Latest news with #TheSaultStar
Hamilton Spectator
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Thessalon man continues billboard battle
George Katerberg continues his legal battle against the Ontario government to allow what he considers free speech on roadside billboards. The Thessalon man contends the province's policy goes too far and undermines freedom of expression across Ontario. In March 2024, Katerberg, a retired HVAC technician, rented a billboard on Highway 17 near Thessalon, east of Sault Ste. Marie, that featured images of Canadian politicians and public health officials. The billboard read: 'They knowingly lie about safety and stopping transmission.' After his billboard was rejected due to accusations of 'promoting hatred' by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, a constitutional challenge was filed by his lawyers provided by the Justice Centre. The ministry later admitted to the billboard not violating any hate speech guidelines and reconsidered erecting the sign. In April 2025, the ministry amended its policies and restricted signs along 'bush highways' to only allow those promoting goods and services. The province once again denied Katerberg's billboard. Katerberg wouldn't speak to the matter but his lawyer, Chris Fleury, from the Justice Centre, sent this statement to The Sault Star: 'By amending the Highway Corridor Managment Manual to effectively prohibit signage that promotes political and social causes, the MTO has turned Mr. Katerberg's fight to raise his sign into a fight on behalf of all Ontarians who wish to express their support for a political or social cause. Mr. Katerberg is looking forward to his day in court.' Ontario's Ministry of Transportation said it was unable to comment on the matter as it is before the court. As of Thursday, there has been no date assigned for a hearing regarding Katerberg's challenge. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Calgary Herald
02-07-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
TSN's ultimate insider Bob McKenzie announces his retirement from a life of hockey scoops
He has been one of the ultimate hockey insiders for the better part of five decades, and now TSN's Bob McKenzie is trading in scoops for a full-on life of retirement and relaxation. Article content One of the best regarded hockey voices in the business announced his retirement on Tuesday as the July 1 free-agent frenzy wound down and the NHL drifted towards another off-season. Article content Article content 'Today's Free Agent Frenzy is the last working day in a 48-year professional career that included stops at The Sault Star, The Globe and Mail, The Hockey News (twice), The Toronto Star, TSN, ESPN and NBC, amongst others,' McKenzie wrote on X announcing his departure from a lifetime of gathering and dispensing hockey news and insight. 'It's been quite a ride.' Article content Article content McKenzie, who will turn 69 in August, had been semi-retired for the past several years but felt it was time to walk away from the sport that has been his passion and his livelihood for so long. Article content 'Today is my retirement day,' McKenzie said on air while sporting a TSN blazer with an old-school network logo. 'Shutting 'er down after 48 years. It goes by in the blink of an eye.' That journey, through so many outlets, saw McKenzie rise to become one of the most trusted voices in the sport — an insider with a keen analyst's touch — who informed generations of hockey fans. Whether it was breaking NHL deals, shining with his role in TSN's coverage of the world juniors, or his in-depth breakdown of prospects and draft coverage, he's long been one of the best in the business. Article content Article content 'I decided a few months ago it's as nice a time as any to call it a career with the expiry of my current contract,' McKenzie wrote. 'If I had been so inclined to continue doing the world juniors and draft rankings etc. at TSN, the opportunity was certainly there for me to do so. And I'm so grateful to TSN for that.' Article content Fitting to a long and influential career, TSN signed off its July 1 NHL coverage with an at-times emotional look back at McKenzie's career highlights, ending with him surrounded by colleagues new and old on the studio set. Article content 'I don't know if there's anyone who intersects Canada, journalism and hockey like Bob McKenzie,' TSN's host James Duthie said of McKenzie, who was recognized by the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015 when he was that year's recipient of the Elmer Ferguson Award. Article content So much of what we see on hockey telecasts today has its roots in McKenzie's work. He brought coverage of prospects and the NHL draft into a different and more in-depth realm and championed July 1 and the free-agent frenzy as must-watch television. As much as McKenzie loved (and lived) for the world juniors — certainly high on the lengthy list of his much-watch work — McKenzie said he is looking forward to a different pace over the Christmas holidays. And a life of leisure away from the camera.
