NORTH HURON – A 2013 budget in North Huron relies on 2.51 per cent more spending than last year, after being approved by that municipality’s council last night.

For the owner of a home assessed at $152,884, the 2013 budget will mean an annual property tax increase of approximately $23.28 for Blyth, $23.24 for East Wawanosh, and $2.11 for Wingham.

The approved budget includes more than $10.7 million to run services and programs, about $1 million for capital investment and approximately $454,400 for debt payments.

Capital projects include the town hall exterior restoration, sidewalk replacement, Victoria Street and Carling Terrace road and sewer upgrades, and Blyth water and sanitary system upgrades.

“This budget maintains the programs and services that are priorities for Council and the community and at the same time limits the impact to taxpayers,” said Neil Vincent, who is North Huron’s reeve, in a press release.

“We need to be fiscally responsible but also make strategic investments that support our communities and businesses, enhance our downtowns, renew our infrastructure, and position us to attract more people and investment – we’re already seeing positive results throughout North Huron,” he said.

The 2013 budget reflects the goals outlined in the municipality’s strategic plan, said Donna White, who is finance director.

A program and expenditure review, implemented in 2011 to identify efficiencies, cost savings, and ways to increase revenue, is an ongoing corporate initiative. Also, a business planning process was implemented last fall that encompasses the annual budget preparations, the development of departmental business plans, and individual work plans to ensure that the organization is moving in a consistent strategic direction and achieving the vision and goals in North Huron’s Strategic Plan.

White will be making budget presentations to local business groups and community stakeholders this spring.  Copies of the 2013 operating and capital budgets will be available at the municipal office and budget highlights will be available online.

WINGHAM – A new business has landed at the airport in Wingham.

Apex Helicopters Inc. will operate from a purchased hanger and rented office space in the terminal building of the Richard W. LeVan airport, said Chris Vankoughnett, chief pilot and owner, who introduced his growing business to the community at North Huron Council this week.

Apex Helicopters provides a number of services, principally crop spraying for farmers, along with site seeing, firefighting and a variety of other aerial services, according to a press release issued by the Municipality of North Huron, which is home to the Richard W. LeVan airport.

The company has seven employees and operates three helicopters. It expects to add two more heavy lift fire support helicopters for the 2014 season as well as four ground crew and one full-time office staff.

North Huron Council is delighted to welcome Apex Helicopters to the airport.

“Economic development is a high priority for Council and staff in North Huron.  This is encouraging news for our community.  In addition to the commercial spinoffs that a new business brings to the area, it will also result in significant fuel sales at the airport,” said Reeve Neil Vincent.

The inaugural meeting of the SW Ontario Holistic Management Club met Saturday, Feb. 16, at the farm of Fran and Tony McQuail near Lucknow.

Ten farm families from Lucknow, Tiverton, Neustadt, Goderich, St. Thomas, Arthur, and Stratford areas came out for the day of meeting other practitioners and touring the McQuail farm, which has been under holistic management for more than 10 years.  The families, who have taken the six-day Introduction to Holistic Management Course, shared stories about their operations and how Holistic Management had helped them improve family life, financial return, startup farm design and pasture management. In the afternoon, the group went out and viewed how the McQuails feed large square bales outside to their cattle herd and a lively discussion regarding the merits of large round bales versus large square bales followed. Square bales are more space efficient for stacking and storage but do not shed rain and snow as well as large round bales when left outside. The McQuails unroll large round bales for outside feeding in winter, but use electric fencing to limit the cow herd access to large square bales much the way they can be fed at the end of a silage bunker.

Fran McQuail, who hosted the event, said that there were more than 50 farm families in SW Ontario that had taken the course and having a management club helps everyone share their successes and keep learning from each other. She said they plan to meet quarterly at different members’ farms to give members a chance to show what‘s working on their farm.

