Multi-Materials Stewardship Board Highlighting Benefits of Recycling Organic Waste
The Multi-Materials Stewardship Board is touting the benefits of recycling organic waste during International Compost Awareness Week.
Items that can be composted include food and paper materials, which will go through a natural decomposition process, with the end result being a soil filled with nutrients.
MMSB is encouraging residents to make composting a part of their recycling habits in efforts to combat climate change.
Information on what can be thrown in the compost and how to get started can be found online.
Minister to Sign Proclamation Recognizing Stop Sexual Exploitation Week
The Minister of Women and Gender Equality will sign a proclamation recognizing Stop Sexual Exploitation Week in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Pam Parsons will bring greetings at the Thrive in Downtown St. John’s over the lunch hour today.
The event is being hosted by the Coalition Against the Sexual Exploitation of Youth (CASEY).
CASEY is a group of concerned professionals and people with experience in the community who are working to address the sexual exploitation of youth.
Flair Airlines to Begin Routes From St. John’s to Ontario
Flair Airlines will begin service out of St. John’s to two Ontario locations starting today.
Flair will fly out of YYT to Toronto-Pearson and Kitchener-Waterloo. The flight to Kitchener-Waterloo is scheduled to depart today at 3:05. Officials will be on hand at St. John’s International Airport for the inaugural flight.
VOCM News will be there.
Shared-Use Path Construction Resumes on Elizabeth Avenue in St. John’s
Construction resumes on a busy thoroughfare in St. John’s as the city continues work on the shared-use path.
Street rehabilitation and the installation of the shared-use path starts today. Upgrades from Bonaventure Avenue to Westerland Road were mostly completed in 2023 with the remaining work in that area to be completed early this summer.
Drivers can expect traffic delays, detours and lane reductions. The city will provide updates on traffic interruptions during the project.
Once the multi-year project is complete, improvements will include new sidewalks and a paved shared-use path adjacent to Memorial University, a new traffic signal at the Elizabeth Avenue/Newtown Road intersection, an upgraded crosswalk and intersection at Elizabeth Avenue and Whiteway Street, two new crosswalks with flashing beacons at Clark Place and near Halliday Place, as well as improved street lighting.
Tim Powers Running in Tely Ten to Support VOCM Cares Foundation, Janeway
Political commentator and VOCM host Tim Powers is lacing up his sneakers in support of the VOCM Cares Foundation.
Powers will be running the 96th annual Tely Ten this June and will be raising money for the Janeway Foundation Family Support Fund, which helps provide families with the necessary medications and equipment their child needs.
Along with his son Patrick, the two have a goal to raise $10,000.
Powers has a number of challenges set up to help meet his fundraising goal and is encouraging others to donate through VOCMCares.com.
Hockey NL Opens Hall of Fame Nominations
Hockey NL is accepting nominations to its Hockey Hall of Fame.
Nominations are being welcomed in three categories: Player, Builder and Media.
The nomination period will be open until early August and nominations can be submitted online.
Inquiry into Innu Children in Care to Resume in Sheshatshiu in June
The inquiry into the child protection system as it relates to Innu children in care has a new schedule.
Two weeks of formal hearings will convene in June in Sheshatshiu.
The formal hearings, which will be open to the public and the media, will be livestreamed on the inquiry’s Facebook page.
The new dates are June 3-7 and June 24-28.
The inquiry presents an opportunity for commissioners to hear from witnesses about Innu health and well-being, Innu history, and the impact of child welfare in Innu communities.
Several NL Artists Recognized During East Coast Music Awards
Singer-songwriter Tim Baker led the way for Newfoundland and Labrador during the 2024 East Coast Music Awards in Charlottetown, PEI.
Baker won Folk Recording of the Year and Solo Recording of the Year for his album The Festival.
Following up on their success at the recent JUNO Awards, the Swinging Belles were named Children’s Entertainer of the Year.
The late Denis Parker was honoured posthumously with the Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award.
Two industry awards went to nominees from this province—Derrick Sturge/Pharos Music Inc. was named Artist Management of the Year, while Zach Snow tied for Media Person of the Year.
The 2025 edition of the East Coast Music Awards will take place in St. John’s.
