Canadian Ray Tilley has been inducted into the International Softball Federation Hall of Fame.
The native of Woodstock, was an original member of the Canadian national team that was founded in 1983. He spent 12 seasons with the squad and helped guide Canada to four Pan American Games gold medals (1983, 1987, 1991 and 1995).
He also earned world championship silver medals in 1984 and '88.
Tilley was inducted to the Softball Canada Hall of Fame in 1997.
The man accused of murdering and dismembering the body of 26 year old Clifford Fair sat in the prisoners box during pre-trial motions this morning.
John Douglas Robinson appeared in a Woodstock courtroom while the Crown and other court officials discussed the case throughout the morning.
Under court ruling, a publication ban to all media has been enforced.
The Justice of the Peace told reporters that all that could be recorded is the fact that Robinson's case has been adjourned due to "a defense council experiencing a family crisis of extreme nature."
Robinson was charged with first-degree murder and indignity to a human body in 2008 after remains were found buried in the backyard of his Princess Street home in Woodstock.
Clifford Fair disappeared from his home in September 2008.
A court date of December 19, 2011 has been assigned to set a date for trial.
Ingersoll has won an OMB appeal launched by Reeves Realty.
Local developer Leonard Reeves has had his appeal dismissed, after Ingersoll council rejected his bid to increase the number of units on a townhouse project on McKeand St.
Reeves wanted to build 44 units, up from the initial 30.
That drew concerns from neighbours in the area, and council ended up siding with the residents.
The OMB hearing was held in January, and in a decision released late last week, OMB Vice Chair J.V. Zuidema says the increase in units "did not represent good and proper planning and is not in the public interest".
A 27 year old Oshweken man who led Woodstock Police on high speed pursuit received a 4 year penitentiary term today.
Hodo Hill, originally from Hamilton Ontario, was caught doing 140 kilometers per hour through the Friendly city streets in a stolen vehicle while out on parole for similar circumstances back on February 15th.
He fled the vehicle and proceeded to car jack another vehicle, but was later caught by Police.
Hills charges include flight from police, theft over $5,000, assault with a weapon and dangerous driving.
Justice Issacs described Hills actions as 'Horrendous' who "demonstrated a total disregard for the safety of citizens and the community".
Hill did receive a credit of a day and half for each of the 66 days he spent in pre-trial custody.
Hill is also to abstain from any weapon for a period of 10 years and provide a DNA sample among other restrictions.
Justice Issacs told Hill "Your two children can never have a father as bad as you unless you seek help".
Once again, Woodstock Police will be conducting traffic enforcement's today through to Sunday.
Police will be targeting a number of intersections within the city and enforcing
a zero tolerance approach to violations including stop signs, red lights, and distracted driving.
Police have identified the top ten crash related intersections in the city and will be targeting these locations for violators.
Woodstock Police remind drivers their goal is to decrease or eliminate collisions at these intersections.
The city of Woodstock is at the preliminary stages of designing and planning its off-street bus terminal.
The terminal will be situated in the downtown core along Dundas Street.
City Engineer Harold De Haan says once the off-street bus terminal is in place, it will provide added safety for pedestrians and de-congest the city's downtown core for commuters; "the terminal will allow buses to come off the street, so you won't have the issue we have right now with people having to cross the street to get from one bus and transfer to another bus. The buses will be turning off of Dundas into this terminal, which basically all the buses will be on either side of this island and then allow people to safely transfer from one bus to the other".
De Haan says the public process for the planning is complete and now lies in the hands of city staff to work out the details.
Posted
About One Year Ago by Liz Wismer & Blair R. Wilson
Woodstock Police are continuing to investigate a serious assault in the city over the weekend.
Police say around 12:55 a.m. Sunday morning, a 30 year-old man was found unconcious on the sidewalk of Peele Street between Victoria Street and Wellington Street.
Sgt. Marvin Massecar says the man is in critical condition in a London Hospital aftter an alleged assault.
Massecar says it's too early in the investigation to say what transpired at what time or if any weapons were used.
Massecar says they are appealing to the public to come forward with any information to help with their investigation.
No suspect descriptions have been released at this time.
An Oshweken man will learn his fate today, after pleading guilty to leading police on a dangerous high speed chase in Woodstock.
27-year-old Hodo Hill will be sentenced today on dangerous driving, flight from police and theft charges.
Hill was at the wheel of a couple of vehicles last February, when OPP were trying to pull over a stolen vehicle on the 403.
Hill took the chase into Woodstock, where he came close to striking an officer that was deploying a spike belt.
Despite blowing out tires on his runaway SUV, Hill continued driving on the rims, and eventually tried to ditch that vehicle and carjack another vehicle. However, police made the arrest before a Hill could steal his 3rd vehicle.
Hill has already served 2-years in a similar case previously, and was on parole at the time of the chase.
Woodstock Police, A Forensics Identification Unit and Woodstock's K-9 unit are investigating a crime scene this hour (10:00am).
Police have cordoned off a block of houses along Peel Street between Victoria and Wellington Streets with Police tape in the the city's central core.
Heart-FM spoke with Staff Sgt. Marvin Massecar and he says one man is in critical condition in a London Hospital after an alleged assault.
Massecar says it's too early in the investigation to say what transpired at what time or if any weapons were used at this point, but have deemed the matter serious in nature.
Massecar says at this point no suspect has been arrested.
Stay tuned to 104.7 Heart-FM as we will provide more details to this matter as they become available.
Posted
About One Year Ago by Ashley DeGroote and Blair Wilson
More economic development could be on the way to Woodstock and Oxford County through the creation of the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund.
Warden Don McKay says now that the province has followed through by making the funding an election platform promise, the Southwest Economic Alliance needs to come up with a plan for how the money would be divided up and who would administer it.
"So we're holding up the Sandplains funding, which was a recent one that several are pointing at with good results because it was program based that people applied and it was reviewed by a committee and then the money got passed around and it was a loan so as they are paid back it's an ongoing funding".
McKay says SWEA is now trying to partner with Southwestern Ontario Marketing Alliance, the Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus and South Central Ontario Region for a common ask to the province to support our local economic need.
A 29 year old organization that has helped thousands of impoverished in Oxford County is asking for help themselves.
Operation Sharing have requested $185,000 from the county to assist them with transportation and operational costs for 2012.
Spokesperson Kathryn McKeen says getting people to and from programs has been an issue as the demand for programs and services increase
"transportation for people who are in Tillsonburg and in other areas of Oxford County is a real need trying to get to programs. 'In Out Of The Cold' - yes, Tillsonburg...they can't transport people up here for 'In Out Of The Cold'. We may need another site down there, so we have a very real need for a homeless shelter in all of those areas".
McKeen says new programs such as the Cynthia Ann Centre in Woodstock and now in Ingersoll, need funding to sustain their operation.
A busy intersection in the city has finally opened.
Both the southbound and northbound lanes of Norwich at Parkinson Road are fully open to traffic after some needed construction work.
City Engineer Harold DeHaan says Union gas were doing some reconfiguring to accommodate future work with other utilities
"There's been a lot of construction over the course of the summer and it's all do to the fact that Union Gas was relocating the existing gas main from the south side of the road to the north side in order to accomodate some improvements that Hydro One is planning on their transmission line".
DeHaan says the over the course of the year Hydro One will be moving into the same area along Parkinson as they replace some of their towers.
Roller skating is making a comeback in Woodstock, for at least one night.
The Woodstock Warriors Roller Derby team is hosting a roller skating and halloween party on Saturday.
The event is taking place at the Oxford Auditorium.
One of the organizers, Melissa Schneider tells Heart FM they're expecting a good turnout. "I've heard from several people they were interested in doing some kind of roller skating based event. So I thought, why not combine by two favorite things: Halloween and roller skating?...and make it an event that everybody can enjoy."
There's a family skate from 5:30-7:30PM, Saturday, then an adult only skate from 8-11PM, followed by a halloween party. You can rent old-school roller skates at the event.
Draws and costume prizes are also a part of the evening.
Get set to sail at Ingersoll's Fusion Youth & Technology Centre this Halloween week-end.
About 80 youth and staff are participating in their 6th annual Haunted House and Family Fun Zone.
Manager Jason Smith says this year's theme has been chosen by youth members as a Haunted Pirate Ship.
Smith says many of their materials are loaned from the Stratford Theatre making their Haunted House that much more authentic.
Smith the youth are very enthusiastic about participating in such an event that allows for a lot of fun for everyone and a chance to express themselves through improv and acting.
General admission is just $6.00. Ages 6-12 get in for $4.00 and $2.00 for kids 5 and under. Doors open 5:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. each night.
