Missing Quinte West man

Quinte West OPP are asking for the public’s help in finding a missing male.

Sixty-year-old Peter Vesterfelt was last seen on Thursday around noon at 148 Wilkins St. in Trenton.

Vesterfelt is mentally challenged. He is described as 5’3″ and 110 pounds with short grey hair, blue eyes and no teeth.

He was wearing blue jeans and black crocks.

Anyone with information should call OPP or Crimestoppers.

Homeowners detain vandal

A car window was smashed in the driveway of a home on Willard Street in Belleville just before 4 o’clock this morning.

But the homeowners were able to catch the person in the act and keep him in their driveway until police arrived.

Twenty-four-year-old Joshua Visutski is charged with mischief.

He’ll appear in court next month.

Police foil attempted high-school robbery

Two young men have been charged by Belleville Police after a break-in at a Belleville high-school last night.

Police responded to an alarm at Quinte Secondary School just before 11 o’clock.

Once there, they found the two men in the midst of trying to steal computer equipment.

Twenty-three-year-old Tyler Byers and a 17-year-old male who cannot be identified have both been charged.

Man rescued off cliff

CFB Trenton Search & Rescue sent a Griffon helicopter to Huntsville last night for a rescue operation.

The chopper was sent out around 9 o’clock last night to assist OPP in helping a man who was trapped on the side of a cliff.

The situation was made even more dangerous by a forest fire burning on the ground above him.

He was rescued and there were no injuries.

Accident in East-end Belleville

11:00 AM UPDATE: Fire officials have confirmed two motorcycles were involved and one rider… a woman… had to be taken to Belleville General Hospital.
Her injuries are said to be non-life threatening.
There was a minor fuel spill due to the crash… but emergency crews have since cleaned everything up.
The cause of the crash is still being determined.

Emergency officials have confirmed an accident in East-end Belleville this morning.

It happened around 10am near Dundas East and Haig Road… and details are limited.

Belleville Police say there may have been a couple of motorcycles involved… but nothing has been confirmed.

Prowler arrested in Quinte West

Quinte West O-P-P have arrested a Renfrew man for prowling in Trenton.

Officers were notified of a suspicious person standing in the back yard of a home in Sidney Ward just before 4:00 this morning.

The man left the yard on foot… and police picked him up walking along Catalina Drive.

26-year old Philip Sprentzel was charged with trespassing and prowling by night and two counts each of carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a dangerous weapon with purpose and unauthorized possession of a weapon.

He is being held until a bail hearing on Tuesday in Belleville.

Man arrested near Belleville works building

An 18-year old Thurlow man is facing weapons charges after a minor incident near Belleville’s public-works building this morning.

Belleville police responded to a disturbance call around 3:40 this morning… near the Wallbridge Crescent facility… and found the man with a collapsible baton.

The suspect… who police believe had been attending a nearby house party… was charged with possession of a concealed weapon.

Safe boating week kicks off today

Today is the kick-off for North American Safety Week and the Quinte region will have a celebration of it’s own.

Local officials, guests, the media and politicians will be gathering at C-F-B Trenton’s Yacht Club to kick things off.

Volunteer Co-Ordinator Kathleen Rankine says drinking and boating can be a serious safety hazard.

Wear your life jacket, be prepared, take a boating course and know the risks of cold water are the other four safety concerns officials want to hit home.

The awareness week runs until Friday and today’s event kicks off at eleven.

Trent-Severn Waterway is important: Devolin

The reopening of the Trent Severn Waterway for the season comes with a warning.

Lindsay-based M-P, Barry Devolin, says his Conservatives today welcome visitors to the waterway… and adds the government recognizes the waterway’s importance to the communities it touches.

Devolin says the government will give communities enough time to make adjustments before new restrictions on the season are introduced.

Parks Canada plans to reduce the duration of the season and hours of operation.. due to restrictions imposed by the 2012 federal budget.

Trent-Severn opens for season

The Trent-Severn Waterway has opened for the season.

The Ontario Travel Centre’s Jack Lynch says unlike other occasions when water levels were low, the entire length of the waterway is open today (FRI), from Trenton to Port Severn.

The waterway stretches 386 kilometres through about 25 different communities.

