Anti-violence crusade goes to city hall

London’s chief medical officer is taking his crusade against hockey violence to city hall.
Graham Pollett, of the Middlesex-London Health Unit, along with University of Western Ontario psychology professor Peter Jaffe and Ray Hughes, national co-ordinator for the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, penned a letter to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and the board of governors, urging the league to ban direct head hits and fighting from the sport.
Now the three anti-violence advocates are asking council to endorse the open letter.

Body found near river identified

Police confirmed Sunday a body found along the Thames River Friday is Jeremy Bennett, the 30-year-old homeless man who fell into the frigid, fast-flowing water Tuesday.
Bennett, 30, fell into the south branch of the river near the Carfrae St. bridge at Richmond St. Tuesday afternoon while drinking with friends.
Police and firefighters were on the scene within minutes, but a search in boats and on both sides of the river was unsuccessful and they gave up the search Thursday.

Impressive turnout for London slut solidarity walk

Supporters were many for the London Slut Solidarity walk held in London today at Victoria Park. Hundreds flocked, to Richmond and Central where the rally began, scantily clad women everywhere, curious bystanders and a few creepy old men with video cameras stood strong to show support after a Toronto Police officers comments about women who dress "slutty" are more likely to be sexually assaulted. "a little cleavage is not an invitation to get raped" a supporter says.

Booted teen getting face time with PM

The London teen turfed from a Stephen Harper rally over her Facebook picture with Michael Ignatieff plans to meet with the prime minister . — and she’s bringing tough questions with her.
Awish Aslam, says she’s accepted the party’s offer to meet Harper personally.
The date isn’t set, but on Thursday Aslam warned the Tories to not expect a photo-op. “We want to know the reason behind  our ejection, she said. “I’m really just hoping he doesn’t just turn it into a photo opportunity.”

Fontana's pro-growth strategy, upsets farmers

Concerns over Mayor Joe Fontana’s pro-growth strategy, which could punch development outside London’s growth boundary, extends beyond city limits.
While some are concerned about the costs of developing land south of Hwy. 401 — a possibility  after council approved a $300,000 study on extending Veterans Memorial Parkway — area farmers are crying foul.
London’s urban growth boundary, which limits the city land that can be developed for housing or industry, provides a sense of security for the farmers who toil the fertile land just beyond it.

Human remains found

Police found partial human remains in Southwold Township Friday night, said Elgin OPP.
Police received a tip about the remains, said OPP.
Police haven’t released the gender or the exact location of the remains but say they are investigating the discovery.
"It's still very early in the investigation," said Elgin OPP Const. Troy Carlson.

Diamond Aircraft owner slams Ed Holder

The owner of London’s Diamond Aircraft denies he threatened to close the company if a federal loan isn’t approved and blamed local Conservative MP Ed Holder for any job losses due to his “reckless comments.”
But Christian Dries did hint Saturday that the future of the company in London could be in jeopardy without approval of the $35-million federal loan and suspects the Conservatives only now say the request is under review – despite an earlier rejection–to avoid fallout on election day, May 2.