The Chippawa Riverhawks are in Woodstock tonight where the Vets hope to get their first win of the season.
The Vets are winless in 10. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at Southwood arena.
Tonight, the Vets will hang up their blue and white sweaters for the colour pink.
The team have been showing their support for breast cancer awareness by holding a silent auction through the month of October. The team will be sporting the pink jerseys at tonight's game, which have been part of the silent auction. Fans have until the end of the third period tonight to bid on their favourite jersey. All the money raised through the silent auction will be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Elsewhere in Niagara Jr. C hockey action, the Norwich Merchants travel to Caledonia to take on the Corvairs. Game time there is 7:20 p.m.
The Chamber of Commerce handed out its annual awards of excellence Thursday night, naming the Ingersoll Curling Club as "Business of the Year".
"Business Person of the Year" went to Jackie Curry, Owner of Oleyland Safety Footwear.
Other winners last night included McClay's Transportation for "Industry of the Year", "Youth Citizen of the Year" is Victoria Rode. Rode was instrumental in bringing back and maintaining the town's mini-putt. Rode is also involved in the Key Club, IDCI Music Club, and is also an avid curler.
Wilson McBeth was named "Ingersoll Citizen of the Year". McBeth has been involved in Ingersoll's historic pipe band for over 70-years.
It took over three years and close forty thousand dollars to complete.
St. Patrick's Catholic school in Woodstock, will be opening it's new playground on Friday.
School Prime Minster Jacob Reeves says "the new playground looks great, and I can't wait to try it out."
The school held a ceremonial ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday.
Students, teachers and members of the community were all in attendance.
The festivities began in the packed gym where principal Mike Glazier thanked everyone for all their hard work.
He told students that it is their responsibility to take care of the playground, not only for themselves but for the entire community.
Glazier told Heart FM, "the playground has climbing equipment for intermediate and senior students, as well as slides for the younger students, and it is also wheelchair accessible."
Each grade had a representative cut a piece of the ribbon during the festivities.
Students created a video to thank members of the community for all of their support for the playground.
A major merger in the agriculture industry is hitting close to home.
Canada's Outdoor Shows Ltd. has been acquired by Vancouver-based Glacier Media.
Glacier operates agriculture publications, businesses and website across Western Canada and in other parts of the country.
Canada's Outdoor Farm Show President Lorie Jocius says the merger will only enhance their operation. "I don't think anyone in the general public will see any change. We still have the same staff that will be producing both Canada's Outdoor Farm Show and Canada's Outdoor Equine Expo. We will just have a lot more resources we can pull to."
Jocius says the merger will help the Farm Show expand its horizons and bring even more innovation from across the globe to the annual show in Woodstock. "We don't want just showcase Ontario technology. We certainly will showcase that first and foremost, because we want to support our local farmers, exhibitors and manufacturers. But it is important to bring in technology from around the world."
Four COFS staffers are going to Germany this month for the Agri-Technica show to see some European farm innovations.
A decision on whether to allow WGH a $58,000 grant could not be made during Wednesday's County Council Meeting Wednesday night.
Council members voted 5 in favour of...and 5 against... in Councilor Sandra Talbot's previous motion to allow a grant after the hospital was denied exemption of paying for County development charges.
Tillsonburg mayor John Lessif
"I was concerned at last council meeting and again tonight, that precedence would be set for other medical facilities would be coming to council for exemptions".
Blandford-Blenheim Mayor Marion Wearn says she agrees with allowing the grant
"If that money is going back into health care and heath service I don't see why we would have an issue with that".
Southwest Oxford Mayor David Mayberry says he has mixed emotions on the idea, but in the end...
"It a matter of fairness whether I tend to have a soft spot for hospitals and public good and that sort of stuff and I want to help them all I can, but I also believe (and it's not something you want to say) but I think in fairness you've got to say you have to be fair to everyone".
The split or tie decision automatically goes to defeat under Municipal policy, however County Council will raise the issue again in the up coming 2012 budget deliberations.
Access into the city of the 401 and vise-versa should be a little easier next week.
Construction at the intersection of Parkinson Road and Norwich Ave. is about to come to an end.
City Engineer Harold DeHaan says while traffic should be free flowing by the beginning of the week, the work in that area is still not quite complete
"the construction is not done, hopefully most of the impact on traffic will be done, but I suspect as Hydro One works down Parkinson to replace their towers you will find there will be isolated road closures throughout the coming year along that stretch also".
Both the southbound and northbound lanes are expected to open Monday October 31st.
Beachville was once again celebrating its rich history today.
175-Years of postal service, makes the Beachville office one of the oldest in the entire country.
As Communications Officer for Canada Post Tom Creech describes it, the birthplace of mail in Oxford County. "Certainly back in 1836 when this post office was first founded, it would have been the epicentre of the community. We know that times have changed, but certainly if today's turnout is any indication, a post office in a community is still very important to its residents."
It was a strong turnout from the community, who packed the small office to see the unveiling of a special Beachville cancellation, which was stamped on a giant cake.
Taking part in today's festivities was former Beachville Postmaster, Dorothy Lightheart, who took part in the 150th anniversary celebration.
She helped cut a commemorative cake to mark the latest milestone. Video of the cutting is posted below:
Yet another restaurant serving hamburgers is set to open in Woodstock. However, Union Burger is promising that it's NOT just another burger joint.
They're branding themselves as a gourmet burger restaurant where you can also order draft beer, and milkshakes made from real ice cream.
Union Burger will open to the public on Friday, at its brand new half-million dollar building in downtown Woodstock.
President George Karamountzos says they're hoping to add to the city's downtown. "We see a lot of activity. We like the walk-in traffic. The downtown core is a very important part of the city and we think that Woodstock has a very active downtown that is a great spot for our concepts."
Union Burger is part of the Obsidian Group, which also operates the Coffee Culture and Crabby Joe's franchises.
40 jobs have been created by Union Burger, which opens for lunch on Friday.
Posted
About One Year Ago by Blair R. Wilson & Adam J. Nyp
The days of the federal long gun registry appear to be numbered.
The Harper government has introduced a bill today to scrap the controversial system.
But that's not stopping police, health and victims groups and Opposition M-P's from voicing their objections.
N-D-P justice critic Jack Harris says the Tories claim they're interested in having safe communities, but are doing something that chiefs of police insist will cost lives.
Woodstock Police Chief Rod Freeman says the registry has helped them keep the community of Woodstock safe from harms way. "It's routine procedure when Officers are being dispatched to domestic-related incidences (we'll use an example) to check the long gun registry to see if there is a fire arm registered ion the house,, so we use it on a daily basis."
Freeman says if the registry is abolished, he hopes some of the money will be put towards funding for police services to maintain staffing levels, crime prevention programs and establish community safety.
Oxford Conservative MP Dave MacKenzie, a former Police Chief, doesn't believe the registry is a necessity for police. "We were all trained for years, when you go to a home, you expect there to be a firearm there. And in fact, when a police officer attends a home, or anywhere, he's brought a gun to the scene."
MacKenzie says the long gun registry has been an "ineffective waste of money". By the time it weaves its way through the legislative process, and the Senate, it won't likely be scrapped until Christmas, or early 2012.
Oxford OPP are asking for the public's help in locating stolen farm machinery.
Police say thieves gained entry to a compound at a farm dealership in East Zorra Tavistock where several pieces of machinery were taken overnight Sunday.
The theft includes a Kubota compact tractor and two Kubota utility vehicles.
Total amount of the haul is estimated at $80,000.
Anyone with information is asked to call Oxford OPP or Crime Stoppers.
Twice in one week, police are investigating a collision involving a vehicle hitting farm machinery.
Oxford OPP say a farm combine was travelling north on County Road 119 north of Kintore shortly after 1:30PM Monday afternoon when it slowed down to turn into a driveway. A motorcycle following the combine smashed into the rear of the machine as it slowed down, seriously injuring the driver of the bike.
He was treated at the scene and airlifted to London Hospital with serious injuries.
Police say the investigation is continuing.
Drivers are reminded to take caution for farm equipment on the roads and for farm equipment operators to ensure their vehicles are marked and lit properly.
Farm equipment operators must remember that:
lights are required on farm vehicles one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise
two separate means of attachment are required on all farm trailers
overhanging loads of 1.5 meters (5 feet) need a RED flag or marker
slow moving vehicle (SMV) signs should not be faded, covered or its reflectivity deteriorated due to exposure to the sun and weather
farm equipment operators must signal intended turns by electronic signals or arm signals
The general motoring public should remember:
that in rural areas they are going to encounter farm vehicles and to BE PATIENT !!!!!!
that SMV signs means that the vehicle ahead is not traveling at normal highway speeds and to SLOW DOWN
that farm vehicles may make wide turns
be observant for turn signals
According to Farm Safety Association, most farm vehicle - motor collisons are either rear end or turning collisions that occur in good weather.
