Germans on Saturday mourned both the victims and their shaken sense of security after a man intentionally drove into a Christmas market teeming with holiday shoppers, killing at least five people, including a small child, and injuring at least 200 others.

The storm coincides with the winter solstice, marking the shortest day of the year and the official start of winter.

Two years ago, I wrote a feature for The Walrus about the history of Christmas carols. From the sacred to the profane, carols were yesterday’s pop music, and sung not just for Christmas, and not just for the birth of Baby Jesus, but to celebrate the seasons changing, the harvest, other religious holidays like Easter and generally, just to party.

The Walrus was intriqued by my pitch and let me write something that included something like 21 carols, from Mariah Carey to Elvis Costello. You can read it here.

Many of the stories that I highlight are from the Oxford Book of Carols, an incredible anthology of the best English (and some Flemish, German, Dutch, French) carols that had been collected over the course of the 50 year prior to like 1928. One song I didn’t mention was Good King Wenceslas. In the Oxford Book of Carols, the note explains that this song has a nonsensical narrative but a wonderful tune; a tune that is usually associated with a Spring carol. The editors muse perhaps this one wont stand the test of time. The tune may but the words probably won’t.

Bring me flesh and bring me wine
Bring me pine logs hither
Thou and I shall see him dine
When we bear them thither.
Page and monarch, forth they went
Forth they went together
Through the rude winds wild lament
And the bitter weather

Indeed, strange. But not too bad for Dec. 26 in Quebec City — the Feast of Stephen, as the song goes.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the carols I mention, or maybe also carols I don’t mention (of which there are MANY) and, as the headlines from this past week are below the photo lower down of Percy Dearmer in 1890, I’ll leave you with this:

Percy Dearmer was one of the founders of the Arts and Crafts movement. I mention him in the story. He, along with Ralph Vaughan Williams was one of the three editors of the first Oxford Book of Carols. A socialist, this is how Vaughan Williams described Dearmer the first time they met: “I knew his name vaguely as a parson who invited tramps to sleep in his drawing-room; but he had not come to see me about tramps. He went straight to the point and asked me to edit the music of a hymn book."

Anyone who loves hymns owes a great deal of thanks to Dearmer. He is the one who asked Gustav Holst to write In The Bleak Midwinter, arguably the absolutely best Christmas hymn that has ever been written.

Anyway, here’s Dearmer and this photo is linked to a great article about Dearmer and his former church.

Before I finish here, I just want to mention that Dearmer also wrote He Who Would Valiant Be. Here is a version that probably would have horrified him. The metre is off so it’s not just horrifying because the most inbred family on the planet is trying to keep rythm with the organ. It’s not a Christmas carol but whatever.

And if you need a palate cleanser, here is Maddy Prior singing it. Much better.

Here are the headlines that were featured this week on the last The Daily News podcast of 2024…

Ontario

Two employees charged in death of assisted care resident who ended up locked outside building overnight

Canada and U.S. Department of Defence invest $35M in the Yukon's Mactung mine

British Columbia

B.C. police watchdog investigating apparent suicide of officer charged with sexual assault

Alberta

Edmonton police commission chair quits, admits working from Portugal would be 'unwelcome distraction'

ASIRT investigating fatal police shooting of man in Cold Lake, Alberta

Quebec

Culture of silence at Montreal youth detention facility at centre of sex scandal

This Montreal man died of an aneurysm after waiting in the ER for six hours

Canada

Canadian anti-whaling campaigner Paul Watson won't be extradited to face Japanese charges

Trudeau faces frustrated MPs after Chrystia Freeland's shock resignation

Canada Post says workers to return Tuesday after labour board ruling

Canada’s 11th Province

Enbridge reports 265,000-litre oil spill in Wisconsin

Immigration drives U.S. population past 340M, highest growth rate in 23 years

Amazon Workers Launch Largest Strike Yet: 'It Doesn't Feel Like a Job That Should Be Legal'

International

Germany’s Scholz loses a confidence vote, setting up an early election in February

Mayotte hit by worst cyclone in 90 years

Mysterious disease in DRC is severe malaria, health authorities say

Search continues for missing after DRC boat capsizing kills at least 25

Vanuatu earthquake death toll rises to 14 as rescuers search for survivors

Barrick Gold seeks arbitration over Mali mines dispute

Israel plans to expand Golan settlements after fall of Assad

Palestinian journalist, Gaza Civil Defence workers killed in Israeli strike

Potential Honda-Nissan merger could be the first of many as carmakers try to challenge China

Gisèle Pelicot's ex-husband jailed for 20 years in mass rape trial

Suspect arrested for assault near Woodstock Legion

A suspect wanted in connection with a serious assault outside the Woodstock Legion has been taken into custody.

