Tomorrow marks the first ever National Seniors Day. Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes says this is a good chance for us to recognize the important contribution seniors have made in creating the Canada we all enjoy. Hughes says we also need to recognize the pressing issues they face. She says we need to be made aware that poverty rates among Canada’s seniors have increased by 25% since the financial meltdown of 2008.

OPP news release…

(Espanola) – On September 29, 2011, members of the OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, Sudbury Drug Enforcement Unit in partnership with the Espanola Police Service, Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service, United Chiefs and Council of Manitoulin Anishnaabe Police Service and the Manitoulin Island Detachment of the OPP, executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act Search Warrant at a residence located on Second Street in the Town of Espanola.

As a result of this investigation 175 grams of marihuana and a small quantity of cocaine and cannabis resin was seized along with $1,100 cash. Four males were arrested inside the residence and charged with numerous drug related offences. Morris Collins and Brandon St.Pierre were held in custody pending a bail hearing set for September 30, 2011 in Sudbury while Brad Collins and Braeden Collins were released from custody and will appear in court 01 November 2011 in Espanola.

The street value of the drugs seized is $4,000.

CHARGED ARE:

1.Morris COLLINS, age _48 __of Espanola
Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purposes of Trafficking – 3 Counts
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – 1 Count

2.Brandon ST.PIERRE, age _19_ of Espanola
Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purposes of Trafficking – 3 Counts
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – 1 Count

3.Brad COLLINS, age _18__ of Espanola
Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purposes of Trafficking – 3 Counts
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – 1 Count

4.Braeden COLLINS, age _19_ of Espanola
Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purposes of Trafficking – 3 Counts
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – 1 Count

City police news release…

The Sault Ste. Marie City Police and the Ministry of Natural Resources is once again asking area residents to be aware of bears in the P-Patch area and to take the necessary steps to avoid attracting bears into local neighbourhoods.

In the past 5 weeks people in the P-Patch area have reported 40 sightings of black bears in and around residential properties. Of these reported incidents, 36 involved garbage, which attract bears.

The Ministry of Natural Resources reminds the public that the majority of human-bear conflicts are preventable by eliminating items that are known to attract bears. Garbage, bird food (including suet, seed and nectar), odours from barbecues and ripe fruit left on trees and on the ground are among items that can attract bears to your property and into local neighbourhoods.

“Bears quickly learn to associate humans with any type of food and will return to that area unless that attractant is cleaned up. To reduce the chances of attracting bears into your community and to keep bears wild, we are asking people to bear-proof garbage and put garbage out the morning of pick-up only, remove bird feeders, including hummingbird feeders, remove grease and food residue from barbecue grills after each use and pick ripe fruit from trees and the ground. When bears do not gain access to non-natural foods like garbage, they will not stay in the area.”

QUICK FACTS:
?If you have a problem with a bear, call the Ministry of Natural Resources Bear Wise reporting line toll-free at 1-866-514-2327, Hearing Impaired (TTY) 1-705-945-7641. You will be connected with a live operator during bear season (April 1-November 30).
?In the event of a life-threatening emergency, contact your local police 705-949-6300 or 911.
?Read more about Dealing with Bears in the Community.
?Read more about bears at ontario.ca/bearwise.

City Police news release…

The Sault Ste Marie Police Traffic Services requires the public’s assistance in locating witnesses to the motor vehicle collision between a police cruiser and a red car. The collision occurred at the intersection of Cathcart St and John St. on Thursday September 29th at approximately 2:00 pm.
Any witnesses to the incident, and have not yet spoken to police, are asked to contact Cst Dave Lapish of Traffic Services at 705 -949-6300 Ext 295.

Thank you for your assistance on this matter.

Board news release…

Sault Ste. Marie: A group of HSCDSB employees gathered for a special workshop at the Holy Angels Learning Centre on Thursday, September 29, 2011

Jennifer Abrams, a California-based consultant and author of the book “Hard Conversations”, facilitated the highly-interactive day-long session. She provided strategies and shared several tools that help shape the sometimes difficult conversations that matter and need to occur.