Oxford County residents are being pro-active in health protection.
Nearly 1,000 men, women and children lined up at the Oxford Auditorium Thursday to receive their annual vaccine.
Manager of Health Protection Mary Metcalfe says she'd like to set the record straight when it comes to those believing they get sick from receiving a shot
"you will often hear people say they got sick from the flu shot, but really the flu shot is not a live virus vaccine, so it can't give you the flu; however people may have picked up a virus of some sort just at the time they got the shot or just before that and come down with something a day or two later and , of course, it gets blamed on the shot".
Metcalfe says she encourages everyone to get the flu shot to protect themselves and especially those that are elderly or caring for young children.
Metcalfe says the service is free and available to everyone over 6 months old.
For a complete list of flu shots available within your community visit:
Capital Paving and County crews worked through the weekend to get the roundabout open at Highway 2 and County Road 6.
So far, traffic is navigating the new traffic feature there without any issues. The speed limit is reduced from 80 to 60km/h approaching the roundabout.
Public Works Director, Rob Walton explains why that area was circled for a roundabout. "First of all, there were operational problems at that intersection with truck turning radiuses...the second major thing is intersection safety. We have two 80km/h roads coming to this intersection, and fairly high traffic volumes (about 12,000 vehicles a day). There have in the past been some very serious collisions here."
The County has deemed the first roundabout at Tollgate a great success, especially handling heavy traffic during Canada's Outdoor Farm Show, and after soccer games and tournaments at Cowan Park.
Walton says other intersections in Oxford will be considered for roundabouts on a case-by-case basis. North St. and Tillson Ave. is currently under consideration.
Good news for Highway 2 commuters: it's back open with a newly installed roundabout at County Road 6.
Public Works is reminding motorists to yeild to traffic as you approach the roundabout. If emergency vehicles approach, exit the roundabout before pulling over.
This is now the second roundabout in Oxford, after one was installed last year at Highway 59 and Oxford Road 17.
A tractor trailer has backed up some traffic in the Putnam Road area this morning.
OPP say a container carrying a load of agricultural supplies attempted to pass
underneath a CN Rail bridge, but struck the underpass and is currently stuck (10:00am) in the middle of the roadway on County Road 17, north of Putnam in Zorra Township.
The crash occurred at about 8:30 this morning and Police say it won't be until the noon hour until all is cleared up.
Police say there are no injuries and continue to investigate.
A Norwich man has died from injuries sustained after his car crashed into a tractor pulling a wagon last week.
Oxford OPP say last Tuesday night, 32 year-old Mark Williams crashed into a farm tractor pulling a grain wagon that was travelling south on Middleton Line in Norwich Township. The tractor slowed down to turn into a driveway when William's car slammed into the rear of the wagon.
Williams and his three children, ages 4, 7, and 8 were taken to Tillsonburg hospital then transferred to London hospitals.
The children received non-life threatening injuries and the driver of the tractor was not injured.
Williams passed away over the weekend in hospital.
Constable Dennis Harwood says police are continuing to investigate the collision and say charges are not pending at this time.
It was the battle of Oxford County in Niagara Jr. C hockey action last night.
The Woodstock Navy Vets were home to the Norwich Merchants. The Vets, who went into the game with a 0-9-0 record were hoping to snap their losing record and grab their first victory of the season against the Merchants who were 9-2-0.
The game was scoreless after two periods of play but a powerplay goal from Tom Brady 21 seconds into the third period got the Merchants on the board first.
Norwich had three unanswered goals before the Vets were finally able to capitalize on the powerplay with a goal from Kyle Robertson.
It wasn't enough though as the Merchants went on to win 4-1. Norwich is now one point behind New Hamburg for first place in the Niagara West Division standings.
The Vets remain winless this season but hope they can finally get their first win Friday night against the Chippawa Riverhawks (3-6-1). Game time is 7:30 p.m. at the Southwood Arena.
Posted
About One Year Ago by Blair R. Wilson & Adam J. Nyp
City council is taking a wait and see approach on allowing a local hotel to put up a sign.
The Microtel Inn and Suites on Juliana Drive came to council this week, asking to put up a 36-foot tall lighted sign.
It's in an effort to boost more traffic to the under performing hotel.
Council deferred a decision, and will ask for the opinions of residential neighbours of the hotel first.
Microtel Owner Henry Lowry doesn't see the sign as an issue.
"we believe there will be little or no impact for a number of reasons. One, the sign does not face north which is where all the residential properties are".
Lowry also says the sign falls within Woodstock's by-law limit of 11-meters.
A play about a British aristocrat charged with the gruesome murder of a young Englishman is taking place this week-end.
London area Playwright Robyn Israel is portraying Reginald Birchall who allegedly murdered Frederick Benwell in cold blood shortly after arriving in Oxford County in 1890.
Executive Director Sheila Johnson explains some important aspects of the play entitled: "The Cultured Criminal"
"It was a sensational murder trial at its time in 1890. There quite a number of forensics firsts and investigations firsts throughout the course of the trial. It was an international incident with a British citizen killed on Canadian soil, you had all of British citizenry interested in the outcome of this trial as well".
Johnson says Playwright Robyn Israel gathered the majority of her research from the Woodstock Museum where many records are kept.
Tickets are $10.
Other performances run select dates until October 29th.
In Niagara Junior 'C' hockey action the New Hamburg Firebirds defeated the Woosdtock Navy Vets 7-5, the Paris Mounties edged the Spitfires 6 - 5, Dundas squeaked by Chippawa 3 - 2.
It will be the battle of 59 as the 9-2-0 Norwich Merchants take on the Vets at Southwood arena tonight at 7:45
Simcoe hosts Aylmer at 7:00pm.
In Junior 'D' the Burford Bulldogs are home to the Tavistock Braves at 7:30pm
Two area youth are in hot water after they were stopped on an ATV.
Police stopped the vehicle Friday morning after noticing both riders were not wearing a helmet.
Police then determined the ATV was stolen, although not yet reported stolen.
The passenger was charged with Possession of Stolen Property under $5000, Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purposes of Trafficking, and Failing to Comply with an Order.
The driver fled on foot.
Police are currently looking for the youth and charges are pending.
UPDATE: (5:23PM) - OPP indicate Cormier has been safely located.
Oxford OPP in Tillsonburg are looking for a missing man.
34 year old Ronald Cormier has not been seen or heard from since October 12th.
They say he has connections in the London-area, but does not have transportation.
He's described as:
-5’11
-180 - 190lbs
-Medium build
-Brown hair , balding with shaved hair
-Brown eyes
-Wearing a beige/brown ¾ length coat, dark long pants, dark long sleeve shirt (cowboy style/white stitching), and a large brown hat (Paddington Bear type hat)
If you have any information, call Oxford OPP at 519-688-6540, for Crime Stoppers at 1800-222-TIPS.
Don't be surprised this Halloween if a young person hands you a chocolate at your door.
It's called Reverse Trick-or-Treating, and it's in an effort to promote fair trade chocolate.
The majority of chocolate bars being sold this Halloween are made from cocoa and sugar produced in third world countries, by child labour.
So Program Director for Youth for Christ/Youth Unlimited Woodstock, Dave Steenburg, is getting some local youth involved in handing out fair trade chocolate. "This is called reverse trick-or-treat, it's something we did last year with a few churches and we're opening it up to the community. Kids can buy these mini-chocolates and get some fair trade pamphlets, and as they go door-to-door trick-or-treating, they can pass out chocolates to the people at the door."
For those handing out candy at their home, Steenburg says Cadbury is one major chocolate producer that is fair trade compliant. They're also selling Camino bars for $20 for a box of 111 mini bars.
It's a fight for first place tonight in Niagara Jr. C hockey.
The 9-1 Norwich Merchants are home against the 8-0-1 New Hamburg Firebirds. Despite not yet losing in regulation, New Hamburg trails Norwich by a single point in the west division.
It's a rare Friday night off for the Woodstock Navy Vets. Minor Atom and Peewee teams are taking over the Community Complex for Silver Stick qualifying tournaments this weekend.
The winless Navy Vets (0-8) are in New Hamburg on Saturday night.
The carousel of Fire Chiefs in Oxford County continues to turn.
Tillsonburg's Fire Chief for the last 8-years, Bob Parsons, has been hired to fill Norwich Township's vacancy.
