Algoma-Manitulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes news release…

OTTAWA – Consumers are bearing the brunt of big-money speculation on oil prices and need relief on energy costs more than ever, according to MP, Carol Hughes.

Hughes delivered that message in a statement to the House of Commons today as soaring oil prices and the big tax increase on them from the HST push even more family budgets to brink, especially in Northern Ontario where the prices are higher to begin with.

“For consumers, it is a one way street with a hill that keeps getting steeper, especially in Northern Ontario,” said Hughes. “Every week I hear from more and more people who are stretched to the limit.”

Hughes indicated that it was not just the price of energy that had Northern Ontarians digging deeper in their pockets, it is the way prices tend to go up across the board and the deep reach of the HST that make the problem even worse.

“When energy prices go up, everything else follows. Food, travel and transportation will cost more and the cost of heating your home will go up- again,” said Hughes. “For many of us, reeling from the shock of just how much the HST is cutting into the bottom line this is only salt in the wound.”

Gas pump prices hit $1.30 this past weekend in parts of Northern Ontario. New Democrats have been calling for reduced tax on home heating, a nation-wide regulatory agency to monitor the price of oil and gas, and an ombudsman to protect consumers as measures to balance the high prices faced by consumers.

Blind River OPP news release…

FROM/DE: Blind River OPP Detachment DATE: February 28, 2011

BREACH OF PROBATION LEADS TO NUMEROUS CHARGES

(Iron Bridge, ON.) – On February 27, 2011 at 9:30 p.m. officers were on general patrol in Iron Bridge when located a female breaching conditions of her probation order. The youth was arrested and placed in the rear of the cruiser. During the course of the investigation and arrest an officer was struck by the female. A 16 year old youth Mississauga First Nation has been charged with the following offences:

1)Failing to comply with a sentence or disposition, section 137 Youth Criminal Justice Act (2 Counts)
2)Assault with intent to resist arrest, section 270(1)(b) Criminal Code
3)Being intoxicated in a public place, section 31(4) Liquor Licence Act
4)Having open liquor, section 31(2) Liquor Licence Act

The youth was held in custody pending a bail hearing in Sault Ste Marie.

The accused can not be identified according to the Youth Criminals Justice Act.

Department of Natural Resources and Enviroment news release…

Results from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment’s biennial aerial moose survey indicate little growth in the western Upper Peninsula’s moose population over the past two years, the DNRE announced today.

The January 2011 survey data indicates approximately 433 moose in Marquette, Baraga and northern Iron counties. The results show a slight increase from the 2009 estimate of 420 moose. Informal estimates for the eastern UP moose population suggest fewer than 100 animals, putting the entire mainland UP moose population at approximately 500 animals.

“The results suggest that moose population growth during the past two years may have slowed down, compared to the growth rates we saw over the previous decade,” said DNRE wildlife research biologist Dean Beyer. “However, surveys in coming years will help us determine if slowed population growth is going to be the trend, or if it’s just a short-term deviation.”

Legislation passed in late 2010 authorized the Michigan Natural Resources Commission to establish a moose hunting season, should the commission members choose to do so. The legislation also created the Moose Hunting Advisory Council, and directed the council to issue a report on the biological and economic impacts of a moose hunt to the NRC by Dec. 22, 2011.

The 2011 moose survey results, along with a new DNRE Wildlife Division report detailing the current status of the moose population and related management issues, will be available for review by the NRC and Moose Hunting Advisory Council as the two groups consider the possibility of a future moose hunting season.

In 1985 and 1987, 59 moose were trans-located by the DNRE from Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada, to northwest Marquette County, with the long-term goal of a self-sustaining population of free ranging moose. To gauge the project’s success, the health and population growth of the western Upper Peninsula moose have been closely monitored since that time. Part of that monitoring includes the biennial aerial moose survey, conducted every other year during the winter, when it is easiest to spot moose on the snow-covered landscape.

To learn more about the history of moose in Michigan, go online to www.michigan.gov/wildlife and click on “Research Projects.”

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is committed to the conservation, protection, management, and accessible use and enjoyment of the state’s environment, natural resources and related economic interests for current and future generations. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/dnre.

EDC news release…

New CEO joins Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corp.
Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. (Feb. 28, 2011) – The Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corp. is
pleased to announce it has a new chief executive officer. With vast experience in the public, private
and non-profit sectors, Thomas Dodds begins his new job April 4.
“It will be a real privilege to help lead the SSMEDC team and support the growth, development and
sustainability of the Sault Ste. Marie economy,” said Dodds. “I am keen to start working with local
business, industry, the community and regional partners to enable the city to be more globally
competitive.”
From 2003 until present, Dodds was director of international business for FedNor – Industry Canada.
Prior to that, he held other management positions at FedNor, served as executive director of the
Community Development Corporation of Sault Ste. Marie and Area from 1996 to 1999, worked in
industrial and economic development for the Province of Ontario, and was a project manager for a
human resources consulting firm in Australia. He holds a master of public administration degree
from the University of West Florida and an undergraduate degree in planning and environmental
studies from the University of Waterloo.
“Tom’s experience speaks for itself,” said Greg Punch, volunteer president of the SSMEDC and
chair of its board of directors. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership skills with him, and
we’re thrilled to have him on our team.”
Dave Murphy, executive director of the SSMEDC’s Business Sault Ste. Marie division, served as
acting CEO during the past few months following the resignation of longtime CEO Bruce Strapp,
who stepped down to take a position with the provincial government.
“We thank Dave for stepping up to the plate when we needed him,” said Punch.

