A case of avian influenza has turned up in a domestic flock in Conception Bay South.

The highly pathogenic virus continues to circulate in wild birds since an original outbreak in 2021, with ongoing risk to the poultry sector.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is leading the investigation.

Commercial poultry producers follow strict biosecurity plans and procedures to prevent the spread of bird flu and other disease. The agency is urging all commercial and backyard poultry producers, regardless of the size of their flock, to review the agency’s biosecurity measures.

RCMP have granted the wish of a little girl who dreams of becoming a police officer. They did so while presenting a cheque to Make-A-Wish Canada earlier this week.

The $30,000 was raised as part of the Mounties’ annual Wish Tree Campaign over the holidays, with the cheque being presented on Tuesday.

When five-year-old Alexa arrived at the building that day, she thought she would only be receiving a tour of the building, but she ended up with much more than that.

With a big sign in the window reading “RCMP Hearts Alexa,” the young gril was told that not only was she getting her tour, but she was being named as an honourary RCMP officer for the day and – as the cherry on top – that her wish had been granted for a trip to her favourite theme park.
As part of her duties as an honorary member of the force, Alexa changed into a special Red Serge outfit, met with officers from the Emergency Response Team – who rapelled down the building for her, met with potential police dog Tremor, had a visit with Chase from her favourite TV show Paw Patrol, and recieved some RCMP swag.

Fire crews were on the scene of a house fire on Bauline Line just before 8:00 p.m. Friday.

One of the most celebrated athletes and recognizable faces in the Town of Conception Bay South has passed away.

Norm Simpson, who excelled in many sports, was a member of the CBS Sports Hall of Fame as an athlete and a builder.

Known around town as “Uncle Norm,” Simpson gave back to the community in terms of volunteering. He carried the torch for the CBS Summer Games in 2016 at the age of 78.

Simpson, who is waking at Hickey’s in Kelligrews, was 87 years old.

Back in 1989, a young Alan Doyle wrote an article for his university newspaper about Uncle Harry’s Bar Band. Doyle called Wayne Parsons the best frontman he’d ever seen. Thirty-six years later, the acclaimed musician is sharing how that ‘slick’ show inspired him.

A man probably should have waited a while before heading into the RCMP detachment in Lewisporte yesterday to discuss the ongoing investigation.

According to the RCMP, the 53-year-old suspect was seen driving through the parking lot just before 2 p.m., and went to the front desk to speak with an officer.

The officer observed signs of impairment, and the man later failed the breathalyzer.

His license was suspended, and his vehicle was impounded.

The accused has been released to appear in court at a later date.

The former Mary Queen of Peace Church on Torbay Road is being converted into a Mosque.

The site is undergoing extensive renovations as part of the process.

President of the Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, Haseen Khan, calls it a big milestone of the Muslin community, which has been looking to an additional place of worship for some time.

Khan says the current Mosque, located on Logy Bay Road, can hold up to 500 people.

However, he says the population in the metro region and across the province has been growing, creating a need for more space.

He says the population has ballooned from 100 in 1990 to 10,000 today. He calls their current Mosque “totally inadequate” to host that number of people. He hopes their first service at the new facility will be held on March 30th.

The St. John’s International Airport has earned the 2024 Airport Service Quality award for Best Airport Under 2 Million Passengers in North America.

Administered by Airports Council International World, the Airport Service Quality program is a globally recognized tool that provides over 400 participating airports in 110 countries with both qualitative and quantitative data on all aspects of the airport experience.

This is the second time the airport has won an Airport Service Quality award. It won the award for the Most Improved Airport in North America for Customer Experience in 2019.

Police are investigating a house fire on the Bauline Line in Torbay.

The home, just off the main road, is all but completely singed on the inside as crews from the volunteer fire department battled the blaze Friday evening.

It’s not yet known how the fire started.

VOCM News will have more information as it becomes available.

Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services says the new Mental Health and Addictions Centre in St. John’s will open to patients and clients on April 13. The new, modern 102-bed mental health facility will provide quality patient care with features including individual inpatient rooms, shared spaces, and upgraded counselling and therapy spaces.

“We are pleased that we have reached another important milestone for the new Mental Health and Addictions Centre with the announcement of its opening date of April 13,” says Dr. Pat Parfrey, president and CEO for NL Health Services. “Replacing the 170-year-old Waterford Hospital would not have been achieved without the dedication and commitment of employees, physicians and leaders who have contributed countless hours to the planning and set up of the new facility. I also would like to acknowledge the continued support of the provincial government, the Health Care Foundation, individuals with lived and living experience and community partners throughout this journey.”

NL Health Services is in the final stages of transforming the Mental Health and Addictions Centre into a functional health-care facility. Installation and testing of information technology, communication and safety systems is ongoing. Work is continuing to plan a seamless transition period to the new hospital which includes intensive staff orientation and training and clinical equipment testing. Clinical and operational teams are finalizing the details of the seven-day facility move plan from Monday, April 7 to Sunday, April 13. All mental health inpatients at Waterford Hospital will transfer to the new facility on April 13.

The new Mental Health and Addictions Centre has 78 acute care beds and 24 forensic beds within provincial correctional health services. Additionally, there are 14 adult acute care beds at the Health Sciences Centre. With the opening of this facility, NL Health Services’ Eastern-Urban Zone will have a total of 116 beds for mental health and addictions clients.

“The new Mental Health and Addictions Centre is a monumental step forward to improving mental health care in Newfoundland and Labrador. The centre has a noticeable patient focus in its design as we engaged both employees and individuals with lived and living experience continuously throughout the planning process,” said Glenda Webber, vice president–mental health and addictions for NL Health Services. “This valuable feedback helped ensure this modern space includes amenities and patient areas that promote patient recovery and wellbeing and supports staff in delivering quality care.” 

Talks for the first ever union contract for workers at The Gathering Place have stalled, and are heading to concilliation, according to CUPE.

The union consists of social workers, dental assistants, guest support and empowerment staff, and administrative, kitchen, and maintenance workers.

Debbie Turner, a national representative with CUPE, says providing exceptional service is a goal that both the employer and workers share, and she feels that concilliation will help move things forward.

Two drivers have been charged by the RCMP following separate incidents yesterday in which both of the accused refused to take a breath test.

Around 10 a.m. police responded to reports of an impaired driver in Glenwood, and pulled the 61-year-old man over not long after he entered the Trans Canada Highway. He refused the breathalyzer.

Just before 10:30 p.m. on the same day, police responded to reports of a suspicious-looking parked vehicle in Chapel’s Cove.

Police spoke with the 32-year-old man behind the wheel, and he too refused to give a breath sample.

In both cases the men had their licenses suspended and vehicles impounded.

A man has been arrested following a drug trafficking investigation in the Placentia area which involved searches on land and in water.

The properties searched were on Morely Drive and Hartigan Street. Simultaneously, RCMP searched a vessel in the bay.

Warrants in hand, police arrested a 32-year-old man at the Morely Drive house.

The searches yielded cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and other items consistent with drug trafficking.

The suspect was released to appear later.

One of North America’s largest seafood trade events is underway in Boston. With so much uncertainty surrounding U.S. and Chinese tariffs, there’s a lot on the line for the province’s fishery. The CBC’s Leila Beaudoin is there.

For all her life, Michaela Cabot has loved music — but she now has her eye trained on a career in the opera.

Land & Sea is nearing the end of its 60th season on the air. Sixty seasons is no small feat in the fickle world of television. The show started in 1964, four years after Coronation Street began, and five years before Sesame Street would become a children's favourite.  

Four business leaders in Newfoundland and Labrador say there are ways to make it through the trade war with the United States — and it's all about focusing on what can be controlled.