Takoda Louis Lee Christian, 19, of Woodstock, formerly of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), was arrested on a warrant on Dec. 20. He was placed on weekend remand to await a bail hearing on Dec. 23 at 1:30 p.m.

Woodstock Police charged Christian with aggravated assault following an incident outside the Royal Canadian Legion in Woodstock on Nov. 14 around 8:55 p.m. Police were called to the scene, and a man was transported to the hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

Neqotkuk man awaits sentencing

Jordan Perley, 36, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody on Dec. 20 for sentencing on charges laid by RCMP.

After hearing submissions from both the crown and defence counsel, Judge Karen Lee reserved her decision on sentence until Dec. 24 at 9:30 a.m.

Perley was denied bail in June. On Dec. 20, he pleaded guilty to breaking into a dwelling house with intent to commit an assault with a weapon (a stick), mischief causing property damage, and uttering threats concerning an incident on May 17 at Neqotkuk. The crown withdrew five other charges.

Perley also pleaded guilty to mischief causing property damage to a door and window on Jan. 1 at Neqotkuk and guilty to mischief and possession of a prohibited weapon (a butterfly knife), on March 18 at Neqotkuk.

He also pleaded guilty to failing to appear in court on April 9. The crown withdrew four other charges. Perley had a prior criminal record.

During the sentencing hearing, the court heard Perley went on a drug-fuelled rampage that involved a cluster of incidents over a period of months.

Crown Prosecutor Charles Couturier explained Perley was causing trouble for his neighbours, and his actions eventually ended in a home invasion and violent assault on a woman at an apartment building on May 17.

The crown recommended that Perley be sentenced to 330 days in jail or time served, followed by 24 months of probation. Couturier said Perley should register with the federal DNA database and requested that the accused be prohibited from possessing weapons for life. He also suggested that Perley seek counselling for mental health and substance abuse. The butterfly knife seized by police will be forfeited to the crown.

Defence Counsel Lindsay Paul said Perley was remorseful for his crimes, noting he did not intend to hurt anyone during his rampage through the community. She contended Perley was on drugs and out of control when the incidents occurred. He has been sober for the last several months while in custody.

“I apologize for my past crimes,” Perley told the court.

Judge Lee stated Perley was at high risk of reoffending without rehabilitation. She reserved her decision due to the seriousness of the home invasion and the joint submission from the crown and defence for a lighter sentence.

Guilty plea on two charges

Caleb Crain, 40, of Piercemont, appeared for trial in provincial court on Dec. 20 and changed his plea to guilty on two charges laid by RCMP. His sentencing was set for March 25, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.

Crain was charged with assault causing bodily harm to a female victim, unlawful confinement, and uttering threats following an incident on Dec. 10, 2022, near Florenceville-Bristol.

He pleaded guilty to the lesser included offence of common assault and guilty to uttering threats. The crown withdrew the confinement charge.

Not guilty on sex charge

Matthew Eric Hughes, 28, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 18 for a verdict following his trial on a sex charge laid by RCMP. Judge Sebastian Michaud found him not guilty.

RCMP charged Hughes with touching a female minor for a sexual purpose and invitation to touching for a sexual purpose, stemming from alleged incidents between Aug. 31, 2014, and Jan. 1, 2017, near Perth-Andover. He pleaded not guilty. The second charge was withdrawn at his court appearance on Oct. 2.

Agreed to peace bond

Kevin Coutts, 65, of Lower Kintore, appeared for trial in provincial court on Dec. 20 on two charges laid by RCMP. He agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond, and the trial did not proceed.

Coutts was charged with failing to appear in court and assault involving a female victim, stemming from an incident on June 10, 2023, at Kintore. The peace bond will result in the assault charge being withdrawn. The crown also withdrew the charge of failing to appear.

Held in custody for sentencing

Megan Elizabeth Lewis, 30, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Dec. 20 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear for sentencing. She was remanded until Dec. 23 at 1:30 p.m.

Lewis appeared in provincial court on June 12 and changed her plea to guilty on five charges laid by Woodstock Police. She was released on an undertaking until her sentencing and then failed to appear for several subsequent appearances.

