Top 10 Local News Stories of 2012

It's time to run down Heart FM's top 10 local news stories from 2012. While the order of these stories may be up for debate, their impact on the Woodstock and Oxford County communities in the last year certainly is not. 1. Justice for Tori - An intense trial and gruesome testimony in May led to a conviction of Michael Rafferty in the kidnapping, sexual assault and murder of 8-year-old Tori Stafford in April of 2009. He was sentenced to life in prison. Rafferty has since launched an appeal of his conviction that should be heard sometime in 2013, that will unfortunately continue keep the story in the headlines. But the conviction brought about a sense of relief to a community that has been overcome at times with anger and sadness in a story that will never be forgotten in Woodstock. 2. Purtill Goes to Jail - In another case involving the senseless taking of a life far too young, justice was finally granted to the Fleming-Rodrigues family in the death of their 4-month-old baby boy, Alexander. After emotional testimony from the family of baby Alex, Bonita Purtill, accused of drunk driving, took the stand in her own defense, claiming she was trying to get away from an abusive boyfriend. The argument didn't hold weight with the jury, who convicted her on all 6-counts she faced for impaired driving, criminal negligence and failing to provide a breath sample. She received a 6-year, 8-month sentence, far too little time in exchange for the life of a 4-month-old boy, in the opinions of many in Woodstock. 3. Robinson Convicted - It was a trifecta of convictions for Woodstock Police this spring/summer, as John Robinson was convicted in the murder of Clifford Fair. This was a bizarre case with strange accounts of the 2008 Princess St. murder. Robinson believed Fair was haunting him after the toes of Fair's corpse started sticking up out of his backyard where Robinson initially buried him. The case also featured a few dustups between the Crown and Defense lawyers. It was another memorable trial that ended with justice for the deceased. 4. Beachville Landfill Proposal - It's a game-changing proposal for Oxford County, and many residents strongly feel, it won't be for the best. Walker Environmental Group unveiled a proposal in March to open a massive landfill in the Beachville Quarry. It would take in around 100 trucks of Toronto's trash per day, equating to about 850,000 tons of garbage per year - for the next 20 years. Many are concerned about the proposal's potential impact on the environment, property values and just general life in Beachville/Ingersoll. The proposal has sparked rallies (in photo), the forming of OPAL - Oxford People Against the Landfill, tension at municipal councils, and a series of public meetings. This story is set to continue to evolve in 2013 and beyond. 5. Sysco Comes to Woodstock - "Good things come from Sysco" is the motto, and Woodstock is on board. In July, Sysco announced plans to build a 400,000 sq. ft. distribution warehouse alongside the 401 in the Commerce Way Business Park (in photo on right). The city will benefit by the $2.7-million land deal, and 250-350 new jobs. Site prep is underway and the building will come up quickly, it's expected to open by November of 2013. 6. CAT vs. CAW - An intense labour battle broke out in London that spewed over into Oxford County in early 2012. Caterpillar Inc. announced the closure of its Electromotive train plant in London, putting 400 workers out of a job. That total included a couple dozen workers from Oxford County. A battle in the dispute also broke out in Ingersoll on two occasions. CAW workers blocked an EMD locomotive on the tracks at Ingersoll to prevent it from being painted by "scab labour". That blockade lasted for several days. And Ingersoll council got caught in the middle when CAT won a bid to provide the town with a new backhoe. In the end, Mayor Ted Comiskey played the role of the bad guy in breaking a 3-3 tie at Ingersoll Council, voting to approve the purchase in accordance with the town's purchasing by-law. But that decision upset the strong union presence in the town. 7. Brian Crockett's DUI - We were as stunned as most people to see one of Oxford County's top Crown Attorney's name show up on the daily rap sheet from police. But on a Saturday afternoon in August, Crockett created a stir when he got his truck stuck backing out of a walking trail in north Woodstock. The revving caused a grass fire (in photo on right), and authorities responded, finding an intoxicated Crockett who claimed his dog Rupert was driving. Crockett later made an apology in court as he pleaded guilty and already entered rehab for a drinking problem. It was a fall from grace for the 64-year-old, as he was just a few months removed from helping prosecute Michael Rafferty in the Tori Stafford murder trial. 8. Toyota Expansion - A major announcement was once again quietly made by the introverted auto giant in Woodstock this year. Without a news conference, Toyota announced in March is was ready to ramp up production of the Rav 4 by another 50,000 vehicles a year in Woodstock. The move created 400 new jobs at the plant. Toyota also had a banner year in Canada, announcing the production of its 5-millionth vehicle in November. 9. New Life for Old Buildings - Woodstock got lucky on a number of development fronts, and City Hall has to be pleased about the new life being breathed into old buildings in the future. Major announcements to that effect this year included the former Harvey Woods factory (in photo on right) being converted into affordable housing, the former Hobart Bros. factory was purchased and expanded by Nova Steel, and Scheltema Trailers bought the massive John Deere Timberjack building. The city also put up some cash this year to swoop in and save the former Reg Hall department store across from City Hall. It's future remains unknown, but it was a good year to be an old decrepit building in the Friendly City. 10. Summer Drought - We still have yet to feel the full impact of this year's drought, but farmers sure are feeling it. A major lack of rain through July and August stifled corn growth, the most important crop in the world. As a result of the drought, corn prices are at a record high, many farmers don't have enough feed to get their livestock through to next season, and we'll eventually feel the impact at the grocery stores. The drought also nearly sent the Grand River Watershed into an unprecedented Level 3 low water emergency.