Latest news with #ShawnLewis
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Stepfather charged with murder in death of toddler
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A man has been formally charged following the death of his 2-year-old stepson. Shawn Lewis, 32, appeared in court Wednesday for his first appearance in the case. He is charged with first-degree murder, along with one count of child abuse. The charges stem from the July 3 death of John Landon Delano, who was hospitalized last week with severe injuries. Police initially responded after the child was taken to Wesley Medical Center with injuries said to be caused by a fall, but investigators said that explanation did not match the extent or nature of the boy's injuries. Fire leaves extensive damage at Wichita tire shop Lewis was arrested the same day on suspicion of aggravated battery and child abuse. After the child died on Saturday morning, the case was referred to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office for formal charges. Court documents filed Wednesday show Lewis is being held on a $2 million bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 21. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Automotive
- CTV News
‘It has to get fixed now': Reconstruction set to begin on Dundas through Argyle
The reconstruction of Dundas brings reduced lanes and detours. CTV London's Bryan Bicknell shares why this may be worth the headache for commuters. The latest phase in Dundas Street East reconstruction gets underway next week. It means commuters and businesses alike could be faced with reduced lanes, detours and headaches for months. The ward councillor says it's short-term pain for long-term gain. 'Anyone can see, you know, we've tried to patch the best we can. Come winter, when the freeze-thaw cycle starts, those patches are not going to hold, and we're going to be back to huge holes in this road that sees 30,000 vehicles a day traveling on it, so it has to get fixed now,' said Shawn Lewis, Deputy Mayor and councillor for ward two. Lewis says the days of bumpy rides through Argyle will soon be over. 071125 Ward 2 Councillor Shawn Lewis points to a portion of Dundas Street in disrepair. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London) 'And so, we are ripping out all the asphalt, going right down to the aggregate base layer, making the repairs to the base layer, repaving, switching to the other side, and doing the same thing all over again,' said Lewis. Beginning Monday, Dundas Street between Burdick Place and Beatrice Street will have reduced lanes in each direction while the road is reconstructed. 'Two weeks notice, they give a letter and that's all you get,' said auto repair shop owner, James Patrick. While businesses along Dundas will remain open, Patrick worries it will be hard for customers to get to his shop. 'I think it's a terrible idea to do it this time of year when you have Oxford all ripped up. People can't get through at all. Shuts down the east end, a lot of businesses here. A lot of people that rely on traffic coming down Dundas. When they can't, it hurts them,' he exclaimed. 071125 Map of affected area. (City of London) 'It's going to be tough on us. I need to make the numbers and make it happen to pay the guys,' added Tom Stewart, who also owns an auto shop in the neighbourhood. The city says sidewalks will be temporarily closed at times, and pedestrians detoured. Drivers are encouraged to find alternate routes, where possible. 'It's not good, it's bad,' said driver Lloyd Youdell. 'It's been going on way too long. Way too long. Even the Highbury overpass, God knows when that will be open, they took the whole one side of it out,' he lamented. Work is expected to take eight to ten weeks and be completed in the fall.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
‘It's a pretty big dream': City could relaunch a long dormant program to help renters buy their first home
What's old is new again at London City Hall, at least when it comes to home ownership. City staff are proposing the relaunch of a program that helps middle income earners buy their first home. 'It's a pretty big dream. It's kind of priority number one for us. We really want to get our own place,' said downtown apartment dweller, Dave Lewis. Lewis and his wife have rented for the last 18 years, but he said they've outgrown their place and now want a home they can call their own. But while they both work, they don't earn quite enough money to buy the type of house they'd like to get into. London first home program Renter Dave Lewis, who would like to become a homeowner, seen in London, Ont. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London) 'There are so many factors. The housing market, banks, interest rates for banks getting into getting a proper mortgage. Being able to compete. Lack of availability,' said Lewis. City staff is proposing the re-introduction of The Affordable Home Ownership Program. It would assist renters and first-time buyers in London and Middlesex with down payments and closing costs in the form of a forgivable loan. London Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis said it's an opportunity worth considering. 'It does have an impact in terms of our housing waitlist, our roadmap to 3,000 affordable homes because it frees up rental stock, and that has been the single biggest driver of housing affordability in our city for the last six, seven years,' explained the Deputy Mayor. Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis first home program London Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis speaks to CTV London's Bryan Bicknell. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London) The original home ownership program went from 2008 to 2013, when market conditions at that time forced the closure of the program. It was funded by the provincial and federal governments. In five years, it issued 270 loans, lent out $2,317,466, discharged 173 loans, and received $2,443,010 million in repayments. There are currently 97 remaining loans, which will reach maturity between 2025 and 2033. The Revolving Loan Fund now has a balance of just under $3.1 million, which would be used to restart the program. 'It really is kind of a use it or lose it. I mean, we can leave it sitting there, but we can't use it for other things,' explained Deputy Mayor Lewis. Eligible households in the relaunched program would be offered interest-free loans over 20 years, covering up to five per cent of the home's purchase price, to a maximum of $25,000. Those eligible cannot earn more than $95,000 annually for a single, and $115,000 annually for a family. 'That's part of the thing where we would like to be able to build equity with a property, and with renting, that's just not possible,' said Dave Lewis. The city said while the market has stabilized, the average home price does not match the average income. Citing figures from city staff said there are roughly 450 homes in London and Middlesex in the $320,000 to $500,000 range, which would fit the program. The proposal goes to city council's Community and Protective Services Committee on Monday.