Lewis was charged with unlawful entry at a dwelling house, assaulting another woman, committing mischief causing property damage to a door, two counts of assaulting a police officer, and breach of probation for an incident on Dec. 28, 2023, in Woodstock. The crown withdrew the charge of unlawful entry.

Lewis appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 21 for a bail hearing. She was released with conditions to a rehab facility in Shediac but left the facility in breach of her release order. On June 12, she told the court she did not want to go back.

Lewis spent several months in custody before being sent to rehab. The court heard a joint recommendation of time served and probation was to be made at her sentencing hearing by both the crown and defence, but she failed to appear.

Returning for plea

Deven Lennon, 31, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear in provincial court on Jan. 28, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. for plea on several charges laid by RCMP.

Lennon was charged with assault with a weapon (keys) and assault involving a female victim on Oct. 20 at Neqotkuk, assaulting a female, assault with a weapon (a bottle), and uttering threats on Nov. 5 at Neqotkuk, and assaulting a female on Oct. 2 at Neqotkuk. He made his first court appearance on Dec. 17, when the matter was adjourned to the new date.

Released on an undertaking

Paul Allingham, 48, of Enterprise in Victoria County, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. to answer an assault charge.

Allingham was charged with assaulting another man in connection with an incident on Sept. 17 near Plaster Rock. He made his first court appearance on Dec. 17, when the matter was adjourned for plea to the new date. He was released on an undertaking until that time.

Trafficking charge laid

Timothy Thibodeau, 42, of Glassville, will appear in provincial court on Dec. 24 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on three charges laid by RCMP. He was scheduled for plea on Dec. 17 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.

Thibodeau was charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, uttering threats on Sept. 4, 2023, at Hartland, and failing to appear in court on Oct. 24.  He appeared in court in custody on Nov. 4. He was released with conditions with an order to report to the police weekly.

Trial date scheduled

Thomas Ross Corey, 38, of Lansdowne, will appear for trial in provincial court on Nov. 10, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to impaired driving.

Woodstock Police charged Corey following an incident on May 20 in Woodstock. He entered his not-guilty plea at a court appearance on Nov. 26. He returned to court on Dec. 20 to set a trial date.

Nabbed for impaired

Carvell Weston, 57, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Dec. 24 at 9:30 a.m. to answer an impaired driving charge.

Woodstock Police charged Weston in connection with an incident on June 11 in Woodstock. He made his first court appearance on Nov. 26, when the matter was adjourned for plea to the new date.

Charged with uttering threats

Brandon Lee Kinney, 25, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Dec. 24 at 9:30 a.m. to face a threat charge.

Woodstock Police charged Kinney with uttering threats stemming from an incident on July 19 in Woodstock. He made his first court appearance on Nov. 26, when the matter was adjourned for plea to the new date.

Woodstock woman to enter plea

Lisa Barrett, 49, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Dec. 24 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by RCMP.

Barrett was charged with uttering threats and obstructing the course of justice for an incident on Aug. 24 at Wicklow. She appeared in court on Nov. 27 and was released on an undertaking until her next court appearance.

Incident in Debec

Delta Foster, 27, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Dec. 24 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on three charges laid by RCMP.

Foster was charged with two counts of uttering threats and mischief causing property damage to a TV concerning an incident in Debec on Aug. 5. She made her first court appearance on Nov. 27 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.

Peace bond for Hayes

Edward Hayes Jr., 29, of Benton, appeared for trial in provincial court in custody by video on Dec. 19 on two charges laid by RCMP. He agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond, and the trial did not proceed.

Hayes was charged with assault involving a female and breach of probation on June 17 at a residence in Centreville. The peace bond will result in the charges being withdrawn.

Hayes also appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Nov. 29 and pleaded guilty to two other charges. His sentencing date was set for Jan. 13, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. Hayes pleaded guilty to flight from police and breach of probation.

He also appeared in custody by video on Oct. 31 and pleaded not guilty to several other charges laid by RCMP. His trial dates were set for Jan. 13, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. and Jan. 30 and Feb. 6, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.

Hayes was denied bail on Aug. 29. He was charged with refusing a breathalyzer demand, resisting arrest, assaulting two police officers, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, assault on a female victim, mischief causing property damage to a vehicle, and driving while prohibited in connection with an incident on Aug. 27 at Centreville.

Trial adjourned to March

Jerry Inman, 68, of Kincardine, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 19 to continue his trial on a firearm charge laid by the RCMP. The trial was adjourned until March 7 and March 28, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.

