TWO SUSPECTS ARRESTED IN BARRIE HOMICIDE
2 men are facing multiple charges including second-degree murder after a fatal stabbing in Barrie on February 20th.
Police say that during a violent confrontation between a number of people on Collier Street, the 47-year-old male victim suffered life-threatening injuries. He made his way to the Dunlop Street Diner for help and collapsed. Simcoe County rushed him to the hospital where he later died.
On February 21st, 32-year-old Jordan Szyperski was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, robbery, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and assault with a weapon in connection with the deadly assault.
A second suspect was arrested on February 23rd. 33-year-old Steven Martel, also known as Stubs, was arrested at a home on Hickling Trail in Barrie. He’s facing charges of second-degree murder, assault with a weapon, failing to comply with a probation order, robbery, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Police ask anyone who witnessed the incident or may have been driving in the area around 8:20 a.m. and has dash cam video to contact them at 705-725-7025
NORTHERN ONTARIO COMPANIES URGED TO COMBAT LABOUR SHORTAGE BY TRAINING YOUNG WORKERS
The labour shortage in Northern Ontario is increasing and the federal government warns that the situation could worsen as some 700,000 skilled trades workers across the country prepare to retire this year. Compounding the problem is the dwindling number of people entering skilled trades, so attracting young workers is key to combating the looming labour crisis.
There are many subsidy programs available to fund wages and training costs. EMC’s WILWorks Skilled Trades in Advanced Manufacturing Program is designed to introduce youth, ages 15-29, employability skills, continuous improvement, advanced manufacturing technologies, and introductory electrical and mechanical technical theory. For a placement of up to 16 weeks, it also includes a wage subsidy of up to $5,000 per employee, up to a maximum of 50% of their wages. WILWorks Skilled Trades in Advanced Manufacturing Program is a self-directed program and is delivered online.
For more information: https://emccanada.org/wilworks
(SOURCE: NORTHERN ONTARIO BUSINESS NEWS)
WESTJET ANNOUNCES DIRECT THUNDER BAY-CALGARY SERVICE
After a 7-year hiatus, WestJet will relaunch direct flights between Thunder Bay and Calgary on June 29th, using Boeing 737 jets. There will be three weekly flights during peak season, with departures on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. No word on the carrier’s plans for its route between Thunder Bay and Toronto. Air Canada, Porter Airlines and Flair Airlines also provide service to Toronto. Next month, Porter will inaugurate direct flights between Thunder Bay and Ottawa, and Flair will follow suit in June.
(SOURCE: NORTHERN ONTARIO BUSINESS NEWS)
NORTH BAY MAN FACING MULTIPLE ASSAULT CHARGES
A 57-year-old man is facing several charges after an alleged assault on February 20th. Police say the suspect was travelling along McIntyre Street East and, seeing the victim on the sidewalk, approached her, demanded money, then proceeded to assault her both unarmed and with a bicycle. During the assault, the accused threatened the life of the victim. The accused then left the area.
Later that same day, the accused contacted a witness and requested the witness relay a message to the victim not to report the incident to police. The police investigation revealed the accused had also assaulted the victim on multiple occasions in July 2022.
North Bay Police arrested the accused on February 21st at his home. Peter Douglas Earle is charged with:
- Two counts of Assault
- One count of Assault with A Weapon
- One count of Uttering Threats – Cause death or Bodily Harm
- One count of Attempt to Obstruct Justice
- One count of Robbery with Violence
- One count of Breach of Recognizance
ALLISTON MAN KILLED IN HIGHWAY 11 CRASH
One person is dead following a single-vehicle collision on Highway 11 south of Madill Church Road in Muskoka on February 22nd. The crash happened just after 9:00PM and the 32-year-old driver from Alliston was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died. The cause of the crash hasn’t been confirmed although weather may have been a factor.
Police ask anyone who witnessed the crash or has dash cam footage to contact the Huntsville OPP at 705-789-5551 or 1-888-310-1122.
RAINY RIVER DISTRICT OPP DETACHMENT VEHICLES NOW INCLUDE AUTOMATED LICENCE PLATE RECOGNITION AND IN-CAR-CAMERAS
Patrol vehicles of the Rainy River OPP now features Automated Licence Plate Recognition and In-Car-Camera systems in all patrol vehicles to enhance community and officer safety. The high-tech features will be used to gather enhanced evidence to be used in the prosecution of offences. In addition to the benefits that will come with having an objective video recording of an interaction between an officer and member of the public, the integrated ALPR functionality will dramatically enhance the ability of officers to detect licence plates that are linked with criminal or traffic offences including wanted or missing people, stolen vehicles, stolen or unattached licences plates, suspended and prohibited drivers and emergency situations like Amber Alerts.
TRAFFIC STOP RESULTS IN DRUG SEIZURE
Two people are facing multiple drug charges after a traffic stop by Kirkland Lake OPP. Police say that on February 17th, patrol officers conducted a traffic stop on Government Road for an expired validation permit. The investigation revealed that the driver’s licence was suspended, and the passenger was wanted on an outstanding warrant. Drugs suspected to be Opioids and Methamphetamines were also seized and 2 people were arrested.
42-year-old Nicholas Simmens of Englehart has been charged with:
Possession of a schedule I substance – opioid
Driving while under suspension
Drive motor vehicle, no currently validated permit
32-year-old Sara Boulard of Charlton-Dack has been charged with:
Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Opioid
Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Methamphetamine
Both are scheduled to appear in court March 30, 2023.
