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Northern OntarioNewsTemiskaming police find pedestrian hit-and-run suspectBy Darren MacDonald and Chelsea PapineauPublished: May 01, 2025 at 4:35PM EDT Twitter feed ©2025 BellMedia All Rights Reserved The special ballots cast at Widdifield are said to have completed the comeback and put Rochefort in the lead Rochefort tells cheering supporters "We're close but it's not over yet" Loud cheers for Rochefort at Granite Club as she pulls into a small lead "I really wanted to thank you all for your patience I know it's been a long evening and many of you put in hours already as scrutineers or counting ballots and doing the important work of elections and so I want to thank you personally from the bottom of my heart we are waiting for about eight polls to come but those eight polls could yet make a difference So we understand if many of you have been here all day and all night and you want to get home to your family but you're also welcome to stay as long as you want with us tonight to watch the remainder of those results come in and give them a heads up of where we're at and we're just waiting for those eight polls yet to come Please feel free to stay a little bit longer it won't be too much longer before those polls come in But we are this close to bringing it home Keller told enthusiastic supporters that the finish line is in sight but with still eight polls to go he's not declaring victory just yet He invited supporters to stick it out until the final poll reports Green Party candidate Louise Poitras tells BayToday "I entered the race because I believe in the Green Party's platform Most importantly because we are for the People and the Planet I also believe in democracy and there should always be three or more candidates when Canadians go to the ballot box.   This election was one of the least amount of days possible I had a dental emergency and therefore I could not campaign aggressively nor was it possible for me to attend the debates.   I am very proud to represent the Green Party of Canada in the Nipissing Timiskaming riding regardless of the outcome in tonight's election." Voter turnout here appears to be just north of 55 per cent It's interesting to note that the PPC got 3,494 votes locally in the 2021 federal election so it appears the collapse of the PPC has given Keller the margin of victory if results continue to track a Conservative win here Stu Campaigne reports Rochefort supporters are leaving the Granite Club it will mean Nipissing-Timiskaming will be represented by an opposition MP as the networks are calling a Liberal minority government With only 28 polls remaining Keller has increased his lead to 1,194 and appears on his way to victory We are awaiting a statement from Rochefort Liberal candidate Pauline Rochefort has yet to make her entrance at the Granite Club where a room full of supporters awaits The mood has dampened somewhat as it becomes evident Nipissing-Timiskaming is some time from declaring a winner.  Chris Dawson reports the mood has brightened considerably at the Keller camp despite a losing performance nationally Extremely poor showing by local Green candidate Louise Poitras and then skipped the Northwatch debate on the environment BayToday has made efforts to contact her without success The riding has a population of 98,237 it contains the cities of North Bay and Temiskaming Shores; If the number of signs is any indication Keller has placed an impressive number out in a short period of time Insiders I have spoken with think it will be a tight race here despite the Conservatives dumping their original candidate Cassidy Villeneuve for what the local committee considered her lack of performance lack of fundraising and not moving to the riding despite promising to do so when she won the nominationover a year ago none reporting results yet but we should get a couple reporting in the next half hour Another question this time around is how will the realignment of the riding affect results The northern border is now close to Englehart It has gone blue provincially in the past with Ed Havrot Might that be enough to swing votes to Keller While Keller is at his office he has not been made available for comment yet to reporter Chris Dawson this has been a two-horse race between Libs and Conservatives Last election the PPC took enough votes from the Conservatives to possibly cost Steve Trahan a victory PPC is much less a factor in this campaign so its effect is unknown the ballots are hand-counted so the results will be much slower coming in You can get up-to-date results on our main page under Canada Votes in the top left hand corner Supporters working at the hall at the Granite Club where Rochefort will later appear The mood is optimistic as a few dozen supporters watch the early returns All that's missing is the candidate these folks have hung their hopes on over a six-week campaign Many of the early arrivers say they are prepared to see the night through and hope for a Rochefort triumph in Nipissing-Timiskaming Stu reports that excitement at the Pauline Rochefort office is high HQ to watch the returns come in with supporters Good evening and welcome to our coverage of the Nipissing-Timiskaming riding that's approximately 30 minutes from now We have reporter Chris Dawson covering the Conservative post-election headquarters and Stu Campaigne will do the same for the Liberals.  We expect to have some early pictures and comments to add to this blog but we have no idea when the candidates will show up to greet supporters We also have our reporter David Briggs covering the NDP More Spotlight > A sergeant with the Ontario Provincial Police for 25 years has been charged with assault following an alleged road rage incident We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentThe accused, who was working in the Temiskaming Shores Detachment, was off duty at the time of the incident, according to a media release issued by the OPP. The Temiskaming Shores OPP responded to an altercation between two motorists in the Town of Temiskaming Shores on March 17 around 3:40 p.m. As a result of the investigation, Bradley Burton, 54, from Temiskaming Shores, was charged with assault. The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Haileybury on April 22. transmission or republication strictly prohibited This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy One person has been found deceased and the search for a second person continues after they were seen falling through thin ice On December 29 at 3 p.m.,  Temiskaming OPP received a call for help after reports that two people had gone through the ice at Pete's Dam Park on Pete's Dam Road in Temiskaming