OPP OFFICER CHARGED WITH ASSAULT AFTER JUNE INCIDENT AT SANTA’S VILLAGE

BRACEBRIDGE — A  21-year police officer was charged last week with assault after an altercation involving a teen at Santa’s Village last June.

The OPP say that officer Heather Claridge, 45, was arrested and charged Wednesday, Sept. 4 as a result of an altercation at the amusement park with another visitor last June 8.

Members of the Bracebridge Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police attended the park in Bracebridge for a complaint of an assault involving a youth and an adult female, who departed prior to police arrival.

As a result of the investigation Claridge was charged with assault.

She is to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on Oct. 8, 2024.

The investigation revealed that the accused is a provincial constable with 21 years of service with the OPP, who was off duty at the time of the incident and is currently off on unrelated leave.

Anyone with any information in relation to this investigation is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

OPP officer Heather Claridge was arrested and charged with assault after an incident in June at Santa’s Village.

SPRUCE GLEN SCHOOL VISITED THIRD DAY BY BEARS

HUNTSVILLE — It’s shouldn’t be a surprise that bears are n the vicinity of Spruce Glen Public School after the rural school was closed for the summer where bears are not unknown.

After issuing hold and secures Monday and Tuesday they did the same Thursday.

All students and staff are safe, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and Huntsville OPP are on site. They plan to safely relocate these bears.

WEST NILE VIRUS CASE REPORTED IN MUSKOKA TODAY

MUSKOKA — The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) is advising the public to continue to protect themselves against mosquito bites after recent laboratory results confirmed a positive human case of West Nile virus (WNv) in the District of Muskoka. This is the first human case to be confirmed in Simcoe Muskoka this year.

WNv circulates between birds and some species of mosquitoes. The virus can be transmitted to humans by a mosquito bite if the mosquito has first bitten an infected bird. Locally, the health unit’s surveillance program has shown that WNv activity remains within local and historical norms.

During the late summer and early fall, people may feel that the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes is reduced. However, mosquitoes continue to be active, and people need to take precautions to protect themselves from the virus. To stay safe, the health unit recommends the following personal protection measures:

Use an approved insect repellent and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Wear light-coloured clothing, covering arms and legs in areas where mosquitoes are present.

Try to stay indoors when mosquitoes are most active (dusk to dawn).