Contraband tobacco clear as smoke

A story we ran earlier this month generated some heated responses and further questions from our quintenews.com readers.

Gary Grant was here in Belleville on a tour of what his organization calls the ”Contraband Trail”.

Grant is a spokesperson for the privately-funded National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco, which says the sale of cigarettes on Tyendinaga Territory is illegal.

The argument stems from all three aspects of the sales: the manufacturing, selling and buying of those cigarettes.

Chief R. Don Maracle has told us there’s nothing illegal about it and it’s an open market with competitive prices like anywhere else.

Getting to the crux of the matter would mean finding out where Tyendinaga tobacco is manufactured, what taxes are applied to non-status Indians at the time of purchase and where the cigarettes are being smoked.

As for other goods sold on the reserve, like computers and leather jackets – the Ministry of Revenue refused to comment on those specific examples.

For now, the decision to buy goods on Tyendinaga Territory remains a free one for shoppers.

Related links

National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco

Chief supports “contraband” tobacco

Quinte debates contraband tobacco

Illegal tobacco in Ontario

Thurlow could see a park go to the dogs

If you’re interested in a special place for your pooch to socialize and exercise in Thurlow ward, Belleville council wants to hear from you.

At a strategic planning session earlier this week, council agreed that an off leash dog park in Thurlow would be a good idea.

The busy dog park on Zwick’s Island was created by fundraising by volunteers, although the city donated the land.

It’s hoped volunteers will organize the creation of a dog park in Thurlow.

Belleville council might consider the idea for next year.

Property damage and impaired charge after crash

Property Damage and an impaired driving charge after a crash in Belleville early this morning.

Belleville Police say it happened in the North end near North Front and Tracy Streets.

After a quick investigation, police determined the driver, 29 year old Christopher Knightly of Belleville had been driving while impaired.

He will be in court on March 8th.

There were no injuries.

BVPS make arrest in theft case

An arrest has been made in a string of “distraction thefts” at a local retail outlet early this month.

Belleville City Police say 25 year old David Flynn of Trenton was arrested after an initial investigation.

He’s been charged with two counts of theft under 5-thousand dollars… and one count of breach of recognizance.

He’ll appear in Belleville Court for a bail hearing on Monday.

Police did not release any more details about the incident.

Belleville woman guilty of manslaughter

Deloro Stellite still in the dark

Staff at the Deloro Stellite plant in Belleville still don’t know anything more than when they first found out their plant had been sold.

Kennametal Incorporated announced on January 18th it’s buying the global corporation. The overall deal is worth €277 million or $360 million CDN.

The Belleville management team has been told it’s “business as usual”. The plant employs 224 people.

One manager says he hopes the deal closes before the end of next month so they “can get on with things”.

Goose hunting nixed in WMU 70

In order to promote compliance, Environment Canada would like to remind hunters that there is no late Canada Geese season in Prince Edward County (Wildlife Management Unit 70). Any jurisdiction that allows Sunday gun hunting, like Prince Edward County, has already reached the maximum number of hunting days for the species in its early and regular seasons.

Details of Open Seasons can be found at the link below:

http://www.ec.gc.ca/rcom-mbhr/default.asp?lang=en&n=99FDEC59-1#ldocSea

The relevant information is in the Open Season table under section 4. Southern District; specifically see the information for Canada and Cackling Geese, season Feb 25 to March 3, 2012 and footnotes f, g, and h.

A map of jurisdictions that allow or prohibit Sunday hunting is available through the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources web site.

Belleville company gets $1.5 million

A relatively new local company received some financial help to expand at a presentation at Loyalist College this morning.

Prince Edward-Hastings MP Daryl Kramp presented Vantage Foods with a $1.5 million loan from the Southern Ontario Federal Economic Development Agency.

Vantage Vice President of Canada East Rob Detlinger says the cash will be put towards the facility’s continuing expansion.

Vantage opened its Belleville plant late last year and has hired 150 people so far,with plans to double that number as the plant expansion continues.

Tyendinaga has municipal surplus

It was a good year financially for the Township of Tyendinaga.

