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Daily Toronto Oct 5 - Oct 5, 2026

Fatal Vehicle Fire Arrests, Air Ambulance Search Suspended & Inspector Charged — Toronto Monday

24 articles 1 hour ago 0

🚑 Breaking & Incidents

  1. Two arrested after body found in burnt-out car; third suspect wanted. Police responded to a vehicle fire near Reesor Road and Steeles Ave. E. on Sept. 21 and discovered the body of 32-year-old Marcus Charles; Rushon Powell, 25, faces first-degree murder and Shakurwa Jeffrey, 25, faces accessory-after-the-fact charges while 25-year-old Devondre Hall is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant.

  2. U.S. Coast Guard suspends search for missing Ontario air ambulance; six presumed dead. The search was suspended after agencies scoured more than 7,000 kilometres for the jet that went missing flying from Bermuda to Boston; a debris field about 32 kilometres off Nantucket was confirmed to be from the aircraft and four Canadians were among the six people aboard.

🚨 Crime & Public Safety

  1. Toronto police inspector charged with impaired driving after found asleep behind wheel. Insp. Michael Hayles, 51, assigned to 55 Division, was arrested shortly after 6 a.m. near Laird Drive and Eglinton Ave. E. and charged with impaired operation/conveyance and exceed blood-alcohol concentration; Hayles has been suspended with pay under the Community Safety and Policing Act.

  2. Two Canadian Armed Forces members arrested in Toronto on organized-crime and kidnapping-related charges. Bombardiers Sachintha Fernando and James Moreau, both reservists with the 7th Toronto Regiment, were arrested by Toronto police on Aug. 11 and face charges linked to organized crime, kidnapping and theft of firearms; both were removed from duties and access to CAF facilities was restricted pending an administrative review.

  3. Ajax man found guilty of second-degree murder in girlfriend's 2024 death. A jury convicted Kyle Severin after six hours of deliberation for the March 30, 2024 killing of 45-year-old Jennifer Polak; the jury rejected the defence of extreme intoxication and Severin will face sentencing after the verdict.

🎨 Community & Culture

  1. Family ‘absolutely devastated’ after prize-winning rabbit Biscuit stolen at Markham Fair. Biscuit, a Holland Lop entered by a 10-year-old girl, won first place and was taken from the pet and poultry building on the evening of Oct. 3, fair organizers said; volunteers discovered the empty cage and police were notified.

  2. Alex Ovechkin will play nine Canadian games in his final NHL season, including two in Toronto. The Washington Capitals captain announced the 2026-27 season will be his 22nd and last, with Toronto dates on Dec. 21 and March 28 and Ottawa hosting his first Canadian game on Nov. 10.

📰 Also Today

  • Blind voter argues accessible voting rights were denied at Ontario tribunal.
  • Liberals ask auditor general to probe OSAP spending at private career colleges.
  • Environment Canada issues GTA's first frost advisory of the season.
  • Toronto Public Health reports rising mpox cases, urges eligible people to get vaccine.
  • Crown says DNA helped ID man now on trial for decades-old child sex assaults.
  • Inspector charged with impaired driving (separate notice).
  • Poll: three candidates vying for front-runner status in Mississauga mayoral race.
  • Two Canadian Armed Forces members arrested in organized-crime, kidnapping probe, DND says.
  • Company says crew and passengers of downed medical transport jet are likely dead.
  • University of Toronto launches $100M scholarship program to attract PhD talent to Canada.
  • Province to expand Highway 400 with one HOV lane each direction in King, Ont.
  • Water-main break and flooding close Scarborough intersection.
  • $100K Giller Prize announces five-title shortlist for 2026.
  • Trial to begin for man accused in Pearson gold heist.
  • Heritage home threatened by Toronto's electricity infrastructure needs.
  • Kaylee Hunter's late goal lifts AFC Toronto over Vancouver Rise.
  • New research flags kids' and young adults' screen addiction as a public health concern.

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Source Articles (24)

Kids and young adults are addicted to screens. New research argues it may be a public health concern

The physical and mental well-being of millions of kids around the world may be at risk because of excess screen time, according to global data analyzed for a new series of research papers published Sunday by medical journal The Lancet. But researchers say they need to see tech companies' own user data to determine just how severe an issue it may be.

General Oct 5, 2026

Kaylee Hunter's late goal lifts AFC Toronto over Vancouver Rise

Kaylee Hunter scored in the 100th minute as AFC Toronto edged the visiting Vancouver Rise 2-1 on Sunday at York Lions Stadium.

General Oct 5, 2026

This heritage home may be paying the price of Toronto's electricity needs

A 145-year-old home near Kensington Market may soon be demolished — despite its status as a listed heritage site — after the building was reportedly bought earlier this year by Hydro One.

General Oct 5, 2026

Trial to begin for man accused in Pearson gold heist

A trial is set to begin today in Brampton, Ont., for a man accused in what investigators have called one of the largest gold heists in Canadian history. The trial comes soon after prosecutors dropped the charges against two other men accused in the case.

