News

Copy by Craig Foster

Prince Edward County OPP have laid further charges against a man in connection with an ongoing fraud investigation where the losses are estimated to be more than $500,000. Sixty-five-year-old Paul Marconi of Prince Edward County was first charged in July of last year following a lengthy fraud investigation looking into offences dating back several years, with numerous victims. Further charges were laid late last year when more victims came forward. Police now say an additional victim has come forward and Marconi has been charged with an additional count of fraud over $5000 and an additional count of theft over $5000.

The dollar value of construction activity in Quinte West was well up in March. The Building Department reports 43 permits were issued last month, the same number as in March 2024, however, the construction value ballooned from $4,553,000 last year to $8,372,000 this year. Permits were taken out for 14 new residential units including 10 single-family residences which have a construction value of $5,218,000. Year-to-date building activity also continues to be well up from 2024. Through the end of March there were 124 permits worth $18,209,000 issued. During the first three months of 2024, the Building Department granted 63 permits worth $3,915,000.

South Korea’s Constitutional Court has formally upheld the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol following an aborted attempt to declare martial law late last year. It is a move that will trigger a new round of elections and deepen the political divide in one the region’s more vibrant democracies. South Korea must hold an election within two months. After deliberating since January, the court issued its unanimous ruling Friday in a nationally broadcast event that saw many ordinary Koreans pause to hear the judgment on Yoon’s political fate. The justices said Yoon violated the basic rights of the people by declaring martial law.

Immigration advocates are suing the Trump administration over its upcoming registration requirement for non-U.S. citizens staying longer than 29 days, offering a possible reprieve for Canadian snowbirds. The U.S.-based American Immigration Council and partner organizations launched the suit this week to try to quash the registration rule. They claim the administration failed to seek public input on an ill-conceived directive affecting millions of people. On Tuesday, the advocacy groups will ask the District Court for the District of Columbia to impose a preliminary injunction blocking the registration requirement before its April 11 rollout. In January, U.S. president Trump issued an executive order called “Protecting the American People Against Invasion.” As of April 11, it requires certain foreign nationals staying 30 days or longer, including many Canadians crossing by land, to register online with the U.S. government. The registration form asks travellers for a lengthy list of personal details, such as one’s U.S. address, and where one’s parents were born. Non-Canadians will also have to submit fingerprints.

Sports

Linus Ullmark made 31 saves as the Ottawa Senators earned a 2-1 victory to snap the Tampa Bay Lightning’s four-game winning streak on Thursday.

Brendan Gallagher had a goal and an assist as the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Boston Bruins 4-1 in a heated rivalry matchup Thursday night.

Cole Caufield — with his team-leading 35th — and Christian Dvorak also scored while Nick Suzuki added an empty-net goal for Montreal which won its third consecutive game amid a playoff race.

Jeff Skinner tipped in the tiebreaking goal late in the second period and the Edmonton Oilers overcame an injury to Leon Draisaitl and beat the San Jose Sharks 3-2

Blake Coleman scored twice, Dustin Wolf made 26 saves and the Calgary Flames beat the Anaheim Ducks 4-1

Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn missed Thursday’s contest against the Nashville Predators, ending his “iron man streak” of 371 consecutive games played.

Backup Eric Comrie made 26 saves for his second shutout in two months as the Winnipeg Jets beat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-0 on Thursday night in a matchup of Western Conference divisional leaders.

Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn missed Thursday’s contest against the Nashville Predators, ending his “iron man streak” of 371 consecutive games played