“The day was time well spent. We all learned more about speaking with clarity and courage when addressing a wide range of situations,” said HSCDSB Director John Stadnyk. “Participation of all of our employee groups speaks of the collaborative culture within our Board.”
Participating in the workshop were leaders of support staff including secretaries, educational assistants and custodians, OECTA teacher reps, Principals and Vice Principals and Board administration, all involved in the supporting the education of students..
Abrams offers her coaching and consulting expertise to education, medical and other large organizations, focused on achieving success.

The city’s Finance Committee is holding a couple open house meetings well in advance of next year’s budget – seeking input on what people would like to see next year and even beyond. The first session is tomorrow from 10 – 1 at the Civic Centre.

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Sault OPP are investigating a recent breakin to a camp located in the 100 block of Pineshores Road in Goulais where a set of Avalanche winter tires mounted on Mazda rims were stolen.

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City Police are investigating a hold up at the Macs Mart on Wellington West that occurred just before midnight. The clerk handed over some cash and cigarettes and the knife-wielding thief fled without further incident. The suspect is described as being about 5 feet 8, medium build, in his mid 20s and wearing a black hoodie and black pants. He had what appeared to be a beige tensor bandage wrapped around his face.

There was a breakin reported to a home on Albert Street West yesterday – the home was damaged and ransacked inside. While a male suspect was scared off after entering a garage on McNabb Street yesterday afternoon.

There are reports of election signs being stolen, some metal was stolen from a rear yard on Albert West and tools were stolen from a construction site on Goulais Avenue.

29 year old Amber Yukich of McFadden Avenue turned herself in to police early this morning – on a warrant for dangerous driving after an alleged dispute with a neighbour resulting in her taking a run at him on McFadden yesterday. Following a report of an eratic driver on Elm Street, a 27 year old male was arrested for impaired driving early this morning. And 21 year old Shaun Charlette of Amherst Avenue was arrested last night on Northland Road on charges of mischief and causing a disturbance after a male was seen throwing some large posts onto the road, breaking beer bottles and yelling and screaming. Alcohol appears to have been a factor.

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The developers of an ambitious project for the Sault planned for the former Northern Breweries site met with the media this morning. The property was purchased by the developers earlier this year and they are looking at constructing a condominium tower that is at least 32-stories high and would involve five levels of parking mostly underground. The chief financer for the project is Renzie Ali of Toronto and he says there is a lot of interest from those looking to invest in the venture and money is not an issue for the 80-million dollar project. Ali says the project including demolition of the buildings will be completely paid for by the developers. The tower will have 200 condo units that they say will be competitively priced for the Sault market. It’s hoped construction can get underway sometime next year and it will take around 15 months to build the structure.

News release from Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes…

OTTAWA – Canadian workers who require additional leave to deal with illness or injury will have their jobs protected longer under legislation tabled yesterday by John Rafferty and Carol Hughes.

Bill C-294 amends the Canada Labour Code by increasing the existing 12 weeks of job-protection for employees who are unable to work to 52 weeks – a time-frame the MPs feel better reflects the challenges faced by many Canadians as they recover to the point they can return to work.

“Not all people who are fighting serious illness such as cancer or mental illness can be expected to return to work in the 12 weeks the Labour Code provides,” said Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP, Carol Hughes. “John’s Bill, which I was proud to second in the House of Commons, goes a long way to recognizing what the reality is for people who are recovering from illness or catastrophic injuries.”

The bill is in no way meant to ignore the needs of employers who remain free to hire temporary replacements for workers who are recovering. It only extends the period so that it could be as long as 52 weeks to offer the recovering employee some peace of mind during their struggles.

“No one needs to worry about having a job to return to as they put their efforts into getting better,” said Hughes. “This small amendment to one line of the Labour Code acknowledges that, without drastically changing existing measures at the same time.”

“If you take the length of time someone may have to fight a serious disease like cancer as an example, this change will have the Labour Code match the circumstances for someone who probably shouldn’t be rushed back to work, and that is a good thing,” concluded Hughes.