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The Citizen, 2003-05-14, Page 1Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Volume 19 No. 19 Wednesday, May 14, 2003 75 Cents (70c + 5c gst) £L NH I NORTH HURON PUBUSHING COMPANY INC. | Inside this week Pg. 6 Pg. 7 Pg-8 Pg-10 Pg-13 Smoking bylaw on to next stage Living with Friedreich’s Ataxia Summer sports season begins Strategy meeting brings forth ideas Home & Garden section begins Charges laid By Janice Becker Citizen staff A series of events in the early morning hours of April 13 led to the death of a horse and a young man from Ethel facing a court appearance. Following the discovery of -a horse carcass in Grey, Huron East, by Grey firefighters responding to a truck fire at approximately 7:15 a.m., it was learned the story had begun much earlier in the day. Huron OPP were called to the fire where a 1990 GMC pickup, southbound on McNabb Line, had burned, said Senior Constable Don Shropshall. The ovVner of the truck was traced to a home in Ethel. Upon their arrival, the OPP found a 2001 green Chevy Impala with damage to the right front side, windshield and roof. At approximately 8:30 a.m., two young men were found walking down the road. One said that the the officer was probably looking for him. The investigation showed that the Impala, being driven on Cardiff Road by one of the two men had struck and killed the wandering work horse. Following the collision with the animal, the men drove home. However, after considering the matter, they decided they could not leave the horse in the middle of the road, said Shropshall. They returned to the scene in the GMC pickup to drag the horse off the road. However, Shropshall said, for an unexplained reason, the animal was dragged three kilometres down the road at which time the engine of the truck overheated. The horse and the blood trail were discovered when emergency crews responded to the fire. The driver of the Impala, a 25- year-old has been charged with failing to remain at the scene of an accident and will appear in court, June 5. Other charges are still under consideration, police said. Best pals There was a huge crowd at Walton Little School last Tuesday when they held an open house and welcomed Poppa Berenstain Bear to visit. Jasmine Smith, left and Teegan McGavin were enamored with Poppa, following him around for much of his time at the school. Parents and children had the opportunity to check out the facilities, register for classes and enjoy some refreshments. (Janice Becker photo) Michigan man gets 15 years for deaths of Belgrave father, son One more step in recovering from a tragic accident has been completed by the McCracken family of Belgrave. Last week, 30-year-old Camden, Michigan resident Rick Jamison Foreman was sentenced in an Indiana court to 15 years for the deaths of John and Mark McCracken. Foreman pled guilty to two counts of reckless homicide and one count of criminal recklessness resulting in serious bodily injury. A third person was seriously injured in the highway crash. McCracken, 42, and his 12-year- old son were killed when the semi­ tractor driven by McCracken was struck by Foreman’s vehicle in August, 2001. Foreman had been drinking when his vehicle catapulted off C.R. 160S, through a guardrail and barbed wire fence, smashing into the semi on I- 69. McCracken’s wife, Kathy submitted a victim impact statement on May 6. In it, she said the process was both emotionally and physically draining for the family and friends of John and Mark. “It was imperative to personally portray the loss we have felt to the court and the defendant, to give a glimpse of John and Mark’s characters and personalities,” she said. “I believe Rick Foreman is truly sorry for his actions on Aug. 3, 2001.” However, McCracken said she is still too close to the event to react with satisfaction or dissatisfaction with Judge Wheat’s sentencing. “I am content that thoughts I had regarding probation stipulations were heard by court officials. I was pleased to personally thank the investigating officer Phil Nott and victims’ advocate Judie Smith for their roles in keeping me informed.” The 15-year sentence includes 10 years in prison and two years of home detention during which time Foreman will wear an ankle bracelet. This will be followed by three years probation. He will also pay $1,500 in court costs. Office open Monday Temperatures may not have indicated it as much as we like, but the first long weekend is upon us. While cottages are opened and people enjoy a Monday off, it will be business as usual at the Blyth office of The Citizen. There will, however, be a slight change in deadlines for editorial and advertising copy. Ag Soc. gets Trillium funding By David Blaney Special to The Citizen The Honourable Helen Johns, Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture was in Brussels Friday to officially present the Brussels Agricultural Society with an $11,500 Trillium grant to further the society’s work with the Brussels Fall Fair. The presentation, which took place on the BMG arena grounds, was the culmination of a year’s work on the part of Society directors as they continue to expand and revitalize the 141-year-old local institution. Ann Huffman, who oversaw the application, explained that the money would be used to improve the appearahce of displays in the exhib’t hall, signage at the entrances to the village and the cattle display area. Running water will be made available at the fair’s cattle shed and a concrete pad will installed to allow the proper grooming of cattle for competition. Signs compatible with current village entrance signage will be prepared to advertise the dates of the fall fair. The exhibit hall will receive new racks and display units to better show the work of the local exhibitors and provide a new look in the main exhibit hall. In presenting the grant Johns said, “I am happy that the Trillium foundation was able to support this initiative by an enthusiastic and hardworking group of volunteers.” “It is important to celebrate the agricultural heritage of Huron County and this grant will help the Brussels Agricultural Society continue to promote the rural community.” The grant was one of several the Trillium Foundation recently approved in Grey, Bruce, Huron and Perth Counties. A total of $480,000 was awarded to organizations ranging from the Grey-Bruce Branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association to the Georgian Bay Symphony. The Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Ministry of Culture, receives $100 million annually, generated through Ontario’s charity casinos. This information should be in the office by noon, on Victoria Day for inclusion in the Wednesday, May 21 issue. The Brussels office will be closed. However, copy can be dropped off by sliding it under the door for pick­ up at noon. Have an enjoyable and safe Victoria Day weekend.