Monday, September 18, 2006

PILOT OPP PROGRAM TO BE OFFERED TO THESSALON RESIDENTS

(EAST ALGOMA) Have you ever wanted to learn more about policing, the justice system, and the Ontario Provincial Police? Are you interested in a career in law enforcement and want to learn more about the job? If so, we are looking for you!

Starting on the 18th of October, the Thessalon OPP is beginning a pilot project: the East Algoma OPP Citizen Police College. This program, the first of its kind in the OPP’s North East Region, is designed to give members of the public a look inside the career of a police officer and an idea of the many varied areas of policing that come together to protect and serve the public.

The Town of Thessalon has been chosen as the pilot site for this program. If successful, the Citizen Police College will be expanded to other municipalities in East Algoma.

The criteria for students are as follows:

-must be a resident of the Thessalon OPP detachment area
-must be 16 years of age or older
-must be willing to undergo a criminal records check and have no criminal record
-must be willing to commit to 8 classes that comprise the curriculum

Classes will begin on the 18th of October and complete on the 13th of December, every Wednesday, and will run from 6 till 9 PM. Classes will be held at the Thessalon OPP detachment. The class will be limited to twenty individuals who will be chosen by the Program Coordinator.

Application packages are available now at the Thessalon OPP office, 424 Case Street (the junction of Highways 17 and 129.) Applicants will be required to bring two pieces of identification with them, one being a photo ID. There is no charge of any kind for this course.

APPLICATION FORMS MUST BE RETURNED TO THESSALON OPP BY 4 PM ON OCTOBER 2!

For more information, please contact Sergeant Brian Knowler at the Thessalon OPP detachment, 842-3243.


DISTRESS SIGNALS RESULTS IN RESCUE

Lake Superior, Goulais River,

A marine distress signal and the proper use of a marine radio resulted in a disabled vessel being rescued on the weekend.

On Saturday night at about 8:30 p.m. several agencies received reports of marine flares and a marine distress call on Lake Superior north west of Sandy Bay in Goulais River. Personnel from the U.S Coast Guard, Sault Search and Rescue and the OPP Marine Unit responded to the call.

The investigation has revealed that the vessel was on a planned trip from Sault Ste Marie to the Havilland Bay area. At about 6:30 p.m. the vessel experienced engine problems and the twenty six foot vessel became disabled. Attempts were made to repair the problem but the people on board were unable to make the repair. As darkness fell, wind, rain and lightning was experienced in the area. As the vessel began to drift out into Lake Superior the people on board fired off several emergency flares and gave a distress call on their marine radio.

Several residents along the shore noticed the flares and called police. Both the Canadian and U.S Coast Guards heard the distress call and notified the respective agencies.

At about 10:00 p.m. the boat was located adrift by the U.S Coast Guard. Vessels from the OPP Marine Unit and Sault Search and Rescue arrived and the boat was towed to a marina in Havilland Bay.

ANIMAL COLLISIONS

Sault Ste Marie, Ont.,

Sault Ste Marie OPP investigated two animal collisions north of the city over the weekend.

On Saturday night at about 11:30 p.m. a vehicle was traveling east on Hwy 556 in Aweres Township. The vehicle struck a bear that was standing in the eastbound lane of the Highway. The vehicle did not have to be towed.

This morning at about 2:00 a.m. car was traveling on Hwy 17 in Tilley Township of Goulais River. The driver struck a deer that was running across the highway. This vehicle did not have to be towed.

The fate of the two animals is not known.

One Person Dies in 2 Vehicle Collision

Wawa, Ontario

Highway 17, one kilometer North of Wawa was the scene of a two vehicle collision involving a tractor trailer and a mini van on the 16th September 2006 at 10:00AM.

A 1998 Dodge mini van from Manitoba was Southbound when it crossed over the center line into the path of a Northbound tractor trailer from Saskatchewan.

The driver of the tractor trailer, 54 year old David Blanco of Saskatoon was taken to Lady Dunn Hospital in Wawa with non-life threatening injuries.

The passengers of the mini-van, 44 year old Jacqueline Fillion and 26 year old Paul Guillas, both from Manitoba, were also taken to Lady Dunn Hospital and later flown to Thunder Bay Hospital in critical condition.

The driver of the van, 56 year old Brian Frazer of St. Malo Manitoba was pronounced dead at the scene.

Superior East Wawa OPP are continuing their investigation and charges are not expected. The highway was dry at the time and visibility clear.

IMPAIRED BOATING CHARGES LAID

Havilland Bay, Ont.,

Sault Ste Marie OPP were called to Havilland Bay last night after residents in the area reported a vessel had run aground.

At about 9: 30 p.m. Friday night a resident on Havilland Shores Drive informed police that a motorboat appeared to be stuck on a sand bar. Shortly after police arrived the vessel got off the sand bar and start to make its way across Havilland Bay.

As the vessel approached the opposite shoreline in the bay it ran aground again. An officer walked out to the marooned vessel that was sitting in about 2 feet of water. The officer quickly discovered that the operator of the vessel was under the influence of alcohol. The operator of the vessel was arrested and returned to the police station for a Breathalyzer test.

As a result of the Breathalyzer test and observations by the police a Sault Ste Marie man is now charged with several offences.

Fifty three (53) year old Dayle LEDGER, of Great Northern Road in Sault Ste Marie has been charged with Impaired Operation of a Vessel and Operating a Vessel With a Blood/Alcohol Level Exceeding .08 contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. Mr. Legder was also charged under the Liquor Licence Act of Ontario with having open liquor in his boat.

In compliance with the new regulations under the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario, Mr. Ledger has had his drivers licence suspended for the next ninety (90) days. He will appear in court on October 23 to answer to the charges.

CRASH RESULTS IN DRINKING AND DRIVING CHARGES

Heyden, Ont.,

A collision Saturday afternoon in the Trout Lake area of Heyden has resulted in a drinking and driving charge against a Searchmont woman.

Saturday afternoon at about 1:00 p.m. Sault Ste Marie OPP were called to a property damage collision between a pick up truck and mini van. The pick up truck was pulling into a private driveway when the truck struck the mini van.

The driver of the truck, sixty six (66) year old Joan GARSIDE of Hwy 532 in Searchmont, has been charged with Failing To Provide a Breath Sample contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. She will appear in court on October 23, 2006 to answer to her charge.