Closer Look

Closer Look

By Village Media Inc.NewsNews CommentaryDaily News
Download on the App Store

Closer Look episodes

  • CLOSER LOOK: When a nightmare tenant refuses to move out

    Send us a text


    Tonight on 'Closer Look': Two landlords share the horror stories of what they discovered when they finally managed to evict their problem tenants.

    These conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

    On tonight's episode: A landlord's worst nightmare.

    For more than two years, Bradford’s Michelle Taddeo and her partner Tony Natale tried to evict a problem tenant from their basement apartment. When they finally did, they were shocked to find the damage left behind.

    "He broke everything," Taddeo said. 

    SEE: 'It hurts': Bradford landlord on the hook for $36K in repairs, unpaid rent

    In nearby Ramara, Ont., a fellow landlord found a similar mess after winning a 13-month legal battle to evict a nightmare tenant.

    “They burned out the well pump, overloaded the septic, and destroyed everything,” said one of the owners. “We’re over $35,000 in the hole just from lost rent, and now we’re looking at another $15,000 in repairs.”

    VIDEO: Ramara landlord evicts tenants who 'trashed' home in costly, 13-month legal battle

    BradfordToday reporter Michael Owen joins us tonight with all the details. You can read his article HERE.

    Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. ​You can find all our previous segments HERE.

    Want to see more video features from Village Media? Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

    5 min
  • CLOSER LOOK: What happens when cops bang down the wrong door?

    Send us a text


    Tonight on 'Closer Look': In a dramatic raid captured on video, heavily armed police in Barrie executed a search warrant at the wrong house. Should the cops pay for the damage left behind?

    These conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

    On tonight's episode: When cops raid the wrong house, who pays for damages?

    Last month, Barrie Police busted through Matthew Patton's front door, armed with a search warrant. Within seconds, he was on the floor in handcuffs.

    The problem? The cops banged down the wrong door. The suspect they were looking for actually lived in the basement apartment.

    "They should be held to a higher standard before kicking in random doors — make sure they know where they’re going," Patton said. "That shouldn’t even be a question."

    SEE: 'Wrong house, man!': Police raid leaves Barrie man with $11K repair bill (VIDEO)

    BarrieToday reporter Kevin Lamb joins us tonight with the details. You can read his article HERE.

    Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. ​You can find all our previous segments HERE.

    Want to see more video features from Village Media? Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

    5 min
  • CLOSER LOOK: A new prime minister has been chosen — now when is the election?

    Send us a text


    In this new feature, Village Media journalists break down an important story making headlines around the province. On tonight's episode: When will Mark Carney send us to the polls?

    These conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

    On tonight's episode: Meet your next prime minister.

    Former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney won the Liberal leadership in a landslide victory last night, capturing victory on the first ballot with a whopping 86 per cent of votes.

    SEE: Mark Carney wins race to replace Justin Trudeau

    In his victory speech, Carney thanked the other candidates and spoke about the importance of unity, particularly in light of the tariff threats coming from the United States.

    “America is not Canada," he said. "And Canada never, ever, will be part of America in any way, shape or form. We didn’t ask for this fight, but Canadians are always ready when someone else drops the gloves. So Americans should make no mistake, in trade as in hockey, Canada will win.”

    Village Media's Katherine DeClerq, the editor of ParliamentToday, joins us tonight to talk about Carney's big win — and when Canadians can expect an election call. You can read her coverage HERE.

    Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. ​You can find all our previous segments HERE.

    Want to see more video features from Village Media? Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

    8 min
  • Closer Look: Ontario woman caught in crossfire of Mexico shooting

    Send us a text


    Tonight on 'Closer Look': After a dream vacation spiralled into a nightmare, a Northern Ontario woman is warning fellow travellers to be vigilant if they're heading to Mexico for March Break.

    On tonight's episode: A not-so-dream vacation.

    A Northern Ontario woman is warning fellow travellers to be vigilant after she was caught in the crossfire of a cartel shooting while on vacation in Mexico.

