City Councillior Urging Public to be Mindful of Increased Presence of Needles in Public Areas
Spring of the year is a time where many residents are out cleaning up the garbage and debris left behind from the winter, however certain biohazards are becoming increasingly prominent in several community cleanups.
St. John’s Councillor Greg Noseworthy was a part of a community cleanup in the Mundy Pond area over the weekend that yielded countless needles.
Noseworthy says they found a lot of needles in public areas, including some embedded in the trees.
Councillor Greg Noseworthy (VOCM News)
The city has installed safe disposal units in several areas, and Noseworthy is encouraging those with sharps to dispose of them properly.
He says it is a major safety concern when needles pop up in public areas.
If residents spot sharps in public areas, they’re asked to report it to someone who is trained in handling biohazards by phoning 311.
Two People Charged Following Cookstown Road Incident
Two people have been arrested and charged following an incident in downtown St. John’s late last week that resulted in a shelter-in-place order.
The RNC were called to Cookstown Road shortly before 1:30 p.m. last Thursday after they received a number of calls describing a fight outside involving a group of people who fled to a nearby home before police arrived.
Due to the description of a firearm, the high-density area, and the number of people involved, a shelter-in-place was ordered for three hours.
(VOCM News)
Now, two people have been charged for their alleged involvement in the incident.
Thirty-three-year-old Adam Noonan is facing a slew of charges, including using a firearm, or imitation, in the commission of an offense, pointing a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, assault, two counts of uttering threats, and breach of probation.
Thirty-four-year-old Claire Morgan has been charged with assault and failing to appear.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the RNC or Crime Stoppers.
44-Year-Old Man Charged After Assault Involving Children in St. John’s
A 44-year-old man is facing several charges after an assault involving children in St. John’s.
RNC officers responded to a home in the west end of the city just before 8:30 p.m. Friday. Two children were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The man has been charged with assault causing bodily harm, three counts of assault, and choking.
Police say all parties were known to each other and there is no risk to public safety, and the investigation is still ongoing.
He was held for court.
Terri Clark and Paul Brandt Duo Return to St. John’s
Canadian Country Music Hall of Famers Terri Clark and Paul Brandt are bringing their Homecoming Tour 2.0 to St. John’s this fall, following the success of last year’s acoustic tour.
The duo will share the stage for an night of hits and storytelling, part of a 34-date cross-country run that kicks off October 17.
The group was here last year in an event that quickly became a fan-favourite from attendees.
The event takes place October 20-21st at Holy Heart Theatre.
Tickets go on sale Friday, May 9 at 10 a.m.
Hussein Brothers Kept Apart as First-Degree Murder Case Proceeds
Two men arrested after a murder in the east end of St. John’s last month were back before a judge in provincial court this morning.
It’s been three weeks since 33-year-old Gerald Kyle Hynes was shot to death on Watson Street in the Virginia Park area of the city.
The next day, 19-year-old Ibrahim Hussein was identified as the suspect, with police appealing to the public to report any sightings.
And within 48 hours he was captured — found hiding in the trunk of a car driven by his brother, Hussein Hussein, as they waited for the ferry at the terminal in Port aux Basques.
Hussein Hussein via video from Corner Brook on April 11, 2025. (VOCM News/file)
Both men, of Syrian descent, have been separated since their arrests, appearing in court this morning again by video; Ibrahim Hussein at HMP, charged with first-degree murder, and Hussein Hussein at the Bishop’s Falls Correctional Centre, accused of trying to help his brother escape and resisting arrest.
It’s still early in the court process, with defence lawyers awaiting disclosure from the Crown, which is also waiting for more evidence from police.
Both suspects are due back in court at the end of the month for an update on that sharing of evidence.
Pre-existing charges against Ibrahim Hussein of assault and two counts of making death threats will also be addressed at that time.
Meanwhile, those who knew the victim — known as Kyle to his family and “Scrappy” to his friends — continue to grieve the loss of yet another who struggled with mental health and addictions.
“Kyle never acted as the little brother,” reads his obituary, “always the big brother and protector of his loved ones.”
BREAKING || Ibrahim Hussein, 19, is escorted into provincial court in St. John’s, charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Gerald Hynes on Watson Street Tuesday night. pic.twitter.com/1ARB14H14y
One Year Later, Advocate Believes Tent City Inhabitants are Worse Off
It has been about a year since the tent city on the grounds of Colonial Building in St. John’s was dismantled, but one of the volunteers believes people who stayed at the encampment are worse off today than they were then.