In 2011 the municipality had a budget surplus of $180,000.

Township CAO Steve Mercer says Council has been responsible.

Mercer added roads would be a large part of this year budget, hoping to do about 15 kms of the municipal roadways.

Rebels, Jets tied in series

Levi George scored 3 to help the Campbellford Rebels pound Amherstview 8-1.

That best of 7 series is tied 1-1.

Game 3 is tomorrow in Campbellford.

Pirates could clinch series

The Picton Pirate are in a position to sweep Port Hope.

Mitch Rosborough scored twice including the winner as the Pirates slip past the Panthers 4-3.

Game 4 is tomorrow in Port Hope.

Kingston leads series vs Trenton

The Trenton Golden Hawks have one foot out the OJHL playoff door.

Brian Nanne scored early in overtime to give the Kingston Voyageurs a 3-2 win and a 2-0 lead in their quarter final.

Both games have been decided in O.T.  Miles MacLean and Daniel Vernace scored for the Hawks.

Game 3 is tonight at the Community Gardens in 7:30.

Pit bull ban debated

A local Tory MPP is urging the Ontario government to withdraw its ban on pit bulls.

Lanark Frontenac Lennox and Addington member Randy Hillier says he owns two dogs that could be destroyed under the ban, and says Ontario should scrap the law.

Hillier says the Dog Owner’s Liability Act only provides a physical description of dogs that he says could be applied to any number of the animals.

New Democrat Cheri DiNovo says everyone knows it’s the deed, not the breed, that’s the problem, and Liberal backbencher Kim Craitor also called for the pit bull ban to be lifted.

Man arrested for sexual assaults

Belleville city police have made an arrest following a couple of break and enters and an alleged sexual assault in the citys’ east end last weekend.

The incidents occurred on Ann and Alexander Streets.

Police have arrested a 23-year-old man and he faces several charges.

At an appearance in court Wednesday, a publication ban was issued on the case, and no further information is available at this time.

Memorial Arena proposals discussed

The ball is in Belleville councils’ court as the issue of what to do with the Memorial Arena inches forward.

Yesterday, the Memorial Arena sub-committee was told that none of three plans sent to committee met all of the criteria in the request for proposals process.

However, it was agreed, there was good and bad in each of the three proposals.

After two hours of discussion, the sub-committee followed councillor Jodie Jenkins’ lead and suggested council hire a group of consulting firms to prepare a researched vision for the Memorial property.

Mayor Neil Ellis says they’ll use an experienced firm which has had an impact on important facilities in other communities.

It’s estimated the consultants’ work would cost around $65,000.

Meantime, the Memorial Arena property is also being considered as a location for a new police station.

Police board budget complete

The Belleville Police Services budget is ready for council approval.

Yesterday, the Belleville Police Board passed a budget that’s 8.67%  higher than last year.

However, $1 million in the budget is earmarked for a reserve fund to help pay for a new police headquarters.

Without the $1 million reserve, the budget would have only increased by around 0.5%.

Chair of the Belleville Police Board, Bob Dolan, thought it was an outstanding budget.

Cultural centre may win support

The mayor of Quinte West is being cautious about a  Belleville proposal for a regional culture, entertainment  and arena project in its long-term planning agenda.

Quinte West Mayor John Williams says these are “tough times and getting tougher” in terms of getting funding from the province for that kind of project.  But he says a regional project is always of interest.

Mayor Williams says he will take the idea, proposed by Belleville, to his own council for consideration.

Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis has suggested it be a regional centre including other municipalities.

Belleville to create Christmas spectacle

Belleville council is getting serious about creating a Christmas light display for this year’s holiday celebrations.

Belleville councillor Garnet Thompson says there’s $100,000 in the budget to get the project started but there’s also a need for volunteers and outside fundraising.

A location for Belleville’s Christmas lighting display, which would be similar to the Fantasy of Lights in Trenton, has not been chosen yet.

Cab rides spike in price

There’ll still be a flat rate for cab rides in Trenton, but it will be different.