    Lisa Sambell and her boyfriend were at a bar in Playa del Carmen on Jan. 26 when two men opened fire on the establishment, striking her in the arm.

    “I just remember bleeding everywhere and yelling: ‘I’ve been shot!’” she says.

    SEE: Moonbeam woman gets caught in the crossfire of Mexican cartel violence

    Sambell's warning to other travellers heading to Mexico?

    "Be vigilant," she says. "Know that cartel activity is real. Avoid risky situations, stick to well-lit areas, and get travel insurance."

    Marissa Lentz-McGrath, a reporter at TimminsToday, joins us tonight with all the details. You can read her coverage HERE.

    Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. ​You can find all our previous segments HERE.

    Want to see more video features from Village Media? Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

    4 min
  • CLOSER LOOK: As a trade war looms, our consumer debt is soaring

    Send us a text


    Tonight on 'Closer Look': Maybe it's a good thing the Ford government introduced mandatory financial literacy classes for Ontario high school students.

    Here's another reason to worry about a lengthy trade war with the United States.

    According to figures released last week, consumer debt in Canada hit a record $2.56 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2024 — and Ontario residents are struggling more than anyone else to make their payments.

    Equifax Canada’s fourth quarter Consumer Credit Trends Report found that 11,000 Ontarians missed a mortgage payment in the fourth quarter, which is three times more than in 2022.

    The average non-mortgage debt per Canadian consumer? $21,931, exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

    If Donald Trump's on-again, off-again tariff threats become a reality, those numbers will almost certainly get worse.

    On a recent episode of our Inside the Village podcast, financial expert Saijal Patel joined us to talk about why it's more important than ever to be teaching the next generation how to manage their money.

    You can watch the full episode HERE.

    Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. ​You can find all our previous segments HERE.

    Want to see more video features from Village Media? Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

    4 min
  • CLOSER LOOK: Karina Gould tells us why she’s the best choice to replace Justin Trudeau

    Send us a text


    Tonight on 'Closer Look': A one-on-one conversation with Liberal leadership candidate Karina Gould.

    On Sunday, the Liberal Party of Canada will choose Justin Trudeau's successor.

    Four candidates are vying for the Liberal leadership: former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland, former cabinet minister Karina Gould, and former MP Frank Baylis.

    Tonight on "Closer Look": An in-depth conversation with one of the candidates.

    From her home in Burlington, Karina Gould sat down today with the hosts of our Inside the Village podcast. The aspiring prime minister covered a lot of ground in the conversation, including tariffs, Donald Trump, the carbon tax, and why she  believes— despite the polls — that she is the best person for the job.

    If you don't know a lot about Karina Gould, you will after watching this interview.

    Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. ​You can find all our previous segments HERE.

    Want to see more video features from Village Media? Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

    22 min
  • CLOSER LOOK: Too late to cancel my March Break flight to the U.S.?

    Send us a text


    With thousands of Canadians travellers set to take off next week, the hosts of our Inside the Village podcast get some helpful advice from a leading expert on air passenger rights.

    Donald Trump's promised tariffs officially took effect at 12:01 this morning, sending stock markets into disarray and triggering retaliatory countermeasures from our federal and provincial governments. 

    Even before then, plenty of boycott-minded Canadians had already pledged to shop local, steering clear of American brands as much as possible.

    But what about travel? With March Break right around the corner, thousands of Canadians have already booked vacations south of the border.

    Is it too late to cancel your flight? Is "trade war" reason enough for a full refund?

    "I am afraid not," says Gábor Lukács, president of the advocacy group Air Passenger Rights, who was a guest today on our Inside the Village podcast. 

    "There is no provision in the airlines' terms and conditions that would allow you to unilaterally cancel your travel just because a trade war has started," Lukács says. "If the airline cancels your flight and wants to book you to a later time, if they delay your flight by more than three hours, those types of situations could give you a basis for cancelling. But just because you no longer want to go there, that is unfortunately not a basis for cancelling."

    Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. ​You can find all our previous segments HERE.

    Want to see more video features from Village Media? Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

    11 min
  • CLOSER LOOK: With tariffs coming, Doug Ford is on fire to get moving on Ring of Fire

    Send us a text


    In this new feature, Village Media journalists break down an important story making headlines around the province. On tonight's episode: Why the much-hyped Ring of Fire project is still years away.

    Every weeknight, Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore a compelling story they are covering.

    These conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

    On tonight's episode: Why Doug Ford is on fire to get moving on the Ring of Fire.

    Fresh off last week’s provincial election win, Premier Ford said today he's ready to pick a fight with the feds in order to expedite critical minerals production in the face of a looming trade war with the U.S.

    Saying Ontario is in a pandemic-like “survival mode,” Ford said it's time to "do more and act faster” in order to use the Ring of Fire as leverage against the Trump administration’s tariffs on Canadian goods.

    SEE: Ford sends message to Ottawa on Ring of Fire: Get out of our way

    But actually building the roads necessary to reach the massive mineral deposit is still years away — maybe as late as 2040.

    SEE: Ring of Fire access roads may not be complete until 2040

    Alan S. Hale, a Queen's Park reporter at The Trillium, joins us to talk about today's developments. You can read his latest article HERE.

    Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. ​You can find all our previous segments HERE.

    Want to see more video features from Village Media? Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

    8 min
  • CLOSER LOOK: Welcome to McDavid's, may I take your order please?

    Send us a text


    Tonight on 'Closer Look': Overtime winner, fast food dinner. The local McDonald's in Connor McDavid's hometown of Newmarket is celebrating his huge game-winning goal with a temporary name change.

    Every weeknight, Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore a compelling story they are covering.

    These conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

    On tonight's episode: Overtime winner, fast food dinner.

    On paper, it was an exhibition game that meant absolutely nothing. But for millions of Canadians, the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off against the Team USA was a proxy for the brewing tensions between both countries.

    When superstar Connor McDavid scored the OT winner, the entire nation exhaled. (The only thing better would have been if McDavid pocketed the goal in the 51st minute of overtime.)

    In his hometown of Newmarket, the celebration was extra sweet. Even the local McDonald's has temporarily changed its name to "McDavid's" in honour of his on-ice heroics. (A McDonald's in Edmonton, home to McDavid's Oilers, has done the same).

    SEE: 'Hometown pride': Newmarket McDonald's renamed McDavid's to celebrate NHL star

    NewmarketToday reporter Joseph Quigley joins us tonight with all the tasty details. You can read his article HERE.

    Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. ​You can find all our previous segments HERE.

    Want to see more video features from Village Media? Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

    5 min
  • CLOSER LOOK: Watch out for huge falling icicles — but don’t blowtorch them

    Send us a text


    In this new feature, Village Media journalists break down an interesting story making headlines around the province. On tonight's episode: Beware of those giant dangling icicles.

    Every weeknight, Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore a compelling story they are covering.

    These conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

    On tonight's episode: Beware of falling icicles.

    SEE: Those big, dangling icicles on the roof are a danger and you could be liable

    Slips and falls are part and parcel of Canadian winters — but they're not the only seasonal hazard property owners could be liable for.

    Falling icicles could lead to lawsuits, too, so owners and tenants should be careful to take the proper precautions.

    Just don't use a blowtorch to melt them away. Bad idea.

    SEE: Apartment fire allegedly caused by blow-torching icicles: tenants

    GuelphToday reporter Santana Bellantoni joins us tonight to explain what she's learned. You can read her latest article HERE.

    Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. ​You can find all our previous segments HERE.

    Want to see more video features from Village Media? Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

    5 min

About Closer Look

From the publisher's feed

In this new nightly feature, Village Media journalists take a deeper dive into important stories making headlines around the province


Every day, our local journalists…