Shores The riverbank  contains a number of hiking trails and flows into Lake Temiskaming The search is continuing for the second person The OPP is asking the public to avoid the area as their investigation continues in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner and Ontario Forensic Pathology Service and the OPP Underwater Search and Recovery Unit began the search for the two with the assistance of the Temiskaming Shores Fire Department and the Temiskaming Emergency Medical Services A new regional animal task force has met and groups have been assigned tasks to solve the problem of pet overpopulation in Temiskaming Shores the regional task force drew people from across the district to its first meeting on February 10 at the Dymond Community Hall "We've got surrenders (of pets to the animal shelters) at an all-time high," said Dwayne Shymko Seven people attended in person and five attended virtually A number of municipalities sent representatives to that first meeting and the vision is that eventually all municipalities will join to implement steps that can help to address the problem Already participating are Temiskaming Shores Also in attendance was Jennifer McEwen of Northern Animals Rescue and Sanctuary groups have been established to investigate funding and grant opportunities; policies and legislation which are being encountered in attempting to deal with the issue; veterinary and animal health support; and community engagement and public awareness One of the suggested steps is for all municipalities across the district to have at least the same basic animal control bylaw Many of the municipalities share an animal control officer and there was general agreement that a harmonized animal control bylaw would simplify the task of enforcing it The high cost of neutering and spaying pets is an obstacle for pet owners People are saying they cannot afford to feed their animals," she said She argued that there is value in helping pet owners who are having financial difficulties to be able to keep their pets "where it is a loving home." There are also pets in shelters that cannot find homes because potential owners can't afford them "There are beautiful dogs out there that people are not adopting," she pointed out The task force discussed the value of having a clear record of the number of homed pets in the district John Shymko outlined his view that pet owners are more responsive to licensing their pets if the licenses are offered free of charge for two or three years He put forward the idea of obtaining sponsorship for spay and neuter clinics McEwen added that if there were vaccination clinics microchipping of the pet could be done at the same time but not all pet owners can afford to take the day off to drive their pet to the clinic Discussion also took place on the point that pet overpopulation in an area is also a health issue for humans Temagami chief administrative officer Laala Jahanshahloo said that is "a good case to bring to the health departments." McEwen noted that the Temiskaming area is "one of the worst for backyard breeders and puppy mills." Canine parvovirus has been "spread all over" by this activity There are small rescues throughout the area but at the Northern Animals Rescue and Sanctuary about 20 to 30 messages are being received each day from people wishing to surrender their animal or have an animal picked up Dwayne Shymko pointed out that difficult economic times are adding to the issue John Shymko also observed that younger dogs are being surrendered as time goes by meaning a pet dog is being given up more easily than in the past "We need to lessen the population but we still have a population we need to address," he said Darlene Wroe is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter with the Temiskaming Speaker The tragic double drowning of a father and his daughter just four days after Christmas has rallied the community of Temiskaming Shores and the surrounding Tri-Town area to support family members tragically lost his life while trying to save his daughter both father and daughter were swept away by the current leaving an indescribable loss for their family and everyone who knew them." The riverbank contains a number of hiking trails with a waterfall that flows into Lake Temiskaming See: One confirmed drowned, another missing after falling through thin ice in Temiskaming Shores "Christian was always putting his loved ones first Maya and Ava," writes Lafond. "His love for his children was immeasurable Christian was also a fiancé to his beloved partner Miranda Mariott "Christian’s smile could light up any room and generosity made him someone everyone could count on willing to lend a hand at any moment." His daughter Maya is described as a loving sixth grader at English Catholic Central School in New Liskeard and known for her laughter and incredibly close bond with her twin sister "Maya’s lighthearted nature and joyful presence brought so much happiness to everyone she met will forever hold their special connection close to her heart," says Lafond and Miranda Mariott along with her son Liam are left to cope with this unimaginable loss they also face the reality of moving forward without the presence of their father "We are coming together to support the families during this incredibly difficult time The financial burden and the everyday needs are overwhelming We hope to raise funds to help alleviate some of these burdens so his family and children can focus on healing and supporting one another." The funds will be distributed equally between Chris's fiance and Maya's mother  The GoFundMe page has already raised over $34,000 of the $50,000 goal In-person donations for those in the New Liskeard area can also be made at OK Tire in New Liskeard Northern OntarioNewsBody of father who went through ice trying to save daughter foundBy Chelsea PapineauPublished: April 16, 2025 at 7:54AM EDT NEW LISKEARD - Two search warrants led to the seizure of $160,000 in drugs along with guns and more in the Temiskaming Shores area.  Two people have been charged after the searches were executed on Feb The first search was at an Armstrong Street residence in New Liskeard with the second happening at a storage facility on Niven Street in Haileybury.  and crack cocaine with a street value estimated at $160,000 were seized Two people from New Liskeard were arrested.  