Closer Look (Village Media Inc.)

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Every day, our local journalists tackle the stories that matter most: the ones that impact your day-to-day life.

In communities across the province — as well at Queen’s Park and on Parliament Hill — our on-the-ground reporters and editors chase down the answers you need to know. 

In this new nightly segment — ‘Closer Look’ — Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore an important story they are covering.
These interviews are designed to help you better understand how our reporters gather the information that lands in your local news feed.

On tonight’s episode: the most prolific “renovictor” in Ontario. 

It’s happening more and more across the province: landlords evicting longtime tenants in order to renovate the property, then rent it to someone else at a much higher price. A tenant advocacy group recently named Michael Klein, a Toronto real estate investor, as Ontario’s “top” renovictor.

Two of our reporters — Taylor Pace of GuelphToday and Joe McGinty of CambridgeToday — dug even deeper into Klein’s business dealings for this investigative feature: ‘How is this legal?’ Meet the king of Ontario renovictions

You can read their full story HERE.

Look for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. 

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In this new nightly feature, Village Media journalists break down the details of an important story making headlines around the province

In cities and towns across Ontario — and at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill — our journalists work for you. Their mission is to dig for answers and tell you what they find.

This new feature — ‘Closer Look’ — is a chance to hear directly from those dedicated reporters and editors. 

Every night, Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore an important story they are covering. These in-depth conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

On tonight’s episode of ‘Closer Look’: a hit-and-run mystery in Northern Ontario.

On Nov. 7, 2023, a 21-year-old woman named Loni Chum was found dead on a street in Moose Factory, a remote island community 320 km northeast of Timmins. More than a year later, her tragic death remains unsolved.

“Loni’s killer is still walking among us in this small community,” her father, Robert Chum, said in a recent interview with TimminsToday. “It's like a story in a movie that hasn't ended yet.”

Police believe Loni was struck by a pickup truck and left for dead, but no suspects have been identified. The reward for any information leading her killer’s arrest now stands at $100,000.

TimminsToday reporter Marissa Lentz-McGrath brings us up to date on the latest developments in the investigation. You can read her previous coverage HERE and HERE.

Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. 

Send us a text

In cities and towns across Ontario — and at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill — our journalists work for you. Their mission is to dig for answers and tell you what they find.

This new feature — ‘Closer Look’ — is a chance to hear directly from those dedicated reporters and editors. 

Every night, Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore an important story they are covering. These in-depth conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

On tonight’s episode of ‘Closer Look’: the grocery store you can't actually shop at.

SEE: The DoorDash grocery store where the public isn’t allowed inside

Although it looks like a typical grocery store, this particular outlet in downtown Toronto is anything but. It is not open to the public. It's exclusively for DoorDash customers who use the company's food delivery app.

TorontoToday reporter Kathryn Mannie joins us on the show to explain what residents think about the local grocery store they can't actually enter. You can read her full story HERE. 

Have you had a chance to check out TorontoToday, now serving the downtown neighbourhoods of Canada's largest city? The local news site features two free e-mail newsletters delivered straight to your inbox every day: The Stir (7 a.m.) and The Tone (3 p.m.). You can sign up for both newsletters HERE and HERE.

Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. You can find all our previous segments HERE.

Send us a text

In this new nightly feature, Village Media journalists break down the details of an important story making headlines around the province

In cities and towns across Ontario — and at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill — our journalists work for you. Their mission is to dig for answers and tell you what they find.

This new feature — ‘Closer Look’ — is a chance to hear directly from those dedicated reporters and editors. 

Every night, Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore an important story they are covering. These in-depth conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

On tonight’s episode of ‘Closer Look’: the fight to keep a schoolgirl killer locked in prison.

More than 37 years ago, a Grade 9 student named Patrizia Mastroianni was sexually assaulted and stabbed to death inside a high school bathroom in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. Decades later, her murder remains one of the city’s most notorious crimes.

Sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years, Russell Colwell has recently ramped up his efforts to see the outside world — forcing his victim’s family to fight to keep him behind bars. 

