One of the girls testified that she was abused almost weekly from the early age of 9 years old until she was 20.  She said that she would ask the couple if she could accept more assaults from the husband and wife duo so her little sister can be spared from some of the abuse. But the couple refused.

The girl’s names cannot be mentioned as they were minors at the time.
Laporte (the husband) has already served 30 months in prison for assaulting a boy Stephane Brabant who was placed in his care back in the 80s.  The victim testified saying that too was abused on a weekly basis with Laporte’s belt, both on his back and buttocks until he bled. The couple refused to bring him to the hospital for medical assistance, and also kept him from seeing his mother because of his multiple wounds.

The Judge, has refused to release the couple on bail pending their next court appearance for sentencing which is scheduled for May of this year.

Frank Sinatra Jr., who took over his father’s legacy by following in his footsteps died Wednesday. He was 72.

Even though they called him Frank Sinatra Jr, his real name was Francis Wayne Sinatra — his father’s full name was Francis Albert Sinatra — but he went professionally by Frank Sinatra Jr.

The ministère des Transports, de la Mobilité durable et de l’Électrification des transports wishes to inform all travelers that the Honoré-Mercier Bridge will be completely closed towards Montréal from Friday March 18^th at 10 p.m. to Monday March 21^st at 5 a.m.

This closure is required to repair the structural damage due to the accident on February 18^th. For security reasons, the bridge will be completely closed along with the acces ramps from Routes 132 and 138. However, the two lanes towards the south shore will remain opened.

The road users will be able to cross by the other bridges or tunnel to access the island of Montréal.

Those interventions might be shortened or cancelled due to work progression, weather conditions or operational constraints.

Respecting road signs is vital for the safety of road users and workers.

(SOURCE: Ministère des Transports, de la Mobilité durable et de l’Électrification des transports)

When the weather is cool, it’s nice to light up a fire to keep warm. Often we throw any log or wood that is handy into the fire. Be careful though, that you don’t throw pressure treated wood on the fire. Burning pressure treated wood in your fireplace, or even outside in your fire pit, can release toxic chemicals that are dangerous to your health.

Pressure treated wood contains wood preservatives, which are pesticides that are used to extend the product life of wood. These chemicals help to reduce rot, wood-eating insects, and weathering.

Burning treated wood concentrates and releases these preservative chemicals in the ash and smoke of a fire, which can pose both health and environmental risks.

What you should do

You should never burn treated wood. You should be able to easily determine if your wood is treated as it usually contains dyes or stains in various shades of brown or green. Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) treated wood is no longer sold for use in residential settings, but may still be available in older structures; it has a light green colour and should not be burned either.

Report health and safety concerns

If you have been exposed to burning treated wood for prolonged periods, and feel ill, you should seek medical attention immediately.

(SOURCE: Health Canada)

Up to know when resident’s living in Laval have any type of emergency, big or small, they dial 911 or 311 for city related issues. “COMING SOON”, by dialing 211, the residents of Laval will have access to a wealth of information.  The “Information and Referral Centre of Greater Montreal” (IRCGM), has agreed to provide the service on a contract basis which will have an average cost of $60,000 per year.

The service is offered in both official languages.  The service will be able to assist people with information regarding simple items like food and shelter, where’s the nearest clinic or hospital, or with assistance with more serious issues like mental health issues.  The “211” service will be available to all Laval residents, by phone, seven-days-a-week, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

(alexandra@newsfirst.ca)