Home Blog Page 42

OPP CONTINUES INVESTIGATION INTO ELNAZ HAJTAMIRI ABDUCTION

0

Investigators Identify Ties to Multiple Jurisdictions

(WASAGA BEACH, ON) – Four years have passed since Elnaz HAJTAMIRI was abducted and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) continues to urge anyone with information to come forward.

Elnaz was 37 years old when she was abducted from a residence on Trailwood Place in Wasaga Beach by three suspects at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 12, 2022.

As a result of the ongoing investigation, the OPP has identified potential ties to Timmins, the Greater Toronto Area, Québec and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Investigators are appealing to anyone with information in these regions to contact police.

While several individuals have been arrested in connection with the case, Elnaz has not been located. The Huronia West OPP Crime Unit continues to investigate under the direction of the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB).

A joint $100,000 reward is being offered by the Government of the Province of Ontario and the York Regional Police for information that will lead to Elnaz’s whereabouts.

Elnaz is described as approximately 160 cm (5’3″) tall with a slim build and black hair. Photos of Elnaz and previous media releases are available at opp.ca/news/#/mediakit.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Huronia West OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or through the dedicated tipline at 1-833-728-3415. Should you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

Members of the public are strongly urged to help share our appeal on social media using the hashtag #BringElnazHome.

QUOTE

“Elnaz’s family and friends have endured years of missed memories, celebrations and holidays without her and we remain committed to finding the answers they deserve. While we cannot speak to the specific ties our investigation has to several regions, we know someone in those areas has information that could help and urge them to come forward.”

– Detective Inspector Steven Martell, OPP CIB

#ITSTARTS: Tenth‑Year Diversity Ambassador Training Series 

0

Midhurst/January 12, 2026 – The #ITSTARTS campaign returns at the beginning of March 2026. The Simcoe County Local Immigration Partnership (SCLIP) is proud to mark the campaign’s tenth year by expanding opportunities for residents to learn, lead, and champion inclusion across the region.  

Leading up to the awareness month, SCLIP is once again offering a series of Diversity Ambassador Training sessions available both virtually and in person, to empower community members, organizations, business leaders, and residents to foster welcoming and equitable spaces. 

This year’s program includes a suite of learning opportunities, co‑facilitated by the Simcoe County District School Board. Participants can choose from three targeted training streams designed to build capacity and strengthen inclusion across our communities: 

·        Introductory Sessions: A foundational introduction to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) and the #ITSTARTS campaign. 

·        Ambassador 2.0 Sessions: An advanced session for participants with prior IDEA experience, offering deeper learning and practical application. 

·        Train the Trainer Session: Prepares participants to deliver Introductory Ambassador Information Sessions within their own organizations or communities. 

Introductory Sessions The sessions provide an overview of the #ITSTARTS campaign and introduce key concepts related to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA).  
Wednesday, January 14 9:30 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. Simcoe County Administration Centre, Conference Room 1110 Highway 26, Midhurst ON 
Thursday, January 15 9:30 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. Virtual – Microsoft Teams Webinar 
Wednesday, January 21 9:30 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. Virtual – Microsoft Teams Webinar 
Thursday, January 22 9:30 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. Barrie Common Roof 165 Ferris Lane, Barrie, L4M 2Y1 
Wednesday, January 28 9:30 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. Virtual – Microsoft Teams Webinar 
Ambassador 2.0 Sessions These sessions will provide a deeper learning opportunity for community members who have previous experience with inclusion, equity, diversity, and accessibility (IDEA). 
Thursday, February 5 9:30 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. Simcoe County Administration Centre, Conference Room  1110 Highway 26, Midhurst ON 
Wednesday, February 11 9:30 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. Virtual – Microsoft Teams Webinar 
Train the Trainer Session These sessions will prepare you to host an Introductory Ambassador Information Session in your organization or community. 
Wednesday, February 18 9:30 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. Virtual – Microsoft Teams Webinar 

Space is limited, and early registration is encouraged. 

To learn more about the 2026 #ITSTARTS campaign and access tools and resources that support local anti-racism and anti-oppression efforts, visit simcoe.ca/itstarts.  

About the Simcoe County Local Immigration Partnership 

The Simcoe County Local Immigration Partnership (SCLIP) was established in 2011 and leads community-based planning intended to improve social and economic outcomes for immigrant residents. SCLIP is funded in-part by Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada (IRCC). In 2023, the Simcoe County Local Immigration Partnership published a new Community Settlement Strategy with recommendations to support the development of welcoming communities.  

About the County of Simcoe 

The County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca
 

St Patricks Day fun with Signal Hill – CGMHospital Fundraiser

0

A fun night of entertainment for a great cause!

Signal Hill is a four man acoustic rock band from St. John’s, NL, currently based out of Halifax, NS, Canada. Since 1991 they have toured Canada and beyond; they have been a mainstay in the east coast music scene for years. Their shows are a blend of traditional Newfoundland, Irish and Cape Breton music, along with random pop and rock hits. Everything’s rearranged for acoustic guitars, piano, bass and drums, and super big four part harmony. They’re wild and fun, you’re gonna have a great time!

This event will support the Collingwood General Marine Hospital and tickets sold out early last year – get yours now! 


Jenna Stewart appointed as Meaford Deputy Fire Chief | Georgian Bay News

0

The Municipality of Meaford is pleased to announce the appointment of Jenna Stewart as Deputy Fire Chief, effective January 12. 

