70 Center St Fire

On the 30th of August 2010, the St. Thomas Police and the Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office continued the investigation of the fire at 70 Center St in the upper apartment.
The body of the deceased was removed and transferred to University Hospital for a post mortem on August 31st in the afternoon hours.

Further media updates will be issued once more information is obtained. The deceased’s information will not be released at this time pending notification of next of kin.

Break and enter

St Thomas Police report, sometime between 8:00AM and 11:44AM Monday August 30, 2010 a Rosebery Place residence was entered. Personal items were stolen from the premises. Anyone with information is asked to contact the St Thomas Police Service at 519-631-1364 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Female arrested for assault

Shortly after 1:00AM Tuesday August 31, 2010 St Thomas Police attended a South end residence, regarding a domestic related occurrence. Investigation of the incident resulted in the arrest of a 34 year old female for assaulting her male partner. The victim did not receive medical attention . The accused was held in custody overnight at police headquarters, pending an A.M. court appearance.

It’s that time of year again – back to school time. St Thomas Police would like to continue to remind parents and guardians to teach your children about safe travel to and from school. Take the time to know the rules and educate your children about safe conduct when using and sharing roadways, whether it be by school bus, car, bicycle or by foot.

School Bus Travel

1. Arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the scheduled pick up time. Children should never run after the school bus to try to catch it. If you miss the bus go back home or if you are at school, report to a teacher.
2. Stay on the sidewalk, well away from the roadway and stay back until the bus has come to a full stop and the door opens.
3. If your child needs to cross the street, teach them to look to the left, then to the right, and to the left once more before crossing the street.
4. Use the handrail when boarding or exiting the bus.
5. Take a seat as quickly as possible, put belongings under the seat and stay seated.
6. Never stick anything out of the window, including arms or heads.
7. Wait until the school bus comes to a complete stop before getting off.
8. When getting off the bus: take two large steps away from bus. If you must walk in front of the bus, walk ahead at least three metres (10 giant steps).
9. If a child drops something near or under the school bus, they should never attempt to retrieve it without the driver’s permission.

Travel by Bicycle

• Wear a properly-fitted helmet, and have clothes that are suited for cycling (e.g. their pants tucked in).
• Know and obey all traffic rules, signs and signals. They must signal turns and stops. Ride in a straight line in the same direction as traffic and stop at every stop sign.
• Be predictable to other road users by riding with the traffic usually on the right hand side of the roadway.

Walking to school

Many children use roadways to make their way to and from school. Parents and guardians must review road safety rules with their children and the importance of not accepting rides or any invitations from strangers. It is best to walk with a buddy and keep focused on getting straight home.
• Find a safe and direct route to school with the help of their parents. Hazards should be identified (train tracks, busy intersections, etc.) and a designated route with safety rules should be established.
• Stay on sidewalks whenever possible. If there is no sidewalk, use the left side of the road facing traffic.
• Cross streets only at crosswalks and learn to look to the left, the right and then left again before proceeding, even at intersections with pedestrian walk signs.
• Wait until traffic comes to a stop before crossing. Make sure drivers see you before you cross.
Prevention is the key to safety. With education and awareness, all children should be able to get safely to school and home again. Take the time to share these valuable rules and tips with your children.

Holiday closure law (Labour Day)

The Retail Business Holidays Act is a provincial legislation that prohibits the opening of retail businesses on statutory holidays which includes, Labour Day (September 6, 2010).

The act provides limited exceptions for retail outlets that may be open for business, which includes gas stations, nursery stock or flowers , gardening supplies , fresh fruit or vegetables , and stores selling only foodstuffs , tobacco or articles for tobacco use , antiques handicrafts , books or magazines , where the store has less than 2400 square feet , and a maximum of three (3) employees are working.

Pharmacies will be allowed to remain open for prescription dispensing only where the total area for serving the public is less than 7500 square feet.

The maximum fine for stores opening on prohibited days of retail operation is $ 50,000.00, or a fine amounting to the total gross sales for the holiday, whichever is greater