OPP news release…

(THESSALON, ON) -In the early morning hours on Monday May 21, 2012, 2 local downtown businesses sustained damage and 1 business was broken into. At approximately 3:20 am Thessalon Pizza and Bakery was entered by unknown suspect(s) where 2 surveillance cameras were taken along with some food items from the bakery display case. Approximate value of items taken is $520.00. While East Algoma Thessalon Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers were investigating the break and enter a check of local businesses was conducted. Thessalon OPP officers found that the front deck to Thessalon Insurance had been removed from the building and was lying in the middle Main Street, Thessalon. Approximate value to replace the deck is $1,000.00. East Algoma Thessalon OPP officers also located damage at Jones Valu-Mart. OPP officers noted that a palate of manure and topsoil had been knocked over and bags were opened and the contents had been thrown around in the parking lot and on Main Street, Thessalon. Approximate value of bags of manure and topsoil was $60.00.

Anyone with any information is requested to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers.

“If you have any information regarding any criminal activity, call 705-942-7867 or 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS); submit an e-tip from The Crime Stopper’s web-site at www.saultcrimestoppers.com or send a text to keyword SSM to the short code number 274637.

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Sault OPP news release…

Three Local Citizens Save Their Lives

(Dennis Twp., ON) – On May 18, 2012 at approximately 7:20 pm Sault Ste.Marie OPP officers and Marine Unit received a call from a female advising that four people canoeing in front of their residence on Lake Superior (Gros Cap area) were now in the water and their canoe appeared swamped.

Mr. Patrick Leonard (a retired OPP officer) and his niece, Leanna Frappier grabbed their 12 foot aluminum boat and life jackets and headed out onto Lake Superior.

The engine of their aluminums boat was down, so they paddled out towards the distressed canoeists.

Christine Michaud, who initially saw the canoeists in the water, remained on the phone keeping the OPP Communication Centre abreast of what was happening.

Upon his arrival, Mr. Leonard came upon a 16 foot swamped canoe, with two males (ages 20 and 21) and two females (both age 17) in the water.

It is estimated that the canoeists were in the frigid 50 degree water for more than half an hour.

The two females were lifted into the boat. The two males hung on to the rear of the boat as Mr. Leonard and Ms. Frappier paddled back to shore.

While returning to shore the two males could not hold on any longer and they too had to be lifted into the 16 foot aluminum boat.

All six returned to shore safely.

The canoeists suffered mild hypothermia and were attended to by paramedics at the scene.

There were no life jackets on board the canoe.

If not for the efforts of Christine Michaud observing the distressed canoeists and the quick action of Patrick Leonard and Leanna Frappier, this incident would have had a tragic ending.

The OPP commend these citizens for saving the lives of these four people.

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City police news release…

Bail Court Appearance Arrests/Charged Persons with Court Appearance Dates:

Steven Skagen age 44 of 801 Leighs Bay Rd was charged with one count of theft over $5000.00. It is alleged that the complainant brought his motorcycle to the accused residence for minor repairs in September 2011. When the complainant returned to retrieve the motorcycle, it was no longer there. An investigation was completed by the Sault Ste. Marie Police Services and as a result the accused was charged and given a court date of June 25 2012.

Break and Enters/Other Property Crimes: (Thefts, Mischief Reports, etc.)

Break and Enter to the 100 block of Henrietta jewelry was taken

Mischief was done to four ATM’s in the downtown area supect(s) applied glue to the machine. It is not believed that any money was taken as a result.

Bail Court Appearance Arrests/Charged Persons with Court Appearance Dates:

City Police responded to an address on James St in regards to a domestic dispute. On arrival they found a person who allegedly assaulted their partner. Officers attempted to arrest the accused and two police constables were assaulted. The accused actively resisted and fought with the police before being taken into custody. The accused has been charged with common assault x 4, assault police x 2, mischief under $5,000.00 x 2, resist arrest, threatening death x 2 and unlawfully in a dwelling house. Domestic arrests are not identified in an effort to protect the victim.

City Police received a call from Corrections Officers at the Algoma Treatment and Remand Center on the 20 May 2012. They noticed suspicious activity in one of the cells and conducted a search of it. As a result, 2 males have been charged with various offences:
Timothy Joseph Robinson (age 24) of no fixed address has been charged with possession of a controlled drug x 2, possession for the purpose of trafficking x 2, breach of a recognizance and breach of probation x 2.
Kevin Nicholas Robinson (age 23) of no fixed address has been charged with possession of a controlled drug x 2, possession for the purpose of trafficking x 2 and breach of a recognizance.
Both will be appearing in bail court on Tuesday at 10:00 AM.