Inman was charged with intentionally discharging a firearm into or at a place, knowing another person was present there in connection with an incident on April 27, 2023, in Kincardine. He pleaded not guilt,y and his trial commenced on Dec. 13.

Trial for aggravated assault

Tusha Mae Sawyer, 46, of Carlingford, will appear in provincial court on Feb. 21, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. to continue her trial on two charges laid by RCMP.

Sawyer was charged with aggravated assault against another woman and indictable breach of probation in connection with an incident on July 29, 2023, at Gladwyn. The trial began on Dec. 13 with crown witnesses testifying about an alleged violent altercation between the two women.

Sentencing set on several charges

Joshua Sisson, 37, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear in provincial court in custody for sentencing on Dec. 23 at 9:30 a.m. after changing his plea to guilty on several charges.

Sisson appeared in court in custody by video for a bail hearing on Nov. 14 and was remanded to jail. RCMP charged him with two counts of uttering threats for an incident on Nov. 11 at Neqotkuk. He was also charged with flight from police on Sept. 24.

He changed his plea to guilty on one threat charge and the flight charge on Dec. 17 and told the court he was planning to enter a rehab facility.

Sisson also pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon (a bottle) involving a female victim, assault, and one count of uttering threats in connection with an incident on April 8 at Neqotkuk.  He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant.

He is awaiting plea on Dec. 23 at 9:30 a.m. on two new charges of attempted break and enter and mischief causing property damage to a shed on Sept. 24 at Neqotkuk.

Sentencing scheduled for Davenport

Timothy Grant Davenport, 46, of no fixed address, was scheduled to appear in provincial court in custody by video on Dec. 20 for sentencing after changing his plea to guilty on six charges laid by RCMP. Judge Karen Lee was expected to reserve her decision on sentence to a later date.

Davenport was charged by RCMP with theft of a gun and ammunition, committing mischief by breaking a window, resisting arrest, possession of a prohibited weapon (a loaded sawed-off shotgun), reckless discharge of a firearm, pointing a firearm at another man, possession of a firearm without a licence, possession of ammunition while prohibited, and possession of a firearm while prohibited, in connection with an incident on Nov. 26, 2023, near Lakeville.

The crown withdrew three charges, and one firearm charge was reduced to a lesser included offence.

Davenport appeared in court for a bail hearing on Nov. 29, 2023, and was remanded to jail. He also awaits sentencing for another offence after pleading guilty to a fraud charge.

Trial on two charges

Gabriel John Tomah, 21, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Dec. 18 for his trial on two charges laid by RCMP.

Tomah was charged with assault involving a female victim and uttering threats in connection with an incident on Oct. 1, 2023, at Neqotkuk. He pleaded not guilty. Testimony continued throughout the day on Oct. 18.

Bail hearing adjourned

Brittany Priscilla King, 27, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Dec. 19 for a bail hearing. The bail hearing was adjourned until Dec. 23 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of her defence counsel.

Woodstock Police charged King with breach of a release order by violating electronic monitoring between Dec. 7 and Dec. 9 in Woodstock. She is also awaiting trial on other separate matters.

Woodstock Police charged King with assault with a weapon (a knife), assault causing bodily harm to a male victim, theft, and unlawful entry at a dwelling house concerning an incident on Nov. 5, 2023, in Woodstock. She pleaded not guilty, and her trial dates were rescheduled for April 14 and April 24, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.

She was also charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, dangerous driving, committing mischief causing property damage and assault using a vehicle following an incident on Sept. 17, 2023, in Woodstock. She pleaded not guilty, and her trial was adjourned until May 8, 2025.

King was also charged with possessing a stolen vehicle on Nov. 22, 2022, and failing to attend court on Feb. 21, 2023. She pleaded not guilty and a trial date was set for April 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.

Trial on Monday

Curtis Brent Hatheway, 43, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court in custody on Monday for the start of his trial on charges laid by Woodstock Police. His trial dates were rescheduled for Dec. 23 at 9:30 a.m. and Jan. 20, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.

Hatheway appeared in custody by video on Nov. 21 for a bail hearing. He waived his bail and was remanded to jail. He was arrested on a warrant.

Hatheway pleaded not guilty to multiple charges including two counts of breach of probation and two counts of breaching a peace bond between June 30 and July 8 and on Sept. 13 in Woodstock, breach of an undertaking, breach of probation, breach of a peace bond and criminal harassment between Sept. 14 and Sept.16 in Woodstock. The charges relate to a no-contact order involving a female complainant. He has a prior criminal record.

He was also charged with breach of probation and breach of a peace bond for incidents between May 24 and Sept. 13 in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty at a court appearance on Dec. 12. His trial date was set for Dec. 23 at 9:30 a.m.

Released on an undertaking

Derek Oliver, 34, of no fixed address, will appear in provincial court on Dec. 23 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on one charge laid by RCMP.

Oliver was charged with breaking and entering into a garage in Hartland on Aug. 9. He was released on an undertaking and ordered to have no contact with the complainant. He made his first court appearance on Nov. 27 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.

Plea scheduled for Ontario man

Ryan James Dunford, 43, of London, Ontario, will appear in provincial court on Dec. 24 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on one charge laid by Woodstock Police.

Dunford was charged with mischief causing property damage to a vehicle on June 21 in Woodstock.  He was released on an undertaking and entered a rehab facility in Ontario.

The post Woodstock Provincial Court: Woodstock man arrested on warrant first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Once destined for a museum, organizers now hope the train will be running a 240-kilometre-long trip between Kamloops and Vernon by 2026.

Residents of Prince Edward Island woke up to their first significant snowfall Saturday morning with more expected throughout the day.

Gwichyà Gwich’in historian Crystal Gail Fraser's new book documents the strength of people forced into the residential school system in the Mackenzie Delta.

The Stanton Territorial Hospital Foundation says it's spending almost $69,000 on a range of new furnishings and equipment for the NWT's main hospital.

Hanukkah, Judaism’s eight-day Festival of Lights, begins this year on Christmas Day, only the fourth time that’s happened since 1900.

For some rabbis, the intersection of the two religious holidays provides an auspicious occasion for interfaith engagement.

“This can be a profound opportunity for learning and collaboration and togetherness,” said Rabbi Josh Stanton, a vice president of the Jewish Federations of North America. He oversees interfaith initiatives involving the 146 local and regional Jewish federations that his organization represents.

“The goal is not proselytizing; it’s learning deeply from each other,” he said. “It’s others seeing you as you see yourself.”

One example of togetherness: a Chicanukah party hosted Thursday evening by several Jewish organizations in Houston, bringing together members of the city’s Latino and Jewish communities for a “cross cultural holiday celebration.” The venue: Houston’s Holocaust museum.

The food on offer was a blend of the two cultures — for example a latke bar featuring guacamole, chili con queso and pico de gallo, as well as applesauce and sour cream. The doughnut-like pastries were sufganiyot — a Hanukkah specialty — and buñuelos, And the mariachi band took a crack at playing the Jewish folk song “Hava Nagila.”

“What really brings us together is our shared values — our faith, our families, our heritage,” said Erica Winsor, public affairs officer for the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston.

Rabbi Peter Tarlow, executive director of the Houston-based Center for Latino-Jewish Relations, said the first Chicanukah event 12 years ago drew 20 people, while this year the crowd numbered about 300, and could have been larger had not attendance been capped. He said the party-goers were a roughly even mix of Latinos — some of them Jews with Latin American origins — and “Anglo” Jews.

“There’s too much hate, too much separation against both Jews and Latinos,” Tarlow said. “This is a way we can come together and show we support each other.”

While Hanukkah is intended as an upbeat, celebratory holiday, rabbis note that it’s taking place this year amid continuing conflicts involving Israeli forces in the Middle East, and apprehension over widespread incidents of antisemitism.

Rabbi Moshe Hauer, executive vice president of the Orthodox Union, acknowledged that many Jews may be feeling anxious heading into Hanukkah this year. But he voiced confidence that most would maintain the key tradition: the lighting of candles on menorah candelabras and displaying where they’re visible through household windows and in public spaces.

“The posture of our community — without stridency, just with determination — is that the menorah should be in our windows, in a place where the public sees it,” Hauer said.

“It is less for us, the Jewish community, than for the world,” he added. “We have to share that light. Putting the menorah in the window is our expression of working to be a light among the nations.”

Hauer concurred with Stanton that this year’s overlap of Hanukkah and Christmas is “an exceptional opportunity to see and experience the diversity of America and the diversity of its communities of faith.”