Both of the accused are in police custody and are scheduled to appear in court today (Feb The investigation included the OPP community street crime unit Northeast Region emergency response team and the Temiskaming OPP crime unit None of the charges have been tested in court and the accused are considered innocent unless proven guilty Temiskaming Shores’ council wants to dry up alcohol sales and called upon the province to tighten restrictions The council passed a motion to that effect on September 17 and has forwarded the motion to all municipalities for support Mattawa’s council chose to accept the letter but did not feel the need to support the motion “It’s a touchy subject,” councillor Mathew Gardiner said adding he didn’t agree “with the monopoly that the Beer Store has held over Ontario residents.” He also “enjoys the convenience” of having more locations to purchase alcohol and didn’t feel supporting Temiskaming Shores’ motion was necessary Temiskaming Shores’ motion requested “the Government of Ontario reverse their decision to allow alcohol to be sold in more locations.” If not a full-out reversal the municipality suggested the province permit municipalities to opt out of retail alcohol expansion The motion also wants the province to grant municipalities power to “use zoning to determine where new alcohol retail locations are acceptable,” and to ban the sale of booze at gas stations Temiskaming Shores also called to ban alcohol sales within 150 meters of schools See: 'Largest expansion' of liquor sales since end of prohibition starts today The municipality also called on the province to add health warnings to bottles and cans and dedicate a portion of alcohol revenue to addressing alcohol-related harms the motion asked the province to develop a “comprehensive provincial alcohol strategy that prioritizes health and safety and considers the costs associated with alcohol consumption.” The motion was too far-reaching for Mattawa’s council to swallow as the new model allows more retailers to sell alcohol “and I like to see other businesses have an opportunity to compete in that market,” councillor Gardiner said David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada Northern OntarioNewsVigil planned for drowning victims in Temiskaming Shores, Ont.By Darren MacDonaldPublished: December 31, 2024 at 9:47AM EST The Temiskaming Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is seeking assistance from the public in locating anyone having video/dash camera footage in relation to collisions and erratic driving involving a white Toyota Rav 4 sports utility vehicle (SUV). The incident occurred on Highway 11 and Highway 65 in the Temiskaming Shores area shortly after 1 p.m. the OPP made several attempts to stop the vehicle which resulted in the deployment of a spike belt The suspect vehicle was stopped and the driver was arrested There were no injuries reported however the driver was transported to a local hospital as a precaution If you have any information in relation to the event, please contact the Temiskaming OPP at 1-888-310-1122 and reference occurrence E241708623. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222- 8477 (TIPS) or visit www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000 Northern OntarioNewsBody of one drowning victim recovered in Temiskaming Shores, Ont.By Darren MacDonaldPublished: January 02, 2025 at 10:37AM EST Northern OntarioNewsTwo people feared drowned in Temiskaming Shores, Ont.By Darren MacDonaldPublished: December 30, 2024 at 11:14AM EST Northern OntarioNewsDomestic disturbance in Temiskaming Shores leads to multiple chargesBy Dan BertrandUpdated: February 06, 2025 at 7:26PM EST Published: February 06, 2025 at 11:19PM EST The OPP has arrested and charged one of its own with assault following a road rage incident earlier this month the Temiskaming Shores OPP responded to an altercation between two motorists in Temiskaming Shores is charged with assault," says Acting Sgt Burton was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Haileybury on April 22 He is a sergeant with 25 years of service with the OPP assigned to the Temiskaming Shores detachment Police say he was off duty at the time of the incident More Spotlight > IROQUOIS FALLS — Ontario PC leader Doug Ford announced on Feb 22 a re-elected PC government will prioritize driver safety in the region by expanding Highway 11 We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentThe plan includes adding 220 kilometres of a 2+1 highway design between Temiskaming Shores and Cochrane to improve road conditions and enhance safety for Northern Ontario motorists. “The NDP and Liberals have abandoned Northern Ontario, consistently voting against investments in roads and highways across the region,” Ford said. “Our Ontario PC team is the only party that will invest to improve northern roads and highways, making them safer and more convenient for drivers. We’re also bringing back the Northlander passenger rail service starting next year, nearly 15 years after it was cancelled by the NDP-backed Liberal government.” Ford explained the Ontario PCs have already begun the process of widening Highway 11 from North Bay to Temiskaming Shores. The 220-kilometre extension of the 2+1 highway design will introduce a new passing lane that alternates direction every two to five kilometres, enhancing road safety and improving travel efficiency and convenience for Northern Ontario drivers. Currently, much of Highway 11 remains single lane in each direction, increasing the risk of dangerous overtaking maneuvers and head-on collisions. Harsh Northern Ontario winters further compound these hazards, with heavy snowfall and whiteout conditions often making the highway especially treacherous. A 2018 report by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation indicated between 2013 and 2017, there were 2,758 collisions on Highways 11 and 17, leading to 850 injuries and 34 fatalities. On Nov. 30, 2024, a head-on collision involving two transport trucks took place roughly 18 kilometers west of Hearst. One driver suffered life-altering injuries, while the other driver and a passenger in the second truck sustained minor injuries. The highway was shut down in both directions for approximately 10 hours as investigators worked at the scene. This incident is just one example of the many individuals who have faced life-altering consequences due to the infrastructure challenges on Highway 11, not to mention the disruptions experienced by travelers affected by these accidents. Along with the Highway 11 expansion pledge, Ford also announced due to the investments made by the PC government, the Northlander passenger rail service is on track to re-enter service next year. Ford pointed out this will be its first time back in service after nearly 15 years, as the NDP-backed Liberal government cancelled it. Once fully operational, the Northlander will offer regular train service between Toronto and Cochrane, making 16 stops along the way, including Muskoka, North Bay, Temagami, Temiskaming Shores, Englehart, Kirkland Lake, Matheson, and Timmins. The expansion of Highway 11 and the return of the Northlander passenger rail service are long-awaited developments for Northern Ontario. These projects, which aim to improve road safety and increase transportation options, come as a response to the region’s ongoing infrastructure challenges. While these announcements reflect progress, the continued focus on infrastructure development is crucial. Northern Ontario has faced years of underinvestment, and these projects, though promising, are only part of the larger conversation about the region’s transportation needs. 