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A number of city facilities will be closed on Victoria Day Monday. There are some exceptions, with Bellevue Marina being open 10 a-m to 7 p-m and the recreational lock at the Sault Canal open from 11:30 a-m to 7:30 p-m. There will be no garbage collection or transit or parabus service. A complete list of closures can be found on our website, qcountry.ca, in the Country Cares section.

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Sault Fire Services wish to remind the public in the Sault and area that there is a burning ban in effect until further notice. Sault Fire Services informed our newsroom today that there were six burning complaints investigated in our area over the past 24 hours. Fire Services remind the public that, apart from the danger involved, there could be fines laid if people disregard the fire ban.

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City Police say 24-year-old Timothy Joseph Robinson, of no fixed address, turned himself in on several outstanding warrants, including threatening, mischief, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, simple possession of a controlled substance and possession of a prohibited weapon. He was sent to the Remand Centre and appears in bail court on Tuesday.

A 33 year old was charged with two counts of breach of probation after a domestic yesterday. The accused was held in custody to appear in WASH court today.

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A 19 year old was arrested and charged with assault and possession of marijuana as a result of a domestic incident yesterday. The accused was released on a promise to appear and officer in charge undertaking to a court date of June 20, 2012.

A 42 yearold woman was charged with care and control of a motor vehicle while over the legal limit after being found by police sitting outside her van on Goulais Avenue. The accused was given a roadside screening device then arrested for being over the legal limit. The accused was released on promise to appear to a court date of June 18, 2012.

City Police say 27-year-old Rosemary Pheasant of Wellington Street East was arrested for allegedly stealing an Ipod docking station from Zeller’s Station Mall. She was also charged with a number of probation breaches, including not to be in communication with co-accused 31 year old Terrance Saunders, of no fixed address. Police say the two were seen walking together by officers on London Street last night around 8 o’clock. The two were wanted for a theft from Zellers, police approached them, and there was a brief foot chase with Saunders that lead to more charges against Saunders, including assaulting police and resisting arrest. Both accused were held for appearance in WASH court today.

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The Victoria Day Long Weekend is finally here. With the unofficial start to summer, there are some people who focus on getting to their destination rather than travel in a careful manner. Mark Andrews is a inspector with the Northeast Region OPP. He says one way to ensure a safe trip is to make sure you are fully rested before and during the trek on a holiday weekend. He adds a way to make sure the trip goes smoothly is to switch drivers at some point if possible. Otherwise, motorists should just use some basic common sense, like checking that your vehicle is in the best condition and knowing exactly where you’re going. The Ontario Provincial Police will also be keeping an eye out on the waterways — ideal with the hot weather expected for Saturday and Sunday. OPP Northeast Region Inspector Mark Andrews says there are plenty of things people can do to stay safe away from shore…including checking your boat and making sure you Personal Floatation Devices or life jackets on board. One problem that has increased over the years is the number of people who lose their lives from drowning. Andrews says swimmers should know where they are — and how well they can really swim before they go in, not to assume that they can swim that great a distance. Aircraft patrols will also be out during the weekend, observing stretches of Highways 11, 17 and 69. Andrews is pleased that the number of fatalities has been on the decline, but there are still a number of crashes during holiday weekends like this one and feels common sense is what should prevail when a driver heads out on the road, rather than just rushing to get there.

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A good idea was talked about at the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board meeting this past week. The Sault College Connection program is an initiative established in 2007 between the college and the board, aimed at getting young people age 18 to 20 back into school and the community. Maeve Coccimiglio is a teacher and mentor with the program. She says the College Connection offers a number of courses from English and Math to specific trades like Hairstyling to help students advance their way in college…and in life. Coccimiglio says participants are encouraged during their time with the College Connection and one way is making sure they have a good start to the day by providing breakfast for its students and a flexible schedule to suit their needs. The students are also encouraged to move forward in the community themselves in the form of volunteer hours — something usually seen in a normal high school setting. The Sault College Connection program has resulted in 53 graduates after its first five years. It’s been such a hit a North Bay group came to the Sault two years ago looking to establish a similar program at Canadore College — with a emphasis on getting its students into the trades sector. More information about the program can be found online at www.saultcollege.ca.

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One of the topics discussed at last week’s Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority Meeting was the International Bridge’s 50th anniversary. In addition to the Bridge Lighting and the anniversary Bridge Walk next month, there will be a commermorative electronic toll ‘prox’ card released this Monday. The card can be purchased at the bridge office located next to the toll booths for 5-25. Also among the events planned over the next several weeks are travelling historic displays starting this Monday and staff presentations and group field trips for those wanting a closeup look at the bridge. A 50 year commemorative plaque will also be unveiled at the toll plaza on October 31st — exactly 50 years after the International Bridge opened to traffic. More information and events will be posted online at www.saultbridge.com.

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