Newfoundland & Labrador News
VOCM

Government Postpones Implementation of Changes to Junior High Curriculum

The provincial government has paused the implementation of proposed changes to the junior high school curriculum. The sweeping changes would make some courses, such as social studies and music, optio ...
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The provincial government has paused the implementation of proposed changes to the junior high school curriculum.

The sweeping changes would make some courses, such as social studies and music, optional or modular, in an attempt to boost student engagement and attendance.

The proposal has garnered criticism on several fronts—including the NLTA, parents, and opposition parties.

Last week, Education Minister Krista Lynn Howell stated that the intent was to begin implementing the changes, on a trial basis in volunteer schools, for this fall.

However, the minister has now backtracked on that plan.

In statement, Howell says that during the consultation period they heard from many stakeholders, and they have made the decision to extend the option for online feedback until March 21st.

Further, the consultation process with stakeholders has also been extended, and they will be consulting with more educational partners to “gather as much feedback as possible.”

As a result, implementation of the changes in time for the next school year has been halted.

18 Feb 2025 09:32:26

CBC Newfoundland & Labrador

More than just a pinch: IUDs can cause excruciating pain, but in N.L., there's no standard to deal with it

Getting an IUD is a common procedure, but people in this province say not everyone receives the same standard of care. ...
More ...A model uterus, two IUD applicators, and other medical tools and pain medications are on a desk.

Getting an IUD is a common procedure, but people in this province say not everyone receives the same standard of care.

18 Feb 2025 09:30:00

CBC Newfoundland & Labrador

Too early to say if N.L. will see a boost from Canadians boycotting U.S. travel, say operators

Newfoundland and Labrador tourism operators Ann Simmons and Michael Gatherall say it's too early to tell if there will be a business boost from Canadians boycotting the U.S. as a travel destination. ...
More ...Two people sitting on rock next to ocean looking at a whale.

Newfoundland and Labrador tourism operators Ann Simmons and Michael Gatherall say it's too early to tell if there will be a business boost from Canadians boycotting the U.S. as a travel destination.

18 Feb 2025 09:30:00

CBC Newfoundland & Labrador

Ok, hear us out: running in the winter can be fun

Fitness instructor and marathoner Ange States loves running - even in the winter. In this video for CBC Creator Network, she takes you through her tips and tricks on how to make winter running a littl ...
More ...Selfie of Ange smiling while out for a run with snow around her.

Fitness instructor and marathoner Ange States loves running - even in the winter. In this video for CBC Creator Network, she takes you through her tips and tricks on how to make winter running a little less intimidating, and a little more fun.

18 Feb 2025 09:30:00

VOCM

Today’s Headlines (02/18/25)

A Delta flight crashed while landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport, resulting in 17 individuals, including a child, transported to hospitals with injuries, but none are life-threatening. Th ...
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A Delta flight crashed while landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport, resulting in 17 individuals, including a child, transported to hospitals with injuries, but none are life-threatening. The cause of the crash, which happened during blowing snow and strong winds and left the plane upside down, is under investigation. (ABC News)


A polar vortex is bringing extreme cold to the Rockies and Northern Plains, with wind chills dropping to minus 60 Fahrenheit in North Dakota and minus 50 F in Montana. The National Weather Service issued extreme cold warnings for an 11-state area, and floods in the Eastern U.S. have now resulted in 13 deaths. (AP)


The measles outbreak in Texas has reached 48 cases, the state's worst in 30 years, with 13 hospitalizations. Other states have also reported cases. Lower vaccination rates are fueling the spread, with public health authorities emphasizing the importance of high vaccination coverage. (CBS News)


Wyoming's first human case of Type A H5N1 bird flu has been reported, with a woman hospitalized by the virus linked to her backyard flock. Nearly 70 cases have been reported so far in the US. Symptoms are mild in most cases, but the hospitalized woman experienced unusually severe symptoms. (NBC News)


The Trump administration fired hundreds of new support staff employees at the Federal Aviation Administration, despite understaffing concerns after a fatal crash in Washington, D.C. The workers' union criticized the move for neglecting mission-critical needs and compromising public safety. (UPI)

18 Feb 2025 00:00:35

NTV

Mission accomplished as 20 lives saved in dramatic rescue

We have more on this weekend’s dramatic rescue at sea after a cargo ship ran aground on the west coast. Tonight, the pilot of the helicopter that saved all 20 crew members speaks about the incre ...
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We have more on this weekend’s dramatic rescue at sea after a cargo ship ran aground on the west coast. Tonight, the pilot of the helicopter that saved all 20 crew members speaks about the incredible rescue. NTV’s Marykate O’Neill has the story.

