(KIRKLAND LAKE, ON) – An arson investigation leads to charges against one individual.
On Sunday, March 2, 2025, the Kirkland Lake Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Kirkland Lake Fire Department responded to a fire on Government Road East and to a second fire on McKelvie Avenue in the Town of Kirkland Lake. The Kirkland Lake Crime Unit was engaged and conducted an investigation, resulting in charges being laid on Thursday, April 17, 2025.
Melissa TURCOTT, 37 years-old, of Kirkland Lake was charged with the following:
Arson – Disregard for Human life – two counts
Arson – Damage to Property – two counts
Fail to Comply with Probation – four counts
The accused remains in custody following a bail hearing and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Kirkland Lake on Thursday May 15, 2025.
(NORTH PERTH, ON) – Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are seeking assistance with identifying two persons of interest in relation to a break and enter in the Municipality of North Perth.
In early hours of April 20th 2025, the OPP were called to a break and enter at a local business in the Town of Listowel.
The persons of interest are described as:
Person of Interest #1
Caucasian, dark hooded sweater (small white logo on left chest), light-coloured undershirt, dark pants, dark shoes, red bandana over mouth, and holding a yellow drill.
Person of Interest #2
Large build, dark hooded sweater, carrying black bag, red and black
plaid pants, tan boots.
This investigation remains ongoing. The Perth County OPP is requesting anyone with information related to this investigation or video footage of persons of interest to call 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a secure web-tip at www.cstip.ca, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.
(BLIND RIVER, ON) – Prohibited driver stopped for speeding through Blind River charged with multiple offences.
On April 21, 2025, at approximately 11:00 p.m. the East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) was conducting general patrol duties on Causley Street (Highway 17) in Blind River. A westbound grey car was stopped for speeding and the driver was spoken to. Police also learned the driver had a warrant out for his arrest, was a prohibited driver, had numerous license suspensions, and cannabis readily available. They were subsequently arrested, and the vehicle was towed and impounded.
Yaroslav VERBITSKI, 36-years-old, of Mississauga was charged with:
Drive motor vehicle – perform stunt – excessive speed
Operation while prohibited under the Criminal Code – two counts
Driving while under suspension (two counts)
Driving under licence of other jurisdiction while suspended in Ontario
Operate a motor vehicle without insurance
Operate unsafe vehicle
Fail to surrender permit for motor vehicle
Use plate not authorized for vehicle
Drive vehicle with cannabis readily available – two counts
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on June 5, 2025.
(Kingston, ON) – A RIDE check (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) was conducted at the on-ramp for Montreal Street and the 401 highway in Kingston, which resulted in the arrest of an impaired driver.
On April 19, 2025, around 8:15 pm Frontenac OPP had a vehicle stopped at the RIDE check point and detected alcohol coming from the driver. An alcohol screening device (ASD) was used at the roadside, which resulted in a ” FAIL “. The driver was arrested and taken to detachment for further breath testing.
Sarah Ann Rolfe, a 29-year-old, from South Frontenac Township has been charged with:
operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus).
The driver was released from custody and is to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Kingston on May 27, 2025. They also had their drivers license suspended for 90 days and vehicle impounded for a period of 7 days.
(ARMOUR TOWNSHIP, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged two people with multiple drug related offences after a traffic stop.
On Thursday April 17, 2025, approximately 8:40 p.m., the Almaguin Highlands Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were alerted to a suspended driver hit by the Automatic Licence Plate Recognition (ALPR) system. Police conducted a traffic stop on Highway 11 in the Township of Armour, further to the investigation, resulted in both the driver and passenger being arrested.
Additionally, police seized amounts of suspected cocaine, methamphetamine, Oxycodone pills, digital scale, baggies, debt list, and cell phones were seized. The estimated street value for the drugs seized was approximately $20,000.00.
As a result, Andre LAVIGNE, 37-years-old of West Nipissing was charged with the following:
· Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Cocaine
· Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Opioid (other than heroin)
· Possession of schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Methamphetamine
· Driving while under suspension
In addition, Onofrio DI PISA, 56-year-old of West Nipissing has also been charged with:
· Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Cocaine
· Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Opioid (other than heroin)
· Possession of schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Methamphetamine
Both accused persons were held for a bail hearing.
(ONEIDA NATION OF THE THAMES FIRST NATION, ON) – Workplace incident leads to Ministry of Labour investigation.