Newfoundland and Labrador's Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture says a suspected case of avian influenza has been reported in a domestic flock of birds in Conception Bay South.

Animal health officials with the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture have reported a suspected case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5) in a domestic flock in Conception Bay South to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Avian influenza continues to circulate in wild birds since an original outbreak in late 2021 with ongoing risk to the poultry sector. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is leading the investigation and providing updates at Latest Bird Flu Situation.

Commercial poultry producers follow strict biosecurity plans and procedures to prevent the spread of avian influenza and other disease. All commercial and backyard poultry producers, regardless of the size of their flocks, are urged to review the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s biosecurity measures to ensure flocks are protected from exposure to wild birds.

Signs of bird flu include:

• lack of energy, movement or appetite
• decreased egg production
• swelling around the head, neck and eyes
• coughing, gasping for air or sneezing
• nervous signs, tremors or lack of coordination
• diarrhea
• sudden death
  

Report signs of illness immediately to:

• Canadian Food Inspection Agency: 709-772-4424 or
• Provincial Animal Health Division
  • St. John’s: 709-729-6879/after-hours 709-729-6899
  • Clarenville 24-hours: 709-466-2808
  • Pynn’s Brook 24-hours: 709-686-2672
    

Five tips for keeping poultry safe

• Prevent contact between poultry and wild birds or other animals.
• Frequently clean coops, feeders and waterers, clothing and boots.
• Watch for and report signs of avian influenza and report.
• Limit visitors to your property.
• Keep new birds separate from your flock for at least 30 days to avoid introducing disease.
  

Detailed information is available at Protect your flock from bird flu.

Provincial officials are working with federal agencies including the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Environment and Climate Change Canada to help limit the spread of avian influenza in Newfoundland and Labrador. If you find a dead, injured or sick wild bird, report it to Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative online, call 1-866-544-4744 or email [email protected]. Do not touch or handle dead, sick or injured birds.

Avian influenza viruses rarely infect humans, but people in close contact with infected birds may be at increased risk. Consult the Public Health Agency of Canada publication, Human health issues related to avian influenza in Canada for more information.

With Mark Carney now sworn into office as prime minister, the Conservative and NDP candidates in St. John’s East are getting ready for what could be an impending election. NTV’s Bailey Howard reports.

In tonights final installment on We the North, NTV’s Jodi Cooke takes us just north of Reindeer Station Northwest Territories, with troops from this province.

It’s their final role on Operation Nanook – to secure a NORAD radar warning station, and its no small task.

Another piece of artwork was unveiled at Confederation Building today as part of the collaboration between the province and indigenous governments.

This work of art will be third out of the six expected to be mounted on the walls of the lobby. As NTV’s Becky Daley tells us, theres a meaning behind each piece. 

Tonight in Places To Go, Sharon Snow takes us to the Art Factory, an arts-based children’s drop-in centre for when you want to get creative but don’t want the hassle of cleaning up afterwards.

Looking to meet new people? Or maybe you’re sick of winter. Tonight in Your Community NTV’s Marykate O’Neill heads to a new business in downtown St. John’s that offers creative social events.

There has been another delay in the trial of Tony Humby, the St. John’s man accused of sexually assaulting and exploiting teenage boys for decades. While it’s only a one-day set-over, the Crown worries it could push things off the rails. NTV’s Rosie Mullaley reports.

The busy times in Ottawa continue.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has followed through on a campaign promise, eliminating the carbon tax.

The next increase would have come in April 1st.

Canadians will receive the next carbon rebate cheque, due to come out by the end of the month.

Artist Brittany Wiseman says the powwow holds a special place in her heart, and it will now hang on the walls of Confederation Building thanks to her.

A Pasadena woman says she's still traumatized by the death of her dog in late October, but is thankful charges have now been laid in relation to his death.

Choices for Youth’s Social Enterprise Hub on LeMarchant Road is now open, with several initiatives already operating out of the building.

