Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-08-25, Page 1(519)235-1115 www.hurontractor.com ,c)Jjic TIMES -ADVOCATE Exeter, Ontario, Canada Wednesday, August 25, 2004 x.25 (includes GST) Dr. Frye leases Exeter By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — Dr. Helen Frye will not be returning to Exeter, leaving South Huron Hospital looking to recruit new doctors, while expanding hours of existing local doctors and at the walk-in clin- ic. Frye had committed to taking over Dr. Bill Steciuk's practice in June after Steciuk retired. However, after only a couple of days at the medical clinic and in the hospital's emergency room, Frye no longer saw patients and negotiations between she and the hospital began on her schedule. Monday morning, acting hospital CEO Michael Boucher announced Frye would not be returning to Exeter. He wouldn't divulge any details on why she was leav- ing. Boucher said Steciuk had between 1,500 and 2,000 patients. He said two local doctors (and perhaps a third) have agreed to pick up the workload starting in the fall and continuing until June. "The physicians have really risen to the challenge in terms of providing the expanded service," Boucher said, explaining the walk-in clinic and emer- gency room have been busy this summer. The medical centre is taking names of patients who need a family physician. At the same time, the hospital is actively recruiting more new doctors to the area. During the recruitment process, Boucher said communi- ty involvement will be important. "I think it's going to be impor- tant for South Huron and for Exeter to sell itself to new physi- cians who may be looking to relocate. We'll be looking obvi- ously to community leaders to help us." He said there are many underserviced communities looking for family doctors and it's up to South Huron to show doc- tors the area is "a good place to live and work." Another development that will help local health care is the fact Dr. Ming Lam, who temporarily closed her Dashwood practice in July, will be returning in October. The medical centre is taking names of patients who need a family physician. Teens injured in crash NORTH MIDDLESEX — Four teens were taken to hospital after a two -vehi- cle crash on Mount Carmel Road near Highway 81 in North Middlesex Aug. 18 at 10:08 p.m. As of Monday, two teenage girls remain in critical condition at London's Children's Hospital of Western Ontario, according to a hospital spokesperson. According to police, two vehicles full of teens were westbound on Mount Carmel Road when a Mercury Sable attempted to pass a Dodge Stratus on the gravel shoulder. The vehicles made contact, the Sable entered the north ditch and struck a tree. The Stratus entered the south ditch. The driver of the Mercury Sable, 17 - year -old Holly Hern of Granton and a passenger, 15 -year-old Caitlyn Hill of Centralia, were transported to South Huron Hospital and then transferred to Children's Hospital of Western Ontario. Hern has since been released from hos- pital, while Hill is in critical condition. A second passenger, 14 -year-old Amber Borden of Huron Park, also remains in hospital in critical condition. A third passenger, 15 -year-old Kyle Lauzon of London was treated and released from South Huron Hospital. The driver of the Stratus, 18 -year-old Nathan Scott of Zurich, and his three passengers were uninjured. OPP Technical Collision Investigators surveyed the scene. The investigation continues. Police have been "fantastic" in Kirkton By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF KIRKTON — For Kirkton residents, it was a case of ask and you shall receive. Chuck Huntington of the village's Community Watch reported last week local OPP "have been fantastic" since residents held a public meeting airing their concerns about rising vandalism, crime and break-ins in the area. At the meeting, Huron and Perth OPP said local police detach- ments weren't aware of the problems because Kirkton residents had- n't been calling the police. Since the meeting, Huntington said there has been a police pres- ence in Kirkton every night, including unmarked cars and undercover officers. A couple of recent arrests have been made in the area, including an attempted break and enter and a youth on the street breaking his house arrest orders. "Everybody's really breathing a sigh of relief," Huntington said, adding residents want police officers to know they appreciate the job they do. "We have had police presence here like you wouldn't believe. They've made two or three arrests . . . It's been getting much bet- ter here — we've had a couple of boys taken away to jail that were a problem." '1111§ummerl reading progra wraps u Celia Shipley makes a fire -breathing dragon at the wrap-up to the Lucan Library's summer reading program. Librarian Lee Robinson said 227 children registered for the program this year. The theme was 'Fire Up Your Imagination: Dragons, Books and Quests.Those who finished the program by reading eight books were invited to the wrap-up party, which was hosted by the library staff and Friends of the Lucan Library. (photo/Mary Simmons) Asbestos removed from SHDHS By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — South Huron District high school will be ready for the start of school, despite some setbacks in the sum- mer renovations of the school. "At this point it looks like everything will be completed for Sept. 7. There may be a little bit of cleanup stuff that will be happening, ... but everything is on sched- ule," said Avon Maitland District School Board manager of communications Steve Howe. Howe said the delay was caused by the discovery of asbestos in the school. "The asbestos that does remain in some schools around the district ... is the odd area that is totally encapsulated. It is totally sealed off and there is no potential of any harmful effects. But when you do renovations you can sometimes uncover these areas and one was uncovered June 25." Howe said on discovery of the asbestos the building was immediately shut down to allow for removal of the substance fol- lowed by inspection by the Ministry of Labour. "As a result of that there was a delay and that is what made the schedule really tight. But they have done a tremendous job of bringing all the trades in together." "They are extremely confident they will be completed and there would be no problems for the students," Howe said after attending an onsite meeting Aug. 19. When teachers arrive they may not have access to some areas of the school as cleanup work is completed according to Howe. "Anytime we do any school renovations it's really tight anyway. You have basical- ly eight weeks to get in and get moving." Renovations at the school included new lockers, new labs, upgrades to existing classrooms, expansion of learning and teaching areas as well as bringing the building up to current standards for wiring computers. "It's looking very good and students and staff will be pleased by what they see Sept. 7."