Dave Flaherty - Multimedia Journalist

May 11, 2019

Oshawa’s MPP wants lawbreaking motorists who injure or kill others to pay the price.

Jennifer French has tabled a private member’s bill to line up penalties for drivers who cause serious injuries or death to another driver with those for a careless driving conviction.

A conviction of careless driving comes with a fine between $2,000 and $50,000, a licence suspension up to five years, and possibly up to two years in jail.

However, French says many drivers who are arrested for careless driving have their charges reduced to a less-serious offence in court.

May 06, 2019

The Oshawa Museum faces serious spacing issues, and a solution must come sooner than later, according to the organization’s top official.

Museum executive director Laura Suchan spoke at a recent meeting of the development services committee.

Suchan said the museum is at capacity, and this isn’t a new revelation.

A feasibility study for expansion was first presented to Oshawa council in 1997, and plans for a new building received principle approval by city council in 2018.

May 21, 2019

The province is offering municipalities and other government-funded entities assistance in finding fiscal efficiencies.

During an appearance in Ajax on Tuesday afternoon, Premier Doug Ford announced $7.35 million in funding through the province’s audit and accountability fund.

The money will be earmarked to help municipalities, school boards, and other organizations to hire what Ford called “independent auditors that can look at the books line-by-line.”

May 29, 2019

With Durham’s police service facing serious allegations of misconduct against senior officers, an administrator has taken over certain responsibilities from Police Chief Paul Martin.

The Ontario Civilian Police Commission has issued an order appointing retired Toronto Police Deputy Chief Mike Federico to oversee the force while it investigates accusations made against Martin and other officials and the Durham Police Services Board.

The investigation is a result of several allegations brought forward by current and former DRPS employees to the Ministry of the Solicitor General in January.  Minister Sylvia Jones then asked the commission to decide whether an investigation was warranted.

May 14, 2019

What began as a notion of curiosity is now consuming a great deal of Christine Gilmet’s spare time.

Since September of last year, the Oshawa senior has been researching the concept of “tiny houses.”

The term “tiny house” represents a broad spectrum.

In Gilmet’s specific case, she is referring to tiny houses of the portable sort, and with a group of like-minded colleagues, believes the benefits would be far-reaching for residents of all different ages and financial statuses.

May 07, 2019

More questions remain regarding the expansion of the GO Train into Bowmanville and beyond after a town hall meeting hosted by Metrolinx on the expansion of the Lakeshore East Line.

A number of senior Metrolinx management, including CEO Phil Verster, were present during the event held at the Abilities Centre in Whitby.

Metrolinx brass addressed several issues, including the company’s tendering process, connector bus routes, construction at Union Station, and uncomfortable seats on newer trains.

But the burning issue on the minds of many was the planned expansion of train service into Bowmanville, and a few local politicians said the message they heard is different from past statements.

April 25, 2019

Twelve months. 52 weeks. 365 days. Eight-thousand seven-hundred sixty hours.

There are many ways to quantify time, but in the simplest terms, April 25 marked one year since anyone has seen Kevin Christopher Zapp.

Zapp, 32, also known as “Ambition”, went missing in Oshawa a year ago, and there has been no new information in the case since last August.

Lead investigator D/Cst. Paul Grigoriou of Durham Regional Police Service told The Oshawa Express he hopes renewed attention on Zapp’s disappearance may change this.

April 26, 2020

A large telecommunications tower is proposed for installation near the Oshawa Harbour.

Signum Wireless is seeking city approval to place a 35-metre tower at 1609 Simcoe Street South, just south of Harbour Road.

To the north of the subject site is the Oshawa Creek and city-owned lands where the former Oshawa Marina was located, while to the south is federal crown land for port uses, and a privately-owned property at 1615 Simcoe Street South with above ground tanks.

April 03, 2020

Durham Region’s newest university is embarking on an ambitious fundraising campaign as it continues to grow.

Trent University Durham GTA officials recently announced the $5 million campaign which will fund a new building, increased financial aid for students, and new programs.

The centrepiece of the campaign will be the construction of a new residence and academic centre, which will feature a 200-room residence, a 100-seat lecture hall, two 64-seat classrooms, research space, student areas, and faculty offices.

The total cost of the project is be determined. Trent officials believe construction will start by the end of April.

