April may be the deciding month for the fate of public schools in Norwich Township.
 

60 days has been set aside for Trustees and school board staff to sift through recommendations in a final report put forth by the Norwich ARC committee.

The committee reccomends keeping Burgessville and Otterville Schools open to accommodate jk - Grade 6 students, while the former NDHS site host JK-Grade 8.

Other recommendations in the report say if the schools are to be closed and consolidated, a new school should be built in Norwich and not a renovation.

Board administration has called for the closing of all three elementary schools in June, with all students going to NDHS.

Oxford Trustee Graham Hart says the board and trustees will have at least 2-months to review the report.
 

Hart says a public input meeting is scheduled for April at the board office in London where voices will be heard form both sides.

OPP are advising drivers to prepare themselves.

A snow storm that promises to be significant in nature will be hitting our region over the next 24-36 hours.

Sgt. Dave Rektor has these suggestions if you find yourself needing to travel

" we don't want to have a repeat of what we had with the last storm with 237 people stranded on the highway. We want people to do the right thing - listen to your radio and your local media and, most importantly, look out the window before you decide to drive down the highways - if it's whiteout conditions and the roads are bad - consider alternate plans".

Environment Canada climatologist Dave Phillips says the region will be buried in up to 30 centimeters of snow between tomorrow evening and Wednesday afternoon.

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement about a major snowstorm expected to hit southern Ontario over the next two days.

Some 20 to 30 centimetres of snow is expected, but some areas could receive more and there could be blowing and drifting snow.

The federal agency is forecasting a low pressure system will develop over Texas on Monday.

It says periods of light snow are expected to develop over many regions Monday night or Tuesday.

A lake effect snow band could also affect areas near the west end of Lake Ontario Tuesday morning.

Heavy snow will fall over southern Ontario Tuesday night then taper off Wednesday afternoon as the storm tracks northeastward and passes just south of the lower Great Lakes.
 

Oxford OPP were kept busy on area highways due to Saturday's snow fall.

Constable Dennis Harwood says yesterday's snow - combined with drivers not driving accordingly - wreaked havoc on Highways 401 and 402.

Harwood says drivers were not slowing down that allowed several vehicles to spin out of control and lose control.

Police reported several vehicles leaving the on and off ramps and landing in ditches just after the noon hour.

Fortunately no one was injured.

Tragic news about a 45-year-old London man who collided with a transport truck on Wednesday.

Constable OPP Constable Dennis Harwood says Craig David Saunders died in hospital on Friday.

Saunders was travelling in the area of County Road 6 at County Road 2 at about 3PM when his vehicle collided with a transport truck driven by a 29-year-old Michigan resident who was not injured.

Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed this collision and did not speak to an officer is asked to contact the Oxford County OPP are 519-688-6540.

There will be several steps in the right direction today.

It's the City of Woodstock's Walk for memories and it's taking place at Oxford Auditorium.

The event takes place today from 2-4 pm.

The walk is in support for Alzheimers - a disease which attacks the brain and results in symptoms of loss of memory; judgment and reasoning; changes in mood, personality, language abilities and behaviour; and inability to perform everyday activities.

For more infomation call 519-421-2466 or visit our community event page at 1047.ca
 

What are the most prominent health concerns in Oxford County?

That was the question debated by community leaders at Ingersoll's Elm Hurst Inn Friday.

A Health Communities Fund meeting was held to develop a future vision for health programs and policies.

While the all-day session was just a starting point for future working groups and ideas, coordinator Iva McCausland says one thing is for certain: people care about developing a healthy community.  "People are very passionate and care very much about all of those areas.  And that partnership is something we are all williing to work on, because we recognize together more can be accomplished."

Some of the key areas of concern are: healthy eating, physical activity, sport and recreation, injury prevention, tobacco use and exposure, substance and alcohol misuse, and mental health.

Woodstock's Fire Department is sounding the alarm over a rising number of Carbon Monoxide calls.
 

In the first month of 2011, the department has responded to 15 calls from residential homes where the CO Detector has gone off.

There's been 4 calls in the last week.

In one case, firefighters found an extremely high concentration near the furnace, and say the leak likely came from a damaged heat exchanger.

Luckily, in all cases, the families had Carbon Monoxide Detectors.

But fire officials say this should be a clear sign to those that don't have detectors, to get them today.

They should be installed near your bedrooms, and on each level of your house.

Day 3 of Christopher Saggau's trail revealed what police were able to find on his cell phone and laptop computer to connect him to hate-graffiti in Woodstock.
 

London Police Forensic Computer Technician, Jason Eddy, took the stand and showed several photos and videos found on the electronic devices.

On Saggau's Cellphone police found:
-One photo showed Saggau taking a picture of himself wearing a t-shirt that said "German Mafia".

-Two relevant videos were also on his cellphone, including one showing spraypaint on concrete that read "Stephen ssbad".  The other was a recording of a CTV News broadcast regarding the hate-graffiti problem in Woodstock.

On the laptop, Eddy says he found "100's if not 1000's of pictures relating to Nazis and Hitler." 
Eddy also displayed for the court a couple of files made in Microsoft Paint. 

-One displayed a swastika flag and had disparaging remarks against a couple of Woodstock Police officers.  That file matched a picture that was anonymously sent to the Woodstock Sentinel-Review.

-Another displayed a cartoon drawing of a person hanging from a noose on a tree.  The shirt on the person read "gays, police, jews, blacks and gypsies".  There was also a sentence that read "We laughed joyfully when 4 RCMP officers were murdered."

The computer also contained scans of a German dictionary, and dozens of google searches related to nazi gang activity in Woodstock.

The case continues this afternoon with the Crown unveiling some of the text messages found on Saggau's cellphone.

The trial is expected to continue into a 4th day on Friday.

A 45 year old man is listed in critical condition following a two vehicle collision west of Woodstock Wednesday afternoon.

Around 3PM, a transport truck travelling northbound on County Road 6 collided with a 2007 Pontiac car heading westbound on Highway 2.  The collision sent the vehicles into the ditches on opposite sides of the road, trapping the driver of the car.  EMS personnel had to extricate the driver from the vehicle.  He was then airlifted to London Hospital - the driver of the transport was not injured in the crash.

