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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-04-01, Page 4a.*, 1c -P`t > _•. 'mow.- - Page A4 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, April 1.2009 Dungannon man missing since Wednesday Dominique MIIbUr.. signal -star staff While OPP have called off their ground search for Ashfield-Colborne- Wawanosh resident Ronald Hallam, his • friends, family and neighbours haven't given up on their own effort. A group of approximately 40 friends, family and neighbours of Hallam's were out in force on Sunday conducting their own search of the Saratoga Swamp area Hallam was last seen entering. Hallam's brother,. Bob said that the effort turned up no sign of the missing man. "It's• not an easy spot to search, that's why you need so many people," said Bob. Hallam. "We must have had more than 40 out there." Ronald Hallam, 66, left his Dungan- non -area home and went into the nearby woods Wednesday morning. Police say the man was dealing with personal is- sues and was armed at the time. Huron OPP officers with the assistance of Emergency Response Team members, OPP Canine Units, the OPP helicopter and the Huron Crime Unit immediately began gathering information and comb- ing the area following a missing -persons report. The Huron OPP called off their exten- sive ground search on Friday. Follow- ing two -days of foot, canine and aerial search efforts surrounding the property of Ham, as well as , home -to -home searches of neighboring properties, OPP have yet to uncover any evidence ofthe. • Photo by Garit Reid OPP officers Phil Plassot, Al Bommaert' and Rick Lwittey are talking to Marinus Bakker at his residence. He is a neighbour of missing person Ronald Hallam. The OPP officers were doing house to house searches on Friday, March 27. "It's almost as if he just disappeared, we haven't found any sign of him," Hu- ron uron OPP Constable Joanna Van Mierlo said Friday. Members of the close-knit community have been lending their support to the family, offering help and assistance. "You never know how bad it is till it happens," Bob Hallam told the Signal- Star. When asked how he's coping with the search efforts, he said simply, "I'm surviving." A group of friends and neighbours were on hand through the weekend at the home of Bob Hallam, making phone calls and offering support. "They're here when we need them," Bob Hallam said, "You couldn't wish 'for better neighbours and friend'$, that's .for sure." Friends and neighbours are continu- ing the search effort for Hallam, but are pleading for any information that may offer some insight. Bob Hal- lam said they are hoping for more clues to turn up that may help the search. "We can't find Ronald Hallam any sign of him, we searched every place we could think of and still came up blank," Bob Hallam said with a hint of exasperatikA in his voice. "The dogs didn't find any sign, the choppers didn't find any sign. We can't • figure this out." Ronald Hallam is described as 5' 8" tall weighing approximately 200 lbs. He is balding with grey hair. He was last seen wearing a red and black lumber- jack style jacket, a black ball cap, light coloured work pants, a dark grey t -shirt and work boots. His residence is located near Saratoga Swamp. His direction of travel is un- known although police do believe he is on foot. Huron OPP are continuing their search effort, and are also seeking further infor- mation. Hallam may be armed, by police do not believe he is a danger to others. Members of the public are still being asked to contact the Huron OPP imme- diately at 1-800-310-1122 or CRIME STOPPERS- 1-800-222-T.I.P.S. (8477) with any information in this case or any sightings of Ronald Hallam. o os • y Gerard Crecess At left, Doran Love and the Scotiabank crew were out in full force. Above, Sir Mitchell Brewster is well -armoured for knock- ing down some pins. At right, costume prize winners, TD Canada Trust Wingham are all lords, ladies and smiles. Lords and Ladies set 'em up and knock 'em down for kids Gerard Crews signal -star staff`' Knights got strikes, lords and ladies were picking up spares and even a sus- picious -looking horse decided to roll a few games for the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Bowl for Kids' Sake held at Little Bowl in Goderich Friday, March 27. This year's theme was Medieval Times, and serf and gentry alike gathered for some costumed bowling and to raise funds for the non-profit organization. "All of the money raised is designated solely to our mentoring program,' said BBBS executive director Elaine Osborne. "That's our traditional match program, where you match a Little with a Big." With 23 children still on the waiting list to be paired up, Osborne said the money coming in from the bowl for kids events is greatly needed and appreciated. Thanking the crowd before present- ing the evening's awards, Osborne said BBBS i s trying to do whatever they can for the children waiting for. a big brother or sister of their own. "It's very devastating." she said about the number of Littles to Bigs. "I know we can't match them." To that end, she said BBBS will provide a once -a -month, Big -Bunch program, al- lowing even those without a big brother or sister the chance to take part. Osborne was applauded after noting the North Huron BBBS spends 83 per cent of all funds directly on programs and servic- es for Littles - the lowest administrative cost in the province. Longtime supporters of Bowl for Kids' Sake, Osborne thanked the God- erich Lioness Club for their generosity over the years. To date, the Lioness have donated more than $15,(X00 to the Big Brothers, Big Sis- ters cause. Special mention went to Steve Little, whose generous support of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of North Huron stretches far beyond hosting the annual event, she said, it takes $1,200 to match a Little with a Big, and with $6,200 raised in God- crich, as well as funds from Seaforth and Lucknow Saturday night, a num- ber of area Little% can look forward to a match made in Huron.