That opening was created after Simon Almond was fired by the township in August.
However, Norwich Mayor Donald Doan is convinced Parsons is the right man for the job. "Bob was the person we felt that was the most qualified to do the job and work in our municipality."
The township received 22 applications for the opening.
Woodstock City Council is caught in a debate between a business and city residents.
Council will have to decide tonight whether to allow Microtel to erect a 36-foot sign on its property.
Residents in the area opposed the sign four years-ago when the hotel was first built, citing concerns about the light from such a large sign.
But Woodstock Mayor Pat Sobeski says the hotel is just trying to get noticed. "Now they're coming back saying they'd like to have a large sign because it's becoming far more competitive in that industry. So we can understand that...they want a sign you can see from the 401 and from Norwich Ave. So they want to erect a sign that's 36-feet tall."
City Staff is recommending council allow the sign to be erected on the south portion of the Microtel property to try and mitigate the neighbours concerns.
Hundreds of students simultaneously crunched into an apples Thursday morning as part of Great Big Crunch day.
Winchester Public School was one of the schools involved in the festivites which included games like an Apple relay, Chop Stick pick up, and apple pancake toss.
The event started four years ago in Toronto.
Since then all students in Oxford county schools have been given an apple, on the day of the event.
All the students at Winchester Public School were full of smiles and eighth grader Megan Mccolgan told Heart FM what she thought about the event
She said "You got to learn about nutrition and it was really fun."
Lynda Metcalfe the Student Nutrition Program Coordinator said "The main goal is to have every child in oxford county be well fed and ready to learn."
Over 15,000 apples were distributed to local schools for the event.
It's graduation night for over 300 local college students.
Fanshawe College's Oxford Campus is hosting its Convocation ceremony tonight at Maranatha Christian Reformed Church in Woodstock.
This year's class of 309 graduates is hilighted by the first ever graduating class from the Practical Nursing Program.
Campus Chair Donna Derer says its another proud moment for the college. "We're very proud of the students we have in Oxford County. We're delighted to be a part of the community and we look forward to many, many more years, and hopefully a larger campus and many more graduates serving the area in which we live."
This year's graduating class is slightly smaller than the record setting class of 2010.
Focus groups are being held throughout Oxford County asking seniors and their families what type of services they are in need of now, and what services they will require in the future.
The Oxford Master Aging Plan information sessions began Monday, but are continuing on until October 26th.
Topics of discussion will include health care, social services, the built environment, transportation, housing, recreation and other components of a senior-friendly community.
A popular adventure farm and market in Oxford County has regrettably closed its doors - at least temporarily.
Leaping Deer Legends, located just outside of Ingersoll, has had to cancel many of its activities due to a family medical emergency.
Leaping Deer have made generous financial contributions to 3 local hospitals, support local farmers and the agricultural community promoting farmgate Markets in Oxford, as well as their popular corn maze.
Budhaven Farms Limited/Leaping Deere Legends also received a Premier's Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence.
Four Norwich residents were taken to hospital after a crash Tuesday evening.
Oxford OPP say around 7:30pm a farm tractor pulling a grain wagon was travelling south on Middleton Line in Norwich Township. The tractor slowed down to turn into a driveway when a car slammed into the rear of the wagon.
The driver of the car, 32 year-old Mark Williams was seriously injured and had to be extricated from the vehicle. His three children, ages 4, 7 and 8 received non life threatening injuries.
The driver of the tractor was not injured.
Williams and his three children were taken to Tillsonburg hospital then transferred to London hospitals.
Constable Dennis Harwood says police are continuing to investigate the collision.
A Woodstock and a London man remain in police custody following a short foot chase in the city Monday night.
Police say they spotted a car speeding and run a stop sign at Buller Street and Vansittart Avenue around 10 p.m. Monday night. Officers located the vehicle at a home on Oxford Street at which time the two occupants fled the vehicle on foot.
Police had a short chase and after a struggle, the two men were arrested.
24 year-old Michael Beatty of Woodstock now faces charges of:
Assault with Intent to Resist Arrest
Breach of Probation
Assault on a Peace Officer
Dangerous Driving
Possession of a Controlled Drug and Substance
Attempting to Disarm a Police Officer
32 year-old Devon St. Louis of London faces charges of:
4 Counts of Fail To Comply with Recognizance
Assault a Peace Officer
Assault with Intent to Resist Arrest
Attempting to Disarm a Police Officer
Both appeared in court Tuesday for a bail hearing. Beatty is due back in court on October 24th and St. Louis on October 21st.
Two officers injured during the arrest were taken to the Woodstock General Hospital to be treated and were later released.
A significant piece of Woodstock's history is getting a little TLC.
The Cenotaph in Victoria Park that depicts the names of men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice- is undergoing some major restorations.
Doug Petit of Thames Memorials says the Cenotaph has had names added and corrected, along with a bronze plaque and swords that will be later added symbolizing the Canadian Peace Keepers.
Petit says prior to the new granite resurfacing, the old material was not able to withstand the elements of Mother Nature
"The original is made of stand-stead grade granite that was erected originally in the early 20's. In the 40's the city had added 3 blocks following the 2nd world war adding bronze and lead letters that have discoloured over the years. Because of lead lettering it tends to discolor and they blend in with the grey granite and make things somewhat eligible".
The Cenotaph should be completed well before next month's Remembrance Day ceremonies.
A traffic blitz netted 62 total charges in Woodstock.
Officers from the Stratford, St. Thomas, Aylmer and Woodstock rang up the charges on Monday in the annual four county traffic blitz.
While most charges were for speeding, red light and seat belt violations and cell phone use, there was one more serious case.
A visiting Stratford officer spotted a suspicious driver, and a quick check of the vehicle showed it was stolen from Stratford a month ago.
The 47-year-old Toronto man behind the wheel was arrested for possession of stolen property, and was also charged for driving while disqualified for life.
CAMI may not be able to keep up with the soaring demand for its vehicles, and that could be a problem.
Dan Akerson, the Chairman of General Motors is now confirming the company is eyeing building some CUV's at its Spring Hill, Tennessee plant. He was quoted by the US publication Automotive Weekly.
That has raised some alarm amongst workers at Ingersoll's CAMI Automotive.
President of the CAW Local 88, Dan Borthwick says the report is concerning. "It's always a concern when the head guy is quoting...but it's more for overflow production that can't be met by our current situation here. We're supposed to have a line speed increase shortly and hopefully that will meet some of the demand for the product."
CAMI is in hiring mode for the 5th time in the last 18-months, adding another 100 to the workforce to try and keep up with demand.
Right now, CAMI is building 1100 vehicles a day, and shipping another 300 to the GM Plant in Oshawa for painting and final assembly.
Borthwick says they would prefer to see the overflow work kept in Canada, rather than shifting work state-side.
For more comments with Borthwick, watch the video below:
Oxford County and the rest of Southwestern Ontario better prepare.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement calling for upwards of 50 millimetres of rain.
The rain is expected tonight with heavier rainfall into Wednesday afternoon.
The weather agency says they are tracking the intensity of the system that is
developing in the southern U.S. and on its way to the Great Lakes region.
Environment Canada says most areas can expect about 25 millimetres of rain with some areas as much as 55 millimetres before diminishing by Thursday morning.
Oxford OPP have released the name of the man killed in a single vehicle collision Monday morning.
Police say around 5:40 a.m., 24 year-old Mykelle Watling of South-West Oxford was travelling on Road 66 in Zorra Township, north of Ingersoll when he lost control of his vehicle, entered the ditch and struck a tree.
Watling was pronounced dead at the scene.
Constable Dennis Harwood says the investigation is continuing to determine the cause of the crash.
A spree of robberies in the city have Woodstock Police seeking three male suspects.
According to police, three separate armed robberies occurred in the city between 6:45 and 8:15 p.m. Sunday night.
The first incident happened at the J-P Variety on Ingersoll Ave. when a lone male walked into the store and asked the clerk for change. When the till was opened, the man brandished a knife and demanded the cash. He made off with an undisclosed amount of money and left the store.
The same guy entered the South Side Variety on Henry Street around 8 p.m. and again asked for change from the clerk. When the till opened, he jumped over the counter and grabbed the cash. A second suspect then entered the store and filled a gym bag with cigarettes and lottery tickets. The two suspects left the store and got into awaiting car.
Just minutes later, at 8:15 p.m. the same suspect entered the Starlight Variety on Dundas Street East. He again asked for change, produced a knife when the till opened and made off with an undisclosed amount of cash. The man fled the store northbound on foot.
