Who shot Const. Grzegorz Pierzchala? Charges have been laid

Plus, an unprecedented viral season and pharmacists will start writing prescriptions  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

First Up   By Manuela Vega   Good morning. Here’s the latest on the death of an OPP officer, the unprecedented viral season sickening children and pharmacists prescribing medication.       DON’T MISS Barry Gray/Hamilton Spectator   crime Two suspects have been charged with first-degree murder in the death of OPP constable Grzegorz Pierzchala Pierzchala didn’t fire his weapon when he arrived at the scene where he was fatally shot Tuesday, the Ontario Provincial Police said Wednesday. The 28-year-old officer had learned that day that he had passed his probation as an OPP constable, and hours later, was shot dead when responding to a report of a vehicle in a ditch near Hagersville, Peter Edwards, May Warren, Alyshah Hasham, Sebastian Bron and Kieran Leavitt report. The OPP added he was “essentially ambushed” by two suspects in a situation where he had “absolutely no chance of being able to defend himself.” Here’s what court documents reveal about one of the suspects facing charges, and his history of offences. More: “He wanted to help people,” a Toronto officer said of Pierzchala. “He wanted to be there for people … He looked for the good in everybody.” Go deeper: OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique he was “outraged” by the fact that one of the suspects — who had been charged with multiple violent offences in late 2021 — had been out on bail. By the numbers: While the latest officer death is heartbreaking, an expert explains why recent police deaths don’t represent a trend.   Supplied Photo   health care A baby hospitalized with RSV couldn’t breathe. Parents were terrified. But help was on the way. Christine Coughlan broke down, afraid that her infant son was going to die. As Declan struggled with a respiratory virus, not even the tiny oxygen mask on his face was enough to keep him from going long stretches of time without taking a breath. A doctor at Lakeridge Health Oshawa made his second alert for an infant or child having a medical emergency. Then, help arrived. A specialized service from the Hospital for Sick Children, described by its clinicians as a mobile ICU, was prepared to provide dedicated pediatric critical care. Megan Ogilvie reports on the stomach-clenching fear that turned to calm as SickKids’ Acute Care Transport Service (ACTS) tended to the baby. Context: The unprecedented viral season has sickened record numbers of children and flooded hospitals. Since the surge began in November, calls to ACTS for medical advice and to transport infants and children severely sick with respiratory illnesses have increased by 20 to 25 per cent compared to previous viral seasons.   Canadian Press/Ashley Fraser   health care Ontario will allow pharmacies to start prescribing medication for 13 minor illnesses next week Need meds for a cold sore, pink eye or menstrual cramps? Starting Jan. 1, you can go straight to a pharmacist for a prescription, Edward Djan and Irem Koca report. The move for pharmacists to prescribe medication for the 13 “most common ailments” will help add capacity to the health-care system at a time when it’s under stress from emergency departments, the head of the Ontario pharmacist’s association said. Here’s the full list of common ailments included in the program, and what you need to know before heading to the drug store. More: Some of the country’s biggest retail pharmacy chains confirmed Wednesday they will participate in the Ontario plan, but the Ontario College of Pharmacists website urged patients to speak to their pharmacist about what health-care services they offer.       WHAT ELSE   Canada will be part of an international effort to hold Iran legally responsible for the shooting down of Flight PS752. Here’s what we know.   Local businesses are reporting more foot traffic, but tighter purse strings. Take a closer look at Canadians’ changing shopping habits. Lost luggage wreaked havoc over the holidays. This is how best to prepare — and what to know about protections.   A Richmond Hill homeowner says the city left residents out in green-lighting five homes next door. Arguing over money? Follow these six steps with your partner to ensure better finances in 2023.   Chefs and foodies are seeking out these Ontario artisans crafting cultured, compound and flavoured butters. Ontario is wooing Hollywood with the perfect settings for holiday romances.   A storm covered their homes in ice. Now, residents along Lake Erie brace for flooding. Will a competition law overhaul lead to lower prices and better conditions for workers? The first major review in a decade could explore some new ideas.   Serina Green connected with the Raptors on the road to becoming a supreme hair stylist. Her advice? Always shoot your shot.       ICYMI Paige Taylor White/The Star Sensitive wetlands could lose protections as the province overhauls evaluations — despite thousands of letters written in opposition.       CLOSE-UP Lance McMillan/The Star   TORONTO: For Robin, Bruce, Matthew and Xander Richardson, winter is no reason to stop cycling in Toronto, although the city’s infrastructure and inconsistent snow removal can make it a challenge. Here’s why they do it — and how they say the city can live up to its year-round cycling potential.     Thank you for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at firstup@thestar.ca. I’ll see you back here tomorrow.   Become a Star subscriber and save! Boxing week offer: $1/week for 52 weeks Get This Offer   If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below.   Unsubscribe From This Newsletter Sign Up for More Newsletters and Email Alerts View in Browser Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. One Yonge Street, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON M5E 1E6. 416-367-2000 PRIVACY POLICY