CTV News
20-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
London Task Force proposes full-time councillor role, higher pay to match workload
London's Council Resourcing Review Task Force says the role of city councillor has evolved, and it's time for expectations and compensation to catch up. Martin Horak, Chair of the task force explained, 'We are going to recommend adding a section to the council role description that clearly states this is a full-time public service. Councillors are expected to make this their primary occupation while in office.' The task force also emphasized that compensation should reflect the increasing demands and complexity of the job. Currently, London councillors earn 24–31 per cent less than those in comparable Ontario cities like Hamilton and Windsor, with a base salary of roughly $65,000. 'We are considering a significant increase in base income,' Horak said. 'While we don't have a specific number yet, we want compensation to be based on incomes Londoners make.' Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis said he is not surprised by the draft recommendations. 'London's actually at the bottom of the barrel. If we want councillors fully focused on the city's well-being, we have to compensate them adequately,' he said. A recent city survey revealed that eight of the 14 councillors who responded work an average of 52 hours per week and agree the role should be full-time. Deputy Mayor Lewis added, 'I'm still working through the 412-page planning committee agenda for Monday that I just received yesterday. The workload keeps growing. We need to recognize this is a full-time commitment for those elected to serve.' The task force is also recommending that councillors serve on 1–2 standing committees and 3 external boards. Committee chairs would receive extra compensation, and the current additional 12.5 per cent pay for the Deputy Mayor and Budget Chief would be maintained. Lewis noted, 'This makes sense and balances the fact that some councillors currently serve on seven committees while others serve on only one. Everyone needs to carry their fair share of the workload.' At present, councillors set their own performance expectations, with few rules governing attendance, constituent communication or participation on boards and commissions. Former city councillor and current task force member Jared Zaifman suggested ward boundaries should also be reviewed. 'If we are looking at higher compensation, it may be reasonable to consider reducing the number of wards so that each councillor serves a number of residents more in line with their pay.' The task force's recommendations are expected to be submitted to the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee for council consideration by October.
CBC
20-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
London mayor to lobby Ontario to hold ODSP rates as new federal program rolls out
London city council is calling on the Ontario government to keep provincial disability payments stable, and not claw back money when the federal Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) rolls out this summer. Mayor Josh Morgan plans to bring the issue to the province's Big City Mayors caucus with a call to Premier Doug Ford to commit to not reducing Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) benefits, once Ottawa's program takes effect in June. "Ontario has been non-committal so far [about clawing back ODSP], and so we're asking the mayor to encourage every city to call on the province to leave this benefit alone," said deputy mayor Shawn Lewis, who was among three councillors who put forward the idea. "Let folks with a disability situation in their lives get that little bit of extra help that might make the difference between them being able to make ends meet and not." The concern comes after Alberta said it would claw back disability supports. Ontario has yet provide its stance, while Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Nunavut have all promised they will not reduce funds. The CDB will give up to $200 per month, totalling $2,400 for the year starting in July, to eligible recipients. The amount will be adjusted for inflation each year, the government said. Ontario's disability payments are specific to the individual but the maximum is $1,368 a month, according to the province. A claw back would mean the province could cut ODSP by up to $200, if a person receives the full federal benefit. The province said Monday not decision had been reached on the matter with a spokesperson from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services saying it's "continuing to work with the federal government as the details of the Canada Disability Benefit are being finalized. Our focus is on ensuring the Canada Disability Benefit builds on existing programs like Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) including amending the treatment of the benefit in the Federal Income Tax Act," the statement said. The province said ODSP rates have increased by 17 per cent since 2022, with inflationary increases each July. Morgan was not available for comment ahead of publication. ODSP not enough amid high cost of living When discussing whether London's mayor should advocate for stable provincial funding, councillors noted that many people on ODSP are not able to afford housing and groceries with the money they get. That's the case for Londoner Jeffrey Salisbury, 40, who lives with developmental disabilities and depression. His only source of monthly income is $1,381 he gets from ODSP, and with a monthly rent component of less than $600, Salisbury cannot afford his own place so he lives with his parents. An extra $200 from Ottawa will go a long way in helping people with disabilities afford basic necessities, Salisbury said. "That could be more groceries for the month, a little bit more money for rent, clothing and all the daily living things that we have to spend on," Salisbury said. He and others on ODSP are frustrated there's no word from the province on whether they'll have less money with less than a month before the federal program rolls out, he said. "Every month it seems like the prices go up more and it just gets a little harder to get by. I worry that there's going to be a lot more disabled people out sleeping on the street because they're not going to have a place to live."
