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Schools Paint County Snow Plows

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Three elementary schools across the County are painting murals on the blades of Northumberland County snow plows this week.

The murals are based on the theme of “Ways We Work Together”, and the participating schools are Ganaraska Trail Public School, St. Anthony Catholic Elementary School and St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School.

Ms. Herrell’s Grade 8 class and Mr. Doris’s Grade 1-2 class from St. Mary’s School in Grafton, are creating a mural based on the school board’s principles.

The finished plows will be on display at County Headquarters during Local Government Week from October 15th to the 21st.

Concerns Over Heavy Rain

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A business in the Township of Cramahe is under scrutiny after heavy rains over the Thanksgiving weekend caused flooding in the loading dock area of the property.

Concerned resident Ken Awender noticed the flooding and what appears to be a pipe draining directly into nearby Colborne Creek from the property.

The building has no signs identifying the name or type of business, but Awender believes that the company, which opened up during the summer, is manufacturing heavy-duty brake parts, and that pieces of equipment, skids and baskets were sitting outside in the floodwater.

He is concerned there may be contaminants spilling into the creek, which is a protected waterway that discharges into Lake Ontario, and has a federally regulated dam, which trout and salmon spawn over each year.

Awender contacted the Ministry of the Environment and the Township of Cramahe and both will be investigating the incident.

Video Fish Counter Introduced

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Port Hope's Ganaraska River is the first location on the Great Lakes to have the benefit of a video fish counter.

The device is lowered into the fish ladder at Corbett's Dam near Molson Street in Port Hope, 3 kilometres from Lake Ontario.  As fish swim through the device, they are video recorded and experts can then count them, determine their weight, length and species to obtain a more accurate survey of fish populations in the Great Lakes.  If the water is murky, the counter captures the image using infrared technology.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry introduced the device and the software that records its findings as an important step in the re-establishment of an Atlantic salmon population that has been almost wiped out.  In 2016, the Ganaraska was stocked with young Atlantic Salmon and the Ministry will now be able to measure the success of its effort. The Ministry will be installing a second video monitor on the Credit River.

The video counter enumerates migratory salmon and trout and tracks water temperature and velocities. The images that are collected by the counter can be used to identify the species of fish and assist in determining if fish stocks continue to thrive in Lake Ontario.

In recent years, numbers have been climbing.  A count of the Atlantic Salmon population is not expected until 2019 when adult fish will return to the Ganaraska to spawn.


Port Hope Mayor Bob Sanderson welcomed Ministry staff and representatives of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and credited their work as a boost to Port Hope's tourism.


In the photo above, the Ministry's Mike Yuille describes the video fish counter before it was submerged to do its work. Yuille said that the images can be shared such that he can monitor fish stock in the Ganaraska from the computer on his desk in Picton.

Green Wood Coalition Expands Social Service Support

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Green Wood Coalition is expanding the social service support offered to individuals and families in Northumberland County as it launches a new WrapAround program in Port Hope.

The non-profit charity is recruiting volunteers to be trained as WrapAround facilitators.  The 25 hours of training, scheduled over four sessions in November, will be provided at no cost, thanks to a grant from Northumberland United Way.

WrapAround is a different way of working together to find solutions for people with complex needs.  The program takes an innovative, multi-sector approach that places control in the hands of those being helped.

The facilitator and participant forge a relationship and build a team from among people the person trusts. The team meets monthly to wrap around the participant, seeking solutions to the person’s full spectrum of needs, which could include addiction, mental illness or physical or emotional challenges, along with the poverty, homelessness and isolation that often result.  Over a year to 18 months, as new resources and practices are put in place, the individual becomes ready to transition out.

Facilitators do not have to be professional social workers.  What they need is, a good sense of humour, compassion, a rich set of life experiences and an ability to build consensus and see common ground when others can’t.

Anyone interested in finding out more or signing up for training should contact Jenn McGuire at 905-885-8700 or jenn@greenwoodcoalition.com.

