SMT Media, Halton Hills (2026)

25/08/2026

Calgary Man Sentenced to Life for Murder of Woman During Planned Attack

A Calgary courtroom heard disturbing details Monday about a planned attack that ended in the death of 29-year-old Chelsea Davidenas.
Prosecutors described messages exchanged by two men who allegedly planned to lure women to a home and record sexual assaults.
The messages were presented in court as part of an agreed statement of facts.
Davidenas was lured to a Calgary home in February 2024 by her former boyfriend, Steven Zwick.
According to the court evidence, she fought desperately to escape her captors.
Zwick held Davidenas in a chokehold while another man attempted to restrain her.
Prosecutors said Davidenas died before the planned sexual assault could take place.
Zwick was originally charged with first-degree murder.
He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in court Monday.
The judge sentenced him to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 15 years.
A second man, identified in court as PR, also faces charges in connection with the case.
The allegations against PR have not been proven, and his jury trial is scheduled for January.
Court heard that the two men had exchanged messages about targeting women and recording assaults.
The case has highlighted the devastating consequences of violence against women and the importance of protecting victims from predatory abuse.
Davidenas’ death has left family and friends grieving while the legal proceedings involving the second accused continue.

25/08/2026

Tributes Grow for Prince George Mother Killed in Plane Crash

Tributes are continuing to pour in for Alex Garneau, a mother of two who died in a tragic plane crash in Prince George.
Garneau was killed when a twin-engine Beech King Air 200 landed on Foothills Boulevard and struck several vehicles.
The aircraft reportedly crossed three lanes of traffic before hitting four vehicles.
Garneau was an active and well-known member of her local community.
She was especially involved in sports as an athlete, coach and volunteer.
Much of her volunteer work focused on supporting the teams of her two school-aged children.
Friends and community members have remembered her as someone who made others feel welcome and included.
An online fundraiser has been created to help support her family following the tragedy.
Those close to Garneau described her as a devoted wife, daughter, sister, friend and hockey mom.
Her loss has left family members, teammates and friends mourning across the Prince George community.
Many are remembering the time and energy she dedicated to children and local sports.
The tragedy has also renewed attention on the devastating impact of the crash.
Community members are coming together to support Garneau’s loved ones during an incredibly difficult time.
Her family is now facing the painful loss of a mother whose presence touched many people around her.
Tributes continue as the community remembers the life and legacy she leaves behind.

25/08/2026

Domtar Announces Indefinite Shutdown of B.C. Pulp Mill Operations

Domtar has announced the indefinite idling of operations at the Howe Sound Pulp and Paper mill in Port Mellon, B.C.
The announcement was made during a town hall meeting for employees on August 20.
The company also said operations at the Bayview Fibre chipping facility will be idled.
About 400 employees are expected to be affected by the decision.
The announcement has created significant uncertainty for workers and their families.
Employees at the mill have described the news as unexpected and difficult to process.
Some workers said they knew the facility was facing challenges but did not expect the decision so soon.
One longtime employee said workers immediately began contacting their families after hearing the announcement.
Employees were reportedly told that their final day of work will be October 19.
The Howe Sound mill has been an important part of the local economy for decades.
The decision could have a major impact on families and businesses connected to the facility.
Workers are now facing difficult questions about employment and their next steps.
The company’s announcement comes as the forestry and pulp industries continue to face economic pressures.
The full long-term future of the facility remains uncertain.
Local workers and the surrounding community are now waiting for more information about what comes next.

24/08/2026

One Person Dead After Plane Makes Emergency Landing in Prince George

Prince George RCMP have confirmed a fatality following an emergency plane landing Thursday.
The incident happened on Foothills Boulevard, about 1.5 kilometres north of North Nechako Road.
Police said the aircraft came down on the roadway during the emergency landing.
Two motor vehicles were also involved in the incident.
RCMP confirmed that one person, an occupant of one of the vehicles, died.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the condition of other people involved.
Potential injuries among occupants of the vehicles and those aboard the plane remain unknown.
Emergency crews responded to the scene and began investigating the circumstances.
Police have urged members of the public to stay away from the area.
Foothills Boulevard has been closed to vehicle traffic in both directions.
The closure is expected to remain in place overnight and into Friday.
Investigators are continuing to gather information about what led to the emergency landing.
Authorities are expected to provide additional details as more information becomes available.
The incident has caused a significant disruption in the area while the investigation continues.

24/08/2026

Year-Round Shipping Could Be Possible on Hudson Bay

Manitoba officials say year-round shipping on Hudson Bay may be achievable without relying on the most powerful and expensive icebreakers.
New feasibility studies have reportedly produced encouraging findings about extending the shipping season.
The research is closely connected to plans to expand the Port of Churchill.
The port could play a larger role in northern transportation and trade if operations can continue throughout the year.
Arctic Gateway Group, which owns the port and Hudson Bay Railway, partnered with Fednav for the research.
The organizations examined what would be needed to support shipping during the region’s challenging winter conditions.
The Manitoba and federal governments also commissioned an independent study into extending the port’s operating season.
That research was conducted by the Arctic Research Foundation.
The foundation was established by former BlackBerry chair Jim Balsillie.
Officials say the studies could provide important information for the future of Churchill’s port infrastructure.
A longer shipping season could create new opportunities for northern communities and Canadian trade.
It could also strengthen transportation connections through Manitoba’s Hudson Bay region.
The provincial government is expected to release the study findings publicly.
The results could help determine the next steps for expanding year-round marine operations.
The potential change could mark a significant development for Canada’s northern transportation network.

