The City has named it’s Medal of Merit winners for 2010 … the Northland Barbershop Chorus which has been entertaining residents since 1959 and helped raise more than $50,000 for charity … and Tony Celli, whose been involved in all aspects of soccer in the city for close to 48 years.

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East Algoma OPP are investigating two suspicious fires that occurred over the past couple weeks involving a couple seasonal camps on S&T Line on St Joseph Island. The last time the owners had been there was December 12th. The fire marshall’s office is also investigating.

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Lake State University has come out with it’s annual list of banished words – a new years tradition, for the past 36 years. Words related to the internet and social networking led the way – with viral, epic and the use of Facebook and Google as verbs, all making the list of words that should be bannished. Political terminology such as ‘the American People’ and a few Palin-isms including refudiate and momma grizzlies were also nominated. Wow Factor has outlived it’s usefullness in the ears of some … along with a-ha moment and BFF.

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City Police are investigating a couple mischief complaints involving apartments on Morin Street and Albert Street East. There were more reports of vehicles being damaged as well. Electonic items were stolen from a couple cars.

A purse was reported stolen at a business on Pine Street.

Police were called to an eastend residence early this morning where a 40 year old male was arrested following a domestic assault.

And police travelled to Elliot Lake yesterday to pickup a 20 year old Hamilton woman who was wanted on several charges, including assault.

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The City of Sault Ste. Marie operated outdoor boarded skating rinks, and the Art Jennings Speed Skating Oval are temporarily closed due to poor weather conditions. The rinks will reopen later in the week weather permitting. Please refer to on-site signage at all outdoor rinks.

Hours of Operation for Outdoor Skating Rinks:

Esposito Rink (Queen St. West)

Merrifield Rink (Henrietta St.)

Anna McCrea Rink (Mark St.)

Saturday and Sunday – 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Monday to Friday – 3 to 10 p.m.

Hours of Operation for the Art Jennings Speed Skating Oval:

(Elizabeth Street)

Saturday and Sunday – 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Monday to Friday – 12 noon to 4 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m.

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Another major power outage in the city last night – this time affecting 3800 PUC customers in the west and northends of town – from Peoples and Penno subdivision west to Farewell Terrace and Korah, from St Georges to Third Line. Power was restored for most in little more than half an hour but some were waiting two hours. Crews were investigating the underground system to find the cause.

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The City of Sault Ste. Marie’s Christmas Lighting Awards Committee has selected the winners of the 11th Annual Christmas Lighting Awards Program. This program was created to recognize the efforts of local residents and businesses that light up their homes and properties during the holiday season.

There are two award categories – residential (2 per ward) and business (3 citywide). Award plaques will be presented at a January 2011 City Council meeting.

The Christmas Lighting Awards Committee is pleased to announce the following winners:

Residential Awards

Ward 1

Hope Residence – 57 Wayne Court

Leforte Residence – 2641 Queen Street East

Ward 2

Penikis & Pister Residence – 57 Ontario Avenue

Noack Residence – 57 Borron Avenue

Ward 3

Suffel Residence – 43 Wiber Street

Long Residence – 813 Second Line East

Ward 4

Pirozzi Residence – 82 Knox Avenue

Nichols Residence – 434 Charles Street

Ward 5

Purificati Residence – 46 Bitonti Crescent

Boyer Residence – 139 Rossmore Road

Ward 6

Grandinetti Residence – 346 Nixon Road

Malone Residence – 40 Rushmere Road

Business Awards

1st Place: Villa Santa Maria, 4 East Street

2nd Place: Jasmine, 446 Queen Street East

3rd Place: Quality Inn, 180 Bay Street

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OPP in Elliot Lake took 36 year old Jason Lantain of Elliot Laske into custody after a woman was appraoched while walking on Pearson Drive Monday night and threatened with a knife.

Early Tuesday morning Elliot Lake OPP were called to an apartment building on Willoughby Road regarding a male who kept ringing a door bell in a bid to gain entry. Police arrived to find 21 year old Michael Owens of Elliot Lake – who was wanted on outstanding warrants.

And yesterday afternoon police in Elliot Lake were called regarding a man who was canvassing in the Dieppe Avenue neighbourhood on behalf of the Diabetes Association – who was not involved in any such campaign. 22 year old Jessie Elliot of Whitefish Lake First Nation was charged with fraud.

And OPP in Blind River impounded a vehicle and charged the 19 year old driver with racing – after he was clocked doing 145 in a 90 zone yesterday morning.

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It was an icy commute for many this morning – OPP were advising motorists to stay off the roads in some cases – especially Highway 17 East where slick conditions led to at least two accidents. Highway 17, north of Batchewana Bay was also very icy. The MTO website has been updated to indicate highway conditions as being bare and wet with some icy and slushy sections late this morning. With temperatures near freezing and rain in the forecast, conditions can quickly become icy again – so do take care.

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City Police were called to an accident at the intersection of Great Northern Road and Second Line around 6:40 this morning involving a car and a pickup truck. The driver of the car needed hospital treatment. Police are hoping to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the accident – especially the signal lights at the time.

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