17 Feb 2025 22:41:22

NTV

Sexual assault charges dismissed against St. John’s firefighter

A high-ranking firefighter with the St. John’s Regional Fire Department, Ron Pomeroy, who was accused of sexual crimes against a teenaged girl has been cleared of all charges. NTV’s Rosie Mull ...
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A high-ranking firefighter with the St. John’s Regional Fire Department, Ron Pomeroy, who was accused of sexual crimes against a teenaged girl has been cleared of all charges. NTV’s Rosie Mullaley has the story.

17 Feb 2025 22:41:08

NTV

Nurses union calling for government to hire more local graduates’

Last week, the province’s health authority repeated plans to reduce its reliance on agency nurses. Today, the registered nurse’s union says this should have been done long ago. NTV’s ...
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Last week, the province’s health authority repeated plans to reduce its reliance on agency nurses. Today, the registered nurse’s union says this should have been done long ago. NTV’s Becky Daley has more.

17 Feb 2025 22:40:50

NTV

Your Community: St. John’s ChillFest Continues

St. John’s Chill Fest is well underway, with tomorrow marking the final day of the winter festival. NTV’s Amanda Mews is in Your Community to talk about a new event taking place on Tuesday ...
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St. John’s Chill Fest is well underway, with tomorrow marking the final day of the winter festival. NTV’s Amanda Mews is in Your Community to talk about a new event taking place on Tuesday. 

17 Feb 2025 22:40:12

Delta Flight Overturns on Landing at Pearson; Investigation Underway
VOCM

Delta Flight Overturns on Landing at Pearson; Investigation Underway

A Delta Air Lines flight traveling from Minneapolis to Toronto crashed upon landing at Pearson International Airport Monday afternoon, leaving the aircraft overturned on the tarmac. Delta Flight 4819 ...
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A Delta Air Lines flight traveling from Minneapolis to Toronto crashed upon landing at Pearson International Airport Monday afternoon, leaving the aircraft overturned on the tarmac.

Delta Flight 4819 was cleared to land around 2:10 p.m. local time, according to air traffic control recordings. Moments before landing, the tower advised the crew about possible turbulence from a preceding aircraft.

By 2:12 p.m., the tower confirmed the crash on runway 23. Images and videos circulating on social media show the plane flipped upside down, with passengers evacuating while emergency crews responded.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has dispatched investigators to determine what caused the crash. No further details about potential injuries or damage have been released.

Meanwhile, at the St. John’s International Airport travellers are seeing see delays or flights arriving from and departing to Toronto Monday Evening.

17 Feb 2025 22:09:42

CBC Newfoundland & Labrador

Rescuing crew of ship run aground in Lark Harbour 'one of the most challenging things I've done', pilot says

The successful rescue of 20 people aboard a cargo vessel run aground in Lark Harbour, N.L., resulted in a happy ending Sunday, but one of the helicopter's pilots says it didn't come easy. ...
More ...A large cargo ship aground in a cove viewed from the air.

The successful rescue of 20 people aboard a cargo vessel run aground in Lark Harbour, N.L., resulted in a happy ending Sunday, but one of the helicopter's pilots says it didn't come easy.

17 Feb 2025 21:53:45

CBC Newfoundland & Labrador

N.L. government hitting brakes on plan to make arts, French optional for middle schoolers

Newfoundland and Labrador's Education Department says it's pausing a plan to make sweeping curriculum changes for junior high school students following criticism from parents and students. ...
More ...A school bus sits in a parking lot.

Newfoundland and Labrador's Education Department says it's pausing a plan to make sweeping curriculum changes for junior high school students following criticism from parents and students.

17 Feb 2025 21:10:10

Man, Woman Convicted in Child Abduction That Spurred Amber Alert
VOCM

Man, Woman Convicted in Child Abduction That Spurred Amber Alert

Two people have been convicted in a child abduction case which triggered a rare amber alert in this province. The week-long drama played out in June of 2023, and involved a 74-year-old man’s att ...
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Two people have been convicted in a child abduction case which triggered a rare amber alert in this province.

The week-long drama played out in June of 2023, and involved a 74-year-old man’s attempt to rendezvous with a 14-year-old girl, and return with her to his home in New Brunswick.

There is a court ban on any information that could identify the girl, including the nature of their relationship.

But there’s no ban on Will Crockwell’s name, or the two friends recruited to carry out the plan — 63-year-old Erin Bast and a 69-year-old man whose charges have since been dropped.

And while Crockwell and Bast were convicted of child abduction, court has heard the girl wanted to run away, but was only 14, and had no permission from her group home.

Court heard Crockwell and the girl knew each other since 2016, and had been texting back and forth about her situation, including this one from March 2023, two months before the incident.

She texted Crockwell: “I’m honestly thinking about running away. I cant take this anymore and idc if ur there to help me find a way. I cut my hair off fuck up my face change me completely and leave somewhere. Steal shit to live and hide.”

