A 143-Year-Old Building Lost to Fire on Talbot Street A prominent piece of downtown St. Thomas history has been reduced to rubble after a devastating fire tore through a historic building on Talbot Street, forcing its demolition and displacing residents and businesses. While the structure itself could not be saved, city officials and crews were…
Author: Edward Fontes
Historic Central Block Demolished After Devastating Fire in St. Thomas, but Legacy Preserved
A devastating fire has erased a prominent piece of St. Thomas’s architectural landscape, leaving behind rubble, unanswered questions, and a shaken community. Yet amid the destruction of the historic Central Block on Talbot Street, a tangible piece of the city’s past has been salvaged—offering a small but meaningful connection to nearly a century and a…
Ethan Hickey Appointed Executive Director as Forest City Film Festival Enters a New Era
The Forest City Film Festival is entering a pivotal chapter. Leadership is changing. Momentum remains intact. And expectations are quietly rising. After a decade of steady growth, community trust, and creative risk-taking, the festival has announced a significant leadership transition. Ethan Hickey has been named Executive Director, stepping into the role previously held by Dorothy…
Fatal Highway 401 Crash Claims Life of 19-Year-Old London Resident
A tragic collision on one of Ontario’s busiest highways has resulted in the death of a 19-year-old passenger from London, renewing concerns about road safety and the devastating consequences of serious traffic incidents. The fatal crash occurred Friday evening along Highway 401 near the community of Drumbo, prompting a large emergency response and the temporary…
Memorial Hockey Tournament Brings Attention to Men’s Mental Health in Cape Breton
Remembering Friends Lost to Mental Health Struggles A group of high school friends in Coxheath, Nova Scotia, are coming together this holiday season to honor three men who tragically lost their lives to mental health challenges. Tyler MacEachern, Joey Mahon, and Matthew Keating, who grew up playing hockey together and graduated from Riverview Rural High…
London Police Services Board Defends Hiring of Former Chair Ali Chahbar as Chief’s General Counsel
Introduction: Controversy Surrounds Key Legal Appointment The London Police Services Board (LPSB) faced scrutiny on Friday following its announcement that former board chair Ali Chahbar has been hired as general legal counsel to Police Chief Thai Truong. While the position represents a newly created leadership role within the service, questions have arisen due to Chahbar’s…
London Police Seek Public Assistance to Locate 16-Year-Old Male in Connection with Targeted Shooting
Introduction: Youth Suspect Wanted in Downtown London Shooting London police are asking for the public’s help in locating 16-year-old Cayden Shoemaker, wanted in connection with a targeted shooting of a supportive housing residence in the city’s downtown core last month. Authorities say the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Nov. 10, 2025, involved…
Second-Degree Murder Charge Laid as South London Woman’s Death Classified as Femicide
Introduction: A Tragic Death Sparks Serious Criminal Charges A woman’s death in south London has resulted in a second-degree murder charge and renewed attention on the issue of gender-based violence in the community. London police say the incident, which occurred early Friday morning, is being formally characterized as a femicide—a term used to describe the…
Project Bullpen: $410K in Cocaine Seized and Seven Arrested in Sarnia Trafficking Bust
Sarnia, Ontario — A multi-month joint police investigation targeting cocaine traffickers in Sarnia has culminated in the seizure of over $410,000 worth of cocaine, seven firearms, cash, and drug paraphernalia, police confirmed Thursday. The operation, dubbed Project Bullpen, resulted in seven arrests and a total of 37 criminal charges against the accused. The Sarnia Police…
Bus Cancellations Issued as Rapid Temperature Drop Creates Hazardous Conditions Across Southwestern Ontario
A sharp drop in temperatures early Friday prompted widespread transportation disruptions across southwestern Ontario, as Environment Canada issued a Special Weather Statement warning residents of rapidly deteriorating road and sidewalk conditions. The sudden cold snap has caused rain and melting snow to refreeze, creating icy and slippery surfaces that pose risks to commuters, pedestrians, and…