Fireworks Safety Is Paramount: BFD

Victoria Day weekend usually means fireworks and the Belleville Fire Department wants to make you stay safe if you decide to have a pyro show of your own.

Belleville’s Senior Fire Prevention Officer Dave MacMullen says safety should be paramount around all fireworks displays.

Some tips for hosting your own fireworks include, have an open area to light them, keep water or sand close by to put out any fires that may occur and to especially keep a close eye on children who may be using sparklers or just watching the festivities.

In Belleville the sale, purchase and display of fireworks is permitted in the 7 days leading up to Victoria Day and Canada Day.

Man pleads guilty to hurting a minor

Glanmore House reveals upgrades

Glanmore House National Historic Site in Belleville wants to show off its fresh coat of paint and restored ceilings.

Glanmore House is celebrating a grand reopening today after months of restoration work.

Curator Rona Rustige says the ceiling was the main reason for the museum’s closure, but they did other work, too.

The grand reopening happens 1:00 – 4:00 and admission is free.

Bird-watchers flock to Presqu’ile

Bird-watchers will be flocking to Presqu’ile Park this weekend for the annual Birdwatching Weekend.

This is the time of year that thousands of smaller birds return to Canada after wintering in South America and the U.S. south. One of their favourite stopovers is Presqu’ile Park.

Park spokesperson Lisa McPherson says there are lots of shorebirds, but it’s the warblers that are colourful, with their feathers of yellow, orange and even blue.

There are morning and afternoon guided walks on both Saturday and Sunday.

Summer Village has grand opening

It’s going to be a busy long weekend in Prince Edward County, and one of the reasons why will be the grand opening of the Sandbanks Summer Village tomorrow.

When it’s done, Sandbanks Summer Village will feature 237 cottages and a recreation center on the shores of East Lake.

President Chip Hall says the recreation facilities and several different cottages will be on display tomorrow.

Cottages are available to buy or rent.  The grand opening is tomorrow 2:00 – 4:00 and there will be refreshments and entertainment.

Frankford Riverfest makes a splash

If it’s the Victoria Day weekend, it’s the Frankford Riverfest!

A giant yard sale and midway start up today.  The yard sale is at the Frankford arena; there’s all kinds of activity for the whole family tomorrow.

City of Quinte West Manager of Recreation and Tourism Services, Jaclyn Grimmon, says the Riverfest is still going strong after 15 years.

Enjoy a car show, a big strongman competition, and music all day at the Frankford Tourist Park.

A huge fireworks display goes at 9:30 pm tomorrow.

Smith lukewarm on Quinte casino

A new casino would be a big addition to the Quinte Region as long as the municipalities want one.

That’s the word from Prince Edward – Hastings MPP, Todd Smith, on the heels of the OLG’s “gaming zone” announcement yesterday.

Smith told our newsroom having private enterprise run the gambling facilities would be the way to go but the municipalities should have a say.

If a facility was built it could house up to 300 slot machines plus gaming tables.

Cambridge woman loses car for speeding

A mother from Cambridge will have a tough time getting around for the next week.

That’s because her car has been impounded following a traffic stop on the 401 just after midnight.

OPP Officers clocked a car going 161 km/hr on the highway in Cramahe Township. 33-year-old Angela Jackman was charged under the provincial street racing law and has lost her car and license for a week.

Provincial Police also want to remind motorists they’ll be on the roads and waterways this long weekend looking for impaired and distracted drivers and those not wearing seat belts.

Belleville, Quinte West marked for casino

Belleville and Quinte West were marked by the OLG on Thursday as a zone with potential for a casino. Image copyright 123rf.com.

A new nickname for the cities of Belleville and Quinte West could have great implications for the local economy.

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation announced today the two cities make up a region they call Zone E2, and the region is marked for a new casino.

The zones across Ontario are part of the OLG’s efforts to modernize gaming, efforts that began earlier this spring with a cancellation of the Slots-at-Racetracks programme, thus canning the proposed Belleville Racetrack and Slots Parlour on Bell Blvd.

Zone E2 is marked for one casino with up to 300 slot machines and an as-yet undetermined number of gaming tables.

Belleville’s current bingo hall would also be revitalized under the OLG’s proposal.

Construction on Belleville pool slow

More hold-ups for the new swimming pool at the Belleville Sports and Wellness Centre.