Village Media’s Michael Friscolanti joins us to explain the latest developments on the case. You can read his previous coverage HERE and HERE.

Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. You can find all our previous segments HERE.

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On tonight’s episode of ‘Closer Look’: an iconic Ontario store — famous for its familiar radio ads — is closing down.
Originally established in the 1800s as a warehouse for leather goods, The (Olde) Hide House opened to the public in 1980, selling jackets, purses, furniture and other high-quality goods.
The store's radio ads, featured far and wide, became famous: "It's worth the drive to Acton."
Customers will need to make one last drive if they plan to shop at the store again. The Hide House announced it is closing the doors for good, as soon as all remaining stock is liquidated.
HaltonHillsToday reporter Herb Garbutt joins us on the show to talk about the end of an era.

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On tonight’s episode of ‘Closer Look’: What happened to Nuseiba Hasan?
In November 2006, the young woman was driven from a Hamilton apartment to her family’s farm in Flamborough — then vanished.
Police didn’t even know Hasan was missing until nine years later, when a family member let it slip that she may have been killed.
Nearly two decades after she disappeared, Hamilton Police are still actively investigating the case as a homicide — and they suspect that someone in her family knows exactly what happened.
In a two-part series marking the anniversary of Hasan’s disappearance, FlamboroughToday reporter Cara Nickerson takes an in-depth look at a compelling unsolved mystery. She is our guest on tonight’s ‘Closer Look.’

Send us a text

In this new nightly feature, Village Media journalists break down the details of an important story making headlines around the province

In cities and towns across Ontario — and at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill — our journalists work for you. Their mission is to dig for answers and tell you what they find.

This new feature — ‘Closer Look’ — is a chance to hear directly from those dedicated reporters and editors. 

Every night, Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore an important story they are covering. These in-depth conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

On tonight’s episode of ‘Closer Look’: Doug Ford has a plan to dismantle homeless encampments.

Last year, an Ontario judge issued a precedent setting-ruling, concluding that the Region of Waterloo cannot evict people from homeless encampments unless alternative housing exists. Doing so, the judge ruled, would deprive homeless residents of their Charter rights to life, liberty and security of the person.
Since then, some Ontario mayors have called on the province to use the notwithstanding clause to override the Charter and evict encampment dwellers.
After weeks of floating — and defending — the possible use of the notwithstanding clause, the Ford government is now saying it may not be necessary. Instead, the government has announced it is bringing forward legislation to crack down on encampments by giving municipalities new powers and funding to allow cities to disband them.  
Alan S. Hale, a reporter for The Trillium at Queen's Park, brings us up to speed on the latest developments.

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In this new nightly feature, Village Media journalists break down the details of an important story making headlines around the province

In cities and towns across Ontario — and at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill — our journalists work for you. Their mission is to dig for answers and tell you what they find.

This new feature — ‘Closer Look’ — is a chance to hear directly from those dedicated reporters and editors. 

Every night, Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore an important story they are covering. These in-depth conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

On tonight’s episode of ‘Closer Look’: an inspiring work of art.
The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) recently dropped the puck on its second season. To mark the occasion, artist Briony Douglas collected 127 game-used sticks from all six inaugural teams — Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Boston, New York and Minnesota — and built a huge goalie mask that stands four feet tall and six feet wide.
“It has been a long road for women in sports, and I know the PWHL has done so much to get where they are today,” Douglas said. “My hope is people will see this art and it will spark a conversation to discuss and empower the Professional Women’s Hockey League.”
BurlingtonToday reporter Chris Arnold joins us to talk more about this unique creation.

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In this new nightly feature, Village Media journalists break down the details of an important story making headlines around the province

In cities and towns across Ontario — and at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill — our journalists work for you. Their mission is to dig for answers and tell you what they find.

This new feature — ‘Closer Look’ — is a chance to hear directly from those dedicated reporters and editors. 

Every night, Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore an important story they are covering. These in-depth conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

On tonight’s episode of ‘Closer Look’: The case of the missing harpoons (and a whole lot more).