The suspect who entered all three stores is described as a white male, 5'9 to 6' with a muscular build, wearing blue jeans, white gloves and a black hooded sweater with a white skull type emblem and lettering on the front and back with a large design on the back.
The second male is white, 5'10 with a medium build, wearing red gloves and a "ecko unlimited" sweater.
The males were seen leaving in a mid 1990's Pontiac Grand Am type vehicle with four doors and silver or gold in colour. There was a third male driving the car. The car had been parked on Burtch Street near Henry Street.
Anyone who has any information about these incidents is asked to call Woodstock police at 519-537-2323.
Oxford County's aging population will be able to retire in style.
A new 4-story, 120 unit retirement home is being built in the south end of Woodstock.
Mark Lowen is with the Lenity Group and says the building will be able to provide housing for about 135 residents
"It's a non-medical facility, so it basically fits the gap between what we might consider a senior apartment with a senior community and the step above us would be some sort of assisted living. We find it provides a great opportunity for seniors who are still active".
The Retirement home will have its own beauty/barber shop, a movie theatre, a bistro, activity rooms for quilting and yoga and Wii bowling.
The home will be situated on the east side of Finkle Street bordered by Alberta Avenue to the north and Juliana to the south.
Lowen says they expect to break ground in the spring with an anticipated opening of 2013.
Oxford OPP say 1 man is dead after a single vehicle collision early this morning.
Constable Dennis Harwood says a male driver was travelling on Oxford Road 66 in Zorra Township (north of Ingersoll) at about 5:30 when the driver lost control of his vehicle, entered a ditch and struck a tree head on.
The man died at the scene.
The cause of the crash is not yet known as Police are currently investigating.
The name and age of the Oxford County Resident is not being released until next of kin are notified.
Friday marked the 3rd anniversary of baby Alex's death and yet a trial date has still not been set for the accused.
Bonita Purtill, who faces charges of criminal negligence causing death and impaired driving (among others) in the death of 5 month old Alexander Fleming 3 years ago, appeared in a Woodstock courtroom this morning.
Purtill was to appear with an assigned Lawyer, but told Justice L.C. Leitch she has yet to retain council.
Baby Alex's father, Mike Fleming, says he and his family are frustrated by the constant delays
" The consistency is not there with Judge Heeney not being there today. It is frustrating because I want to get this dealt with, I want to get this in a position where we can move forward and just honor Alex's memory. People talk about closure, but there really is no closure I don't think, nor Mary and I don't think. We just want to move forward and remember and honor our family".
Purtill has had 20 court appearances since the case began and has fired two of her previous Lawyers.
This is now the 3rd appearance for Purtill after Justice Thomas Heeney insisted she retain council on her last appearance September 20th.
Purtill is to appear in court November 7, 2011 to set a date for trial.
Area home sales reached near-record levels in September of this year.
According to Woodstock-Ingersoll and District Real Estate Board President, Lori Goldhawk, sales increased by seven percent from September of last year.
113 units were sold last month with an average price of $212,908.
Goldhawk says "housing demand in the region continues to pick up following a fairly quiet spring. Activity was particularly strong in September, coming in just two sales shy of the all-time September record set back in 2008".
She further stated that the overall supply of homes for sale on the market was down noticeably last month, falling 22 percent from the same time last year.
The overall dollar value of all residential property sales from last month was 24-million dollars which equals an increase of 10 percent from a year ago.
A one-day traffic initiative is taking over the city today.
Woodstock Police are hosting surrounding police agencies in the annual event that focuses efforts on several areas of traffic enforcement.
City police along with visiting officers will be targeting aggressive driving, distracted driving, intersection-related offences and of course speeding.
Woodstock Police Chief Rod Freeman stated that during today's four county initiative, police will adhere to a zero-tolerance approach on traffic enforcement saying "for today alone we'll have officers from London, St Thomas, Stratford and our own Woodstock officers out there specifically for traffic enforcement; addressing some of these issues that we think are contributing to a high collision rate".
Freeman says "virtually all collisions occurring on our roadways can be attributed to driver error and distraction. This creates preventable dangers and injuries on the roadways that our officers are committed to addressing through aggressive, high visibility enforcement".
Chief Freeman said that his officers will be focusing specifically on Norwich Ave. and Wilson between the 401 and Dundas, as it is a high collision area.
Woodstock Police released stats last week showing that Norwich at Juliana and Norwich at Parkinson have the highest collision rates in the city this year.
Woodstock Police are investigating acts of vandalism in the city that caused roughly $4,000 in damages to a number of vehicles.
Police say they received a report of a vehicle with two slashed tires just before 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning on Butler Street. A further investigation revealed that approximately 15 cars had their tires punctured in the area of Butler, Spencer, Finkle and Hay Streets.
An estimated value of damage is $3,500 - $4,000.
Police are continuing to investigate the matter and are asking anyone with information to contact them at 519-537-2323 or call Crime Stoppers at 519-421-TIPS (8477).
"There are more youth drinking and driving deaths every year than those caused by suicide, crack and guns", according the Matt Evans the Ontario Students Against Drunk Driving Provincial Coordinator.
Evans entertained close to 400 senior students as part of an event called Meet the Challenge.
He talked about how he experienced the loss of two of his best friends due to alcohol related accidents.
He told Heart FM that his presentation is to show students how to meet challenges in their lives as well as discussing the misuse of substances.
Evans urged the students to calm down their perceptions of drinking.
He also told the students "it comes down to 3 simple things: trying, caring, working."
But he added those steps will help meet life's challenges, not always beat them but certainly meet them.
CASS was selected as one of 50 school to receive this presentation which was presented by the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario and the Ministry of Health.
Posted
About One Year Ago by Liz Wismer & Blair R. Wilson
Some parents of Thames Valley District School Board students are being asked to no longer send peanut butter substitutes in their children's lunches.
But according the the school board, this is not a ban that's been put in force to every school.
Director of Education, Bill Tucker says schools that have students with peanut allergies may have sent letters home to the parents requesting that these substitutes no longer be used.
Tucker further stated that due to confusion between real peanut butter and substitutes, some principal's are asking parents to no longer use these products to keep their students safe.
Tucker says they are not the first school board to support this move
"actually there are 4 school boards within the southwestern and the GTA area that have similar requests with parents with similar advisories to principals. We are not a trend setter in this area, but we certainly concur with our partners across the province in terms of cautions issued to staff around peanut butter substitutes that look small and taste like peanut butter".
Tucker reiterated that they have not placed a ban on peanut butter substitutes at all schools but are supporting any principals that are requesting parents to stop using these products.
Good news for farmers and those with large mobile machinery.
The round-a-bout located at County Road 6 and highway 2 will be opening shortly.
Public Works Director Rob Walton says a number of reviews and consultations have been performed at the intersection.
Walton says two main problems included previous collisions and a narrow turning radius.
Warden Don McKay talked about the new round-a-bout on Heart-FM this (Friday) morning
" there are larger equipment and longer equipment and the difficulty is not the round-about itself, it's the entrance into and out of because of the barrier curb on either side, so we had to knock that off and make it a rollover curve".
McKay says there will be a bit more of a delay, but will be open very soon.
He says the intersection will also be well lit at night as is the tollgate round-a-bout at Highway 59 and County Road 17.
The Special Investigation Unit have been called in to investigate a situation involving the Oxford OPP.
In a news release from the local OPP on Thursday, they say a 33 year-old Springford man who had been arrested for public intoxication on Wednesday evening went into medical distress while in police custody awaiting a bail hearing the next day.
The man was taken from custody and admitted to the Woodstock General hospital for medical care.
As per mandate, the SIU are required to investigate matters like this as the man was in police custody when he experienced medical distress.
Farm Credit Canada wrapped up their two day tour with a stop in Tavistock on Thursday.
The tour was for a fundraiser called Drive Away Hunger.
Drive Away Hunger is a unique food drive that involves driving a tractor and trailer through communities to collect food and cash donations for area food banks.
The district director of FCC Woodstock George Clausler, told Heart FM "that all the FCC employees get involved with this fundraiser."
Last year Drive Away Hunger raised over 1.7 million pounds of food.
This years numbers are not official yet but George Clausler, gave Heart FM a rough estimate of over 70 thousand pounds.
The fundraiser started back in 2004, when a FFC employee drove a tractor just North of Listowel and raised close to 60 thousand pounds of food.
The event has since become an annual event for FFC, and runs from the middle of September until the middle of October.
1000 Acts of kindness; that's the challenge the Oxford Domestic Assault Review Team are putting forth to the community again this year.
Whether you take out your neighbours garbage, rake their leaves or even read to residents at a retirement centre; the members of D.A.R.T. are encouraging the community to perform acts of kindness for the month of October.