Rabbi Motti Seligson, public relations director for the Hasidic movement Chabad-Lubavitch, noted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of a milestone in the public lightings of menorahs. It was on Dec. 8, 1974 — as part of an initiative launched by the Lubavitcher leader, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson — that a menorah was lit outside Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, where the Liberty Bell was housed at the time.

“Hanukkah is a celebration of religious liberty, so that it’s not taken for granted,” Seligson said. “One of the ways of doing that is by celebrating it publicly.”

He said Chabad was organizing about 15,000 public menorah lightings this year through its numerous branches around the world.

“There certainly is some apprehension,” Seligson said, referring to concerns about antisemitism and political friction. “Some people question whether Jews will be celebrating as openly as in the past.”

“What I’m hearing is there’s no way that we can’t,” he added. “The only way through these difficult times is by standing stronger and prouder and shining brighter than ever.”

Stanton concurred.

“Through our history, we’ve been through moments that are easy and moments that are hard,” he said. “Safety for us does not come from hiding. It comes from reaching out.”

The last time Hanukkah began on Christmas Day was in 2005. But the term “Chrismukkah” — signifying the overlap of the two holidays — had become a popular term before then. The term gained extra currency in 2003, when the character Seth Cohen on the TV drama “The O.C.” embraced the fusion holiday as a tribute to his Jewish father and Protestant mother.

This season, the Hallmark Channel introduced a new Christmas movie called “Leah’s Perfect Gift,” depicting a young Jewish woman who had admired Christmas from a distance, and gets a chance to experience it up close when her boyfriend invites her to spend the holidays with his family. Spoiler alert: All does not go smoothly.

Despite such storylines suggesting a fascination with Christmas among some Jews, Stanton says research by the Jewish Federations reveals a surge in Jews seeking deeper connections to their own traditions and community, as well as a surge in Jews volunteering for charitable activities during the holidays.

“The opportunity is to share with others how we celebrate Hanukkah,” he said. “It’s a holiday of freedom, hope, showing proudly you are Jewish.” ___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

David Crary, The Associated Press

Toronto police says its homicide unit is investigating after a man was found with injuries and died early Saturday morning. Officers responded to a call for an injured person around 2:50 a.m. near St. Clair Avenue W. and Lansdowne Avenue.

The canopy skating rink at The Forks, as seen on Thursday, December 19, 2024. (CHRISD.CA FILE)

WINNIPEG — The Forks is ready to welcome winter revellers over the holiday break with its Winter Park now fully open.

Skating rinks, both under the canopy by The Forks Market and by the CN Stage, along with over 1 km of skating trail have been flooded, groomed, and prepared for visitors to use.

The Nestaweya River Trail is yet to open, but crews are safely testing and flooding the Port Rink. Officials are reminding the public to stay off the rivers until they are deemed safe and open to the public.

Skaters can change their footwear inside The Forks atrium. Rentals are available on-site for those without skates.

Ice conditions will be updated frequently at TheForks.com/skate.

 

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— — —

The Assiniboine Park Conservancy has also announced that the Duck Pond at Assiniboine Park will open for skating today. The park’s cross-country ski trails and toboggan hill are also open for the season.

“Assiniboine Park a great place to enjoy a variety of outdoor winter activities from sledding to skating and cross-country skiing,” said Georgia Sigurdson, communications coordinator, Assiniboine Park Conservancy.

“Fresh air, exercise, and time spent in nature is good for us all at any time of year, so we are encouraging Park visitors to bundle up, head outside, and embrace the wonders of winter!”

The Duck Pond skating rink at Assiniboine Park is now open for the season. (ASSINIBOINE PARK CONSERVANCY / HANDOUT)

© 2024. This article Winter Park Now Open for the Season at The Forks appeared first on ChrisD.ca - Winnipeg News.

Mental health concerns in young boys and men are a prevalent issue, say advocates. In a panel discussion, they spoke about personal depression, society's pressure to keep it hidden, and what must be done to change.

Police are seeking the public’s assistance in their efforts to identify two people in the recent theft of merchandise from Woodward’s C-Store in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

RCMP say a man wearing a pair of sunglasses and who had a hood pulled over his head entered the Tenth Street store around 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 18th. A woman who also had her hood up, held the door open for him.

RCMP say the man then gathered items from the store and ran out the open door with the woman following close behind.

Efforts to identify the pair have been unsuccessful.

Anyone with information is asked to contact RCMP in Happy Valley-Goose Bay or Crime Stoppers.

Photo via RCMP

Nunatsiaq News reporter Arty Sarkisian (File photo)

In this year-end series, Nunatsiaq News reporters look back on their most memorable stories from 2024.