The flat rates of $7 and $6.50 for seniors will remain, but only for a distance of 2 kms.  Any trip further then that will be charged at an extra $1.20/km.

Also, cab companies working in Trenton will also start charging for sitting around waiting for people while they run errands.

Wait time will be metered and charged at $0.50/min., or $30/hr.

Drop in alternative police patrols

It’s not known why, but the time spent patrolling on ATVs and bicycles is down a lot in Quinte West.

Earlier this week, the Quinte West Police Services Board heard that the number of hours on ATV and bicycle patrols was down by 50%.

Detachment Commander at the Quinte West OPP, Inspector Mike Reynolds says he’ll first find out why the patrol hours dropped.

Impending winter storm for Quinte

SIU seeks Colborne crash witnesses

The SIU is asking for witnesses to come forward following a collision near Colborne.

Provincial police yesterday closed highway 401 for most of the day for an investigation after a high-speed chase led to a car crash that sent the suspect to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Because police were involved when the injuries occurred, the Special Investigations Unit has been called in.

Anyone who saw the incident is asked to contact provincial police.

Chickens to lay another day

The Campbellford chickens will see another day.

A court appearance by the Bacher family and the municipality of Trent Hills resulted in an April court date for the two parties to meet in Cobourg.

Kelly Bacher says she’s followed the law in keeping a few chickens in her backyard but the municipality says she’s breaking a local by-law.

The story has attracted media attention from across North America.

Belleville woman missing

FRIDAY A.M. UPDATE: Cynthia MacDonald has been found.

A Trenton woman has been missing since last Saturday.

Belleville police report that 44-year-old Cynthia MacDonald was last seen leaving Belleville General Hospital on February 18.

MacDonald is described as five foot ten, 180 pounds. When last seen she was wearing a black jacket, jeans and dark coloured boots.

Anyone with information about the missing woman is asked to call police or Crime Stoppers.

A+ for Hastings emergency services

The Hastings-Quinte emergency system performed well and “effectively” during the recent phone line outage.

That’s the word from Emergency Services Director Doug Socha. Socha reported to Hastings County Council that 100% emergency service remained in force during the 14-hour outage.

He says the most important thing was to inform the public that if they couldn’t phone, there were emergency responders at fire, police and paramedic stations.

Socha says the message got out to the public through radio, social media, and municipal offices.  He says all 911 calls were answered during that time.

Mother pleads with runaway son

FRIDAY A.M. UPDATE: Calvin James Grant has been found.

The mother of a local missing teen is speaking out.

15-year-old Calvin James Grant was last seen Monday night near his home on Elgin Street in Belleville.

His mother, Nicole Abrams, says despite reports to the contrary, she does not know where her son is.. and neither, it seems, does anyone else.

Abrams says she traced a phone call from Calvin on Tuesday night to a phone booth in downtown Belleville.

City police are still searching for the teen.

Trenton resident wins $100,000

Chris Richardson of Trenton picks up his winning cheque from the Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corp. in Toronto. Photo courtesy OLG.

A couple from Quinte West has a lot fewer financial worries after winning at Poker Lotto.

Carol and Chris Richardson from Trenton purchase weekly tickets and this week cashed in, winning $100,000.

With the few bucks Chris had in his pocket, he also bought another ticket, and won another $175.

National Aviation Day celebrated

National Aviation Day is being celebrated at the museum in Trenton.

It was on February 23rd, 1909, that aviation history was made in Canada with the first powered flight taking place in the skies over Nova Scotia.

The National Air Force Museum is marking the day with a showcase of their eduction programmes.

A grade six class from Prince of Wales Public School will be on hand this afternoon with the museum’s curator to show off the programmes entitled “Flight” and “Prepare to Take Off”.

The event is designed for members of the media but the public is always welcome and the museum will be open.

SIU investigates Colborne crash

The province’s Special Investigations Unit is involved after a police chase early yesterday afternoon in Northumberland County.

The vehicle being chased stopped after hitting a guardrail on the 401 eastbound near Colborne.

The 30-year-old male driver suffered non-life threatening injuries and the SIU will investigate the incident.

The crash closed the 401 eastbound for several hours yesterday.