Belleville’s Director of Recreation, Culture and Community Services, Mark Fluhrer, told the Lorne Brooker show this morning the city doesn’t want to rush into taking control.

A spokesperson has said the public will find the new 8-lane pool “amazing” when it’s complete.

Kramp approves of copyright changes

Canada’s new Copyright Act is looking good to Daryl Kramp.

The Prince Edward Hastings MP says the latest round of voting on bill c-11 leaves him with a positive feeling about the coming changes.

When the Copyright Modernization Act is finally made into law, it will affect how all of us share and use digital files and other works, such as music and photos.

Smith aims to change electronic commerce

A local MPP is working to change the way real estate agents do business.

Prince Edward Hastings MPP, Todd Smith, says he and a Liberal Member of Provincial Parliament from Ottawa introduced a bill today called the Electronic Commerce Amendment Act.

The bill’s aim is to make it easier for real estate agents to sign legal documents electronically.

Smith adds the bill is directed specifically at the real estate industry.

Smith says he hopes the government sees this as a good example of bi-partisan support for a bill and therefore brings the bill to a vote.

Changes coming to Belleville fairgrounds

Changes are coming to the Belleville Fairgrounds this summer.

President of the Quinte Exhibition and Raceway, Marilynne Cotten, says City of Belleville building and fire officials have toured through the site recently pointing out upgrades that need to be done for safety reasons.

Cotten says they’ll be done, adding that people can expect to see the old horse stalls and outbuildings on the racetracks backstretch torn down this summer as well.

The Quinte Exhibition runs on the Labour Day weekend.

Foster home sex trial

A jury in Picton heard disturbing sexual testimony during the trial of a 72 former Prince Edward County foster parent yesterday.

A report in the Intelligencer says 3 girls, now in their late teens, made complaints against the man, starting in 2003.

The foster home was in Wellington, and then relocated to Bloomfield.

2 of the unidentified girls complained to the Prince Edward County Children’s Aid Society and OPP back in 2005, but nothing was done until 2010.

The CAS and police believed surgery done on the accused would make him unable to perform sexually as the girls alleged he’d done.

The accused man cannot be identified at this time.

The defence is pointing to hazy recollections and inconsistent statements by the girls.

Update Norampac

New call centre to begin hiring

A new company opening in Belleville is slated to hire about 400-people by the end of this year.

At a city hall news conference today the call centre, Online Support or OLS, announced that it has located on Dundas Street east, and will begin hiring.

President Ross Beattie says the Belleville site was chosen because the Quinte area has the labour skills. Beattie says 70 people will be hired in about a month, 200 by September, and nearly 500 by the end of the year.

Mayor Neil Ellis calls it an economic boost to the city and Quinte region, with an economic spinoff of $20m.

The starting wage is $11 an hour. Anyone interested can apply at 610 Dundas Street East or go on line at www.joinols.com

Apples lose, pears win in 2012 harvest

There’s been a fair bit of damage, but it won’t be a terrible year for local orchard owners.

Colin Campbell of Campbell Orchards in the County says he guesses about half of the apple crop is gone due to the early, hot spring, and subsequent frosts.

Campbell says the McIntosh crop is hurting badly, but that other apple varieties did quite well.

Apparently, it’s going to be a boom season for pears locally.

$50,000 donation for Picton hospital

The Picton hospital is a big step closer to getting its new digital mammography machine.

The hospital auxilliary today donated $50,000 toward the campaign.

Auxilliary president, Fran Donaldson, says the money comes from volunteer work done throughout town.

The hospital auxilliary runs Picton’s popular thrift shop as well as other endeavours like a coffee shop in the hospital.

The $750,000 campaign is being run by the hospital foundation and executive director Anna Marie Ferguson says today’s donation brings the campaign to the $500,000 mark.

MPP campaigns for landowners

An MPP just east of the Quinte region is heading a drive to have property rights for Ontario residents embedded in Canada’s constitution.

Lanark-Frontenac-Lenox and Addington Tory MPP Randy Hillier says the constitution doesn’t protect citizens against “financially ruinous and uncompensated restrictions on the use of their property.”

He says this leaves Ontario residents with no constitutional protection from unjust treatment.

Hillier has introduced a private bill in the legislature to amend Canada’s constitution. It would have to pass the Ontario legislature and the House of Commons in Ottawa, before it would become law.

