A dead blue jay found in Guelph has tested psoitive for West Nile Virus. Wellington-Dufferin Guelph Public Health says that means mosquitoes in the area may be carrying the virus. Public Health's West Nile Virus Program Coordinator says there has been an increase in the virus over last year in Southern Ontario. Most people who become infected with West Nile don't show any symptoms but it can cause severe illness resulting in hospitalization or even death.
The Ontario Court of Appeal will consider the case of a Guelph woman convicted of killing her infant sons. The Crown is appealing her 2008 acquittal on two counts of murder. She was convicted of the rare charge of infanticide after a judge accepted that her mind was “disturbed” by the effects of childbirth. The woman -- who is now 29 -- cannot be identified because she was 17 at the time of the first death. The woman admitted that she intentionally killed her infant sons in Guelph and Kitchener by covering them with blankets and a plastic sheet. She was sentenced to one more year in jail, on top of the five years' credit she was given for time spent in pretrial custody.
The S-I-U has released the name of a man shot by police in Mount Forest, Tuesday afternoon. Travis Hieber is in a Hamilton hospital in stable condition. The 21-year -old was shot after Wellington County O-P-P went to a house to arrest a man wanted for uttering threats. Two officers were also taken to local hospitals for treatment of undisclosed injuries.
A bicyclist was killed, when struck by a car yesterday afternoon in Waterloo. The accident occurred on University Avenue, which has bike lanes, and police believe the cyclist was riding in the bike lanes when the accident occurred.
Police are still looking for possible suspects in the disappearance of a 42-year-old Orangeville nurse. The driver of a white van that was in the area where Sonia Varaschin's car was found called police after officers made a public appeal. Police said last night that the driver did not see anything that could help. Police say based on forensic examinations of Varaschin's residence, and the area where her car was found, they believe she is a “victim of foul play.” The car was found in an alley early Monday and police say they found blood on the car and at Varaschin's residence. Police have also questioned her boyfriend and say he is not a suspect.
Guelph Transit gets back to normal next Tuesday. Starting at 5:40 in the morning, buses leaving St. George’s Square, will operate on a 20 minute schedule. Over the summer, to save the city money, Transit reverted to the old 30 minute schedule. And this year, when a bus is filled to standing capacity, its destination sign will read “sorry, bus full” according to Transit General Manager Mike Anders. Transit is looking at some big changes next year: revamped routes and 15 minute bus service during peak hours.
A Kitchener man is holding a fundraiser to help pay for his trip to Mexico for a controversial surgery to battle multiple sclerosis. Tony Tavares was diagnosed with m-s in 2004. He is travelling to mexico because the “liberation treatment” is not currently available in Canada. Tavares says many Canadians have been travelling across the planet for the procedure. Tavares hopes the fundraiser at the Whistle Bear Golf Club in Cambridge on September 15th will raise more than 20-thousand-dollars. More information can be found on facebook by searching “Operation Liberate Tony.”
In sports, a field goal with 6 seconds left in the game by wide receiver Mike Fortino, lifted the Gryphons to a 15-13 win over the Toronto Varsity Blues yesterday at Alumni Stadium. Fortino was called on to make the kick, after rookie kicker Evan Short missed a couple of field goals and had a punt blocked for a touchdown.
Next Monday, Guelph faces York in Toronto.