According to records released under access-to-information laws, the Royal Ontario Museum can't find more than 2,200 items from its collection — including 136 oracle bones, 30 coins, 10 harpoons and one nativity scene.

SEE: ROM can't account for 2,234 items in its collection, including 10 missing harpoons

The missing items are enough to stock a respectable museum on their own. 

The ROM's chief of collections care says the quantity of missing items stems from the inventory practices that the museum used in the past, informal by modern standards. 

TorontoToday reporter Patrick Cain, who broke the news earlier this month, joins us to talk about his treasure of an article. You can read the full story HERE.

Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. You can find all our previous segments HERE.

Send us a text

In cities and towns across Ontario — and at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill — our journalists work for you. Their mission is to dig for answers and tell you what they find.

This new feature — ‘Closer Look’ — is a chance to hear directly from those dedicated reporters and editors. 

Every night, Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore an important story they are covering. These in-depth conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

On tonight’s episode of ‘Closer Look’: A very special roadside delivery.

A family in Northern Ontario is singing the praises of two quick-thinking paramedics and a nurse who helped deliver a baby boy last weekend — on the side of a highway, in the middle of a snowstorm. 

The mother-to-be was being transported to a New Liskeard hospital when the two medics, Brandi Ouelette and Natasha Albert, realized they wouldn't get there in time. So they pulled over on the side of Highway 11, kept their lights blinking, and helped bring the new baby into the world.

SEE: Paramedics deliver baby on Highway 11 during snowstorm

“As paramedics, we are trained to handle emergencies and prepare for everything that could go wrong," the medics said in a joint statement to TimminsToday. "Often, we’re faced with severe injuries, illnesses, and loss. But this past weekend, everything went right."

TimminsToday reporter Marissa Lentz-McGrath joins us with the full story. You can read her coverage HERE. 

Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. ​You can find all our previous segments HERE.

Want to see more Village Media video features? Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Send us a text

In cities and towns across Ontario — and at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill — our journalists work for you. Their mission is to dig for answers and tell you what they find.

This new feature — ‘Closer Look’ — is a chance to hear directly from those dedicated reporters and editors. 

Every night, Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore an important story they are covering. These in-depth conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

On tonight’s episode of ‘Closer Look’: Her name was Tammy.
Two decades ago, a woman's body was discovered near a highway rest stop between Guelph and Halton Hills. Although her identity remained a mystery for nearly 20 years, the woman's story never faded away, thanks to a roadside memorial installed in 2008.
Earlier this year, GuelphToday reporter Isabel Buckmaster wrote a feature story about Keith Porty, who has spent the past few years meticulously repairing and maintaining the Jane Doe memorial. He also created a sign that he posted on a nearby bench. It encourages visitors to learn more about the case in the hopes someone might have information that could finally solve the mystery.
Six months after that article was published, the OPP announced a major break in the cold case: using a technique known as investigative genetic genealogy (IGG), police confirmed the deceased woman was Tammy Eileen Penner, 41, of Chilliwack, B.C. The OPP believes Penner was the victim of foul play, and have renewed their plea for people to come forward with any information.
Buckmaster joins us tonight to talk about the lingering mystery.

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In cities and towns across Ontario — and at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill — our journalists work for you. Their mission is to dig for answers and tell you what they find.

This new feature — ‘Closer Look’ — is a chance to hear directly from those dedicated reporters and editors. 

Every weeknight, Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore an important story they are covering. These in-depth conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

On tonight’s episode of ‘Closer Look’: A walk in the park.In cities and towns across Ontario — and at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill — our journalists work for you. Their mission is to dig for answers and tell you what they find.

This new feature — ‘Closer Look’ — is a chance to hear directly from those dedicated reporters and editors. 

Every weeknight, Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore an important story they are covering. These in-depth conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

On tonight’s episode of ‘Closer Look’: A walk in the park.

In 2020, the B.C. Parks Foundation launched PaRx, a program that helps connect Canadians with the many health benefits of Mother Nature. Simply put, PaRx equips physicians with a unique tool: nature prescriptions. (The organization also partners with agencies like Parks Canada to provide free access for patients.)