S.P. Data Trenton soon to hire

The SP Data vice-president of Canadian operations has told the city of Quinte West the company will be in touch soon about collaborating with the city on the hiring process.

SP Data has signed a deal to operate out of a location at 400 Sidney St. in Trenton.

The company is aiming to hire about 100 employees to start.

OLS to open in Belleville

A good news announcement in Belleville today – a new company bringing up to nearly 400 jobs to the city by the end of the year.

Negotiations had been ongoing for months, resulting in the announcement that the call centre, Online Support, or OLS, will locate  in Belleville’s east end.

Company President Ross Beattie told a news conference  the company chose Belleville for its eleventh site because there is a good block of skilled workers in the city and area.

Hiring begins over the next month. Anyone interested can apply at 610  Dundas St. E. or go online at www.joinols.com

Man arrested for violent incident

Centre Hastings OPP have arrested a wanted man.

42-year-old Rory Douglas Vader of Peterborough was yesterday arrested without incident.

Vader is charged in relation to a violent home invasion in Marmora last October.

He was held for a bail hearing in Belleville Provincial Court this afternoon and will remain in custody to appear again in court next Tuesday, May 22.

Victims of smoky crash identified

The OPP have released the names of the victims of yesterday’s fiery crash on the 401 near Marysville.

Dead are 50-year-old Christian Martin of Quebec and 65-year-old Thomas Avon, from the Burlington area.

Autopsies are scheduled for today in Kingston.

Police say one of the trailers was loaded with highly-flammable tire rubber.

Investigators are still looking into what caused the crash.

School board budget set

The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board has set it’s budget for the next school year.

Kawartha Pine Ridge trustees describe the 382 million dollar budget as a balanced one, and are pleased that declining enrollment hasn’t caused any layoffs of teachers.

As in other areas, the number of students enrolled continues to drop, and it’s expected there’ll be almost 500 fewer students in high school classes next year.

However, it’s expected there’ll be just over 300 more elementary school students.

18 more schools in the Kawartha Pine Ridge Board will have full day kindergarten.

Unruly citizens in Belleville

It was a busy night for Belleville police.

Late yesterday afternoon, police had to go to a west end apartment building responding to complaints of fighting.

A 32 year old woman, Chemi Rhidar, was charged.

Another woman suffered minor injuries in the accident.

And later last night, police had to respond to another west end apartment, and this time, arrested a 51 year old drunk man who was causing a disturbance.

Man with knife injured

Belleville police had to deal with a dangerous situation early this morning in the downtown.

Police say a man threatened to kill 3 people in other apartments, and was slightly injured in a skirmish with them. He was weilding a knife.

A 31 year old Belleville man is in custody facing several charges.

Robbery suspect arrested

A 50 year old Belleville man has been charged with armed robbery, and escape custody.

Belleville police saw a man on Station street yesterday matching the description of someone wanted in a store robbery a few days ago.

He ran from police, but was quickly arrested.

On May 11th, a man had brandished a knife at a store employee after stealing some women’s underwear and bras in a backpack.

Belleville police awards

Decisive action by a Belleville Police constable last December very likely saved the life of a 60 year old city woman.

And, last night, Constable Brad Stitt received the Commendation of Valour Award from Belleville Police Chief, Cory McMullan.

Constable Brad Stitt was the first on the scene of an apartment fire at the Quinte Living Center in the downtown, and said he got into the apartment to help the woman and was acting on instinct.

Also receiving the Commendation of Valour last night were Constables Eric Shorey and Bill Madden for their work in subduing an angry and drunk man who was threatening his wife with a meat cleaver.

Many other Belleville officers were honoured for years of service, and the recently retired Sgt. Dan Hoxford received thanks for his 27 years with the force.

Baby food needed!!

The 13-th annual Baby Food Drive has just been launched in the Quinte region.

This food drive, aimed at ensuring the well-being of the youngest in the community, is run by the Community Development Council of Quinte.

Executive Director Ruth Ingersoll says the program is different from others in that there is no financial criteria. Ingersoll says people may be working but just need an extra “hand up.”

Last year the Baby Food Drive, which runs between Mothers’ and Fathers’ days, helped 940 families. You can drop off baby food at the Council office, 249 William Street, or call 613-968-2466.

