The new student trustees for the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board were announced on Wednesday. Anthony Gallo of St. Basil Secondary School and Bridget Murphy of St. Mary’s College will start their duties when the new school year starts in September 2012. They will replace their counterparts Daniel Turco and J-P Stefanizzi as they are completing their one year term.

This week’s second Committee of the Whole in Ottawa dealt with First Nations and the issue of ‘appropriate notice’. Questions on Wednesday included those from Algoma-Kapusaksing-Manitoulin MP Carol Hughes, who grilled the Minister of the Environment about whether publishing on websites was enough in addressing the issue. She also asked about whether or not anyone in the federal cabinet was advocating on behalf of Canada’s First Nations. Hughes feels First Nations should actually be contacted and communicated with regarding any important information, adding litigation may be the only way they can learn anything for sure. Wednesday’s meeting follows the Department of National Defence going before the Committee of the Whole, where expenses for certain officials were questioned.

A church in Batchewana Village is about to get some new life. A ground-breaking ceremony is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at the St. Issac Jogues Church on Highway 563. The Batchewana First Nation event will include a traditional ceremony and community engagement. Today’s ceremony comes after a deal to return the century old property to the First Nation was finalized last fall and the completion of the formal transfer that happened back in January. Work to enhance the property has already started, with clearing and brushing around the church done by six band members who have received training and certification from the band. The wood was given to band elders.

Former Sault MP Tony Martin will be roasted on Thursday night by former colleagues tonight at the Art Gallery of Algoma. The event starts at 7:00 p.m. — a number of New Democrat MPs including northern reps Charlie Angus and Claude Gravelle are expected to be in attendance. Those MPs who have visited Sault Ste. Marie previously are also expected to be there, such as Western Arctic MP Dennis Bevington and Windsor-Tecumseh MP Joe Comartin. The event is also intended to mark the first anniversary of the federal NDP becoming the Official Opposition in the House of Commons.

Sault College news release…

(Sault Ste. Marie, ON May 16, 2012) Two Sault College Justice Studies graduates and one former Sault College student were honoured yesterday as Officers of the Year at the annual Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce Police Services Awards Luncheon.

Constables John McLean, David Baskcomb and Peter Sewell were all named Officers of the Year in recognition of their dedication to public safety in the line of service. The criteria used in selecting the Officers of the Year included:

- Demonstration of continued efforts in the pursuit of excellence as a police officer.

- Demonstration of a high standard of performance and dedication in the day-to-day duties of a police officer.

- Performance that is over-and-above the call of duty.

- An incidence of bravery, life-safety or attempted life-saving or rescue.

- Community-mindedness and overall service to the businesses and citizens of our community.

McLean, a Police Foundations graduate and Baskcomb, former Sault College student, stopped a vehicle in the early morning of October 19, 2011. Through keen observation, their traffic stop resulted in the arrest of three individuals who had weapons, drugs and a large amount of cash in their possession. The sense of intuition of these two officers in recognizing something being amiss led to the protection of public safety and helped prevent further drug activity by the occupants of the vehicle, stated Inspector Art Pluss in recognizing the two distinguished officers.

Constable Peter Sewell, who graduated from both Sault College Justice programs with a Police Foundations diploma and a Protection, Security and Investigations diploma, formerly known as Law and Security Administration program, was also recognized at the event as Officer of the Year for his unquestionable ethics, his diplomacy, confidence in his abilities, common sense and willingness to learn while serving with the Anishinabek Police Services – Garden River Detachment. “The citizens of Garden River feel safe when you are there,” stated Staff Sergeant Mark LeSage in recognizing Constable Sewell with his Officer of the Year award.

“We are very proud of these students and graduates and are glad that the Justice Studies programs they took with us provided them with the strong foundation for a great future serving and protecting the community,” said Frank Caputo, Coordinator of the Justice Studies program at the College who was in attendance at the awards luncheon along with Coordinator Jeff Barnes and other Sault College administrators.

Batchewana First nation news release…

Batchewana First Nation (BFN) Chief and Council hereby Motion to impose a fire ban effective immediately for all Batchewana First Nation Territories as per BFN’s notice of Assertions. This ban is due to the unusually high fire risk caused by dangerously dry and windy conditions. Burning of any kind is not permitted under any circumstance. This ban is effective immediately and will be maintained until further notice. Please refer to BFN’s website (www.batchewana.ca) for updates on the Fire Ban.

East Algoma OPP news release…

(Elliot Lake, Ontario) – On May 14, 2012 the OPP received a call to attend a local high school regarding a dispute between students.

While investigating police learned that one of the suspects may have a knife.

Through investigation the following male was charged.

Charged with the following is Terry Allen RODGERS (18) of Spragge, Ontario.

Carrying a Concealed Weapon

The accused is scheduled to appear in court on July 3rd, 2012.

A 20-year old man was arrested by city police in connection with a home invasion on March 14th on Andrew Street. It’s alleged that the accused was involved in the home invasion with four other accused already charged. Daniel Hubley of no fixed address is facing charges of break and enter, administer noxious substance, and disguise with intent to commit and indictable offence.

City police arrested a male on a warrant for assault and threatening. The charges are related to a domestic incident.

The Sault Police Service is advising motorists who use Great Northern Road that there may be traffic slowdowns late Wednesday morning. That’s because the North Shore Tribal Council is scheduling a planned rally for 11:30 a.m. near the Cambrian Mall before moving north along Great Northern, ending just north of Second Line at around 2:00 p.m. Affected drivers are being asked to use alternate routes during that time — the disruption to businesses is excepted to be minimal.

A number of local police officers were honoured on Tuesday at the 15th annual Police Services Awards Luncheon. Officers recognized included Constables David Baskcomb and John McLean of the Sault Police Service, Constable Luigi Bruni of the Sault OPP, Constable Mike Lefebvre of Sault RCMP and Constable Peter Sewell of the Garden River Anishnabek Police Service. Criteria in earning an Officer of the Year award includes continued efforts in the pursuit of excellence, any incidence of bravery, life saving or attempted life saving or rescue, performance that is over and above the call of duty and overall service to the business and citizens of the community. Officers recognized this year include:

– Constables David Baskcomb and John McLean of the Sault Police Service
– Constable Luigi Bruni of the Sault OPP
– Constable Mike Lefebvre of Sault RCMP
– Constable Peter Sewell of the Garden River Anishnabek Police Service.

In addition to the awards, Doctor Greggory LaBerge was the guest speaker. He addressed the crowd about the impact of forensic investigations on basic policing. LaBerge is a 16 year veteran of the Denver Police Department and build a DNA cold case program as one of the world’s largest. Tuesday’s event at the Comfort Suites and Conference Centre was put on by the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce.