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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2005-06-22, Page 10Susan Hundertmark photo An officer with the Huron OPP stops a school bus from travelling down Cranbrook Road last Thursday when a Grey man barricaded himself in his home with weapons. OPP end 16 -hour standoff safely with Grey man barricaded in home A 16 -hour standoff involving a 51 -year-old Grey man who barricaded himself in his Cranbrook Road home near Livingston Line, ended safely last Thursday, June 16 when the man turned himself over to police. The man, who was taken for a 72 -hour psychological evaluation, may face charges of the careless use of a firearm. Huron OPP were contacted at 4 a.m. about a domestic situation at the home when the man, distraught about medical and financial issues, began threatening physical harm. Officers attended the residence and found that all family members staying in the home had left. The man, who refused to speak with officers and had barricaded himself in the home, advised police he was armed with weapons and would possibly use them on someone. Residents of neighbouring farms were evacuated from their homes and police barricaded the road. Huron OPP and a Emergency Response Team made up of officers throughout Southwestern Ontario moved back to a safe area and negotiated by telephone. Throughout the day, several rifle shots were fired inside the house. Neighbours who needed to feed their livestock were escorted by police to their barns and school children returning home on the bus were escorted home by police. The man finally turned himself over to police at 8:30 p.m. "Huron OPP are pleased that no one in this case were hurt and the matter was resolved with no violence," said Sr. Const. Don Shropshall in a press release. Health unit thrilled Huron to get $228,256 for anti-smoking programs By Mark Nonkes Goderieh Signal -Star Staff Penny Nelligan is lit up. The Huron County Health Unit director says she's thrilled with S228.256 promised for anti-stnoking action. money focused on helping people quit. "It's really, really good news." Nelligan said from her Clinton office. In the months to come. the health unit will he working to create more anti-smoking campaigns and looking at preventive programs for specific groups. In the first approach, Nelligan said the health unit will be to target specific groups which may have a harder time breaking the habit. A program is being set up to help people in lodging and boarding homes, people suffering from serious mental illness or people incarcerated, such as the youth at Bluewater Youth Centre who beat the addiction of cigarettes. "It's hard enough for the general population to quit let alone if you have something like that on top of everything else," Nelligan said. Further money will be directed at enforcement of anti-smoking legislation and preventive education while the third pot of money will be distributed among area high schools, with $1,000 going to each secondary institution for non-smoking initiatives. According to Carol Mitchell, MPP for Huron - Bruce, the money handed down from the provincial government is part of a $50 - million commitment to the Smoke -Free Ontario Campaign announced May 31. "Our government is taking action to prevent kids from experimenting with and becoming addicted to tobacco products," Mitchell said. "We're also making help readily available for smokers who want to quit. These steps will result in reduced tobacco use, fewer illnesses, fewer deaths and a healthier population in Huron and Bruce." The move is the latest in the Smoke -Free Ontario Act that, if passed, bans smoking in all enclosed public places and workplaces as of May 31, 2006. None of Huron's dead birds have tested positive for virus By Ben Forrest Expositor Staff The Huron County Health Unit reports that none of the dead hirds reported to it since May 9 have tested positive for West Nilc Virus. According to a recent press release, the public has reported 19 dead hirds, of which only eight were either crows or hluc jays, the only hirds being collected for West Nilc Virus testing this season. "Only two hirds were suitable for testing, and both were found to he negative for the virus." the health unit states in the release. Three hirds in eastern Ontario's Hastings and Prince Edward Counties, however, have tested positive for West Nile. Public Health Manager Pamela Scharfe says Huron County is a low-risk arca for the virus. but that citizens should take precautions to protect themselves from the virus nonetheless. West Nile is spread to humans from mosquitoes who have previously kitten infected hirds. Scharfe says. Cleaning up areas where mosquitoes like to breed is therefore an important deterrent. The health unit encourages Huron County residents to drain rain water from their properties and overturn wheel harrows and planters. where water can collect. Bird baths arc acceptable. but the water should he changed every few days. Scharfe says. The press release also encourages residents to sweep up grass clippings after mowing the lawn rather than washing them into catch basins after mowing the lawn. "This practice reduces the amount of organic material in catch basins, where mosquitoes like to breed," the release says. Since mosquitoes don't often travel far from their breeding grounds, it is more likely that mosquito bites will occur in a given person's hack yard, the health unit states. In addition this, Huron County residents arc encouraged to cover up and spray themselves with repellents containing deet, making sure to follow the instructions provided on the bottle. The Huron County West Nile Advisory Committee, of which the health unit is a member. has also produced a draft bylaw concerning standing water for the consideration of various local governments. Huron East decided in 2004 not to adopt the bylaw because it was deemed not to be enforceable. Only Goderich has chosen to use the bylaw. Four birds tested positive for West Nile in Huron County last year, though it was not found in humans. Most people who are infected with the virus will have no symptoms. Those who do experience symptoms often report headaches, muscle weakness, and fatigue - ymptoms commonly associated with the flu. Symptoms generally disappear after three to five days. More information about West Nile can be found at the health unit's web site, www.huroncounty.ca/healthunit. This includes restaurants, bars, schools, private clubs, sports arenas, entertainment venus, work vehicles and offices. With province -wide legislation, Nelligan said the rules will be harmonized across Ontario. Nelligan said in the past the problem has been each municipality and every city has been on its own with different rules and regulations. In Huron County, the county has been smoke-free in all public places and workplaces since Sept. 8, 2004. THE HURON EXPOSITOR, June 22. 2005-9 MUNICIPALITY OF HURON EAST NOTICE The'Council of the Municipality of Huron East hereby gives notice that Council at their regular meeting on June 28th, 2005 will consider the following: a) Amendments to the 2005 Budget (8:00 p.m.) b) The repeal of By -Law 40-2004 and the establishment of new fees for planning applications (8:15 p.m.) Information concerning the above is available at the Municipal Office t72 Main Street South, Seaforth (527- 0160) or on the website (www.huroneast.com)J J.R. Mctachlan Clerk -Administrator cat131 'PICK OR YOU PICK ORDERS TAKEN Bring your own containers. Supervised children welcome. 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