The emergency-grandparent scam has claimed a victim in South Glengarry, warns the Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police.

The victim lost $5,500 after being contacted by a scammer claiming to be her grandson. He said he in custody following a motor vehicle collision. He had minor injuries, but needed money to pay the insurance company of the other vehicle involved. The victim then transferred the amount requested.

To avoid becoming a victim, police advise you to first check with another family member or trusted friend to verify the information before sending money or providing credit card information by phone or e-mail. It is vitally important that the incident be reported every time it occurs, to allow police to investigate and prevent others from becoming victims. If a scam artist contacts you or if you have been defrauded contact your local police service and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC). You can file a report with the CAFC by calling 1-888-495-8501 (Monday to Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm EST) or by using the online reporting tool at www.antifraudcentre.ca  

A 14-year-old male has been charged with mischief and damaging property after Stormont Dundas & Glengarry Ontario Provincial Police officers responded to a report of vandalism on Father Ranald Street in Greenfield March 12.

The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Cornwall June 3.

The church, the Glengarry Pioneer Museum building, plaques, road signs and mail boxes were all spray-painted.

The News also has tradition, technology, a crop that makes you smile, cover-ups, rare pigs, caring hands, hockey, and the usual assortment of views.

The Eastern Ontario Heath Unit (EOHU) has announced that COVID-19 vaccines will soon be available to adults 80 years of age and older.

The EOHU is scheduling COVID-19 vaccine appointments by invitation only for staff and essential caregivers of long-term care and retirement homes, and health care workers of the highest and very high priority level in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s guidance on health care worker prioritization.

This will soon be extended to:

Individuals 80 years of age and older

Adult recipients of chronic home care

Indigenous adults living off-reserve

If you have a family member or provide care to someone who falls within one of the groups listed above, please encourage them to get vaccinated. Vaccines are by appointment only and may be made by individuals or their caregivers; walk-in appointments are not available.

"We expect that by mid-March, eligible individuals will be able to make an appointment using our online tool. We will be updating our website as we have more information to share about scheduling COVID-19 vaccine appointments for eligible individuals," says the EOHU.

"If you, or the individual you are booking for, do not fall within one of the eligible groups, please do not try to schedule an appointment. We must keep the online tool and phone lines available for those who are eligible to book an appointment. We are requesting everyone’s collaboration and continued patience as we undertake this enormous vaccination effort," the EOHU adds.

Phase One of the EOHU vaccine roll-out plan is well underway. All long-term care residents have received their two doses of the vaccine and residents of retirement homes have all received their first dose. Staff and essential caregivers of long-term care and retirement homes, and health care workers of the highest and very high priority level are currently being administered their first dose. Vaccine supply continues to impact both the local and provincial vaccine roll out. "As a result, we continue to adjust our local plans to align with Ministry-identified priority populations. We are pleased that access to COVID-19 vaccines is increasing and we are committed to vaccinating our community as quickly as possible. For the latest updates about which population groups are eligible to receive the vaccine and how to access it, please regularly visit the Eastern Ontario Health Unit’s website at www.EOHU.ca/vaccines"

The News has articles on variants, child porn charges, a community jewel, disc golf and an anti-hate program.

The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) is confirming the presence of the first cases of COVID-19 variants of concern (VOCs) in the region. Public Health Ontario (PHO) screens all positive samples for the presence of a mutation and has informed the EOHU that four samples have screened positive and are awaiting specific genetic testing to identify the exact variant types.

Suspected variants have been detected in three staff at the St. Albert Cheese Cooperative in St. Albert, which is dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak. The fourth has been identified in a separate single case in the EOHU region. The EOHU is undertaking enhanced contact tracing protocols to identify the source of infection and any contacts for all four of these cases.

While the number of COVID-19 cases in Eastern Ontario has been levelling off, infections continue at area long-term care facilities. As of February 25, there were outbreaks at Maxville Manor, The Palace Long-Term Care in Alexandria, Glen Stor Dun Lodge, Chartwell McConnell, Riverview Manor, Cornwall, Iakhihsohtha Lodge in Akwesasne and Woodland Villa in Long Sault. The number of active cases was 102; three patients have been hospitalized; none is in intensive care, according to the Eastern Ontario Health Unit.