Laurel Huget acknowledges that efforts are being made to expand housing, but she says the focus is more on changing the rules to help developers, which means private housing. She wants to see more public housing.
Huget is calling on Premier-designate John Hogan to take immediate steps to improve things such as bringing in rent control and instituting no-fault evictions.
Laurel Huget (VOCM News)
She says there was a time when profit wasn’t such a priority in housing – at least not over people.
“Government had a lot more to do then in protecting tenants from landlords and ensuring supply,” said Huget on the Tim Powers Show on VOCM.
The Tim Powers Show airs from 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. weekdays.
CUPE Convention Kicks Off in Grand Falls-Windsor
CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador is holding its annual convention in Grand Falls-Windsor today.
The event will feature numerous guest speakers, votes on constitutional amendments, and the election of executive positions – including the position of president which is currently held by Sherry Hillier.
The convention is running from now until Wednesday at the Mount Peyton Resort and Conference Centre.
Mounties Investigating Reports of Bear Spray Deployed at Bay St. George Graduation Party
Bay St. George RCMP is investigating after several teenagers were sprayed with a harsh substance during a graduation celebration over the weekend.
Police were called to Black Bank Beach near Stephenville Crossing around 1:30 Sunday morning after a man deployed a substance believed to be bear spray on a number of teenagers.
There were no serious injuries.
No arrests have been made but RCMP is looking to speak with anyone who attended the graduation party.
Any information should be passed along to Bay St. George RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
Newfoundland Man Ready to Take on Elimination Rounds of Canada’s Got Talent
Newfoundlander is inching closer and closer to getting a shot at the $1 million grand prize on Canada’s Got Talent.
Jacob Lewis stunned judges and audience members last month with his rendition of Bon Jovi’s Bed of Roses. It was so impressive that judge Shania Twain slapped the golden buzzer, automatically advancing Lewis further into the competition.
While he admits to some nerves heading into the elimination rounds tomorrow, Lewis says he’s ready to hit the stage with maximum effort.
He says getting that initial golden buzzer doesn’t mean he has a leg up going forward.
(Lewis says earning that endorsement comes with added pressure when he hits the stage in the next round. Golden buzzer or not, he says he’s there to perform with everything he’s got.
“I got two minutes,” he said, “two minutes can change a life. It’s already changed my life in the first two minutes I went through so I’m hoping the next two minutes can do the same.”
Canada’s Got Talent airs tomorrow night at 9:30 Newfoundland time on Citytv.
Province Offering Funding for Indigenous Violence Prevention Efforts on Red Dress Day
Today is Red Dress Day, also known as the National Day of Awareness for missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people.
The provincial government says people from those communities face higher rates of violence, and this day is a reminder that society must confront the systemic issues that lead to gender-based violence.
To coincide with the day, the province had issued a call for proposals for Indigenous Violence Prevention Grants.
Government set aside over $271,000 for the program in this year’s budget. The deadline for submissions in May 30.
Advocacy Groups Marking Annual Stop Sexual Exploitation Week
The provincial government, the Coalition Against the Sexual Exploitation of Youth and Thrive will mark the beginning of Stop Sexual Exploitation Week in St. John’s today.
The week, which runs until Saturday, aims to raise awareness and stop the sexual exploitation of young people in the province.
It will feature a training and skills-building session tomorrow, and an art show at the Arts and Culture Centre in St. John’s on Friday and Saturday.
Minister Pam Parsons and Thrive Executive Director Angela Crockwell will sign the proclamation at the organization’s offices on Water Street beginning at 1 p.m.
PCs Calling for Annual Core Funding for COD-NL
The opposition is calling on government to implement annual core funding for the Coalition of Persons with Disabilities.
Opposition leader Tony Wakeham says the most recent budget failed to deliver such funding to the organization, jeopardizing its future.
Wakeham says it’s bad enough that government has yet to appoint a disabilities advocate, but now the organization is at risk of shutting down due to a lack of money after being in operation for 44 years.
COD-NL CEO Nancy Reid is impressing on the newly-chosen Liberal leader to consider very carefully how the disability community, which makes up 30 per cent of the population, is currently being served and how their needs are being heard and met.
Labradorians Feeling Left Out as Province Teams Up With PAL for Seasonal Intraprovincial Island Loop
An MHA in Labrador says people are seething over an initiative which improves air access on the island, but not in their region.