Holistic management is a whole farm planning system that teaches farm families tools to improve family life, financial return,  and soil and pasture management to ensure a sustainable farming system that is resilient and sustainable in the current fluctuating climate.  There will be a six-day Introduction to Holistic Management Course in Woodstock in March. Anyone interested should contact the McQuails at 519-528-2493 or [email protected]. The next meeting is planned for June at the beef farm of Mathias and Jen Seilern near Kincardine.

BLUEWATER – A 36-year-old woman from South Huron is charged with careless driving after a two-car collision last week.

 On Feb. 7, 2013 at 5:25 p.m. Huron OPP officers, Huron County paramedics and Hensall fire fighters arrived at the crash scene on London Road just north of Rodgerville Road to find a black Subaru Forester engulfed in flames in the north lane and a silver Toyota Sienna in the west ditch.

Both vehicles sustained significant damage.

Officers learned the Subaru was travelling south on London Road when it crossed the center line. The driver of the Toyota attempted to avoid the Subaru however both vehicles collided.

A 36-year-old female from Huron East who was a passenger in the Toyota Sienna was transported to Victoria Hospital in London with non-life threatening injuries.  The male driver, 39, was uninjured.

The driver of the Subaru, who is charged with careless driving, was uninjured.

DRIVER GETS THREE-DAY SUSPENSION

CENTRAL HURON – On Feb. 8, 2013 at approximately 8:15 p.m., Huron OPP stopped a Chevrolet Silverado that had entered a RIDE checkpoint at London Road and Londesborough Road.

Upon speaking with the male driver, officers noted he had been drinking alcohol.  A roadside test was completed and the driver registered a warn range reading.  The driver, a 69-year-old maN from Central Huron has lost his driving privileges for three days.  

SNOWMOBILE DRIVER FACING SEVERAL CHARGES

CENTRAL HURON - Police stopped and charged a 17-year-old male snowmobile driver from Central Huron with three offences on Feb. 10, 2013. A green Polaris was stopped on London Road near Vanastra Road at 1:10 p.m. Officers requested a driver’s licence, ownership and proof of insurance from the owner.

A driver’s licence check revealed he was a suspended driver.  Further, he was unable to provide an ownership and certificate of insurance for the snowmobile.  As a result he will have to answer the charges at a court date set for April 2, 2013 at the Ontario Youth Justice Court – Goderich.

SNOWMOBILE WINDSHIELD STOLEN

NORTH HURON - A Huron OPP officer recently received a theft report of a snowmobile windshield.

The victim reported he had his 2013 Ski-Doo XRS snowmobile parked at a restaurant located on Queen Street in Blyth.  He left his sled unattended between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Feb. 7, 2013.  When he returned to his machine, he noticed the windshield had been removed from the snowmobile.  On the windshield was a 2013 OFSC trail permit.

The value of the windshield and the trail permit is approximately $350.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Huron OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or (519) 524-8314.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

CENTRAL HURON – A 34-year-old man is facing drug charges and a drive under suspension charge stemming from a traffic stop last night.

Shortly after 10 p.m., a Huron County OPP officer stopped a Chevrolet Express cargo van that was travelling westbound on Bayfield Road near Stone School Line.

The driver was found to be driving with a suspended driver’s licence.  The driver was subsequently arrested and a search was completed.  That search revealed the driver was in possession of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia.

As a result, a Goderich man has been charged with possession of a controlled substance possession for the purposes of trafficking and driving while suspended.

He has a court date scheduled for the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich on March 4, 2013.

STOLEN SNOWMOBILE RECOVERED – MALE FACING CHARGES

NORTH HURON – Around 1 a.m. on Feb. 6, 2013, Huron County OPP officers were able to track down a stolen 2012 Polaris Switchback snowmobile valued at $15,000.

Officers were investigating a trespassing complaint in relation to a snowmobiler trespassing through backyards in Morris-Turnberry.  Officers followed the snowmobile tracks to an Edward Street residence in Wingham.  Wingham Police Service attended with the Huron OPP officers where they observed a snowmobile on the property.  Upon speaking with a resident at the property, a check was made on the snowmobile and it revealed the snowmobile was stolen from Minto Township.