Before landing in Kinngait in the middle of July, I definitely knew about the housing crisis in Nunavut.

Well at least I definitely thought I knew.

I’m in my first year living in Nunavut but I had read reports about housing being the government’s “top priority.”

I listened to MLAs talk about the territory’s “unique needs” in housing and heard people who described old, mouldy and overcrowded households.

But when I was in Kinngait, the community with the greatest need for new public housing according to Nunavut Housing Corp., I wanted to actually see this crisis.

As soon as I landed in the hamlet at around 7 p.m., I started walking around town knocking on door after door.

For some reason, nobody embraced the idea of inviting me — a random stranger on their doorstep — to come into their home, walk around and take pictures.

By the end of the night I was sure that all of the 1,400 Kinngait residents would get to know the weirdo knocking on doors and asking to come in. But not a single one said yes.

Finally, I got lucky.

I walked up to a burgundy, one-storey house across from the hamlet’s Northern store.

I told Sarah Samayualie and Qiatsuq Ragee the same thing I told the others and, finally, I didn’t hear the standard “no,” or “we’re busy,” or “come later.”

Ragee simply asked, “Why?”

As in, why would anyone be interested in learning about us?

“We are like everyone else,” he kept saying, as he welcomed me inside.

As soon as I walked in, it was clear I really did have no idea what the housing crisis was like.

Despite all my pleas not to worry, Ragee and Samayualie tried to quickly clean up the place. But there was nothing they could do about the cracks and holes in the walls, kitchen cabinet doors that wouldn’t close, and very old queen-size mattresses that filled the entirety of their three tiny bedrooms.

And, of course, there was nothing they could do about the smell of mould in this 1960s house.

On any given night, there could be 11 people sleeping in the house: Samayualie and Ragee, their three grandchildren, three of their adult children and their partners.

“And there was another grandkid on the way,” Ragee said.

Neither Samayualie nor Ragee had a full-time job, and both said they felt like there wasn’t enough space for the three generations of their family.

The most surprising thing for me was that living in such conditions didn’t make them angry or disappointed. Yes, they wanted a bigger space, but overall they seemed to be feeling … OK.

Another person who lived in Kinngait her entire life chuckled when I told her this.

To her, the existence of overcrowded households in Nunavut was obvious. Almost normal.

It’s the Qallunaat who are shocked by those conditions, she said.

Well, maybe.

In 2013, the authors of the Qikiqtani Truth Commission’s report wrote that for Inuit in the 1970s settlement life often imposed “a new form of poverty.”

A footnote for “poverty” explained that the word should be considered in the “context of the period.” It said it was possible for Inuit to feel like they were living comfortably, while by western standards they would be considered “extremely poor.”

I guess the context has changed little since then.

On December 18th, 2024, Stratford RCMP received a complaint from a local business of stolen power tools valued at over $1500. RCMP later arrested a 31-year-old man and seized the tools, cocaine and methamphetamine in the process.

On December 20th, 2024, the Queens District RCMP, with the assistance of the RCMP Major Crime Unit and the RCMP Provincial General Investigation Section arrested a 31-year-old man in Cornwall for possession of property obtained by crime and trafficking property obtained by crime in connection to the stolen tools. In the process of the arrest, police seized stolen power tools, and small quantities of cocaine, and methamphetamine. The man will appear in Provincial Court on February 3rd, 2025, to answer charges concerning this ongoing investigation.

Summerset Manor in Summerside has declared an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness. That’s in addition to the gastrointestinal outbreaks already declared at Summerset Manor’s Family household and Friends household.

Residents of those households are being limited to one visitor at a time.

All visitors are asked to follow the current infection control measures and stay away if feeling unwell.

A single-vehicle crash in Elmsdale Thursday afternoon led to the arrest of a 22-year-old man in connection with a stolen vehicle.  It was about 1:00 p.m. when West Prince RCMP responded to a report of a single-vehicle crash in which a car struck a pole.  Police arrived to find that the vehicle had been stolen, and the driver ran off.  Police say they located him a short distance away and he was treated for minor injuries and arrested. He’s been released on conditions and will appear in Summerside Provincial Court on February 5th.

 Charlottetown Police say tips from the public have led to the arrest of a suspect in a hit and run investigation.  A 54-year old Charlottetown man suffered serious injuries when he was struck in the vehicle/pedestrian collision December 4th in Sherwood On Thursday, Charlottetown Police followed up on a recent tip which led to the arrest of an 18 year old Charlottetown man and the seizure of a vehicle.  The man has been charged with Failure to Remain at the Scene of an Accident Causing Bodily Harm.  He has been released from custody and will appear in Provincial Court in January.

Thirty-one-year-old Brandan Bungay was arrested police on Dec. 15 following reports of recent violent crimes.

On Dec. 9, Glovertown RCMP received a report that, while unlawfully inside a residence in Dover, Bungay assaulted an occupant of the home. On Dec. 10, police received a report of a residential disturbance in Dover. A woman was threatened and assaulted. On Dec. 13, in Dover, a man was struck by a vehicle allegedly operated by Bungay.

In each instance, officers responded, looking to arrest Bungay, who was evading police. A warrant for his arrest was issued and shared on social media. On Dec. 14, police responded to a single-vehicle crash in Centreville involving a vehicle operated by Bungay. Prior to the vehicle departing the roadway, Bungay allegedly assaulted a passenger of the vehicle. 

On Dec. 15, Bungay was arrested outside of a home in Dover without further incident. He is charged with the following criminal offences:

• Assault – two counts
• Assault with a weapon
• Threats
• Unlawfully in a dwelling

Bungay was released by the court on a number of conditions, including a daily curfew from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. His next court date is set for Jan. 21.

The RCMP in Gander are investigating a report of a male pointing a firearm at the mall in Gander at approximately 7:00 on Friday evening.

The male is approximately 5’11’’ tall, has a moustache and dressed in black clothing with a black cap. Police are seeking publics assistance in identifying and locating the male. RCMP say there is currently no public safety threat.

Winter is hard. Colder months and lack of sunshine can often bring many of us feelings of sadness and isolation, especially after the busy months leading up to the holiday season. Over the coming weeks when temperatures are expected to drop further, we connected with mental health clinical psychologist Dr. Valerie Krysanski, C. Psych. for some simple, achievable tips for combatting the winter blues.

1. Bundle up and head outside! Sunlight (aka vitamin D) helps regulate your mood and combat negative emotions. If you can’t get outside: open your blinds or sit by a window for natural light exposure.
2. Move your body. Physical exercise is proven to produce feel-good chemicals (called endorphins) in your brain that enhance your overall sense of well-being.
3. Connect with others. Making the effort to socialize with loved ones and friends helps ease feelings of loneliness and isolation that are common during colder months.
4. Stress management is key. Make sure to take time to rest your mind and body with activities like meditation, yoga or mindful breathing to keep stress levels low.
5. Stick to a regular sleep routine. Our circadian rhythm can become out of whack this time of year because we are exposed to far less sunlight and spend more time indoors. Try to avoid napping because it can make sleeping at night harder and force us out of a routine, which has bigger impacts on our mood than we think.
6. Take a vitamin D supplement. Winter months usually mean less sunshine and higher likelihood of vitamin D deficiency. A supplement can help keep your levels up while the sun is down (or clouded over).

It’s important to know you’re not alone. If you need immediate help, there are several 24-hour support lines available in Manitoba. If you or anyone you know is in need of mental health support or resources, the Mental Health and Wellness Resource Finder provides a number of mental health, wellness and addictions supports.

(article credit: Expert Advice with Dr. Valerie Krysanski, for Manitoba Shared Health)

Please listen to more with Regional Outreach Manager for Prairie Mountain Mood Disorder Association of Manitoba, Lora Hay as she shares more on how we can help ourselves in this winter season, whether we are struggling with SAD or just some of the winter blues because we're not getting out and about as we do perhaps in the warmer months.

A new clinic opening early next year on Vancouver Island has a different structure it hopes will help attract and retain family doctors amid B.C.'s ongoing physician shortage. 

These two Indigenous women veterans from Saskatchewan were able to serve in the U.S. Navy and Airforce because of the Jay Treaty, a 1794 agreement that allows some First Nations people to travel freely across the Canada-U.S. border for employment, study, retirement, investing and immigration.

Soon after a Canada-wide recall was issued this summer amid fears of listeria contamination in certain plant-based milks, Arlene Pelley noticed another problem.

Upon seeing the news of the July 8 recall on social media, Ms. Pelley went to her refrigerator to check the cartons of almond-cashew milk she purchased in her groceries. Realizing they were part of the recall of Silk and Great Value brands, she promptly poured them down the drain.