Belleville council talks new home for Bulls

At a strategic planning session last night, Belleville council directed staff to bring more information on the feasability of building a leisure, culture, and entertainment center.

The proposal would have an NHL size rink,  4 to 5 thousand seats, a conference center, and room for retail/office space, and there could be a hotel involved as well.

The plan would involve partnerships with private business to get off of the ground.

While staff is gathering information on the proposal, Mayor Neil Ellis says he’ll talk with Mayor John Williams in Quinte West, as many see the center as a regional project.

Belleville council has forecast 2017 as the year the center might be built, if at all.

Pavillions for Zwicks

Belleville council wants to upgrade facilities at Zwicks Island.

At a strategic planning session last night, council directed staff to prepare plans to build small and simple permanent shelters at west Zwicks.

Councillor Taso Christopher says the small pavillions would only improve the ethnic festivals, and attract more community events to Belleville.

Fire Chief Ray Chaput said having permanent shelters with electricity and water service would make events much safer.

Reports on the plan will come to council this year.

Tourism talk at Belleville council

There’s going to be a lot of discussion on tourism and special events in the city of Belleville over the coming months.

But, last night, Belleville city council voted to extend their contract with the local Chamber of Commerce for two years.

For 150 thousand dollars a year, the Chamber will provide tourism services, and run 3 special events, including the Waterfront Festival.

Councillor Taso Christopher was one of several councillors who believed there should be many more special events held in Belleville.

A staff report on tourism and special events will come to council in September.

Gala fundraiser announced

The theme for the major fundraiser for Belleville General Hospital, a “British Invasion,” was announced at the Belleville Club yesterday.

Co-chair of the annual B-G-H Foundation Gala, Karen Baker, says the Foundation raises about one-point-two million dollars a year to buy equipment that is not funded by the provincial government.

She says the new young doctors coming to Belleville have been trained on new equipment and won’t come here if it isn’t available.

The goal of the September Gala is to raise 300-thousand dollars while dancing to the “British Invaders” such as the Rolling stones, The who, and Gerry and Pacemakers.

Funding for new cenotaph

The Brighton cenotaph is getting a make-over.

The Minister of Veterans Affairs, Steve Blaney was in Brighton yesterday, and presented 50 thousand dollars toward the project. Brighton council will match that contribution dollar for dollar.

Minister Blaney was excited about being a part of this new cenotaph after hearing that Sir Arthur Currie unveiled the existing one in 1927.
The total cost of the new cenotaph is estimated at $160,000 -

Work to start on nature preserve in County

The land deal to create a “nature preserve” on the south shore of Prince Edward County has now been completed.

President Stewart Murray of the Hastings-Prince Edward Land trust, that bought the 490-acre site, says the next step is to develop a land management plan.

He says this would include invasive species removal, if necessary, and laying out a trail throughout the property.

Murray expects this will take about six months. The site will be open to the public but maintained as a wildlife habitat.

Quinte West OPP talk photo radar

The Quinte West Police Services Board wouldn’t mind seeing some cameras on major highways again.

The board has supported a resolution from Nottawasaga to have the provincial government bring back photo radar.

Quinte West OPP Detachment Commander, Inspector Mike Reynolds, says he supports the idea.

Quinte West OPP year-end stats

There were more crimes against people in Quinte West last year than in the past two years.

Crimes listed as “against people” include assault, abduction, fraud, homicide, and robbery.

Last year, Quinte West OPP dealt 12 hundred and 36 such incidents, while in 2010, the number was just over 11 hundred.

On a positive note, property crimes were down by one third from 2010 in Quinte West.

Junior hockey playoffs continue tonight

The Trenton Golden Hawks have to put the puck in the net before Kingston goaltender Charlie Finn gets into their heads. Finn stopped 48 shots in the Voyageurs 1-0 overtime win over Trenton in the opening game of their OJHL quarter final. Game 2 is tonight in Kingston.

The Picton Pirates can take a stranglehold on their Empire Junior “C” semi final series when they host Port Hope for game 23 tonight.