Crockwell replies: “Hang in there my love.”

Bast met the girl at the Avalon Mall on June 2 and drove her to a cabin on the Bay d’Espoir Highway, where the waited for Crockwell.

But little did they know police were on to them, intercepting communications and tailing Crockwell from the Port aux Basques ferry to a Badger gas bar, where he was arrested, along with the others at the cabin.

The girl was not physically harmed and was brought back to St. John’s.

Crockwell and Bast will be sentenced for child abduction and conspiracy to commit the offence, while an additional charge of child luring against Crockwell was withdrawn.

The sentencing hearing, which began on Friday, won’t resume until mid-June due to scheduling conflicts.

17 Feb 2025 20:24:59

CBC Newfoundland & Labrador

N.L. technology innovator Karl Kenny dies at 64

Karl Kenny was regarded as a local legend in the marine technology sector, co-founding Marport Canada, which revolutionized Software Defined Sonar technology, as well as Kraken Robotics. ...
More ...Karl Kenny.

Karl Kenny was regarded as a local legend in the marine technology sector, co-founding Marport Canada, which revolutionized Software Defined Sonar technology, as well as Kraken Robotics.

17 Feb 2025 20:24:12

CBC Newfoundland & Labrador

2SLGBTQ+ community worries about Trump's anti-trans rhetoric coming to Canada

Members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and their allies rallied on Sunday in solidarity against U.S. President Donald Trump's anti-transgender legislation. Organizers fear his rhetoric will trickle over in ...
More ...pink blue and white flag in wind

Members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and their allies rallied on Sunday in solidarity against U.S. President Donald Trump's anti-transgender legislation. Organizers fear his rhetoric will trickle over into Canada, and say in some ways it already has.

17 Feb 2025 20:01:05

RCMP Investigating Vehicle Arson in Piccadilly
VOCM

RCMP Investigating Vehicle Arson in Piccadilly

Bay St. George RCMP are looking for information after they say a truck was intentionally set ablaze in Piccadilly early this morning. Police were called to the parking lot of the Our Lady of Fatima C ...
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Bay St. George RCMP are looking for information after they say a truck was intentionally set ablaze in Piccadilly early this morning.

Police were called to the parking lot of the Our Lady of Fatima Catholic church shortly after 12:30 a.m. where the truck was on fire.

Footprints were observed in the snow leading from the vehicle into a wooded area, and eventually back out onto the main road where it is believed the suspect was picked up.

The investigation is continuing. Police are asking residents to check surveillance footage for any suspicious activity around the time of the arson.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the RCMP at 709-643-2118 or Crime Stoppers.

17 Feb 2025 19:33:32

Newfoundland’s Colleen Power Launches French Album Highlighting Historical Tale
VOCM

Newfoundland’s Colleen Power Launches French Album Highlighting Historical Tale

Multi award-winning Newfoundland singer songwriter Colleen Power is about to release her third French language album. It features the song ‘L’Inconnu‘- which means someone who is not ...
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Multi award-winning Newfoundland singer songwriter Colleen Power is about to release her third French language album.

It features the song ‘L’Inconnu‘- which means someone who is not known or recognized – and is set on Bell Island in the late 1700s.

The Placentia native says while many people are familiar with the French presence in Placentia, French settlement occurred, and its influence was felt, throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

During her research into the French presence in Placentia, she stumbled across a story about a couple of Bell Island fishermen who were captured by a French naval ship in 1796.

“Their names were Thomas Dwyer and Daniel Dwyer” says Power. “They were fishing off Bauline, and taken to France as prisoners. Some 40 years later, Thomas Dwyer decides ‘I want to go bake home’ so he comes back to Bell Island. He ended up there all dressed up in French fashions and speaking French, and wasn’t recognized” by the people of Bell Island. “So, that’s where the song came from.”

The video, which focuses on what Dwyer was wearing to make him stand out from the rest of the population, was shot on Bell Island with the assistance of VOCM’s Russell Bowers.

17 Feb 2025 19:28:34

$14,000 Worth of Work Boots Stolen from Happy Valley-Goose Bay Business
VOCM

$14,000 Worth of Work Boots Stolen from Happy Valley-Goose Bay Business

RCMP in Happy Valley-Goose Bay are investigating after they say thousands of dollars worth of work boots were stolen from a business. Police say the investigation begins at nearby Terrington Co-op on ...
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RCMP in Happy Valley-Goose Bay are investigating after they say thousands of dollars worth of work boots were stolen from a business.

Police say the investigation begins at nearby Terrington Co-op on Abbott Drive when someone, who was caught on surveillance video, attempted to break in to a refrigerated Sea-Can on the property.