Last year, the three levels of government put up $4.3 million to help transform the building, which at the time was just a shell and down to the studs.

Choices for Youth executive director Jen Crowe says they’re now in the new building, with two social enterprises operating – Impact Construction and The Shop.

Crowe says they are also in the process of moving Crust Craft Bakery’s operations to the site, and in a couple of months their Neighbourhood thrift store will be in place as well.

She says their social enterprises are an important step in addressing homelessness and poverty.

Crowe says many of the young people they support face barriers to employment and education.

She says the space will employ upwards of 100 people per year, adding they will be “rapidly” trained, and within nine months transition to either the labour market or post-secondary education.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary has charged a young person following the death of a dog in Pasadena.

The RNC first received a report in October of last year that a dog had gone missing from a home in the town. The dog was later located deceased.

Earlier this week, the young person was arrested and is facing three charges:

• Theft under $5,000.
• Willfully and without lawful excuses kills, maims, wounds, poisons or injures a dog, birds or animals that are kept for a lawful purpose.
• Willfully causing unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal.

The accused has been released to appear in court at a later date.

Island Furniture has donated $250,000 to the Vera Perlin Society’s Job Strategy Program, supporting employment opportunities for persons with intellectual disabilities across Newfoundland and Labrador.

The funds will help supported employment agencies secure job placements, and promote independence, confidence, and community inclusion.

“The impact goes far beyond employment,” says Gina Underhay, employment manager at the Vera Perlin Society.

Island Furniture COO Jerry Senior says the company is proud to support the program, which provides opportunities for those facing employment barriers.

In fact, he says they have people from the program working in their store.

He says there are four people employed through the program, and “they are phenomenal, (they) do some great work. And not only that – they put a smile on our face every single day.”

A man who showed up at the RCMP detachment in Lewisporte yesterday to discuss on an going investigation left with an impaired driving charge.

According to the RCMP, the 53-year-old man was seen driving onto the parking lot just before 2 p.m.

He then went inside to the front desk to speak with an officer.

The officer observed signs of impairment, and the man later failed the breathalyzer.

As a result, his licence was suspended and vehicle impounded.

The accused was released to appear in court on the impaired charge at a later date.

A search is ongoing in the Sheshatstshiu are for two men reported overdue from a fishing trib.

RCMP say 27-year-old Maurice Mark and 43-year-old Timothy Pone left the town around 3 p.m. yesterday for a fishing trip on Rabbit Island.

However, just before 10 a.m. today police received a report that the two men did not return.

They were driving a black Summit Ski-Doo snowmobile at the time.

Ground Search and Rescue have been engaged and a search is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sheshatstshiu RCMP.

Two drivers were arrested by RCMP NL yesterday for refusing to comply with breath demands that were issued at traffic stops in Glenwood and Chapel’s Cove.

At approximately 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, Gander RCMP responded to the report of a suspected impaired driver in Glenwood.  The described vehicle was located a short time later entering onto the Trans-Canada Highway.  A traffic stop was conducted and the driver, a 61-year-old man, refused to provide a roadside breath sample.

Later that evening, shortly before 10:30 p.m. in Chapel’s Cove, Holyrood RCMP responded to the report of a suspicious parked vehicle.  Police located the vehicle and spoke to the driver, a 32-year-old man, who refused a roadside breath test and resisted arrest.

Both vehicles were seized and impounded, both drivers issued licence suspensions and each will face criminal charges of refusal.

The trial of a St. John’s man facing dozens of charges of sexual violence against vulnerable youths has taken another turn, with the potential for proceedings to be held up even further.

Food First NL, in partnership with Stella’s Circle, is setting up a new community food space in the Pleasantville area of St. John’s, and they want to hear from residents about how the space should be used.

Food First CEO Josh Smee says the location, at 77 Charter Ave. is going to be home to the Hungry Heart Cafe, affordable grocery markets, food workshops, and other initiatives.