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By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Northern OntarioNewsHwy. 11 reopened after serious collision near Temiskaming ShoresPublished: January 27, 2025 at 3:58PM EST Toronto-area home sales fall in April as buyers wait out trade uncertainty: board Hamilton schools unite for Mental Health Week awareness Court appoints law firm to represent Hudson’s Bay workers, retirees GO Transit expands Niagara service with more trains May 17 Don Davies named interim NDP leader after Jagmeet Singh’s election defeat Grimsby jewelry store reopens after third robbery this year Four people were found dead after a house fire in the northern Ontario city of Temiskaming Shores with the mayor describing what happened as a tragedy that has shaken the small community Ontario Provincial Police said officers and firefighters responded to the blaze around 5:30 p.m Police said all four people were found dead inside the home “The community is in a bit of shock now,” Mayor Jeff Laferriere said in a phone interview on Friday Siobhan Christo said it took firefighters about half an hour to get the fire under control and it was called fully out in about 75 minutes Police did not identify the victims or their relationship to one another No suspected cause of the fire was immediately released OPP said they are investigating alongside the coroner and the fire marshal “The fire marshal is planning to be in town all day today and again tomorrow,” Christo said “No other information will be released at this time just to ensure that all next of kin have been notified and to maintain the integrity of the investigation.” Laferriere described the city of about 10,000 people perched on the northern shore of Lake Temiskaming the community as a whole mourns the loss of any of our residents,” he said Laferriere said he had visited the scene Thursday night He said the block around the house had been fenced off as authorities investigated “If there’s anything that we can learn going forward then I think that will help just make sure that something like this doesn’t happen again,” Laferriere said This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept Interior Design House is a 12,000 square foot showroom in Burlington that Happy and healthy hair is just a drop away Are you looking for the adventure of a lifetime Mainly cloudy with showers/thunderstorms today and a mild high of 18°C The annual Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides is back for its CHCH-TV started broadcasting in 1954 and is proud to be the news leader for Hamilton and the surrounding Halton and Niagara regions Copyright © 2025 CHCH. All Rights Reserved. ZWD Northern OntarioNewsTraffic complaint leads to impaired driving charges in Temiskaming ShoresBy Dan BertrandPublished: April 19, 2025 at 4:32PM EDT daughter missing after going through ice'A really heartbreaking tragedy,' says Charlie Angus OPP were searching for a father and daughter who went missing on the ice in the Temiskaming Shores area We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentThe North East Region of the OPP posted on social media Sunday that they were conducting an investigation in the area of Pete Dam’s Park They added there is no threat to public safety but did not elaborate in a Facebook post Sunday shared by Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus a woman said the police were looking for a man and one of his twin daughters identified by family members as Christian Bergeron and Maya Bergeron “Earlier today my sister’s fiance and one of his twin daughters went thru the ice at Pete’s Dam Please keep my sister and kids in your thoughts as we hope for their safe recovery while preparing for the worst,” Amanda Rickard wrote Catch up on all the latest news happening throughout Timmins and area with our newsletter you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc The next issue of The Daily Press will soon be in your inbox Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. In a post on Monday, Rickard thanked people for their messages of support, adding, “The helicopters and underwater recovery team started searching again at 8am. No further updates at this time.” Early Monday night, Rickard shared her latest. “We were able to visit the site today and hung 2 stars for Chris and Maya,” she wrote on Facebook, saying there had been no recovery, or updates on the search efforts. “We are in the process of setting up a GoFundMe to help my sister and her family with costs and a vigil for our families as we believe the love and support of our communities is what help us all get thru this incredibly tragic event.” A vigil group organized by Rickard on Facebook later Monday night said a candle-lighting would be held on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Cenotaph in New Liskeard. “We will be lighting candles and celebrating the memory of Chris and Maya who tragically went through the ice,” the Facebook post reads. In a post on Tuesday, Rickard said the OPP would search using drones. Angus called it “a really heartbreaking tragedy” and urged people to be cautious around water. “Please stay off the ice. It’s not solid. I have watched too many people go out on the ice as the temperatures have risen,” he wrote. This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Snow covers the site of the old sawmill site in Temiskaming Shores The abandoned pulp-and-paper factory on Temiskaming Shores’ waterfront is a reminder of the town’s history producing particle board It also now serves as a reminder of how the protection of a community’s drinking water was entrusted for more than a decade to reputed serial fraudster Arash Missaghi Missaghi purchased the land on which the factory sat for $2 in 2012 But the paltry price tag came with a commitment by the Toronto man and the corporation that he controlled that a reserve of several millions of dollars would be deployed to ensure the hazardous chemicals on the site did not run into the local creeks that drain into Lake Temiskaming In 2015, three years after the