According to Oxford D.A.R.T. Coordinator, Linda Armstrong "the idea basically is, you don't tell anyone what you have done. This is meant to be just a sweet act of kindness, which I think in turn encourages others to do active acts of kindness as well".
Armstrong says acts of kindness can be spontaneous or planned.
Although acts of kindness are encouraged throughout the year, the Oxford D.A.R.T. is challenging people to perform 1000 acts of kindness until the end of month.
It was three years ago that D.A.R.T. brought the initiative in to Oxford County, however the idea as a whole started almost 30 years ago and is now recognized globally.
It all about providing hands on and practical skills for area youth.
Ingersoll's Fusion Youth & Technology Centre is rolling out a Youth Career and entrepreneurship program.
The Centre's Manager, Jason Smith, says he hopes the program will go county-wide in January.
Smith explains what the program can offer youth
"The main objective of the program is to provide hands on and practical skills. Whether that means them working on one of our social enterprises and getting a specific skill, becoming an employee, or whether they are learning to be an owner of a company, or whether they are looking at getting into marketing, administration, financial management within a company. We are hoping through our program they will get those hands-on experiences".
Smith says a partnership with Community Employment Services and funding provided by the Ontario Trillium Foundation has made the program possible.
Oxford OPP are continuing to investigate an attempted murder case in Tillsonburg.
Police were called out to a home on Magnolia Drive around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon after receiving reports of an altercation at the home.
OPP Constable Dennis Harwood says when police arrived to the home, they found a 36 year old woman and 46 year old man suffering from serious injuries. Both were taken to the Tillsonburg & District Memorial Hospital where they were stabilized and then later transported to London Health Sciences Centre.
Their names have not been released at this time.
Police are saying that the two are known to each other and the man remains under police guard at the hospital.
Police are continuing to investigate the matter however, they are assuring the public that this is an isolated matter and public safety is not an issue.
The local boy scouts and the YMCA of Woodstock both received substantial donations from TD bank on Wednesday.
The YMCA of Woodstock received a 25 000 dollar donation from TD bank.
Heidi Peever Bain the VP of development of the YMCA of Western Ontario, told Heart FM that some of the money will go towards the "leader core" program which helps youth become leaders of tomorrow.
And some of the money will go towards the bully proof partnership with Kidproof of Canada.
A 5000 dollar donation from the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation was given to the Scouts.
Cindy Knight the area Scout commissioner of Mindaamin says that donation will go a long way with helping with environmental programs put on by the local scouts.
Both organizations were given their donations at the sneak preview event hosted by the new TD bank on Norwich avenue.
Oxford OPP and emergency crews are on scene this hour (3:30pm) of what reports are saying is a 'double stabbing incident' in Tillsonburg.
Police were called out to a home this afternoon.
Heart-FM spoke with OPP Constable Dennis Harwood moments ago
"In and around 1:30pm the Oxford County OPP were dispatched to a home in Tillsonburg in regards to an assault. The initial investigation reveals that we have one adult female who was assaulted at her residence by a male known to her that both the male and female were taken to Tillsonburg Hospital with injuries".
We have unconfirmed reports of one person who has been critically injured in the assault and was taken to Tillsonburg District memorial Hospital.
Tune in to 104.7 Heart-FM and we will provide more details as they become available.
Woodstock Police say distracted driving is the number 1 cause for accidents - especially at the intersection of Juliana Drive and Norwich Ave. and Parkinson Road at Norwich.
Woodstock Police Constable Steve McEwen says these two intersections are where most collisions occur in the friendly city.
In a report released today it says "In 2010 there were 503 reported Motor Vehicle Crashes in the first eight months of the year. In that same time period in 2011 there have been 579 reported crashes".
McEwen says out of those reported - 49 were classified as non-fatal injuries in 2010 and 58 again in 2011. None were fatal crashes.
As a result 96 charges were laid in 2010 and 172 charges were laid in 2011.
A majority of crashes occurred on dry roads.
In addition the number of crashes spiked between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m.
It was a difference of opinion between Woodstock General Hospital and County Council this morning.
Council Members voted 6-4 of not approving a request for development charges totaling nearly $58,000.00.
The charges stem from a June 20th building permit for the purpose of constructing a two-storey professional building on the current hospital site.
The development charges totaled nearly $78,000.00 of which $58,860.63 applies to county-related services.
Vice President of Services Perry Lang and Chair Person for the hospital’s Board of Trust Ed Down presented council with their case based on the exclusion provided in the County’s development charges by-law that states:
“This by-law shall not apply to land that is owned by and used for the purposes of…a public hospital under the Public Hospitals Act.”
Warden Don McKay addressed council members by asking for more clarification and interpretation of the hospital act.
McKay also suggested possibly reimbursing the hospital through grant funding out of the county’s reserves or deferring it to the 2012 budget.
CAO Mike Bragg was opposed to the reimbursement and compared the new hospital with other medical buildings within the county that have to pay the same development charges – such as medical buildings and pharmacies that offer medical services to residents and that no one should be exempt from such by-laws already in force.
Councilor Sandra Talbot challenged Bragg on the 'fine line' between medical buildings and the hospital.
Woodstock Mayor Pat Sobeski told council he has reservations of putting it over to a grant program and said council has the responsibility and authority of “over ruling” the development charges.
The next County Council meeting will discuss the possibility of a grant for the hospital that would alleviate any further financial concern from WGH.
The hospital’s next step is to take the ruling of 6-4 back to the board of trust and possibly appeal the ruling through the Ontario Municipal Board.
Keep tuned to 104.7 Heart-FM this afternoon for more comment and reaction from this morning's meeting.
Oxford County OPP have been busy over the past 24 hours on area roads.
Police caught a 19 year-old Brant County woman travelling at 145 km/h in a 80 km/h zone around 7:20 a.m. Tuesday morning on Brant Line Road in Norwich Township. She was charged with stunt driving and excessive speed. Police towed her vehicle and suspended her licence for seven days.
They also charged two people in two separate impaired driving occurrences later in the day.
Around 12:30 p.m. in the afternoon, police say they responded to a single vehicle collision on Road 60 in Zorra Township. Police determined that the driver had been drinking and arrested the 65 year-old Thames Centre man whose breath readings were twice the legal limit.
Then around 8 o'clock in the evening, police in Ingersoll clocked a car travelling 95 km/h in a 60 km/h zone on Canterbury Street. When police tried to pull the vehicle over, the driver sped off. Police eventually stopped the vehicle and discovered the 49 year-old Ingersoll man had been drinking and was subsequently arrested. He measured three times over the legal limit and is now facing impaired driving charges, resisting arrest, assaulting a police officer, flight from police and possession of a controlled substances after marijuana was found on the suspect.
An Environment Canada Meteorologist says there's still more to be thankful for.
Dave Phillips says the city of Woodstock broke a weather record on Sunday that hasn't been beaten since 1997.
He says Woodstock reached a record 27.5 degrees.
Phillips says there may be more to jot down in the record books before days end
"Today even if it gets up to the projected high of 25 degrees, well it will be the record on this date back in October 11th in 1961/62 when the temperature got up to 24.4 degrees. So these are temperatures that are a dozen degrees warmer than what we should normally expect at this time of the year in the Woodstock area".
Phillips says we have not seen warmer temperatures in the past 100 years over the Thanksgiving week-end than we have this past week-end.
Tillsonburg's Siemens plant has been in a holding pattern, but production will begin before the end of the year.
The wind turbine blade plant currently has 35 workers on staff, only about 10 to 15 per cent of the projected workforce of 300.
But Senior VP of Siemens Canada's Energy Division, Bill Smith says production will begin soon, "we're ramping up for production; again we'll produce our first blade by the end of the year. It will be our first prototype blade that will be coming off the production line on December 31st, or there about's".
Smith says the plant should be in full production by June, but does admit there will be some flexibility in production based on demand.
Smith says there are several pending deals on the horizon.
So far the only major confirmed deal is one with US-based Pattern Energy Group.
The CEO of Woodstock's General Hospital is expected to be at a County Council Hearing Wednesday morning.
Natasa Veljovic will present her case involving a development charge complaint.
County Council received a letter from Veljovic August 15th (2011) indicating the hospital was submitting an appeal for a refund of the County’s portion of development fees paid for a building permit issued on June 20th.
The permit was issued to WGH for the purpose of constructing a two story professional building on the current hospital site.
The development charges totalled $77,943.00 of which $58,860.63 applies to County-related services.
City Council passed a resolution to refund the city’s development charges of just over $19,000.00 during a meeting September 1st.
