Wednesday, November 28, 2007

UPDATE - Money Stolen From Markham Charity

Thousands of dollars in donations have poured into a Markham organization that helps developmentally disabled adults after the proceeds from a fundraiser held Sunday were stolen. Major donations, including lump sums of $8,000, $4,600 and $1,000, have arrived at the Centre for Dreams since the proceeds were ripped off in a smash-and-grab-style theft from a car parked at the Markham Fairgrounds, where the group was holding its funding drive.The cash, estimated at $6,000 to $8,000, was left in the car for a few minutes, during which time the window was smashed and the bag taken.

With files from yorkregion.com

Sports Report

NHL: Montreal 4 Toronto 3 (SO)

York Region Athletics

Sr. Boys' Hockey — Markham 7 (Kelly Lennon, 2, Jeff Skinner, 2, Dan Porter, Adam Blando, Jordan Cowman), Stouffville 3 (Jamie Wise, 2, Scott Van Allen); Brother Andre 7 (Shayne Welker, 2, Ryan Goodridge, 2, Jason Deveny, Brandon Porco, Chris Porter), Unionville 0; St. Elizabeth 4 (Pat Cuddemi, Ralph Cuddemi, Steve Albanese, Justin Fiorillo), St. Theresa of Lisieux 3 (Peter Spyrakos, 2, Kenny McIntyre); Richmond Hill 6 (Branden Isenberg, 2, Robin Mendelsohn, Richard Pettle, Jared Linden, Tyler Smith), Our Lady of the Lake 4 (J.D. LeBlond, Taylor McCloy, Nathan Vieira, Justin Zentai); Mackenzie 4 (Daniel Novak, 2, Steven Kosmachucki, Val Borchevsky), Markville: Dylon Warford, Michael Mound);

Varsity Girls' Hockey — St. Robert 0, Williams 0;

Sr. Boys' Basketball — Maple 63 (Umar Sahi and Nathan Prathivekumar, 13), Westmount 45 (Damon Adloo and Jason Ramelson,12); Vaughan 78 (Josh Collins, 18), Emily Carr 42 (Frank Vaccaro, 12); St. Augustine 37, Langstaff 34;

Jr. Boy's Basketball - Trudeau 41 (Hansel Adu, 14), Bur Oak 37 (Julian Porter, 14);

Jr. Girls' Volleyball — Bur Oak 2, Stephen Lewis 0 (25-19, 25-17); Bayview 2, Stephen Lewis 1 (25-16, 24-26, 15-4)

Tonight

NBA: Memphis vs. Toronto; 7pm, Air Canada Centre

AHL: Grand Rapids vs. Toronto; 11:30am, Ricoh Coliseum

With files from thestar.com

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Press Release - Click with Markham

Markham residents take to online polling

The Town of Markham has taken a quantum leap in community polling with the launch of its "Click with Markham" online programwww.clickwithmarkham.ca.

With a coordinated promotional campaign, incentives and a mail drop to 86,000Markham residents, Mayor Frank Scarpitti and Town Council are asking residents fortheir opinions about a number of priority initiatives including: Growth; Transportation;the Environment; Municipal Services; Parks, Recreation, Culture and Library MasterPlan/Public Safety; and Diversity.

"Residents have really taken to the "Click with Markham" campaign," said MayorScarpitti. "It holds great promise for future opinion gathering on a range of communityissues.

"This is the first time a Canadian municipality has used interactive online polling to suchan extent and it is indicative of Markham that it has taken the lead.

"Response has been very encouraging," says Mayor Frank Scarpitti. "We are looking atmore than 3,000 responses to date which is excellent. But I urge everyone in Markhamwho hasn't already done so to "Click with Markham". We really want to hear from youbefore November 30.

"A public wrap up event is planned for December 3, 2007 during which a draw will takeplace for prizes sponsored by Markham businesses. "We are having fun and gatheringvaluable information at the same time," adds Markham Councillor Joe Virgilio.

