NewsBites - October 20

Compiled by Karianne Matte and Alex Rockingham

Cane-wielding phone bandit arrested

Hamilton Police have arrested a woman who they say is a cane-wielding phone bandit. Around 1 p.m. last Tuesday, a 21-year-old woman was robbed of her cell phone and beaten with a cane by a woman at the corner Mohawk West and Upper Paradise road. The police located the woman, a 50-year-old Hamilton native, suspected of committing the robbery within the area and charged her with robbery with a weapon. Police declined to reveal the suspect’s name as she was released on a promise to appear in court on Nov. 7.

Pan-Am velodrome project axed

The Hamilton City Council has decided to kill the controversial velodrome project. After a lengthy debate at City Hall, the council decided to cap its proposed contribution to the cycling centre at $5 million, a mere fraction of the $22.5 million that was requested. Pan-Am Games CEO Ian Troop said the city’s offer was not enough to go through with the project. He then said the 2015 Pan-Am games “will pursue discussions with other municipalities who have expressed interest in this significant legacy facility.”

More Ontarian students are choosing to go to college

Colleges Ontario recorded their highest ever first-year enrollment this fall. Colleges Ontario says that student enrollment in Ontario’s 24 applied arts and technology colleges has risen more than 20 percent than five years ago. More than 116,000 first-year students have enrolled in full-time classes this fall. Colleges Ontario released statistics that showed that, even during a recession, more than 83 per cent of college graduates were hired within six months of graduating.

Ghosts, goblins and ghouls for half price?

While the Waterdown Rotary Club’s haunted house has come to an end, its contents are being sold and all the proceeds will be collected for charity.  The haunted house, a long-standing Waterdown attraction for decades, had helped raise money for the alleviation of worldwide poverty. The owners have said they will continue to donate all the money they’ve earned from setting up these household haunts to charitable funds.