March 21, 2019

There will be some major changes happening at Rotary Pool this summer.

At its latest meeting, Oshawa city council approved a staff recommendation to provide more instructional programming and increase lane swimming opportunities at the facility this summer on a pilot project.

March 21, 2019

As the clock ticked towards 1 a.m., Oshawa city council declined to endorse a plan to bring a consumption and treatment site to the city by a six to five vote.

The decision came after an almost six-hour-long meeting, where numerous members of the public passionately spoke in favour and against the application.

Lakeridge Health, the John Howard Society of Durham Region and the Durham Region Health Department are working in partnership on the proposal.

March 05, 2019

Oshawa’s city manager has accepted a position with The Town of Newmarket.

According to a post on Newmarket’s official Facebook page, Jag Sharma has been appointed to the position of chief administrative officer with the town. He will officially take over on April 1.

The City of Oshawa had not formally announced Sharma’s leaving as of The Express’ press time.

March 05, 2019

The federal government is planning on amalgamating the port authorities of Oshawa and Hamilton.

Transport Minister Marc Garneau announced the plan on Tuesday (Feb. 5).

Garneau told The Oshawa Express the action is being taken to “improve efficiencies and planning in the region.”

“It will be good for both communities,” Garneau stated. “We will have more capability under one port authority.”

March 05, 2019

A former Durham Region teacher is facing a hearing to determine whether she acted inappropriately with a student.

According to a notice from the Ontario Colleges of Teachers, the accusations took place at a Whitby school between July 2015 and March 2016.

The age and identity of the male student, as well as the school, are not included in the notice.

It is alleged the female teacher engaged in an “inappropriate personal relationship” with the student during that time.

January 23, 2019

​Assembly plant employees and other Unifor members formed blockades at General Motors corporate headquarters in Oshawa Wednesday.
The union began congregating at the headquarters on Colonel Sam McLaughlin Drive around 6 a.m. this morning and remain on site.
Unifor national president Jerry Dias told media the company told them what they are doing is illegal.
However, Dias said more protests are planned for the rest of the week, although he didn’t specify locations and times.

January 16, 2019

Oshawa is in on private retail cannabis shops.

After a marathon meeting, city council voted 7-4 in favour of allowing pot shops in the city once the province rolls them out on April 1, 2019.

Councillors John Gray, Rick Kerr, Tito Dante-Marimpietri, Brian Nicholson, Bob Chapman, Derek Giberson, and Mayor Dan Carter voted in favour while Councillors John Neal, Bradley Marks, Rosemary McConkey, and Jane Hurst were opposed.

January 08, 2019

The future of the province’s largest animal welfare organization is unclear after a recent Ontario court ruling.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Tim Minnema ruled some of the powers given to the Ontario Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) by the provincial government are unconstitutional.

In a decision released earlier this month, Minnema struck down sections of the OSPCA Act which assign “police and other investigative powers” to the organization, and gave the provincial government one year to address the situation.

January 08, 2019

After meeting with company officials this afternoon, Unifor’s national president says General Motors remains steadfast in plans to close the Oshawa assembly plant.

Jerry Dias, along with other union representatives, spoke in Windsor at 4 p.m. after the meeting held in Detroit.

“I’m deeply disappointed at the response from the corporation,” Dias said. “The company was quite adamant about defending the position and the announcement they made on the 26th of November.”

December 12, 2018

About a month ago, a 19-year-old UOIT student from Mitchell, Ont. lost his life after being struck by a vehicle near the intersection of Conlin Road and Simcoe Street North.

On any given day, one can see a number of near-misses that could result in the same kind of devastating incident.

With development booming in North Oshawa, the intersection has become one of the busiest in the city.

What was once an area surrounded by farmland is now bustling with business, post-secondary facilities, subdivisions and schools.

This fact is not lost on Ward 2 regional councillor Tito-Dante Marimpietri, who grew up in the area.

October 23, 2018

An earlier edition of The Oshawa Express’ Fourth Estate looked at the infamous Genosha Hotel located in the city’s downtown core.
For years, numerous developers have attempted to revitalize the once-bustling hotel. After many stops and starts, it seems the current effort will be fruitful, as work has begun to improve the building’s condition and a permit has been officially granted to the developer.
However, just a few blocks away, to the south, stands another historic piece of Oshawa’s history and a reminder of its once thriving industrial sector.
The exact address is 500 Howard Street, the former home of the Ontario Malleable Iron Company and Knob Hill Farms.
For almost two decades, the building has sat mostly vacant with a few spurts of activity here and there.
But that wasn’t always the case. At various points, this building was an epicenter of business in Oshawa, and home to some of the city’s largest employers. 