Have you noticed that your butter has been harder than usual? The change in consistency is probably related to feed supplements,  named palm oil, used to boost cows’ diets. “Buttergate” has prompted the Dairy Farmers of Canada to set up a special committee to examine fat supplementation in cow feed. “Dairy farmers are uncompromising when it comes to quality and follow some of the most stringent standards in the world to uphold that commitment,” states DFC. From a feed perspective, the Animal Nutrition Association of Canada notes that the use of palm fat in dairy feed is not new and is a safe ingredient, approved for use by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.  Similarly, Daniel Lefebvre, the Chief Operating Officer from Lactanet, the Canadian dairy centre of excellence, stresses that the inclusion of palm fat supplements in the cow’s nutrition is not a health or safety concern.

For the second consecutive year, the Raisin River Canoe Race has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ⁣⁣

The Raisin Region Conservation Authority notes that the event is one of the longest canoe races in Eastern Ontario. First started in 1973, the race runs from St. Andrews to Williamstown. The race is always held in April when water levels are high.⁣
⁣
The event typically sees 350 paddlers every year cheered on by groups of spectators along the 30 km course.  For everyone's safety and following the current COVID-19 public health measures in place, the difficult decision was made to cancel the event this year.⁣
⁣
 

Plus, in The News of February 24, we have a huge pot bust, a tax cut, and all sorts of views.

Tara Kirkpatrick, North Glengarry’s economic development and communications officer, will become the new Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry manager of economic development March 8. She succeeds Nicholas Séguin, who left the post in November.

Outbreak at high school

A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at Glengarry District High School in Alexandria where three individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 since February 11.

The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) is working closely with the school and is actively communicating with students and staff who have been identified as possible close contacts through high-risk exposures.

The EOHU has determined that a school closure is not necessary at this time. The school will be open and operating on its regular schedule on Monday, Feb. 22.

Scam alerts

The public is being warned about a scam where fraudsters pretend to represent the Canadian Revenue Agency.

Fortunately, in three reported cases, the intended victims did not lose any money after being contacted by a criminal purporting to to be a CRA employee, reports the Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry Ontario Provincial Police detachment.

The fraudsters tried different tactics. In one incident, the target was told his or her social insurance number had been compromised, another was warned if information was not provided, CRA would have the victim arrested. In a third instance the fraudster told the victim that the victim’s SIN card was used to commit several crimes and the victim had to pay CRA for the stolen funds.

If you have shared personal information or banking details with scammers, contact your financial institution immediately to place alerts on your account. If you have been defrauded, report it to the police or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. For further information or to report a fraud online, visit: www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca

Meanwhile, the "romance scam" has cost a South Dundas resident $45,000 after the victim was targeted by a fraudster on an on-line dating site. The fraudster claimed that he needed to get a large sum of money via Bitcoin to assist him in getting a consignment box released by Puerto Rican custom authorities.

Seven people have been arrested after police seized over 5,000 cannabis plants while executing a search warrant at a location on Hay Road in South Glengarry Township. In addition to the cannabis plants, growing and processing equipment was seized. Arrested were Jialin Chen, 56, of Markham, Jun Jiang, 36, of Markham, Shuhua Xu, 51, of Scarborough, Tao Zou, 29, of Unionville, Zongxin Zou,  49, of Cornwall, Yun Lin, 52, of Cornwall, and Yuhua Lin, 51, of Unionville. Charged with a slew of drug-related offences, they are scheduled to appear in Alexandria court April 7.

Fatal fire, fixing the schools, lot levies

Also in The News of February 17, we have articles on a rural renaissance, record-breaking real estate numbers, tax breaks.

The public is being asked to help investigators solve a suspected case of arson in Caselman February 6.

Shortly before 6 p.m., Russell County Ontario Provincial Police officers responded to a structural fire on St-Joseph Street.

A person was observed running away from the building when the incident occurred. There were no injuries.

Anyone with information regarding this fire, including suspicious vehicles or people seen in the area, should contact Russell County OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or 613-443-4499. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or submit an online tip at www.crimestoppersquinte.ca, where you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.