Traffic was disrupted this morning at the intersection of Juliana Drive and Norwich Avenue in Woodstock.
A 5-ton truck travelling southbound on Norwich Avenue slammed into a small SUV travelling westbound on Julian Drive shortly before 10am.
Police were on scene redirecting traffic in the area, but there does not appear to be any injuries, however the SUV received significant front-end damage to its left side.
A young boy from the Township of Perth East was tragically killed Thanksgiving Monday.
Perth OPP were called to Perth Line 72 west of Newton around 5:45 Monday afternoon after a 7 year-old boy was hit by a car. Police say the family was exiting a school bus they had privately hired to use for a family function, when the young boy ran in front of the bus to cross the road and was hit by a passing car. The bus had parked on the shoulder across the road from the house where the family was being dropped off.
Steven Kuepfer was rushed to Listowel Memorial Hospital before he succumbed to his injuries.
Police are continuing to investigate the collision and no charges have been laid.
If you're a horse owner and looking for something unique to do this Thanksgiving week-end, then why not hit the trails!
Jessey Robertson runs Willow Creek Riding Stables in Beachville and is inviting horse owners to bring their pony along for an 8 kilometer trail ride in an effort to raise funds for cancer research
"The starting location is at our farm at Willow Creek which is on Karn Road in Beachville and we have 6 hours of marked trails that have creeks, hills and it's really beautiful scenery with all the changing color of the leaves right now".
Ride time begins at 11:00am Saturday and will run until 5pm.
Robertson says 100 percent of all proceeds received are going towards the Canadian Cancer Society.
At the local level Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman won his seat by a landslide for a fifth consecutive term - defeating Liberal Candidates Dave Hilderley, NDP Candidate Dorothy Eisen, Green Party Candidate Catherine Stewart Mott and Family Coalition Party Candidate Leonard Vanderhoeven.
37,634 cast their ballots in this year's provincial election here in Oxford with Ernie Hardeman taking the majority 20,651 votes.
Hardeman spoke with Heart-FM after Dave Hilderley congratulated him for a job well done
"I think that one of the things that we found out about each other is that Dave Hilderley isn't in the community just for the time being. He is a member of our community, he is a well respected member of our community, he works hard for our community and so I'm not surprised that he is going to stick around".
These two Liberal Supporters say they were very impressed with Hiderley's short, but effective campaign
"oh...incredibly focused like right off the mark, he had a great message and projected it really well".
" It wasn't a question of David or Ernie being better or not better than the other - they are - they're both good people - I was quite pleased".
Hilderley remained poised and confident throughout his campaign and vowed to make much more of an impact in the next election
"We feel strong that we are moving forward with the momentum, but you know what? This has been a conservative territory for the last 16 years and we just need a little more time".
Hilderley took 9,407 votes, Dorothy Eisen took 5,885, Oxford Green Candidate Catherine Stewart-Mott 1,336 and Family Coalition Candidate Leonard Vanderhoeven 355.
With a glass raised in the air, re-elected MPP for Oxford County Ernie Hardeman thanked the people of Oxford for the "priviledge and opportunity to serve them for another term".
Hardeman says "nothing could be a greater honour".
Ernie Hardeman was re-elected with a landslide vote Thursday night. This is his fifth consecutive win collecting 20,651 of the 37,634 votes cast in the county.
Hardeman says it's tough to say what his agenda will be following his win tonight, "I think that is very difficult to answer tonight. Obviously, up until 9 o'clock this evening when the polls closed, my objective is to win this election. Now we're going to have to take a day or so to set (what you say) new objectives to work towards. Obviously we start by looking after the needs of the people locally, from there on we will look at what the future holds".
However, he says we can definitely expect to see the Hawkins-Gignac Act brought to the table again, "I've introduced it twice, got second reading twice, the government didn't call it back. I'd hoped, of course, we would be government and it would be government bill and it wouldn't have to be stalled that way. But we will be introducing it again at first opportunity to put it through the process again".
Hardeman says he will continue to give "his best to the people of Oxford County, as he has done for the previous four terms".
It's a 5th consecutive term for Oxford County's longest tenured MPP. Hardeman won in convincing fashion, and spoke to a crowd of supporters at Cedar Creek Golf Course.
Polling stations open at 9 o'clock this morning, and close at 9 o'clock tonight.
Returning Officer Beth Martin says you should have received a voter information card in the mail, telling you where your polling station is located; "Our number one message is, please come out and vote! You need to vote at the correct poll. You may have received a card that would tell you what that poll was. If you have any questions as a voter about where to go to vote, call in to the office, and we will give you in a second the information that you need through our computer system".
You can contact the Returning Office at 1-866-532-0339.
You also have to have proper identification to be able to vote.
Also a reminder that when the polls close at 9 o'clock tonight, Heart FM is on the air with our election special. We'll bring you the local result with full reaction, plus comprehensive coverage of the provincial picture.
To remedy the ill affects of that nasty bug, Oxford Public Health has posted its flu shot clinics on their website and encourages the public to roll up their sleeve.
The first clinic will open its doors in Woodstock beginning October 20th at the Oxford Auditorium.
The clinic will provide free vaccinations to all adults and children over six months of age from 3pm to 7pm.
A complete list of the clinics' dates and times are at the link below:
There will be many "Happy Campers" at Woodstock & District Developmental Services (WDDS) thanks to a generous donation.
A cheque in the amount of $5,000 was presented this morning to WDDS staff by RBC.
Vice President for Commercial & Agricultural Banking Greg Belanger says it's RBC's way of community involvement
"social services are requiring additional funds and this is an opportunity we think that we can give back to the community where it will be used for children to help them participate in a summer camp. It's a good cause and we are delighted to be part of it."
WDDS Community Development Coordinator Deb Roloson explains how the money will be used
"It's actually going to be earmarked for our youth summer camp which is a camp we have every year for young people that have developmental disabilities. We provide a wide range of things like day trips, gym programs, special theme days and on sight activities that really makes for a fun summer for the young people".
Roloson says WDDS supports more than 300 people over all in Oxford County with an average of about 25 youth who participate in their camp program each year.
They're breaking out the champagne at the Ingersoll and District Curling Club tonight.
They are set to celebrate the Club's 50-year milestone tonight.
They'll also be honouring several members who have been with the club for all of those 50-years.
As President Bob Armstrong points out, the club extends far beyond the borders of the town. "It's a great celebration for Ingersoll and the Ingersoll Curling Club...and the District, it goes to Dorchester and even to Tillsonburg and Woodstock...there's curlers from everywhere and it's been that way for 50-years."
Armstrong says the Club is in good financial order, and is poised to improve. A new ice plant was installed just 3-years-ago, and he hints other improvements are coming over the next 5-years.
Armstrong encourages other to get involved in curling. He says it's a sport anyone can excel at, and is the best social sport around.
The CAW Local 88 is telling its membership not to vote for the Conservatives if they want to keep their jobs.
The bold statement comes just hours before Ontarians, and the membership of over 3000 workers at Ingersoll's CAMI Automotive head to the polls.
The union fears Tim Hudak's PC's would not come to the table with government money for major automotive investments.
Local 88 Plant Chair Mike Van Boekel says it was government money that helped save GM, and made CAMI relevant again, "Unfortunately, it's the way the world has gone right now. Especially in North America; if anybody wants new investment in their plant, whether they be GM, Toyota, Chrysler, Ford, Honda; they are going to the governments for money, basically almost as a trade off for the amount of tax dollars that they get back in".
However, Oxford PC Candidate Ernie Hardeman says the news release issued by the CAW is far from the truth saying "I don't believe that's a fair assessment, what's in the new release. We as a party supported the support for the bailout for the automakers when they were in the world crisis, and they needed help to keep it going".
Hardeman calls the CAW's last minute news release "a political ploy".
"Ingersoll is the hub of the earth. It is the hub of the earth and we are very, very lucky to be here." - Mayor Ted Comiskey
Ingersoll's Mayor stood poised and confident amongst a crowd at the Elmhurst Inn this morning that was hosted by the Ingersoll Chamber of Commerce.
Ted Comiskey addressed a room full of local business owners about the past, present and future of Ingersoll during an annual 'Breakfast With The Mayor' meeting.
Topics of discussion included new schools for students, infrastructure and economic development - including an update on the town's $33 million dollar solar farm proposal
"If the Liberals do get in then I certainly would think that within a very short period of time we will be able to proceed."
Comiskey also stated if the Conservatives are voted in October 6th, that solar contracts that have not yet been signed will be given a closer look in terms of their usefulness.
OPP were scouring for a suspect in Ingersoll after an early morning robbery.
