SUMMER BRIEFS:

Missing female hikers found Wednesday night

DOURO-DUMMER TOWNSHIP — Peterborough County OPP were called to assist in locating missing hikers on Wednesday, July 18, just after 8 p.m.

Two female hikers attended the Warsaw Caves Conservation Area yesterday evening. One of the females contacted police and reported they were lost and were concerned for their safety as sundown was approaching.

After a brief search, members of the OPP located the hikers, in a forested area, just after 9 p.m.  The two Peterborough area women were uninjured.

Female kidnap victim located safely

HALIBURTON — Detectives from the Haliburton Highlands OPP Criminal Investigations Unit and the Surete du Quebec are continuing an investigation after receiving a report of a kidnapping on July 13, 2018 in the Township of Minden Hills.

The female victim has been located safely and there are no public safety concerns.

Former mental health patient pays it forward 

ORILLIA — A former recipient of the Outpatient Mental Health Program at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital is paying it forward.

Angie Green-Hill has made a donation of $13,000 to the outpatient program, which she raised through her second annual online auction.
“I wouldn’t be fundraising for the outpatient program if it didn’t save my life,” said Green Hill, who received treatment through the program for depression and anxiety. “That’s why it’s so important for me to see OSMH continue providing these services. I would like to thank all of the donors and bidders for making this auction such a success.”
Between this year and last, Angie has raised more than $25,000 for mental health services at the Hospital. Last year’s funds went towards updating all of the media equipment used for group education through the Outpatient Program.

Shawna Belcher is the manager of the outpatient program and says they have a long list of items that Angie’s donation will go to support in the coming months.
“We desperately need to update the furniture for all our program areas to improve the comfort of patients in our mental health programs,” said Belcher. “This fall, we will also be implementing the Ontario Perception of Care tool that allows people who access our services to provide feedback on how they feel about the care they are receiving. This is an electronic tool and can be completed while someone is waiting for their appointment through a portable tablet.”

The Mental Health Outpatient Program provides treatment for patients with symptoms of mental illness as an alternative to being admitted to the Hospital. Since it opened in April 2006 the program has averaged 200-250 visits per month providing service to Orillia and surrounding area.

Junior lawn bowler Hitchman takes first

BRACEBRIDGE — Novice Nick Hitchman, of Bracebridge, was thrilled to win first place in the Junior Drawn Pairs lawn bowling tournament on Saturday, July 14 at the Midland Lawn Bowling Club.

Nick, age 15, joined the Muskoka Lawn Bowling Club (MLBC) in Bracebridge shortly after the club opened in 2017. Nick bowls regularly along with his grandmother, Angela Fowle, and great-uncle, Duncan Connell, who are also novice lawn bowlers and members of the MLBC.  Fowle and Connell attended the Midland tournament and watched Nick’s excellent performance.

It was Nick’s first visit to the Midland club, and he was competing with some very experienced bowlers from other Ontario lawn bowling clubs.

Nick was the only lead to win all three of his games.  He shared first place with skip Jake Masterson from the Peterborough Lawn Bowling Club.

“You wouldn’t believe how happy the people who play lawn bowling and the game of lawn bowling make me,” said Nick.  “This sport is so amazing and the people are even better.”

The Muskoka Lawn Bowling Club offers “Give it a Try” sessions throughout the summer, on most Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9:30-11:30am.  The public is invited to drop in for a lesson and find out what lawn bowling is all about.  The fee of $20 includes a lesson and all equipment; all that is needed is a pair of running shoes.  Mills explained that, “Nick is also a certified lawn bowling coach, and will be instructing at most of the Give it a Try sessions.”

iTunes gift card scam one of many scans this summer

MIDLAND — Police in Southern Georgian remind the community of the various frauds that seem to regularly come to light in our area and also a newer one- iTunes.

The iTunes gift card scam is currently making the rounds and catching citizens off guard and there is considerable information about the fraud and how it plays out.

Police say please view the following numerous links on the iTunes scam.https://support.apple.com/en-ca/itunes-gift-card-scams https://bgr.com/2018/02/28/apple-scam-fake-email-phishing-subscription/ http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-01/itunes-gift-card-scams-emerge-as-rising-threat-to-consumers/9383454 https://www.hoax-slayer.net/phone-scammers-asking-for-itunes-gift-cards-as-payment/

OPP also note the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) scam which is making the rounds again, likely interrupting your dinner time with an upsetting phone call. Please see the following link and enjoy the cartoon and information that assists in understanding the scam and how to defeat it. https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/corporate/security/protect-yourself-against-fraud.html

A further following link gives an in depth report and related articles on those who have been duped by the CRA scam recently in eastern Canada. http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/cra-scam-text-email-phone-fraud-1.4494757

Lastly, this link will make you really aware of the vast number and diversity of the scams that can come to your home via door to door soliciting, mail, telephone, internet or text to your cell phone. If you have just skimmed this article it might well be worth opening this last link just to see what we are talking about. https://www.ontariopolicereports.com/scams/

Something to think about and share with your family and friends so they do not get duped by the unknown call at dinner or the new friend on the internet that offers a deal that is just too good to be true……

To report an incident please call 1-888-495-8501 or go to http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/reportincident-signalerincident/index-eng.htmor visit the following site for more information on scams from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm

OPP open satellite office site in Port McNicholl

TAY TOWNSHIP — Township elected officials and staff along with members of the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) gathered today at 541 Calvert Street in Port McNicoll to celebrate the opening of the new OPP Extended Service Office (ESO).