The City of Oshawa was dealt a heavy blow today as General Motors announced operations at the local assembly plant would cease at the end of 2019.

November 12, 2018

An NDP motion asking the province to commit to creating 2,000 new long-term care beds for Durham Region and Scarborough was soundly defeated at Queen’s Park. NDP leader Andrea Horwath brought forth the motion asking the government to create the new beds in areas covered by the Central East LHIN.

November 08, 2018

Police will not lay criminal charges in connection to a fatal January fire which claimed four lives, including two children. However, the home owner and its directors, plus two tenants, have been charged under the Ontario Fire Code.

Outgoing Durham regional chair Gerri Lynn O'Connor voiced her concern over the Ford government cutting Toronto city council in half and stating the role of regional governments is under review. 

September 11, 2018

The dawn of a new school year brings with it a great deal of excitement, but for nearly 700 students in the city’s north end, that was multiplied a few weeks ago.
Northern Dancer Public School officially opened its doors, welcoming 670 junior kindergarten to Grade 8 students, along with their families and school staff.

August 31, 2018

A recent study suggests that Oshawa is behind other area municipalities in available child care spaces for infants and toddlers.

July 11, 2018

With a new provincial government, and details of the federal Liberals’ national housing strategy slowing trickling in, Durham’s acting director of housing services says the region is in somewhat of a holding pattern in terms of immediate and long-term plans for affordable housing.

June 20, 2018

Despite numerous town hall meetings, residents around the Oshawa airport are still very concerned about lowing flying planes. 

June 13, 2018

It appears the region will chip in more than $830,000 towards the construction of two hospice sites across Durham.

The initiative is being developed by Durham Region Hospice, a partnership between Durham Hospice and VON (Victorian Order of Nurses) Durham Community Corporation.

August 08, 2018

For the past six years, Oshawa resident Lisa Freeman has become a fierce critic of Canada’s correctional and parole system, and now it appears they may be heeding her words.

August 15, 2018

For a point of context, the last time a professional boxer landed a punch in Oshawa, humans had yet to land on the moon. It’s been almost 50 years since the last pro boxing card was held in the city on March 4, 1969, but the sport will make its return next month.

August 29, 2018

The Ford government has shed some light on its plans for changes to the province’s education system.

On Aug. 22, the province released a media statement promising “unprecedented” parent consultation into Ontario’s education curriculum, including sex ed and health.

September 05, 2018

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a visit to UOIT in Oshawa to announce $10 million in funding for enhancements to the school's Automotive Centre of Excellence. 

November 01, 2017

A higher-ranking member of the Conservative party says Liberals tax plans would negatively affect small businesses. 

November 01, 2017

A Whitby woman is seeking answers to why she must drive 45 minutes into Northumberland County to receive subsidized dental care, a question that fits into a larger discussion surrounding the seemingly forgotten status of the mouth in Ontario’s public health care system.

November 08, 2017

A collision involving five vehicles sent three people, including a two-month-old infant, to hospital Monday morning while closing down one of Oshawa’s busiest roads in the midst of rush hour traffic.

November 15, 2017

Over the last few decades, individuals with disabilities have often gone from being shielded from society to having a wide range of opportunities to contribute within their communities.

November 15, 2017

Durham Region will investigate a mobile health unit to deal with several issues included the current opioid crisis. 

November 29, 2017

It’s labelled as the most wonderful time of the year, but it is also likely the busiest, and the hustle and bustle of the holiday season can leave some residents more susceptible to becoming a victim of the many scams being perpetrated by criminals in the community.

December 06, 2017

General Motors is temporarily reducing production of two passenger cars at its Oshawa plant due to sluggish sales. 

December 06, 2017

An in-depth study on homelessness in Durham Region shows most of the population is situated in the City of Oshawa. 

January 03, 2018

The head of Durham’s paramedic services believes the region is doing a formidable job in providing assistance to first responders who experience traumatic situations.