The suspect broke the padlock and damaged the latch, but did not get inside.

Sometime that same night is when National Safety Equipment, located on Hamilton River Road, was broken in to.

Forty pairs of Timberland and Acton work boots, with a total value of $14,000, were stolen.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the RCMP at 709-896-3383 or Crime Stoppers.

A shelving unit at National Safety Equipment is cleared out during the break in.

17 Feb 2025 19:16:27

RNC Release Details of West End St. John’s Break Ins
VOCM

RNC Release Details of West End St. John’s Break Ins

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary has released more details about a crime spree that unfolded in the capital city’s west end Friday night. The RNC first responded to a home on Waterford Bridg ...
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The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary has released more details about a crime spree that unfolded in the capital city’s west end Friday night.

The RNC first responded to a home on Waterford Bridge Road around 9:30 p.m. While there, they got reports of a similar crime unfolding at another home nearby. Not long after that, police received a report that a vehicle had been broken in to on Hamilton Avenue.

About an hour later, 47-year-old Darrin Bruke was arrested on Rickett’s Road for his alleged involvement.

Burke was held to appear in court on numerous charges, including:

  • Break and enter
  • Attempted break and enter
  • Possession of stolen property
  • Disguise with intent
  • Three counts of trespassing at night
  • Possession of a break-in instrument
  • Mischief (property damage)
  • Resisting arrest
  • Three counts of breach of release order

17 Feb 2025 19:07:20

NTV

Police investigating vehicle arson in Piccadilly, seeks public’s assistance

Bay St. George RCMP is investigating an arson that occurred in Piccadilly shorty after midnight today. Shortly after 12:30 a.m. on Monday, police were called to the parking lot of the Our Lady of F ...
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Bay St. George RCMP is investigating an arson that occurred in Piccadilly shorty after midnight today.

Shortly after 12:30 a.m. on Monday, police were called to the parking lot of the Our Lady of Fatima Catholic church on the Main Road in Piccadilly where a truck was on fire. Firefighters attended the scene and extinguished the blaze, which completely destroyed the vehicle. Evidence gathered at the scene suggests that the fire was intentionally set. A set of footprints was observed in the snow that led from the vehicle and continued into a wooded area behind the church. The footprints eventually led back onto the Main Road where it is believed the suspect was picked up by a motorist.

The investigation is continuing.

17 Feb 2025 18:54:45

NTV

Man arrested following consecutive property crimes

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary has arrested a man in connection with a number of property crimes. At approximately 9:30 p.m. on Friday, police responded to a break and enter that had just occu ...
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The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary has arrested a man in connection with a number of property crimes.

At approximately 9:30 p.m. on Friday, police responded to a break and enter that had just occurred at a residence on Waterford Bridge Road. While investigating this offence it was determined that a second break and enter had been attempted at another property on Waterford Bridge Road. Then a short time later, the RNC received a report of a theft from a vehicle in progress on Hamilton Avenue. Responding officers were able to obtain descriptors of a male suspect that had left the area.

Just before 10:30 p.m., patrol officers located the male suspect in the area of Rickett’s Road and placed him under arrest. The accused, 47-year-old Darrin Burke of St. John’s, was held in custody to appear in Provincial Court on the following charges:

  • Break and enter
  • Attempted break and enter
  • Possession of stolen property
  • Disguise with intent
  • Three counts of trespassing at night
  • Possession of a break-in instrument
  • Mischief (property damage)
  • Resisting arrest
  • Three counts of breach of release order

Anyone with information to assist the investigation is asked to contact the RNC at 709-729-8000.

17 Feb 2025 18:47:27

CBC Newfoundland & Labrador

St. John's firefighter cleared of sexual assault charges against teen after Crown calls no evidence

Ronald Pomeroy, a captain with the fire department in St. John's, had sexual assault and sexual exploitation charges dismissed. ...
More ...A firefighter in dress uniform.

Ronald Pomeroy, a captain with the fire department in St. John's, had sexual assault and sexual exploitation charges dismissed.

17 Feb 2025 18:39:18

Newfoundland and Labrador Athletes Shine at Invictus Games in Vancouver
VOCM

Newfoundland and Labrador Athletes Shine at Invictus Games in Vancouver

Newfoundland and Labrador was well represented at the Invictus Games which wrapped up this weekend in Vancouver and Whistler. The games were founded by the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, for internatio ...
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Newfoundland and Labrador was well represented at the Invictus Games which wrapped up this weekend in Vancouver and Whistler.

The games were founded by the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, for international wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women.

Newfoundland and Labrador has sent four athletes to the competition this year.

Charles Arsenault of St. John’s is a retired mobile support equipment operator who was diagnosed with PTSD. He is competing in swimming, alpine skiing and wheelchair basketball.