Police had the intersection closed for a number of hours to complete their on scene investigations.  The roads have since been reopened but Police say their investigation is continuing. 

Oxford Public Health is receiving a one-time grant from the Ministry of Health.

The County is receiving a little more than $11,000 that will be used for their existing needle exchange program.

Director of Public Health Lynn Beath says the program has a reputation for its effectiveness at protecting intravenous users, their partners and their families; "there is a need across the Province, and infact across many countries because of the use of injection drug use in the area.  And so needle exchange programs are a Provincial strategy in order to reduce the risk that infectious diseases would be spread because of people sharing needles, and not having access to clean needles".

Oxford Public Health's needle exchange program has been in use since the year 2000.
 

In 2010 alone, 879 clients used the program amounting to over 62,000 needles used. 

Police procedure and the unauthorized search of Christopher Saggau's cell phone and laptop continued to be the focus on Day 2 of Saggau's trial.
 

This morning, former OCPS Constable Hank Ruitenbeek was on the witness stand.  He was the back-up officer on the night Saggau was arrested for trespassing at an Admiral St. apartment building.

Ruitenbeek was in possession of Saggau's laptop, which he turned on and scanned over the hard drive at police headquarters.

He discovered a slideshow of swastikas and german slogans.

Ruitenbeek was then told by his shift sargent, Marvin Massecar to close it down, as a warrant was needed to search the laptop.

The officer told the court he believed he had the right to turn it on in assisting with the investigation.  Ruitenbeek says at the time he believed he had done the right thing.

But under cross-examination, the young officer admitted, had he played the night over, he would not have searched the laptop.

Defence lawyer Jeanine LeRoy said -- "because you know better..."

Ruitenbeek responded "I do now."

LeRoy asked what authority Ruitenbeek had to search the files on the laptop.  Ruintenbeek repsonded "Now looking back, I don't think I had any." 

LeRoy - "Then why did you do it?"

Ruitenbeek - "Probably a lack of experience."
 

Staff Sargent Marvin Massecar also took the stand today.

He attended the scene of Saggau's arrest in November 2009, and says he told his investigating officer at the scene that they would need to get a warrant to search Saggau's cellphone. 

This, after the officer had already located German writing in a couple of text messages.

Later in the evening, the back-up officer from the scene, Constable Ruitenbeek, showed Massecar a slideshow of swastikas and German writings he found on Saggau's laptop.

Massecar says he advised the officer to shut the computer down, and that a warrant was required to search it.

Saggau is facing 29-charges, most of which, are related to hate-graffiti that was spray painted in several areas of Woodstock during 2009.

Christopher Saggau's Defence Lawyer says her client's Charter Rights were violated.
 

Saggau's trial on some 27 charges related to hate-graffiti began Tuesday with two witnesses taking the stand.

One witness, an assistant Manager of a building Saggau was arrested in on the night of November 19, 2009, swore under oath - - that Saggau did not have any permission to gain wireless Internet access through that building.
 

Saggau was arrested and charged with "Trespass By Night" by then OCPS Officer Michael Routly.

During testamony, Jeanine LeRoy cross-examined Routley.

LeRoy says Routley should not have accessed Saggau's cell phone at the time of his arrest without permision, and that violated Saggau's Rights and Freedoms.

Routley admitted on the stand that he did look into Saggau's cell phone without any intention of accessing a warrant.

Day two of Saggau's trial will continue with cross examination of Officer Routley and a second Officer who was also present when Saggau was arrested in 2009.

It's the first day of a 'blended trial' for a Woodstock Resident at the Oxford County Courthouse today.

Madam Justice Marietta Roberts is overseeing the case, along with Crown Attorney Steven Guiler and Criminal Defence Lawyer Jeanine Leroy.

32 year old Christopher Saggau is facing numerous charges that include desecrating Woodstock's Cenotaph in Victoria Park with spray painted swastikas and hatred symbols in the early morning hours of Remembrance Day of November 2009.

Many Veterans from Woodstock's Royal Canadian Legion are in attendance for the proceedings - including past Branch President Charlie Delgarno.

"there a lot of people still wondering what's going to be the outcome out of all this".

"I'm hoping in the end that we come out on top, but we'll just have to wait and see."

Saggau also faces charges of uttering threats, defamatory libel, misuse of a computer service and at least 25 counts of mischief to various properties throughout the city of Woodstock.

Saggau has pleaded " Not Guilty" to all of the 27 charges.

Hi Lawyer, Jeanine LeRoy is seeking to have some of the evidence in the case tossed out saying a search warrant at the time of Saggau's arrest was not justified and will argue with the crown under section 8 of the Charter of Rights & Freedoms that provides protection against unreasonable search and seizure.

The trial is expected to last 3 -4 days.

The Progressive Conservatives want you to 'Have Your Say'.

A 54 question survey is available to Ontario residents who wish want to express their concerns.

Ontario's PC Leader - Tim Hudak and the PC Caucus launched the province-wide survey in October.

Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman explains...

"the reason that were doing the survey is to hear from the people of Ontario. We believe that the present Government is not listening to that and I think it is important that we get that message out so we know what the people think about the process that's presently happening".

The survey can be found by visiting www.haveyoursayontario.ca.

A hard copy of the survey is also available by dropping in Hardeman's constituency office located at 12 Perry Street Woodstock or by calling 537-5222.

Brant County OPP are looking for a vehicle that allegedly failed to stop after hitting a bicyclist just before 7:00 this morning.

Police say a car was travelling in an east bound direction on Paris Road east of Powerline Rd when it struck a male rider from behind.

The bicyclist was able to get himself off the road after the collision and get help from a passing motorist.

Police are looking for a smaller vehicle with right side damage.

The vehicle in question is also missing the passenger side gold-coloured mirror which was left at the scene.

Any witnesses can contact Brant County OPP at 519-442-2242.

The case of 57-year-old Brenda Lee Duncan is now closed.

Woodstock Police Chief Rod Freeman says post mortem results of how Duncan died will not be released.

Duncan's body was found near a Tavistock cemetery last Tuesday - 1 week after her disappearance.

Police did confirm there was no criminal activity related to her death.

Duncan worked for the Community Care Access Centre and was married to College Avenue United Church pastor David Duncan and a mother of 2 children.