Ottawa Citizen
02-07-2025
- Business
- Ottawa Citizen
TSN's ultimate insider Bob McKenzie announces his retirement from a life of hockey scoops
He has been one of the ultimate hockey insiders for the better part of five decades, and now TSN's Bob McKenzie is trading in scoops for a full-on life of retirement and relaxation. Article content One of the best regarded hockey voices in the business announced his retirement on Tuesday as the July 1 free-agent frenzy wound down and the NHL drifted towards another off-season. Article content Article content 'Today's Free Agent Frenzy is the last working day in a 48-year professional career that included stops at The Sault Star, The Globe and Mail, The Hockey News (twice), The Toronto Star, TSN, ESPN and NBC, amongst others,' McKenzie wrote on X announcing his departure from a lifetime of gathering and dispensing hockey news and insight. 'It's been quite a ride.' Article content Article content McKenzie, who will turn 69 in August, had been semi-retired for the past several years but felt it was time to walk away from the sport that has been his passion and his livelihood for so long. Article content 'Today is my retirement day,' McKenzie said on air while sporting a TSN blazer with an old-school network logo. 'Shutting 'er down after 48 years. It goes by in the blink of an eye.' That journey, through so many outlets, saw McKenzie rise to become one of the most trusted voices in the sport — an insider with a keen analyst's touch — who informed generations of hockey fans. Whether it was breaking NHL deals, shining with his role in TSN's coverage of the world juniors, or his in-depth breakdown of prospects and draft coverage, he's long been one of the best in the business. Article content Article content 'I decided a few months ago it's as nice a time as any to call it a career with the expiry of my current contract,' McKenzie wrote. 'If I had been so inclined to continue doing the world juniors and draft rankings etc. at TSN, the opportunity was certainly there for me to do so. And I'm so grateful to TSN for that.' Article content Fitting to a long and influential career, TSN signed off its July 1 NHL coverage with an at-times emotional look back at McKenzie's career highlights, ending with him surrounded by colleagues new and old on the studio set. Article content 'I don't know if there's anyone who intersects Canada, journalism and hockey like Bob McKenzie,' TSN's host James Duthie said of McKenzie, who was recognized by the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015 when he was that year's recipient of the Elmer Ferguson Award. Article content So much of what we see on hockey telecasts today has its roots in McKenzie's work. He brought coverage of prospects and the NHL draft into a different and more in-depth realm and championed July 1 and the free-agent frenzy as must-watch television. As much as McKenzie loved (and lived) for the world juniors — certainly high on the lengthy list of his much-watch work — McKenzie said he is looking forward to a different pace over the Christmas holidays. And a life of leisure away from the camera.
Vancouver Sun
02-07-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
TSN's ultimate insider Bob McKenzie announces his retirement from a life of hockey scoops
He has been one of the ultimate hockey insiders for the better part of five decades, and now TSN's Bob McKenzie is trading in scoops for a full-on life of retirement and relaxation. One of the best regarded hockey voices in the business announced his retirement on Tuesday as the July 1 free-agent frenzy wound down and the NHL drifted towards another off-season. 'Today's Free Agent Frenzy is the last working day in a 48-year professional career that included stops at The Sault Star , The Globe and Mail , The Hockey News (twice), The Toronto Star , TSN, ESPN and NBC, amongst others,' McKenzie wrote on X announcing his departure from a lifetime of gathering and dispensing hockey news and insight. 'It's been quite a ride.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. McKenzie, who will turn 69 in August, had been semi-retired for the past several years but felt it was time to walk away from the sport that has been his passion and his livelihood for so long. 'Today is my retirement day,' McKenzie said on air while sporting a TSN blazer with an old-school network logo. 'Shutting 'er down after 48 years. It goes by in the blink of an eye.' That journey, through so many outlets, saw McKenzie rise to become one of the most trusted voices in the sport — an insider with a keen analyst's touch — who informed generations of hockey fans. Whether it was breaking NHL deals, shining with his role in TSN's coverage of the world juniors, or his in-depth breakdown of prospects and draft coverage, he's long been one of the best in the business. 'I decided a few months ago it's as nice a time as any to call it a career with the expiry of my current contract,' McKenzie wrote. 'If I had been so inclined to continue doing the world juniors and draft rankings etc. at TSN, the opportunity was certainly there for me to do so. And I'm so grateful to TSN for that.' Fitting to a long and influential career, TSN signed off its July 1 NHL coverage with an at-times emotional look back at McKenzie's career highlights, ending with him surrounded by colleagues new and old on the studio set. 'I don't know if there's anyone who intersects Canada, journalism and hockey like Bob McKenzie,' TSN's host James Duthie said of McKenzie, who was recognized by the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015 when he was that year's recipient of the Elmer Ferguson Award. So much of what we see on hockey telecasts today has its roots in McKenzie's work. He brought coverage of prospects and the NHL draft into a different and more in-depth realm and championed July 1 and the free-agent frenzy as must-watch television. As much as McKenzie loved (and lived) for the world juniors — certainly high on the lengthy list of his much-watch work — McKenzie said he is looking forward to a different pace over the Christmas holidays. And a life of leisure away from the camera. 'Honestly, I am looking forward to waking up on Christmas morning this year and NOT flying to Minneapolis-St. Paul for the world juniors,' McKenzie wrote. 'I'm also looking forward to doing more travelling with my wife Cindy; having more time to give my sons Mike and Shawn unwanted (and unneeded) advice; playing even more golf than I am now; and having my two wonderful grandchildren Blake and Gunnar running my show on a full-time basis.' A newspaper man at his core, McKenzie was one of the first to make the transition from print to television and handled it with aplomb. In that regard, he was a trailblazer, though it was never something he intended. 'I certainly never set out to be the TSN Hockey Insider,' wrote McKenzie, who joined the network in 2000. 'It never occurred to me that I would work in television. All I wanted to be when I grew up was a hockey writer, to have a 'job' to watch, write and talk about the game. You know, tell a few stories and capture the spirit of the thing. 'Mission accomplished, I guess.' Indeed. And the end of an era, as he was appropriately celebrated and recognized by his colleagues, presented with a silver stick for his accomplishments in his last moments on air.