Meanwhile the Campbellford Rebels are in Amherstview. The Jets lead that semi final 1-0.

Bayside secondary swimmers defend title

The Bayside Secondary School Red Devils have repeated as Central Ontario High School swimming champions.
Leading the way for Bayside were Adam Doxtator, Josh Lott, Anabelle Lamothe, Georgia Dow and Jonathan butler. 14 Bayside swimmers have qualified for the Provincial championships in Milton in two weeks.

Individually, St. Theresa’s C.J. Tipping finished first in 3 events. Brianna Tipping had 2 first place finishes. Other double gold medalists include Rachel Faulds and Abigail ReFausse of Trenton High and Brett Clark from Centennial Secondary

Angry Beaver update

Time’s almost up, but the Angry Beaver restaurant/bar has not appealed a liquor license suspension in effect since February 9th.

The appeal period will officially end this Saturday.

The Angry Beaver’s liquor license was pulled suddenly following a head on collision on the 401 that killed 2 young women.

One of the women, from Belleville, was driving the wrong way on the 401 in the mid-morning.

Alcohol and Gaming Corporation officials said that she had been an employee of the Angry Beaver and had spent around 16 hours there starting at 5 pm on Super Bowl Sunday.

Should there be no appeal, the Alcohol Commission will move to permanently cancel the liquor license, which would also effect the Beaver Dam establishment on the harbour in Belleville.

Clinic raided in Brighton

11AM UPDATE: A source close to the case says the FBI has become involved.

Quinte Broadcasting has learned that a business in downtown Brighton was shutdown by police late yesterday morning.

RCMP confirm that a business was closed for an investigation with the help of the OPP.

The RCMP will not release further detail at this time, as the investigation is not complete.

A listener tells us that the police raided a business known as Canadian Fertility Consultants at 40 Main St. in Brighton.

Unconfirmed reports suggest police were interested in computers at that location.

Related posts

RCMP confirms Brighton raid

Victims of Brighton raid seek help

Related stories

Pregnant surrogates ‘left in the lurch’

Ontario fertility raid linked to U.S. ‘baby-selling’ scandal

Mayor Ellis corrects himself

The Mayor of Belleville does NOT want the Waterfront festival moved over to the Empire Theatre.

Mayor Neil Ellis was quoted in the Intelligencer as saying the Waterfront Festival should be at the Empire.

The Mayor says what he meant was that he’d like to see the Waterfront and Ethnic Festival become the PREMIER festival that he believed it once was.

The remarks were part of a strategic planning meeting last night.

Library needs boost in Brighton

Brighton council is being asked for support to improve another community facility.

Seniors in Brighton have asked council to help them create some kind of facility for seniors, and now, the Brighton Library Board has asked for help.

Bob Burke told Brighton council this week that the 36 hundred square foot library in the municipal building was simply too small.

Burke said the library is serving twice the number of people it did from when it first opened, and that staff don’t even have space to hang their coats.

Burke asked that council consider a 9 to 10 thousand square foot library, adding that the current location at the municipal office was perfect.

Councillor Tom Rittwage said the library board had better consider how to raise funds, because money was tight.

Council took no action, and discussions will continue.

Eastbound 401 closed at Colborne

Farming in focus at Thurlow Hall

Some of the tactics used by Australian farmers in marketing their produce will be the focus of a presentation at Thurlow Community Centre tomorrow evening.

Peter Andree of Carleton University will discuss his research into Australian farmers’ use of organics, exotic meats and overall marketing.

Jennifer Davis of Bayside Secondary School is expected to present stories told by generational farmers and Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte.

Man jailed after galavanting

A man is in jail after drawing attention to himself in Belleville.

City police attended the scene on North Front Street around 1:30 in the morning Sunday to respond to a complaint of a man using pepper spray.

Upon investigation, police found a 24-year-old Belleville man who was due in jail to serve a seven day sentence for a prior traffic court conviction.

The man was taken to the Quinte Regional Detention Centre in Napanee to start his sentence.

Museum reveals online exhibit

A new online program is making Prince Edward County’s museum more accessible.