Full list of NL winners:
MUSIC AWARDS:
CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
The Swinging Belles
Region: NL
CLASSICAL COMPOSER OF THE YEAR
Andrew Staniland – Blackwood Sketches
Region: NL
CLASSICAL RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Bill Brennan – Kaleidoscope – Music for Mallet Instruments
Region: NL
COUNTRY RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Jason Benoit – Time Traveller the album
Region: NL
FOLK RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Tim Baker – The Festival
Region: NL
GLOBAL RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Cuerpos – En Dos Partes
Region: NL
INSTRUMENTAL RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Flying Pooka! – Flying Pooka! The Ecstasy of Becoming
Region: NL
SOLO RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Tim Baker – The Festival
Region: NL
TD FANS’ CHOICE AWARDS:
FANS’ CHOICE ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Derina Harvey Band
Region: NL
INDUSTRY AWARDS:
ARTIST MANAGEMENT OF THE YEAR
Derrick Sturge – Pharos Music Inc.
Region: NL
MEDIA PERSON OF THE YEAR
Katie Kelly and Zach Snow (tied)
Region: NS & NL
HONOURARY AWARDS:
DR. HELEN CREIGHTON LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Denis Parker
Region: NL
STOMPIN’ TOM AWARDS
Pamela Morgan
Region: NL
CMHA-NL Seeing Increased Need for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Training
The Canadian Mental Health Association in Newfoundland and Labrador says the uptake on its mental health and suicide prevention training program illustrates how pressing the issue has become.
CEO Dr. Chandra Kavanagh says people have been demanding the kind of training provided with their partners, Lifewise NL and Richard’s Legacy Foundation for Survivors of Suicide Loss.
Some 630 people previously attended the 62 training courses offered to-date.
The provincial government this week reiterated the half a million dollars provided to keep the training program going.
Kavanagh says the program has already proven beneficial, and demand is high. She says the Community Lifelines initiative will provide suicide intervention and prevention as well as mental health first aid to over 2,000 people.
She says suicide contagion after a loss in the community is real, and can have a devastating impact.
“We often will see further attempts…or even further suicides as the result of that initial suicide,” says Kavanagh who quotes Tina Davies of Richard’s Legacy—”postvention is prevention.”
Trial Continues for Figure Skating Coach Accused of Sex Offences After Defence Fails to Get Snapchat Evidence Thrown Out
The trial for a metro-area figure skating coach accused of sex offences will continue after the defence failed to have some of the charges thrown out last week.
Matthew Power, now 30 years old, faces a total of 10 charges against two girls who were in their early teens and 10 years younger than him when the offences are alleged to have occurred four years ago.
The evidence includes the alleged sharing of sexually explicit pictures and messages with Power over the social media platform Snapchat.
The defence argued there was no direct or circumstantial evidence to suggest that Power planned to use those communications to take it to the next level and carry out other sex offences against one of his two accusers.
With that, Power’s lawyers applied to have the Snapchat evidence thrown out and acquittals entered on four related charges.
But in her decision last week, Justice Valerie Marshall ruled said the Snapchat evidence, if believed, could support an inference of guilt on the four counts, being careful to note that Power remains innocent of all the charges until proven otherwise.
The charges against him include sexual interference, sexual assault, as well as child luring and making sexually explicit material available to a child. He was arrested in 2021 after the allegations were first made to police and Skate Canada.
Power remains suspended by the national body pending the outcome of the trial, which is currently on a break and scheduled to resume in late June.
NAPE Still Waiting for Answers on Possible Privatization of Divided Highway
The union has not had any updates since the provincial government signaled its intent to privatize new portions of the divided highway across the province.
NAPE President Jerry Earle says the department is well aware of the union’s questions and concerns, but answers are not forthcoming.
“There seems to be an agenda,” Earle told VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly. “I’m not sure why they’re taking this path, but it makes no sense (based on) on information we’re aware, and the public is certainly aware of.”
Sierra Club of Canada Hosting Discussion on Bay du Nord, Carbon Tax
The Sierra Club of Canada is hosting an event this evening in St. John’s to discuss what it calls “corporate misinformation” on the Bay du Nord project and carbon pricing.
The Sierra Club says a new report by the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility casts doubt on the cost competitiveness of Equinor’s new international oil projects.