Hamilton Spectator
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Lucy's Diner is open for listening
Everyone was wondering what Hollow Heads would do next. Now they're wondering what Lucy's Diner is cooking up. The Sault Ste. Marie-born band, formerly known as Hollow Heads, has rebranded as Lucy's Diner and is stirring up a new batch of songs for their debut EP. The first of the collection is titled I'm On Fire and was released on Wednesday. The band's name change came after a polite request from an American band of the same name. Lead singer Gabrielle Dumas said the new name feels more fitting than anything they've used before. 'We were always Lucy's Diner,' she told The Sault Star in an interview Friday. 'We just didn't realize it.' The name comes in part from a psychedelic rock song the band wrote back in 2022 — the same year the group formed. 'Lucy's in the diner, I know we can find her,' sings Dumas. The song is one of many well-loved by the friends and fans who make up their shows. Since then, the band has grown in scope, sound, and cohesion, blending influences from indie and rock, to funk, folk, and jazz. Alongside Dumas's powerhouse vocals, bandmates Ethan Roode and Liam Morassut rotate between bass, acoustic, and electric guitars, while Joe Rosso holds it down on the drums. Sometimes a banjo makes an appearance on stage. One thing they all agree on? Peach Pit rules. The band has shifted shape more than once, both musically and geographically. With members sometimes living in different cities for school, Lucy's Diner makes the most of summer breaks and holidays to perform. This worked well, said Dumas, because the university-aged band had friends who would come home for the same March Breaks and long weekends and were happy to turn up to shows. When the band started, Rosso and Roode were in Ottawa for school. Morassut spent the better part of the last few years in Kingston, Ont., for school. 'It's like being in a long-distance relationship, but with people you try to create with,' said Dumas. 'So, it can be kind of disheartening when you feel passion in a moment, and you don't have the people around you to make use of that passion, but we've navigated it pretty well.' In the early days, they leaned heavily into performance. Now, they've prioritized recording — something they felt was long overdue. 'We were building momentum with live shows, but we didn't have anything recorded to back it up,' Dumas said. 'So, we made a unanimous decision: when we're together, we record.' That shift led to the EP currently in the works — though Dumas was tight-lipped about the details. She alluded to some surprises coming up. cafe Dumas describes the collection of new songs the product of each member's individual growth as musicians, and their collective evolution as a band. 'We've grown, and therefore our music has too, and it's going to be a really cool reflection of that growth,' she said. While their song Complicated, released in 2023, falls into a funk, groove sort of category, their new songs will show the fuller range that Lucy's Diner has on their set lists. Dumas said that some lean folk, while others are 'pure rock' or even jazz. While the name change came with a dose of heartbreak, the band's new identity felt inevitable. 'We were emotionally attached to Hollow Heads,' said Dumas. 'But Lucy's Diner felt meant to be.' That feeling solidified during a photoshoot at Ernie's Coffee Shop to capture their new image. 'I wore a teal colour, and so did Liam. We didn't plan that. And it matched the colour on the walls perfectly,' said Dumas. 'It's just kind of become the colour of our brand — without us even trying.' When the band first formed as Hollow Heads, they didn't know what it would become. 'We didn't really know what we were going to start,' Dumas said. 'But it's changed us all. And the best part is that we always come back to the core.' And that core is the love of making, sharing, and performing music. mkirk@ The Local Journalism Initiative is made possible through funding from the federal government.
