It was around 3:45 a.m. when 911 was notified of the incident by a fire alarm available to the establishment located on Curé-Labelle Boulevard, in Chomedey.

The first of the 4 Laval Fire Department units required for the intervention, i.e., 14 firefighters, arrived on site at 3:54 AM.

At this time, the sappers easily saw smoke coming from inside the restaurant whose sprinkler system had been activated.

Suspicious details

A window was found to have been smashed with what appears to be a Molotov cocktail.

After ensuring that no one was inside, when the business was effectively unoccupied, the firefighters quickly brought the fire under control, giving control at the stroke of 3:56 AM; certainly, helped by the efficiency of the sprinklers.

The action of the latter will have limited the material damage to $10,000 for the commercial building and $3,000 for its contents.

Investigation

Due to the suspicious items found at the scene, firefighters immediately transferred the investigation to the Service de police de Laval (SPL).

A crime scene was still in progress on the morning of Thursday, March 9, pending SPL investigators and forensic identification specialists.

Not a first Recall that the Nuits de Beyrouth restaurant had already been visited by a criminal hand on November 7 and 8, 2022; other incidents of a similar nature had also occurred in the past at this location.

It should also be noted that last October, the SPL made public the arrest of five individuals accused notably of arson, most of them caused on Curé-Labelle Boulevard, and intimidation of Laval’s restaurateurs.

L’article Third criminal fire at the same restaurant since last November est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

This well-known supermarket for people from Chomedey and surrounding neighbourhoods is said to have closed its doors last fall.

In the web search engine, Google, it is specified that Mourelatos supermarket has been permanently closed for at least 17 weeks. In Quebec’s entreprise register, it is indicated that the company is bankrupt.

Contacted at his residence by Courrier Laval, the family of President Efthymios Mourelatos declined to comment on the closure.

As the first shareholder, Efthymios Mourelatos would be the majority in his company, again according to the information available at the Registraire des entreprises du Québec.

The Groupe Serpone, specialized in insolvency and based on rue Jean-Talon East, in Montreal, would be in charge of the file as trustee in bankruptcy.

Since December 19, 2022, a new brand that presents itself as a family neighbourhood grocery store and responds to the name of Marché Vie en Vert, would have appeared at 4919 Notre-Dame Boulevard.

Note that this banner is already present on the territory of Montreal, rue Fabre, in the Villeray sector.

L’article The Mourelatos supermarket has closed its doors in Laval est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

For 16 years now, the school principal of this Laval’s English school, Josée Pepin, and her students have been the organizers of this event.

“I want to show students that they [those who are experiencing homelessness] are people just like us,” explains the private school’s principal.

“No one is immune to homelessness,” adds Lynne Dupuis, head of philanthropic development for the Old Brewery Mission.

Denis is a good example. “I have worked all my life,” says this former showman. “Because of COVID, I lost my job,” he continues.

Here, at the Old Brewery’s shelter, Denis has a place to sleep, while waiting for the travelling carnivals to come back stronger.

Valentine’s Day for all

Whether February 14^th falls on a Saturday or a chilling day, students of the Academy located in Chomedey can be found here in front of the Old Brewery Mission.

“It’s always on Valentine’s Day,” explains Josée Pepin. It’s part of giving your time. “We can’t just give it away when it’s convenient.”

Quickly, when the students take out the coffee jugs, a line forms to receive the donations.

Many hide their precarious situation well. A man shows up wearing a Canada Goose coat and Adidas shoes. Others are freshly shaven, their hair neatly cut and styled.

Guillaume appreciates the socks and the sweater he was able to take. He has been homeless for five or six years and has been going to the shelter since December.

Angela Kolaric is the Academy’s administrative manager. It is her first distribution.

She was used to working behind the scenes of this event. She is amazed by the number of people who have come to receive donations.

A man asks if he can take a pair of socks. Mira, a tenth-grade student, offers him a hat aswell. Politely, the man refuses.