The Sierra Club has a number of speakers lined up for the event this evening at 7:00 at the Peter Easton Pub to discuss the importance of practicing “energy democracy,” in order to achieve a green future.
Speakers including Gretchen Fitzgerald, Robert Leamon and Conor Curtis.
19-Year Old Facing Impaired Charge After RNC Stop Off-Road Motorcycle in St. John’s
A 19-year-old man is facing an impaired charge after police pulled over an off-road motorcycle in the west end of St. John’s overnight.
Around 12:30 a.m., police noticed the two riders were not wearing helmets and conducted a traffic safety stop.
The driver of the motorcycle was suspected to be under the influence. He was taken to the Mount Pearl detachment for the breathalyzer test.
The 19-year-old was charged with impaired. He was also issued several tickets under the Highway Traffic Act.
He was released to appear in court at a later date.
VOCM News Takes Home Three Atlantic Journalism Awards
The VOCM News team has been honoured with three awards from the Atlantic Journalism Awards, featuring the best in radio, TV, and print in Atlantic Canada.
The 2024 winners were announced at a ceremony at the NSCC Ivany Campus in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia yesterday evening.
VOCM At Noon, our flagship half-hour lunchtime news package anchored by Brian Madore, wins silver for best radio newscast. The winning cast on June 19, 2023 featured news of the missing OceanGate Titan Submersible.
The VOCM News team’s coverage of the Titan Submersible disaster last June won bronze for best audio enterprise reporting.
VOCM’s Richard Duggan takes home a silver award in the breaking news category for his coverage of the fire at A1 automotive in St. John’s last May.
Province Marks Red Dress Day in Honour of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People
Today is Red Dress Day, in honour of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people.
Events are held annually on May 5 across the country, including in this province.
The Minister Responsible for Labrador and Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation, Lisa Dempster, will be in Corner Brook for a commemoration ceremony organized by the Qalipu First Nation.
The ceremony will honour people and families in Newfoundland and Labrador and nationally who have been affected by the trauma associated with loss and violence.
It’s scheduled to take place at 1 p.m. at the Mikwite’tm Garden on Church Street, and everyone is welcome to attend.
WestJet Issues 72-Hour Lockout Notice to Unionized Mechanics
WestJet, whose CEO recently paid a visit to St. John’s for its inaugural flight from YYT to London direct, has served notice to its unionized mechanics that it will lock them out if a deal can’t be reached with the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association.
WestJet issued a 72-hour lockout notice on Saturday, meaning a work stoppage is possible as early as noon on Tuesday.
President Diederik Pen says the decision to lock staff out was one that was not made lightly, and they regret the uncertainty that causes for those flying with the airline.
Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet CEO in St. John’s
The company says it has presented an offer to its aircraft maintenance engineers that will make them the highest paid in Canada, with a cumulative wage increase of more than 20 per cent over the length of the collective agreement.
The airline expects operations to continue in the event of a lockout, albeit on a reduced schedule.
RBC Training Ground Program to Test Youth Athletic Ability
Avid or recreational athletes will get the chance to put their abilities to the test this weekend during the RBC Training Ground event.
Brand manager, Sam Effah, calls it more of a talent match event, rather than a tryout for any specific sport.
The free event is open to anyone ages 14 to 25 and is taking place at the PowerPlex in St. John’s on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Those interested can register beforehand online.
He says talent scouts will be on site to identify strengths of each athlete and match them with a sport like bobsleigh, cycling, climbing, and speed skating.
“It’s a really cool opportunity where you could be great at something that you didn’t even know you were good at.”
Four Commercial Vehicles Removed From Road Following Checkpoint in Stephenville
A number of commercial vehicles were taken off the road in Stephenville following a highway enforcement checkpoint this week.
On Tuesday, six commercial vehicles were inspected and nine defects were found. Police say four of the six vehicles were removed from service.
One driver was ticketed under the Highway Traffic Act for operating an unregistered vehicle, and two others were ticketed for failing to produce a daily logbook.
Two drivers were also required to report to the Motor Vehicle Division to ensure they have the correct weight category registration for their vehicles.
Food First NL Receives $220,000 Boost From Province
Food First NL is being provided with $220,000 in provincial funding to help support its efforts to improve access to nutritious foods to people across Newfoundland and Labrador.