24/08/2026

Three Missing Men’s Remains Found at Same Eastern Ontario Property

Police have made another grim discovery at a rural property near Smiths Falls, Ontario.
The remains of Lawrence Bertrim were recently found on the wooded property in Montague Township.
Bertrim had been missing for nearly four years before his remains were recovered.
Local officials say the discovery brings both heartbreak and a measure of closure to his loved ones.
The property, located off Kelly Jordan Road, covers roughly 16 hectares of densely wooded land.
The discovery follows the recovery of Robert Lambert’s remains at the same location just two weeks earlier.
Lambert had also been missing for an extended period.
Nine months before that, the remains of Robbie Thomson were discovered on the property.
Three people have been charged in connection with Thomson’s death.
A fourth person is facing an accessory-related charge in that case.
No one has been charged in connection with the deaths of Bertrim or Lambert.
A $50,000 reward is being offered for information that could help investigators.
Police have not officially linked the deaths of the three men despite the remains being found at the same site.
Investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding each disappearance and death.
The discoveries have brought renewed attention to a case that has deeply affected the local community.

24/08/2026

Amsterdam Mystery Man Sparks New Canadian Missing-Person Investigation

A long-running mystery in Amsterdam has taken a new turn after fresh tips pointed investigators toward a possible Canadian connection.
The man, known by the nickname “Lucky,” collapsed on a street in Amsterdam in May 2023.
Doctors believe he suffered a stroke or brain hemorrhage, leaving him with aphasia.
The condition affected his ability to speak, read, write and understand language.
Police say the man had no identification or passport when he was found.
Investigators also discovered that he used several different nicknames.
He reportedly lived largely without leaving a conventional digital or financial trail.
Police said he paid rent and most expenses in cash.
A recent appeal from Amsterdam’s cold case unit generated a large number of new tips.
Several of those tips suggested the possibility of a connection to a Canadian man missing for decades.
However, Canadian and Dutch investigators have now determined that “Lucky” and Mr. Kenny are not the same person.
Police are continuing to investigate at least nine possible identities connected to the mystery man.
The new information has given investigators additional leads to examine.
Authorities on both sides of the Atlantic are working to determine who “Lucky” really is.
The unusual case remains open as investigators follow every credible lead.

24/08/2026

Evacuation Orders Expanded as B.C.’s Largest Wildfire Grows

Officials have expanded evacuation orders as the massive Pear Lake wildfire continues to burn in British Columbia.
The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District expanded an evacuation order south of the fire near Pear Lake.
The newly affected area includes properties close to Highway 99 in the Marble Canyon region.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District also expanded evacuation orders along Highway 99.
The affected area is west of the Highway 97 junction.
The wildfire has now burned more than 1,647 square kilometres, according to B.C. Wildfire Service.
More than 120 properties have been affected by destroyed structures, with most losses reported around Clinton.
Fire officials say the blaze remains particularly active along its western and southern boundaries.
The expanding evacuation zones highlight the continuing threat to nearby communities.
Residents in affected areas are being urged to follow official evacuation instructions.
Emergency officials continue monitoring fire behaviour as conditions change.
Highway access and travel plans may also be affected as evacuation areas expand.
Fire crews remain focused on containing the wildfire and protecting communities and property.
Authorities are expected to provide further updates as firefighting efforts continue.

24/08/2026

Fort Smith Mass Shooting Suspect Taken Into Custody

RCMP say the suspect connected to a mass shooting in Fort Smith, N.W.T., has been arrested.
Police said the arrest happened without incident around 4:30 a.m. Sunday.
The suspect was taken into custody as investigators continue working to establish what happened.
RCMP said charges are expected as the investigation moves forward.
Two other people of interest had already been taken into custody on Saturday.
Authorities have not yet released further details about possible charges.
The investigation remains active as police gather evidence and speak with witnesses.
The incident has left the Fort Smith community shaken.
Local officials are closely monitoring developments as investigators continue their work.
Mayor Dana Fergusson said the arrest brought a sense of relief to the community.
Residents are awaiting more information from police about the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Authorities are expected to provide additional updates as the investigation progresses.
The community continues to deal with the impact of the violent incident.
Police are asking anyone with relevant information to cooperate with investigators.

24/08/2026

Lightning Storm Lights Up B.C. Skies

A powerful thunderstorm swept across British Columbia’s South Coast overnight.
Thousands of lightning flashes illuminated the sky across the Lower Mainland.
The rare weather display was especially intense around Vancouver and Richmond.
Meteorologists reported hundreds of cloud-to-ground lightning strikes in the region.
The storm system moved inland near Richmond after travelling north with abundant moisture.
Environment Canada recorded more than 1,800 lightning incidents across the Lower Mainland.
The B.C. Wildfire Service reported more than 7,000 strikes across the province.
The intense weather also created challenges for travellers at Vancouver International Airport.
Flight operations were disrupted as thunderstorms moved through the region.
Heavy activity also affected roads and created difficult travel conditions.
B.C. Hydro reported numerous power outages following the overnight storm.
More than 3,800 customers across the Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast remained without power Sunday morning.
The unusual storm served as a reminder of how quickly summer weather can change.
Residents were urged to stay alert as thunderstorms can bring lightning, strong winds and sudden hazards.

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