By John Burman, The Hamilton Spectator HAMILTON - The test drive from hell started when a man admiring a $47,000 plus Hyundai Genesis suddenly grabbed the keys and dove in behind the wheel.

The Associated Press WASHINGTON — With economic gloom the backdrop, U.S. presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama hold the last of their three debates tonight at Hofstra University in suburban New York.

Frank Kerr, lead singer of the iconic Hamilton punk band Teenage Head, died today of cancer. Kerr, better known to fans of the band as Frankie Venom, was 52.

The Associated Press NEW YORK — Oil prices closed below $75 US a barrel for the first time in nearly 14 months today after OPEC, fearing that a severe global economic slowdown is unavoidable, slashed its 2009 petroleum demand forecast.

The Canadian Press GATINEAU– The CRTC is reviewing its policy of allowing unregulated distribution of broadcast media content over the Internet and cellphones.

Former Liberal cabinet minister Sheila Copps joined with three other local federal candidates including former political nemesis, Larry Di Ianni, at Hamilton’s waterfront to present a united front against the New Democrats grip on federal power in the Oct. 14 election.

Hamilton’s New Democrats are expecting to retain their three MP seats in the Oct. 14 federal election.

If only Mark Cripps could have waited one day before publishing his article criticizing the NDP's position on Afghanistan. The day after his anti-NDP rant, the senior British commander in Afghanistan, General Carleton-Smith, stated that victory in Afghanistan is impossible.

A few weeks ago, I wrote a column about my concerns the Stephen Harper Conservatives were being over-run by Christian fundamentalists bent on pushing a moral agenda onto the Canadian political landscape.

Did you know there is a global financial crisis going on? Unlike Prime Minister Stephen Harper, most Canadians have been listening to the repetitive drumbeats of the financial meltdown occurring across the globe.

Conservative incumbent MP David Sweet took an early lead in Ancaster- Dundas- Flamborough polls, and never looked back.

Mike Pearson reports that Dan Muys, campaign manager for David Sweet, has announced that Conservative incumbent has a 2 to 1 lead over Liberal challenger Arlene MacFarlane-Vanderbeek - enough to predict a blue victory in ADFW.

NDP supporters await the arrival of ADFW candidate Gordon Guyatt at his Westdale campaign headquarters, reports Catherine O'Hara.

Early polls are good news for David Sweet, reports Mike Pearson from the Flamorough Hills Golf Club in Copetown.

Joseph Gordon, head of the ADFW Liberal riding association, said he expects the local results to be delayed, due to issues at the McMaster University campus, reports Dianne Cornish.

Former Liberal cabinet minister Sheila Copps joined with three other local federal candidates including former political nemesis, Larry Di Ianni, at Hamilton’s waterfront to present a united front against the New Democrats grip on federal power in the Oct. 14 election.

Hamilton’s New Democrats are expecting to retain their three MP seats in the Oct. 14 federal election.

As fall and winter approach, I am still addressing flooding issues that occurred this past summer. Thank you to everyone who has taken the initiative to clear out catch basins, drainage swales, culverts, etc. Every little bit goes a very long way.

A few weeks ago, I wrote a column about my concerns the Stephen Harper Conservatives were being over-run by Christian fundamentalists bent on pushing a moral agenda onto the Canadian political landscape.

Did you know there is a global financial crisis going on? Unlike Prime Minister Stephen Harper, most Canadians have been listening to the repetitive drumbeats of the financial meltdown occurring across the globe.

For the fourth consecutive year the community is invited to participate in an annual coat drive sponsored by three area clothing stores.

School fire drills will be the main local focus of Fire Prevention Week, which continues through tomorrow (Saturday). Crews are working to get to every elementary and secondary school as they hold their fall fire drills, said the Burlington Fire Department’s prevention officer.

An area humanitarian relief organization is organizing another mercy mission to help a battered land and its people.

Business operators and shoppers should be aware that most stores must be closed for the upcoming Thanksgiving Day holiday — Monday, Oct. 13.