“It’s surprising how humble they are,” notes Angela Polarik. “They want to leave things for others who might need them more than them.”

On this mild February day, the initiative is popular. After an hour, all that is left is a dash of coffee and half a bag of clothes.

All packaged meals are long gone.

“I was surprised to see how they were surprised,” says Morgan in 11^th grade. “How surprised they were to see that we came to do that.”

“We had a lot of clothes, but they went so fast!” observes Sarwehs a pupil of the same year.

Rewarding experience

The project involves the whole school. But only the oldest students, those in the 10^th and 11^th grade, take part in the distribution.

While those in the seventh grade pack meals.

Every student has the chance to contribute to the generous operation.

Usually, the group drives out to distribute the surpluses.

This year it will not be necessary.

Mira, Aditi, Yoono, Sarwesh and Morgan were chosen to come and experience the distribution clothes, hot drinks and meals in front of the Old Brewery Mission. (Photo 2M.Media–Edith Boisvert)

For Yoono, another student in 10^th grade, the activity made him aware of the needs of others. “We need to do more for the community. I didn’t think there would be so many people.”

Despite the difficulties that the beneficiaries are encountering, “Everyone is in a good mood,” says Aditi, a student in Grade 11.

This year, the school has divided its student workforce to expand its offer to different locations. A second group was present near the Chez Doris women’s shelter.

L’article North Star Academy Laval gives back on Valentine’s Day est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

The victim was initially going there as part of an exchange of goods.

The person was hit in the lower body, and taken to a hospital. The SPL confirmed there’s no fear for the life of the victim despite serious.

The police received a first call in connection with the conflict at 6:40 p.m. because of the gunshots heard. Once there, the SPL arrested a 34-year-old suspect, who was still being held on the morning of Dec. 6.

The SPL is still looking for another suspect linked with the events.

Trading Place

A neutral meeting area was inaugurated in November 2021, at the SPL Headquarters, which is located at 2911, Chomedey Boulevard.

Available at all times and filmed 24 hours a day, the meeting area allows citizens to trade goods safely.

At the time of that zone’s inauguration, the SPL was already considering the creation of at least two other exchange areas on the territory, in particular in Chomedey and Pont-Viau.

translated by Alec Brideau

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The first fire took place on Nov. 7. Around 4:40 a.m., two suspects showed up in the parking lot of 965 Curé-Labelle Boulevard. They tried to set fire to the business, by throwing an object against the window, but without success.

However, they caused a fire on the flowerbeds, before fleeing on foot.

This time, the suspect is a six-foot man, who weighs 72.6 kg. He wore black pants with three white stripes down the sides, including a small red tag above the them. He was also wearing a black hoodie, a black coat with a white logo on the front left side, and black gloves.

Anyone with information concerning those suspects or those fires can communicate, confidentially, on the Laval police info line, at 450-662-INFO (4636) or 911, mentioning files LVL-221107-009 and LVL-221108-004. (N.P.)

translated by Alec Brideau

L’article Arson: Three Suspects Wanted est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

The fire allegedly occurred around 4:40 a.m. in a commercial complex, on Curé-Labelle Boulevard, located a bit north of Cartier Boulevard.

Once at the scene, Laval’s firefighters and police officers found that the small strip of garden adorning the front of the Nuits de Beyrouth restaurant had flamed.

An object would have also been thrown against the shop window, but the fire would have extinguished itself, even before the arrival of emergency services on site.

Laval’s police indicate that this wouldn’t be the first event of that kind to occur at the location.

translated by Alec Brideau

L’article Another Suspicious Fire Targeting a Chomedey Restaurant est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Former municipal councillor for Sainte-Rose, responsible for issues related to the environment and urban planning during the two terms of Demers’s administration, Dufour will also act as spokesperson for Laval’s region for Quebec’s Liberal Party (QLP).

During the last campaign, in the wake of the saga surrounding the Cité du Cinéma, Dufour had also pledged, should she win her place at the National Assembly, to do everything possible to amend the Act respecting elections and Referendums in Municipalities, especially Articles 546 and 553, in relation to the procedure for registering qualified voters.