The County has been digitizing the Macauley Church musem’s collection of about 7000 artifacts.

A “virtual interactive walk-through” of the museum has been completed allowing viewers to select artifacts of interest.   The museum now also has a blog to showcase this content.

Head curator Jennifer Lyons says this improves access to the collection since museums typically display only 10 – 15 % of their collections at any one time.

Related links

http://www.virtualmuseum.ca

Campbellford chicken case goes to court

The family with the illegal chickens in Campbellford is in for a case conference in court.

Shawn and Kelly Bacher will face off against Trent Hills officials tomorrow.

Kelly Bacher says she’d be surprised if the courts don’t take her family’s side.

Bacher has maintained for two years that her family has done nothing wrong in keeping chickens in their backyard on North Doxsee Avenue.

Trent Hills officials say it’s a violation of an “urban livestock” by-law.

Brighton cenotaph upgraded

Missing boys may be together

Belleville Police say the parents of two missing boys suspect the boys are together.

15-year-old Calvin James Grant was last seen leaving his Elgin Street home around 9:00 Monday night.

Police say Calvin contacted his mother by phone last night to say he was OK, but he hasn’t actually been located yet.

Police say the mother of another missing boy thinks the two of them are together.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Belleville Police Service.

Quinte Hotel sold

The Quinte Hotel in Belleville has changed hands. Photo via tvtrip.com.

The famous Quinte Hotel has new owners.

The building at the corner of Pinnacle and Bridge Streets was sold last month, according to hotel staff.

It was recently the Clarion Inn, and the Quinte Hotel before that.

Officials say it will stay under the same name for now.

The name of the new owner has not been revealed.

Golden Hawks shut out in Trenton

The Trenton Golden Hawks got a first hand look at why the Wellington Dukes are out of the playoffs.  He’s called Charlie Finn.

He stopped 48 shots to backstop Kingston over Trenton 1-0 in the opening game of their OJHL quarter final.

Finn has allowed just 10 goals in 6 playoff games and sports a gawdy .954 save percentage.

Game 2 is in Kingston tomorrow night then back to Trenton on Friday.

Youth arrested for January thefts

Belleville police made an arrest yesterday in an investigation into an early January break in.

On January 6th, someone stole a flat screen TV from a residence on Sidney St.

Yesterday, Belleville Police arrested a 17 year old Belleville man and charged him with possession of stolen property and breach of probation.

The man was discovered with other stolen property from another incident as well.

Urban forestry a concern in Quinte West

The city of Quinte West is supporting a move by the Ontario Urban Forest Council.

The Forest Council has called on municipalities to pressure the federal and provincial governments to create and fund urban forestry programmes.

The idea is to help prevent the spread of pests like the Emerald Ash Borer and any “future significant imported diseases and insects”.

The move will also see participating municipalities promote the sustainable management of trees in cities.

Quinte West approves accessibility plan

The city of Quinte West has agreed on a municipal accessibility plan.

The plan for 2011-2012 was accepted by council as presented by the committee last night.

Mayor John Williams says it’s important to make these provisions.

The plan will help the city comply with the 2005 Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the more recent Integrated Accessibility Regulations.

SEIU move concerns future racetrack

Belleville may have an interest in a move by the predominant union in the Ontario horseracing industry.

The Service Employees International Union is calling on the provincial government to consult with the industry before acting on any Drummond Report recommendations pertaining to the racing industry in Ontatrio.

SEIU president Cam Nelson says the Drummond recommendations to revise the current “Slots for Tracks” revenue-sharing formula is “over-simplistic “and does not sufficiently analyze the losses to the province and communities by abandoning the funding program.

Belleville is still awaiting a long-promised racetrack-slots project on a site on Bell Blvd.

Codrington hall going green

Watch for solar panels up on the roof of the Codrington Community Center north of Brighton in the next while.

Last night, Brighton council gave their approval to go ahead with the solar panels.

The cost of the project will be just under $70,000.

Missing Belleville teen

11AM UPDATE: The youth has phoned his mother to confirm he is safe.

Belleville police are looking for the public’s help in locating a missing teenage boy.