“Jenna’s extensive experience in the fire service, combined with her strong leadership in public education and community outreach, make her an excellent addition to the Meaford Fire Department,” said Fire Chief Rob Pilon. “Her commitment to public safety and collaborative approach will be a valuable asset to both the department and the community.” 

Deputy Fire Chief Stewart brings 17 years of experience as a volunteer firefighter with the Saugeen Shores Fire Department. She currently serves as Public Education Division Chief, where she leads fire prevention and public safety initiatives, including smoke alarm programs, school education, and community safety presentations. Her leadership played a key role in establishing one of the first dedicated fire service education divisions in the region. 

In addition to her fire service background, Stewart has more than 15 years of professional experience in education, where she developed strong skills in leadership, collaboration, and supporting teams in complex environments, experience that will further strengthen her role within the department. 

The Municipality extends its congratulations to Deputy Fire Chief Stewart and looks forward to her leadership and service to the Meaford community. 

Hospice Fundraiser with Jimmy & The Extractions | Friday February 27th | Collingwood Legion

0

We are back for another Hospice Fundraiser!

Last years sold out show was way too much fun. We have to do it again!! Tickets on sale now!

To Buy Tickets CLICK HERE

Jimmy & The Extractions: Collingwood area musicians playing Canadiana, alternative, rock and folk roots rock music.

I Worked At A Google Data Center: What I Saw Will Shock You.

0

Taxpayers in Texas and Virginia are subsidizing data centers by handing out over $1 billion a year to tech companies.

More than 30 states subsidize data centers and Big Tech with massive tax breaks. And while CEOs have promised thousands of jobs, they haven’t materialized.

More Perfect Union is an Emmy-winning, nonprofit newsroom whose mission is to build power for working people. Here’s what that means: We report on the real struggles and challenges of the working class from a working-class perspective. We attempt to connect those problems to potential solutions. We report on the abuses and wrongdoing of corporate power. And we seek to hold accountable the ultra-rich who have too much power over America’s political and economic systems.

To support our independent journalism, subscribe, donate, and follow our other pages through the links below:

The Flashback Experiment | Friday, January 30th | Simcoe Street Theatre

0

Studio 7, 65 Simcoe Street, Collingwood

To Buy Tickets CLICK HERE

Get ready for the ultimate throwback night! This is your all‑access pass to the biggest, boldest, most iconic classic rock singles ever released—performed LIVE.

Step into a time when everything was BIG: the hair, the sound, the fashion, the leather, the attitude. Rock ruled the airwaves, and we’re bringing that era roaring back.

The Flashback Experiment takes the stage with powerhouse vocalists Domenic Aiello and Nina Cutrone, delivering the men and women of rock like you’ve never heard them.From the 60s through the 90s and beyond, you’ll hear the hits that shaped generations and still hit just as hard today.

Expect legendary singles from:
Joplin • Zeppelin • Kansas • Boston • Benatar • Myles • Foreigner • Heart • Journey • Bon Jovi • Queen • The Eagles… and more.

“It’s like listening to live radio… and being there.”
If you love classic rock, this is your night.

Grab your tickets now—this one’s built to sell out. To Buy Tickets CLICK HERE


Supporting local charities: please bring a non‑perishable food item for our community food banks.

Doors open at 7 PM, bar services provided by Low Down.

Docs on Ice 2026 | Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Stayner, Creemore, Thornbury and Meaford 🏒

0

Docs on Ice 2026 hits the ice in arenas across Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Stayner, Creemore, Thornbury and Meaford 🏒

 APRIL 9-11, 2026   SOUTH GEORGIAN BAY 

 60 Teams  800+ Doctors  2 Events 

www.docsonice2026.com

FRIDAY April 10

Main Event at the Alpine Ski Resort  

Catch a luxury coach to the Alpine Ski Club in The Blue Mountains for the Docs on Ice Main Event – an in-house smoked-meat buffet extravaganza, live music, and a chance to kick back with teams from across Ontario. Enjoy a relaxed, high-energy night with great food, The Strange Potatoes on stage, and plenty of time to connect off the ice.

North America’s Largest Physician-Only Hockey Tournament for Charity

25 Years in Tech, Now Laid Off: Honest Advice for Junior Engineers in a Brutal Job Market

0

I’m a software engineer with 25 years in the tech industry and I’m currently unemployed after being laid off from Big Tech.

Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of questions from college students and junior engineers asking the same thing: how do you move forward in today’s brutal tech job market? That question takes me back more than 20 years to when I was a brand-new CS graduate. Back then, the world was very different. A degree from a good school was often enough to get your foot in the door.

My first job dropped me into a high-pressure consulting project just one month before launch. I was fixing bugs for a major telecom client, despite barely understanding unit tests, build systems, IDEs, or even Java dependencies. I learned the hard way, with the help of patient teammates, late-night launches, production chaos, and mentors who cared more about growth than perfection. Today’s junior engineers are far more skilled than I ever was, but the landscape is stacked against them. Asian Dad Energy

Entry-level roles are scarce. Graduates compete with laid-off mid-level engineers, offshore labor, senior engineers augmented by AI, and even entire data centers replacing human work. Interns build real, production-ready systems and still don’t get offers.

Support networks are thinner. Job security is fragile. Too often, the industry feels like it’s sacrificing its next generation. In this video, I share hard-earned perspective and practical coping strategies for junior engineers trying to break in, from being honest with yourself about why you’re in tech, to building real-world projects, maximizing internships, preparing strategically for interviews, applying broadly, and staying flexible about roles, companies, and paths. No false promises. Just honest advice from someone who’s been there—and still cares deeply about the future of this profession.

Join this channel to get access to perks:    / @asiandadenergy