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 National News

  • Thursday, September 02, 2010
    • BARRIE STUDENTS TEACH BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY

      Are you ready for the back to school rush next week? Never mind the school supplies and clothing, are your driving skills up to snuff? Ten Barrie students, members of the CAA School Safety Patrollers team will be on hand tomorrow morning at the Petro Canada station on Highway 400 at Major Mackenzie helping to promote back to school safety. The ten students were chosen after attending a leadership camp in Oshawa in July. They’re among one-thousand Barrie students involved in the safety patrol program.



      EARL WEAKENS, BUT...

      Hurrricane Earl has weakened to a Category Three Storm but a hurricane watch has been issued for southern Nova Scotia anyway. Earl has bounced back and forth between Category Three and Four as it makes its way up the Atlantic coast of North America. It's expected to pass the Outer Banks of North Carolina tonight and hit the Maritimes Saturday morning.



      NEW SPILL FEARS IN GULF OF MEXICO

      Just as things were quieting down after the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico comes this, an oil rig explosion in the Gulf about 300 kilometres west of the BP site. Thirteen workers on the rig were all found bobbing in their survival suits. The U.S. Coast Guard says it can see a kilometre-and-a-half long sheen on the water near the well. The good news is this was a shallow well and any clean-up would be considerably easier than what was experienced with BP.



      NO FOUL PLAY IN TOWNHOUSE DEATH

      The coroner has determined that foul play is not a factor in the death of a woman yesterday in Barrie.  The 51 year old woman was found dead yesterday in a townhouse at 549 Yonge Street.



      APPEAL FOR PUBLIC HELP IN MISSING WOMAN CASE

      Provincial Police are appealing to property owners, cottage-goers and others to keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary, as the search continues for a missing Orangeville woman. It might be something as simple as an article of clothing, it could be human remains. They're also looking for help establishing a timeline of events leading up the the disappearance of 42 year old Sonia Veraschin. She was last seen Sunday night. Her blood smeared Toyota Corolla was found late Monday morning in an alley near the town hall. Anyone with information that can place Veraschin, anywhere, between Sunday night and Monday morning, is asked to contact the Orangeville Police Tip Line at 519-941-2522, ext. 2211. Police have spoken with a minivan driver they had hoped might be able to place Veraschin's vehicle in the alley early Monday morning. He said he did not see the car. Police have also spoken with Veraschin's boyfriend and say he is not a suspect.



      ADULTS TAKE TO TEXTING

      Adults are sending more and more text messages compred to a year ago. They still lag behind teens, not just in the number who are texting, but also in the number of texts sent. PEW Research in the U.S. found 72 per cent of adults texting, up from 65 per cent a year ago. Eighty-seven per cent of teens are texting, averaging 50 messages a day. Adults average 10.



      FEDERAL TORIES AND LIBERALS IN DEAD HEAT

      If a federal election was held today it’d be too close to call between the Conservatives and Liberals. An EKOS poll gives the Tories 29.4 per cent support and the Liberals 29.1 per cent. When the summer began, the Harper government had what many considered a comfortable 11-point lead. What went wrong? Many of those surveyed pointed to the scrapping of the long form census, saying it costs the country vital data.



      WOMAN FOUND DEAD IN BARRIE TOWNHOUSE

      An autopsy was being performed this morning on the body of a 51 year old woman found dead yesterday at a townhouse complex at 549 Yonge Street in Barrie. Police expect to be release more details this afternoon.



      VAN DRIVER LOCATED IN MISSING PERSON CASE

      Police in Orangeville were able to talk with the driver of a minivan they thought might be able to help them as the search continues for a missing Orangeville woman. Police were hoping he might be able to help with the timeline of events in terms of when Sonia Veraschin’s car might have been left in an alley near the town hall. He told police he had not seen the white Toyota Corolla in his early morning travels on Monday. Veraschin was reported missing late Monday morning. Police have also spoken to her boyfriend and do not consider him to be a suspect. Blood stains were found on Veraschin's car and in her townhouse leading police to believe she's been the victim of foul play.