Andre Crocker of Trout River, an air maintenance superintendent with the Royal Canadian Air Force who is facing both physical and mental health challenges, is competing in Nordic skiing, indoor rowing, skeleton and sitting volleyball.

Melissa Norris of St. John’s, a former Navy critical care nursing officer, has been diagnosed with PTSD and has persevered through military sexual trauma. She is competing in wheelchair curling, alpine skiing and swimming.

Clifford Samms of Codroy is a retired air maintenance superintendent who turned to sport after his diagnosis with PTSD. He is competing in sitting volleyball, alpine skiing and swimming.

17 Feb 2025 18:16:12

NTV

RCMP investigates two break and enters, seeks public assistance

Happy Valley-Goose Bay RCMP is investigating an attempted break and enter and a successful break and enter that occurred on Thursday, Feb. 6. At approximately 3:40 a.m., an individual attempted to ...
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Happy Valley-Goose Bay RCMP is investigating an attempted break and enter and a successful break and enter that occurred on Thursday, Feb. 6.

At approximately 3:40 a.m., an individual attempted to break into a refrigerated Sea-Can that was situated on the property of Terrington COOP on Abbott Drive in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The suspect, pictured below, broke the pad lock and damaged the latch but did not gain entry.

Sometime overnight the same night, suspect(s) forced entry into National Safety Equipment on Hamilton River Road, near Terrington COOP. More than 40 pairs of Timberland and Acton work boots of various sizes, with a combined value of approximately $14,000, were stolen from inside.

The investigations are continuing.

17 Feb 2025 18:06:38

CBC Newfoundland & Labrador

CUPE latest group to back out of N.L. Education Accord, warning of creeping privatization

In January, Memorial University's Faculty Association representative also left the group. ...
More ...Woman holding a microphone

In January, Memorial University's Faculty Association representative also left the group.

17 Feb 2025 17:52:41

Labour Federation Criticizes Minimum Wage Increase as Inadequate
VOCM

Labour Federation Criticizes Minimum Wage Increase as Inadequate

The organization representing all workers in the province is unhappy with the latest wage increase for the lowest-paid workers. The minimum wage goes up by 40 cents to $16 an hour on April 1st, but th ...
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The organization representing all workers in the province is unhappy with the latest wage increase for the lowest-paid workers.

The minimum wage goes up by 40 cents to $16 an hour on April 1st, but the President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour says that won’t cut it.

Jessica McCormick says while the government is acknowledging the need for change, it failed to adequately address the challenges faced by workers struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living.

About 17,000 workers earn the minimum wage, but she says not all are young people. She says many have dependents but are trapped in that $ 15-an-hour zone because of rising costs.

She suggests that the minimum wage should be between $24 and $27 an hour, depending on location.

“That $16 still falls well short of what people need to cover the basic costs,” says McCormick.

17 Feb 2025 17:29:18

Man Arrested After Break-In at Freshwater Road Restaurant, Faces Multiple Charges
VOCM

Man Arrested After Break-In at Freshwater Road Restaurant, Faces Multiple Charges

A man is facing a list of charges for allegedly breaking into a restaurant on Freshwater Road in St. John’s over the weekend. The RNC were first called to the scene just after 4:30 Saturday morn ...
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A man is facing a list of charges for allegedly breaking into a restaurant on Freshwater Road in St. John’s over the weekend.

The RNC were first called to the scene just after 4:30 Saturday morning.

When police arrived, they noticed the suspect fleeing the scene on foot. He was arrested a short time later.

The accused, 37-year-old Anthony Farrell, is facing numerous charges, including break and enter, possession of a break-in instrument, disguise with intent, theft under $5,000, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, two counts of assaulting a police officer with a weapon, resisting arrest, and two counts of breach of probation.

He was held for court.

17 Feb 2025 16:10:03

CBC Newfoundland & Labrador

N.L. Hydro paying a premium for electricity to support Corner Brook paper mill

The provincial government, through its Crown-owned utility company, is helping prop up Newfoundland and Labrador's only pulp and paper mill by buying electricity at an inflated rate. ...
More ...An exterior photo of the power station in Deer Lake.

The provincial government, through its Crown-owned utility company, is helping prop up Newfoundland and Labrador's only pulp and paper mill by buying electricity at an inflated rate.

17 Feb 2025 15:52:49

Veteran St. John’s Firefighter Cleared of Sexual Assault Charges
VOCM

Veteran St. John’s Firefighter Cleared of Sexual Assault Charges

Sexual assault charges against a decorated St. John’s firefighter have been dismissed. Fifty-two-year-old Ron Pomeroy was charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation involving a 17-year- ...
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Sexual assault charges against a decorated St. John’s firefighter have been dismissed.