purchase, police in the Northern Ontario town arrested Mr Prosecutors alleged in court that Mansteel accessed the reserve money without doing the required cleanup work while leaving contractors unpaid in the process That case came at the same time that various regulatory bodies in Toronto were faulting other companies connected to Mr Missaghi for a number of other illicit schemes They included funneling the retirement savings of scores of people into mortgage mega-loans for Missaghi-controlled properties – including the Temiskaming industrial lands which were being touted at the time as a multimillion-dollar opportunity A Globe and Mail investigation this month revealed Ontario police charged Mr mostly frauds but also several violent offences Prosecutors never won a single criminal conviction against him in court This track record of futility includes the nine fraud-related counts laid in 2015 against him involving the Temiskaming Shores industrial site Missaghi was shot and killed in his office this past June by a man who was the victim of another Missaghi-led mortgage investment fraud Provincial officials say they are now managing the environmental threats posed by the Temiskaming Shores site but they have no plans to take over the land “Leachate is being controlled by a vendor retained by the ministry to ensure there is no risk to people and the environment,” said Lindsay Davidson a spokesman for the Ontario Ministry of the Environment “The ministry is not the owner of the site and does not have the power to expropriate the land,” he said no one knows who – if anyone – would want to take over the land said the sawmill site should be reimagined as a public park but instead it is a case study in lingering contamination and delayed environmental enforcement but if this lake turns contaminated – you have just destroyed this whole region.” To protect the town’s water supply from the hazardous chemicals that can seep from the old sawmill’s hilltop landfill large leachate ponds and pumps were put into place decades ago to channel the runoff into liquid waste that can be hauled away But provincial inspectors have long expressed worries these systems have been degrading Missaghi was routinely sanctioned for breaking environmental laws between 2014 and 2024 Inspectors who went to the site wrote reports accusing Mr Missaghi of not fulfilling his obligation to address the contamination highlighting issues that included overfilling leachate ponds and a spill found to be “acutely toxic to aquatic organisms.” Records filed in tribunals and courts show Mr Missaghi hired contractors to do some environmental work but the work often went unfinished under his watch Several contractors complained remediation work and groundwater monitoring went uncompleted because Mr Missaghi wrote back complaining the province’s orders were imposing “undo” costs and arguing he was taking corrective steps But provincial officials replied in turn that Mr that many of his promises were at odds with official inspections and that his leachate-management equipment was often broken down “The discharge from the sewage works is likely to injure damage or endanger water,” reads an official Ministry of the Environment finding Provincial police laid charges in 2015 against Mr alleging he violated the purchase agreement he crafted with the site’s former owner including stewardship of the multimillion-dollar cleanup funds set aside to fulfill provincial cleanup orders $3.5-million plus $455,000 in HST – known as the environmental lump sum – was released to Mansteel New Liskeard Inc.,” said prosecutor Serge Hamel during Mr Hamel told the court the purchase agreement also gave control to Mansteel of a separate one held in a third-party escrow account that was to be released upon completion of all necessary work secured $1.191-million of the escrow fund by submitting fake accounts to the escrow agent,” Mr The Crown attorney added that “essentially the police view is that the intent was simply to get the money and not to pay any of a number of contractors.” But like all the other criminal charges against Mr Missaghi over 25 years of alleged fraud schemes the criminal case in Temiskaming Shores melted away Missaghi and his co-accused – including his wife and two alleged associates – did not get past the pretrial phase in part because a court concluded matters were likely more suited for civil litigation The criminal case ended in 2017 with a plea deal arrangement where Mansteel pleaded guilty as a corporate entity to two counts of fraud the provincial government levied a $330,000 fine for breaches of environmental laws against Mr Officials will not say whether this fine was ever paid one local contractor who says he was bilked by Mr Missaghi remains mystified why a company – but never any individual – was held accountable in criminal court Speaking to The Globe at his home in Temiskaming Shores Missaghi hired his excavation company to dig out new leachate ponds in 2014 The contractor said he is still owed $250,000 for his work funds he has never recovered despite instigating a civil suit against Mansteel and being named as a victim in the failed criminal case Jenkins said prosecutors never invited him to court nor told him why their case collapsed “There’s a mountain of contamination,” he said the Ministry of the Environment said in a public notice that it had notified his estate that it would take over available remaining cleanup funds in an effort to forestall potential disasters The government was told by a lawyer representing Mr Missaghi’s company that money had run out to operate the leachate system “Once operation of the leachate management system ceases it is expected that the pump stations will imminently overflow resulting in an uncontrolled discharge of untreated a member of Parliament who represents a neighbouring Northern Ontario riding said Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government needs to act urgently to correct for years of lax law enforcement by taking greater stewardship of the polluted lands and their cleanup “It’s an environmental disaster zone right in the centre of a small community,” he said Report an editorial error Report a technical issue Editorial code of conduct Authors and topics you follow will be added to your personal news feed in Following Colin Freeze has been reporting on breaking news and crime justice and security issues for The Globe and Mail for 25 years He is a document digger who works to uncover hard-to-access government documents and court filings and who has specialized in covering police and security agencies he is reporting on the problem of unproclaimed laws in Canada and a Canadian man who is at the centre of a international probe for allegedly shipping substances used in suicides In 2015, he published a series investigating how Robert E. 