Superior East OPP (Wawa) was called to a motor vehicle collision that occurred approximately 15 kms south of Wawa on Highway 17. The collision occurred at 7:18 am and involved a north bound transport truck and a south bound car. At this time there are two confirmed fatalities as a result of this collision. The driver, 27 year old Buddhika GEBRIAL of Surrey, British Columbia was pronounced dead at the scene. The second deceased was passenger in the car, 54 year old Charles GEBRIAL of Surrey, British Columbia succumbed to his injuries at the Lady Dunn Health Centre in Wawa. A Post Mortem has been ordered by the Coroner for Wednesday August 21st in Sault Ste Marie. The driver and passenger of the transport truck suffered minor injuries and have treated been treated and released from the Lady Dunn Health Centre. At the time of this release OPP were arranging for removal of the transport truck. Highway 17 has been reopened in both directions. No further information is available at this time.

The OPP have closed Highway 17 at Cutler due to a motor vehicle accident just after 3 this afternoon. Few details have been released but there is no detour and it’s not known when that stretch of the Trans-Canada will re-open.

The OPP are advising that one lane of Highway 17 is now open about 15 kilometres south of Wawa, with alternate directions having priority from time to time. An accident involving a transport and a car shut down that area of the Trans-Canada around 7:30 this morning. Two others injured in the accident were transported to Lady Dunn Health Centre in Wawa. No names are being released pending notification of next of kin.

Following a summer of meetings and work between the NE LHIN and the Group Health Centre, the NE LHIN is allocating $141,000 to sustain the Sault Ste. Marie Cardiac Rehab Program. The funding will ensure the program continues until March 31, 2012 while partners continue to work on a long-term and sustainable solution to meet the program’s growing demands. Earlier this summer (June) the NE LHIN held a community engagement session in Sault Ste. Marie where local residents expressed the need for more care closer to home, including the much accessed local cardiac rehab program. In the past year, 288 Sault Ste. Marie patients have received care through the program which is tailored to each patient. It also offers education and support to patients, caregivers and families who are looking to make lifestyle changes to better manage their health. Since 2007, the program has witnessed a steady increase in demand.

City Police news release…

The fire scene at the Sault Ste. Marie Court House has been secured and as result the Court House is closed. All first appearance matters that were scheduled for today are being dealt with at the Crown’s office building located adjacent to the court house. Police and Court Operations staff is continuing to work through other hearings, including bail court appearances. This investigation is continuing and the Fire Marshall will be attending later this afternoon.

Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources has responded to a small brush fire in the Marquette area. The fire is burning on the north side of Sugarloaf Mountain. The fire was first reported last evening and is estimated to be 2.8-acres in size. Fire officers on the scene hope to establish a fire line today and hold the fire to its current size. Smoke is visible in the city of Marquette and surrounding areas. Smoke is drifting across some county roads in the area and drivers are asked to use caution.

Orazietti news release…

Expansion of Unique High School Program Supports Student Success

Sault Ste. Marie- Ontario is expanding its Specialist High Skills Majors program across the province, including the introduction of a new Energy program to be offered by Korah Collegiate & Vocational School starting this fall, David Orazietti, MPP announced today.

“The Specialist High Skills Majors program is part of the province’s plan to ensure student success and to assist young people in their transition into apprenticeship training, college, university or the workforce after graduating,” said Orazietti. “These programs give high school students the ability to focus on a specific sector while working towards the completion of their Diploma and this new specialty program in Energy will prepare more students for a future in a clean energy economy.”

A number of Specialist High Skills Majors are currently being offered through both the Algoma District School Board and the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board in a variety of sectors including construction, manufacturing, hospitality and tourism, arts and culture, health and wellness and environmental studies.

Provincial support for the Specialist High Skills Majors program in Sault Ste. Marie and Area total $157,900. Currently, there are 223 high school students in Sault Ste. Marie enrolled as Specialist High Skills Majors. The new Energy program at Korah Vocational and Collegiate Institute will accommodate an additional 35 students.

