Storm outages, Two Ottawa men wanted & Sutcliffe safety pledge — Ottawa Thursday

🚑 Breaking & Incidents

1. Thousands remain without power after severe southern Ontario storm. Toronto Hydro said about 8,300 customers and Hydro One reported more than 58,000 customers remained offline after Wednesday’s storm; localized flooding closed parts of Yonge Street and the Don Valley Parkway.
2. Tree crushes front yard in Leaside during storm as homeowner proposes. A maple limb from city-owned boulevard fell onto Stephen Armstrong’s property during Wednesday’s storm; Armstrong proposed to his girlfriend amid the damage and she accepted.

🏛️ Government & Politics

1. Mayor Mark Sutcliffe pledges more police and a 'downtown safety czar' if re-elected. Sutcliffe made the announcement as part of his re-election platform; he framed the measures as targeted to downtown Ottawa safety concerns.
2. Voters head to polls in three Ontario byelections today. Byelections are underway in Hamilton-Stoney Creek, Scarborough Southwest and York-Simcoe with polls open 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
3. Doug Ford defends $25,000 Lake Ontario sign as 'worth' the cost. The premier said the $25,000 sign created international media attention and provided promotional value following a U.S. executive order renaming the lake.
4. Dutch central bank moved billions in gold, Ottawa holdings reduced to 18.5%. Between March and August the bank transferred 86 metric tons to London; Ottawa now holds 18.5% of the bank’s foreign gold reserves.

🚨 Crime & Public Safety

1. Two Ottawa men wanted on first-degree murder warrants in Perth homicide. OPP named Joseph Madore, 34, and Brayton Kennedy, 28; investigators say Madore may be travelling in B.C. and Kennedy may be in New Brunswick.
2. Inspector General faulted Niagara police after a 'silent' 911 call led to a death. The IOP report found Niagara Regional Police failed to conduct a wellness check after a 36-second 911 call on Aug. 30, 2024, and laid out oversight failures.

🎨 Community & Culture

1. Two belugas die at Chicago aquarium after moves from Marineland. Shedd Aquarium reported Rain (20) and Beethoven (34) died Wednesday; necropsies and blood tests are underway.
2. NBA awaiting Raptors‑Clippers Kawhi trade paperwork after league investigation. The NBA cleared Kawhi Leonard of suspension, fined him US$700,000, and awaits team submission of the proposed trade sending Leonard to Toronto.

📰 Also Today

• Charges upgraded for two accused in Last Duel Park homicide.
• Second‑degree murder charge laid in Spencerville homicide.
• Denmark passes compensation bill for thousands of Greenland Inuit forced IUDs.
• Federal government sets new expectations for Canadian data‑centre builders.
• Poll: Ottawa ranked Canada's safest major city in recent survey.
• Labour Day openings and closures listed for Ottawa.
• Long‑serving plant grower in Blackburn Hamlet retiring after decades.
• Mitton, Arop, Leduc and De Grasse aim for Diamond League final titles.
• Artist cancels U.S. show over new 50% tariff on Canadian art.
• Pedestrian critically injured after vehicle collision on Highway 417.
• Gatineau drivers coping with high gas prices.
• Teen charged in fatal South Stormont crash.
• Bear activity closes Cyprus Lake campground at Bruce Peninsula NP through Sept. 7.
• Doug Ford praises closed‑door announcement, saying 'thank God we don’t have the media.'
• Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival returns for its 39th edition.
• Analysis: Is Quebec the most‑taxed jurisdiction in North America?
• (Duplicate title entry) Artist cancels U.S. show over 50% tariff.