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For more information on our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines and our Terms and Conditions Sign In Register — Search efforts continued Thursday for one of two people seen going through the ice in the northern Ontario community of Temiskaming Shores over the weekend Ontario Provincial Police said someone reported seeing two people go through the ice at Pete's Dam Park on Sunday afternoon setting off a search that involved emergency response as well as underwater search and recovery units One person was found dead on New Year's Day OPP said they do not publicly identify victims of accidental deaths but said the person who was found was the younger of the pair An online fundraiser on behalf of relatives said the two are a father and daughter Martin Thibault said high currents and large amounts of rain have made the search particularly challenging Police are asking people to avoid the area during the investigation The Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service have been called in This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan Nature and environment news and inspiration for people who love to get outside Untangle the thorny process of cottage succession with expert advice from lawyer Canada's largest abandoned mansion sits on 43 acres of land and is perched on Lake Temiskaming’s shores Texas entrepreneur Chris Fischer recently purchased the structure It was eventually sold to an investment firm who then sold it to Fischer via a vendor take-back mortgage Fischer wants to restore the mansion and has plans to turn the project into a TV show He and his family are pictured here at the site Scrolling through YouTube one night during the pandemic Texas entrepreneur Chris Fischer clicked on a video entitled “Largest Abandoned Mansion in Canada.” The video showed a YouTuber sneaking through a chain-link fence to explore the Grant mansion behemoth on the shores of Lake Temiskaming about an hour-and-a-half drive north of North Bay the Grant mansion is said to be both the largest home in Canada and the largest abandoned home in Canada The residence has been sitting empty since 2008 The video Fischer was watching panned over water damaged ceilings graffiti scribbled on the building’s circular walls But what Fischer couldn’t get over was the structure and the whole thing’s sitting on bedrock,” he says Fischer was suddenly hooked on the idea of overhauling the place imagining what he could do with a property like that He pulled up other videos and dove deep into the history of the mansion he was determined to track down the owners The original owner of the mansion was Peter Grant a Canadian lumber magnate who ran Grant Forest Products it was North America’s third-largest producer of oriented strand board an engineered wood (similar to plywood) used in the construction of walls Grant Forest Products owned two mills in Ontario Grant was said to be the 87th richest person in Canada Fischer says he heard a rumour that Grant’s company was making $1 million a day 5 ways to build a cottage that’ll last a lifetime buying the plot of land on Lake Temiskaming for $110,000 The mansion was intended to act as a residence and a space to showcase Grant Forest’s products The mansion was supposed to have an art gallery But the mansion was abandoned before it was finished The 2008 financial crisis wiped Grant Forest Products out Grant had spent $72 million on the mansion Grant was forced to sell off the company’s mills as well as the mansion Toronto investment firm Crown Capital swooped in and purchased the property Rather than complete work on the mansion—Fischer estimates it was about 80 per cent done—the property sat untouched Crown Capital’s only addition was a chain-linked fence with barbed wire and several security cameras The mansion remained untouched until February 2022 after a month and a half of trying to track down its owners Fischer met with Crown Capital and brokered a deal He’s now the official owner of Canada’s largest mansion Fischer says he can’t disclose how much he paid for the property but he purchased it through a vendor take-back mortgage “We do that a lot here in the U.S.,” he says You’re paying installments to the owner instead of a bank.” How an unusual mortgage arrangement allowed this buyer to land his dream cabin Fischer grew up working at a fish processing plant in Alaska so he was forced to be resourceful with what he had “I know a million and one ways to use a forklift,” he says He took this scrappy attitude with him when he later transitioned into construction he’s never quite tackled a project like the Grant mansion But figuring out how to renovate the building is what makes it interesting He’s partnered with a couple of Canadian producers and they’re currently pitching Mansion Impossible to different networks The show would follow Fischer and his family as they work to restore the Grant mansion Fischer adds that part of the show would be about experiencing Northern Ontario by meeting with locals and visiting nearby businesses He hopes to even go on an archeological dig in an old dump site—apparently a pastime he’s seen on YouTube He can’t go too in depth about his plan for the mansion without spoiling the show but it will likely be a lodge-style facility with high-end amenities He hopes the finished product will be something the local community is proud of—something that maybe even Peter Grant would be proud of Cottage building materials that are better for the environment Fischer says he’d love the chance to meet Grant one day to ask him questions about the mansion, such as why he built three outdoor pools in Northern Ontario, why every room has a light sensor, and why he chose bulletproof glass for the windows. But most of all, Fischer wants to know why Grant built it where he did. “He could have built that mansion anywhere,” Fischer says. “But the big story with Peter is that he was loyal to this town. He wanted to put his money back into it. ” Considering Grant still lives in the area, maybe a meet-up would make for a good final episode. The latest cottage-country news, trending stories, and how-to advice Fix-it info, project ideas, and maintenance tips from our DIY experts Need-to-know info about buying, selling, and renting cottage real estate Untangle the thorny process of cottage succession with expert advice from lawyer, Peter Lillico The Temiskaming OPP announced Wednesday that one person had been found deceased and the search for second person continues after they were observed