      THEFT RING NABBED

      Midland Police called to a local retail outlet earlier this week when staff became suspicious of some people trying to return a whack of merchandise.  They discovered the goods had been stolen from other stores along the Highway 400 corridor.  They believe the thieves would then take the goods to the same franchise outlets in Midland and Orillia and try to exchange them for a credit.  Three people from Barrie, Brampton and Toronto have been arrested and face numerous charges.


      ORILLIA SEXUAL ASSAULT

      Orillia OPP say a man broke into a woman's downtown apartment around 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday.  He allegedly sexually attacked her while she was still asleep.  Fortunately something spooked him and he fled on foot.  The woman was taken to Soldier's Memorial Hospital where she was treated and released.  The attacker is described as 5'8", short hair, wearing shorts and no shirt.  If you have any information that can aid their investigation, contact Orillia OPP.


  • Wednesday, September 01, 2010
    • FIRST YEAR ENROLMENT UP AT GEORGIAN COLLEGE

      Georgian College boasting a huge increase in first year enrolment this fall. More than 5-thousand new students have signed up -- a six per cent increase over last year and well above the provincial average of two per cent. Overall enrolment is nine per cent higher at more than 10-thousand students.



      VAN DRIVER SOUGHT IN MISSING WOMAN CASE

      Provincial Police think the driver of a white, North American made van may be able to help them in their investigation into the disappearance of an Orangeville woman. The van can be seen driving near the town hall in Orangeville around 3:55 Monday morning. Police think the driver may be able to help them with the timeline of events leading to the disappearance of 42 year old Sonia Veraschin. Her car, a white Toyota Corolla with blood stains on it, was found late Monday morning in an alley near a downtown park in Orangeville. Blood stains were also found at her townhouse. Police said this morning they do suspect foul play.



      WOMAN FOUND DEAD IN BARRIE

      The coroner is investigating the death of a 51 year old woman in Barrie. Her body was discovered at a townhouse complex at 549 Yonge Street. No other information will be released until after the coroner's office has completed its investigation.



      IRAQ WAR "UNDERSTANDABLE ERROR"

      As U.S. President Barack Obama says it’s time to turn the page on Iraq and focus on the U-S economy, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has called the mistaken belief that Saddam Hussein was hiding weapons of mass destruction an "understandable error". He says he could not have imagined the nightmare that unfolded in Iraq, but does not regret joining the U-S led invasion. He makes the comments in a memoir published today in the U.K. The war in Iraq claimed more than 100-thousand lives, most of them civilian.



      WI-FI CONCERNS PERMEATE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOARD

      The Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board is feeling some Wi-Fi heat now. A group of parents of students at Monsignor Lee Catholic School in Orillia is asking that the wireless technology be abandoned and that computers be 'plugged' in. One parent, whose four year old starts kindergarten next week, says she’ll consider home-schooling if the board doesn’t ditch Wi-Fi. Some studies have suggested the technology causes health problems. Health officials and governments - including the Public and Catholic school boards in Simcoe County - maintain that Wi-Fi is used at safe and acceptable levels in schools.



      BARRIE MAN CHARGED IN 'RETURN' SCAM

      A 38 year old Barrie man, another from Brampton and a Toronto woman have been charged in a 'return' scam. Midland Police say items that had been stolen from clothing and home improvement stores along the Highway 400 corridor were taken to stores in the same chains in Midland and Orillia for credit. Some of the suspected stolen items have been recovered.



      FOUL PLAY SUSPECTED IN DISAPPEARANCE

      Provincial Police say they believe 42 year old Sonia Veraschin of Orangeville has met with foul play, based on the forensic evidence they’ve collected. Veraschin was reported missing Monday. Her car found in an alley near an Orangeville park with blood stains on it. Traces of blood were also found at her townhouse. Police tracking dogs, a helicopter and officers on all terrain vehicles have been searching a wide area in and around Orangeville.