Fifty-two-year-old Ron Pomeroy was charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation involving a 17-year-old girl.

The offences were alleged to have occurred between February and May of 2023.

Pomeroy pleaded not guilty and trial dates were set and postponed as work continued behind the scenes on the case.

Then this morning, the Crown announced they would be calling no evidence, saying they believe there is no reasonable likelihood of a conviction.

That was followed by the defence request for the charges to be thrown out, which was granted by the judge.

It’s alleged there was a consensual relationship between Pomeroy but it came down to whether he breached his position of trust toward her.

“This decision does not reflect the evidence gathered by police or the credibility of the complainant,” stated Crown prosecutor Tom O’Brien. “The evidence suggests that the factual underpinnings of the allegations were accurate, and that a relationship between Mr. Pomeroy and the girl did exist as described by her.

“Unfortunately these facts do not support the legal criteria required for a conviction in this matter.”

The girl’s father was visibly upset with today’s developments but declined comment for now.

Pomeroy is a 33-year veteran of the fire department, and was a captain when the charges were laid in December of 2023.

A former firefighter of the year, he is also a past board member with the executive of the union, International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1075.

In 2019 he received the Governor General’s Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal.

17 Feb 2025 15:25:21

CUPE Withdraws from Education Accord, Citing Concerns Over Public System Dismantling
VOCM

CUPE Withdraws from Education Accord, Citing Concerns Over Public System Dismantling

CUPE has withdrawn from the Education Accord process, saying that the recent interim report suggests that the province is heading toward a “purposeful and organized dismantling of (the) public e ...
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CUPE has withdrawn from the Education Accord process, saying that the recent interim report suggests that the province is heading toward a “purposeful and organized dismantling of (the) public education system.”

The accord was announced in early 2024. The interim report was released last month, and the final document, complete with recommendations, is due by March 31st.

CUPE says they have made a final submission to the provincial government’s Education Accord Advisory team and will no longer be participating in the process.

Last June, the union says they made submissions as part of the accord’s consultation process, recommending that the document incorporate fair compensation for education workers, plans to address violence in schools, improved funding for schools in rural areas, and better engagement with unions.

However, they are concerned that instead the accord will result in more public dollars going to private companies, leading to a “decline in the quality of our public education system,” and the “further deterioration of working conditions” for members.

President Sherry Hillier

President Sherry Hillier likens the process to the Health Accord, which was “devastating” to the public healthcare system.

She says the responsibility for what she calls the “degraded public health care service has fallen to overworked and understaffed health care workers.”

The union worries that many of the red flags that were present in the Health Accord process are present in the Education Accord.

17 Feb 2025 14:41:14

CBC Newfoundland & Labrador

Flag Day supporters hold impromptu St. John's rally despite 110 km/h winds

Recent threats made by U.S. President Donald Trump against Canadian sovereignty has inspired a rise in national pride, and in St. John's they held a small rally that really blew the rest away. ...
More ...Woman in red coat holds large flag blowing in wind

Recent threats made by U.S. President Donald Trump against Canadian sovereignty has inspired a rise in national pride, and in St. John's they held a small rally that really blew the rest away.

17 Feb 2025 13:50:37

Local Brewer Observes Shift in Consumer Habits During Tariff Talks
VOCM

Local Brewer Observes Shift in Consumer Habits During Tariff Talks

A local brewer is starting to see some changes in consumer habits as Canadians turn toward a greater focus on supporting local business and products – but the full impact won’t be known fo ...
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A local brewer is starting to see some changes in consumer habits as Canadians turn toward a greater focus on supporting local business and products – but the full impact won’t be known for some time yet.

Justin Fong of Quidi Vidi Brewery says the tariff talk from the United States only started heating up in the last week or two, so it’s too early to say what impact, if any, it will have on their business.

He says they saw a spike in online sales when NLC stopped stocking American products, but now that those products are back on the shelves – for now – it’s hard to say what long-term impact they might see.

17 Feb 2025 13:45:51

NTV

Woman charged after assaulting a correctional officer

A 31-year-old female being held at the St. John’s lock-up added more charges on Sunday night after assaulting a correctional officer. At 9:00 p.m., RNC officers responded to the St. John’s ...
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A 31-year-old female being held at the St. John’s lock-up added more charges on Sunday night after assaulting a correctional officer.

At 9:00 p.m., RNC officers responded to the St. John’s lock-up after one of the correctional officers was assaulted by the inmate.

The officer went to the hospital for treatment and was released. The woman was charged with assaulting a peace officer and breaching her release order.

