Pink paint splashed on artwork, scammers target Swifties and a big lottery win: Top 5 stories in Ottawa this week
A climate activist defaces Canadian artwork, an Ottawa couple wins big, and people are scamming local Swifties.
CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at the top 5 stories on our website this week.
Climate activist smears paint on Tom Thomson piece
A climate activist caused a stir Tuesday when he entered the National Gallery of Canada and smeared pink paint over a Tom Thomson painting on display.
The painting, titled "Northern River", was protected by glass and was undamaged, the National Gallery confirmed.
The protester was part of a group called On2Ottawa, which has been causing traffic disruptions in the city in the past month as they call on the federal government to create a national firefighting agency.
The protester at the National Gallery was arrested and charged with mischief.
A climate protester is arrested after splashing paint on Tom Thomson's 'Northern River' painting in the National Gallery of Canada. Aug. 29, 2023. (Graham Richardson/CTV News Ottawa)
Ottawa couple wins $55-million jackpot
Two people from Ottawa are the city's newest millionaires after winning a $55-million Lotto Max prize.
Keith and Debra Polachek, who are both retired, say they have not made any major plans with their winnings yet.
"Our reaction was laid back, but we were very happy. We realized we had a lot of preparation to do," Debra said as the couple picked up their prize from OLG.
While they continue to plan how best to make use of the winnings, the Polacheks said they did get some new toys and treats for their dogs.
Keith and Debra Polachek of Ottawa pick up their $55 million prize for winning the Lotto Max jackpot. (OLG/release)
Swifties lose thousands to ticket scams
Ottawa police are warning Swifties to be careful while buying tickets to see Taylor Swift in concert, after residents lost more than $12,000 in three days this week in online ticket scams.
Swift's incredibly popular Eras Tour is coming to Toronto next year and it's her only announced Canadian stop. Tickets went on sale last month.
But police say the incredibly high demand for the tickets means a fertile ground for fraudsters.
"Because the concerts are all sold out, people in Ottawa and the rest of the country are dire to get the tickets so they're searching Facebook Marketplace believing it's safe, finding profiles who are selling tickets and the bulk of them are fake profiles that they've hacked," Ottawa police Det. Shaun Wahbeh tells CTV News Ottawa.
"They're getting you to send an e-transfer, upwards of $2,000 for four tickets, and then the tickets never come to you. You've already sent the money away, most of the time the money doesn't even stay in Canada."
Police recommend making sure you know whom you're buying from and to meet in person to verify what they have.
Taylor Swift performs during her Eras tour. Swift's "Karma" is one of AP's contenders for song of the summer. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)
Ottawa man pleads guilty in devastating Orleans explosion
An Ottawa man pleaded guilty for causing an explosion that destroyed several homes, caused more than $5 million in damage and injured 12 people in an Orléans subdivision last winter.
Kody Troy Crosby, 35, pleaded guilty Thursday morning to charges of breaking and entering a dwelling under construction and intentionally causing damage by explosion. The judge sentenced Crosby to five years in prison.
According to the agreed statement of facts in the case, Crosby intended to steal water heaters from new homes under construction. The court heard that when the two water heaters were stolen, the natural gas lines were left open and gas started filling the townhomes.
When two sets of contractors arrived at work on Monday, Feb. 13, the natural gas ignited and caused the explosion.
The explosion levelled homes in the Avalon Vista neighbourhood and spread debris over a wide area. Miraculously, no one was killed.
Some of the debris following an explosion at an east Ottawa construction site on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. (Ottawa Fire Services)
Capital Pride Parade draws thousands to downtown Ottawa
The streets of downtown Ottawa were filled with rainbow colours, songs and celebrations on a sunny Sunday afternoon, for the annual Capital Pride Parade.
Approximately 10,000 people marched in the parade along Elgin Street, Gladstone Avenue and Kent Street, with thousands more lining the parade route for the signature event of the 2023 Capital Pride festival.
Participants and spectators said it was important to attend the Capital Pride Parade this year to show solidarity in the face of the rise of anti-trans hate across Canada.
Students carry a giant pride flag during the Capital Pride Parade in Ottawa, on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
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Sean 'Diddy' Combs presided over a sordid empire of sexual crimes, coercing and abusing women for years while using blackmail and shocking acts of violence to keep his victims in line, according to an indictment unsealed Tuesday.
Hezbollah hit by a wave of exploding pagers and blames Israel. At least 9 dead, thousands injured
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Two people charged in murder of Halifax teen; police believe remains have been found
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Canucks' Dakota Joshua reveals he is recovering from cancer
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Liberal campaign co-chair calls Montreal byelection loss a 'dry run' for general election
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Atlantic
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Two people charged in murder of Halifax teen; police believe remains have been found
Halifax Regional Police believe Devon Sinclair Marsman, who disappeared in 2022, was the victim of a homicide and two people have now been charged in his death.