15 year old Calvin James Grant was last seen leaving his Elgin Street home around 9 last night.

Calvin James Grant is described at 5 feet 11 inches, 180 pounds, with blue eyes and short light brown hair. He was last seen wearing a black and white coat and orange and black running shoes.

Rescue on Bay

Quick action by Quinte area emergency services personnel saved 4 men from possibly drowning yesterday afternoon.

4 men with an ATV were ice fishing off of Massassauga Point in northern Prince Edward County yesterday morning. Everything was fine, and they left in the midday, but returned late yesterday afternoon.

At that time, ice conditions had changed, and a section of ice broke away, leaving the men stranded and floating on the Bay of Quinte.

The Prince Edward County fire department rescued the fishermen without injury. They were helped by paramedics, the Belleville fire department and OPP.

You’re reminded that these mild temperatures and rain are making ice conditions very dangerous.

Who owns what at Mohawk Liquidation

The judge’s order is finally in on the controversial former Mohawk Liquidation site on Tyendinaga Territory.

The court gave Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte band council ownership of the former Liquidation site four years ago . Now our newsroom has obtained the judge’s recent ruling on what items Andrew Clifford Maracle, who ran the site for years, could claim.

Also Band lawyer Roger Horst explained that the only things belonging to Maracle are the canopy and the gas pumps…other equipment, including the underground tanks, belong to the band council.

The judge has given Andrew Maracle 30 days to have an approved “third party” remove the items since he is banned from the site.

You’ll miss them when they’re gone

Residents of Tyendinaga Township are getting a little closer to to a quieter life beside the railway tracks.

Tyendinaga Township has been working closely with CN Rail as the railroad company builds its third line through the township. Administrator Steve Mercer says now the municipality wants to eliminate whistling at the Shannonville Road crossing.

He says that, if all goes according to plan, when the third rail becomes operational in November “regular whistling” would stop at that crossing.

There are about 40-to-50 houses in the area. A resolution will be before council March 5-th for an application to Transport Canada.

New toy for big boys in Quinte West

The city of Quinte West is getting a new fire truck.

Council voted last night to approve the purchase of a 1999 platform truck from a municipality in California.

At a purchase price of 380-thousand dollars, mayor John Williams says it’s a great value.

Fire chief John Whalen says the new truck will replace the city’s current aerial truck, which was made in 1979.

Job search narrows at Quinte West OPP

There’s been lots of interest in a staff sergeants position with the Quinte West OPP.

Detachment Commander, Inspector Mike Reynolds, says 13 officers applied for the detachment managers’ position.

That job was made vacant when Staff Sergeant Ken Salisbury retired recently.

There’s now a short-list of 4 candidates, and someone should be hired in early March.

Lots of D D’s out there

Lots of distracted driving charges were laid last week in the greater Quinte region.

Local OPP detachments and the Belleville and Stirling Rawdon police were out looking for people who weren’t focussing on just driving, and didn’t have trouble finding them.

Quinte West OPP Detachment Commander, Inspector Mike Reynolds, says they laid 57 of a total of 175 distracted driving and other charges last week.

Inspector Reynolds says despite the enforcement, a lot of people still don’t seem to be getting the message.

Former local priest charged

The OPP have charged a former Tyendinaga Township Catholic priest with alleged sexual assault dating back to 2004.

Rene Labelle, who used to serve as a priest in Read in the 80s and 90s, has been charged with sexual assault, sexual exploitation and invitation to sexual exploitation.

The allegations relate to an incident in the summer of  2004 against a teenage boy.

He will appear in a Kingston court March 27.

Sooknanan sentenced

Campbellford health unit closes

Officials want people to know that even though the health unit office in Campbellford is closing, services will still be available to the public.

A media release today stated that the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit is “still here to serve” after its office in Campbellford closes on March 1.

The Board of Health decided in November that the health unit’s work in Campbellford could be done without the cost of a physical office in the village.

More information about the changes can be found online or by phoning the health unit.

Solar farms progress unknown

There’s still no word on anymore progress on the local solar farms planned by Skypower.