“Tay Township is pleased to celebrate the grand opening of the newly relocated Extended Service Office in partnership with OPP,” said Mayor Scott Warnock.

“The new ESO provides greater efficiencies for the Township and its citizens, along with maintaining community engagement through better visibility and increased contact with the community by OPP officers,” said Operations Manager Staff Sergeant Michael Burton of Southern Georgian Bay OPP.

The new ESO is not a staffed police station but a secure store front location providing convenience for officers on patrol to complete reports, make calls, and meet with community members through the continued support and partnership with Tay Township.

Business fire linked to food truck

COLLINGWOOD — Officers from the Collingwood and The Blue Mountains detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are still on scene of a fire which took place overnight on First Street near Cedar Street in Collingwood.

At approximately 5:26am this morning OPP officers and firefighters from the Collingwood Fire Department were called to the incident at a commercial property on First Street in Collingwood.

Based on observations at scene, the fire appears to have originated from a vehicle being used as a food truck located on the property. The Ontario Fire Marshal is scheduled to attend to assist in determining the cause of the fire and investigation is ongoing.

Outboard motor stolen in Tay

TAY TOWNSHIP — Members of the Southern Georgian Bay OPP are investigating a report of an overnight theft of a outboard motor from Team Power Sports in Tay Township.

Investigators have learned that the new motor was still in its shipping container when it was removed from the security compound between 5 p.m. July 12 and 9:00 am July 13, 2018.

The outboard motor is described as a 2018 20 HP Honda four stroke, silver in colour with a serial number of BAMJ1608157.

Anyone having knowledge of the whereabouts of this outboard motor is asked to please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

You can submit your information online at www.p3tips.com or if you have any information on this crime or any other crime. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and you will remain anonymous.

Being anonymous, you will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000. You can follow Crime Stoppers of Simcoe Dufferin Muskoka on Twitter or Facebook.

Lions International donate $8.8M for Special Olympics

CHICAGO — As part of the Special Olympics 50th anniversary in Chicago, Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) announced its intent to commit $8.8 million to Special Olympics, expanding the impact of both organizations’ support to individuals with intellectual disabilities.

The global partnership, titled “Mission: Inclusion,” will continue to provide transformative services in the areas of vision care, health education, inclusive sports, leadership development, and youth activation all driving to create inclusive communities worldwide.

Harnessing the power of a 19-year collaboration, this commitment is part of a multi-year partnership plan that will continue to strengthen the relationship between Special Olympics, Lions Clubs International (LCI), and Lions Clubs International Foundation, which also celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2018.

The announcement was made by LCI President Gudrun Yngvadottir at the Special Olympics International board of directors’ 50th Anniversary Celebratory Luncheon.

Tiny Township break and enter charges

TINY TOWNSHIP — A Midland man faces numerous charges following a number of B&Es.

Southern Georgian Bay OPP with members of the OPP Community Street Team have arrested and charged Jordan Welch, 29, with thefts in Tiny Township from July 12 to 14, 2018.

He is charged with the following offences:

– 4 counts of Theft Under $5,000 from a Motor Vehicle contrary to section 334(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada

– 4 counts of Possession Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 – in Canada contrary to section 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada

– 2 counts of Mischief – destroys or damages property contrary to section 430(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada

He was released from police custody on his recognizance to appear before the Midland Ontario Court of Justice on August 16, 2018

Anyone having knowledge of a crime and wishes to report it anonymously can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). You can submit your information online at www.p3tips.com or if you have any information on this crime or any other crime. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and you will remain anonymous. Being anonymous, you will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.00. You can follow Crime Stoppers of Simcoe Dufferin Muskoka on Twitter or Facebook.

National Drowning Prevention Week – July 15-21

CENTRAL ONTARIO — Approximately 500 Canadians die in preventable water-related incidents annually.

Even one drowning is one too many, say police.

“Watch me, not your cell phone,” is one of their refrains.

They say always directly supervise children around the water — if you’re not within arms’ reach, you’ve gone too far.

Even if it’s just a backyard inflatable pool — children can drown in a few inches of water if they fall in and are hurt while not being supervised.

As well, Be Boat Smart and Boat Sober: Alcohol consumption is a factor in almost 40% of boating-related fatalities.

In most drownings, the victim never intended to go in the water and was often close to safety – could you survive a sudden and unexpected fall into the water?

Learn to Swim to Survive®: Be Water Smart® — Make smart choices before going into or out on the water.

Older but not always wiser: Choose It. Use It. Always wear a Lifejacket or PFD when in a boat. You can save a life, yours and someone else’s. Take a learn-to-swim, lifesaving or first aid class today.