He says the space is currently a “blank slate,” and before they start setting up they would like to hear from people about what they’d like to see there, with Smee adding “the sky is the limit.”

Potential ideas include a community freezer, on-site gardens, or even cooking classes.

He says suggestions they receive can be built into the plans for the space.

Stella’s Circle knows the meaningful impact of food-centered work in the lives of community members, says Laura Winters, CEO of Stella’s Circle.

“We also know the value of food in creating and sustaining relationships and community. With this new space, our long history of using food to nurture community members, through a neighbourhood cafe, employment training, and food security programming, is able to expand and thrive in a shared centre and vision of inclusion.”

Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador has wrapped up its trade show and conference by welcoming a new chairperson.

John Devereaux, who previously served as vice-chair, takes over from Deborah Bourden.

Devereaux has spent years in the accommodations industry as the owner of the historic Edge of the Avalon Inn in Trepassey, where his family is from.

The trade show and conference wrapped up Thursday night with the annual Tourism Excellence Awards gala at the JAG Hotel in downtown St. John’s.

Top winners this year include Lumsden Beach Company for tourism innovation, the Newfoundland Embassy for tourism business, and St. John’s International Airport Authority as corporate tourism partner.

Other winners include:

Culinary and Agritourism Award: Buoy & Arrow Restaurant & Suites, Rocky Harbour
Accommodator Award: Hew & Draw Hotel, Corner Brook
Bed & Breakfast Award: Bread & Cheese Country Inn, Bay Bulls
Tourism Champion Award: Roger Jamieson (posthumous)
Tourism Employee of the Year: Kayte Lewis, Arbour Restaurant & Lounge, Bay Bulls
Sustainable Tourism Award: Tourism Elliston – Roots, Rants & Roars
Cultural Tourism Award: Miawpukek First Nation Powwow
Tourism Achievement Award: Mark McCarthy

Canada officially has a new prime minister, as Mark Carney was sworn in on Friday afternoon.

Mark Carney is now the country’s 24th prime minister, and announced his new cabinet at Rideau Hall. St. John’s East MP Joanne Thompson has been named federal fisheries minister.

The new Cabinet is as follows:

•International Trade and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister and President of the King’s Privy Council Dominic LeBlanc

•Foreign Affairs and International Development Minister Mélanie Joly

•Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne

•Innovation, Science and Industry Minister Anita Anand

•Defence Minister Bill Blair

•Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu

•Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson

•Treasury Board President Ginette Petitpas Taylor

•Canadian Culture and Identity, Parks Canada Minister and Quebec Lieutenant Steven Guilbeault

•Transport and Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland

•Health Minister Kamal Khera

•Justice Minister and Attorney General of Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Minister Gary Anandasangaree

•Chief Government Whip Rechie Valdez

•Jobs and Families Minister Steven MacKinnon

•Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness David McGuinty

•Environment and Climate Change Minister Terry Duguid

•Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Minister Nate Erskine-Smith

•Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Rachel Bendayan

•Veterans Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canada Revenue Agency Elisabeth Briere

•Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Minister Joanne Thompson

•Government House Leader and Democratic Institutions Minister Arielle Kayabaga

•Agriculture and Agri-Food and Rural Economic Development Minister Kody Blois

•Government Transformation, Public Services and Procurement Minister Ali Ehsassi

Mark Carney has been sworn in as Canada’s 24th prime minister.

It followed Justin Trudeau’s visit with Gov. Gen. Mary Simon this morning to formally resign.

The formalities took place at Rideau Hall in Ottawa where Carney, who turns 60 on Sunday, is also expected to reveal his first cabinet later today.

It’s rumoured to be significantly smaller than Trudeau’s 37-member cabinet, with some current ministers on their way out, including NL’s Seamus O’Regan and Gudie Hutchings who have said they won’t run again.