17 Feb 2025 12:41:57

New program helps Inuit connect to the land
The Independent

New program helps Inuit connect to the land

Nicholas Flowers suggests wearing layers, taking tea, and connecting with knowledge keepers to help get out on the land ...
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Nicholas Flowers suggests wearing layers, taking tea, and connecting with knowledge keepers to help get out on the land

17 Feb 2025 12:24:56

NLHS Reduces Reliance on Agency Nurses by 42%, Faces Tough Choices Ahead
VOCM

NLHS Reduces Reliance on Agency Nurses by 42%, Faces Tough Choices Ahead

The provincial government hopes to phase out the use of expensive agency nurses by next year, and NLHS says it has already cut back on reliance significantly. Their rates of pay greatly exceed those o ...
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The provincial government hopes to phase out the use of expensive agency nurses by next year, and NLHS says it has already cut back on reliance significantly.

Their rates of pay greatly exceed those of public nurses, a situation which has led to calls for the discontinuation of the practice.

Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services CEO Pat Parfrey, who has been in the job for only a couple of weeks, says they’ve reduced the number of agency nurses by 42 per cent from its peak but, reducing that to zero may involve some tough choices. For example, cardiac surgery is augmented by three private nurses and cutting them would result in a reduction in the number of cardiac surgeries being performed.

In Corner Brook, the old Western Memorial is being renovated to allow beds for long-term and transitional care, and Parfrey has been hearing from unions who don’t want to see it staffed by private nurses.

He says they would err on the side of delivering care, so the question becomes, “When we open the unit in the old hospital in Corner Brook in six months, do we open the unit and have agency nurses, or do we not open the unit?”

17 Feb 2025 12:17:51

NTV

RNC stop driver going 147 km/h on Team Gushue Highway

Sunday evening the RNC were conducting radar checks on the Team Gushue Highway in St. John’s. The officer observed a vehicle travelling 147 km/h in the 80 km/h zone. The officer conducted a tr ...
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Sunday evening the RNC were conducting radar checks on the Team Gushue Highway in St. John’s.

The officer observed a vehicle travelling 147 km/h in the 80 km/h zone.

The officer conducted a traffic stop. The 18-year-old female was issued a ticket for speeding 51 km/h over the posted limit.

Police seized her driver’s license and impounded the vehicle.

17 Feb 2025 11:49:47

NTV

Youth arrested after assaulting police officer on Metrobus

RNC officers responded to a disturbance on a Metrobus in St. John’s on Sunday afternoon. Officers boarded the bus to speak with the parties involved and a 17-year-old who was not involved in ...
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RNC officers responded to a disturbance on a Metrobus in St. John’s on Sunday afternoon.

Officers boarded the bus to speak with the parties involved and a 17-year-old who was not involved in the incident tried to intervene by pushing one of the officers.

When police went to arrest the male, he jumped off the bus but lost his footing in the snow and fell.

The youth was arrested and then released to his parents with a future court date for assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and obstructing a police officer.

17 Feb 2025 11:08:50

Ex-Councillor Challenges Stephenville’s Support for Airport Ownership Group
VOCM

Ex-Councillor Challenges Stephenville’s Support for Airport Ownership Group

A former municipal councillor in Stephenville is speaking out against the town’s latest concession to the owner of the airport. Already in debt to the town for $500,000 in back taxes, the Dymond ...
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A former municipal councillor in Stephenville is speaking out against the town’s latest concession to the owner of the airport.

Already in debt to the town for $500,000 in back taxes, the Dymond Group needs the local government to provide snow clearing at the facility, a request to which council has agreed.

Lenny Tiller finds it unacceptable that the owner of the airport—who purchased it from the town—continues to accumulate IOUs and back taxes without consequence.

(Stephenville Mayor Tom Rose with the airport’s owner, Carl Dymond.)

Council has said that the sale saved them $2-million, but, Tiller says that math is incomplete – and erroneous.

He says the sale didn’t save the town anything because the airport has not brought in the revenue that Dymond had promised and hasn’t paid property tax. He says Stephenville has actually lost money.

17 Feb 2025 10:44:14

NTV

School closures and delays for February 17

The following schools are closed for the morning with an update to follow regarding afternoon classes:Baltimore SchoolBayview AcademyBelanger Memorial SchoolC.C. Loughlin ElementaryCorner Brook Interm ...
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The following schools are closed for the morning with an update to follow regarding afternoon classes:
Baltimore School
Bayview Academy
Belanger Memorial School
C.C. Loughlin Elementary
Corner Brook Intermediate
Corner Brook Regional
Dunne Memorial Academy
Eastside Elementary
Elwood Elementary School
Elwood Regional High School
Grandy’s River Collegiate
Indian River Academy
Indian River High School
J.J. Curling Elementary
John Burke High School
Lake Academy
Mobile Central High School
Pasadena Academy
Pasadena Elementary
Pathfinder Learning Centre
Sacred Heart Elementary
St. Bernard’s School
St. Catherine’s Academy
St. James All Grade
St. James Elementary
St. James Regional High
St. Michael’s Elementary
St. Peter’s Academy (Benoit’s Cove)
St. Peter’s Academy (Westport)
Stella Maris Academy
Stephenville Elementary
Stephenville High
Stephenville Middle
Stephenville Primary
Templeton Academy
Xavier Junior High

