked VOCM for the opportunity, and says he will miss his colleagues in VOCM Valley and of course, the callers and listeners .
“Big thank you to all who support the program through your calls,” Paddy said off the top of his last show this morning. “Whether you are a supporter of me or a detractor of me and/or the show, or tuned in in any way, it’s what made the job interesting, that’s what made the show work and that’s what made the job difficult,” says Daly.
Many callers lamented his decision to move on.
Paddy reflected on his signature opening greeting on the airwaves.
He was hired to do Nightline, pressed the button to go on air, was having trouble with it, and said, with a hint of exasperation that night, “well…alright…” and kept it to his very last show today.
Among those offering their appreciation for the work Paddy’s done over the years was none other than comedian and political satirist, Rick Mercer.
He calls Daly “the unofficial ombudsmen for the province, an advocate for so many people, your knowledge is so incredible, you’re a crack journalist, and a great showman, so thanks for that.”
Aquarena to Reopen February 9
Renovations at the Aquarena in preparation for the Canada Summer Games (Photo credit: RICH BLENKINSOPP)
The long-awaited reopening of the Aquarena is set for early next month.
The facility, which was built for the 1977 Canada Summer Games, underwent extensive renovations for last summer’s games in August.
The facility, which hosted the national competition, has yet to reopen to the public.
Memorial University, which runs the Aquarena, says it will reopen on February 9, with free community swims on from February 20-22.
Registration opens for winter programming on February 9, while lessons resume on February 16.
Government Seeking Public Input on Roads Improvement Projects to be Considered for Upcoming Construction Season
The provincial government is looking for public feedback on highway improvement projects to be considered for the upcoming construction season.
People are being asked to write to the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure about the type of issue being experienced, the name of the route, and the nearest community or landmark.
That information will then be compared with government’s own assessment as part of the decision-making process.
Submissions, including photos, can be sent via email (roadsplaninput@gov.nl.ca) or by sending mail to Confederation Building directly:
Department of Transportation and Infrastructure
Attention: Director of Roads
P.O. Box 8700
St. John’s, NL
A1B 4J6
The deadline for submissions is February 16.
System That Battered Mainland to Bring 12-25 cm to Parts of Avalon Today; Schools Closing Early in Metro
There shouldn’t be any major issues during this morning’s commute in the metro region, but this afternoon might be a different story.
Heavy snowfall is in the forecast for today, starting around noon on the Avalon Peninsula and St. John’s region.
Metro schools will be dismissing two hours early due to the forecasted snow.
Environment Canada meteorologist Graham MacDonald says the heaviest snow will come early to mid-afternoon.
He says snow could accumulate at 2-5 cm per hour.
Snowfall totals of 15 to 25 cm are expected on the Avalon and northeast coast with lesser amounts elsewhere.
You can submit your cancellations by visiting the VOCM Storm Page.
Interim Consumer Advocate Appointed to Replace Dennis Browne
Consumer Advocate Dennis Browne has been replaced.
Adrienne Ding will serve in the position on an interim basis.
Ding is a partner at O’Dea Earle, with a practice focused on labour and employment law, civil litigation and personal injury according to a release issued by the provincial government late this afternoon.
Browne had served as the Consumer Advocate since 2016, and according to government, recently tendered his resignation.
Robert Fowler Retires as Fire Commissioner
Former St. John’s Regional Fire Department Superintendant Robert Fowler has retired from his position as the province’s fire commissioner.
Fowler held the position for the last few years.
The Department of Justice and Public Safety confirms that Fowler retired from the position on January 6th.
Chris Foster will serve as acting Provincial Fire Commissioner until a competition is held to find a permanent replacement.
The department thanks Fowler for his service.
Snowfall Coming Tomorrow; South and East Coasts to See Highest Accumulations
Get those shovels and snowblowers ready, snowfall is in the forecast for many parts of the island tomorrow, but how much you get depends on where you happen to be.
Environment Canada meteorologist Graham MacDonald says the snow will start along the south and west coasts tomorrow morning, with the heaviest amounts expected on the Avalon and northeast coasts…prompting some winter storm warnings.
He says the heaviest snowfall will fall from Burgeo out to the Avalon Peninsula, whipped up by high winds gusting up to 60 km later in the day and as high as 80 km/h along the coast.
The Avalon, including the metro region can expect the heaviest snowfall amounts starting around noon and continuing through the afternoon with 15 to 25 cm expected in total.
Port Blandford Post Office Broken Into and Robbed; Police Investigating
RCMP are seeking the public’s help in locating those responsible for a recent break-in at the post office in Port Blandford.
Police say the building was broken into sometime between 1:00 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 on Sunday morning.
A window was smashed to gain entry into the building, and once inside, the culprit or culprits made away with a number of items.
Clarenville RCMP are asking anyone who may have noticed any suspicious activity in the area, or who has dash cam or surveillance images from the area to give them a call at 709-466-3211 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Len Simms, Former PC Leader and Long-Time Public Servant, Passes Away
A former PC Party Leader and long-time public servant has passed away.
Premier Tony Wakeham says it is with heavy heart that his party acknowledges the passing of Len Simms.
He was 82.
Former Speaker, Len Simms’ portrait in the House of Assembly (via House of Assembly)
Simms served as Speaker of the House from 1979 to 1982 and served in the cabinet of Premier Brian Peckford.
He ran for the PC leadership in 1989 but lost to Tom Rideout. The Tories lost the provincial election a short time later to the Liberals under Clyde Wells.
He took over the leadership of the party in 1991 and served as Opposition leader until he resigned in 1995.
Premier Wakeham says Simms “embodied the very best of public life” and had an “enduring commitment to improving the lives of those around him.”
NL Hydro says All Watches and Warnings Over
NL Hydro says through careful management, it was able to ensure that demand never got within the critical 70 MW of capacity this bitterly cold weekend – even with one of the province’s largest generating facilities temporarily offline.
Although enough power was available, the request to conserve power was an effort to ensure that demand didn’t exceed generation.
Frazil ice at Bay d’Espoir (NL Hydro)
A Power Warning was issued on the weekend, when frazil ice clogged the intakes at the Bay d’Espoir power generating station effectively shutting the plant down.
Bay d’Espoir is the island’s largest power generating facility, and having it out of the mix was of utmost concern as power demand rose in frigid temperatures.
As of this morning all watches and warnings had been lifted after Bay d’Espoir returned to service.
NL Hydro’s Rob Collett says this weekend’s warning to conserve power was made to ensure that rolling outages were not necessary.
Collett says Hydro had “sufficient reserves throughout,” the question was a matter of timing.
“It was a bit of a beat the clock situation” says Collett. “With the imports we only had a few hours’ notice.” He says they needed to “stay 70 MW above our load to ensure viable operation, and so we never came below that 70 MW limit…if we go too close, we’ll have frequency issues and those kinds of things.”
74-year-old Charged After Allegedly Pointing Firearm at Others in Deer Lake
A 74-year-old is facing charges after reports of a man pointing a firearm in Deer Lake on the weekend.
RCMP were contacted around 9:30 Saturday morning about a man threatening others with a firearm in the area of First Avenue.
Police ordered the man from his home and he was taken into custody without incident.
A search of the man’s home resulted in the seizure of a pellet gun.
The accused was released on strict conditions. He’s scheduled to appear in court March 24th on charges of pointing a firearm and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