“The Algoma District School Board is excited by the success of its Specialist High Skills Major programs,” said Mario Turco, Director of Education, Algoma District School Board. “Last year, 177 students in the Algoma District School Board were enrolled in Specialist High Skills Major programs available in a variety of sectors. Students within these programs earned over 600 credits last year including 36 Dual Credits in partnership with Sault College. As a group, students enrolled in a Specialist High Skills Major Program in the Algoma District School Board were successful in earning over 90% of all the credits they were enrolled in throughout the year. Moving into the new school year, we are excited by new opportunities including the addition of a new sector, Energy, at Korah Collegiate.”

OPP news release…

(WAWA, ON.) – Superior East OPP (Wawa) is currently investigating a motor vehicle collision that occurred approximately 15 kms south of Wawa on Highway 17. The Technical Traffic Collision Investigation unit has been called to the scene. The collision involved a transport truck and car. It was reported at approximately 7:18 am and involves one confirmed fatality. Two injured parties have been transported to the Lady Dunn Health Centre in Wawa. No names are being released at this time pending notification of next of kin. Highway 17 between Wawa and Sault Ste Marie remains closed at this time. OPP requests that the public listen to the local media for updates regarding the reopening of Highway 17.

City Police news release…

At 3:47 am this morning the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service was called to assist Fire Services at a fire at the Court House at 426 Queen Street East. The fire occurred in the office areas located in the basement of the Court House and was extinguished by Fire Services. A Fire Services Inspector on scene this morning has contacted the Fire Marshall as at this time the fire appears suspicious. The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is currently assisting in this investigation and remains at the scene.

Sault Ste. Marie Police Services news release…

Three Bail Court Arrests:

Male Arrested for Theft of Mountain Bike:

Officers with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service arrested 22 year-old Troy Bozowskyi of #1 (rear) 772 Wellington Street East at 10:10 am on the 29th of August at his residence and charged him with one count of theft under $5,000.00, one count of breach of probation and one count of trespassing at night. It is alleged that on the 26th of August at 10:30 pm the accused attended on the property of a residence on Wellington Street East and stole a mountain bike. At the time the accused was on probation with conditions to keep the peace and be good.

Male Arrested on Outstanding Warrant:

Officers with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service arrested 35 Daniel Wawa of Elliot Lake Ontario at 10:20 am at the court house on an outstanding warrant. He as charged with two counts of breach of probation and one count of unlawfully at large. It is alleged that the accused was wanted for failing to attend and report at the Algoma Remand and Treatment Centre on the on the 20th of June 2008 for his weekend sentence. At the time the accused was on probation orders with condition to report to the Centre on that date for the weekend and also to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.

Domestic Related Arrest:

Officers with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service arrested a 55 year-old male at 5:20 pm last evening at his residence and charged him with two counts of breach of a release document and one county of criminal harassment. It is alleged that on the 29th of August the accused called his ex-girlfriend and left a message on her phone. Officers investigating the incident also learned that the accused has attended at the victims’ workplace and has been following her. At the time of the offences the accused was on a recognizance order with conditions that he not communicate with the victim and also was to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.

Shoplifting Related Arrest:

Officers with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service arrested 64 year-old Lynne Chandler of #502-77 Allard Street on the 29th of August at 11:30 am at Joe’s No Frills and charged her with one count of theft under $5,000.00. It is alleged that on the 29th of August at approximately 10:30 am the accused entered the grocery store on Korah Road and stole some candy and cat treats. The accused is to appear in court on the 3rd of October.

Female Arrested on Outstanding Warrant for Possession of Stolen Property:

Officers with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service arrested 29 year-old Chantelle Bonenfant of #1 main) 282 Cathcart Street on the 29th of August at 4:20 pm at the police station and charged her with one count of possession of property obtained by crime. It is alleged that the accused was wanted on an outstanding warrant for an incident that occurred on the 9th of February 2011 when she attended at a local Pawn Shop and pawned some stolen jewellery. The accused is to attend in court on the 3rd of October.

Property Crimes:

Theft Reports:

“Vehicles were entered on Sherbourne Street and Wright Street. A Satellite radio, a GPS and a wallet were reported stolen.
“A Briggs and Stratton Lawn Mower was reported stolen from a residence property on Elliott Road.