News for Youse: Ryder Hesjedal honoured, Gulf Islands earthquake, and snowstorm cancels flights

Ryder Hesjedal named top male athlete  Victoria cycling sensation Ryder Hesjedal has received the Lionel Conacher Award as the Canadian Press male athlete of the year.

Christine Sinclar snares another honour  After winning the Lou Marsh Award as Canada's athlete of the year earlier this month, Christine Sinclair has now picked up the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as the Canadian Press female athlete of the year.

Gulf Islands earthquake  Last night around 10:30, a quake measuring 3.9 occurred just east of Sidney, B.C., according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Death in New Westminster  CKNW Radio has reported that New Westminster police found a man dead inside a basement suite on Colby Street this morning. This came after people in the area reportedly heard possible gunfire.

Flights cancelled  A major snowstorm in Ontario has led to approximately 100 flights being grounded or delayed at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Toyota's billion-dollar settlement  Japanese automaker Toyota has agreed to pay more than US$1 billion to settle wrongful-death and economic-loss claims linked to sudden acceleration.

U.S. fiscal cliff fears  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he doesn't think there's sufficient time to make a deal with Republicans to stave off America falling over the "fiscal cliff" on January 1, 2013. That's when huge spending cuts and tax increases take effect, which will slow the economy, just as the U.S. government approaches its legal borrowing limit.

George H.W. Bush in intensive care  The 41st president of the United States, George H.W. Bush, is in a Houston hospital with a "stubborn fever", according to his spokesperson, Jim McGrath.

David Letterman calls Jay Leno insecure  In an upcoming interview with Oprah Winfrey, CBS talk-show host David Letterman praises his NBC rival, Jay Leno, as "the funniest guy I've ever known". Then he adds that Leno is also "the most insecure person I've ever known".