Archives project moving ahead

Some work is expected to get underway this spring at the still-vacant Belleville -Hastings County Archives, the former Irish Hall in the city.

Director of Recreation Mark Fluhrer says all water-related issues such as stormwater drains and the sanitary sewer will be repaired over the next few weeks.

The Hastings Historical Society hopes to raise another 100-thousand dollars this year bringing its contribution to nearly 400-thousand.

President Orland French says the new Archives will be a great improvement over the damp, mouse-infested Thurlow Hall where archives are now kept.

Funding for the project by the Society, Belleville and Hastings County is nearing the million dollar mark.

Foster home sex assault trial in Picton

The first of 3 girls, allegedly sexually assaulted at a foster home in Prince Edward County 9 years ago, testified in Picton court yesterday.

A report in the Intelligencer says the girl, now 18, says she told the jury that she’d been sexually assaulted several times at the foster home in Wellington.

None of the girls involved can be identified, and neither can the 72 year old man who faces several charges.

The girl said she’d complained to the Prince Edward County Children’s Aid Society and the Prince Edward County OPP in 2005, but nothing was done until 2009.

The other two girls will testify today and tomorrow.

It’s not known if the accused’s name will be released.

Jobs for Belleville

It’s expected some good news for the local economy will be announced this afternoon.

Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis has scheduled a press conference at city hall for 2 o clock today, where an “exciting new development will be unveiled”!!

Mayor Ellis hinted that a new industry was coming to the city recently at the Mayor’s breakfast, and it’s believed the details on what, and where, will be announced this afternoon.

Double fatal in smoky 401 crash

10:15AM UPDATE: All lanes of the 401 have reopened.

The drivers of two tractor trailers were killed in this fiery crash on the 401 on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Dave Kouri via facebook.

OPP and others remain on the scene of a fiery accident between two big rigs yesterday afternoon on the 401 between Deseronto Road and Highway 37.

The 2 drivers, who are not from the the Quinte area, were killed in the accident.

The 401 westbound, both lanes, remains closed between Highway 49, locally known as the Marysville Road, and the Shannonville Road until sometime this afternoon as the highway is being repaved.

And, only one lane of the 401 eastbound is open. It will likely be completely open sometime later this morning.

OPP say it appears the driver heading east with two big trailers veered into the median smashing into a westbound tractor trailer.

The identities of the drivers have not been released.

401 closed for smoky crash

Tweed break-in investigated

Central Hastings OPP are on the look-out for thieves who staged a daylight break-in at a house in Tweed.

Police say the suspects entered a house on Morton Road by kicking open the patio door. They made off with a large jewellery box from a bedroom.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police or call  Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Kramp touts changes to E.I.

Daryl Kramp says now that the recession is over, it’s a good time to make some changes to EI.

The comments from Prince Edward Hastings’ MP follow those of the finance minister, which stated Ottawa is working on new rules for Employment Insurance.

Kramp says EI now has to become more reflective of the times.

Kramp says there’s a gap between the work that workers want to do and the work employers need done.

Kramp says the changes will be carefully planned out, with lots of pilot projects, before the government makes permenant changes to EI.

OPP issue warning to Frankford residents

Quinte West OPP are warning people to be careful when walking alone, especially in Frankford.

The warning comes after police received complaints of a suspicious man seen in the village on the afternoon of Thursday, May 10, driving a blue or teal coloured vehicle with a “very unkempt” interior.

The man is described as mid- to late-30s with short brown hair, a white t-shirt, jeans and a red ball cap.

Police would like to hear from anyone with information.

Joint commission to work on waterways

It appears our local waterways could be managed in a more natural way.

The International Joint Commission is looking at effecting levels at the Mose Saunders Dam near Cornwall, which would change water levels through Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinte.

Marilyn Buckholtz is with Lower Trent Conservation and says they’re in favour of the change because it will help natural wetlands begin to reproduce.

She adds some are concerned the highs and the lows of the waterways could cause flooding or draught like conditions.

A public meeting is being held on the topic on May 23 at Belleville’s Banquet Centre.

Quinte Conservation issues warning

It appears littler bugs are getting under the skin of Quinte Conservation.

Officials have been receiving reports about tangled fishing line and garbage in the conservation area.

