New Tecumseth Free Press

OPP seize drugs, weapons in raids

Posted October 5, 2024

Two males from Angus, and a third from Barrie are facing multiple weapon and drug offences following execution of search warrants Thursday morning at three separate locations based on an investigation started in August by Nottawasaga OPP.

The raids were carried out October 3, at approximately 11:40 am, in Angus, Barrie, and Tay Township by Nottawasaga, Huronia West, Collingwood and Blue Mountains, Orillia, Southern Georgian Bay, and Muskoka Crime Unit.

Police seized:

121 grams of cocaine
4 imitation handguns
Switch blade knife
Drug trafficking paraphernalia
494 pieces of ammunition (blanks)
Approximately $5,000 in Canadian Currency
Jewelry valued at approximately $20,000
Unmarked cigarettes
Vehicles in relation to the offence

Christopher WICE, a 42-year-old from Angus, was charged with:

Traffick in Schedule I substance - Cocaine
Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - Cocaine
Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000 - two counts
Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition
Possession of imitation weapon for Dangerous Purpose - four counts

Joshua KUJANSUU, a 38-year-old from Barrie, was charged with:

Traffick in Schedule I substance - Cocaine
Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - Cocaine
Possession of imitation weapon for Dangerous Purpose
Fail to Comply with Probation Order - four counts
Have care or control of vehicle or boat with cannabis readily available
Possession of unmarked cigarettes

Christopher RUSSELL, a 42-year-old from Angus, was charged with:

Traffick in Schedule I substance - Cocaine
Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - Cocaine
Possession of imitation weapon for Dangerous Purpose - four counts

The accused were held for bail to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Barrie.

Hospital responds to investigation's final report

Posted October 3, 2024

Stevenson Memorial Hospital issued the following statement this afternoon in reply to last week's release of the investigative report into all facets of its operation that resulted in a Ministry appointed hospital supervisor along with a series of recommendations including its merging with an anchor hospital .....

Stevenson Memorial Hospital (SMH) has been providing health care services to our local community and beyond for almost 100 years. It is the heart of the community and has been here for individuals and families providing compassionate care for patients at the beginning of life, the end and all stages of life in between. SMH has a dedicated team of staff and physicians whose goal is always to deliver safe, quality care. We welcome the opportunity to strengthen our hospital and make improvements that will provide a solid foundation for the future, as well as have a lasting positive impact for our staff, physicians and the lives of those we serve.

Our team will act upon the recommendations found in the investigation report in a timely, professional, and transparent manner. Coupled with the redevelopment of our hospital, the future is bright for SMH.

Link to final report https://tinyurl.com/bdcvchaz

New try at chopping size of Cty council

Posted October 3, 2024

Simcoe County's governance committee is recommending council approve an option to reduce its 32 members to 16, with a full-time Warden.

It represents the latest attempt, all unsuccessful to date, to elminate the deputy mayors as members of the upper tier council.

The preferred option will be presented to County councillors when the meet next Tuesday morning.

Here's the breakdown:

One Mayor representative from each of the 16 lower-tier municipalities. - One additional Member of Council who will be appointed as Warden for a four-year term among any eligible elector at the inaugural meeting of the new Council (with reasonable criteria).

Weighted vote formula maintained with current number of votes for each municipality concentrated to the Mayor representative. In addition, the Warden position to receive a weighted vote equal to that of the local municipal member with the lowest.

Council has the option to specify that the appointed member from each local municipality be appointed by the lower-tier following each election. However, the Mayor position sitting at County Council (similar to the current double-direct method) is considered the default under this option as this has generally seemed to be Council’s preference in past, is straightforward and provides benefits when electors across the County have knowledge of who will be the County representative when voting. Reducing the size of Council was concerning for some in the past due to representation due to absence, but the option of appointing alternates did not previously exist, which may alleviate concerns.

If Council would like to pursue. Option 2, the following motion wording is recommended: That Council support Option 2 to Pursue a ‘Full-Time’ Warden – 17 Member Council; and That staff prepare and issue public notice of Council’s intention to pass a by-law to change the composition of County Council; and That staff schedule a public meeting for Council to consider a draft by-law to change the composition of County Council; and That the notice also be provided to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing in the form of a letter from the Warden.

Any changes to the composition of council would require a triple majority support: a majority of votes on Cty Council; a majority of the lower tier (9 out of 16); and the majority of lower tiers in favour representing a majority of all electors in Simcoe County. That means New Tecumseth, Bradford and Innisfil are key to any changes.