As a result, a 34-year-old man from Wingham has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

He has a court date scheduled for March 21, 2013 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.

Huron County Crime Stoppers and the Huron County OPP are asking for your assistance in solving the following break, enter and theft from a shed located at a cottage property on Glenannon Road in North Huron.

This crime took place sometime Jan. 13 and Jan. 15, 2013.

The total value of the stolen goods is estimated at nearly $3,000.

The stolen items include:

• A model 440 Stihl Chainsaw with a 20-inch bar;
• A Dolmar Chainsaw with an 18-inch bar;
• A Summit brand hunting tree stand;
• A new Mastercraft toolbox;
• A John Deere wrench set; and
• And a black XL snowmobile helmet, with red and silver striping.

If you have any information regarding this crime or any other crime, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or submit a tip online at www.hc-cs.ca.  All tips are anonymous, you will never have to go to court and you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000. We need your information, so make the call…for your community!

Huron Chamber of Commerce director Deb Austin presents Business of the Year Award to Lynn Chisholm, owner of Homescapes by Lynn, during the Spirit of Success awards gala tonight.

HEATHER BOA Bullet News GODERICH – Homescapes by Lynn was named Business of the Year during the 5th annual Spirit of Success awards gala tonight, hosted by the Huron Chamber of Commerce.

About 200 guests at the gala dinner clapped non-stop as the names of dozens of potential businesses and entrepreneurs were read by master of ceremonies Dylan Bartlett. Then the clapping turned to drum rolls of hands on tables that set cutlery and dinnerware rattling as he announced: “And the winner is. . . Homescapes by Lynn.”

“Amazing things can happen when you run a top-notch business,” Barlett said. Homescapes by Lynn won the new business award in 2012 and now business of the year. Lynn, you’re definitely doing all the right things,” he said.

Owner Lynn Chisholm said she was at a loss for words.

“It’s an honour to be a retailer amongst so many people. It was a hard year. The tornado had a lot to do with that,” said Lynn Chisholm, owner of a retail store in Goderich’s downtown core, which was damaged in the August 2011 tornado. The store carries Benjamin Moore products, countertops, cabinetry, hardware, art and accents, along with interior design services.

The chamber received 68 nominations – some of them doubles or in multiple categories – from customers, employees, businesses and the nominees themselves for the Spirit of Success Awards.

Award winners in the remaining categories include:

Richard Lehnen Young Entrepreneur Award – Sarah Campbell, owners of Miga’s Balloons + More;

TD Environmental Awareness Award – Walmart Goderich;

Capital Power Corporation Service Award – Banter, MacEwan and Feagan Insurance;

Bell Technology / Manufacturing Award – Precision Print;

Conestoga College Employer Services Employer Champion Award – Master’s Touch Products;

Huronia MEDI / Chair Retail Business Award – Sears Goderich;

Tourism Goderich Hospitality Business Award – Blyth Festival;

The SBEC New Business Award – Pat & Kevin’s on the Square;

BIA Friends of Downtown Goderich Award – Dr. Michelle Szasz; and

Goderich Signal Star Community Impact Award – Kraft Hockeyville – Steve Hewitt and Monique Sykes.

To see photos from the evening, visit our photo album.

HURON COUNTY – Grab your dancing shoes and hit the dance floor in Blyth, take a seat in the stands for Hockey Night in Bayfield, or strap on the snowshoes and follow the trails through Wawanosh Nature Centre this weekend. No matter what your pick, there’s plenty to keep you active indoors and outdoors in Huron County over the next few days.

Here’s a sampling of events this weekend:

Friday

Lesson and Dance, Blyth

Date: Friday, Jan. 25, from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Location: Blyth East Side Dance Studio, 273 Hamilton St.

Description: Every Friday night features a lesson in one Ballroom or Latin Dance. The lesson is taught with beginners in mind and is 45 minutes long. Stay and dance the rest of the evening. Cost is $5 per person. Feel free to drop in. No need to pre-register.

