The Northeast Local Health Integration Network released its new Health Service Plan yesterday for 2010-2013.  The 31 page document highlights the thoughts and expectations of patitents, families, health service providers over the next three years.  Those thoughts also include those from executives and health service organization boards of directors from Northeastern Ontario.  Among the health care priorities are First Nation services, addiction and mental health, aging at home, alternate level of care strategies and solutions, diabetes care, emergency department wait times, French language health services, health human resources and optimization of surgical services. 

Algoma University will be presented with a certificate on creating a more sustainable campus this week.  Boreal Solutions will make the presentation this Wednesday afternoon at 3 o’clock at the Shingwauk Auditorium.  The certification is a year in the making for the university’s custodial staff — Algoma U is also the first university in Northern Ontario receive the certification.  The Environmental Choice Program certifies products and services that have less of an impact on the environment because of how they are produced, consumed or disposed of.  Key benefits of the university certification are being offered at no cost to the university.  They include the elimination of toxic and corrosive materials and a reduction in the amount of waste produced, as reusable materials such as microfiber cloths will be used for dusting and cleaning.

The International Day of Disabilities will be celebrated at the Sault Ste. Marie Accessibility Centre on Thursday. An open house is scheduled from 9 until 4 that will highlight the city’s accomplishments regarding disability issues and initiatives. The event is aimed at increasing awareness of disability issues and to celebrate and recognize the contribution of people with disabilities in Sault Ste. Marie. Accessibility Advisory Committee members will be on hand at the open house to talk about the new Accessible Customer Service Standard.

City Police are looking for a suspect in another convenience store robbery.  Around 1am Sunday a lone male  went into the Macs on Dacey Road and demanded cash – no weapon was produced – and the suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of money.

As for weekend breakins:  a home in the 300 block of Pim Street was entered and ransacked with jewellery,  a purse and wallet among the items stolen.      An apartment in the 700 block of Second Line West was entered a video game systems, video games and DVDs were stolen.     A construction company headquartered on Landslide Road had two sheds entered and copper wire and small hand tools  were reportedly  stolen.  And a garage was entered on McQueen Road.

Among other thefts reported – a couch was stolen from the front lobby of an apartment complex on MacDonald Avenue.

And there were mischief complaints as well – Christmas lights were damaged on River Road.   A couple windows were broken and sheets of styrofoam damaged in the 600 block of Albert West and a front door was smashed at Reggies downtown.

City police started their RIDE campaign this weekend and out of 1700 drivers stopped, one was charged with impaired.

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City Police charged 29 year old Kenny Frigault of Pim Street and 23 year old Cody Cuthbertson of Ferguson Avenue inconnection with the car that was pulled over during a routine traffic stop on the weekend – and turned out to be stolen.

20 year old Kevin Robinson of Copernicus Boulevard was arrested Saturday morning charged with breaking into several vehicles on Carlbert and into a garage on Birchwood.

28 year old Scott Erdman of Huron Street was arrested and charged with stealing from a couple stores at Station Mall.

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       A car fire and store sign fire for Sault firefighters to deal with yesterday.  After 9 last evening,   firefighters were called to a car fire in the parking lot of Pino’s IGA.  By the time they arrived,  the front engine compartment was fully involved in flames.  The fire was put out before it spread any further as there was extensive damage to the engine and engine compartment.      And yesterday morning,  Sault firefighters were called to the Churchill Plaza to deal with a fire to a neon sign above one of the stores.  The fire was put out before it spread.

Ronald “Bud” Cooper, well known in sports circles and throughout the entire community in Sault, Michigan – passed away yesterday, at age 80. He’d continued his long relationship with Lake State University even in retirement – and was recognizied by having the gymnasium named in his honor. According to the LSSU website, private funeral services for Bud Cooper will be held this week.

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Sault Fire Services spent six hours–from midnight to 6am this morning–fighting a blaze at a home in the 400 block of Second Avenue. No one was home at the time, and the house is heavily damaged. One firefighter was injured–but his injuries are not life threatening. Fire services are investigating the cause of the fire, but the cause is not believed to be suspicious in nature. The fire is believed to have started in the basement.

Two Sault men appear in bail court tomorrow on weapons and drug charges. They were stopped last night on Bay Street by City Police in a routine traffic stop around 8:30. Police confiscated bear spray, brass knuckles and cocaine–the vehicle was also reported as stolen.

OPP are investigating an armed robbery that took place at 4am this morning at the Country Store in Goulais River. A lone male entered the store with a firearm, stole some cash and fled on foot. The suspect is described as 5 feet 10 inches tall and about 140 pounds. He was wearing a black bellaclava with red trim, a dark canvas style jacket with a hood, blue jeans and white running shoes. Anyone with any information is asked to call OPP or Crimestoppers.