Latest news with #GlobalNews'
Global News
5 hours ago
- Global News
‘We heard four rapid shots': Dartmouth neighbours react to city's latest homicide
Neighbours along True North Crescent in Dartmouth are still reeling from the shooting Thursday that claimed the life of a man. Although residents of the area believe it was targeted and don't feel in personal danger, they say violence is coming too close to home. 'My grandson and I were watching construction across the street and we heard four rapid shots, like bang, bang, bang, bang. And my grandson said, 'That's gunshots,'' said Sonja Vanderwal-Provo. 'It's sad because I mean he had a girlfriend and children. These stupid children are going around shooting each other or stabbing each other and I don't know how to stop that. I wish I could.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Halifax Regional Police are asking the public for tips one day after the brazen midday shooting, which is being investigated as a homicide. Story continues below advertisement Police say the motivating factor behind the killing hasn't been determined. 'Police were only on scene well after the fact. So we're really hoping that the general public will come forward and assist us with that sort of thing — any suspects and vehicles that may have been involved,' said Const. Paul DesRocher. Police say there are no suspects and no arrests have been made in the ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, residents are concerned about safety in the neighbourhood. 'It happened at 12 around lunchtime, so that's when kids are going to the gas station to get like something to eat, you know? So they're totally roaming,' said Ronald Medley. For more on this story, watch the video above.
Global News
6 hours ago
- Climate
- Global News
‘A very anxious time': What a chilly May means for Ontario's berry season
After a spring marked by unusually cool temperatures, Ontario berry farmers are anxiously holding onto a glimpse of hope for some warm sunshine. Ontario's berry harvest is off slow start thanks to a colder-than-usual May that has come with temperatures not seen since 1967. 'We're a little behind, but if we get a good June and July, we can catch up quick,' said Greg Downey, owner of Downey's Farm in Caledon. 'The earlier the season can get going, the better.' While the conditions didn't bring the kind of frost that can devastate early blossoms, growers said it did delay bloom and pollination, which pushed harvest timelines back by about a week or more in some areas. Jeff Tichelaar of Tichelaar Berry Farms in the Niagara region said their strawberries, which are usually ready around Victoria Day, just become available this past Monday. Story continues below advertisement 'We're all a little later than normal, but some summer sunshine is just what we need,' he said. 'The crop looks great. We just have to wait a little longer than usual.' However, waiting is often the hardest part, Tichelaar added. 'You get anxious,' he said. 'But at some point, you realize you can't worry about what you can't control. It always seems to work out' 3:01 Meet the family business dedicated to farming in Ontario since 1968 That sense of hopefulness is something growers across Ontario are echoing. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Pam Rolph-Romeril, grower and retailer at Pine Farm Orchard in King City, Ont., said this year's long bloom was a double-edged sword. 'It was good for pollinators, but a long bloom can also bring diseases and too much fruit,' she said. 'And then there's hail … it didn't hit us too badly this year, but there is always that chance.' Story continues below advertisement Back in 2012, hailstorms ruined 80 per cent of the crops on their farm, Rolph-Romeril said. 'It's a very anxious time. Anytime we sense severe weather patterns, we get nervous,' she said. Still, Rolph-Romeril is optimistic. 'We're almost on schedule for the season and have plenty of time to catch up before the picking season starts,' she said. 2:12 U.S. berry giants look to Canada's maple syrup lands for growing amid drought, high costs Downey, who grows strawberries and raspberries, told Global News that the late start might work in his favour. 'Sometimes my strawberries come in early June, but I prefer them in July when the kids are out of school,' he said. He further explained that the delay means more people would be able to start picking when the fruit is at its ripest stage, potentially boosting sales. Story continues below advertisement The shared faith that nature sometimes self-corrects has many Ontario farmers optimistic that a sunny June and July will turn things around. According to Global News chief meteorologist Anthony Farnell, that hope isn't misplaced. 'May 2025 in the GTA featured some cool and unsettled stretches where it rained frequently but when the final numbers are added up at the end of the month, it'll actually be as close to 'normal' as you can get,' Farnell said. 'More importantly, there was no late frost this year, something that's decimated the summer crop by killing early fragile buds.' Farnell added warmer weather is expected to kick in as June begins, with most days reaching the mid-to-upper 20s. 'We'll likely see some heat waves in late June and July, which can actually help make fruit sweeter if it's not too severe,' he said. Growers are also hopeful that public support will help boost this year's harvest season, even after some of the delays. 'There's been a big 'Buy Canadian' shift recently,' said Downey. 'With all the issues at the border, people are choosing local. That gives us a lot of optimism.'