On April 21, 2025, at approximately 10:43 a.m. members of the Oneida Police Service, Oneida Fire Department, Oneida Nation of the Thames Paramedic Service, Middlesex County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Middlesex-London Paramedic Service, and Chippewas of the Thames Police Service attended a business on Elm Ave on Oneida Nation of the Thames First Nation for a workplace accident.
As a result of the incident, one individual was taken by ambulance to the hospital with serious injuries and three individuals were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
The Ministry of Labour (MOL) has been contacted and will be taking over the investigation. Follow up media inquiries are to be forwarded to the MOL.
Oneida Police Service will be assisting the MOL if required.
The OPP can be reached anytime, anywhere in the Province of Ontario at 1-888-310-1122. If you wish to remain anonymous you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) where you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2000.
(ESSA, ON) – The Nottawasaga Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is investigating a residential fire in the Township of Essa, which resulted in the death of one individual.
On April 15, 2025, shortly after 3:00 p.m., the Nottawasaga OPP responded to a residential fire on 9th Line. Essa Fire Department attended the scene, and sadly, one individual was located deceased.
At this time, the fire has been deemed non-suspicious, and no foul play is suspected in the death of the individual.
The Ontario Fire Marshal will continue to investigate with assistance from the Nottawasaga OPP Crime and the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information that may assist investigators is asked to call Nottawasaga OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.crimestopperssdm.com.
(EAST ZORRA-TAVISTOCK, ON) – Police are seeking the publics assistance with an ongoing fail to remain collision involving a cyclist and a motor vehicle.
On April 17, 2025, at 11:00 p.m., members of the Oxford Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Detachment, Oxford County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and East Zorra-Tavistock Fire Department responded to a report of a fail to remain collision on Blandford Street, in the Town of Innerkip.
A vehicle struck a cyclist and fled the scene prior to police arrival.
The cyclist suffered serious life-threatening injuries and was transported to local hospital.
On April 19, 2025, Michael Book, 60-years-old, of Woodstock, has been arrested and charged with: Fail to stop at accident resulting in bodily harm.
The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Woodstock on June 10, 2025.
Anyone with information regarding this incident, who may have observed this collision, or who may have dashcam footage and/or video surveillance footage between the times of 10:30 p.m., and 11:00 p.m., in the area of Blandford Street, can contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
If you are involved in a motor vehicle collision on a highway or roadway in Ontario, it is your responsibility as the driver of the vehicle to remain at or immediately return to the scene of the collision, render assistance and exchange information in relation to the driver’s identity, vehicle and insurance information.
Police must be notified of collision if the combined damage to all vehicles exceeds $5,000 or there are injuries or there is damage to property.
(BRACEBRIDGE, ON) – Bracebridge Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged three drivers with impaired driving halfway through the Easter traffic safety campaign.
On April 19, 2025 at 5:45 p.m. members of the Central Region Traffic Incident Management Enforcement (T.I.M.E.) team and Bracebridge OPP officers were conducting a RIDE program on Maple Street in Port Carling in Muskoka Lakes Township. A vehicle entered the RIDE program and officers soon commenced an impaired driving investigation. Police arrested and charged 63-year-old Karen SCHUH of Port Carling, ON with Impaired Operation CC 320.14(1)(a) and Over 80 CC 320.14(1)(b). She will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on May 6, 2025 to answer to her charges.
On April 19, 2025 at 9:00 p.m. Bracebridge OPP officers along with members of the T.I.M.E. team were conducting a RIDE program on Ecclestone Drive in the town of Bracebridge when officers stopped a nearby vehicle that appeared to be avoiding the RIDE checkpoint. Police arrested and charged 24-year-old Jonah KILLINS-BEASLEY of Muskoka Lakes Township with Impaired Operation – Over 80 CC 320.14(1)(b). He will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on May 20, 2025 to answer to his charge.
On April 19, 2025 at 11:20 p.m. Bracebridge OPP officers along with members of the T.I.M.E. team were conducting a RIDE program on Muskoka Road South in the town of Gravenhurst. While investigating the conduct of a driver, officers became concerned about the driving behaviour of another vehicle travelling on Bethune Drive. A traffic stop was conducted and police subsequently arrested and charged 61-year-old Robert HAMANN of Barrie, ON with Impaired Operation CC 320.14(1)(a) and Over 80 CC 320.14(1)(b). He will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on May 20, 2025 to answer to his charges.