Spokesperson Terry Murphy says the line can trap fish and birds and two animals have already had to be rescued.

Quinte Conservation recently removed garbage cans from the area because people were dumping household garbage, with a fridge and even a piano being dropped off.

Officials remind users they can be fined if they don’t take pick up their waste.

Fatal crash near Colborne

A 66-year-old Cramahe Township man is dead after a crash on Sunday.

Crews say it happened Sunday on Lakeport Rd., just west of Colborne, when a car left the road and hit a tree.

Gerald Spiers was pronounced dead at the scene.

Man injured in Belleville bar brawl

A man was taken to Belleville hospital after a fight last night at a Cannifton Rd. bar.

Belleville police say the man, who was intoxicated, did not suffer serious injuries.

An investigation into the brawl, which happened around 11:00 last night continues.

Personnel cost a concern in Belleville

Belleville Councillor Jackie Denyes has raised the issue of “risk management” once the new Water Source Protection Pan is in place for the Quinte region.

Quinte Conservation will submit the plan to the province later this summer.

At last night’s City Council meeting, Councillor Denyes expressed concern about the cost of such an official, and suggested the city might not agree with the fee established by the Conservation agency.

Director of engineering Rod Bovay told council that fees have not yet been set, and the city could hire its own risk management official if it disagreed with the Quinte Conservation fee.

Pioneer gardeners to be picked by lottery

Belleville residents with a green thumb but no garden in the back yard, will have a chance to plant some seeds this season.

Last night City Council approved the development of a community garden pilot project at Ponton Park on Dundas  St. W.

Chair of the city’s Green Task Force, Councillor Tom Lafferty, says a lot of people have expressed an interest in growing their own food.

A total of 20 garden beds will be developed and Councillor Lafferty says there’s so much interest that the lucky gardeners will be chosen by a lottery.

Belleville to buzz this summer

Belleville’s downtown will be rocking this summer with events outlined at last night’s City Council meeting.

There’s the Waterfront Festival and more, right through to the Flavours of Fall in September.

As Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Bill Saunders, outlined the events that the chamber runs for the city, he also gave a nod to what he called Summer in the City: a list of 13 events in the downtown or at the waterfront.

The Chamber has received $26,000 from the province to assist in developing the Waterfront Festival as a “tourist attraction.” Saunders says staff will be hired to check on where tourists are from and get a solid head count.

And if that’s not enough, Wayne Barrett, chair of Canada Day, reminded council that “that event” is on track for July 1 at Zwicks Park.

Loyalist College daycare to close

The Loyalist College Centre for Early Childhood Education is closing.

The college made the announcement to staff through a memo on Friday.

President Maureen Piercy says the centre just wasn’t affordable anymore and it must close for good at the end of the season in June.

The centre serves as a daycare for the college community and as a training ground for the Early Childhood Education diploma candidates.

The college is aiming to ensure the closure of its daycare does not have a negative impact on its ECE programme.

Provincial parks welcoming campers

Those people wanting a local camp ground for this weekend are in luck.

Presqu’ile Provincial Park in Brighton has some campsites available for the Victoria Day Weekend.

And officials at Sandbanks Provincial Park near Picton say they plan to soon open the Richardson campground, which would make 50 more sites available. Sandbanks is otherwise full.

Campers can go online to book a site or dial the provincial park hotline at 1-888-668-7275.

School board awards announced

11th Annual Great Place Awards

The Great Place Awards are the highest form of recognition within Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board. These prestigious awards recognize outstanding contributions by students, staff, parents and guardians, and community partners.

The 2012 Great Place Award recipients are:

>Cassidy Allison, Student, Prince Edward Collegiate Institute

>Beth Calwell, Parent, Moira Secondary School

>Joseph Coolen, Lead Hand Custodian, Tweed Hungerford Senior Public School

>Cathy Dafoe, Guidance Secretary, Moira Secondary School

>Nancy Etmanski, Educational Assistant, Prince Edward Collegiate Institute

>Patricia Malott, Teacher, Queen Victoria School

>Stephen McFadden, Teacher & Coach, Madoc Public School

>Diane Percy, Volunteer & School Council Chair, Coe Hill School

>Diana Sheridan, Teacher, Hermon Public School

>Police officers who work as school response officers:

~Bancroft Ontario Provincial Police: Constable Susanne Cox

~Belleville Police Service: Constables Miranda Orr and Hans Verbeek

~Central Hastings Ontario Provincial Police: Constable Terry Briard

~Napanee Ontario Provincial Police: Constable Del Wannamaker

~Prince Edward Ontario Provincial Police: Constables Kim Guthrie and Nicole Lott

~Quinte West Ontario Provincial Police: Constables Lonne Foeller and David Snider

~Stirling-Rawdon Police Service: Constable Darrin Heasman

“All the nominations told wonderful stories about the person being nominated and how he or she has contributed to student achievement. The committee had a challenging task to review each one, then through discussion, determine which would become finalists,” said Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer and committee chair.

Forklift lifted from Frankford

There’s a whole meeting to “need a lift??” after an incident in Frankford yesterday.

Quinte West OPP say a forklift was dropped off at a job site on Wolf Street, but when the owners returned to the location, the lift was gone!!

It’s described as a yellow, Hyster brand forklift, and it’s valued at 30 thousand dollars.

Call the OPP or Crimestoppers if you have information.

Belleville council has policing cost concerns

Belleville has joined a Mayors’ Coalition to fight high policing costs.

Councillor Taso Christopher raised the issue after attending the Ontario Small Urban Municipalties conference where the costs were called “catastrophic”.

Councillor Christopher told City Council last night that Belleville’s $14 million police budget is affected by what the OPP get under provincial arbitration. He said the city’s rising costs, including more than 22 people on the Sunshine List is driven by the OPP arbitration rulings.

Both Mayor Neil Ellis and Councillor Christopher praised the Belleville Police Service for keeping budget increases to a minimum in recent years.

Council decided to have Mayor Ellis sit on the Mayors’ Coalition, which will deal directly with the provincial government on policing costs.

Dangers in hospitals

The author of a new book on hospital medical errors and infections told a news conference in Belleville yesterday that they form the second biggest cause of death in Canada, cancer being the first.

Author William Charney, a consultant for the Canadian Union of Public Employees, says hospital cost-cutting planned by the Ontario government will make the epidemic worse.

His book, “Epidemic and Medical Errors and Hospital-Acquired Infections,” indicates that 18-percent of hospital admissions result in medical errors, that’s 24-thousand deaths a year in Ontario.

And spokesman for the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions, Michael Hanley, says he would like to see the government introduce programs similar to those in Scotland and the Netherlands where hospitals have strict rules about reporting medical errors.

Armed robbery in Marmora

OPP are investigating an armed robberty in Marmora.

Police were called to the scene of Mac’s Milk on Matthew Street just after one yesterday morning.

One man had entered the store brandishing a weapon and left on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash. There were no injuries.

Police are asking to hear from anyone who may have seen a slim white male about six feet tall around that time… wearing a black jacket and black pants with a white stripe on the side.

Norampac update

The ongoing tussle between the union and company at the Norampac paper mill in Quinte West is beginning to look a bit like baseball…three strikes, and you’re OUT!!

Our newsroom has learned that the union will hold a vote, for the third time, on the company’s last contract offer, tomorrow.

The over 100 members of Local 1470 of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union have already voted against the offer twice in recent weeks.

Sources say management wants to see a significant majority of workers voting for the contract this time, or the plant will be closed sometime next month.

Norampac meeting scheduled for today

Solar Science stuck in waiting game

It’s still a struggle for Solar Science in Picton to move full steam ahead.

CEO Scott Phipps says his equipment has been ready where it was manufactured in Europe since Christmas and he’s been paying to store it there because he has no building yet in Picton.

Phipps says they recently had the lot in the industrial park serviced with natural gas and other necessities but they’re holding off on erecting the building.

Phipps says all he needs is “the final green light” from the Ontario Power Authority and that’s been a long time in the making.

The province’s recent changes to its Feed-in-Tariff programme affected Solar Science’s contract with the OPA.

Phipps had predicted last winter the plant would open with up to 40 new workers this spring.

Police to auction off stolen goods

The Belleville Police are having an auction.

The auction of unclaimed bicycles and other articles will be held this Thursday at 6:00 in the evening at police headquarters on Dundas St. E.