      SEARCH FOR MISSING BARRIE TEEN

      Barrie Police are hoping to chat with anyone who’s been in contact with 15 year old Hannah Robertshaw, also known as Alex, who left the family home in June and has not been heard from since. Foul play not suspected and there are no medical issues, the family just wants to know she's okay. Hannah has been known to spend a lot of time at Centennial Beach and in the downtown area. She's 5' 4" tall, 107 pounds with a fair complexion and naturally blonde hair that may have black or red streaks or may have been dyed. She also has a piercing over the left side of her lips. Anyone with information is asked to contact Barrie Police at 705-725-7025.



      TODDLER FOUND IN TRAFFIC

      Barrie Police say a Good Samaritan found a two year old kid in traffic on Cundles Avenue Tuesday evening.  The little gaffer only had a diaper on.  Police searched the area for the parents, found the father about an hour later.  He told police the child had been left with elderly grandparents as they were in the process of moving.   The case has been handed over to the Children's Aid Society.



      ANOTHER ARMED ROBBERY

      Barrie Police investigating a second armed robbery in the south end in three days.  They say a man armed with a hand gun robbed the Little Eleven Variety store on Yonge Street shortly before 8:00 p.m. Tuesday.  Officers spotted him running from the scene just as the alarm call came in.  They chased him into a ravine, two canine units joined in the pursuit but he got away.  Police think he may be the same thief who it another convenience store on Sunday night.



  • Tuesday, August 31, 2010
    • HUMAN REMAINS "SUSPICIOUS"

      Provincial Police are treating the discovery of human remains yesterday on Morrow Road in Bracebridge as a homicide. They’ve determined the victim was a white male, but that’s all. An autopsy will be performed tomorrow.



      SPEED MAY HAVE BEEN A FACTOR IN DEADLY CRASH

      Provincial Police suspect speed and failure to wear a seatbelt were factors in the single vehicle rollover yesterday that left a Newmarket man dead. Huronia West OPP say a vehicle left Crossland Road near County Road 92 in Springwater Township about 4:30 Monday afternoon and rolled onto its roof in the ditch. The driver was ejected from the vehicle. He's been identified as 37 year old Jason Abbott. An autopsy is being conducted this afternoon to determine cause of death.


      ORANGEVILLE WOMAN MISSING; BLOOD FOUND ON CAR

      Helicopters have been flying over Orangeville, police officers are on the streets en masse and a portion of Alexandra Park has been cordoned off. A blood smeared car, with its doors and trunk open, was found in an alley near the park. Police say belongs to 42 year old Sonia Veraschin, who was reported missing yesterday. She has not been seen since Sunday. Police say blood was also found at the woman’s home. She has yet to be found.



      "CLOSING TIME CHAOS"

      It’s been described as "closing time chaos", what’s happening in downtown Barrie after last call at the bars, especially at the weekends. Much has been made of the fights that have broken out and the damage done to public and private property, so city council is looking at stricter enforcement measures and how it can have greater input in the licensing process. It's looking into launching a liquor licence review committee that would oversee applications for new liquor licences. While the Alcohol and Gaming Commission has the final say on who gets a licence and who does not, a similar review committee set up to address the same kinds of problems in Kitchener has met with success in opposing some applications and ensuring specific conditions are added to others. Barrie Police Sergeant Robert Allen told KOOL FM NEWS that from a police point of view the problem isn’t getting worse, although there are specific times of year when police are busier when the bars close. In terms of enforcement, he says police work in tandem with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission on inspections and points to a number of charges laid against several bars late last year for liquor licence infractions.



      BOY PULLED FROM GEORGIAN BAY DIES

      A six year old boy, pulled from Georgian Bay near Collingwood last Thursday, has died at hospital in Toronto. Jonathon Reddy was swimming with his older sister and friends at Northwinds Beach Park when they were overcome by a large wave and pulled under. His sister recovered on her own, Jonathon was revived at Collingwood General and Marine Hospital and airlifted to the Hospital for Sick Children and placed in critical intensive care. He died Friday night.



