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31-year-old woman dead
Details scarce on Friday murder By Mike Williscraft NewsNow Police are releasing little information after the murder of a 30-year-old woman at Lincoln Park Retirement Residence in Grimsby Friday, Feb. 1. About 4:30 a.m. Niagara Regional Police Service’s 8 District officers were called to Lincoln Park. Officers and paramedics from Niagara Emergency Medical Services found a female requiring medical care for serious injuries. The woman identified Tuesday by police as 30-year-old Amber Cobean of Toronto - was transported to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. Mark Burrell, 39, of Toronto has been charged with second-degree murder. He was remanded into custody pending a bail hearing held yesterday (Wednesday) at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines. “We have not released the cause or nature of the injuries,” said NRPS media relations officer Phil Gavin. “The business involved is the location where the incident was reported to and then we were called from there.” Bartlett Road from Central Avenue to Main St. East was closed for the investigation much of the day. Investigators did confirm the victim and the suspect were known to each other. While Bartlett Road was closed and officers had the grounds of Lincoln Park taped off while investigators continued their investigation inside, facility officials noted the incident did not involve anyone on their staff or a resident. “The tragic incident that took place overnight was unconnected to this residence, and did not involve any team members or residents. Everyone here is safe, and we appreciate the rapid response of local police,” said Dave Bourne, director of communications for Sienna Senior Living. “Questions about the incident or the investigation should be directed to the police department.” While the facility was closed off with police tape and the investigation continued there throughout the day, Bourne said, “it is unknown where the incident being investigated actually took place.” Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at 905-688-4111 extension 9104.
Niagara Regional Police Service’s investigation unit was parked in front of Lincoln Park much of the day last Friday as investigation continued into an early morning murder at the scene. Williscraft - Photo
Grimsby council quashes corridor study By Mike Williscraft NewsNow Grimsby Council quashed the Hospital Corridor Secondary Plan Study potentially leaving the area open to planning pressure. The study was initiated under the previous council and just over $50,000 has been spent to date. Niagara Region has agreed to support the study with a $50,000 grant upon
its completion. During the fall election campaign, many of the now-council members and residents in the area - roughly between Nelles Road and Lynnwood along Main Street East - voiced their opinion of wanting the study stopped. “During the election we knocked on doors, we debated. We all agreed we wanted to stop the West Lincoln
Hospital Corridor Study in its tracks. We have lots of things to do on this council and this is not one of them,” said Coun. Reg Freake. Coun. John Dunstall cited past matters where, for example, 22-storey condos were proposed and OMB decisions were lost because the Town did not have sufficient strength in its Official Plan to go against the proposal.
“Are we not opening ourselves up to 8-10 storey buildings in that area?” asked Dunstall. CAO Derik Brandt said secondary plan studies provide more detail on what council wants. “It makes is easier to craft an argument against an eight storey building if the Secondary Plan supports lower guidelines,” said Brandt. See PLAN, Page 3