A funeral for Duncan is will be held at Maranatha Christian Reformed Church Sunday January 30th.

A 30 year old Ingersoll man has been charged following  a robbery at an ATM in Ingersoll over the week-end.

Oxford OPP say a man was approached Friday afternoon when he was about to deposit money into the machine.

Police say the suspect approached the man from behind and grabbed the envelope and ran off.

Richard Davis Hoskin is charged with theft under and breach of recognizance.

He is being held for a bail hearing.

Woodstock's Navy Vets are sitting in last place of the Niagara Junior C standings after a 3-7 loss to the Simcoe Storm last night. 

The Vets are 7-23-and 4 on the season.

The two teams meet up again Friday in Woodstock - which is also the Hawkins Family Memorial night.

 Game time is 7:45PM at the Southwood Arena.

One of Belynda Young's 4 Daughters, Hazel Dunne , who flew down from Ireland after hearing her mother was in hospital in Peurto Vallerta, says a fundraiser to help pay for her mothers medical bills will be held at Woodstock's CAW Hall

" It's going to be a silent auction, but it's going to be a fun-filled night too. It's going to be some live music, some snacks, and some good celebration, it's called Celtic celebration because my mom is really big into her Irish roots. It's going to be based around that and hopefully many will be there in support for my mom".

The event takes place Friday February 18th.

A trust account is also in place for Young and her family.

Anyone wishing to donate can do so at any T.D. Canada Trust.

The Account number is: 227 6318478.

The cheque will need to be made out to: Brenda Boswell Simpson and Tom Simpson In Trust. 

Ingersoll OPP are hoping to locate a lone suspect after the Half Price Variety store was robbed at knife point.

Police say shortly after 7:30 Saturday night a male wearing a disguise on his face entered the store on Thames Street South, approached the counter brandishing a knife and demanded money from the clerk.

The suspect received an undisclosed amount of cash before running away on foot.

He was last seen running east on Charles Street. The clerk was not injured.

The suspect is described by Police as a white male, wearing light coloured blue jeans and a white coloured “hoodie”.

Anyone who may have been in the area of the Half Price Variety at the time of the robbery or may have witnessed any suspicious activity in the area is asked to contact the Oxford County OPP or Crime Stoppers.
 

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is recalling a brand of hot chocolate over almonds not declared on the label.
 

It says the U-S-made Pelican Bay Toffee Fudge hot chocolate could prove to be dangerous for people with allergies to almonds.
 

The affected product was sold in Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada and has an expiry date of August 30th, 2011.
 

The agency says it has not received any reported illnesses from the product.  

A 50 year old Woodstock woman's flight back to Canada from Mexico experienced a delay in getting her to hospital.

Belynda Young and her partner Su Lyttle, were to arrive between 8 and 9pm at at University Hospital in London Friday night, but didn't arrive until early this morning.

Young spent the better part of 3 weeks gravely ill, suffering from Pneumonia and Influenza-related illness that put her into a coma while vacationing in Peurto Vallerta.

Young had to wait to be stabilized before she was able to be transported via air ambulance from Mexico.

Three of the daughters that stood by Young's side are also back in Woodstock - they arrived on a separate flight at Toronto's Pearson Airport at about 9 Friday night.

We'll continue to cover this developing story of Belynda Young and her traumatic ordeal in the coming days. 

A seriously ill Lynda Young is on her way home today.
 

Young and her partner Su Lyttle have been stranded in Mexico since Christmas, after a vacation turned horribly wrong.

Lynda contracted H1N1 which led to serious health implications, particularly for her lungs and kidneys.

However, Young's health may be able to get a boost with some bed rest closer to home. 

She's soon to be en route to a London Hospital, via air ambulance, where she's expected to land this evening.

The rest of her family will be arriving home in Toronto tonight.

Oxford County has issued a cold weather alert.
 

This weekend, temperatures will stay in the minus double digits, with overnight lows below -15 and even colder windchill values, dipping into the -20's.

And so Oxford Public health is issuing an alert to advise people not to spend a great deal of time out in these conditions this weekend.

Health Protection Supervisor Peter Heywood tells Heart FM "We want people to dress warmly, in layers.  Watch for any signs and symptoms of frostbite which may include pale grey waxy skin that's cold to the touch, numbness, and even swelling and blistering.  If you see people who are showing signs and symptoms of hypothermia, we reccomend you call 911, and if you can, move them to a warm location."

People without shelter are advised to seek warmth at the Inn Out of the Cold at Old St. Paul's Anglican Church at 723 Dundas St.  The Salvation Army also provides some emergency shelter for families.  You can contact them at 539-7235.

Woodstock Police are asking for the public's help in solving a rash of vandalism to several vehicles.
 

Sometime overnight, four vehicles were damaged on Leinster Street in Woodstock.

A cinderblock was thrown on the hood of a car, windshield wipers were swiped from another.  A driver's side mirror went missing, and another vehicle suffered a broken taillight.

On Burtch street, a car window was smashed and a GPS, radio and digital camera was stolen.

Police are also investigating Lydale Cres., Lakeview Dr. and Champlain Ave. areas that have had a variety of vehicle entries.

If you are aware of any people walking through your neighbourhood at night or suspicious activities, call the Woodstock Police Service at 519-537-2323.

A 16-year-old boy is facing charges in connection with the fire at Huron Park Secondary School.
 

Police made the arrest today and had the teen in custody while they are processing charges against the young offender.

The fire caused the evacuation of the school Wednesday afternoon, and caused 4-thousand dollars in damage to one of the men's restrooms.

It was back to class as usual today at Huron Park.

OPP say charges are pending, following Wednesday's crash on the 401 near Ingersoll.
 

Two people in a car were hurt after colliding with a transport truck, just after 4PM in the Ingersoll area.

The transport ended up on top of the median.

Police had to shut down both left hand lanes for clean-up for several hours, including the rush hour commute.

The two in the car suffered minor injuries and were treated at hospital.

Police say charges are likely to be laid, but aren't saying who is likely to be charged.

Last nights win was more then just two additional points for the Norwich Merchants - it also set a 43 year franchise record with 29 wins. 

The Merchants are sitting at 60 points for the season with a 29-1-2 record.  Norwich picked up another win last night after beating the Aylmer Spitfires 3-1. 

