The 519 Podcast

When you think of spree killings, mass murders, and mass shootings, your first thought may be that it’s just another day in the news.

While they have become a far too frequent occurrence south of the border, and they are significantly more rare in Canada, they have happened here. It’s a phenomenon that we’ve begrudgingly had to accept, and an image we’ve somehow developed a stomach for. 

But in 1966, these sorts of violent events weren’t as common. There wasn’t even a label for it. No ‘mass shooters’ or ‘serial killers’. Back then they were just bad people, plain and simple. If something of this magnitude did happen, it was such an anomaly that it was hard to forget the name of the shooter and their victims, unlike today. 

So when Canada’s first ever spree killer attacked the streets of Windsor on June 25th, 1966, it was a complete shock to everyone. 

This is part 1 of a 2-part episode about Matthew Charles Lamb, Canada's first spree killer. 

In 1913, one of the largest storms to ever hit the Great Lakes claimed the lives of over 250 people, while sinking 12 ships. The storm was so massive, it is now referred to by climatologists as a ‘weather bomb’, an extremely rare occurrence. On this episode of the 519 Podcast we examine the Great Storm of 1913 and take a look at the death and destruction that came along with it.

When a teenaged cashier at the grocery store makes a mistake, just about everyone would be outraged if the customer began yelling at them and berating them. And yet, so many of us stand by and say nothing when a coach or parent yells at a teenager who is umpiring or refereeing their child's soccer, hockey, or baseball game. 

Why do we accept what amounts to verbal abuse of young people, simply because it happens at a sporting event?

Most minor sports leagues in our region are experiencing a shortage of referees and umpires, and the argument could easily be made that this is a problem of our own making. 

In this episode of The 519 Podcast, we speak to two sports organization officials about the challenges they are facing, an umpire's association president who says it's getting harder to find people willing to put up with the heckling, and two 15-year-old umpires who describe the impact the verbal abuse has on them.

You can't sit down to watch a sporting event without seeing them.

Countless commercials, and even studio segments, promoting betting on the games. Were we too hasty when allowing single game betting in Canada? What are the downsides? On this episode of the 519 Podcast, we explore the new reality of sport gambling in Canada and what it all means.

This episode is hosted by Craig Needles.

In 1881, London’s Thames River was the scene of, what was at the time, one of Canada’s worst maritime disasters when the "Victoria" sank in the river. Despite happening in the 1800’s, the news of the incident spread around the world, in newspapers such as the New York Times and outlets as far away as Australia. 

It became what is now known as the Victoria Steamboat Disaster, causing the deaths of 172 people. And back when London only had a population of around 20,000 people, few in the city were unaffected. 
 
How did this happen? Who, if anyone, was to blame? 

On this episode of the 519 Podcast, we talk to Dan Brock, a London historian and author of 2011 book, “Fragments from the Forks” which details the disaster. 

Most Canadians know the name Steven Truscott.

Convicted of raping and murdering Lynne Harper at the age of 14, Truscott spent the next decade behind bars and nearly 50 years being considered guilty of the crime by both the justice system and most people in the country.

However, Truscott was not guilty.

In this episode of The 519 podcast, we present The Steven Truscott Saga and the Woman Who Set Things Right. We look at how Truscott was convicted and how he and his wife Marlene fought to clear his name.

A recent story out of Norfolk County told of a woman who was charged with animal cruelty after investigators found 27 dogs, 5 cats, 3 horses, two donkeys, 1 pig, and 1 guinea pig at her home

The story was startling and, for some, likely conjured up images of a real life Cruella DeVille. 

But when you take a closer look at stories like these - ones that involve what we often call ‘animal hoarding’ - it’s not hard to wonder how this can happen. 

Who in their right mind would fill their home with dozens of animals? 

In many cases, the people are not in their right mind. 

In this episode of the 519 Podcast, we learn more about animal hoarding from Kara Kelly of the CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services and Liz White, president of the Animal Alliance of Canada.

They’re perhaps the 519’s most famous, or infamous, family.

Whether it’s from books, movies, TV or elsewhere, just about everyone in the area knows something about the Black Donnellys. 

On this two part series, the 519 Podcast examines their story, including how the massacre of the Lucan area family happened and whether this was 'Vigilante Justice or Violent Anarchy.'

They’re perhaps the 519’s most famous, or infamous, family.

Whether it’s from books, movies, TV or elsewhere, just about everyone in the area knows something about the Black Donnellys. 

On this two part series, the 519 Podcast examines their story, including how the massacre of the Lucan area family happened and whether this was 'Vigilante Justice or Violent Anarchy.'