December 31, 2017

Dr. Tim McTiernan retired from his post as UOIT president on Dec. 31, 2017, seeing the school through some of its most prosperous times. 

January 10, 2018

With temperatures plunging under -30 degrees Celsius, some regional councillors argue more should be done to assist those at risk. 

January 23, 2018

Richard Bercuson has brought his 40 plus years of hockey experience to Oshawa Minor Hockey. 

January 31, 2018

The Oshawa Skating Club will celebrate 80 years of a rich history that has seen thousands of young skaters learn the craft on a local level.

February 08, 2018

NDP leader Andrea Horwath joined MPP Jennifer French in meeting with local residents who shared their heartbreaking stories of dealing with long-term care homes. 

February 14, 2018

After bad winter weather there was a desperate need for blood donors in the Peterborough and Durham Region areas. 

February 14, 2018

Regional councillors in Durham are considering changing tax rates on vacant and excess lands, as well as eliminating tax rebates. 

January 01, 2020

he dream of bringing residential hospices to Durham Region is beginning to stabilize with the launch of an ambitious capital campaign.

Recently, Durham Region Hospice revealed its $15 million “Comfort, Care, Compassion” campaign to supports the construction of a 10-bed facility in Whitby and a five-bed facility in Clarington.

January 01, 2020

The Oshawa Camaros Baton Club celebrates 40 years in 2018. This story takes at look back at the origins, and current success for the club. 

March 07, 2018

There is a new but familiar face in the coffee game in Oshawa.

Café Van Houtte is open at 62 King Street West, owned by Gail Pepin, and her son Jonathan Hudgin.

Coffee enthusiasts will no doubt recognize Van Houtte, as the brand is available in grocery stores throughout the country and there are over 50 cafés in the Province of Quebec.

March 21, 2018

When Aydin Leamen was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of four, it brought about changes to his life and that of his family more than most people can comprehend.

Aydin’s mother Melike Ceylan-Leamen says her son, now nine, still hasn’t obtained a full diagnosis on what type of epilepsy he suffers from.

March 28, 2018

Fresh off his selection as the leader of the Ontario PC Party, Doug Ford stopped off in Oshawa to show his support for local candidates. 

January 01, 2020

Roger Anderson was the first elected regional chair in Durham Region, holding the position overall for more than 20 years. He passed away on March 28 after a year-and-a-half battle of cancer, leaving his mark and legacy on the area. 

April 04, 2018

On two separate occasions, Durham Regional Police were notified of threatening graffiti at an Oshawa Public School. Police and school board officials stated the incidents weren't connected. 

April 04, 2018

With the upcoming provincial election, MPPs Michael Couteau and Granville Anderson visited a school in Courtice, Ontario to promote future investments in child care. 

April 17, 2018

With close to 40 years in the hockey world, Richard Bercuson is a coach, instructor, and journalist. He has been named as technical director for Oshawa Minor Hockey. 

April 25, 2018

As home to three of Ontario's three nuclear generating stations, Durham Region council is hoping to receive funds for storing nuclear waste. The region is also seeking more transparency from the province on future plans. 

May 02, 2018

The City of Oshawa and Durham Region went through an decade-long battle over unfunded liabilities stemming from uploading of transit services. The case was settled in April 2018 with Oshawa paying $6 million. 

May 09, 2018

Durham paramedics Dale Button and Matt Walton have been friends and worked together for years. Together the duo won a national paramedic competition at Canada's Wonderland. 

May 23, 2018

I had the opportunity to ride along in a race car at a track near Bowmanville, Ontario (sort of). This is a first person piece on the experience. 

June 10, 2016

If volunteerism in the community could have a face, it may very well be Rose Yuke.
The Hanover resident is the recipient of this year's 2016 Ontario Senior Citizen of the Year Award.

June 08, 2016

Fourteen-year-old Kerstin von Richter won a gold medal during the Special Olympics Ontario Spring Games, held May 26 to May 28.
Kerstin swims locally with South Saugeen Special Olympics at the P & H Centre in Hanover. She qualified for the Spring Games last year and will head to Halifax next year for the national championships.

June 06, 2016

Zachary Taylor, a resident of Hanover, has a condition known as Snyder-Robinson Syndrome.
Snyder-Robinson Syndrome is extremely rare, with only 15 confirmed cases worldwide, with Zachary being the only one in Canada.