They look to continue their winning streak Friday night at home against the Paris Mounties. 

Highway 401 is very slow going this hour after a two vehicle collision near Ingersoll, between Plank and Culloden Lines.

Callers tell Heart FM a transport truck is straddling the median.

The lanes closest to the centre are closed in both directions.

The crash happened in the eastbound lanes and involved the transport truck and a car.  OPP indicate there are minor injuries at the scene.

About 1,000 Huron Park Secondary School Students were evacuated early this afternoon.

Unconfirmed reports say a small fire originated from within one of the male washrooms just before 1:00pm.

The majority of students were transferred to nearby Hillcrest Public School and a nearby church as a precautionary safety measure.

Thames Valley District School Board Community Affairs Spokesperson - Richard Hoffman - tells Heart-FM one female student was examined by EMS personnel and released shortly after - otherwise no injuries.

Hoffman says he is awaiting on the official word of causes and damages from Woodstock Police.

A strong showing for a pair of Woodstock figure skaters at the Canadian Nationals this week.

Bob Goodwin (Woodstock) and his partner Leah Hyslop (Flamborough) won bronze in competing Novice Pairs in Victoria, BC.

Wes Killing (Woodstock) and his partner Claira Whicher (Cambridge) finished 5th in Novice Pairs.

The awards ceremony takes place tonight.

No one was hurt, but a house fire gutted the inside of a home on Highway 19 last night.

Crews were called to the home on the east side of the highway, just before 4 o'clock Tuesday afternoon.

A fire had apparently started in the basement of the home.  OPP closed the roadway for several hours, while Mount Elgin and Beachville fire crews battled the blaze.   The scene was cleared around 7:30PM.

Police say the fire is not suspicious.  The damage estimate is north of $100,000.

The City of Woodstock searched far and wide for their next Chief Administrative Officer, but the right candidate for the job was already at City Hall.

David Creery has been hired to fill the CAO vacancy, starting February 3rd.

Creery tells Heart FM his experience will serve him well.  "I've been with the city for 19-years and with that comes the history, the relationships that have been built over that time, a fair depth of organizational knowledge, and I think that's a very important peice of being able to move forward."

In a release from the city, it says councillors are impressed with the leadership Creery has shown as City Engineer over the last six-years.  Deb Tait agrees: "David sets a very good example to his employees down at the board of works.  I think that is something big.  You come in, do a full day's work, you're there when they need you.  Setting an example of leadership is a big thing."
 

Creery was chosen from a field of 50 candidates, six of which were interviewed by city council.

Woodstock Police and OPP are confirming this hour that a body has been
found at the scene where Brenda Duncan's vehicle was abandoned.

The body was located by the OPP search team, after an intensified
search this morning.  According to Woodstock Police Chief Rod Freeman, the number of officers was increased to approximately 25, and were equipped with dogs and snowmobiles to widen the search area.  He tells Heart FM the case came to a head, just after 10 o'clock this morning.  "10:10 this morning, I was notified that a body has been discovered in the area…I’ve been advised that the deceased, who has yet to be positively identified, is in all likelihood Mrs. Duncan.  There’s a very, very strong possibility it’s Mrs. Duncan, but that needs to be confirmed through a positive ID."

In fact, in a news release from police they go as far to say "police are certain this is the body of missing Brenda Duncan."

At this time, Freeman says no cause of death has been be released.  "OPP Forensic Identification Unit is currently en-route to the scene where they will conduct an investigation of the immediate area around the deceased.  Once that investigation is complete, the body will be removed for post mortem examination to determine a cause of death."

57-year-old Brenda Duncan was reported missing by her family last
Tuesday when she did not return home from work.  Her 2008 Mazda5 was
found abandoned at the McTavish cemetery, west of Tavistock Sunday
afternoon.

Heart FM's Blair Wilson was at the scene today and has more in the video below:

Due to some icy road conditions this morning in Oxford County, buses have been cancelled in the Tillsonburg zone for the following schools:

ANNANDALE

BEAL(COUNTY BUSES)

GLENDALE HIGH SCHOOL

HOLY FAMILY

IDCI

MAPLE LANE PUBLIC SCHOOL

MSGR O'NEIL

NORTH NORWICH

NORWICH PUBLIC

OTTERVILLE

ROLPH STREET PUBLIC SCHOOL

ROSS(COUNTY BUSES)

SOUTHRIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOL

ST. JOSEPH'S TILLSONBURG

ST. MARY'S HIGH SCHOOL

ST.RITA'S WOODSTOCK

THAMES SECONDARY(COUNTY BUSES)

TOLLGATE 

All buses running from Tillsonburg to London are cancelled.

*********UPDATE*********

Tollgate Central Public School IS OPEN today.  The Thames Valley District School Board posted a correction notice just a short time ago to inform parents/students that the school is open.  It was posted in error on their website earlier this morning.

County Council is reconvening tonight to tackle the 2011 budget.

Topics up for discussion will include listing the 5 separate items that are creating a 2.6 increase over 2010's budget.

During Council's January 12th talks, Tillsonburg Mayor John Lessiff suggested 'Pausing' during the budget deliberations and forwarded a motion to defer the meeting until a "printed summary" of each department was available.

The motion was later withdrawn after other council members expressed concerns.

County will meet again for another budget meeting January 26 (next Wednesday) and will hear how councillors will find ways at reducing the increase.

During that time they will also be provided with both a reserve and capital summary of the budget.

Woodstock's Police Headquarters is now the new home to a Collision Reporting Centre.

Final touches were being made just prior to the official opening this morning.

Police Chief Rod Freeman says the Centre was put into place to offset General Patrol Officers - freeing up about $190,000 in Policing costs.

Accident Support Services President - Steve Sanderson - was on hand at the opening and tells Heart FM the new Centre will prove to be a much needed facility in Woodstock

"there will be days where 12-15 collisions will take place during the course of the day - not only is it the winter, but it's the summer months too - July, August - we have just as many collisions on bright sunny days as we do when it's snowing out here".

Sanderson says it's the 23rd such facility to be built in the province that will allow users to process claims with real time access to collision data.

The Centre began as a pilot project in 1994 that took 7-8 days to process information - today that can be done in a matter of hours.