The company is currently planning a total of 11 solar developments in Hastings and Prince Edward counties.

Skypower held a public information session in Corbyville in January about the Lunar Lights project there.

No further info sessions have been announced.

Skypower has plans to build nine 11.5 MW solar farms in Prince Edward County, one of the same size in Corbyville and another of the same size in Tyendinaga.

Smoke alarms save lives in Castleton

The Cramahe Township fire chief says a weekend fire shows how effective smoke detectors are for saving lives.

Fire Chief Brandon Northrup points to a house fire in the early hours of Saturday morning.   Chief Northrup says occupants of the home were alerted to the fire by a working smoke alarm.   They were able to evacuate the burning building safely.

Chief Northrup stressed that all residential dwellings must have a working smoke alarm on every level of the home: it’s the law.

Big Belleville land deal

There’s been a big real estate deal in Belleville. A real estate investment trust has purchased a chunk of prime property north of Bell Boulevard, west of the Quinte Mall.

Partners Real Estate Investment Trust has purchased 4 buildings from a company known as Quinte Crossroads for 21 and a quarter million dollars.

The businesses involved are Tim Hortons, the Parts Source, Marks Work Wearhouse, the Brick, Best Buy, and the Bank of Montreal.

The Partners Trust in based out of Victoria, British Columbia, while Quinte Crossroads was based out of Toronto.

There’s still about 48,000 sq. ft. of space left for future development on the 14 acres site.

The sale closes at the end of March.

Sooknanan to be sentenced

2PM UPDATE: THE SENTENCING PROCEDURES ARE ONGOING.

One of the men charged in the beating death of a Mississauga man at Tweed’s Trudeau Park will be sentenced today in Belleville.

27 year old Azad Sooknanan, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the case recently.

He was originally charged with 2 degree murder.

4 men were charged in the murder, which occurred on the May 24 weekend in 2010.

Another man, 24 year old Brandon Gray of Pefferlaw also recently pleaded guilty to manslaughter and will be sentenced in April.

Police chase on 401

It started in Kingston, involved 3 police services, and finally ended near Trenton early this morning.

There was a high speed chase on the 401, involving the Kingston city police, and the Napanee and Quinte West OPP.

Finally, OPP dropped a spike belt on the 401 at Trenton, and that stopped the driver.

The man faces serious charges, as police say speeds got as high as 200 kilometres an hour.

There were no injuries.

Town Hall in Bloomfield

There’s another opportunity for people living in Prince Edward County to have their say on how County council spends money.

Councillors from Picton, Hallowell, Bloomfield, and Wellington have scheduled a town hall meeting for tomorrow.

The meeting will allow for public input as County council prepares its’ budget for this year.

The public meeting runs 5:30 – 7:30 at the Bloomfield Town Hall tomorrow.

Disgraceful conduct charges made

A physician who owns 42 methadone clinics across Ontario has been accused of disgraceful and unprofessional conduct.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario will hold a hearing into allegations of misconduct against Dr. Micheal Varenbut.

Dr. Varenbut and a partner began opening Ontario Addiction Treatment Centres back in the 1990s.

A report in the Intelligencer says a clinic was opened in Belleville in 2003.

A hearing date for the doctor has not been set and the allegations against him, including incompetence, have not been proven.

Driver flees scene

OPP are still looking for a man who fled the scene of an accident early this morning on the 401, at Belleville.

There was a collision between a transport and a car at 3 this morning on the 401 eastbound, near highway 62.

The driver of the car took off on foot. The driver of the transport was not injured.

OPP brought in a canine unit to search for the man.

The 401 is open to traffic.

Brighton stays with QEDC

It looks as though the Municipality of Brighton intends to maintain it’s partnership in the Quinte Economic Development Commission.

Last week, Brighton council agreed on a proposed budget featuring an average tax increase of 3.87 percent.

The budget features 38 thousand dollars for the Quinte Economic Development Commission.

Some on council didn’t like the increase from 20 thousand to 38, and wondered about leaving the Commission.

Brighton council won’t pass it’s budget until after a public meeting is held next month.