The Ontario Provincial Police remind motorists that safe driving is a ‘team effort’ invoving the public, especially those people behind the wheel. The Ontario Provincial Police have three areas of focus for 2010 — impaired driving, aggressive driving and occupant restraints. Some driving tips police have include re-evaluating when you travel — motorists should be well-rested or travel with a licenced passenger if they are tired. Another important piece of advice is to plan ahead to avoid the risks associated with impaired driving — by drugs or alcohol — if you are planning to head out for the evening. Police also advise motorists to allow enough time to get to where they are going without speeding. Passengers can also play a role by speaking up if they have concerns about a driver’s behaviour. O-P-P officers plan to continue to raise public awareness of the importance of safe driving this year.

The Sault Ste. Marie Medal of Merit Selection Committee has announced its recipients for this year’s medal of merit. The 2009 winners are Monsignor Bernard Burns, The Comedics and Harry Houston. Monsignor Burns passed away last month after 49 years in the priesthood and had been pastor of Precious Blood Cathedral since 1985. The Comedics are made of local physicians Gene Turgeon, John Pearson and Bob Maloney — the group first started performing 15 years ago, while contributing to help various local organizations. Harry Houston is a long-standing member of the local arts community has volunteered in community theatre for more than 40 years. The Medal of Merit awards will be presented at a ceremony in 2010.

East Algoma O-P-P arrested two Elliot Lake residents on drug-related charges yesterday. A 58 year old man and a 35 year old woman both face charges of possession, trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime — the pair will appear in Elliot Lake court on February 2nd. The charges resulted from a search warrant that was executed at a residence on Brunet Road in Elliot Lake. Officers found a quantity of oxycodone, assorted prescription medication and stolen property. Further charges are pending on other people — police continue to investigate.

OPP say a charge has been laid in that fatal collision on Highway 17 near Blind River on Monday. 20 year old Darren Edwards of Englehart Ontario has been charged with failing to share the roadway under the Highway Traffic Act. He is scheduled to appear in Blind River Court on February 3rd. The crash claimed the life of 64-year-old Ronald Boreham of the North Shore when his vehicle was struck by an on-coming vehicle.

If you’re vying for one of the city’s Christmas Lighting Awards, you’ll want to make sure your lights on at 5 this evening – as the judging is scheduled to take place in both the residential and business categories.

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City Police searched a Huron Street residence last night – where they uncovered a quantity of perscription drugs – including morphine, Oxycontin and percocet – leading to possession for the purpose of trafficking charges against 46 year old Douglas Martin. A 35 year old female who was there at the time was also charged with possession.

53 year old Caleb Perrault of Garden River was charged with shoplifting at Romes.

A 16 year old boy was charged with stealing at Sears.

A 35 year old Goulais River male was charged with impaired after being spotted first driving in a suspicious and then erratic manner by police in the downtown area early this morning.

City Police were called regarding more mischief to vehicles at various locations in the past 24 hours .

There were a couple accidents that resulted in charges. A 32 year old Alberta woman was charged with going through a redlight at the intersection of Second Line and Old Garden River Road yesterday morning. The other driver – a 75 year old male -sustained minor injuries, not requiring medical treatment. And 47 year old George Merling of People’s Road was charged with running a stop sign at John Street and Northland Road yesterday afternoon – where he slid into another vehicle. There were no injuries.

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The Chair of the 2010 Scott Tournament of Hearts is holding out hope that the Christmas Holiday period and the few weeks leading up to the big event will be quite kind in terms of ticket sales. Sandra Randa told us just prior to Christmas that sales had been picking up, which is a good thing, as there is some ground to makeup. They will need to sell about another 3-hundred full packages to meet the 11-hundred target, and they have sold close to a thousand mini packages, and are looking to double that amount.

46 year old Douglas Harvey Martin of Huron Street appears in bail court today after city police carried out a search warrant at his home yesterday. Police say they found oxycontin and percocet and cash pointing to drug trafficking. He is charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. 35 year old Tracy Joan Daigle of Wellington Street West was also found in the home at the time and was charged with one count of possession. She has a court date of February 1st.

49 year old Keith Joseph Aikens of Nelson Street is charged with three counts of improper storage of a firearm. It is alleged that on December 18th the accused had left three long guns at a previous home on Reid Street without trigger locks, or a cable to render them safe and properly stored. He appears in court February 1st.

53 year old Caleb Stephen Perrault of Garden River was arrested last night after he allegedly stole cheese from Rome’s Grocery Store. He fled from the store but was apprehended on Pim Street. He is charged with theft under five thousand dollars and appears in court February 1st.

A 16 year old male young offender was arrested Monday night at Sears for allegedly stealing a watch. He was charged with theft under five thousand dollars and appears in court February 2nd.

A former Mountie is due in an Ottawa court today to face a first-degree murder charge in the slaying of an Ottawa city police officer. Kevin Gregson was charged after Constable Eric Czapnik
was ambushed and stabbed to death early yesterday morning. The 51-year-old officer was sitting in his cruiser taking notes just outside an Ottawa hospital when he was repeatedly stabbed. Paramedics tried in vain to save Czapnik’s life, and also held the suspect until police arrived. According to a Sault Star report, Gregson was a Sault College graduate, who lived in the Sault for ten years before joining the Mounties.

30 year old Travis William Hopper of 535 Cathcart Street was arrested on the 24 December 2009 at 10:51 p.m. on the 100 block of Albert Street East for allegedly slashing tires of nine separate vehicles with a knife in that vicinity. The accused had a cut on his hand that required medical attention. He was charged with nine counts of mischief and is compelled to attend court on the 01 February 2010.

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