With fresh daylight, Woodstock Police and OPP have re-focused their search for missing Brenda Duncan.

That search is centered around a cemetery near Tavistock. 

Duncan's Mazda5 was located on Sunday afternoon behind a shed in the McTavish Cemetery, just west of the Village.

The discovery was made by a citizen, but there's still no sign of the missing woman.

Keep tuned to Heart FM for the latest developments on this story.

The Norwich Merchants continue to dominate in the Niagara Junior C standings after another win yesterday. 

The Merchants picked up another point after a 4-3 shootout win over the New Hamburg Firebirds. 

Norwich is sitting at 27-1-and 2 in the season, leading the league with 56 points.

The Merchants are back in action Wednesday night in Aylmer.

Tomorrow (Monday) marks the beginning of Environmental Health Week across the province including here in Oxford County.

The week-long event recognizes what Public Health Inspectors do to help make our community a safer place.

Director of Public Health Lynn Beath says there are 14 Inspectors here in Oxford that cover several inspections in a wide variety of areas

"the 1,500 inspections cover everything - that's the restaurant inspections that we do - some restaurants are inspected 3 times a year, two times a year, once a year" on food premises". It's also going out to long term care homes and other places that offer food services  and doing those inspections".

Beath says the Inspectors also conduct investigations and provide on-going education and enforcement of all aspects of environmental health, in the areas of food safety, air quality, drinking water and recreational water areas during the spring and summer months.

Monday marks the official grand opening of a new Woodstock Collision Reporting Centre.

The Centre, located within Police Headquarters, will allow a one on one interview process to accident victims that will simplify the reporting process - allowing 'front line' Officers to attend other matters within the community.

The Centre will also allow Accident Support Services staff to process claims with real time access to collision data.

The Centre will be available to the public during the hours of 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday and closed on week-ends and statutory holidays.

The grand opening will be held in the lobby Monday morning.
 

Winter driving is causing havoc on city streets and area highways this morning.

Reports have come into our Heart FM news room of vehicles landing in the ditch along the westbound lanes of the 401 at mile marker 218.

One other vehicle spun out of control along 401 westbound at Oxford Road 3 earlier.

The 401 eastbound lanes have also experienced vehicles spinning out of control along Oxford Road 29 in the Drumbo Road area (10:20am) 

Blowing and drifting snow is also causing reduced visibility in areas.

Area roads are slushy and snow covered on city streets and area highways.

Woodstock and Oxford County will receive at least 5 centimeters caused by a fast moving Alberta clipper.

The blizzard-like conditions are expected to ease up sometime this afternoon.

A voluntary recall has been issued for all Toxic Waste brand Nuclear Sludge Chew Bars, imported from Pakistan.

The recall was announced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency late Friday.

It says testing by the California Department of Public Health indicated some cherry flavoured bars might contain elevated levels of lead that could cause health problems, particularly for infants, small children, and pregnant women.
 

The agency says the products, imported by Indiana-based Candy Dynamics, may have been distributed nationally in Canada.
 

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the bars.

The agency is working with the importers to have the affected products removed from the marketplace.
 

In Niagra & District Junior 'C' hockey the Norwich Merchants came out on top of the Woodstock Navy Vets at Southwood Arena Friday night.

The Vets took a 7-1 romping with Defenseman Jamie Newell scoring the only goal for the Vets.

Woodstock will take on the Newhamburg Firebirds January 21st. 

In Junior 'D' action the Tavistock Braves sent Port Dover sailing with a score 10-1 

No news is not good news in the search for Brenda Duncan.
 

The 57-year-old Woodstock woman remains missing, some 75-hours after leaving her home Tuesday morning.

An extensive aerial search of the Woodstock area was conducted yesterday, and continued all the way down to Port Rowan, where Brenda had frequented according to police.  However, there is still no sign of her.

Woodstock Police Chief Rod Freeman continues to encourage the public to assist in the investigation by keeping an eye out for Brenda's red Mazda5 with a license plate marker of BCSJ 791.

Brenda Duncan is a white female, 5'7, 115 lbs, with blue eyes and long straight shoulder-length brown hair with bangs, possibly wearing a red velvet blazer and black pants.

If you have any information, you're encouraged to call Woodstock Police at 537-2323.

He garnered the most votes for city council, and now Ron Fraser has the support of his peers on council.
 

Fraser was elected Woodstock's Acting Mayor, when duty calls, for the next year.

Fraser says he's honoured to be unanimously supported by his fellow councillors, and thinks he can do a good job.  "I think I have some skills and the fact that they're willing to support me, and the fact that there were so many citizens that were willing to support me to start on council.  Once again, I hope not to let anybody down."

Fraser will fill in for Mayor Pat Sobeski when he's away.

Other notes from city council:

-Mayor Sobeski turned down taking 5-thousand dollars in annual renumeration for serving on the Police Services Board.  Sobeski told council he didn't want the money, because sitting on an advisory board is part of the job. 

-Council had to revisit the decision of the last term to grant the YMCA 500-thousand dollars in slot revenues.  The previous decision was actually illegitimate, as it was made by a lame duck council.

The motion still passed, but councillors attached a couple of strings: The YMCA has to stay operating in Woodstock for 5-years.  And they have to report to council annually on their status.

-Council approved a zone change to allow a medical office building in a new subdivision on Athlone Ave. near the new hospital.

 The search for missing 57-year-old Brenda Duncan has now taken to the skies over Woodstock and Norwich.
 

Police are making use of the OPP helicopter to scour wooded areas and bush lots for any sign of Duncan, or her red Mazda5. 

Woodstock Police Chief Rod Freeman says police are searching for the missing woman far and wide.  "We have also issued a provincial alert to all police agencies across Ontario to be on the lookout for both the vehicle and Mrs. Duncan."

The other mysterious part of the case, is the fact that Duncan called in sick for work at 8 o'clock Tuesday morning, unbeknownst to her husband and daughter.

Husband Reverend David Duncan spoke with Heart FM this morning, and has no answers as to where Brenda has gone.  (More details posted in story and video below)

People are also being asked to check their rural properties for Brenda's red Mazda5 with license plate number BCSJ 791.

If you have any information on her whereabouts, call Woodstock Police at 537-2323.

