It’s that time of year again. Applications will be considered for Christmas Cheer starting on Monday and can be made by calling 254-7223. The Christmas Cheer Depot on Trunk Road will open on November 17th and operate five days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The deadline to apply for Christmas Cheer is Thursday, December 9th at 12 noon, with delivery of the baskets scheduled for December 17th.

An issue that was brought up at the last City Commission meeting will be discussed again on Monday night. A report on the possible action of establishing a franchise fee from Charter Communications will be brought to City Manager Spencer Nebel’s attention — Nebel did not attend the last meeting two weeks ago. Other issues on tonight’s commission agenda include the transferring of the Cloverland Electric service center and main offices from Sault Ste. Marie to Dafter Township, the acceptance of a proposal for a contract regarding snow removal from downtown sidewalks and the annual report of the Sault Ste. Marie Housing Commission.

The Pino’s Soo Junior Greyhounds hosted the Keweenaw Storm for a pair of games over the weekend. The Pee Wee AA rep team lost to the Storm 4-1 in the first game and followed that up with a 2-nothing loss in the second game. The locals will be in Chicago this coming weekend to participate at the Bauer Invitational Cup.

A couple of situations for the Sault Fire Service — fire crews responded to a car fire in the 800 block of Pine Street just after 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon. The fire was confined to the engine area — there were no injuries. The fire department also responded to another dumpster fire, this one on Pentagon Boulevard. That happened just after 1:30 last night, police were also on the scene. That fire is being treated as suspicious.

A group of educators from the United Kingdom were in Sault Ste. Marie this week to learn more about the Canadian education system. Lynn Horton is the team leader and a school improvement officer for the North Tyneside Local Authority in northeast England. She says one of the goals of her group’s visit was to encourage the use of what is known as ‘enquiry based’ or applied learning. Horton says board students are articulate and seem very independent in the classrooms and in the learning. But she adds they show one of the board’s strengths when it comes to working together. She says she was impressed with the students’ ability in this area at the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board. She also took note of how students supported one another, particularly at the high school level — a reflection of the ‘family community’ aspect offered by catholic schools. Horton also complimented students preparing to go to university, who she says are working at a very high level of knowledge, through classes offered that are similar to lectures at the university level. She was also impressed with the board’s Special Education program at St. Basil, calling it a good example of how young people learn to live along and work with those who have learning disabilities. Horton also complimented students preparing to go to university, who she says are working at a very high level of knowledge, through classes offered that are similar to lectures at the university level. She was also impressed with the board’s Special Education program at St. Basil Secondary School, calling it a good example of how young people learn to live along and work with those who have learning disabilities. Horton says one notable experience was time spent at Camp Korah, a program that is unique to her group, mentioning how participating students worked with environmental variables such as water quality. Other stops during the group’s visit to the region included visits to schools to Elliot Lake and Wawa.

Members of the Sault Police Service Board were updated on a successful program at their meeting earlier this week. The Hero Bear Program was initiated last year and involves the sale of small, stuffed police bears for 10 dollars each — more than 15 hundred have been sold. Proceeds from the sale of the bears go to fund the Kids and Cops Program. A small, stuffed K-9 dog was added this year, modeled after the Los Angeles Police Department bomb squad dog. The police service is looking to have the stuffed bears and dogs available at all TD Canada Trust locations in the city. Other police forces are now creating their own stuffed ‘heroes’ — the local programs will be brought up in a police conference in Calgary next year.

The city of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan will hold trick or treating on Sunday night from 5 until 8 o’clock. The local police department will have extra patrols to help make this Halloween a safe one. Parents and children can also make sure their Halloween is safe with a few tips. Young trick-or-treaters should wear reflective costumes or have a flashlight. Little children should also be accompanied by a parent or responsible young adult, while trick-or-treating. Children should also use caution when crossing the street and motorists should watch out for young trick or treaters while on the road and parents should also inspect any candy after trick or treating for any unwrapped or unusual candy.

Shaw Cable’s ‘Pumpkin Patrol’ will be out on Sunday night. A number of Shaw vans will be out patrolling neighbourhoods between 6 and 9 o’clock. If a child requires assistance, let them know they can approach a Shaw van for assistance. This is the sixth year for the local Pumpkin Patrol program. Meantime, members of the Twin Soo Radio Club will be out again on Sunday in their vehicles, reporting any criminal activities to the Sault Police Service.

An affordable housing announcement was made on Saturday in Sault Ste. Marie. Sault MPP David Orazietti was among the dignataries on hand for the grand opening of 11 new units that make up the Franklin Seniors Housing project at 433 Franklin Street. Orazietti described the project as a welcome and much needed addition for seniors in the community, adding that the construction project will stimulate the economy by creating jobs and supporting local business. 1.3 million dollars from the federal and provincial governments went towards the units for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities. The money is part of an extension of the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement, which includes 301 million dollars towards affordable housing for up to 20 thousand households in Ontario.

Former Algoma University president Doctor Celia Ross will be honoured this evening at the annual John Rhodes Scholarship Dinner. Dr. Ross led Algoma U for the last 12 years before stepping down this summer. Under Ross’ leadership, Algoma U achieved an affirmation of its core partnership with the Shingwauk Education Trust through the signing of a covenant in 2006. The university experienced expansion with campuses in Brampton and courses at Northern College in Timmins. New programs were also introduced including the Bachelor of Arts in Community, Economic and Social Development and the Abertay Dundee Masters of Science in Computer Games Technology during Ross’ time at Algoma. The main Sault Ste. Marie campus now has the Information, Communication and Technology Centre and will have the Bioscience and Technology Convergence Centre next year. Ross is best known for leading the campaign resulting in Algoma becoming Ontario’s 19th independent university in 2008. The reception and dinner starts at 5:30 at Algoma’s Water Tower Inn.