Saturday

Hockey Night in Bayfield, Bayfield

Date: Saturday, Jan. 26. Doors open at 6 p.m., opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. Game starts at 7:30 p.m.

Location: Bayfield Arena and Community Centre, 4 Jane St.

Description: Come enjoy a celebrity hockey game for the whole family. The Bull TryHards are coming to town to take on local talent. Door prizes, 50/50 draw, Chuck a Puck, Shoot to Score competition. Selling pizza, hot dogs and goodies for the kids. Silent auction, NHL players’ autographed articles. Age of majority dance following the game.  Tickets: 11years and older, $10; 5 to 10 years, $2; under 5 years, free. Advance tickets available at Brandon’s Pro Hardware on Clan Gregor Square or Nip ‘n’ Tuck Convenience on Hwy 21.

Tom Burke Live at the Bakery, Blyth

Date: Saturday, Jan. 26, starting at 8 p.m.

Location: Queen’s Bakery, Queen St.

Description: Singer / songwriter Tom Burke, of Mitchell, will perform in this intimate downtown setting. He is known for performances with Mostly Sideways. (Burke replaces Lyndon John, who is ill.) Limited tickets. Call now to reserve your ticket, $10, at 226-523-9720.

Kintail School Flea Market, Kintail

Date: Saturday, Jan. 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Hwy. 21 north of Kintail on west side of road

Description: Browse through a vast array of treasures in the unique setting of former school SS#3 Ashfield. Enjoy a taste of good country-style cooking in the kitchen.

Lee Grant, Wingham

Date: Saturday, Jan. 26, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Location: Royal Canadian Legion Branch 180, 183 Victoria St. W.

Description: Night of music. Food is available.

Sunday

Snowfest at Wawanosh Nature Centre, west of Belgrave

Date: Sunday, Jan. 27, from noon to 4 p.m.

Location: 38854 Nature Centre Rd., west of County Rd. 4, between Blyth and Belgrave.

Description: Bring your skis or snowshoes and hit the trails, Snowshoes available for all ages four and over. Rental fee: $3. Stop at the campfire or enjoy a hot chocolate in the Nature Centre. Admission is free.

HEATHER BOA Bullet News GODERICH – Thirty-eight businesses and entrepreneurs will vie for top awards in the annual Huron Chamber of Commerce – Goderich, Central and North Huron gala event this Friday night.

The chamber received 68 nominations – some of them doubles or in multiple categories – from customers, employees, businesses and the nominees themselves by the Jan. 8 deadline for the Spirit of Success Awards.

“It’s an opportunity for the business community to celebrate hard work and be recognized by the community at large,” said Judy Crawford, who is the chamber’s CEO.

“We hear too much of the negative. This is an opportunity for the positive,” she said.

Award nominees in each category include:

Goderich Signal Star Community Impact Award, awarded to a favourite event that has happened in 2012 and made a positive impact on the community – Kraft Hockeyville – Steve Hewitt & Monique Sykes, Lori Patterson re: Children’s Festival, Matt Hoy re: Windstock, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 109, United Communities Credit Union, Walmart and Zehrs (Steve, Paul, Todd, Chris) re: Hockeyville;

Richard Lehnen Young Entrepreneur Award, awarded to a person age 30 or under who owns or manages a business or manages staff as an integral part of a business, has been successful in meeting goals and objectives of the business and has earned the respect of peers and employees with their management skills – Fit Body Boot Camp – Nadine Vandenheuvel, Miga’s Balloons + More – Sarah Campbell and The Docks Restaurant & Bar – Colin Corriveau;

The SBEC New Business Award, awarded to a new business to the area that opened within the last 18 months and has been in operation for a minimum of six months, providing excellent customer service, support and training to staff and employees, and been community-minded and supportive – Blyth Farm Cheese, C’est La Rose Antiques, Miga’s Balloons + More, Pat & Kevin’s on The Square and Staples;