      VANDALS HIT TOTTENHAM SCHOOLS

      Nottawasaga OPP are looking for the public's help intifying those responsible for damaging three schools in Tottenham in the last three weeks. Vandals broke into a portable at Tottenham Public School on August 13, causing extensive damage to the inside and outside of the building. Last Friday, someone tosed a rock through a window at the school. On August 23, windows were smashed at St. Thomas Aquinas High School and at F. X. O'Reilly Catholic School. Anyone with information is asked to call Nottawasaga OPP at 705-434-1939.



  • Monday, August 30, 2010
    • MAN KILLED IN SPRINGWATER CRASH

      A 37 year old Newmarket man was killed in a single vehicle rollover in Springwater Township. Huronia West OPP say the vehicle was southbound on Crossland Road (County Road 29) around 4:30 Monday afternoon, when it left the road and rolled into the ditch north of County Road 92. The driver was ejected from the vehicle. The victim's name has not been released. A autopsy will be performed Tuesday to determine a cause of death.




      BARRIE COLTS BACK IN THE 'CORRAL'

      The Barrie Colts are back on the ice this week. Training camp started today, scrimmages begin tomorrow. The Blue-White game is Thursday at 7 p.m. and their first exhibition game is Sunday afternoon in Owen Sound. The Colts confirmed today they have dealt first round pick Kerby Rychel to Mississauga in exchange for a second round pick in each of the next two seasons and a third round pick in 2014. They also get a first round pick next season as compensation for Rychel failing to report to training camp. Rychel is the son of Windsor Spitfires General Manager, and former NHLer, Warren Rychel.



      BOAT COLLISION ON LAKE OF BAYS

      Huntsville OPP are probing a collision between two boats on Lake of Bays at the weekend. It happened near Langmaids Island Sunday afternoon. Two small boats, heading in the same direction, had to change course to avoid a personal watercraft that was on the water. They turned toward each other, unaware of the other’s position. A 48 year old Orillia man was hurt when the other boat ran up and over his.



      LOWER RANK MEANS LOWER COMPENSATION: REPORT

      More evidence that Ottawa’s new compensation system for military veterans may be shortchanging veterans with families and those who are the most severely disabled. A study commissioned by the Veteran’s Ombudsman, and obtained by the Canadian Press, found that senior officers benefitted the most from the new system and that the lower the rank, the worse off soldiers become. It also found war widows and orphans are better off under the news system. The study was given to Veterans Affairs Canada last year but it has yet to respond to the findings. The old policy handed out guaranteed lifetime pensions. Under the new system, there are lump sum payments and qualified benefits.



      STUDENTS IMPROVING

      Ontario kids did a little better in provincial standardized tests this year.  The number of those who met the standard has risen to 68%, up from 67% a year ago.  The testing is done in grades 3, 6 and 9 and measures kids proficiency in mathematics, reading and writing.  It falls short of the ministry's target of 75% but is much better than the low point of just 54% back in 2002.


      ARMED ROBBERIES

      Police reporting a pair of armed robberies in the region on Sunday.  The first happened around 4:30 p.m. in Stroud, South Simcoe Police say an man walked in, started chatting up the 16 year old female clerk then suddenly pulled a gun.  He got away with cash, cigarettes and scratch lottery tickets.  He's described as white, dark brown hair and facial hair, wearing a yellow t-shirt.  If you can help their investigation, contact South Simcoe Police.   The second robbery wasn't a success.  Barrie Police say a man armed with a hand gun walked into a gas station convenience store around 9:00 p.m. Sunday, but before he could demand anything another customer pulled up to pump some gas, that spooked him and he ran away empty handed.  He's described as white, in his 30's, 6'1", skinny, brown shoulder length hair with sideburns, wearing an orange golf shirt and a ball cap with a Maple Leafs logo on it.  If you think you know who he is, call Barrie Police.


