OTTAWA (Nov 20, 2009) - The Harper government is dismissing calls for a public inquiry into damning allegations the military handed over prisoners to face torture in Afghanistan.

(Nov 20, 2009) - Children with asthma appear to be at greater risk of becoming severely ill with H1N1 flu than with regular flu.

OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino acknowledges a Caledonia couple are no longer suspected by police of ransacking their own home and spraypainting their walls with vile epithets and racial slurs.

(Nov 20, 2009) - When a coyote appeared outside his school just minutes before students arrived yesterday morning, principal Dave Maddocks pulled out the only weapon he had: his umbrella.

(Nov 20, 2009) - The Alzheimer Society of Canada has partnered with McMaster University in an effort to improve the safety of people with dementia.

Nominees have been announced for the 2009 ArcelorMittal Dofasco Hamilton Music Industry Awards, which is being held at the 1,039-seat McIntyre Theatre at Mohawk College on Dec. 5.

From extreme lows to screaming falsetto tones, Alyssa Michalsky proves the electric harp is one extremely versatile instrument.

There is no arguing that these are tough times. The employment rate has skyrocketed with the vast number of layoffs. In addition, the labour market has become increasingly specialized. There is no better time than now to go back to school and re-train.

While out walking along Concession Street last week, I noticed city workers planting the little Christmas trees with beautiful bows on them. They also put out hanging Christmas plants which are very pretty.

We may be forced into hibernation, but we gardeners, optimists all, never cease to dream of the spring that’s just a mere season away. So with Christmas gift-giving time just around the corner, I’ve put together a list of a few things to help us think spring in the winter

At the tender age of 12, Barbara Edwards knew she was destined to become a child caregiver.

Liberal Revenue Minister John Wilkinson refused to characterize the government’s decision to remove the proposed harmonized sale tax on prepared foods under $4 as a reaction to political opposition critics who call the HST nothing more than a tax grab.

The first-ever 5x7 forum takes place in Dundas Nov. 25 at 7 p. m.

The Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton is appealing to individuals, families, service organizations, schools and local businesses to join its Holiday Family Sponsorship Program.

The 2009 Food Bank Donation Draw is underway, and Bayshore Home Health will donate $5,000 to a community food bank on behalf of the winner.

During the recession in the early 1990s, NDP premier Bob Rae introduced what became infamously known as ‘Rae Days.’ Officially titled the Social Contract, the 1993 initiative imposed austerity measures on the civil service. The plan forced a wage freeze and mandatory unpaid days of leave.

The Ward 11 community meeting will be on Monday, Nov. 30 from 7 p. m. to 9 p. m. at the Stoney Creek Municipal Office, 777 Hwy. 8. This meeting will be to discuss area reating and the possible impact to our municipal budget for 2010 and your property taxes.

To a wonderful tool that most Canadians, the Internet is allows us all to gather information from around the world to better inform our lives, but at times this tool is abused by mischief makers or worse.

Demolition of 95 King St. With the demolition of the former residence and business at 95King St.,whichbegan Monday, Nov. 16, the City of Hamilton has initiated the next phase of the redevelopment of Battlefield House Museum and Park.

Sonia Mrva is excited and honoured to be the new curator of Battlefield House Museum and Park. “Battlefield is a fantastic museum; it’s a museum I visited when I was a little girl and always enjoyed, so it’s really special,” she said.

Teenagers love to talk, especially in the hallways of high schools, but for some of them their lips will be sealed today (Friday). About 30 students at Central High School have promised to be mute for a 24-hour period, starting at 9 a. m., as part of the Vow of Silence event.

Minister of Revenue John Wilkinson defended his government’s Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) to Burlington business owners during a recent breakfast event hosted by the Burlington Chamber of Commerce at the Holiday Inn.

A Halton police officer goes back to court on impaired driving charges next month. The case of Stephen Bate, 52, of Burlington was heard for the first time in Milton court on Wednesday.

A second Halton resident has fallen victim to the H1N1 influenza virus. Halton Medical Officer of Health Dr. Bob Nosal reported yesterday afternoon a man in his 80s living in a nursing home in Halton died earlier this week from a lab-confirmed case of the H1N1 flu virus.

Singer-songwriter Sarah Harmer is applauding the Niagara Escarpment Commission’s decision to deny Nelson Aggregate Co.’s bid to expand its operation on the Mount Nemo Plateau in north Burlington.

Cole McNeil and Nick Bazinet teamed up on five goals Tuesday night as the Dundas Blues outlasted Glanbrook for a 6-5 win. The victory allowed the Blues to split their two games last week, keeping pace with Niagara District Junior C rival Grimsby. The teams are tied atop the east division.

The Real McCoys had a highly successful weekend in Major League Hockey, winning on consecutive nights to run its streak to five games. The McCoys hosted league-leading Whitby Dunlops last Friday night and handed them just their third loss of the season, a 5-3 decision.

When Hamilton was in the running for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, a number of stadium sites were proposed across the city. We lost that bid to New Delhi, India, and the dreams of a new multi-use stadium were dashed.

The recent conference Role, Character and Actions of God attracted 200 delegates including from many diverse faiths.

"The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself."

Last Saturday evening I took my dog out for his evening walk. While out, I saw the first star of the evening. What then passed through my mind was the old poem "Star light, star bright/First star I see tonight/I wish I may, I wish I might/ Have the wish I wish tonight.[...]

Just in case there was any question it is now final. Winter is here. According to calendars the winter season doesn't technically start until December 21 but we all know that is merely a date. March 21 is the first day of spring making winter, and every season, three months long.[...]

The game started fast and furious for both teams as the action went end to end with chances coming early on the nets at either end of the ice last Saturday. Dunnville's captain tore into Pelham's zone and put a blistering shot on net which Pelham's goalie, number 30 Colin Burgess, saved.[...]

- Haldimand County OPP is investigating a break and enter at a McLaughlin Road, Dunnville, Haldimand County address. Sometime during the early evening hours of Tuesday November 10th, 2009 unknown(s) attended the Dunnville Hunter and Anglers Club and entered the rural building.[...]

Muddy the Mudcat has finally been revealed to the world. Approximately 450 people turned out to see Muddy in all her glory on highway three just west of Dunnville. The flow of spectators grew to the point where OPP were called to the scene to help direct foot and vehicle traffic.[...]

A Pickering man admitted he was drunk when he tackled British rock star Noel Gallagher as the guitarist's band Oasis performed at the Toronto Island last year.

Yesterday I swam the length of a swimming pool – and it was a wonderfully ugly sight to behold.

TTC collectors let many riders put tokens in turnstiles only to find they couldn't get on the train or wouldn't go as far as they needed.

Tired of your spouse, but worried about an expensive divorce settlement? Act now, while the economy is still in the dumps.

Growing tired of your spouse, but worried about an expensive divorce settlement? Act now, while the economy is still in the dumps, local divorce lawyers advise. Economists say Canada is set for growth in the coming year – so lose your soulmate before your portfolio rebounds all the way back.

Police have wrapped up interviews with some 1,000 students at the high school that missing Toronto teen Mariam Makhniashvili attended, but have not uncovered any new leads.

The Toronto Raptors return to the friendly environs of Air Canada Centre on Friday to take on the Miami Heat.

Exhibitors at a Toronto trade fair are hoping to add surgery to the list of reasons Canadians travel, but a medical ethicist questions the lack of oversight.

Police have ruled out foul play in the death of a woman whose body was found in a ravine in Whitby, Ont., on Thursday.

More police officers will be on duty during peak hours under a pilot project four years in the making that revamps officers' schedules.