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Feds tell N.S. and N.B. to pay half of Chignecto Isthmus mitigation costs 'before it is too late'
The federal government says it will move on to fund other projects if the New Brunswick and Nova Scotia provincial governments don’t accept a 50/50 split in mitigation costs at the Chignecto Isthmus.
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Nova Scotia implements new policing standards after Mass Casualty report
The Nova Scotia government says it’s modernizing its policing standards with a more effective and accountable policing model that introduces an auditing system for all policing agencies.
Toronto
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Toronto man charged after three women sexually assaulted at York University
Police say they have charged a 31-year-old man after three women were sexually assaulted at York University last month.
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'Gunshots broke out': Two people dead after shooting in North York
Two men in their 20s are dead after a shooting in North York Tuesday afternoon.
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The TTC says ridership reached a post-pandemic high
If it's been feeling busier during your commutes on the TTC, it's because there has been an uptick in ridership.
Montreal
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Basement apartments should be banned in flood-prone areas, Montreal official says
Basement apartments should be banned in certain parts of Montreal to prevent them from being flooded during severe weather events, a city official told residents at a council meeting Monday night.
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SAAQ closes service centre in Montreal-North after filing complaint with anti-corruption office
Quebec's automobile insurance board said it has closed one of its service centres in Montreal after filing an official complaint with the province's anti-corruption office.
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Business owners in Little Italy push back against Saint-Zotique Street one-way change
Tuesday morning, there was backlash brewing alongside the espressos in Little Italy. As of Monday, Saint-Zotique Street – which used to accommodate traffic in both directions – became a one-way street between Saint Dominique and Avenue Christophe-Colomb.
Northern Ontario
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GoFundMe cancels fundraiser for Ontario woman charged with spraying neighbour with a water gun
A Simcoe, Ont., woman charged with assault with a weapon after accidentally spraying her neighbour with a water gun says GoFundMe has now pulled the plug on her online fundraiser.
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'Say it to my face': Singh confronts heckling protester on Parliament Hill
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh confronted a protester for calling him a 'corrupted bastard' on Parliament Hill on Tuesday.
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Jacob Hoggard to be transferred to North Bay Jail
With his northern Ontario sexual assault trial to begin next week, Jacob Hoggard is expected to be moved to the North Bay Jail.
Windsor
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'Absolutely unacceptable': Dilkens on projected 12.9% tax increase
Windsor’s projected tax increase for 2025 is estimated at 12.9 per cent, a number Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens says must come down.
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Dodge Durango debate: Will it be cancelled and could its replacement vehicle be built in Windsor?
Auto analysts believe the vehicle will be phased out in favour of a smaller crossover vehicle that could be built in Windsor, much to the ire of the United Autoworkers Union (UAW).
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With a strong telescope, people can witness a lot of activity in the sky this month
Nasa is warning a "Stadium sized asteroid" will make a close pass Tuesday night.
London
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Safety concerns raised after collision at Lambton County intersection claimed two lives
A Lambton County mayor is calling for action after two people were killed at an intersection in his community on Sept. 11.
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'I have constant pain in my ankle': Residents rallying to save St. Thomas' only therapy pool
On July 10, a failure occurred in the therapy pool, leading to extensive flooding into “critical hospital infrastructure.”
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'Sweet Memories' Alzheimer’s fundraiser reaches new heights
Tyler Donaldson spent much of his spring making and shipping maple syrup across North America.
Kitchener
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Shots fired at a home in Woodstock, multiple bullet holes found
Police are looking for the person who fired multiple gunshots into a Woodstock home on Monday afternoon.
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Effort to get new mobility scooter for Elora, Ont. veteran struck by pickup truck
The community is trying to get a new set of 'wheels' for a Canadian Armed Forces veteran who was recently involved in a collision.
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The Elvis of Kitchener-Waterloo has passed away
The man, who walked Kitchener streets for more than three decades dressed up as the King of Rock and Roll, has died.
Barrie
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Animal set on fire in Orillia parking lot, spurring OPP investigation
Provincial police are investigating arson after they say an animal was killed in Orillia.
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OPP issues warning after motorist escapes suspicious encounter
Police are warning the public after an incident in Minden Hills on Monday morning.
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Woman testifies about ex-husband's relationship with Katherine Janeiro in 1994 murder trial
Bruce Ellis sat in a Barrie courtroom on Tuesday as his ex-wife testified about her former spouse's relationship with a young mother who was found dead in her apartment 30 years ago.
Winnipeg
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'Looks like a beach here': Manitoba communities soaked by heavy rain
Significant rain Tuesday morning has resulted in road closures and overland flooding in multiple Manitoba communities.
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'It's disappointing': Kinew responds to ousted MLA's claims of toxic, dysfunctional government
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said an MLA ousted from his caucus this week was given a choice before he was shown the door.