The Bridge Variety store was held up by a suspect with a knife.
He made off with cash, and ran eastward down the railway tracks, on the south side of the Thames River.
OPP crews, the Canine Unit, and Emergency Response Team searched the area, but could not locate the suspect.
He's described as a white male, about 20-years-old, 6-feet tall with a medium build. He was wearing a dark grey or black jacket, a black baseball hat, and had a navy blue scarf covering his face.
If you have any information, call Oxford OPP or Crime Stoppers.
Woodstock police are looking for the person who stole a vehicle and went for a dangerous joy ride in the city.
According to police, around 8pm last night, a 2007 Corvette smashed into two parked cars at a home on Peel Street near Norwich Ave., causing one of the parked vehicles to spin out and hit the house.
Investigators say the car was travelling at a high rate of speed eastbound on Peel Street when it wiped out, hit the parked cars and a metal sign post. The car continued eastbound on Norwich Ave before being abandoned a block away at Lawrason and Peel.
Total damages are approximately 50-thousand dollars.
Police are looking to speak with anyone who might have been in the area just before or after the accident. Please call 519-537-2323 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Going above and beyond for the United Way has earned the membership of the CAW Local 88 some recognition.
The union was awarded with the 2011 Wes Magill Award at a Rotary event this afternoon.
United Way of Oxford Executive Director Kelly Gilson says this year's winners, the membership of the CAW Local 88 provide more than just the hundreds of thousands of dollars they raise each year. "They participate in events, they help with allocations, they volunteer on different committees, they really believe in the work we do, and they show that with their time and their talent."
CAW Local 88 President Dan Borthwick on winning the award. "Very awesome to receive such a prestigious award in the community for recognizing the efforts that the members of CAW Local 88 through funding and a lot of the committees that go on each and every year."
The CAW Local 88 has raised over $5-million for the United Way over the years.
The Wes Magill award, named after the late Wes Magill, who helped found the local United Way decades ago, was presented by his daughter, Beth Graham. "It's a real thrill for me. As I give the award, I imagine how proud my father would be. He always said 'Get behind the community, work hard.', and to see that these people have continued to do that...it's just amazing."
Check out some hilights of the event in the video below:
People struggling with addiction in Ingersoll have help on the way.
Operation Sharing's Cynthia Anne Centre for Addictions is opening in the town.
It will operate out of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church for two days a week, on Wednesday's and Thursday's from 11:30-1 o'clock.
Program Director Bill Baleka says the need to expand came from people in Ingersoll who said they needed help, but transportation to Woodstock was a barrier. "The work we do, we don't consider it to be about numbers. It's more about the need for helping people, and even if it's only one, they're worth the help. It is our hope there will be many people because the more we can help, the more people can enjoy the more out of life they're entitled to."
The Cynthia Anne program offers both group counselling and one-on-one sessions for a wide variety of addictions, and is free of charge for anyone.
You can reach Baleka, or Program Facilitator Philip Wright at 519-788-2508.
OPP seized 22 pounds of marihuana leaves after a bizarre bust near Ingersoll Saturday morning.
Police were receiving calls about a male walking down Karn Road east of Ingersoll, carrying a garbage pin. When police arrived on scene, the guy was loading the garbage pin into a pickup truck and fled on foot when he saw police approaching.
After a short chase, police caught the 17 year-old Ingersoll youth and discovered that he was in possession of marihuana leaves, a stolen bike, credit card and GPS that were taken from parked cars in Ingersoll.
The youth has been charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, three counts of possession of stolen property and failing to comply with a release order from a previous unrelated incident.
He is being held in custody pending a bail hearing.
The Woodstock Navy Vets are still looking for their first win of the season.
The Grimsby Peach Kings got on the scoreboard first with a 3-nothing lead before the Vets answered back with two quick goals in the last half of the second period.
Grimsby who took 5-2 lead early in the third before Woodstock capitalized on the powerplay with a goal late in the third. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough as the Peach Kings went on to win 5-3, improving to 4-0
Kyle Robertson, Brock Welch and Dylan Lazarus were the scorers for the Vets, with Chris Gilders, Brynn Schultz and Mackenzie Langford assisting on two of the three goals.
The Vets are back in action Friday night at Southwood arena; game time is 7:45 pm.
A new Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) is joining the ranks of Oxford Public Health.
The position will be added as a result of the restructuring for Oxford County Public Health & Emergency Services.
Public Health Director Lynn Beath says the position is necessary to ensure quality health care
" there's a lot of professional practice issues that you always need to work on and as the scope of practice for nurses continues to grow and expand, we want to make sure we are practicing in the best possible way and that we are supporting the staff".
The Ministry of Health & Long Term Care (MHLTC)will provide the $29,175.00 to support the new role from October to December.
MHLTC will also provide the county with $116,000 per year on an annual basis as part of new Ontario Public Health Organizational Standards announced in February.
With just a few days left before the 40th Ontario Provincial Election, Oxford Liberal Candidate Dave Hilderley spent Saturday going from door to door getting the Liberal word out.
Hilderley was in the Springbank Avenue north area of Woodstock canvassing the neighbourhood.
Hilderley was asked what his Liberals have planned to help alleviate soaring hydro costs
"we continue with our energy rebate on the hydro bills. We recognize that will help with a 10 percent reduction from now for the next 4 years minimum and we respect the fact we need to help with that cost. We also recognize that it's important to help repay the debt recovery costs".
Hilderley says reducing small business tax by 55 percent, reducing corporate tax by 4 percent and supporting local green energy projects will also help with job creation in the Friendly City.
Posted
About One Year Ago by Blair R. Wilson & Liz Wismer
Kaitlyn Hantz got her wish.
The Norwich Merchants defeated the Simcoe Storm 7-4 Friday night.
The Merchants dedicated last night's game to Kaitlyn who suffers from a rare neurological disorder that has left her paralyzed.
Kaitlyn's Grandmother Linda spoke with Heart-FM about how dedicated Kaitlyn is to her favourite team,
"Mostly every day Kaitlyn says she can't wait to get back to the Norwich arena. Kaitlyn has followed the team since she was 2 or 3 years old. She and her sister Isabella slept over at our house every Friday night (at grandma and grandpas) and we went to all of the games and all four of us always get a pass".
Friday's game was also a fundraising effort for the Hantz family. The team took a $1 from every admission ticket sold, the club's portion of the 50/50draw and general donations to raise money for Kaitlyn's family who are staying in Toronto with her. The Merchants presented a cheque to Kaitlyn and her family Saturday afternoon at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto for $2542.
The Merchants next game will be against the New Hamburg Firebirds Sunday at 7pm.
Woodstock Police, A Forensics Identification Unit and Woodstock's K-9 unit are investigating a crime scene this hour (10:00am).
The best in business was honoured in Ingersoll.
A decision on whether to allow WGH a $58,000 grant could not be made during Wednesday's County Council Meeting Wednesday night.
Beachville was once again celebrating its rich history today.
Yet another restaurant serving hamburgers is set to open in Woodstock. However, Union Burger is promising that it's NOT just another burger joint.
Oxford County residents are being pro-active in health protection.
Three, Two, One, CRUNCH!
A popular adventure farm and market in Oxford County has regrettably closed its doors - at least temporarily.
A significant piece of Woodstock's history is getting a little TLC.
"The original is made of stand-stead grade granite that was erected originally in the early 20's. In the 40's the city had added 3 blocks following the 2nd world war adding bronze and lead letters that have discoloured over the years. Because of lead lettering it tends to discolor and they blend in with the grey granite and make things somewhat eligible".
At the local level Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman won his seat by a landslide for a fifth consecutive term - defeating Liberal Candidates Dave Hilderley, NDP Candidate Dorothy Eisen, Green Party Candidate Catherine Stewart Mott and Family Coalition Party Candidate Leonard Vanderhoeven.
Hardeman says "nothing could be a greater honour".
City Council is set to approve a new bus route tonight.
There will be many "Happy Campers" at Woodstock & District Developmental Services (WDDS) thanks to a generous donation.
They're breaking out the champagne at the Ingersoll and District Curling Club tonight.
"Ingersoll is the hub of the earth. It is the hub of the earth and we are very, very lucky to be here." - Mayor Ted Comiskey
Comiskey also stated if the Conservatives are voted in October 6th, that solar contracts that have not yet been signed will be given a closer look in terms of their usefulness.
Going above and beyond for the United Way has earned the membership of the CAW Local 88 some recognition.
With just a few days left before the 40th Ontario Provincial Election, Oxford Liberal Candidate Dave Hilderley spent Saturday going from door to door getting the Liberal word out.