The auction is authorized by the Police Services Act and is necessary for the detatchment to clear out its cache of items.

Anyone who has yet to claim an item they had stolen is invited to the police station on the morning of the sale between nine and 11:45 am.

Items to be auctioned include 90 assorted bicycles as well as tools, electronic devices and jewelry.

PECMHF receives $17,500

Recipients of the Stark Family Fund pose with a banner for the Community Foundation, which administers the Stark Family Fund. Submitted photo.

The hospital in Picton has received a large donation to help with purchasing equipment.

The Stark Family Fund last week presented the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation with a cheque for $17,500.

The money will go toward the purchase of a digital mammography machine for the Picton hospital.

High school athletes ready to run…jump…throw

41 schools competed in the Annual Michel Foley Invitational track and field meet Friday.
Highlights include double gold medal wins by Cole Norton of Prince Edward Collegiate…Jeff Radford of Moira Secondary, Rachel Faulds of Trenton High School and Natasha Whitley of Bayside. Also topping the podium were Julene Preece of Bayside, Leaugen Fray of THS, Chase Peck and Carolyne Simons from Centennial, Liam Maracek and Arielle Fitzgerald of Bayside Secondary,…Mitchell Torres from Albert College, Trent Michaud and James Belej of East Northumberland and Jessica Warrener from Centre Hastings.

Next up is the Bay of Quinte Championships Wednesday at the Bruce Faulds Track at Mary Ann Sills Park.

Quinte sailors top Kingston

The Bay of Quinte Yacht Club hosted the Kingston-Quinte regional team racing challenge this weekend off Meyers Pier.
This event involves Shark Class sailboats in a 5 race series. The teams were tied 2-2 going into the last race. Bay of Quinte won the decider.
Their skippers were Peter Aker, Andy Thomson, Ross Findlater and Steve Macklin.

Fraudulent equipment purchases

Prince Edward County OPP have charged a County man with fraud.

OPP say a suspect paid for various types of equipment, including a mower/snowblower and a wood boiler, in Prince Edward, Belleville, and London, using fraudulent cheques.

Charged is 32 year old Jamie Miller of Milford.

Drinking and domestics

Quinte West OPP were busy with alcohol and domestic disputes over the weekend.

Early saturday morning, police had to visit a Dundas East, Trenton bar as a woman was assaulting people.

A 31 year old from Newmarket faces charges.

And, Quinte West OPP arrested two men for allegedly assaulting their common law wives. Injuries were minor.

Pills seized in Brighton

A Brighton man had a change of heart over the weekend, and has turned himself in to police after running from a RIDE program last Friday night.

During the stop, Northumberland OPP spotted open alcohol in a van, along with the prescription pills, percocet and oxycontin, which police did not believe were legally obtained.

The man took off during the stop, and OPP couldn’t find him.

However, the next day, 24 year old Bryan Hynes of Brighton turned himself in to OPP, and faces 2 drug charges.

Entrance changes at BGH

If you’re planning on visting Belleville General Hospital today, and for the next couple of weeks, be aware that construction is causing some changes.

Starting today, and lasting to at least the end of the month, the main entrance to BGH, will be closed.

People are advised to use the Sills Wing entrance or the north and west entrances to the WCA building to access the hospital.

Local taxpayers to pay more for social services

Ontario budget cuts will mean a substantial increase in local funding for social service programs, starting July first.

For Belleville, Quinte West and Hastings County this means an extra 101-thousand-844-dollars this year and 203-thousand in future years.

Acting Director Erin Rivers told the Social Services committee recently that the provincial cuts will affect “discretionary benefits for welfare recipients. This includes such things as funerals, baby cribs, dental and vision care.

But Rivers says it will also affect the Employment Connection program that placed 132-welfare recipients into jobs last month.

Mothers day fire

It was a beautiful sunny Mothers Day yesterday, but it wasn’t to be a peaceful one for the Brighton fire department.

Neighbors saw black smoke and flames coming from the back of a brick bungalow at 20 Ontario Street early yesterday afternoon.

However, Brighton firefighters were on scene within 5 minutes, and contained the fire to the back of the carport and a back deck.

An 80 year old woman lived alone in the house, but was away for Mothers Day.

Neighbors moved her car, and broke into the house to make sure no one was there before firefighers arrived.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.