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Spirit Rising House owners charged with giving cannabis to youth
The owners of a private Winnipeg foster home have been charged after allegations surfaced earlier this year that youth in their care were being provided cannabis.
Calgary
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Facing loss of Alberta funding, halt of planned Calgary Green Line could cost $2.1B
It could cost at least $2.1 billion to end work on Calgary's first phase of its long-sought $6.2-billion Green Line light rail transit project.
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Rent, mortgage costs still concerning for Albertans despite cooling inflation
Canada’s annual inflation rate has reached the central bank’s two per cent target for August, but many consumers in Alberta are still feeling the pinch of high costs for shelter, rents and mortgages.
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Fore the love of golf, those with dementia return to the links
Calgarians living with dementia had the chance to return to the links this week as part of a pilot program hosted by the city.
Edmonton
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Man in stolen truck charged in death of partner west of Edmonton: police
Edmonton Police Service found human remains after investigating a case regarding a missing woman.
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2 men with guns at large after robbery: Alberta Emergency Alert
Mayerthorpe RCMP issued an emergency alert Tuesday morning about two men with guns on the run after an armed robbery.
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Edmonton mulls transit fare gates, critics say it won't improve safety or fare evasion
Edmonton is considering a pilot project that would see transit fare gates put in place at two LRT stations in order to reduce fare evasion.
Regina
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Suspect still at large following assault investigation in Yorkton: RCMP
Three suspects have been arrested, while one remains at large, following an assault in the city of Yorkton.
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'Refocus Regina': City councillor Lori Bresciani announces mayoral run
After eight years on city council, Lori Bresciani will challenge Sandra Masters for the job of mayor in this fall’s municipal election.
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Appeal hearing between UR Pride and Sask. gov't set to begin Monday
Arguments surrounding Saskatchewan’s Parents’ Bill of Rights are set to move forward, with an appeal hearing scheduled to begin Monday.
Saskatoon
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Another person charged at Sask. private school at the centre of multiple abuse allegations
Another person affiliated with a Saskatoon Christian school embroiled in legal trouble over multiple allegations of abuse has been charged with assault.
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Saskatoon man Thomas Hamp fatally stabbed his partner, but is he criminally responsible for murder?
The second-degree murder trial of Thomas Hamp began Monday with the defence admitting Hamp fatally stabbed his girlfriend Emily Stanche on Feb. 20, 2022.
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Saskatoon garage destroyed in morning fire
A garage in the Westmount neighbourhood was destroyed in a fire Tuesday morning, but the city says firefighters suppressed the blaze before it spread to house or a nearby electrical substation.
Vancouver
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Bride's family speaks as West Vancouver woman sentenced for driving SUV into wedding party
Sixty-five-year-old Hong Xu, who drove her SUV into a crowd of people celebrating a wedding at her next-door neighbour's house in West Vancouver on Aug. 20, 2022, has been sentenced under the Motor Vehicle Act for driving without due care and attention.
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Canucks' Dakota Joshua reveals he is recovering from cancer
Vancouver Canucks forward Dakota Joshua revealed Tuesday he underwent cancer treatment over the summer, and will not be ready to play when the team’s training camp begins later this week.
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'Certainly a wake-up call': B.C. police remind residents to lock their doors after family robbed
Mounties on Vancouver Island are warning people to lock their doors after a Nanaimo-area family was robbed of a high-end vehicle, cash, a computer and other merchandise while they slept.
Vancouver Island
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'Certainly a wake-up call': B.C. police remind residents to lock their doors after family robbed
Mounties on Vancouver Island are warning people to lock their doors after a Nanaimo-area family was robbed of a high-end vehicle, cash, a computer and other merchandise while they slept.
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Canucks' Dakota Joshua reveals he is recovering from cancer
Vancouver Canucks forward Dakota Joshua revealed Tuesday he underwent cancer treatment over the summer, and will not be ready to play when the team’s training camp begins later this week.
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Former B.C. teacher sent messages with 'sexual references' to Grade 7 girls: regulator
A former B.C. teacher committed misconduct when he sent inappropriate messages – including some with 'sexual references and innuendo' – to girls while he was their Grade 7 teacher, according to the professional regulator.
Kelowna
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Pregnant pit bull with 10 puppies rescued from rat-infested B.C. home
Animal protection officers in British Columbia have rescued three pit bulls – including one that gave birth to 10 puppies – from a rat-infested home in Kelowna.
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Son charged with B.C. woman's murder: RCMP
More than a year after a missing Kamloops, B.C., woman’s body was found, her son has been arrested and charged with her murder, Mounties announced Friday.
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Woman stabbed during daylight Kelowna home invasion: RCMP
A woman suffered life-threatening injuries after being stabbed during a home invasion in Kelowna, according to authorities.