The full news conference from Woodstock Police Headquarters is posted in the video below...

It has been over 50-hours since 57-year-old Brenda Duncan was last seen.
 

The Woodstock woman has mysteriously disappeared, which has set of a search by Woodstock Police.

In speaking with Heart FM this morning, Brenda's husband, Reverend David Duncan from College Ave. United Church says he's at a complete loss as to where Brenda has gone.  "This is totally out of character for something Brenda would do, so we really don't know what has happened.  I think there's been some shock, and deep worry, and as time goes on that worry gets deeper."
 

Duncan says he brought his daughter to school, as usual Tuesday morning, and when he returned, Brenda had left for work at the CCAC in Woodstock, or so he thought...

Brenda didn't come home from work, and he found out she never did show up in the morning.  "After 5:30, I was saying this is too long, or much longer than normal for her to be home.  Close to 6 o'clock then, I hopelessly phoned Brenda's Community Support Assistant (colleague) at home...I was informed then Brenda had not gone to work."

Police are still looking for Brenda, and her car, a 2008 red/burgundy Mazda5 with license plate # BCSJ 791. 

If she is not located by 2 o'clock this afternoon, a news conference is scheduled at Woodstock Police headquarters to update us on the search for Brenda Duncan.

And if you have any information that might help police, call 537-2323.

More with Reverend David Duncan in the video below:

A two vehicle collision on the 401 east of Woodstock sent one man to hospital with critical injuries.

It was just after 6 o'clock Wednesday evening when a 2005 Honda car was traveling east at the Oxford County Road 22 overpass, when the vehicle began to skid and entered into a second lane.  The vehicle collided with an eastbound transport.

The man had to be extricated from his vehicle and was rushed to Woodstock hospital before being transferred to London hospital.  The driver of the truck was not injured.

Police had the highway closed for a number of hours last night to investigate the crash - the highway has reopened but the investigation is continuing.

It's life in prison for a man who killed a former Woodstock Doctor.
 

Allan Powney pleaded guilty to 2nd degree murder yesterday in the fatal shooting of Henry Janssen in January 2008.

Powney admitted to shooting his neighbour, Janssen, in the head in his pick-up truck on a secluded road on the Bruce Peninsula.

The shooting was fuelled by jealousy, after Janssen's wife, Lynn, broke off a 2-year affair with Powney.

Powney stole a shot gun from the Janssen home and sawed off the barrel.

He waited for Janssen on his way home on Scenic Caves Road, and approached the vehicle, shooting him once in the head.

Victim impact statements were read in court today, and 66-year-old Powney was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 10-years.

The guilty plea came as jury selection was to begin and Janssen's daughter, Rebecca, says she is relieved the case didn't have to go to trial.

Police are turning to the public for help in locating a missing Woodstock woman.
 

Brenda Duncan was last seen leaving her residence for work on Tuesday between 8:00 and 8:30AM but no one has heard from her since.

Brenda works at the Community Care Access Centre.

She's married to Reverend David Duncan of College Ave. United Church and has two daughters.

Woodstock Police Chief Rod Freeman says they are concerned for Duncan's well-being and say her disappearance is very uncharacteristic.  "This case causes us a great deal of concern because it is extraordinarily unusual for Mrs. Duncan to be missing in this fashion.  She's normally a very reliable lady with a very consistent schedule.  In this case, she's been gone for over 24-hours and that causes us a great deal of concern."

No foul play is suspected by police at this time, but Freeman says police are focused on the case.  "We have our complete Criminal Investigation Unit working on the case, about 4 or 5 investigators that are working specifically on this case."

Brenda was driving a red/burgundy 2008 Mazda5 with Ontario plate: BCSJ 791. 

She is described as 5'7, 115 pounds with blue eyes, shoulder length brown, possibly wearing a red velvet blazer and black pants. 

Take a look at the photo and if have any information on Brenda Duncan's whereabouts, call police at 537-2323.

This is the 1-year anniversary of the earthquake that rocked Haiti, killing 230-thousand people.

Critical Care Nurse from Ingersoll, Joany MacDougall has made two trips to Haiti since the quake, and is set to fly out again on Saturday.

She tells Heart FM you might think a year would make a world of difference, but not much has changed at all.  "There are over 1.9-million displaced people...that statistic has not changed.  Those people that everyone saw on the news living in tent cities, initially after the earthquake, are still living in those conditions.  And they're living with no sanitation, no toilets, no running water, no access to health care."

In her first trip, MacDougall says they were working some 24-hour shifts treating everything from fractures, to skin grafts to emergency caesarian sections.

In her second trip, she worked in a Cholera treatment centre, and will likely be doing the same in her next two-week trip that begins Sunday. 

MacDougall hopes she will be able to land before the airport possibly gets shut down due to political unrest with elections taking place this weekend.

The Woodstock Navy Vets were home against the Alymer Spitfires last night, looking to bounce back from a loss against the Merchants last week but came up short. 

The Spitfires were 3-1 winners over the Vets.

Woodstock sits in last place for the West Division with 18 points.  The Vets are 7-18-4, one point behind the Paris Mounties.

Woodstock is back in action Friday night against Norwich for their Big Brother/Big Sister Night.  Game time is 7:45AM.

Ingersoll town council has made their first big decision of the new term by unanimously rejecting a housing proposal.
 

Reeves Realty submitted a revised plan last night, scaling back plans for a townhouse complex on McKeand St. to 44 units from 46.

The residents in the area are not happy with the proposal as it will add density and heavy traffic flow to their quiet neighbourhood.

But that's not good enough for area resident Howard Dejong.  "Finally tonight, our council has decided to protect our town for what it is and make a statement to the OMB.  Even if it means a loss, we expect our town to be protected."

Mayor Ted Comiskey says the proposal now goes to an OMB hearing,  which will cost the town a good chunk of change.  "At any point in time, when you go to the OMB, you have to go with a planner and with a lawyer, and those are costs that are involved."
 

The OMB hearing will be held on January 24th in council chambers.

Southwestern Ontario brace yourselves. Old man winter is on his way back.

Woodstock and Oxford County can expect snow accumulations of at least 5 centimetres over the next 24 hours.

Meteorologist Brian Dillon says a low pressure system is moving northward from the U.S.

that could bring a fair amount of snow to our region.