Sports Report

Tonight

NHL: Montreal vs. Toronto; 7:30pm, Air Canada Centre

Monday, November 26, 2007

Money Stolen From Markham Charity

A day of fun has turned into sorrow after proceeds were stolen from a charity event at the Markham Fairgrounds.Yesterday, at around 5pm, The Centre For Dreams, an organization that offers programs for adults with special needs, was wrapping up their third annual Festival Of Trees.During the cleanup, a volunteer had placed the money raised in his car for safe keeping. Moments later, the volunteer retunred to the vehicle and found it was broken into and that the proceeds were taken. Ron Delcarmen, a spokesperson with The Centre For Dreams, estimates the event raised about $6000-$8000.According to York Regional Police, there were no witnesses or survelience video.Police will continue to investigate.Anyone with information is asked to call 905-830-0303 ext. 7545, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com

- ER

Press Release - FESTIVE SEASON R.I.D.E. KICK-OFF 2007

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007, media is invited to join York Regional Police Chief Armand La Barge, the HonourableJim Bradley, Minister of Transportation, CITY TV and Breakfast Television host Kevin Frankish, representatives from the York Region chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), co-presidents of Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID) from Cardinal Carter Catholic High School and Karen Toon, of Allstate Insurance Red Ribbon Campaign, for the launch of our 2007 Festive R.I.D.E. season.

This year’s Festive R.I.D.E. program is dedicated to the memory of Ion Mihaila who lost his life after he was struck andkilled by an impaired driver in the Township of King on November 27, 2004. Members of Mr. Mihaila’s family will also attend the ceremony.

For the month of December, the R.I.D.E. program will target drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs during the holiday season. York Regional Police runs the R.I.D.E. Program year-round, enhancing it during holidays and special events.

Our citizens continue to be strong allies in the fight against impaired driving since the launch of the Safe Roads…Your Call in June urging residents to call 9-1-1 immediately if they see a suspected impaired driver.

Traffic safety is everyone’s responsibility and citizens are reminded their call may save a life or prevent serious injury. Impaired driving is a crime inprogress and as such, warrants a 9-1-1 call.

In addition, York Regional Police is a leader in training officers as Drug Recognition Experts. A York Regional Police officer is currently seconded to the RCMP as the training facilitator for the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Program, which trains officers across the province to identify drug-related impairment. DRE officers will also be in attendance at the event.

In 2006, the Festive Season R.I.D.E. program resulted in 30 impaired related charges and five impaired by drug charges.

In 2007 to date, there have been 932 impaired-related arrests and 33 impaired-by-drug arrests. To date this year, three people have been killed in collisions where alcohol was a contributing factor.

The launch will take place at 10 a.m., at Cardinal Golf Club, located at 2740 Highway 9 (between Jane Street and Dufferin Street) in King Township.
A live spotcheck will be set up on Highway 9, giving the media an opportunity to see
the York Regional Police state-of-the-art R.I.D.E. truck in action.

The message is clear: DON’T DRINK and DRIVE.

Sports Report

CFL Playoffs (Grey Cup final): Saskatchewan 23 Winnipeg 19

NBA: Toronto 93 Chicago 78

OHL: Mississauga 6 Erie 5 (OT); Oshawa 3 Brampton 1

OPJHL: Markham 5 North York 2

York Region Athletics

Sr. Boys' Football — Tier One Final — Huron Heights 29 (Connor Anderson, 2TD, Andrew Schmid, TD, Luke Donnel, 3C and 2FG), Markham 0; Tier Two Final — Williams 28 (Dmitri Kurylovich, 2TD, Greg Hovanessian, 2TD, Kai Boettcher, 4C), St. Joan of Arc 0;

Jr. Boys' Football — Final — King City 34 (Pat Doyle, 2TD, Sam Lehtonen, TD, Taylor Caverley, TD, Jake Hartnett, TD, Nick Shortill, 4C), Huron Heights 0

With files from thestar.com