If you suspect that someone is operating a vehicle of any kind while impaired, please call 9-1-1 from your hands free device.
(PLUMBER ADDITIONAL TOWNSHIP, ON) – A person was charged after police conducted a Reduce Impaired Drivers Everywhere (R.I.D.E.) check on Highway 638 in Plumber Additional Township.
On April 18, 2025, at approximately 8:00 p.m. the East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) stopped a white Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and spoke to the driver. An odour of alcoholic beverage was emanating from the driver’s breath and they displayed signs of alcohol impairment. They were subsequently arrested and the vehicle was towed and impounded.
Alan MILLER, 61-years-old, from Bruce Mines was charged with:
Operation while impaired by alcohol
Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on June 5, 2025.
The OPP remind motorists that no amount of alcohol or drug is acceptable to consume and drive. Report impaired drivers. Should you observe a suspected impaired driver, please dial 911 or contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.
(BLIND RIVER, ON) – A person was charged after police received a traffic complaint of a possible impaired driver on Highway 17.
On April 17, 2025, at approximately 8:30 p.m. the East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a traffic complainant from the Espanola area. This was regarding a westbound small white car all over the road and operating with no lights on. The vehicle was stopped in Blind River a short time later and the driver was spoken to. Police detected the odour of alcoholic beverage on the driver’s breath. It was also learned that the driver was prohibited from driving. They were subsequently arrested and the vehicle was towed and impounded.
Victoria MILLER, 28-years-old, from Chelmsford was charged with:
Operation while impaired by alcohol
Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
Drive while Prohibited under the Criminal Code
Operation while Prohibited under the Criminal Code
Driving while under suspension
Novice driver – B.A.C. above zero
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on June 5, 2025.
The OPP remind motorists that no amount of alcohol or drug is acceptable to consume and drive. Report impaired drivers. Should you observe a suspected impaired driver, please dial 911 or contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.
(ELLIOT LAKE, ON) – Prohibited driver charged in Elliot Lake.
On April 12, 2025, at approximately 10:45 a.m. the East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) was conducting general patrol duties on Spruce Avenue. Police recognized a black car with a known suspended driver.
A subsequent vehicle stop was conducted and the driver was arrested. The vehicle was also towed and impounded.
Andrew HEPBURN, 28-years-old, of Elliot Lake was charged with:
Operation while prohibited under the Criminal Code
Fail to comply with Probation Order
Driving while under suspension – while suspended under HTA Sec 41/42
Driving while under suspension (two counts)
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on June 12, 2025.
Church Bucks are a community-based, voluntary currency—similar to the Chamber of Commerce dollars of the past, or GoldBacks/GoldFoils of today. They’re not backed by royalty or risky bullion—they’re backed by something far more powerful: FAITH in your community.
Church Bucks are redeemable 1:1 with Canadian dollars, but when you use Church Bucks instead of cash, something incredible happens: the value STAYS local.
💰 WHY CHURCH BUCKS?
Build Local Wealth With Church Bucks, your money never leaves the community. It supports the people who support you—your family, friends, neighbors, and church.
Banks Don’t Get a Cut No transaction fees. No percentage skimmed by giant financial institutions.
Government Doesn’t Get a Cut With a 13% tax rate, money only needs to circulate five times before half is gone to the state. With Church Bucks, it can circulate a hundred times and still belong to the people who earned it.
No Forced Sharing with Bureaucrats If someone didn’t work for it, they don’t get a share of it. Period.
💡 CHURCH BUCKS VS. BULLION
Let’s get real for a minute…
Fake gold is now passing industry-standard testers. Trust in bullion? Risky.
Fractional gold products are based on faith in a salesperson, not in anything tangible. If they won’t buy it back when gold is high, ask yourself why.
Canadian currency? Backed by King Charles and Crown corporations. Need we say more?
Church Bucks are backed by you. The hard-working, value-creating people who make your community thrive.
🐄 DON’T WORSHIP THE GOLDEN CALF
When you stockpile gold and ignore your neighbors, your community, and your church, you’re investing in fear, not faith. You’re worshipping the golden cow, not the living God.
Church Bucks are a return to real wealth—which is trust, trade, faith, and relationships. Mental health improves when people feel connected. Financial health follows.