going through the ice We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentOPP Constable Martin Thibault told The Daily Press that unlike deaths due to criminal acts it is their policy not to share the identities of victims in accidental deaths to protect the identity of the families involved A Dad and daughter went through at Pete’s Dams In Temiskaming Shores I have watched too many people go out on the ice as the temperatures have risen.” As of Thursday, the campaign had raised $29,393 and the goal increased from $30,000 to $50,000. On December 29, 2024, at approximately 3:00 p.m., The Temiskaming Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a call for assistance after reports of two people had gone through the ice at Pete’s Dam Park, on Pete’s Dam Road in the City of Temiskaming Shores. The Temiskaming OPP, OPP North East Emergency Response Team (ERT), and the OPP Underwater Search and Recovery Unit (USRU) began the search of the two individuals with the assistance of the Temiskaming Shores Fire Department and the Temiskaming Emergency Medical Services (EMS). “We have emergency response teams that are equipped with RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems), but they are drones, and they were utilized in the search,” confirmed Thibault. The search continued Wednesday for the second person. The OPP are asking the public to avoid the area as they continue their investigation in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner and Ontario Forensic Pathology Service. Thibault says no ice is safe until it’s tested. This can be accomplished with ice augers to drill a hole and measure the ice, an axe or a chain saw. “It’s the responsibility of the individual using the ice, we don’t have anyone assigned to test ice, that’s up to everybody that’s venturing out on frozen bodies of water,” he said. A creek, such as Pete’s Dam is even less likely to be safe. “Anytime there’s movement of water it adds a risk to the building of ice because the current will slow down the process of freezing,” Thibaut said, adding the unusually warm days in December makes all ice conditions unsafe right now. “That’s why we’re recommending people stay off unless they’re proficient at testing the thickness.” Thibault stressed ice testing has to be combined with a person’s familiarity and past experience with a body of water. “Every body of water is different. You have some lakes that have streams that will affect the thickness of the ice in some spots. There’s no consistent spots. There could be five inches (of ice) in one spot and two inches in another spot, just because of the underground springs. “If it’s a river or creek, there’s the problem of flowing water that slows down the freezing process.” “There’s no safe ice unless it’s tested and you are assured it’s good ice as well.” Editor's Note: The highway has reopened A serious crash has closed a large section of Highway 11.  The road is closed in both directions from Temiskaming Shores to North Bay Winter weather alerts and advisories are in effect for much of the north.  Many roads in the north have been closed due to poor driving conditions.  4 months agoDuration 3:11Dashcam captures road rage on northern Ontario highway4 months agoNewsDuration 3:11James Turner captured this dashcam footage of a road rage incident along Highway 11 near Temiskaming Shores on Monday, Dec. 30, where he was the victim as another vehicle rammed his car deliberately. If you own an RV in Whitehorse that needs service, expect delays30 minutes agoVideo1:47 Ice cream back on the menu in Dawson City, Yukon, as shops open for the season34 minutes agoVideo0:56 Video evidence, NHLer testimony raise questions in world junior sexual assault trialThe National |May 2Video4:45 Trump repeats 51st state taunt as Carney prepares for White House visitThe National |May 5Video3:37 Stepfather of missing Nova Scotia children calls on public's helpMay 5Video11:28 It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem Northern OntarioNewsOne arrested following terrifying road rage incident on Hwy. 11 in northern Ont.By Darren MacDonaldPublished: December 31, 2024 at 12:17PM EST Northern OntarioNewsFour adults perished in fatal New Liskeard fire, police sayBy Chelsea PapineauPublished: October 01, 2024 at 12:26PM EDT Northern OntarioNewsFeds announce $20M to complete construction of northern Ont. cobalt refineryBy Darren MacDonaldPublished: March 21, 2025 at 12:53PM EDT Northern OntarioNewsOff-duty OPP sergeant charged in road rage case in northern Ont.By Darren MacDonaldPublished: March 26, 2025 at 12:11PM EDT — Four people were located deceased in a structure fire in downtown New Liskeard the Temiskaming Ontario Provincial Police and the Temiskaming Shores Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Paget Street South in New Liskeard Four people were located deceased in the residence While the investigation is still in the preliminary stages police believe there is no risk to the public at this time Community members can expect to see an increased presence of OPP personnel and vehicles in the area as the investigation continues The investigation continues with the assistance of the Temiskaming OPP Crime Unit and the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Services Any person with information regarding this incident should immediately contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122 you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222- 8477 (TIPS) Northern OntarioNewsNorthern Ont. victim lost $74K in fraud case, suspect chargedBy Darren MacDonaldPublished: March 17, 2025 at 8:38AM EDT Northern OntarioNewsSuspect charged in northern Ont. road rage incident that went viralBy Darren MacDonaldPublished: January 03, 2025 at 8:47AM EST Northern OntarioNewsNorthern Ont. man, 18, charged with attempted murder in attack on ex-girlfriendBy Chelsea PapineauPublished: November 05, 2024 at 11:42AM EST TEMISKAMING SHORES - Temiskaming OPP has arrested a man after a complaint of a driver sleeping behind the wheel at an intersection police received a call from a motorist about a driver sleeping behind the wheel at an intersection on Development Road in Harley Township the OPP located and stopped the vehicle on Highway 11 in Temiskaming Shores The driver was arrested for impaired and taken to the Temiskaming Detachment for further testing A 21-year-old from New Liskeard is charged with operation while impaired - alcohol and operation while impaired -blood alcohol concentration (80 plus) Their licence was suspended for 90 days and the vehicle was impounded for seven days The accused is scheduled to appear in a Haileybury court on Jan Northern OntarioNewsSearch warrants uncover