The following schools have a delayed opening:
Christ the King School
Donald C. Jamieson Academy
Fortune Bay Academy
Lourdes Elementary
Marystown Central High
Pearce Junior High School
Piccadilly Central High
Sacred Heart Academy
St. Joseph’s All Grade
St. Thomas Aquinas

17 Feb 2025 10:01:10

Teen Loses License After Being Caught Speeding at 147 km/h on Team Gushue Highway
VOCM

Teen Loses License After Being Caught Speeding at 147 km/h on Team Gushue Highway

An 18-year-old is without her license after getting caught driving almost 70 km/h over the speed limit last night. Police say they knabbed the teen who was speeding on the Team Gushue Highway, going 1 ...
More ...

An 18-year-old is without her license after getting caught driving almost 70 km/h over the speed limit last night.

Police say they knabbed the teen who was speeding on the Team Gushue Highway, going 147 km/h in a 80 km/h zone.

She’s now been ticketed, her license has been suspended, and her vehicle has been impounded.

17 Feb 2025 10:00:21

NTV

Minister Dempster Announces Increase to the Minimum Wage

Last week Minister Responsible for Labour Lisa Dempster announced a $0.40 increase to the minimum wage rate, effective April 1, 2025. The raise is in accordance with Newfoundland and Labrador’s L ...
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Last week Minister Responsible for Labour Lisa Dempster announced a $0.40 increase to the minimum wage rate, effective April 1, 2025.

The raise is in accordance with Newfoundland and Labrador’s Labour Standards Regulations.

As of April 1, the minimum wage will be $16.00 per hour. The minimum overtime wage rate will increase to $24.00. 

17 Feb 2025 09:38:43

CBC Newfoundland & Labrador

Interest in N.L. as travel destination spikes amid growing U.S. tensions, tourism minister says

As a potential trade war between the U.S. and Canada looms, Canadian travellers are cancelling travel plans south of the border. In Newfoundland and Labrador, some are hoping that'll translate to more ...
More ...A panoramic photo captured with a drone of a grassy island with a few homes on it. A few people are standing on the island's wharf.

As a potential trade war between the U.S. and Canada looms, Canadian travellers are cancelling travel plans south of the border. In Newfoundland and Labrador, some are hoping that'll translate to more tourists than normal.

17 Feb 2025 09:30:00

CBC Newfoundland & Labrador

Salvation Army says boost in food bank clientele could be a sign of more housing problems to come

Like The Gathering Place in St. John’s, The Salvation Army says its shelter is operating at full capacity this winter. More than 50 per cent of clients at its food bank are new, says Pam Goodyear. A ...
More ...food bank shelves in St. John's

Like The Gathering Place in St. John’s, The Salvation Army says its shelter is operating at full capacity this winter. More than 50 per cent of clients at its food bank are new, says Pam Goodyear. And the spokesperson says those people could soon become clients of the shelter as well.

17 Feb 2025 09:30:00

31-Year-Old Woman Faces Charges After Assaulting Corrections Officer
VOCM

31-Year-Old Woman Faces Charges After Assaulting Corrections Officer

A corrections officer has been released from hospital following an assault in the lockup last evening. Police say a 31-year-old woman attacked the corrections officer just after 9:00 last evening in S ...
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A corrections officer has been released from hospital following an assault in the lockup last evening.

Police say a 31-year-old woman attacked the corrections officer just after 9:00 last evening in St. John’s.

The woman is now facing more charges, including assaulting a peace officer and breaching a release order.

17 Feb 2025 09:29:38

VOCM

Icy Fall Foils 17-Year-Old’s Attempted Escape After Pushing Officer on Metrobus

A 17-year-old who pushed an officer on a Metrobus yesterday had his escape fooled by an icy sidewalk. Police were called to a Metrobus in the capital city around 3:00 yesterday afternoon. The 17-year- ...
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A 17-year-old who pushed an officer on a Metrobus yesterday had his escape fooled by an icy sidewalk.

Police were called to a Metrobus in the capital city around 3:00 yesterday afternoon.

The 17-year-old, who was not involved in the incident, stood up before pushing the officer and tried to make a run for it.

Police say when the teen jumped off the bus, he lost his footing on the ice and snow and fell.

He was released to appear in court on charges of assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and obstructing a police officer.

17 Feb 2025 09:23:35

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