SEE: Halton doctors can now prescribe free conservation park visits for mental health

Studies have repeatedly confirmed that time spent in nature can have positive impacts on a person's physical and mental health. Research also shows that patients with a prescription are more likely to get outside than patients who are simply advised to do so.

Halton Healthcare, which operates hospitals in Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills, just became the first hospital network in Canada to partner with PaRx. Prescribed patients can now access Conservation Halton Parks for ten free visits, which includes scenic trail hikes, wildlife spottin

Send us a text

In cities and towns across Ontario — and at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill — our journalists work for you. Their mission is to dig for answers and tell you what they find.

This new feature — ‘Closer Look’ — is a chance to hear directly from those dedicated reporters and editors. 

Every weeknight, Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore an important story they are covering. These in-depth conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

On tonight’s episode of ‘Closer Look’: Pedalling toward a day in court.
Last month, the Ford government passed legislation that allows the province to block municipalities from creating new bike lanes that would overtake a vehicle lane. Bill 212 also gives Queen's Park the power to rip out existing bike lanes — including three in Toronto.

The Conservative government is adamant that bike lanes increase traffic congestion, but a draft of a briefing document prepared for Ontario cabinet ministers — and obtained by The Trillium — warns that the opposite is true.
Work to remove the Toronto bike lanes will not begin until at least March. In the meantime, the charity Toronto Cycle has filed a Charter challenge of the new law, arguing it violates cyclists' right to life, liberty and security of the person.
If the lanes are removed, they argue, “many thousands of Toronto cyclists will be forced to cycle in lanes shared with motor vehicle traffic” resulting in “heightened risk of injury and death."

TorontoToday reporter Aidan Chamandy and Jack Hauen of The Trillium have been leading our coverage of the ongoing story. Chamandy joins us tonight to bring you up to speed on the latest details.

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In cities and towns across Ontario — and at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill — our journalists work for you. Their mission is to dig for answers and tell you what they find.

This new feature — ‘Closer Look’ — is a chance to hear directly from those dedicated reporters and editors. 

Every weeknight, Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore an important story they are covering. These in-depth conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

On tonight’s episode of ‘Closer Look’: A police shooting that could have been prevented.
More than three years after Mathias Bunyan was shot and killed inside his Fergus, Ont. apartment, a coroner's inquest has completed its review of the fatal encounter, which was captured on video by body cameras worn by OPP officers at the scene.

One of the jury's key recommendations is that the body-cam footage — which shows Bunyan being pepper-sprayed, tasered and eventually shot multiple times in the chest — be used to help inform how future police officers are trained on conflict prevention and de-escalation when dealing with a person in a mental health crisis.

Keegan Kozolanka, a reporter at EloraFergusToday, has been covering this story since the shooting occurred. He joins us tonight.

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 In cities and towns across Ontario — and at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill — our journalists work for you. Their mission is to dig for answers and tell you what they find.

This new feature — ‘Closer Look’ — is a chance to hear directly from those dedicated reporters and editors. 

Every night, Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore an important story they are covering. These in-depth conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

On tonight’s episode of ‘Closer Look’: Mapping out Ontario's doctor shortage.

Eliot Frymire is part of a research group that investigates and analyzes primary care in Ontario. Using OHIP billing information, the researchers painstakingly drill down into postal code-based data to find out how many people have a regular source of primary care, what type of care they're getting, and where they're getting it.

His takeaway: "We have a crisis everywhere."

Using that data, The Trillium team at Queen's Park created a map that reveals just how widespread the problem has become.

SEE: Here's where the primary care crisis is hitting Ontario hardest

Some examples? In 2022, the year of the most recent data available on a geographic basis, nearly half of all residents in Sioux Lookout weren't getting regular primary care. Near both Toronto's and Ottawa's city halls, it's about one in three. The same goes for Petawawa in eastern Ontario and a portion of Mississauga near the Pearson International Airport. 

Reporter Jack Hauen of The Trillium joins us to break down the data. You can read his previous coverage HERE.

Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. ​You can find all our previous segments HERE.

Want to see more video features from Village Media? Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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