The province announced last week that it has reached a new agreement with PAL Airlines for a seasonal service route connecting St. John’s, Gander and Deer Lake. The routes will run from June 15 to September 20, four days per week.
NDP MHA Jordan Brown says people in Labrador are ticked with being left out of the equation again. He points to the WestJet arrangement with the provincial government to operate flights between St. John’s and Europe.
Brown says this is the first time he has heard a lot of people asking why Labrador is even part of this province.
Jordan Brown (VOCM News)
Options in Labrador are few when it comes to flights and the routes they do have are expensive.
He says the anger is not only about the announcement, but it’s the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Brown says, once again, government is doings which are “island-centric.”
His concerns were echoed by the PC MHA for the north coast, Lela Evans.
Evans argues that it is the “wrong time to be short-sighted when it comes to Labrador,” noting that people in the region are “sick and tired” of an “out of sight, out of mind” attitude.
She says calls the new program “outrageous,” saying that it is “rubbing salt in (their) sounds.”
Johnny Reid Returning to St. John’s for September Show
One of Newfoundland and Labrador’s favourite musicians is returning to St. John’s this fall.
Johnny Reid, a multi-platinum artist, will be at the Mary Brown’s Centre on Friday, September 26.
The singer, known for his songs Darling, A Woman Like You and others, has won 28 Canadian country music awards and five Junos.
He will be joined on stage by show opener Iam Tongi, the American Idol Season 21 winner.
Reid is high on Tongi, calling him a great singer.
Tickets go on sale online on Friday, May 9, at 10 a.m.
Workers at Gathering Place Ratify First Collective Agreement
Workers at The Gathering Place have ratified their first collective agreement.
Workers first joined CUPE in October 2023, and after over a year of bargaining, the tentative agreement was reached on April 17.
Local president Jon Bennett says they are proud of the provisions in their first agreement, which include improved wages, increased overtime pay, better bereavement and personal leave options, and improved language that enforces worker rights around evolving safety risks in the workplace.
Bennett argues that they now have a “solid foundation” on which they will continue to build.
Carney Invites King Charles III to Read Speech from the Throne
Prime Minister Mark Carney is sending a strong signal about Canada’s sovereignty by inviting King Charles III to read the Speech from the Throne.
The move is already ruffling feathers in Quebec where a number of Bloc seats turned red in favour of the Liberals, and where the historic domination of French language and culture by the English is deeply felt.
The last time the Sovereign read the Speech from the Throne in Canada was in 1977 when Queen Elizabeth II was in the country on a royal tour at the time.
The Prime Minister says he asked the King to read the Speech from the Throne, which in Canada is typically read by the Governor General who is the King’s representative. Carney says his intent was deliberate.
He says the King, who is King of Canada, will open Parliament on May 26th as “the ultimate head of state” and “clearly underscoring the sovereignty of our country.”
Hogan Hopes to Build on Health Care Improvements Spearheaded by Furey
Newly-minted Premier-designate John Hogan says the province isn’t where it needs to be with the health care system, but he hopes to bring meaningful change.
Hogan was elected as leader of the Liberal Party of NL on Saturday during their leadership convention.
He echoed many of the same words as Andrew Furey, who said he had hoped to do more.
Hogan says the system is slowly improving, but there’s a long way to go.
“The trends do show we’re moving in the right direction. As frustrating as some people are with health, particularly things like waiting for ambulances and air ambulances and having access to primary health care, if you look at the data, things are improving,” he told reporters.
“So we have to keep our foot on the gas. It’s a 10-year plan, we’re only two years in and we have a ways to go. We’re a little bit ahead of schedule but we need to continue to work on that”
Ceremony Held to Commemorate 80th Anniversary of Battle of the Atlantic
Canadians and sailors from coast to coast commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic yesterday.
In St. John’s, members of HMCS Cabot and the Canadian Armed Forces as well as the general public paraded to the National War Memorial on Duckworth Street for a wreath laying ceremony.
The Battle of the Atlantic, the longest of the Second World War, ensured that reinforcements and supplies made it to Europe. The cost was profound with the loss of 2,100 Canadian sailors, more than 1,700 merchant mariners and over 900 aviators.
It affected Newfoundland deeply with ships in Conception Bay and the Gulf of St. Lawrence being sunk by German U-Boats.