 

Trent Hills Mayor Hector Macmillan Succumbs to Cancer

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Northumberland County Councillor and Trent Hills Mayor Hector Macmillan passed away earlier today at his residence in Campbellford following his brave battle with cancer. 

In addition to his roles as Mayor of Trent Hills for four consecutive terms and County Councillor, Councillor Macmillan served two terms as Warden of Northumberland County.  

Beyond his considerable success in office, Councillor Macmillan is also recognized for his tireless advocacy on behalf of pancreatic cancer patients. 

With unwavering determination and renowned tenacity, Councillor Macmillan successfully petitioned the Ontario government to expand access to the Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) treatment - also known as NanoKnife—for those suffering from pancreatic cancer.  

After travelling to Germany to receive this treatment, Macmillan made it his mission to ensure that all pancreatic cancer patients have the same opportunity and access to this life extending technology. 

He welcomed news in February of this year that the province would launch a three-year clinical trial. 

Even as his illness progressed, he remained steadfast in fulfilling the responsibilities of office, right up until his final days. 

Under his leadership, the County achieved many significant results for the community, including significant improvements to local road and bridge infrastructure, advancements in paramedic first response, development of a Long-Term Waste Management Master Plan, including expansion of Northumberland’s recycling program, and milestones such as the development of a successful bid to host the first-ever inter-municipal set of Parasport Games. 

One of the projects that was particularly important to him was securing a new river crossing for Campbellford.  

The County made significant progress on this initiative, and announced just this past summer that it would be proceeding with design and construction of the new two-lane bridge, following approval by the Ontario government of the Environmental Assessment study. 

County Warden Mark Walas said Macmillan believed in standing for what was right even when it might be unpopular but was open to changing his perspective if he felt an opposing argument made sense. 

Deputy Mayor Robert Crate of Trent Hills remembered his practical side and strong feelings about ensuring that infrastructure be upgraded and regular maintenance plans be put in place. 

For memorial arrangements and details regarding the public book of condolences, please visit: www.TrentHills.ca

 

 

 

OPP Weekly Report

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The Northumberland Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) dealt with a variety of incidents this past week, here are some examples: 

Oct 2:

-      The owner of a Maplewood Av home in Brighton reported the theft of several tools from the house which is currently under renovation. The items were stolen between Sept. 26-30th and include a Ryobi Skill saw, Mastercraft Oscillating saw and a Craftsman Chop saw with laser level. Investigation ongoing.*

-      A traveller who stopped at the Port Hope ONroute around 12noon reported his black iPhone 6S stolen from his table when he momentarily looked away. Serial #355398083724525. *

-      An officer conducting radar enforcement on Hwy 401 in the Port Hope area measured a westbound grey Chevy Cruze travelling at 154 km/h. The 33-year-old Oakville, Ontario woman was found to be driving while her licence was under suspension. She was charged with Stunt Driving – Excessive Speed and Driving while under suspension. The rental car she was driving was towed from the highway and impounded for a seven-day period. 

Oct 3:

-      A Campbellford senior reported receiving a phone call from someone identifying themselves as from ‘Publisher’s Clearing House’ indicating that she had won $5 million and a car. She became suspicious and called police. The officer determined that the phone number used was an untraceable internet based phone line and advised her this was a scam. No money was lost.

-      An officer on general patrol in the area of Proctor Park in Brighton cautioned four young males for trespassing at night when the park is closed. No charges resulted. 

Oct 4:

-      Police responded to a disturbance at a Colborne home that resulted in a 34-year-old male being arrested and charged with two counts of Assault against two other residents. He was released with an impending court date. Name withheld to protect the identity of the victims.

-      A 35-year-old Brighton man was arrested and charged with three counts of Breach of Probation after he was reportedly near a Cramahe Twp home contrary to a court order. He was held for a bail hearing and remains in custody at the time of this release. Name withheld to protect the identity of the victim.