Sona Lakhoyan Olivier

In addition, Sona Lakhoyan Olivier, deputy for Chomedey, was given, by the leader of the official opposition, Dominique Anglade, the function of Liberal spokesperson for the regions of Laurentides and Lanaudière, as well as for the tourism industry.

translated by Alec Brideau

L’article Virginie Dufour, Municipal Affairs Watchdog est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

During the arrest, a firearm was also seized and removed from circulation.

In Details

The suspect would have shoplifted a business, located in Chomedey.

The gendarmerie officers, supported by the Enquêtes de poste squad, arrested him at the scene.

At the time of the arrest, the suspect was in possession of a handgun, a .40 caliber pistol.

The minor accused appeared at Laval’s courthouse, with charges of theft under $5,000, and possession of a prohibited weapon.

Information

“That operation’s part of Laval’s strategy against the phenomenon of urban violence linked to firearms, which includes a series of concerted and coordinated actions aimed at maintaining public order, and enhancing the feeling of safety of Laval citizens,” the SPL said in its press release.

Anyone with information on urban violence files can communicate, confidentially, on the Laval police info line, at 450-662-INFO (4636) or 911, mentioning file LVL-221013-055. (B.L.)

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L’article Arrest and Weapons Seizure in Chomedey est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

It was 3:12 p.m. when several 911 calls were made for smoke and flames in the heights of the building located in Chomedey, just across the Rivière des Prairies, east of Route 117.

Already on an intervention on Francis-Hughes Boulevard, the first of the 22 firefighters required for this fire, which means six units from Laval’s Fire and Safety Department, arrived at the scene at 3:19 p.m.

At that time, the alarm was on, and people were starting to evacuate the building. Firefighters then helped to complete the evacuation, particularly on the 20th and 21st floors, representing the most risk if there was rapid spread of the flames.

It’s around 3:48 p.m., so about 30 minutes later, that the firefighters took the situation completely under control.

Their efforts and the recommended intervention strategy have been a success, since the total damage is estimated around $5,000, which limits to the balcony and windows of the affected dwelling, cracking under intense heat.

translated by Alec Brideau

L’article Balcony Fire in a 24-Storey Building in Chomedey est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

In the riding of Sainte-Rose, the victory of outgoing deputee Christopher Skeete was never in doubt. Re-elected with the strongest majority in the region, Skeete will team up for the next four years with Valérie Schmaltz (Vimont), Céline Haytayan (Laval-des-Rapides) and Alice Abou-Khalil (Fabre), all three elected for the first time in the National Assembly.

Laval’s two other ridings remain liberal, but will be represented by two new deputees in Virginie Dufour (Mille-Îles) and Sona Lakhoyan Olivier (Chomedey).

Laval-des-Rapides

In Laval-des-Rapides, after a hotly contested battle, Céline Haytayan finally got the better of the riding’s outgoing deputee, Saul Polo, who was seeking a third term.

Haytayan received 10,599 votes, winning by a majority of 1,053 votes over her liberal rival. She obtained 31.9 per cent of the votes, while Polo finished with 28.7 per cent.

Josée Chevalier of Québec solidaire (QS) finished third with 16.7 per cent of the votes, followed by Parti québécois (PQ) candidate Andréanne Fiola at 12.9 per cent, Conservative Party (CP) representative Nicolas Lussier-Clément with 8.6 per cent, and Green Party (GP) candidate Zied Damergi 1.2 per cent.

The electoral turnout in Laval-des-Rapides reached 61.5 per cent, down two tenths of a percentage point compared to the 2018 election.

Vimont

Vimont also had a close race until the end, this time between Valérie Schmaltz (CAQ) and Anabela Monteiro (LP).

At the end of the evening, Schmaltz finally won by 1,415 votes over the one who had headed the riding’s office for 10 years, then represented by the deputy Jean Rousselle. This win for the CAQ thus put an end to a sequence of seven consecutive Liberal electoral victories in Vimont.