But the ministers already playing key roles in the dispute over tariffs — including Melanie Joly, Francois-Philippe Champagne, Dominic LeBlanc and David McGuinty — are all expected to be there when Carney chairs his first cabinet meeting at 3:30 p.m. Newfoundland time.

VOCM News will have more details as they become available.

RCMP are renewing their appeal for help in the search for a woman missing from Nain.

Fifty-one-year-old Elizabeth Jararuse was reported missing on January 4th after last being seen on December 30th.

Nain Ground Search and Rescue along with local residents have been extensively searching in and around the community since then.

Searches from the air have also been conducted, when weather has co-operated, along with police K-9 units on the ground.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the RCMP at 709-922-2862 or Crime Stoppers.

Mark Carney will soon be sworn in as Canada’s 24th Prime Minister. 

He officially takes over from Justin Trudeau today, with a swearing in ceremony at Rideau Hall. Trudeau announced back in January that he would resign as prime minister and Liberal leader once the party chooses a new leader.

Mark Carney decisively won the Liberal leadership Sunday on the first ballot with 85.9 per cent of the points. You can watch the live swearing-in ceremony on NTV, and NTV+.

CTV News has confirmed Carney will be making several big adjustments to what’s largely being viewed as his pre-election cabinet.

A senior government source said Carney will have around 20 people on his front bench, down from Trudeau’s last 36-person cabinet.

In the early hours of a cold March morning, the blood worm moon was visible above St. John's.

The House of Assembly closed for the spring session on Wednesday after just seven days of debate. It will reopen at the end of March to present the provincial budget.

Authorities have intercepted a package from this province containing nearly $30,000 that was destined for a suspected scammer in Ontario.

Clarenville RCMP first received a report on March 1st regarding the incident involving a senior couple.

They were told they were being investigated by their bank, and after several back-and-forth calls it’s believed the alleged scammer gained access to their computer.

After an attempted suspicious transaction, the couple’s bank account was frozen.

The suspected fraudster then told the victims he had deposited money into their account, and it needed to be withdrawn and sent to those “assisting in the investigation.”

The victims complied, and sent the nearly $30,000 in cash to an address in Ontario.

RCMP in this province worked with Canada Post to intercept the package, and the money was returned to the couple.

The Toronto Police Service has also been engaged as the investigation continues.

No charges have been laid.

Clarenville RCMP worked with the Toronto Police Service and Canada Post following a report of a fraud earlier this month and recovered nearly $30,000 that was destined for a scammer in Ontario.

On March 1, RCMP received a report of a suspected scam. The victims, an elderly couple, sent nearly $30,000 in the mail through Canada Post to an individual and an address in Ontario.

The scammer had advised the victims that they were being investigated by their banking institution. After a number of calls placed back and forth, the scammer gained access to the victim’s computer. After an attempted suspicious transaction, the victim’s bank account was frozen. The scammer informed the victim that they had deposited funds into the victim’s account and needed the victim to withdraw the money to send to those who were assisting with the investigation.

Canada Post managed to intercept the package before it arrived at its intended destination. The money was returned to the victims.

The Toronto Police Service has been engaged and the investigation is continuing.

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched in support of a well-known advocate for marine safety.

Merv Wiseman is a retired Canadian Coast Guard employee and well-known proponent for search and rescue services, commercial fisheries, and agriculture.

Wiseman, who has pulmonary fibrosis, is on a waiting list for a life-saving, double-lung transplant at Toronto General Hospital.

“Merv has dedicated his life to good causes, and it’s only right that we lend him a hand now,” says Peter Leonard who, along with former journalist, MP and fisheries advocate Ryan Cleary, is organizing the fundraiser.

Wiseman spent 35 years with the Coast Guard and played a key role in the 2017 reopening of the marine rescue sub-centre in St. John’s.

He also operated a fox farm in North Harbour and served as president of the province’s fur breeding and agriculture associations.