Sault Police Service news release…

TO BE RELEASED:

DATE: 28 February 2011

TIME: Immediate

RE: DISTRACTED DRIVING MONTH

On the 1st of February, 2010, the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service began enforcing the new distracted driving laws relating to the use of hand-held communication devices and other entertainment devices while driving. Over the past year, more than eighty drivers have been charged under this law; however we are still concerned that the use of these devices by people while they are driving a vehicle is much too common.

The consequences of losing your focus on the road can be serious, maybe even fatal. While study of the issue of distracted driving in Ontario has been limited, research in the U.S. has shown that:

“20 percent of injury crashes in 2009 involved reports of distracted driving.
“Of those killed in distracted-driving-related crashes, 18% involved reports of a cell phone as the cause of the distraction.
“Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves.
“Using a cell phone while driving, whether it’s hand-held or hands-free, delays a driver’s reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent.
“The age group with the greatest proportion of distracted drivers was the under 20 age group – 16% of all drivers younger than 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported to have been distracted while driving.

Following these simple safety tips can help drivers stay focused while behind the wheel:

“Do not receive phone calls, texts or emails while driving
“Keep your hands on the wheel and avoid using any hand-held device while driving
“Driving requires your complete and undivided attention, the driver’s seat is no place to multi-task

“Be a responsible caller – don’t call, text or email someone if you know they are driving

Ontario’s distracted driving law does allow the use of hands-free devices and drivers are still permitted to use handheld devices to call 9-1-1 in emergencies, such as reporting collisions or possible impaired drivers. In these cases, police strongly recommend that drivers pull over and stop to make these calls

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service Traffic Management Plan designates March as Distracted Driving month. In keeping with this initiative the Police Service will be stepping up education and enforcement to get the message out that drivers who break the law in respect to wireless communication devices are risking their own safety and the safety of others on our roads, and if caught they will be held accountable.
Under the distracted driving law, fines of up to $500.00 can be levied against drivers who text, type, email, dial, or chat using a prohibited hand-held device.

TO BE RELEASED:

DATE: 28 February 2011

TIME: Immediate

RE: Albert Street East – Suspicious Death

On the 27 Feb 2011 at 3:57 p.m. the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service received a call from a citizen about a possible deceased male in the 100 block of Albert Street East in the Tancred Street and Hughes Street area. Police attended and discovered a deceased male in an apartment. Detectives from the Investigation Services Unit have commenced an investigation.

The name of the victim is not being released at this time pending positive identification and notification of next of kin. A post mortem examination to determine the cause of death will be conducted at a place and time yet to be determined.

The investigation is ongoing and police remain on scene for forensic examination.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident, please call the Sault Ste Marie Police Service at 705-949-6300 or, if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 705-942-7867 or 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or submit an e-tip from the Crime Stoppers web site at www.saultcrimestoppers.com or text keyword SSM with your tip to 274637.

Police in Sault, Michigan have arrested two males inconnection with last weekend’s armed robbery of a downtown sandwich shop … 18 year old Nathan Goetz and 20 year old Brian Herrala, Jr … both from the American Sault, and both were on probation at the time.

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City Police had a busy weekend – beginning Friday with the arrest of three people – two males and a female inconnection with domestic assaults.

Early Saturday morning they were called regarding a minor hit and run accident on Albert Street East … the vehicle was soon after spotted but again the driver failed to stop. It was eventually stopped in the area of Dennis and Bay and 22 year old Troy Wabigwan of Biggings Street was charged with numerous offences including impaired driving and failing to remain at the scene of an accident.

A search warrant was executed at a residence in the 700 block of Pine Street , Saturday, where more than 100 marijuana plants plus more than 3 pounds of marijuana were seized – with an estimated street value of $132,000 … leading to possession for the purpose of trafficking charges against 38 year old Aaron English and 33 year old Susan Rutledge of the same Pine Street address … 35 year old Jeffrey Gales of Third Line was similarly charged … while a four person charged, 29 year old John McCallum of Pine Street was charged with simple possession.

27 year old Ryan Moll of no fixed address was arrested on various warrants – when found hiding in a vehicle on Connaught Avenue and also allegedly having stolen property in his possession.

There were more breakins reported over the weekend – to homes in the 400 block of North Street, the 200 block of Albert East …as well as to a business on White Oak Drive and to construction trailers at the Clergue School site.

There were more reports of vehicles being entered and damaged and a motel room was entered and electronic items stolen.

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Yesterday afternoon just before 4:00 police received a tip regarding what appeared to be the body of a dead male in an apartment in the 100 block of Albert Street East. They confirmed the death a short time later and have begun another forensic investigation. No name has been released with a post mortem to be held to determine the cause of death. This marks the third time this year that a body of a dead male has been discovered.

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New Democrat Healthcare Critic Megan Leslie will in the Sault and Algoma District on a one day whirlwind visit. On the agenda are a meeting with the Seniors Health Advisory Coalition at the Finnish Resthome on Monday morning and a meeting with Matthews Memorial Hospital officials in Richards Landing later in the day. The latter event is expected to involve discussions about plans for the Meadowlink assisted living complex in the area.