There's a darkness on the edge of town: Outer Battery lights are turned off — for now
CBC
After months of public pressure, the extremely bright — and extremely controversial — lights erected in the Outer Battery neighbourhood of St. John's have been flicked off.
Property owner Colin Way has faced months of public scrutiny, reaching all the way to the provincial government, after he installed powerful floodlights around his property and left them running 24 hours a day.
Resident Christina Smith said Friday the lights went off around 9 p.m. Thursday night.
"We don't know why. We don't have a clue. They're just off," she said.
"It's been a hard slog for the past nine months, living in the glare of those lights. I know that it will be a huge relief to the whole community."
Neighbours pleaded for help from the City of St. John's, saying the lights were disrupting their lives and mental health.
But the city balked, saying it couldn't do anything about the issue under current city legislation. The provincial government said it would allow an amendment to the City of St. John's Act to allow council to enact a nuisance lighting bylaw, but Mayor Danny Breen said the act needs a complete overhaul rather than a single amendment.
Despite a rally outside city hall by Battery residents and supporters, city council voted nearly unanimously against a motion to ask the provincial government for an amendment to the act — and Way installed more lights.
Last week, a man took matters into his own hands by trying, but failing, to reposition the lights. Police confirmed last week that 32-year-old James Drover was arrested and charged with trespassing and property damage. He was released with a promise to appear in court at a later date.
On Friday, Way's lawyer, Bob Buckingham, said he expects the lights to remain off all weekend, and he or Way will have more to say next week.
But the lights are just one part of a larger problem, according to residents, some of whom have been detailing issues on social media.
One resident posted a picture of a ServiceMaster company van, allegedly owned by Way, parked tightly against another resident's vehicle.
The poster called the parking job an "intimidation" tactic by Way.
Smith also posted images of the van, saying it had been parked in a public parking spot for about 300 days.
CBC Newfoundland and Labrador is kicking off its annual holiday campaign, helping to raise money to support local food banks.
If all goes according to plan, at 6 a.m. AT on Saturday people working at the IWK Health Centre will become the test case for a generational change to Nova Scotia’s health-care system.
One month after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced what he called "generational" military spending, New Brunswick’s defence ecosystem is on high alert.
Miranda Mirlycourtois, 34, looks directly at the camera and makes a confession.
Saskatoon city hall says police spending is projected to be $2.6 million over budget this year. That pushes the city into a $1.2-million deficit position, according to a report that will be considered by city council next week.
Students at the University of Regina are days away from deciding whether a newly formed student association should become their official representative body.
All public schools on P.E.I. are closed Friday and thousands of Maritime Electric customers are without power as strong winds create hazardous travel conditions across the province.
Prince Rupert, B.C., residents are celebrating the holidays this year with coastal flair.
In the four years Chelsey Simmonds has worked at the Eva Rothwell Centre, she has seen the need increase every year at the centre’s community food pantry.
CBC is once again looking to make the holiday season kind in Windsor-Essex.
Acute Care Alberta has extended its contract for another year with a private surgical facility at the centre of probes into health procurement and contracting.
As food bank use continues to climb across the province, front-line workers in Thunder Bay, Ont., are working to improve both food security and education.
More ads could soon be coming to Toronto’s subway system.