Dynamic duo wins 2013 dancing competition

Cassandra Fraser Bonn (left) and dance partner Andy Caletti (right) perform a Highland and Scottish County number winning the Mirrorball trophy at this years Dancing with the Stars competition at the Yardmen on May 25, 2013. Photo by Michael J. Brethour

Cassandra Fraser Bonn of Rock 107 and Belleville Toyota’s Andy Caletti are this year’s Dancing with the Stars champions.

The pair tore up the dance floor last night at the Yardmen Arena during Volunteer and Information Quinte’s annual event.

Leah Howe and Captain John Coffin finished second while Tom James and Julie Obstfeld took third respectively.

Picton man pleads guilty to assaulting a female

26-year-old Wesley Istead of Picton has pleaded guilty to assault and forcible seizure.

He made the plea in court yesterday.

He was charged with sexual assault, forcible confinement and threatening to cause bodily harm in May 2011, after attacking a 20-year-old Belleville woman.

Sentencing will commence on June 26.

401collision eastbound towards Kingston

Traffic is slow moving on the 401 heading eastbound towards Kingston.

Emergency response teams are on the scene of a collision involving a tractor trailer and a pick up truck west of the Mitchell side road overpass.

OPP say one person is suffering from a non-life threatening injury.

The investigation is continuing.

Possible changes to manufacturing rules

Quinte manufacturers have a little breathing room when it comes to who can work on their equipment.

The Ontario Liberal government is looking to remove what’s called an “industrial exception”.

Currently, if equipment fails at a factory or facility, skilled trades people within the company can make repairs.

However, if the exception is removed, a professional engineer may have to oversee the work.

Mike Hewitt is the Coordinator for the Quinte Manufacturers Resource Centre.

Hewitt says any engineer who’s called in could have a different interpretation of how the matter is handled.

He says the grey area is large and the issue needs to become more clear.

The industrial exception could be removed as early as the fall.

Dancing with the Stars Quinte goes tonight

The Yardmen Arena ice surface is being turned into a dance hall tonight, all for a great cause.

Volunteer and Information Quinte is holding Dancing with the Stars Quinte.

Eight different local couples will compete for the Mirror-ball Trophy and bragging rights.

One of the dancers is Andy Caletti with Belleville Toyota.

Caletti says the practice has been grueling, but it’s also been fun.

The show begins at 7:30 p.m. , with doors at 6:30 p.m.  and there are still tickets available.

All proceeds go directly to Volunteer and Information Quinte.

Catamaran capsizes on Bay of Quinte

A scary incident with a happy ending on the Bay of Quinte yesterday evening.

The Belleville Fire Department says a catamaran turned over in the bay, off Meyers Pier, throwing occupants into the water just after 6:00 p.m.

Authorities say the boat righted itself and all the occupants were able to get back on board.

The BFD patrol boat went out to check on the crew and they were all fine.

Firefighters also dealt with a tree on fire in Hastings Highlands, after power lines came down in high winds.

Threat charges laid against Belleville man

A Belleville man is facing charges from two separate incidents yesterday.

Just before 9 p.m., officers were called to the Emily Street area, where a 39 year-old was arrested and charged with threats and breaching conditions.

During their investigation, officers noted the man had allegedly threatened another Belleville resident earlier in the day.

Clint Hall has a bail hearing today.

Amica steps in as BGHF gala title sponsor

The Belleville General Hospital Foundation has found its title sponsor for this fall’s fundraising event.

The Grease Gala will be supported by Amica at Quinte Gardens residence.

Officials with Quinte Gardens say they’re only too happy to support the foundation and the event coming up.

General Manager Pierce Ivan says Belleville General gives people at the residence wonderful care and this is an opportunity to show appreciation.

Tickets for the Grease Gala are 60% sold out.

There will be dinner, a live and silent auction, dancing and other prizes.

Farm Show on Facebook

The Hastings County Farm Show and Plowing Match is stepping into the 21st century to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

Event organizers have announced they’ve created a Facebook page, which will be maintained by last year’s “Queen of the Furrow” Brianna Dracup.

The site will include information on what’s happening with the farm show’s 25th anniversary and allow supporters of the show to interact with each other.

This year’s Farm Show and Plowing Match are on August 21st and 22nd at 255 Fairground Road in Quinte West.

For more info, visit www.hastingsfarmshow.ca or search for them on Facebook.

SPORTS: Tigers top weekly HS rugby rankings

The weekly provincial high school rugby rankings are out and some Bay of Quinte Schools are in strong standing.

In the senior girls’ division, the Trenton High School Tigers remain in first place for another week, they’re followed by Brantford High in second and the Quinte Saints punch in at third.

The Centennial Charges are also on the list, remaining in the number five spot.

Meanwhile, in what’s being called an unusual year for parity in the senior boys’ division, the Moira Trojans are ranked third, down one spot from last week, while the Centennial Chargers are up one spot to number eight.

SPORTS: Track records fall at COSSA meet

Mary-Anne Sills Park was a busy place yesterday as hundreds of high school track hopefuls decended on the Bruce Faulds Track and Field Facility for the 2013 COSSA Championships.

Bay of Quinte Athletes had a strong showing, as the road to OFSAA continues and will be well represented at East Regionals on May 30th.

Among the top performers was Cole Norton from PECI in Picton, after breaking the Bay of Quinte Records in the junior boys’ 100 and 200 metre dashes, Norton broke both of the COSSA records for those races, running times of 11.01 seconds and 23.13 seconds in the 100 and 200 metres respectively.

Meanwhile, the favourite ENSS Blue Dragons were the overall champs for the 5th straight year, winning the boys’ division and finishing second in the girls’ division, by just two points.

County wines making the grade

The Great Canadian Wine match is on, and a Prince Edward County wine has made it to the finals in every category.

Wine writer Natale Maclean is spearheading the voting on her website, in categories such as best wine for beef, chicken, pizza, fish, cheese and dessert.

The County is leading in five of six categories.

There’s wines from Huff Estates, Kent-He, Harwood Estates, Norman Hardie County, Casa Dea and Black Prince Winery.

You can vote online here.

Voting closes June first.

Lewd act reported at Stirling-Rawdon park

A disturbing incident at a park in Stirling today.

Stirling-Rawdon police say they were called around noon, after parents noticed a man watching a group of children playing in a park on Henry Street.

Witnesses say the man stood by his truck, with the door open, and performed an inappropriate act while watching the kids.

The parents then gathered up the children and the suspect fled northbound on Henry Street.

Stirling Police Constable Jarett Rutledge says the suspect is a middle-aged man.

Anyone with information that could identify the suspect can call Stirling-Rawdon Police.

Russell Williams’ home sold

Another development in the long, drawn-out civil lawsuit by victims’ families against serial killer Russell Williams and his wife, Mary Elizabeth Harriman.

Mary Thomas is following that story.