🚨 Crime & Public Safety
- Judge finds 65-year-old Juan Antonio Avalos guilty of manslaughter for 2004 killing. The uncontested, judge-alone trial returned a manslaughter verdict 22 years after the death of 26-year-old Rosaura Tolentino Ramos; Avalos was extradited from El Salvador in August 2024. Crown counsels Scott Arnold and Ysolt Brar read an uncontested statement of facts; defence counsel Ian McCuaig called no evidence.
- Seven people face 82 charges after a July kidnapping probe that recovered military ammunition. Toronto police say the investigation began July 25 near Finch and Bayview and identified three suspects who are Canadian Armed Forces members, including Bombardiers Sachintha Fernando and James Moreau; Jack Milley, 24, was also named. Police allege the victim was abducted at gunpoint while suspects sought access to cryptocurrency assets.
- Key witness Arsalan Chaudhary continues testimony at Parmpal Sidhu trial over $22 million Pearson gold heist. Chaudhary, who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years this spring, testified he took 30 per cent of the stolen boxes; Peel police say 6,600 gold bars weighing over 400 kilograms were taken on April 17, 2023.
🏛️ Government & Politics
- Liberals accuse Ford government of ties to career colleges amid OSAP suspension of six schools. The province suspended six private career colleges from OSAP in early October and launched a sector-wide audit; Liberal leader John Fraser and critic Tyler Watt cited lobbyists and donations linked to one school and called the findings “at worst, potential corruption.”
- Ottawa threatens legal action as Stelco defends layoffs affecting up to 500 workers. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly gave Stelco five days to respond after alleging breaches of commitments under the Investment Canada Act; Stelco said in a Oct. 9 letter the government’s accusations are “false” after the company shifted production to Haldimand and halted Hamilton operations.
🎨 Community & Culture
- Rosedale Heights founding principal Barrie Sketchley, TDSB’s longest-serving principal, dies at 85. Sketchley led Rosedale Heights School of the Arts for 34 years and spent 42 years in TDSB administration; the school celebrated his retention until retirement after a 2025 transfer dispute that prompted a student walkout.
- Second Harvest receives $60,000 donation after catalytic converters stolen from seven trucks. CEO Lori Nikkel said suspects cut converters out of seven Toronto trucks on Sunday, rendering them out of service ahead of Thanksgiving distributions; Aurora Importing’s president Joe Moscato announced a $60,000 donation to begin repairs.
🏈 Sports
- NHL professionalization of emergency backup role gives 32 EBUGs — including a Torontonian — a new shot. Brendan Bonello, 27, is serving as Toronto’s emergency backup under rules requiring teams to carry EBUGs who haven’t played in the NHL under standard contracts and have 80 or fewer professional games.
- Raptors emphasize three-pointers after 148-98 preseason win; Kawhi Leonard attempted eight threes. Toronto took 44 three-point attempts against the New York Knicks in the lopsided preseason win; Scottie Barnes and Leonard discussed spacing and kickouts, with Leonard 4-for-8 from deep in that game.
📰 Also Today
- Phillies hire Don Mattingly on a two-year deal, naming him full-time manager.
- Second Harvest catalytic converter thefts reported Sunday, affecting seven trucks.
- Neurologist testifies at coroner’s inquest into a Toronto woman’s fatal balcony fall.
- Third Canadian Armed Forces member charged in kidnapping probe, Toronto police say.
- Farm Boy, L'Ancêtre and Life Smart cheeses recalled for possible Listeria contamination.
- Cyclist protest blocks province from removing Etobicoke bike lane, protesters say.
- Former Air Canada employee’s trial features PTSD defence in Toronto airport gold heist plot case.
- Endorsements from Blue Rodeo and Rush discussed in Toronto mayoral race coverage.
- FBI arrests Canadian cybersecurity expert tied to ShinyHunters, U.S. authorities report.
- Eighteen candidates competing for a Toronto council seat, profile piece.
- Kawhi Leonard receives warm welcome at Raptors re-debut in preseason.
- Widow describes loss at sentencing of man killed in head-on crash, victim impact statement given.
- An 11- and 9-year-old took parents’ car and crashed into a cornfield, OPP report.
- Hamilton police rescue six puppies, six surviving puppies received veterinary care.
- Lotto Max jackpot hits $90 million, Canada’s largest lottery prize announced.
- York Regional Police seek suspect in Vaughan arson and shooting, surveillance video released.
- OPP reviewing OSAP allegations at career colleges, no formal probe launched yet.
- (duplicate) Airport gold heist trial includes former Air Canada employee testimony.
- (duplicate) Trial of accused in Pearson gold heist hears from jailed participant.