Global News
12 hours ago
- Climate
- Global News
More than 8,000 people so far forced to flee Saskatchewan wildfires
There were 15 wildfires burning in Saskatchewan, with seven of them still burning out of control, as of 11 a.m. on Friday, according to the latest update from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency. More than 8,000 people from 16 communities have been evacuated. Provincial Fire Commissioner Marlo Pritchard said changing weather conditions have been hampering firefighting efforts. 'We are experiencing high daytime temperatures, warm evening temperatures and combined with the winds these fires are continuing to move significant distances.' A number of structures have also been lost, said Pritchard, including to the Shoe fire, located north of Prince Albert, but heavy smoke and dangerous fire and road conditions have made it difficult for officials to get an exact estimate of how many. View image in full screen Residents of the northern Saskatchewan community of Pelican Narrows are amongst the residents of 16 communities have been forced to flee the growing number of wildfires. Courtesy: Gilbert Linklater Another of the hardest-hit areas is in Pelican Narrows, located about five hours north of Saskatoon, near the Saskatchewan-Manitoba boundary, where more than 2,000 residents have been forced to flee their homes. Story continues below advertisement The fire threatening the community continues to burn out of control and crews are preparing to put up barriers, should flames get to the outskirts of the community. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Heavy smoke has also restricted firefighters' use of aircraft to help fight the fire, said Pritchard, although the winds are expected to shift this weekend. 'A lot of the smoke that has been sitting for the last day or so will be moving south and in (the) next 24 to 48 hours, the communities in the south of the province will experience extreme smoke conditions and air quality alerts,' added Pritchard. 1:57 Smoke filled skies in Saskatchewan Firefighting aircraft from Quebec and Alaska and fire crews from Nova Scotia have also arrived in the province to help fight the fires and more firefighters from New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and British Columbia are expected to arrive soon. Story continues below advertisement In addition to a fire ban, on Thursday, the province also put a ban in place on the use of all terrain vehicles and utility vehicles on all vacant Crown land, provincial parks and provincial forests. The province has also launched a dedicated toll-free phone line — 1-855-559-5502 — for anyone who has general questions about the fire and will be staffed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The latest information on the fire situation in Alberta is available online at Pritchard said that so far this year there have been 207 wildfires in Saskatchewan, well above the five-year average of 127 fires. — with files from The Canadian Press. 1:56 Shoe fire fallout
Global News
13 hours ago
- Health
- Global News
Residents advised to take precautions as smoke fills Saskatchewan's skies
Going outside this weekend may be difficult for some as wildfire smoke begins to move south. Lung Saskatchewan president Erin Kuan says the best thing one can do to protect themselves is to stay indoors to avoid the smoke. Some signs that your body is not doing well in the smoke is headaches, watery eyes, scratchy throat and generally feeling unwell. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy If those symptoms occur, Kuan says to head indoors, whether that be a mall, library or any area with air conditioning. When going inside is not an option, Kuan recommends wearing a 95-style mask. The Central Urban Metis Federation (CUMFI) by St. Paul's Hospital in Saskatoon is handing out masks to the homeless who are forced to stay outdoors. CUMFI is also accepting donations for evacuees in Saskatoon. They will be collecting items such as personal hygiene products, water, diapers, bathing suits, toys and clean summer clothing. CUMFI will then deliver the items to evacuees around the city. Story continues below advertisement Watch the video above to find out more about how the smoke is affecting Saskatoon.
Global News
13 hours ago
- Business
- Global News
City of Vernon vows to meet with non-profits after backlash over rent at civic facilities
More non-profit groups are denouncing what they call significant rental fee increases imposed by the City of Vernon at civic properties used for community events. 'It's hard,' said Ingrid Baron, chair of the Creative Chaos event. 'It's hard if we all go, 'Who is going to rent these facilities?'' Creative Chaos, Canada's largest craft fair, brings in thousands of people every year. The event is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and for the first time in its history, aside from the COVID-19 pandemic, will be operating at a loss. 'We tightened up on a few things,' Baron said. 'We were going to have a bit of a bigger celebration thing, so we've tightened up there. We tightened up on our performing arts, dipped into some savings.' Story continues below advertisement The cost-cutting measures, Baron said, were necessary as the non-profit society has to pay a lot more this year to rent the venue space at the Vernon Recreation Centre. 'We were shocked because it was a 32-per cent increase from the year before,' Baron said. The Vernon Farmers' Market is in a similar situation. It rents the parking lot at Kal Tire Place every Monday and Thursday and it too is now faced with much higher rental fees. 'It's significant, ' said Sarah Martel, president of the Vernon Farmers' Market Society. 'A big increase.' According to Martel, the rent hike has tripled in just two years going from around $3,000 to $14,000 a year. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'It's forced us to increase the price for vendors,' Martel said. 'As a result, we have seen a decrease in the amount of vendors that come. If they're making a loss every day, you know, where do they go from there?' Martel said the market has decreased by about half the size it was five years ago, with only about 80 vendors left. While part of that is blamed on the pandemic, more recently it's the rising fees that are contributing to the shrinking market. Story continues below advertisement 'It's really sad because all the money that's spent at the farmers' market, and even the money that's created and generated by these small businesses, it all stays in Vernon and it all goes to the Vernon local economy,' Martel said. 2:16 Okanagan Military Tattoo cancelled due to soaring rental fees The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce has been advocating for fairer fees for non-profit user groups since 2023 arguing it is in the community's best interest. 'Unfortunately, we haven't seen the results that we had hoped for,' said Dan Proulx, the chamber's general manager. 'So what we're seeing now is unfortunately the effects of those increases that we warned the city was going to happen.' Proulx referred to the long-running Okanagan Military Tattoo that earlier this year pulled the plug on the event and cited the rental fee hike as the final straw for the tough decision. Story continues below advertisement In an email to Global News, the city's chief administrative officer, Peter Weeber, stated he's aware of the concerns over the rental fees for city facilities and plans on addressing them. 'I will be meeting with these organizations in person, including the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce, in the coming weeks to better understand their specific concerns,' Weeber said. 'If there are challenges, I want to harness the knowledge and experience within the business community to help address them.' At the farmers' market on Thursday, some shoppers questioned why the city is putting up barriers at a time when buying local is top of mind for so many. 'The timing is absolutely inappropriate, atrocious and ridiculous,' said Vernon resident Rhonda Kohen. 'I don't understand it and where their heads are at because it hurts the city.' Last week, the city stated it had to strike balance between fees paid by the user and subsidization through taxation needs.
