From potentially dangerous unsanctioned Homecoming celebrations in Guelph to a legal dispute over hockey jerseys to a bald eagle rescued from a landfill, here are the top stories of the week. University of Guelph Homecoming: ‘Chaos’ at Hoco party An unsanctioned street party during the University of Guelph’s Homecoming celebrations has made national headlines. Photos and videos posted to social media detailed the chaos as it played out on Chancellors Way on Sept. 26. People were seen hurling objects into crowds, including several people who tossed red smoke bombs into the street. At one point, two young men were captured on video as they tried to climb up the side of a building. One of them lost his grip. “I saw someone fall three storeys trying to get in my apartment,” Erik Rutledge, a second-year economics and finance student recalled. Police in tactical gear tried to quell the crowd as the Guelph Police Service shut down roads around 4 p.m. “As the situation escalated and the risk to public safety increased, additional police resources, including members of the Guelph Police Service Tactics and Rescue Unit, were deployed to assist frontline officers and support emergency responders working within the crowd,” The Guelph Police Service said in a public statement. “Their efforts helped restore order, prevent further injuries and allow emergency personnel to safely access those requiring assistance.” Police confirmed “well over” 1,000 people attended the party. In years past, between 5,000 and 10,000 people have gathered for the celebration. Guelph General Hospital said approximately 60 people were hurt at Homecoming, with “head injuries caused by thrown bottles, lacerations and intoxication.” On Wednesday, police announced they were trying to identify more than a dozen people who allegedly participated in dangerous behaviour. Five of them were identified by the next day. Swiss court rejects Hockey Canada’s bid to block Team Canada jersey deal A hockey equipment manufacturer based in Brantford, Ont. is at the centre of a legal dispute over who controls the commercial rights to Team Canada’s jerseys and apparel. TRUE Hockey reached a new agreement with the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to supply uniforms and apparel for teams competing in IIHF events, replacing Nike as the federation’s supplier. But Hockey Canada challenged the arrangement in a Swiss court, arguing the IIHF cannot design, manufacture or sell Team Canada jerseys without its approval. The dispute stems from a deal between the IIHF and the Brantford-based TRUE Hockey, who were acquired by Graeme Roustan, owner of the private investment firm, Roustan Capital. Under the agreement, TRUE will supply jerseys and apparel for teams competing in IIHF events, excluding the Olympics and the men’s and women’s world championships. At the same time, Hockey Canada has extended Bauer’s deal as its official jersey partner, with the organization recently announcing plans to bring back its iconic crest. In May, a Zurich court temporarily restricted the IIHF’s ability to commercialize Team Canada jerseys, following Team Canada’s original request. But, after hearing arguments from both sides, the Swiss court rejected Hockey Canada’s request and revoked the temporary orders. The court found IIHF rules give the federation broad commercial rights connected to its competitions, including the supply of on-ice uniforms. It also found TRUE’s agreement was not significantly different from the commercial rights the IIHF had previously granted to Nike. Hockey Canada argues the ruling does not resolve the underlying dispute. In a statement to CTV News, the organization described the matter as complex and said the court’s decision dealt only with interim measures. The court valued the dispute at 21.2 million Swiss francs, or more than C$36 million, based on Hockey Canada’s estimate of potential annual losses. Under TRUE’s agreement with the IIHF, 15 per cent of the revenue will be distributed to the hockey associations of member countries, including Hockey Canada. Hockey Canada was given 30 days to appeal the court’s decision. Given the ruling was on interim measures, the legal dispute could continue over who controls the commercial rights to Team Canada’s jerseys. ‘A beautiful young soul’: Community remembers Puslinch, Ont. teen after second-degree murder charges laid Family, friends and members of the Puslinch Township and Guelph, Ont., communities are coming to grips with the loss of a teenager who was killed following a pedestrian collision. Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Wellington County Paramedic Services responded to the collision just after midnight on Sept. 19 on Wellington Road 29, near Eramosa-Garafraxa Town Line. Investigators said the pedestrian was hit by a minivan. He was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The driver of the minivan stayed at the crash site and was not hurt. According to OPP, a group of people were near the road at the time of the crash. “I don’t want to say party because I don’t know exactly what the gathering was for or how many people were in attendance,” Const. Craig Soldan said on Sept. 20. “I don’t believe that this individual was walking from point A to point B, I think they were in the area with the group and, for some reason, on the roadway.” The victim has been identified as 16-year-old Nash Dunlop of Puslinch by family, friends and community members. Police arrested and charged two 17-year-old Guelph boys with second-degree murder on Friday in relation to the fatal pedestrian collision. The identities of the accused have not been released under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Dunlop’s basketball coach, Elias Panagiotopoulos, said he coached him for four years and watched him grow both as an athlete and a teammate. “The tenacity, the work ethic that this kid had, what he didn’t have in strength, the kid made up for with just sheer willpower,” Panagiotopoulos said. The parking lot and surrounding lawn at Calvary Baptist Church in Puslinch were packed with vehicles on Sept. 26 as people came together to celebrate Dunlop’s life, share memories and pay tribute to the teenager. Panagiotopoulos said the community’s response has been significant, with people coming together to support Dunlop’s family and honour his memory. Dunlop’s family has launched the Nash Dunlop Memorial Fund to help young athletes pursue basketball. Panagiotopoulos said the initiative is a way to carry on the teenager’s legacy by helping other young athletes reach their goals. “Times like this is when the community comes together and holds each other up,” he said. Canada-wide warrant for man serving life sentence for sister’s murder A man serving a life sentence for murdering his sister has escaped from the Collins Bay Institution in Kingston, Ont. Mason Jenkins, 49, was reported missing from the minimum-security unit on Sept. 24. According to Correctional Service Canada, he was nowhere to be found when staff conducted a formal inmate count. A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for his arrest. Jenkins was described as white, 5′9″ (175cm) and 255 lbs. (116kg), with brown eyes and a shaved head. He grew up in Chatham but was also known to frequent Kitchener. Jenkins discussed his case in “Life with Murder,” a documentary that aired on CTV in 2010. The film looked at the complicated relationship between Jenkins and his parents, Brian and Leslie Jenkins. In January 1998, Jennifer Jenkins was shot multiple times in the head and chest by her 20-year-old brother. She was only 18 years old at the time. Mason Jenkins initially denied responsibility for the crime. When he eventually admitted to shooting Jennifer, he claimed it was an accident that he tried to cover up. “It should have been me,” Mason Jenkins said in a prison interview, shown in “Life with Murder.” He added: “She never did anything to anyone. She had her whole life ahead of her.” Brian and Leslie were initially skeptical about Mason’s guilt. “I just can’t imagine he would actually hurt Jennifer,” Leslie said in a police interview included in the documentary. “I’m not defending this, but he has no record,” Brian told police. “No record of violence, no problem with Jen.” He was then shown a fake will, which listed Mason Jenkins as the main beneficiary. Police believed money was the motive for Jennifer’s murder and Mason Jenkins also intended to kill his parents. In “Life with Murder,” the inmate admitted he had planned the deaths of Brian and Leslie. Jenkins was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to a 25-year prison term. Bald eagle found at Brantford landfill covered in ‘goo’ set free A bald eagle found covered in “goo” at a landfill in Brantford has finally been released back into the wild. The bird was released on Sept. 18 from the Hobbitstee Wildlife Refuge in Nanticoke. A supervisor at the landfill discovered the eagle on Aug. 31. “The location was deep within the landfill,” Ian Harrower, a bylaw officer who responded to the call for help, said the day after the rescue. “[It was] was very muddy. You couldn’t really access it by any normal vehicle.” The eagle was covered in a sticky unknown substance. “All the feathers were stuck together,” wildlife custodian Chantal Theijn told CTV News at the time. “Down to the skin, all the feathers were sticky and covered in whatever the mysterious substance is.” While the bird couldn’t fly, it was still very active and running around the landfill. Rescuers cornered the bird, wrapped it in a jacket and took it to experts to make sure the eagle wasn’t seriously hurt. It was then taken to the wildlife rehabilitation centre. The organization said it took four washes to get the “goo” off her feathers.
