Ormsby veteran tells his story of flying bombers over Europe

ORMSBY – Former Ormsby resident Gene Lockard told his story about flying Lancaster bombers over Europe to the Lindsay Post newspaper.

The Royal Canadian Air Force veteran was a member of 433 squadron. He lived at Ormsby for 51 years after the war, until moving to Linsday in 1998.

Click here to read his story,  The Cost of Bravery.

 

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Two-car crash injures two drivers in Bancroft

Two Persons Injured in Collision

BANCROFT –  In the afternoon of Thursday the 05th of November 2009 Officers from the Bancroft detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police responded to the report of a motor vehicle collision on Monck Street in the Town of Bancroft.

Investigation revealed that a Pontiac car was travelling southbound on Monck Street. The Pontiac stopped behind a vehicle that was turning left onto Manor Lane. A Chevrolet Cavalier that was travelling behind the Pontiac stuck the rear of it.

The driver of the Pontiac car, a 67 year old female of Cardiff, Ontario sustained injuries.

The driver of the Chevrolet car, 65 year old Anita Lewis of Faraday Township was transported to Quinte Healthcare North Hastings by ambulance with injuries. Mrs. Lewis has been charged with follow too closely, contrary to the Highway Traffic Act.

– Bancroft OPP press release

First real snow of the year covers Coe Hill

Coe Hill woke up to the first snow of the season this morning, Nov. 22. Here, Darlene's home baking looks like it should be on a Christmas Card. Brent Goodwin photo.

Hunting group happy with progress to scrap long gun registry

Bill to scrap long gun registry passes next hurdle

O.F.A.H. applauds M.P.’s for supporting legislation

Bill C-391, An amendment to the Criminal Code (repeal of the long gun registry), passed a major hurdle in the legislative process Nov. 4 when it was approved at Second Reading in the House of Commons.

For 14 years, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) has been determinedly fighting to scrap the long gun registry through media campaigns, rallies, presentations and meetings with public officials and politicians, and most recently, a national online petition.

The bill, a simple and straightforward piece of legislation was introduced earlier this year by Candice Hoeppner, Conservation M.P. for Portage-Lisgar, Manitoba. Once passed, the bill will provide for the repeal of the ill fated and much maligned long gun registry, created by the former Liberal government as part of Bill C-68 in 1995.

The requirement to take firearms safety training, obtain a license and practice safe storage and transportation of legal firearms will not be impacted upon by the legislation.

“This is an important moment for law-abiding firearms owners across Canada. Since 1995, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, our provincial and territorial affiliates, recreational shooting organizations, hunters and farmers have been calling on the government to abolish the long gun registry, a paper trail nightmare which has cost Canadian taxpayers almost $2 billion dollars, a far cry from the promised $2 million dollar price tag,” said O.F.A.H. Manager of Government Relations and Communications, Greg Farrant.

“We appreciate the fact that several members of the New Democratic and Liberal opposition in Parliament recognized the importance of this issue to their constituents and voted their conscience. Over the last few years, every major public opinion poll has clearly indicated that Canadians believe that the system has failed the test and hasn’t enhanced public safety or saved lives.”

The vote was one step in a long process that has seen law-abiding firearms owners across Canada and almost 80,000 signatories on petitions earlier this year urging the government to end the long gun registry. Two major police associations, some police chiefs and many frontline police officers across Canada have also indicated that they support elimination of the long gun registry.

“There is still much work to be done before Bill C-391 is finally passed, however this speaks to one important aspect of the government’s larger commitment to scrap Bill C-68. Ms. Hoeppner has shown a great deal of perseverance and has fulfilled a commitment to her constituents. She deserves a great deal of credit for recognizing the problem and tackling the issue head on,” said O.F.A.H. Executive Director, Mike Reader.

“The bottom line is that criminals don’t register firearms. Instead of creating a paper chase for the law-abiding, the system needs to be revamped to focus on law breakers who use illegal firearms, many of them smuggled into Canada from the U.S., to commit crimes in our communities.”

With over 100,000 members, subscribers and supporters, and 660 member clubs, the O.F.A.H. is the largest nonprofit, charitable, fishing, hunting and conservation-based organization in Ontario, and the voice of anglers and hunters.

– Press release from the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters

Local health officials investigate at possible H1N1 ’swine’ flu death; more flu vaccination clinics planned this week

HASTINGS & PRINCE EDWARD – H1N1 illness is widespread throughout local communities. There is a high number of visits to area emergency departments. The volume of visits does not appear to be increasing in recent days.

The Hastings & Prince Edward Counties Health Unit, in conjunction with Quinte Health Care, is investigating the death on Sunday, Nov. 1 of a person with flu-like illness.

“This may well be our first H1N1 death,” said Dr. Richard Schabas. “We are awaiting the results of further tests.”

The Hastings & Prince Edward Counties Health Unit had held 25 public clinics for high priority groups by Sunday, Nov. 1. More high priority clinics will be held from Nov. 4 through Nov. 6.

The schedule is available at www.hpechu.on.ca or by calling 613-966-5513 ext. 655

Clinics for the week of November 2 will be for:

· those under the age of 65 with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, asthma, cancer or kidney disease

· Pregnant women

· Healthy children six months to under five years of age

· Anyone sharing a household with or a care provider of a baby less than six months of age. (Babies less than six months cannot receive the vaccine.)

· Household contacts and care providers of people with serious immune deficiencies.

Vaccination Clinics

Times: All clinics on Nov. 4, 5 and 6 will run from 2 – 7 p.m.

Locations: Please check carefully since they may vary from day-to-day

Wednesday, Nov 4.

Bancroft – North Hastings High School – 14 Monck Street

Belleville – Centennial Secondary School – 160 Palmer Road

Trenton – Trenton High School – 15 Fourth Avenue

Marmora – Marmora Town Hall – 12 Bursthall Street

Deseronto – Royal Canadian Legion – 340 Main Street

Thursday, Nov. 5

Bancroft – North Hastings Senior Elementary School – 132 Newkirk Blvd

Madoc – Centre Hastings Secondary School – 129 Elgin Street

Belleville – Centennial Secondary School – 160 Palmer Road

Trenton – Trenton High School – 15 Fourth Avenue

Wellington – Wellington United Church – 247 Main St

Friday, Nov. 6

Bancroft – North Hastings High School – 14 Monck Street

Belleville – Centennial Secondary School – 160 Palmer Road

Trenton – Trenton High School – 15 Fourth Avenue

Picton – Prince Edward Collegiate – 41 Barker Street

Stirling – Stirling Senior Public School – 107 St. James Street

Ways to Help Reduce the Spread of Flu

• Wash your hands.
• Cough and/or sneeze into your sleeve.
• Stay home when you’re sick.
• Clean and disinfect high touch areas (like doorknobs, keyboards, and countertops).
• Get your H1N1 flu shot when it’s available.
• Watch the media for clinic details or visit www.hpechu.on.ca
• Unless your flu symptoms are serious, do not go to a hospital Emergency Department.

To help make that decision, see the self-assessment tool at: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/ccom/flu/

– Hastings & Prince Edward Counties health unit press release