  • Sunday, August 29, 2010
    • BARRIE DRUG DISPUTE ESCALATES TO STABBING

      A Barrie man suffered some severe stab wounds early Saturday morning over a contentious drug deal. Barrie Police say they were called to the Royal Victoria Hospital where the victim told them about the incident which happened in the Barrett Crescent area of town. Police subsequently arrested a 17-year-old Barrire man and charged him with aggravated assault. Police asking you to call them if you have any information on this case.   



      RENT SCAM

      With the new school year set to start at places like Georgian College, some homeowners may be tempted to make some money by renting out space to students. If this sounds like you, make sure you're aware of this international scam: the prospective renter gets in touch and says he or she would like to move in. They send send what appears to be a legitimate money order, hoping you'll cash it. A few days later, they cancel their rental plans, and ask you to send money back to them. Bottom line; if you're going to be a landlord, don't rent to a tenant you've never seen before. It's best to make the deal face to face.



      KATRINA, 5 YEARS ON

      It was 5 years ago today that Hurricane Katrina blasted through New Orleans. In the aftermath of this devastating event, 1,600 people died. At one point, 80% of the city was under water. American president Barack Obama is in Louisiana today talking about what's been done to help restore the situation and what still needs to be done in terms of rebuilding.  



      TAKE A SHOT AT MENINGITIS

      Over 3,500 soccer players and fans are at the Barrie Sports Complex in Midhurst today (Sunday) for the annual all-star challenge tournament. Besides enjoying the competition, it's your chance to learn more about the potentially deadly disease meningitis. If heading out to this tournament, look for the Take A Shot at Meningitis booth. Four Canadians per week, mostly kids and teens, are infected with this disease, which can progress dangerously fast.



      BEER BOTTLE BRAWL IN BARRIE

      Barrie Police report a massive brawl Saturday night at a downtown nightclub that left several people with injuries. Police say they were called to the VIP section of the establishment where they found a number of people with head injuries as a result of being struck with beer bottles. So far, two 35-year-old Toronto men have been arrested and charged with causing a disturbance. The investigation continues with police actively searching for suspects. If you have any information on this incident, call police.



  • Saturday, August 28, 2010
    • BACK TO THE BACKPACK ISSUE

      Back to shopping for school -- and the annual backpack issue. Medical experts say that when buying a backpack for your kids, don't automatically purchase the cheapest one you can find. Look for quality. Look for wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back. One with a waist-level strap is an even better bet. These types of backpacks take some of the weight off the upper back and shoulders. 



      SUMMER FIRES EAT THOUSANDS OF HECTARES

      It's been a horrific summer for the forests of British Columbia. Because of many fires, more than twice the average amount of forest has gone up in smoke and flames. Alyison Couch, the province's fire information officer, says B.C. is more than double its 10-year average in hectares burned. In a matter of weeks, slightly more than 3,000 hectares were consumed by the ferocious flames -- that's more than half the area of P.E.I. Recent cooler weather has helped the situation in B.C. although a few evacuation alerts remain.  



      RYCHEL WON'T BECOME A COLT

      In the OHL: A three-way deal between Barrie, Mississauga and Windsor will see the Colts' 2010 first round pick, Kerby Rychel, packing his bags. Since being chosen by Barrie, Rychel has let it be known that he would play only in Windsor, where his father Warren is the general manager and part owner of the team. Barrie will receive a couple of draft picks for giving up Rychel.


      TOUGHER BOOZE LAWS FOR DOWNTOWN BARRIE?

      There could be new, tougher alcohol rules on tap for downtown Barrie. City Council will this Monday think about some ideas on how to battle what councilor Jeff Lehman calls "Barrie's closing time chaos." Lehman would like other councilors to support his plan of asking the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario to lay a heavier hand on bars that over-serve. Lehman also wants the city to consider establishing a local license review committee.