June 01, 2016

Seventeen-year-old Jenna Nixon was recognized by her local council for her work with The War Amps. Nixon herself had her had right leg amputated when she was a child. 

May 31, 2016

Craig Kielburger, co-founder of We to Me and Free The Children, served as the keynote speaker at an youth summit held in Hanover. More than 450 people attended the event.

May 12, 2016

With assisted dying soon becoming law in Canada, representives of the local hospital held a public meeting to dispell misinformation and rumours that were being spread throughout town. Those opposed to medically-assissted death made their opinions well known. 

April 28, 2016

Priya Hehn was only two months old when she was diagnosed with epidermolysis bullosa, a condition that causes blistsers on the skin and mucosal membranes. Friends, family, neighbours and even strangers sprang into action to support Priya's parents Jeff and Jamie, raising more than $6,000 through a GoFundMe page. 

April 26, 2016

Fire at a restuarant in Neustadt, Ont., gutted the building. People from the town gathered to watch it burn (small towns, eh). Shared more than 400 times on Facebook (not bad for a small paper) 

April 25, 2016

Brothers Joe and Phil Klages have transformed an old church in their hometown of Desboro into a music hall. 

April 20, 2016

Monica Hooyenga's life was changed forever when her father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. The man she knew and loved was no longer there. However, it inspired her to try to help other's who have been affected by the disease. 

April 12, 2016

A number of local residents participated in the 2016 Boston Marathon. 

April 05, 2016

A local sign factory announces plans to expand this summer. 

September 15, 2014

Crime story about alleged murder in Clinton, Ont

November 01, 2014

What began as a relaxing fishing trip in Owen Sound turned into a life-changing experience for three Goderich men heralded as heroes. 

March 01, 2016

Nolan's is a popular lunch spot in Fenelon Falls. New owners John Curtis and Richard Mitchell came aboard in December 2015. 

March 01, 2016

A group of local women collecting items and food to sent to reserves in northern Ontario.

June 16, 2015

Controversial decision by Goderich town council to cease arrangements with local trotting association. 

March 31, 2016

The boys on the Sturgeon Lake Thunder Novice OMHA squad proved themselves to be the top team in the entire province over the weekend of March 18 to March 20.

October 23, 2015

Feature on a charismatic man in Goderich, Ont.  

June 02, 2014

A mother from Goderich appealed to the community to be more sensitive to her daughter, diagnosed with a rare skin disease.

October 01, 2014

Scott Youngblut served as the hydrographer-in-charge on a mission to the Arctic that resulted in the discovery of one of the two doomed ships from the Franklin Expedition in Canada's Northwest Passage. 

August 22, 2015

Former employees of the Goderich Psychiatric Hospital, which was closed in the 1980s, reunited this past summer. 

August 30, 2015

An editorial on the hundreds of Inuksuit that popped up at the Goderich beach last summer. 

September 12, 2015

Employees at CIBC in Goderich rally around a colleague stricken with cancer. 

January 01, 2011

Article in 2011 on local church celebrating 175 years. 

August 25, 2006

Feature sotry on a well-known country singer who was inducted into Canada's version of the Grand Ole Opry.

January 06, 2016

A look at what the Rotary Youth Exchange Program offers students. 

March 31, 2006

Damien, a 24-year-old singer/rapper/songwriter from Quebec, played a show at the local French secondary school. He spoke about how he got into hip hop and why he tried to speak a positive message.

January 18, 2006

After an early morning fire destroyed two businesses and damaged others, the downtown business community in Timmins pulled together. 

September 08, 2006

High school football returned to Timmins after 30 years in September 2006. A death of a student on the field in the 1970s had led local schools to withdraw from the sport.

June 19, 2006

In anticipation of a estimated shortage of skilled trades workers over the next decade, a high school, college and training centre in Timmins introduced Grade 7 and 8 students to the possibility of careers in the field.

July 25, 2006

Feature story on a helicopter rescue course in Timmins.

June 16, 2006

Local representatives in Timmins recognized the first International Elder Abuse Day in 2006

July 01, 2006

Discover Abitibi was a joint intiative between the federal and provincial governments, in partnership with private sector partners, that sought to invest and inject capital and resources into the mining industry in northern Ontario. At about the halfway mark of the intiative's term, it was declared a success.