-      An officer on general patrol on Bull’s Mill Rd in Alnwick-Haldimand Twp located a fallen tree across the road. Noticing the police in the area, a nearby resident attended and assisted by removing the tree. 

Oct 5:

-      A grandmother was backing out of a Port Hope driveway as her grandson was in the process of opening the gate. The youth unexpectedly bent down to tie his shoe at which time the vehicle’s wheel ran over his foot. He was taken to a hospital where it was determined he had received minor injuries. No charges resulted.

-      A Roseneath area resident on County Rd 18 reported an aluminum boat washed up on shore (Rice Lake). The boat is described as having an outboard motor, two life jackets and an anchor. Anyone missing a similar boat is asked to contact the Cobourg OPP Detachment at 905-372-5421.

-      A resident on Lakeshore Rd (near Willow Beach Rd) in Port Hope reported a break-in to a shed between 11:30 am and 1:00 pm today. The culprit(s) forced entry through a back window and stole a wallet, iPad, Laptop and a quantity of cash. Evidence was collected at the scene and the investigation remains ongoing.*

-      A homeowner on Waverly St in Bewdley reported a break-in that occurred sometime between Sunday Oct. 1st and today. The culprit(s) entered the residence through the front door and removed a large flat screen TV plus other items yet to be determined by the owner. Police are looking into the possibly that a report of two suspicious persons on Beech St two days earlier might be related. Both of those persons had thick foreign accents and were operating a black Kia 4-door car without a rear licence plate. The driver is described as a Caucasian male in his 20’s with a stalky build and shaved head wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt. The passenger is described as a Caucasian male wearing a red hooded sweatshirt. Investigation ongoing.*

-      A homeowner on County Rd 2 in the hamlet of Salem reported a break-in sometime between 5:00am and 5:00pm. The culprit(s) entered the residence through a west side sliding door stealing jewellery and a safe containing a quantity of money. Investigation ongoing.*

 

*Northumberland OPP is asking for the public’s assistance with these ongoing investigations and would ask that anyone with information on these crimes call their nearest OPP detachment. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call the Peterborough/Northumberland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) where you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000 and not have to appear in court. 

Northumberland OPP officers investigated five accidental 911 calls, nine motor vehicle collisions, 56 traffic related complaints and conducted 12 RIDE programs during this time period.

 

 

Port Hope Police Report

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Scam Alert

Port Hope Police are warning residents never to give out information when solicited via phone or internet to person(s) unknown.  On the 4th of October a Port Hope man received a phone call from someone purporting to be a representative from RBC.

The person advised the man his credit card had been compromised and convincingly gave information to legitimize the call. The Port Hope man then gave his four-digit password to the male. Once given, unauthorized transactions were made on the card. The victim became suspicious when the same man called again and asked him to wire some more money to South Carolina.

RBC compensated the man and froze his credit card. Police advise Bank Officials will never ask for such information when credit cards are compromised and further advise for residents to be wary when receiving such calls.

Theft of school computers

Port Hope Police are investigating the theft of numerous lap tops from the Ganaraska Trail Public School. The theft is believed to have occurred over the summer. The lap tops were stored in an area apart from the school.  Taken were ten Dell Chromebooks.  Anyone with information is asked to call Port Hope Police or Crime Stoppers

Assault charges laid as a result of a family dispute

A 25-year-old Port Hope man was arrested Friday afternoon after Port Hope Police commenced an investigation into a complaint of family violence. Police received information that the man allegedly assaulted children living in the home between April and September 2017. 

The man, who is held in custody for a Show Cause Hearing, is facing 3 counts of Assault and 3 counts of Criminal Harassment.  Police will not release his name to protect the identity of the victims.

Salmon Run Dedicated Patrols

Final stats for the September 2017 Salmon Run.

Dedicated Foot Patrol: 110 hrs

Charges Ontario Fish Regulation:  32  

Liquor Charges: 4

Bylaw Cautions: 15  

Calls regarding illegal fishing: 50.