Woman Assaults Officer During East End Arrest
A woman lashed out at police during attempts to place her into handcuffs at a home in the capital city yesterday evening.
RNC were met by the 66-year-old after being called to a disturbance in the east end just after 6 p.m.
The woman was unwilling to cooperate with police and after several attempts to deescalate the situation, she assaulted one of the officers.
She was taken into custody on charges of assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, and breach of court order.
She was held for court.
CBS Hits a Home Run with Jays Care ‘Field of Dreams’ Grant
CBS Kiwanis Minor Baseball has been named one of 15 recipients of the 2025 Jays Care Field of Dreams grant.
The funding was announced prior to Sunday’s Blue Jays’ game on Sportsnet—with CBS being the only organization in Newfoundland and Labrador selected.
The Jim Crosbie Field will receive a portion of the $1.5 million in total funding aimed at enhancing and refurbishing fields with the goal of making baseball more accessible for local youth.
CBS Minor Baseball President Todd Powell (VOCM News)
“This is a big day for baseball in CBS,” said Todd Powell, president of CBS Kiwanis Minor Baseball.
He tells VOCM News, this funding means they can make the field accessible for everyone, including athletes in the Challenger Baseball program. Powell adds that they are not just building a ballfield—but building a community space where all kids can play and grow.
Since its launch, the program has supported 232 projects nationwide, with more than $20 million invested.
No Injuries Reported as Flames Level Carbonear House
Fire on the weekend destroyed a two-apartment house in Carbonear.
Volunteer Fire Chief Trevor Crawford says the house was fully engulfed when they arrived early Saturday night, so they switched to a defensive attack. There were no injuries.
The house, on Adelaide Street, is near others so RCMP went door-to-door alerting residents as there was heavy smoke in the area.
(Submitted/Shelley Waterman)
Carbonear firefighters were on the scene for about seven hours.
Police have the property taped off as they investigate the cause.
(Submitted/Shelley Waterman)
Meanwhile, the family of one of the tenants is asking for help through Facebook as they lost everything in the blaze. Gina Raelynn says her brother, Cody Stagg Slade, is shaken but glad that nobody was injured.
She says among the immediate needs are men’s clothing items, shoes and food.
John Abbott Congratulates Hogan, Expects Cabinet Role
Premier-Designate John Hogan captured more than 77 per cent of the points needed to secure victory under the Liberal Party’s voting system yesterday to become the Liberal Party Leader.
There’s no hard feelings from rival John Abbot, who expects to find himself in a cabinet position under Hogan later this spring.
“We thought we we’re going to do better. But, I’m very happy for John Hogan and for the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador,” he told reporters.
He has a strong mandate and that will be important going into the next provincial election.’
Scouts Canada Promotes Volunteering to Combat Stress and Anxiety
Scouts Canada is highlighting the benefits of volunteering at a time when many Canadians are feeling uneasy about the world around them.
A recent survey of 1,000 Canadians found that about 74 per cent say they are feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world, and they would like to make a difference.
Kaelem Moniz, a representative with the organization, agrees that issues around the world can get people down but there are things people can do in their own communities to make the world a better place.
Moniz says volunteering is not just good for the community and the people being helped, it is also good for the volunteer.
He says 61 per cent of Canadians believe volunteering with youth should be promoted as a way of reducing stress, anxiety, and loneliness. He says getting involved with Scouts particularly is a great activity for everyone from kids to seniors.
Ennis Sisters Among Artists to Be Recognized with Honorary Awards at ECMAs
Several artists from Newfoundland and Labrador will be recognized with honorary awards at the 2025 East Coast Music Awards, happening in St. John’s next week.
The Ennis Sisters will receive the Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating over 25 years of music. The trio, with 14 albums and global performances to their name, will be honoured during the Awards Gala on May 8 — where they will also perform.
Singer-songwriter Chris Ryan, who passed away late last year, will be posthumously awarded the Musician’s Achievement Award for his contributions as a performer and session musician.
Chris Ryan
Wade Pinhorn, a longtime musician, producer, and educator, will be recognized with the Industry Builder Award.
Meanwhile, music educator and Celtic Fiddlers founder Korona Brophy will receive the Stompin’ Tom Award for her nearly five decades of work preserving traditional music.
The ECMAs run May 7–11. Full event details are available at ECMA.com.