Dillon says lake affect snow could also start in advance of the actual system.

The system is expected to dump snow on our area beginning tonight and into Wednesday.

Coyotes are turning out to be a nuisance in more ways than one.

Monday morning, a Plattsville resident was driving on Perth-Oxford Road, east of

Tavistock, when it crossed paths with a coyote.

The coyote crossed directly in-front of the truck and was hit and killed.

The impact caused minor damage to the truck.

A Woodstock man and his 10-year-old daughter are going to be tested for health implications of living in mouldy conditions the past 7-months.
 

Rob Ford has been battling his landlord and property manager, after discovering mould underneath his kitchen sink in June.

The sink was taken out in November, and still hasn't been replaced.

Adam Nyp has the story in the video below...

The buck stops here for Dollarama in Woodstock.
 

This is the final week for the popular retailer, as they're being forced out of their current Clarke St. location.

Word has it, Giant Tiger is moving in.

However, Dollarama Spokesperson, Ana Marinescu tells Heart FM the company is looking for a new location for the dollar store.  "Woodstock is an area we want to be in, and Dollarama is looking for a new location in this market."

Dollarama is anticipated to close on Sunday, January 16th.  However, the store and corporate office are not confirming this date.

A local curler has moved on to the Ontario men's curling championships.

Mark Kean of Innerkip qualified for The Dominion Tankard after winning the B-draw of the Ontario Curling Association's Region-2 playoff this past weekend in Uxbridge.

Skip Kean, along with his team of Chris VanHuyse, Patrick Janssen and Tim March will participate in the championships February 7th through the 13th in Grimsby.

Kean and his team who represent the Annandale club in Ajax advanced by beating Jon St Denis of Stouffville with a final of 7-4. 

The US were too tough for Canada at the 2011 IIhf world women’s under-18 championship gold medal game.

The U.S. defeated Canada 5-2.

Stratford Native Forward Emily Fulton and Calgary-born right winger Katy Josephs scored for the Canadians.

The Americans, who led 2-0 after the first period and had stretched their lead to three goals by early in the second.

Canada has battled the U.S. in the final of all four world championship tournaments, the Americans claiming the first two titles and the Canadians finally winning 5-4 in overtime over their rivals last year in Chicago.

Oxford County is being represented at the Niagara Jr. C All-Star game at Niagara Falls today.

Woodstock Navy Vet forwards Chase Thornton and Derek Cowing will be joined by defenceman Brynn Schultz.

The Norwich Merchants are sending four players, including goaltender Matt McGonigle. 

Defenceman Jacob Schira is going as well as forwards Todd Poirier and Mike Rebry.

The game gets underway at the Gale Centre at 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon. 

Two local women will be going for gold at Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team tonight.

Ingersoll Defence Jennifer Shields and Stratford Forward Emily Fulton are getting ready for the big game at the 2011 IIHF World Women’s Championship in Sweden.

Shields has one assist in a previous game, while Fulton scored last night defeating Finland 6-1 in semifinal action.

The United States won the first two women’s under 18 gold medals, in 2008 and 2009.

The game will be broadcast live on the Swedish Ice Hockey Association website at www.swehockey.se.

The live feed can also be accessed at www.IIHF.com.

A marathon of prayer is taking place Saturday for a country that's faced a marathon of despair.
 

The Ingersoll and District Ministerial Association is hosting a 12-hour Prayer Vigil for Haiti at St. James Anglican Church on Oxford St., in Ingersoll.

Starting at 7 Saturday morning, and continuing until 7PM, people are being asked to drop by to offer some thoughts for a country that's been continually battered.  This will be followed by a benefit concert, starting at 7PM.
 

Reverend Lonnie Atkinson says both events are a drop-in format.  "Anytime during the day, people can simply drop in.  Each hour there will be a prayer team, or one of Ingersoll's Ministers or Pastors will be there to host the event.  There will be a guided prayer time in terms of folks having some quiet time for personal reflection as they think about the extraordinary needs for the people of the nation of Haiti."
 

The benefit concert will feature local talent with proceeds going to the Canadian based relief agency Samaritan's Purse and their Crisis Relief Program in Haiti. 

Canada's Women Under 18 hockey team hopes to accomplish what the men's world junior team couldn't.
 

The women's team will be going for gold tomorrow at the World Championships in Sweden.

Canada advanced to the final with a convincing 6-1 win over Finland this morning.

Ingersoll's Jennifer Shields is expecting a tough game.  "Tomorrow we're looking for a good hard battle for the gold."

And it will be a tough game, Canada will play the US, who won their semi-final this afternoon 14-1 over the Czech Republic.

Shields says news of the men's team collapse earlier this week is a motivation factor for the team.  "I didn't get to watch it, but I did hear about it.  It's not good that happened, but it kind of gives us fire in our bellies to make that push for the gold."

Oxford OPP are crediting a citizen for helping in the arrested of a man who was breaking into cars.
 

Just before 2AM this morning, police were called to the Annandale Subdivision where the citizen had noticed suspicious tracks in the snow, leading up to cars and homes in the area.

OPP arrived and followed the tracks, finding several unlocked cars with doors ajar.

The tracks led police right to a home on Tillson Avenue where 28-year-old Trevor Sawadski was arrested.

Police recovered a digital camera and loose change.

Sawadski is facing charges of theft, possession of stolen property and prowling by night.

Woodstock's Economic outlook in 2011 isn't great, but isn't gloomy either.

Development Commissioner Len Magyar says they fielded 60 inquiries from companies in 2010.

That number is above average, but he says, companies are still playing things close to the vest, with a still recovering economy.  "Most of them are kind of looking longer term, you know, tire kicking, looking out to late 2011, 2012.  I'd like to see people being a little quicker off the mark in terms of actual investing."

Magyar is expecting some smaller existing companies will start expansions in 2011.  But we'll have to wait and see if bigger projects come along later in the year.

Overall, Magyar says Woodstock's economy is in good shape, compared to some of our neighbours, thanks to the timely Toyota investment, right at the start of the recession. 

An East-Zorra-Tavistock man has been charged with failing to stop for a red light, after a crash in Woodstock this morning.
 

Police say the mini-van he was driving failed to stop for a red light, and collided with a dump truck in the intersection.