Stefano Piscitelli (CP) finished third with 12.9 per cent of the votes, in front of Josée Bélanger (QS) at 11.5 per cent, Nathalie Lavigne (PQ) with 10.6 per cent, and Rita Lo Cicero (GP) at 0.9 per cent of the votes in Vimont.

The riding, that counts 46,081 voters, had a turnout of 70 per cent, up 0.8 percentage point from 2018.

Fabre

Alice Abou-Khalil (CAQ) won in what was another tight battle in her riding, against Sonia Baudelot (LP). That puts an end to a 19-year-long liberal reign in Fabre. Abou-Khalil won with a majority of 302 votes.

Abou-Khalil and Baudelot totaled 21,522 of the 34,328 validated ballots.

The other votes went to Stéphane Turmel (CP) with 5,216, Jessy Léger (QS) with 3,822, Catherine Dansereau-Redhead (PQ) with 3,348, and Lynn Buchanan (GP) with the last 420.

The electoral turnout in Fabre was 62.6 per cent, which is up 1.4 percentage point compared to 2018.

Sainte-Rose

Re-elected in Sainte-Rose, Skeete registered the strongest majority of the six candidates elected last night in Laval, ahead of Michel Trottier (LP) by 5276 votes.

Skeete’s 14,082 votes earned him 38.5 per cent of the 36,567 votes counted in Sainte-Rose.

Trottier concluded the evening with 24.2 per cent of the votes, followed by Karine Cliche (QS) at 14.3 per cent, Lyne Jubinville (PQ) at 12.3 per cent, Stéphanie Beauchamp (CP) with 9.4 per cent, and Pierrette Kamning Nguendjong (GP) with the remaining 0.8 per cent.

The electoral turnout in the riding has fallen by 2.5 percentage points in four years, from 70 to 67.5 per cent.

Chomedey

Unsurprisingly, Chomedey remained liberal.

Succeeding Guy Ouellette, the new deputee Sona Lakhoyan Olivier earned the trust of 36.5 per cent of voters, which translated into a comfortable majority of 3,198 votes.

That said, support for the LP in this liberal fortress continues to crumble, as the overwhelming majority of some 26,000 votes obtained in 2014 had already been reduced to 7,968 votes in 2018.

Last night, George Platanitis (CAQ) received 8,691 votes, which is 26.7 per cent of the ballots.

Following behind, we have CP Me Konstantinos Merakos (6,464 votes; 19.9 per cent), QS Zachary Robert (2,576 votes; 7.9 per cent), PQ Rachid Bandou (2,338 votes; 7.2 per cent), GP Sahbi Nablia (311 votes; 0.96 per cent), and Federica Gangai of Bloc Montreal – Team Balarama Holness (290 votes; 0.89 per cent).

As for the participation rate of 54.5 per cent, it’s about the same as that observed four years ago, up by half a percentage point.

The Liberals have dominated in Chomedey since the creation of this riding, in 1980.

Mille-Îles

Finally, in Mille-Îles, Virginie Dufour has managed to keep the riding in the hands of the LP for an eighth consecutive election, resisting to the push of the CAQ that began four years ago.

Trailing all evening, the former municipal councillor of Sainte-Rose made an impressive an comeback and took the lead for the first time shortly after 10 p.m., when more than 85 per cent of ballot boxes had been counted.

Once ahead, Dufour kept up the pace to overtake Julie Séide (CAQ) by 425 votes, ending the evening with 32.4 per cent and 9,522 votes.

Séide obtained 30.9 per cent of the votes, far ahead of QS Guillaume Lajoie (12.9 per cent), PQ Michel Lachance (12.1 per cent), CP Ange Claude Bigilimana (10.6 per cent), and GP Bianca Jitaru (1.2 per cent).

In Mille-Îles, 67 per cent of the 44,401 legal voters went to the polling stations, up by half a percentage point compared to 2018.

translated by Alec Brideau

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