The City of Burlington is hosting two public meetings and conducting a telephone survey to help taxpayers have their say on services and priorities as the municipality prepares for the 2009 budget.

Conservative incumbent MP David Sweet took an early lead in Ancaster- Dundas- Flamborough polls, an... | read more | Mike Pearson reports that Dan Muys, campaign manager for David Sweet, has announced that Conservati...

Mike Pearson reports that Dan Muys, campaign manager for David Sweet, has announced that Conservati... | read more | NDP supporters await the arrival of ADFW candidate Gordon Guyatt at his Westdale campaign headquart...

By Brenda Jefferies, Metroland Media Group Ltd. Gwen Phinney, sister of former Mountain Liberal MP Beth Phinney is Election Day Chair and Volunteer Co-ordinator for the Arlene MacFarlane-VanderBeek campaign.

NDP supporters await the arrival of ADFW candidate Gordon Guyatt at his Westdale campaign headquart... | read more | Early polls are good news for David Sweet, reports Mike Pearson from the Flamorough Hills Golf Club...

By Brenda Jefferies, Metroland Media Group Ltd. Early polls are good news for David Sweet, reports Mike Pearson from the Flamorough Hills Golf Club in Copetown.

Canadian Press picked Haldimand-Norfolk as one of 10 bellwether ridings in Canada to watch in yesterday’s federal election, and the riding did not disappoint. [...]

Waking up before sunset on my birthday, it dawned on me: You're not a kid anymore, Pelletier. My immediate reaction was to do what [...]

Some time ago I came across a website called Ship of Fools. It is a site dedicated to poking some light hearted fun at the [...]

Dunnville's Theatre of Tomorrow is underway. Eight secondary school students recently started meeting twice monthly at the Dunnville Community Theatre(DCT) to begin learning firsthand [...]

Dunnville and Caledonia residents exhibited a high interest in the federal riding campaign by attending all candidate meetings over the past week. More than [...]

NORTH BAY, Ont.–The number of confirmed cases in an E. coli outbreak in North Bay, Ont., has risen to 14 from eight just a day earlier. Medical officer of health Dr. Catherine Whiting says the number of cases under investigation has also risen to 38 from 20 on Tuesday.

TORONTO–The Ontario Energy Board is raising basic electricity prices by more than 10 per cent – to 5.6 cents per kilowatt-hour for use of up to 1,000 kWh a month and 6.5 cents per kWh above that.

Ontario has a "piecemeal" approach to treating autistic adults that leaves some of society's most vulnerable without the help they need, an advocacy group said in a discussion paper released Wednesday.

Peel Police today pleaded with young drivers to stop racing after revealing a 20-year-old Mississauga man, who died in a crash last month, was involved in a high-speed street race.

Two teens are being sought after a 14-year-old boy was stabbed to death yesterday in Brampton.

Ontario Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty said Wednesday that provincial politics is "where the action is" and he isn't interested in leading the federal party.

Electricity prices in Ontario are going up by about $2.40 per month.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Hollweg received an automatic three-game suspension without pay from the NHL on Wednesday.

An advocacy group for people with autism says the province has a "piecemeal approach" that leaves some of society's most vulnerable without the help they need.

Final results show the Conservatives under Stephen Harper made significant gains in the GTA in Tuesday's election, but failed to crack the Liberal stronghold in the city of Toronto.

Canada’s new minority government should work better than the old one, says Barrie MP Patrick Brown. And much better than the dysfunctional government which [...]

BARRIE - There is still time to nominate a hero for the city's annual Spirit Catcher Awards. The cut-off for nominations is Thursday. [...]

Roadwork has resulted in the closure of the West Street overpass at Highway 11 in Orillia on Wednesday. Both the north and southbound lanes will [...]

BRACEBRIDGE - A pilot suffered minor injuries following a plane crash Wednesday morning on Lake Muskoka. Bracebridge OPP, with the assistance of the Canadian Traffic [...]

TORONTO - Stock markets retreated Wednesday morning as a dreadful reading on American retail sales showed how the global credit crisis is depressing consumers. [...]