He was also taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

The dump truck driver was not hurt.

Damage is estimated at 30-thousand dollars.

The piece of land that used to be the home of the Iron Grill restaurant is back up for sale.
 

The property has been listed on a Commercial Real Estate website with a listing price of 550-thousand dollars.

The listing describes the property as having a "superb location" with "tremendous potential".

The property was listed for $1.45-million in August, 2009 when the closed down restaurant burst into flames.

A 20-year-old Toronto man was killed in the explosion, while a 19-year-old man suffered burns to most of his body, but survived.

Police say the investigation continues, but there's been no reason offered for why the men where at the vacant restaurant that night.

Over the holidays, trades workers kept on plugging away at renovating 449 Dundas St. into a new Art Gallery for Woodstock.
 

But that project is no longer under a time crunch.

The federal and provincial governments have extended the deadlines for simulus project spending to October, rather than March 31st.

Lead Architect on the Gallery project, Wayne Harrison tells Heart FM in the video below, this will not only save time, but money as well.

The message of 'Don't Drink & Drive' appears to be getting out there in Oxford County.

OPP Constable Dennis Harwood says of the 23,000 vehicles that were checked during the festive R.I.D.E. Program, there were only 10 people that were found impaired by alcohol.

Harwood says that number was up by 2 compared to last year's figures.

Overall - OPP stopped nearly 1.1 million vehicles across the province between November 26 and January 2.

The funeral for a well known family physician and long-standing Oxford MP will be held Thursday.

Dr. Bruce Halliday passed away New Year's Day at the age of 84.

Halliday is considered by many as an outstanding, giving and friendly man.

He was voted Canadian Family Physician of the Year in 1975 and founded the Tavistock Community Health Centre.

A former colleague of Halliday's, Dr. Paul Bartlett, explains how that foundation came to fruition.  "In the early part of the 1950's he thought it would be nice to have a partnership, so Bruce came and formed a group and then made a name for Tavistock that generated other doctors wanting them to join the clinics."

Dave MacKenzie tells Heart-FM - Halliday was an inspiration to his career as an Oxford MP.  "Bruce was a competent politician in Oxford and he's been just a wealth of experience for me and has been a huge support for me ever since I got involved politics and certainly his advice was always well received and well thoughtout".

Halliday's funeral is being held at Grace United Church located at 116 Woodstock Street in Tavistock.

OPP are warning of a possible creep in Tillsonburg.

There have been two recent reports of a man prowling around houses.

In one, incident a suspect was spotted hiding behind a barbeque on the back deck of a home, right near the bathroom window.

That followed an earlier report of footprints found around the windows of a home.

The reports came from the areas of Concession St. West and Quarter Town Line.

Police say it should serve as a reminder for people to keep their doors and windows locked.

Woodstock's new Chief Administrative Officer is only a couple weeks away from being hired.
 

That's according to Mayor Pat Sobeski who tells Heart FM the first round of interviews has been completed. 

Sobeski says a short list of candidates will soon be meeting with city council.  "We're getting to the point now where it's a smaller field and the entire council will sit down and interview the remaining candidates and we'll make a decision."

That decision will be made in the next couple of weeks.
 

Regardless, the 2011 budget process is beginning in city departments with Treasurer and Acting CAO Patrice Hilderly overseeing things.

Sobeski doesn't want to make any projections for what might lie ahead for taxpayers.  "I don't really have particular range for this initial term.  I think it's important we set the tone for the 4-year term."

We'll have more with the Mayor later this week in a look ahead at what's to come in Woodstock in 2011.

Eight Employees are out of work and all that remains is hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages.

A fire boke out at J&J Precast Limited in the town of Norwich early this morning.

Reports indicate the blaze started sometime overnight, but it took several fire fighters more than 4 hours to douse the flames.

The company, owned and operated by Frank and Serge Pulciani, has been in operation since 1995.

There are no reports of any injuries and damages are extensive.

No word yet on what caused the fire.

Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman is battling Dalton McGuinty's Eco-Tax on electronics.

Prior to the Christmas break at Ontario's legislature in Toronto, Hardeman called on the McGuinty Government to scrap the 'Eco-Tax' altogether - stating Ontarians shouldn't have to pay expensive recycling fees.

Hardeman tells Heart FM the program is not working

" In my mind it's outrageous to do it this way. It was supposed to be to take the electronics out of the landfill site. In last year with all the millions Stewardship Ontario got - they only reached 2 % of their target".

Hardeman says the electronic eco-fee can be as much as $26.25 on a new television and nearly $22 for a desk top computer and monitor.

Ontario's Electronic Stewardship agency collected $44.5 million dollars from Ontarians in 2010.

A barn fire that began just before ten o'clock this morning in Norwich Township is now  (10:20) under control.

Fire Officials say the horse barn, located along James Street in Otterville was vacant at the time of the blaze.

Officials say the fire appears to have started in a small office adjacent to the barn and may have been caused by an electrical fault.

The investigation is continuing.

No injuries were reported. 

If you're already looking to help beat those winter blues - Sally Creek Golf Club may be just what you're looking for.

The golf club is now offering cross country ski trails here in Woodstock and Oxford County.

The groomed trails are located in the north end of Woodstock over the Van Ave bridge.

Co-Owner Sherri Lowes says the new trails are not just for the experienced

"Once we get enough of this fluffy white stuff we're going to try and do an easier trail for beginners and then a tougher trail for people who are better at this sport at up and over some of the hills. We're hoping to attract a wide variety of people".

Lowes says Sally Creek is offering free skiing on their trails until January 3rd.

To find out more of what other services the club is offering - visit www.Sallycreek.com

for more details.
 

The Start of the new year brought in some record-setting temperatures around the region.

Mild temperatures were felt across much of southern Ontario.

New temperature records were broken Saturday as Toronto reached 11.8° celcius by 4pm, (almost two degrees above the previous January 1st record set four years ago.)

Hamilton hit 10.9 degrees, Windsor at 11.3, Collingwood at a 11.5 and Goderich at a balmy 12.1 degrees.

Here in Woodstock and Oxford County, we may not have broken any temperature records, but Environment Canada says today will be the coldest day over the next several days with the high reaching minus 6.