⚔️ A PEACEFUL PROTEST WITH EVERY PURCHASE
Every time you use Church Bucks instead of cash:
You opt out of a corrupt system.
You keep wealth circulating locally.
You say NO to government overreach and corporate exploitation.
It’s a peaceful but powerful “FU” to the idea that others deserve a cut of your labor when they did nothing to earn it.
🌾 FAITH IN ACTION
Church Bucks represent faith in something real:
Your community.
Your church.
Your shared future.
Every dollar spent in Church Bucks is a vote for sovereignty—personal, financial, and spiritual.
🙏 WHO CAN USE THEM?
Everyone. Businesses, churches, farmers, builders, artists, and neighbors. Anyone who believes in honest trade, local value, and real relationships.
As long as we agree to:
Not charge or collect tax,
Not give a cut to anyone who didn’t earn it,
And to honor value with value…
We are free to rebuild a real economy, from the ground up.
🔁 THE FINAL WORD
“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s…” But Church Bucks? They don’t belong to Caesar. They belong to you, your family, your church, and your Creator.
💥 CHOOSE CHURCH BUCKS.
**Stop giving away what others didn’t earn. Start keeping value where it belongs—**in your hands, your church, and your community.
Let’s make faith-backed finance the foundation of a new local economy. Are you in?
Ontario’s Get It Done Act, 2024 (Bill 162) may sound like an effort to cut red tape and speed up infrastructure—but buried within its text is a dangerous expansion of government power that could obliterate private property rights across the province.
❗ What’s Hidden in Plain Sight:
This Act quietly amends the Environmental Assessment Act to explicitly allow expropriation—government seizure of private land—before environmental reviews are complete.
In other words:
The government can now take your land first, and ask questions later—or possibly never.
⚠️ A Chilling Scenario:
You own farmland, a family home, or a business.
The province announces a vague infrastructure project.
Without your consent—and before assessing if the project is even viable or environmentally safe—your land is expropriated.
Public consultation is skipped or minimized. There is no requirement to prove necessity before the seizure.
If the project changes, stalls, or is scrapped, you don’t get your land back—it’s gone. Possibly flipped to developers later.
💣 Why This Is a Massive Rights Violation:
Property rights are the cornerstone of a free society.
This bill turns that principle on its head—making every Ontarian’s land potentially temporary.
Environmental assessments were safeguards, meant to ensure that projects were justified, safe, and publicly reviewed. By allowing land seizures before these assessments, the government removes the only layer of accountability left.
It effectively revives and legitimizes the Greenbelt land swap-style corruption that caused public outcry and ministerial resignations.
👁️🗨️ Who’s at Risk?
Rural landowners
Farmers
Seniors on fixed properties
Small businesses
First Nations and environmentally protected areas
If you have land near a proposed road, transit line, or housing zone—you could be next.
🔥 Final Warning:
This is not just about “getting things done.” It’s about **getting what they want—**your land—without your voice, consent, or recourse. Bill 162 erodes due process, undermines environmental protections, and sets the stage for widespread abuse.Ontario is not a dictatorship. But if this Act is left unchallenged, it’s one giant leap toward one.
(COLLINGWOOD, ON). The Collingwood and Blue Mountains Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has made an arrest in connection with an incident on a Collingwood trail on April 16, 2025, where a young adult female was approached and threatened.
Following an investigation on April 17, 2025, the officers of the Collingwood OPP arrested Marc Belisle, a 22-year-old male from Collingwood. Belisle has been charged with Criminal Harassment under the Criminal Code of Canada and was also arrested on the strength of outstanding warrants. Belisle was held in custody for a bail hearing on April 18, 2025.
The case was managed by members of the Collingwood OPP Crime Unit, led by Detective Sergeant Jason Lloyd. The safety of our community is our top priority, and the OPP is dedicated to addressing crime with all available resources to ensure public safety.
The Collingwood OPP Crime Unit has concluded that there is no ongoing threat to public safety related to this incident. We thank the public for their cooperation and vigilance in reporting information that assisted in this investigation.
The OPP encourages residents to remain mindful of their surroundings while using trails and public spaces. Stay alert, travel in groups when possible, and report any suspicious behaviour to police immediately.
Anyone with additional information about this incident is asked to contact the Collingwood and Blue Mountains OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.crimestopperssdm.com.
