Montrealers claim contractor took their money, then disappeared
Several West Island residents say they were scammed by a contractor who took thousands in deposits but left jobs unfinished.
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Globe and Mail
17 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Australian woman accused of mushroom murders gives her account of fatal lunch
An Australian woman accused of murdering three of her estranged husband's elderly relatives with poisonous mushrooms gave her account of the fatal lunch on Wednesday, in a case that has gripped the public. Erin Patterson, 50, is charged with the July 2023 murders of her mother-in-law Gail Patterson, father-in-law Donald Patterson and Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, along with the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson, Heather's husband. The prosecution alleges she knowingly served the guests lethal death cap mushrooms in a Beef Wellington at her home in Leongatha, a town of around 6,000 people some 135 km (84 miles) from Melbourne. She denies the charges, with her defence saying the deaths were a 'terrible accident'. She faces a life sentence if found guilty. The accused, the first witness for her own defence and who began her evidence on Monday afternoon, repeatedly wept as she told the court on Wednesday she may have accidentally included foraged mushrooms into the food she served. 'Now I think there was a possibility there were foraged ones in there,' she said as she was questioned by her own barrister, Colin Mandy. The court also heard on Wednesday that Erin Patterson had invented medical issues partly to elicit sympathy from her estranged husband's relatives, from whom she said she felt she was growing apart. Mushroom madness grips small Australian town as murder trial brings media storm 'I didn't want their care of me to stop, so I kept it going. I shouldn't have done it,' she told the court. 'Did you lie to them?' Mandy asked. 'I did lie to them,' the accused replied, through tears. The prosecution alleges Patterson invented the medical issues to lure the victims to her home for the meal, a claim she denies. The prosecution rested its case on Monday, following a month of evidence from witnesses, including relatives and medical, forensic and mushroom experts. The trial, which began on April 29, has seen intense interest from Australian and international media, with podcasters, journalists and documentary-makers descending on the town of Morwell, around two hours east of Melbourne, where the trial is being held. State broadcaster ABC's daily podcast about proceedings is currently the most popular in the country, while many Australian newspapers have been running live blogs on the case. The trial, scheduled to conclude this month, continues.
CBC
8 hours ago
- CBC
1 injured after fire at Leduc County waste management facility
A contract worker was hospitalized after a fire broke out at the Leduc and District Regional Waste Management Facility Saturday night. Leduc County Fire Services said in a news release Sunday firefighters responded to the call at 8:20 p.m. Crews arrived on scene and worked to contain the fire, which spread rapidly due to strong winds. Initial efforts by on-site staff to control the fire were unsuccessful, according to the waste management facility, located at 49444 Range Road 244 in Leduc County. "The site manager and two other operators attempted to put the fire out with soils and the regular process they've been trained on," said Lee Harris, director of operations for the facility. "That didn't work, so the fire got out of control. There were really strong winds yesterday which inflamed them." The injured worker is employed by Environmental 360 Solutions, a contractor at the site. The company has not yet responded to a request for comment from CBC News. Harris said the man was hospitalized but the facility is respecting the family's space and has no update on his current condition. Quick action from contractors and first responders helped keep the situation contained, according to Harris. "The on-site contractors did an amazing job of smouldering everything with dirt," he said. "It's under control, but because landfill fires are sort of unpredictable, we're monitoring this site to make sure those flare-ups don't happen." Alberta Occupational Health and Safety is now investigating the incident. "It is always tragic when a worker is hurt or dies on the job," OHS said in a statement to CBC News." Alberta's government is focused on having all workers return home healthy and safe after every workday." The cause of the fire is still unknown and the event has been turned over to the landfill operator, Leduc County said, adding that it may be some time before a cause is determined. The county clarified in a statement that it did not contract any equipment operators during the emergency response. Harris, with the landfill facility, said the fire was out shortly after it started but certain areas are still closed to the public.
CTV News
9 hours ago
- CTV News
Small businesses in Edmonton defrauded of over $10K, 1 charged: police
A woman has been charged after five small businesses reported fraud since January. Police say in each incident, a woman asked for goods and services from local businesses, including a chiropractor, restaurant, and a home organization company. The woman reportedly paid for the items and services with fraudulent forms of payment, including a stolen credit card, a defunct credit card, and cheques from bank accounts with insufficient funds. When approached by the businesses for payment, the woman allegedly promises to pay with an e-transfer but never sends the money. To date, two businesses have lost over $10,000. Police are still investigating other reports. Kelsey Elliot, 31, has been charged with: two counts of fraud under $5,000; fraud over $5,000; and three counts of theft and breach of probation. She has since been released from custody. Investigators believe there may be additional victims and are asking anyone who has dealt with Elliot to contact them at 780-423-4567. Police say anyone who is approached by Elliot should not provide her with goods and services unless they can verify an acceptable form of payment.