The funding is in addition to the organization’s annual operating grant of $105,000 for community-level food security initiatives in schools, the retail sector and Indigenous communities.
CEO of Food First NL, Josh Smee says the money will help the organization strength the food system all over the province.
Cruise Ship Season Begins May 5 in Capital City
Cruise ship season formally starts in St. John’s tomorrow with the scheduled arrival of the Phoenix Reisen Amera.
The ship, with approximately 900 passengers on board, is the first of 40 scheduled visits from 18 separate cruise lines between May and October of this year.
The capital city expects more than 54,000 passengers to visit during the season.
Parking on Harbour Drive is limited during cruise ship visits.
Commemorative Service in CBS to Mark Battle of the Atlantic
A commemorative service is being held in Conception Bay South tomorrow to mark the Battle of the Atlantic and a number of other important military events.
Normally held at the National War Memorial, ongoing refurbishment of the site means that this year’s service will move to the Monument of Honour in CBS.
Woodrow French says HMCS Cabot will host the memorial tomorrow morning at 10:30.
He told VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly the ceremony will mark a number of important events, and sacrifices including the Battle of the Atlantic, the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the Battle of Normandy / D-Day, and seven fallen paratroopers—remembered every year—who were lost during a training exercise near Ottawa.
Another tragic event, which French calls “near and dear” to the people of Conception Bay South, is the crash of Tusker Flight 27.
Kelligrews native Darryl Cronin was among six crew members who died in the crash of a Search and Rescue helicopter on the Gaspé Peninsula in October of 1998.
BMO Walk So Kids Can Talk to Support Kids Help Phone as Demand Continues to Grow
Canada’s largest charity walk for children and youth is happening in 17 communities across the country this weekend.
St. John’s is one of the cities taking part in the BMO Walk So Kids Can Talk to support Kids Help Phone.
Allison Fitzgerald, development officer, Regional Philanthropy and Partnerships – Eastern Canada at Kids Help Phone, says demand on their service has increased significantly over the past few years. She says anxiety and stress account for about 40 per cent of the interactions between counsellors and clients.
In 2023 alone, they had over 4 million interactions with youth across Canada. To put that in context, in 2019, there were about 1.9 million interactions as demand continues to grow every single day. Fitzgerald says since the pandemic, they have supported youth about 19 million times.
Registration for the walk takes place Sunday beginning at 11:00 at the Bowring Park Bungalow and the walk itself starts at noon.
Two Men Facing Charges Following Attempted ATV Theft in Bonavista
Two men have been charged after an attempt to steal an ATV from a home in Bonavista was thwarted by the owner.
RCMP received a report around 11:00 on the evening of Wednesday, May 1 that two men had attempted to steal the machine which was parking on a residential property.
The homeowner approached the pair and chased them off, but was threated in the process.
RCMP located the two suspects a short distance away. The pair was arrested after a short foot chase, but not before a taser had to be used by one of the arresting officers. The two men were allegedly found in possession of suspected stolen property which police discovered was linked to a break and enter that had occurred earlier that evening.
Fifty-four-year-old Rodney Harris is charged with uttering threats, theft under $5,000, break and enter, possession of property obtained by crime, trespassing and breach of release orders.
Fifty-one-year-old Jerry Pearce is charged with theft under $5,000, break and enter, trespassing, possession of stolen property and resisting a peace officer.
Former Member of Carlton Showband, Gregory Donaghey, Passes Away
A former member of the Carlton Showband, Gregory Donaghey, passed away in Ontario this week.
Originally from Sion Mills, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, Donaghey began his music career with The Cadets in Ireland.
He later immigrated to Canada and joined The Carlton Showband. The band frequented Newfoundland in the 1970s and early 1980s, their music often played on VOCM’s Irish Newfoundland Show.
Donaghey eventually settled in Newfoundland for a period of time before moving back to Toronto.
Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
Trades NL Meets With Politicians, Labour Reps in Ottawa
The executive director of Trades NL was in Ottawa this week meeting with labour reps and political figures about the trades.
Darin King says those involved in the labour industry had to chance to voice their concerns to all three federal leaders.
He says each shared their views of different policies and what they envision for the future of the industry within the next decade.