Full list of Honorary Awards
Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award: The Ennis Sisters (NL)
Musician’s Achievement Award: Chris Ryan (NL)
Industry Builder Award: Wade Pinhorn (NL)
Bucky Adams Memorial Award: Marc Perry (NS)
Stompin’ Tom Awards
The five Stompin’ Tom Awards recognize one individual in each of ECMA’s five geographical regions who has made a long-term contribution to the East Coast music industry and has paved the road for many successful East Coast artists of today.
Mother Still Fighting for Labrador SAR Base Four Years After Son’s Death
A grieving mother who lost her son in a fishing accident off Labrador four years ago says she is no further ahead despite repeated pleas to the federal government to improve search and rescue capabilities in the region.
Marc Russell and Joey Jenkins were aboard the Island Lady in September, 2021 when it sank. Their bodies have never been found.
Jeannette Russell has been on a campaign ever since to have a search and rescue base established in Labrador, but says she is not getting the support of the federal government.
Russell says there is a lack of appetite in Ottawa to spend the money in Labrador. Since 2016, she says Ottawa has increased the number of lifeboat stations in Newfoundland by 42 per cent with nothing for her part of the province.
She says 5-Wing Goose Bay has to be upgraded to a primary search and rescue station, and Ottawa has to put some lifeboat stations in Labrador.
RNC Nabs Suspected Shoplifter Outside Mount Pearl Store
Police in Mount Pearl were johnny-on-the-spot when a woman suspected of concealing items from a store left the shop.
Store security had alerted the RNC that the woman was randomly paying for some items, but hiding others in her purse. RNC officers immediately arrested her outside and charged the 36-year-old with theft under $5000. Turns out there was a warrant out for her arrest. She spent the night in the lockup.
Premier-Designate Hogan Mum on Election Timing, Focused on Budget
Premier-designate John Hogan left no hints as to when he intends to call a provincial election.
Hogan was named the leader of the Liberal Party and successor to Andrew Furey during the Liberal Leadership Convention on Saturday.
Hogan did, however, hint that his volunteers will be working “over the summer,” to prepare Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to go to the polls.
He says that right now, he’s focused on assembling a cabinet and passing the budget.
“This is step one. Step two is, seeing what next week looks like with the transition team and what a cabinet looks like. We’re starting to pass a budget. You never know, the budget could decide an election as well,” he told reporters.
“We’ll get into the House in a couple of weeks to continue to debate that. And then we’ll look at, you know, the timing of an election, where we are as a party, and where we are as a caucus and make that decision.”
PC Leader Tony Wakeham
The question, now that the provincial Liberals have chosen their leader, is when the election call will come, but Opposition PC Leader Tony Wakeham says his party is ready.
Wakeham is buoyed by the gains made by the federal Conservatives in Monday’s election and says the PCs are ready for when the writ is dropped.
“We’ve been getting ready for a while now,” says Wakeham. “It has to be called by November, we know that’s for certain.” If it’s called sooner than that, we’ll be ready to go.”
911 Hang-up Leads to Arrest in CBS Domestic Dispute
A 911 hang-up call has resulted in the arrest of a man involved in a domestic dispute.
RNC officers proceeded to a residence in Conception Bay South at about 5:00 yesterday despite the hang-up, and were met by a visibly distraught woman in the driveway. They learned that a verbal argument had escalated, resulting in damage to the apartment, which was left in a state of disarray.
A 28-year-old man faces several charges, including assault.
Two Men Arrested in Galway Shopping District Theft Spree
Two men who were up to no good in the Galway shopping district are in custody today.
People who called the RNC that morning around 10:00 said two men were rifling through vehicles but had just fled in a car. Police had an idea who they were looking for and stopped a car in Mount Pearl a short time later. They arrested a 38-year-old and a 35-year-old, both of whom were passengers in the rear seats and who had warrants out for their arrest.
They now face charges of theft and breach of probation.
Energy NL Thanks Premier Furey for Support of Province’s Energy Sector
Energy NL is thanking outgoing premier Andrew Furey for his support of the province’s energy industry.
Energy NL says early in his tenure, the premier provided “significant support” when prices bottomed out during the pandemic. CEO Charlene Johnson says the premier also provided members with a “significant opportunity” through an MOU reached with Hydro Quebec on the expansion of hydro development in Labrador.
She says the premier and his government also demonstrated their commitment to the industry by setting aside $90 million in the latest budget for offshore exploration.
Johnson says she will remember Premier Andrew Furey as an ally of the energy industry, who “cared deeply for the people who work in it.”