weapons, $160K in drugs in northern Ont.By Darren MacDonaldPublished: February 14, 2025 at 11:40AM EST TEMISKAMING SHORES - Nancy Frey and her husband Alain Breault of Temiskaming Shores have seen a whirlwind of success since beginning to build their farm-to-table business, Breault Family Farm The past few years have seen many landmark moments for the farm including its “official” creation in 2023 as a separate entity to Breault Stock Farm Other successes include their online store, established in 2021, and an onsite store built in 2022, complete with walk-in freezer and freezer trailer funded by a Sustainable New Agri-Food Products and Productivity (SNAPP) grant from Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN) Breault Family Farm is a major local food hub and marketplace for the Temiskaming area and beyond Pork sales have climbed a whopping 300 per cent “What we’re doing is really resonating with people and the growth is proof of that,” Frey said from her home on the farm which is located on a beautiful 110-acre plot of prime agricultural land a short distance from downtown New Liskeard “We can’t meet demand,” said Frey who has sold around 1,300 chickens so far this year “We’re out of eggs every day.” Frey attributes the resonance to the rapidly growing local food movement as well as the quality and accessibility of their pasture-raised meat products “We have a large catchment area because no one else is doing it at the scale we’re doing it.” The success is also due to Frey’s keen business acumen and willingness to meet the demands of the local market Though it was a “huge loss” for Breault and Frey the 2019 fire provided them with the opportunity to rebrand and reinvent their business model who currently works part-time for a not-for-profit honed her business savvy through her career in banking Her experience made her hesitant to take on debt to rebuild her farm so close to retirement “I knew we had to do something different,” Frey said “My husband will put his head down and work harder ‘We have to work smarter.’” It was Alain’s daughter, Jessica Cooper, owner of the family-run Cooperstead Farms in Callander who first suggested selling directly to the customer as a farm-to-table business in addition to selling “stocker” cattle to markets down south Frey found the potential of the farm-to-table model appealing because like many farmers who often find themselves at the bottom of the corporate food chain Breault Stock Farm had been barely making ends meet “A lot of farmers are price-takers,” Frey said “And I wanted to be a price-maker.… I don’t want to be just taking what the big guys will give me for all the work we’re doing.” Frey took inspiration from southern farm-to-table businesses she’d seen having success on social media “It was the classic case of turning lemons into lemonade.” Frey started off small, selling ground beef and stewing beef to the local Riverside Farmers Market But she quickly expanded to things like roasts and steaks to meet customer demand Success at the market sparked the idea to commission a professionally designed store website for Breault Family Farm which caused a sales jump of 300 per cent in its first year The website sells individual portions of steak the website features a huge array of different options for larger beef boxes and Chicken Pie by Frey’s grandmother whether from Breault Family Farm or sourced from nearby farms is pasture-raised — an important part of the business’ philosophy believe raising animals on pasture is central to the animals’ health and the resulting nutritional value of their meat meat birds are often confined to large barns while laying hens are typically kept in small cages The onsite farm store followed on the heels of the website and features products from many different local sellers It also sells specialty beef tallow skincare products processed and packaged by Frey on the farm SEE: ‘A Day in Farm Country’ draws curious crowds in support of Temiskaming agriculture Initially, Frey shied away from selling perishable local produce in the store, but quickly changed her mind when she saw the demand. The farm’s pricing on things like cabbage, lettuce, corn on the cob, potatoes, and strawberries is often competitive with economy shopping options like Wal-Mart. The farm store also offers discounted produce from the week before. Becoming a community sales hub wasn’t an original part of the Breault Family Farm business model, but Frey realized the advantages after initially taking on pork and turkey from Cooperstead Farm. After selling out their entire supply of bacon in 24 hours, they decided to expand sales to meet the demand. “(The farm store) started to become a collaborative effort,” said Frey. “And the store is helping other farmers, young farmers who are intimidated by the retail side of things.”​ ​Breault and Frey don’t have any future plans to change their business model to acquire a larger farm. They hope to fine-tune the one they currently have by focusing on expense control. “This is the stage of business when the biggest mistakes are made — during rapid growth,” Frey said. Ideally, she’d also like the farm to contribute to ongoing efforts, led by the area's municipalities, to boost agri-tourism in the area, including networking between fish camps and cottage rentals. Frey and Breault also dream of creating a true succession business by one day passing the Breault Family Farm legacy down to the next generation. the Temiskaming Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Temiskaming Shores Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Paget Street South in New Liskeard We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentThe investigation is continuing with the assistance of the Temiskaming OPP Crime Unit, OPP Forensic Identification Services (FIS), the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM), and the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Services (OCCO-OFPS). While the investigation is still in the preliminary stages, police believe there is no risk to the public at this time. Members of the community can expect to see an increased presence of OPP personnel and vehicles in the area as the investigation continues. Any person with information regarding this incident should immediately contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222- 8477 (TIPS), where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000. (Catch up on what is happening throughout the North Bay area with our noon-hour roundup. Click here to sign up for the free newsletter which will be delivered to your inbox every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.) This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.