Capital Power Corporation Service Award, which is awarded to non-retail, non-hospitality businesses that demonstrate excellence in customer service and leadership on a consistent basis, the business & staff go above and beyond to insure customer satisfaction with their service/ product, and recognize and reward employees with positive incentives for providing excellent customer service – 104.9 The Beach, Banter, MacEwan, Feagan Insurance, Dr. Michelle Szasz, Dungannon Custom Builders, Gentle Dental Hygiene Care, Goderich Municipal Daycare, Huronia Med-E-OX, Hurontel, Jokey Plastics, Miga’s Balloons + More, Precision Print, Sears, United Communities Credit Union;

Bell Technology / Manufacturing Award, awarded to a business or organization that has improved performance, increased customer/client satisfaction, and created public awareness through the use of innovative products, processes or communication technologies – Precision Print and Windtrans Systems Ltd.

TD Environmental Awareness Award, awarded to any business, manufacturer, industry that promotes the 4 Rs – Reduce/Reuse/Recycle/Reclaim, introduced new programs or technology to reduce their business footprint on the environment and promotes environmental awareness with their employees – Bluewater Recycling Association, Composite Creations, Huronia, Jokey Plastics, Mulch Gulch (Gardiner`s Goderich), Secondary Resources, Walmart and Windtrans Systems Ltd.;

Tourism Goderich Hospitality Business Award, awarded to a hospitality sector business that demonstrates excellence in customer service on a consistent basis, is community-minded and supportive, and always creates a special customer experience – Benmiller Inn & Spa, Blyth Festival, Bon Vivant Chef Devin Tabor, Pat & Kevin’s on The Square, The Docks Restaurant & Bar, and West Street Willy’s.

Huronia Med-E-OX MEDIchair Retail Business Award, awarded to a retail sector business that demonstrates excellence, customer service on a consistent basis, community-minded and supportive, and always puts the customer’s needs first – Cravings, Giant Tiger, Homescapes By Lynn, Metzger Meats, Outdoor Living, Staples and Walmart.

Business of the Year Award – 104.9 The Beach, Banter, MacEwan, Feagan Insurance, Benmiller Inn and Spa, Bluewater Recycling Association, Blyth Farm Cheese, Blyth Festival, Bon Vivant Chef Devin Tabor, C’est La Rose Antiques, Composite Creations, Cravings, Dr. Michelle Szasz, Dungannon Custom Builders, Gentle Dental Hygiene Care, Giant Tiger, Goderich Municipal Daycare, Homescapes by Lynn, Huron Image Factory, Huronia / Med-E-OX, Hurontel, Jockey Plastics, Metzger Meats, Miga’s Balloons + More, Mulch Gulch (Gardiner’s Goderich), Outdoor Living, Pat & Kevin’s on The Square, Precision Print, Sears, Secondary Resources, Staples, The Docks Restaurant & Bar, United Communities Credit Union, Walmart, West Street Willy’s, Windtrans Systems Ltd.

The 2013 Spirit of Success Awards will be presented during a sold-out gala event held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 109 this Friday night. Master of ceremonies for the evening is Dylan Bartlett, general manager / sales manager of myFM, who is also president of Progressive Results Group, a consulting company to help improve company culture.

The main sponsor is United Communities Credit Union.

NORTH HURON – A North Huron man is dead following a three-vehicle collision northwest of Blyth this morning.

Shortly after 11:15 a.m., Huron County OPP officers were dispatched to a three-vehicle collision on Blyth Rd (Huron County Road 25), west of Cemetery Line.

Wilmer Glousher, 85, was driving a minivan in the westbound lane on Blyth Road when he was struck from behind by a full-sized livestock transport truck.  The impact forced the minivan into the eastbound lane, where it was struck by an east bound dump truck.  At the time of the collision it was snowing hard and visibility was extremely poor.

Glousher was pronounced deceased at the scene.  Both truck drivers did not sustain any injuries as a result of this collision.

West Region OPP technical traffic collision investigators are on the scene and are continuing their investigation into this crash.

Blyth Road between London Road and Currie Line is expected to remain closed until at least 9:30 p.m. to allow for the safe investigation and removal of the vehicles.