      SERVICE CANADA CHOPS 600 JOBS

      Hundreds of government employees, many of them handling unemployment insurance claims, will soon find themselves unemployed. Service Canada, trying to balance its budget, said on Friday that it's nixing 600 jobs across the country. These are in addition to the 600 employees who were let go three months ago. The Canada Employment and Immigration Union, which represents the workers, was told Friday afternoon that even more cuts may come this January. Service Canada said in a statement that all of the employees affected by the announcement were aware that their jobs were temporary. 



  • Friday, August 27, 2010
    • BARRIE MAN FINED FOR SHOOTING DEER

      Barrie man has been fined $3,500 for hunting without a licence and making false statements to a conservation officer. Robert Fumo has also had his hunting licence suspended for two years and must complete the Ontario Hunter Education Course before he can get it back. Court was told Fumo and another man shot and wounded a deer that had become trapped inside a fenced area at the Carson Hills Estates subdivision in Springwater Township, then left the deer for dead. Conservation officers were alerted to the situation by a caller to the MNR TIPS line (1-877-TIPS-MNR).



      FOURTH SUSPECT ARRESTED IN TERROR PLOT

      A fourth suspect has been arrested in connection with a terror plot uncovered by the RCMP. CTV News reports the arrest was made today in Ottawa. The Mounties say the accused were in possession of plans and parts to build improvised exlosive devices and posed a real and serious threat to national security. More arrests are expected.



      TREES TURNING COLOUR ALREADY?

      It's another sign summer is coming to an end, but so soon? The leaves on some trees have already started to change colour, but tree experts say it doesn't mean we're in for an early fall. There could be a number of reasons for the early show of colour, including damage to the tree's roots, insect infection, even spells of hot, dry weather. The fall colours are expected to be particularly resplendent this year because the weather has been good to the trees. Simcoe County and Muskoka likely to be at their most colourful by the end of September.



      FORD RECALLS WINDSTAR VANS

      Problems with the rear axle has Ford recalling 575 thousand Windstar vans in Canada and the United States. Ford says corrosion may cause the axle to fracture on 1998 to 2003 models. A design flaw allows road salt slush to collect in the axle leading to rust. There have been two minor crashes in the U.S. as a result. Owners will be contacted to make arrangements to have the axle inspected.



      ALLISTON MAN CHARGED WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT

      An 47 year old Alliston horse trainer has been charged with a number of sexual assault related offences dating back to 1991. York Regional Police say the victim, who was 12 at the time, was assaulted over the course of five years at a barn on Huntington Road in the City of Vaughn. She was a student of the accused. Police believe there may have been other victims.



      MIDLAND DRUG BUST

      Midland Police say they came across a car Wednesday night parked in Pete Peterson park.  The female passenger had an oustanding court order to not associate with the male driver.  A quick check of the vehicle turned up a fair amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.  A 25 year old man and 22 year old woman, both from Midland, face both drug possession and trafficking charges.


      BARRIE FAIR STARTS TODAY

      The gates open on the 157th Barrie Fair at 10 o'clock this morning. It's being staged this year at the Georgian Bay Steam Show grounds in Cookstown. Free shuttle buses will be running every hour, on the hour, from the old Barrie Fairgrounds at Essa Road and Highway 400. The first bus leaves at 10 a.m. Return trips will leave Cookstown on the half hour.



      BAYCATS UNABLE TO FORCE A GAME SEVEN

      The Barrie Baycats came out on the wrong end of a 4-0 score with Brantford for the second game in a row. Not only did they lose game six of the Intercounty Baseball League final on Thursday night, they also lost a chance at the championship. The Red Sox claimed the title, winning the series four games to three. It's the second year in a row the Baycats have bowed out to the Red Sox. Last year they were defeated in four games straight.



      BARRIE BOY IN CRITICAL CARE UNIT

      A six year old Barrie boy, rescued late yesterday afternoon from Georgian Bay, remains in the critical care unit at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. He and a number of other children were splashing in the water off North Winds Beach, near the Town of Blue Mountains, when a large wave swept him and a young girl underwater. Both were unconscious when they were pulled from the water. The girl recovered on her own, the boy was revived at Collingwood General and Marine Hospital then flown to Sick Kids.



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