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Whatever Happened To CFRB Overnight Newscaster John Elston?
He holds the record for longest overnight newscaster at CFRB (a record never likely to be broken, since they no longer have anyone local and live overnight.) John Elston toiled on the graveyard shift for more than 18 years, doing yeoman's work for 1010, when he disappeared in 2009. Many here may remember him.
So what is he doing now? The answer may surprise you. The former newscaster is a current school bus driver in the Niagara Region, where he's worked for Sharpe Bus Lines for the past four years.
Talk about a change of profession. He went from doing overnights to getting up early in the mornings and from driving the newsroom to driving kids. He currently lives in St. Catharines.
I always really liked his style and thought he was a great newsman. I'm sad to see he's out of the industry, but at least he's found a gig that isn't going to disappear tomorrow. Plus, I assume he gets his summers off!
John Elston on Linked-In.com
- AspectRatio
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Re: Whatever Happened To CFRB Overnight Newscaster John Elston?
Very interesting - I recognized the name right away, but hadn't thought of him for a while! He was one of the rare 1010 news personalities not named Dave (at various times, that group included Dave Trafford, David Bent, Dave Agar, Dave McKee, Dave Bradley, Dave Woodard and David Craig - 'The Daves I Know' indeed!).
Always appreciated his calm/mellow but informative delivery - great vibe for the overnight.
I see his bus line linked to this video message of his amongst their other drivers and the voice is definitely familiar.
- John Elston
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Re: Whatever Happened To CFRB Overnight Newscaster John Elston?
I have just registered with this forum for the purpose of doing something I should have done long ago,, express my appreciation for whoever it was who remembered me and asked about me March 30, 2021. This was more than 12 years after the huge purge at CFRB in which more than a century of collective news experience was dismissed in one day. I saw some comments on this forum about that day, and one of them was by someone claiming to know me. I still have no idea who that was.
I had seen this forum many times years ago, but I did see this inquiry about me a few years ago. I found it to be very touching, and I told my sons about it. It seemed to me that in news broadcasting, the most appreciation one received was not from within the workplace, but from listeners. I still feel thankful to all of those who listened, and later remembered me. I always treated news broadcasting as a public trust, and it was a privilege and honour to be on the airwaves. I used to write poetry quite often, and I composed a poem styled after a famous song, about the ending of my radio career. If anyone would like me to, I will gladly share it. It's not sour grapes, just some honest reflection. By the way I did work as a school bus driver for 7 years. Thank you to all.
Last edited by John Elston (February 4, 2026 10:39 pm)
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Re: Whatever Happened To CFRB Overnight Newscaster John Elston?
Wow! Thanks for your long delayed post! I really appreciate your words and I'm sure I'm not the only one. What time (and Bell) has done to this heritage radio station is almost criminal IMHO. I used to listen to you on my way home from the TV newsroom where I worked at the time. Always appreciated your writing and your delivery. You were probably the best local overnight news voice I ever heard in this city.
(Sorry Fred Cripps, who I worked with at CKEY at one time! Although he's long left us, he was a wonderful man. For some reason, he was a huge fan of Jeannette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. But I really digress!)
I take it you had no desire to get back into the business. I'm sure a place like 680 News could really use your talents, although I strongly suspect you left the industry because it left you and you may not have ever wanted to return to what it's now become. Plus, I see by your Linked-In page, you've long since retired.
I, for one, would very much like to read your poem. Forgive the gushing, but I was a big fan of your on-air work and I'm very happy that you checked in with SOWNY, and hope you'll return if you have something more to say.
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Thread Starter- Shorty Wave
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Re: Whatever Happened To CFRB Overnight Newscaster John Elston?
It’s situation like this that the internet turns out to be a pretty good thing after all! Welcome John Elston, as you can see, you have a few fans here on the SOWNY board so now you can speak to your peeps! This is an excellent forum to share your stories with, so feel free. Again, welcome John, look forward to your postings.
- Calhame
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Re: Whatever Happened To CFRB Overnight Newscaster John Elston?
I remember, quite a few years ago, when as a volunteerI along with anout 6 or 7 other voluntees assisting OPP, Peel Region and halton Police and ambulance, along with Oakville and Mississauga fire, calling in tips on accidents, road closures and fires to John, Sheila Walsh, Deborah Edwards and Catherine Pope,
He was a gentleman along with the other ladies
- Evuguy
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Re: Whatever Happened To CFRB Overnight Newscaster John Elston?
Definately remember you, John. Just didn't realize it had been that long since you were in front of the mic.