In this issue of Whitby Thrive…

☀️ Today’s Weather in Whitby 

 🎩 Top Local News Stores for 2023

❤️ The Top Human Interest Stories of 2023

 🚨 Durham Police Seek Two Suspects in Ajax Home Invasion and Threat Incident 

 🎆 TripAdvisor's Favourite Whitby Businesses 2023

🖥️ Other Noteworthy Businesses and Business Developments in Whitby

🏆 Trivia

 🔔 Got a Favourite Whitby Business? Nominate Them for a Feature in Our Community Newsletter!

 🏒 Dramatic Overtime Win for Generals in Final 2023 Showdown with Battalion

 🥇 Whitby’s Sports Highlights for 2023

 📅 Whitby Events

Top Local News Stories for 2023

The top local news stories for Whitby, Ontario in 2023 include a variety of significant events:

1. Gun and Drug Charges: A 21-year-old man from Whitby faced serious gun and drug charges following the execution of search warrants in Oshawa and Whitby​​. Read more.

2. Violent Assault Trial: Anthony Doiron-Francis was accused of attempted murder and aggravated sexual assault of a Whitby woman during the summer of 2020, leaving the victim with life-altering injuries​​. Read more.

3. Armed Robbery of Uber Driver: Two males were sought after an armed robbery involving an Uber driver in Whitby​​. Read more.

4. Model Airplane Club vs. Federal Drone Regulations: The Whitby model airplane club raised concerns over federal drone regulations, claiming they significantly impacted their activities​​. Read more.

5. Sexual Assault by Uber Driver: A 32-year-old Uber driver, Anees Ashraf from Whitby, was charged with two counts of sexual assault. The incident involved a female passenger who was reportedly assaulted while being transported back to her home​​. Read more.

6. Rollover Collision on Highway 412: A serious rollover collision occurred on Highway 412 and Taunton Road in Whitby, resulting in unknown injuries to two individuals. The cause of the collision remained unclear as the Ontario Provincial Police conducted investigations​​. Read more.

7. Whitby Municipal Workers' Strike: Town of Whitby municipal workers entered their third week of strike, urging the Council to engage in discussions to resolve issues primarily regarding scheduling and hours. The strike, led by CUPE Local 53, significantly impacted the town's services​​. Read more.

8. Pythons and Wolves as Therapy Animals: A group in Whitby using pythons and wolves as therapy animals elicited a mix of concerns and support within the community​​. Read more.

9. Missing 15-Year-Old in Whitby: A 15-year-old was reported missing and believed to be in the Toronto area. This case raised concerns in the Whitby community​​. Read more.

10. Pediatric funding benefiting Grandview and Ontario Shores, in order to provide 'Faster access to care' for our children. Read more.

The Top Human Interest Stories of 2023

Here are the top five human interest stories for Whitby for the year 2023:

1. Homeless Shelter Debate: Throughout the second half of 2023, Whitby was engrossed in a debate over a proposed homeless shelter at 1635 Dundas St. E. The issue became a significant talking point in the town, highlighting the community's differing views on addressing homelessness​​. Read more.

2. Challenges of Homelessness and Food Security: Whitby's Mayor, Elizabeth Roy, spoke about the exciting prospects for Whitby's future. However, she also emphasized the importance of acknowledging and addressing growing challenges related to homelessness and food security within the community​​. Read more.

3. Tragic Loss of a Loving Mother: A GoFundMe campaign was initiated for Latonya Anderson, a resident of Whitby who was tragically murdered. This event brought the community together in mourning and support, reflecting on the life and impact of Anderson, remembered as a loving mother​​. Read more.

4. Protest Against Homeless Shelter: In October 2023, residents living near the proposed site for the homeless shelter at 1635 Dundas St. E. in Whitby organized a protest. They expressed their opposition to the shelter's location, signifying a divide within the community on how to best address issues of homelessness​​. Read more.

5. Whitby's Historical Society Activities: The Whitby Historical Society, led by Julie Ditta, actively works to collect and preserve the rich heritage of Whitby. Many people are unaware of Whitby's deep historical roots, and the society plays a key role in educating and engaging the community with its past​​. Read more. Read more.

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Durham Police Seek Two Suspects in Ajax Home Invasion and Threat Incident

Durham Regional Police are actively investigating an incident in Ajax where two men allegedly attempted to enter a home and threatened the residents. The event occurred around 8:30 p.m. on December 21, near Middlecote Drive and Taunton Road East. The suspects rang the doorbell and confronted the homeowner. One suspect attempted to force entry into the house but was blocked, while the other assaulted the homeowner and threw in a threatening letter.

The first suspect is described as a white male with a medium build, wearing a baseball hat, red bandana covering his face, grey hoodie, black T-shirt with a white skull and 'Oshawa 81' inscription, dark pants, and black and tan work boots. The second suspect, also a white male with a medium build, was wearing a baseball hat, red bandana, black and grey sweater or jacket, blue jeans, and white shoes with black laces.

Police are urging anyone with information or the ability to identify the suspects to contact Det. Smith of the West Division Criminal Investigations Branch at 1-888-579-1520, extension 2528. Source: Durham Region News.

TripAdvisor’s Favourite Whitby Businesses

According to TripAdvisor Canada, the following are the top favourite local businesses!