General Oct 5, 2026

$100K Giller Prize announces 5-title shortlist for 2026

The Giller Prize annually recognizes the best in Canadian fiction. The five authors shortlisted are Tara Gereaux, Michelle Good, Nicholas Herring, Nazanine Hozar and Patmeena Sabit.

General Oct 5, 2026

Water main break, flooding closes down Scarborough intersection

A water main break and sinkhole have closed down a busy Scarborough intersection early Monday morning, police said.

General Oct 5, 2026

Highway 400 to be expanded, including 1 HOV lane in each direction, in King, Ont.: province

Ontario's Highway 400 is set to be expanded near the King township, north of Toronto, the province announced Monday.

General Oct 5, 2026

University of Toronto launches $100M scholarship program to attract PhD talent to Canada

The University of Toronto says it's launching a new $100 million scholarship program designed to attract PhD talent to Canada.

General Oct 5, 2026

'Heartbreaking reality': Crew, passengers of downed medical transport jet are likely dead, company says

The decision by the U.S. Coast Guard to end the search for the crew and passengers of a medical transport jet out of Hamilton, Ont., means it's time to accept that the four Canadians and two Bermudians on board didn't survive, says the company that operated the jet.

General Oct 5, 2026
Ajax man found guilty of second-degree murder of girlfriend, jury rejects intoxication defence

Ajax man found guilty of second-degree murder of girlfriend, jury rejects intoxication defence

Second-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence. The issue the judge must decide is a parole ineligibility period between 10 and 25 years.

Crime Oct 5, 2026
U.S. Coast Guard suspends search for missing Ontario air ambulance

U.S. Coast Guard suspends search for missing Ontario air ambulance

The U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search for six people, including four Canadians, who were aboard a missing medical transport aircraft off the coast of Nantucket.

Canada Oct 5, 2026
Alex Ovechkin to play nine more games in Canada

Alex Ovechkin to play nine more games in Canada

Alex Ovechkin has announced the 2026-27 NHL season will be his last.

Sports Oct 5, 2026

2 Canadian Armed Forces members arrested in organized crime, kidnapping probe, DND says

The Department of National Defence says two members of the Canadian Armed Forces were arrested by Toronto police on charges related to organized crime, kidnapping and firearms theft.

General Oct 5, 2026

3 candidates vying for front-runner status ahead of Mississauga election: poll

It's going to be a tight mayoral race in Mississauga with three candidates, including the current and former mayors, now neck and neck among decided and leaning voters, a new poll suggests.

General Oct 5, 2026

Toronto police inspector charged with 2 counts of impaired driving

A Toronto police officer has been charged with two counts of impaired driving after a person was reportedly found asleep behind the wheel of a stopped vehicle in Leaside on the weekend.

General Oct 5, 2026

Crown says DNA evidence helped ID man now on trial for decades-old sex assaults against children

Prosecutors told a jury in Brampton, Ont., on Monday, how DNA evidence had linked three brutal attacks against children in the 1990s to Richard Neil, now 67 and on trial for charges including kidnapping, sexual assault causing bodily harm and administering a stupefying drug.

General Oct 5, 2026

Toronto Public Health says mpox cases on the rise, urges vaccine for those eligible

Toronto public health officials say they are seeing a rise in mpox infections in the city and are urging eligible residents to get vaccinated.

General Oct 5, 2026

Environment Canada issues GTA's 1st frost advisory of the season

The Greater Toronto Area is set to see its first near-freezing temperatures of the season Monday, Environment Canada says.

General Oct 5, 2026

Liberals ask auditor general to investigate OSAP spending at private career colleges

The Ontario Liberals are asking the auditor general to investigate provincial student financial aid spending at private career colleges.

General Oct 5, 2026

Blind voter argues at Ontario tribunal that his accessible voting rights were denied

A blind voter told an Ontario Human Rights Tribunal hearing on Monday that Elections Ontario has failed to ensure he can mark and cast his ballot independently and privately.

General Oct 5, 2026
2 Canadian soldiers arrested by Toronto police on organized crime charges

2 Canadian soldiers arrested by Toronto police on organized crime charges

Two Canadian Armed Forces members stationed in Toronto are facing several charges connected to organized crime, kidnapping and theft.

Crime Oct 5, 2026
Family ‘absolutely devastated’ after Biscuit the bunny stolen at Markham Fair

Family ‘absolutely devastated’ after Biscuit the bunny stolen at Markham Fair

Biscuit was reported missing this weekend by organizers of the Markham Fair after its owners entered it into a contest.

Canada Oct 5, 2026
Toronto police officer faces impaired driving charge after found asleep behind wheel

Toronto police officer faces impaired driving charge after found asleep behind wheel

The 51-year-old inspector has been with the police for 30 years and was assigned to 55 Division. He has been suspended with pay.

Crime Oct 5, 2026
Toronto pair charged for fatal vehicle fire, 1 suspect wanted

Toronto pair charged for fatal vehicle fire, 1 suspect wanted

Toronto police responded to a vehicle fire last month and when crews arrived on scene, the body of a man was found inside.

Crime Oct 5, 2026