Another issues discussed at this week’s International Lake Superior Board of Control meeting was invasive species. This included an update on the St. Mary’s River Sea Lamprey Control Project. Mike Steeves of the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission talked about the objectives and findings, some of which were successful. More than 100 lampreys were trapped at one of the five traps on the river. It was also determined that sonar imaging and ‘hydrophones’ were a big help in mapping movements and the behaviour of sea lampreys. Asian carp was also profiled in a discussion about the Great Lakes Mississippi River Invasive Species study. It was announced that the study is going through an extreme data collection, with results being released when possible and subsequent action following that. That presentation also included discussion about zebra mussels and the possibility of spreading into other parts of the United States.

Fire Suppression and Emergency Medical Services responded to the 100 block of Ashgrove Avenue on Friday August, 26th, 2011 at approximately 2:00 pm. Upon arrival, Fire Services crews discovered the body of a male who was unresponsive. As a result of this incident, the 41 year old male occupant, Robert Logan, succumbed to his death from smoke inhalation. This fire is currently under investigation by the Fire Marshal’s Office and Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services.

The province’s landmark Green Energy Act is continuing to improve infrastructure and the environment in Sault Ste. Marie by approving the local Public Utilities Commission (PUC) application for a solar project that is allowing for solar panels to be mounted on the roof of the George Leach Centre at Algoma University David Orazietti, MPP announced today. The new Solar Electric Energy System on the roof of the George Leach Centre consists of 540 solar panels that will generate 135 KWH of green energy to help operate the George Leach Centre as well as provide approximately $2 million in revenue over the next 20 years. The new solar system will reduce negative emission from the centre equal to the carbon dioxide created by automobiles driving over twelve million kilometers. In addition to improving the environment, this project used solar panels from a local manufacturer and used local workers to install the solar modules. Since opening in October of 2010, Heliene Inc. has built over 70,000 solar modules, which has created over 60 high-tech manufacturing value-added jobs in Sault Ste. Marie. Heliene Inc. is currently forecasting over $3 million in annual salaries and another $4 million of indirect economic development for Sault Ste. Marie. The green energy sector has already created over 900 construction jobs and 110 permanent jobs in the Sault and Algoma region.

The Province is providing the Societa Italiana Di M.S. Guglielmo Marconi with a $500,000 grant toward renovations valued at approximately $1.5 million which include improving accessibility and building conference facilities and space to display permanent exhibits highlighting the contributions of Italian Canadians to Sault Ste. Marie, David Orazietti, MPP announced today. The Province is providing a $500,000 grant through the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Community Capital Fund (CCF), which helps community groups provide support for cultural and social activities as well as support for the training and learning needs of Sault Ste. Marie’s diverse population. The Marconi Club plans to create a cultural museum of Italian history and increase it ability to host conventions, which will increase revenue and help create jobs in the community.

City Police news release…

Female Arrested for Break and Enter:

Officers with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service arrested 47 year-old Anne Yassine of #2-108 St. Andrews Terrace on the 30th of August at 1:58 pm at her residence and charged her with one count of attempt break and enter and one count of break and enter. It is alleged that on the 30th of August between 2 am to 4 am the accused attempted to break into a residence on Pardee Avenue, caused some damage to a window, but was unsuccessful in gaining entry. A short time later, the accused broke into a residence on Birch Street. The home was gone through but nothing was reported taken. The accused is to appear in court on the 3rd of October.

Male Arrested for Mischief:

Officers with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service arrested 27 year-old David Smith of 234B Willow Avenue at 1:42 am on the 31st of August on Great Northern Road and charged him with one count of mischief under $5,000.00. It is alleged that on the 31st of August around 1:37 am the accused smashed out a pane of glass in the phone booth at the corner of Great Northern Road and Second Line East. The accused is to appear in court on the 3rd of October.

Property Crimes:

Mischief/Theft Reports:

“Vehicles were broken into on Poplar Avenue, Thorneloe Crescent, Welcome Avenue and Valhalla Street. A silver iPod with “Happy Birthday” engraved on it a Nexus card, gift certificates and a black Nikon camera were reported taken.
“Wine was poured all over a vehicle on Boston Avenue.

Motorists travelling east of the Highway 108 turnoff on Tuesday afternoon may have experienced a delay in their travels. OPP closed the highway to traffic during the late afternoon after a motor vehicle accident in Cutler. Few details were released about the accident — both lanes re-opened around 6:30 Tuesday night.

Residents of the Twin Saults had an opportunity on Tuesday night to learn about the levels of Superior and Michigan-Huron. The lake levels have actually risen over the last three years, but residents who attended the public forum at Lake State still have concerns over low levels at their property, water being diverted, possible climate change and other related issues. Other questions ranged from diversion to illegal bottling to past attempts to export water out of Superior. David Fay is the Canadian member of the International Lake Superior Board of Control — he says people will continue to have those questions until they feel their specific situation is resolved. When considering where the levels have been in recent years, Fay described the situation as unpredictable — it’s not known at this time if levels will rise, unless cooler, wet weather prevails. Fay says that’s a process that takes several years to get the lake levels back up to average. One of the questions asked from an audience member centered on residents of Lake Huron wanting more water, while Superior residents try to protect what they have. Canadian member of the board David Fay this is a battle that may become more ‘competitive’ over the next few years. One member of the audience suggested that it was time for the board to reconsider the minimum and maximum levels for outflow into Superior — figures that have used since 1990. Fay answered that this suggestion is currently being considered in the current International Upper Great Lakes Study that will be completed in March 2012. Fay stopped short of mentioning climate change as a reason or trigger for lower levels over the years. When asked what people living around Lake Superior can look forward to over the next few years, Fay advised that affected residents should prepare for — and adapt to — fluctuating water levels. But at least one person expressed uneasiness about the diversion of water from the lakes, whether it be to relieve drought or for developments — suspicious that something else is afoot.

A Hornepayne man is scheduled to appear in court this fall on a number of sex-related charges. Superior East OPP have arrested 67 year old James Russell with eleven charges related to sexual offences that happened between June 1988 and December 1988 after a historical assault investigation.

Wednesday is the first day of training camp for current and prospective members of the Soo Greyhounds. Fitness testing and a drug, alcohol and steroid awareness seminar highlights Day 1, followed by skills development, practices and the Luke Williams Memorial Red and White Game on Saturday, before the final cut to 31 players on Sunday.

Highway 17 at Cutler — located between Spanish and the Highway 108 turnoff — opened to one lane at 5:00 p.m. after an accident earlier this afternoon. Both lanes of that section of the Trans-Canada were closed after the accident. OPP continue to deal with that crash, but have provided few other details at this time other than there is no detour. It’s not known when that section of 17 will fully re-open.