1. Station Gallery: A notable place for art enthusiasts. Read more.

2. Soda Pop Central: A popular store for a variety of sodas. Read more.

3. CandyBar Sweet By Swedes: A candy store with a diverse selection of sweets. Read more.

4. Olive That!: A specialty store known for its olive products​​. Read more.

5. Atelier Hg80 - Jewellery: Jewellery, statement pieces, and bridal jewellery since 2003. Read more.

6. Sweet Tooth Sugar Shack: Tantalize your taste buds and send yourself on a magical flavour journey. Read more.

Other Noteworthy Businesses and Business Developments in Whitby

Whitby's downtown area is becoming a hub for technology companies, with firms like 360insights, geekspeak Commerce, and Predictive Success contributing significantly to the community​​. Read more.

The development of the West Whitby Health Center is also noteworthy, scheduled to open in 2024​​. Read more.

The waterfront area of Whitby is also seeing development, enhancing the locality and attracting more activities​​. Read more.

We are seeking Amazing Stories

About our Local Area Businesses!

Help us celebrate our Community’s Achievements!

Got a Favourite Whitby Business? Nominate Them to be Featured in Whitby Thrive!

Whitby Thrive, your local community newsletter, is on the lookout for remarkable businesses to feature in our upcoming editions! We're calling on our readers to help us in this endeavour. If you know a local business in Whitby that deserves some recognition, we would love to hear from you. Nominate your favourite local business by sending us an email. This is a fantastic opportunity to shine a light on those businesses that make our community special. Don't miss the chance to help a local business get the spotlight it deserves!

Coming Soon!

What unique tradition is held in Clarington, Ontario on New Year’s Day, supporting a noble cause and involving a chilly challenge in Lake Ontario?

• A) Midnight Fireworks Display

• B) Hogman-eh! Celebration

• C) Downtown Countdown

• D) Polar Bear Swim - the “Dash of Insanity”

Answer posted below.

Dramatic Overtime Win for Generals in Final 2023 Showdown with Battalion

In a thrilling finale to their 2023 season, the Oshawa Generals clinched a nail-biting 4-3 victory over the North Bay Battalion at the North Bay Memorial Gardens. Despite missing key players Matthew Buckley and Rasmus Kumpulainen, the Generals showcased resilience and skill throughout the game. Goalkeeper Noah Bender, in his sixth start, faced an early challenge when the Battalion's Anthony Romani scored the opening goal. However, the Generals quickly responded with Stuart Rolofs equalizing the score.

The game intensified as Beckett Sennecke put the Generals ahead, only for the Battalion to later equalize in the third period. With time running out, the Battalion took a brief lead, but the Generals, showing remarkable composure, tied the game again, sending it into overtime. In a dramatic finish, Dylan Roobroeck scored the winning goal for the Generals, concluding the season with an exhilarating victory. The team now looks forward to their New Year's Day game against the Kitchener Rangers, marking the start of their 2024 season. Read more.

Sports Highlights for 2023

Here are some of the top sports news highlights for Whitby in 2023:

1. New Whitby Sports Complex: The Town of Whitby reached a significant milestone in the development of a new sports complex, planned to include an aquatic center with a 10-lane pool and a spectator area, a double gymnasium with an indoor walking track, and a twin-pad arena​​​​​​. Read more.

2. Groundbreaking of Sports Complex: Whitby held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Whitby Sports Complex and outdoor park, expected to open in late-2025. The $155 million complex will be the first Zero Carbon building and LEED Gold facility in Canada to include a twin pad arena, gymnasium, and aquatics facility​​. Read more.

3. 2022-23 Whitby International Silver Stick Tournament: The Toronto Marlboros won the tournament, with forward William Moore named tournament MVP. The team achieved a perfect record of 7-0 during the tournament​​. Read more.

4. Whitby Sports Hall of Fame 2023 Gala Inductees: Inductees included Priscilla Lopes-Schliep for track and field, Derek Suddons for lacrosse, and Adrian Woodley for track and field​​. Read more.

January 1st

• Whitby Lights the Night

• Clarington Polar Bear Swim - 12:45PM

• Kitchener Rangers at Oshawa Generals - Tribute Communities Centre - 2:05PM

January 2nd

• Whitby Lights the Night

• Free Holiday Swim Sponsored by Gerdau - Whitby Civic - 2:30PM-4:30PM

• Winter Break Activities at the Canadian Automotive Museum - 10:00AM-4:00PM

January 3rd

• Whitby Lights the Night

• Free Holiday Swim Sponsored by Gerdau - Whitby Civic - 2:30PM-4:30PM

• Winter Break Activities at the Canadian Automotive Museum - 10:00AM-4:00PM

• Sleeping Beauty - Wake Me Up Before you Panto - Regent Theatre, Oshawa

January 4th

• Whitby Lights the Night

• Free Holiday Swim Sponsored by Gerdau - Whitby Civic - 2:30PM-4:30PM

• Winter Break Activities at the Canadian Automotive Museum - 10:00AM-4:00PM

• Sleeping Beauty - Wake Me Up Before you Panto - Regent Theatre, Oshawa

January 5th

• Whitby Lights the Night

• Winter Break Activities at the Canadian Automotive Museum - 10:00AM-4:00PM

• Sleeping Beauty - Wake Me Up Before you Panto - Regent Theatre, Oshawa

January 6th

• Whitby Lights the Night

• Winter Break Activities at the Canadian Automotive Museum - 10:00AM-4:00PM

• Sleeping Beauty - Wake Me Up Before you Panto - Regent Theatre, Oshawa

January 7th

• Whitby Lights the Night

• Sleeping Beauty - Wake Me Up Before you Panto - Regent Theatre, Oshawa

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