Dawson Mercer Joins Team Canada for 2024 IIHF World Championship
Dawson Mercer of Bay Roberts will play for Team Canada at the 2024 IIHF World Championship this month.
The tournament is set for May 10 to May 26 in Prague and Ostrava, Czechia. Hockey Canada announced a 22-player roster on Friday.
Mercer joins notable rookies Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks and Adam Fantilli of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
In his third season with the New Jersey Devils, Mercer scored 20 goals and added 13 assists.
65-Year-Old Man Arrested Following Incident at St. John’s Hospital
A 65-year-old man was arrested for assaulting a police officer following an incident at a hospital in the capital city Friday evening.
Around 7:40 police were called to the hospital where a man was refusing to leave the premises.
When police spoke with the man, he punched one of the officers.
The man was arrested and taken to the lock up to appear in court in the morning.
The officer was not injured.
Funeral Held for Broadcasting Legend Bob Cole
The funeral for legendary broadcaster Bob Cole was held this afternoon in the church and neighbourhood of St. John’s where he grew up
Cole’s funeral was almost as much about the notables who managed to get here, through the fog, to say goodbye.
And a day before a Game 7 between the Leafs and Bruins, no less.
Hockey Night in Canada host Ron MacLean led a contingent of colleagues that included Elliott Friedman and former NHLer Glenn Healey.
Premier Andrew Furey and former premier Danny Williams, as well as Brad Gushue and Mark Nichols were also there to honour the man who, while known for calling some great goals, scored himself a career that seemed to span his and our lifetimes.
Cole was praised for not only his voice, cadence and timing, but as a storyteller, a creator of magic, gritty, and lover of rum and coke.
But above all, a father who loved taking his kids along for the ride.
Indeed, they noted his most captivated audience wasn’t the millions on T.V., but the ones around the dinner table.
MacLean, meanwhile, said Cole opened a window for us to see the game, even if it was through the gleam in his eyes.
The Ennis Sisters perform during Bob Cole’s funeral
Music trio the Ennis Sisters performed a number of selections throughout the service and the CLB Band provided a fitting sendoff, offering up renditions of the Regatta’s Up the Pond and the theme from Hockey Night in Canada Cole’s other two places of worship.
Rick Mercer Celebrated in Hometown Ceremony for Canada Walk of Fame Induction
Rick Mercer is reflecting on a career full of laughs and risks as he celebrated his induction into Canada’s Walk of Fame.
Mercer was inducted into the Walk of Fame last year, and on Friday the milestone was celebrated in his home community of Outer Cove.
Among the attendees was Mercer’s high school drama teacher at Prince of Wales collegiate, Lois Brown.
The comedian says the teacher had a “profound impact” on his career. He says Brown is the one who convinced him to write and that he could be on stage. “When she convinced me that I should write a play, I mean I’ve written every day since then.” Mercer says it is impossible to sum up the impact she has had.
One of Mercer’s most famous trademarks were his rants on the Rick Mercer Report.
He describes the rants as the most difficult part of his week, but also the highlight of it. He would write them on Thursday nights, and then condense his writings from several pages to something that he could say in a minute and a half.
Then, Mercer says he would have to learn it and record it in one take – which was challenging. He says the camera used was 45 pounds, and the operator would have to walk backwards to shoot the segment, so he was “loathed” for making a mistake. He says other things that could go wrong – the operator could fall down, trucks could back up, but he made it his mission to make sure it wasn’t his fault.
Our Lady of Mercy Heritage Church Committee Drumming Up Support Ahead of Contest Deadline
The deadline for voting in a competition in which a historic church in Newfoundland and Labrador is involved is fast approaching.
Our Lady of Mercy Heritage Church in Port au Port West has been nominated as one of 12 finalists for the National Trust of Canada’s The Next Great Save competition.
Heritage NL encourages Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to rally in support of the church and participate in online voting.
The winner of the contest receives $50,000 to help with restoration, adaptation and protection of a heritage property.
Joanne Rose, vice-chair of the committee, says the building will be 100 years old next year. Voting closes Monday evening.
Our Lady of Mercy Church circa 1998 following restoration.
She’s asking anybody and everybody with an email to vote each day to help the church get the $50,000.
“And then come visit us this summer,” says Rose.
