http://www.cjcsradio.com/news/index.php Stratford and Area News from CJCS Radio en http://www.cjcsradio.com/news/newsitem.php?id=11233 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:34:35 GMT The province's Special Investigations Unit has released the name of the suspect in yesteray's fatal shooting of Huron County OPP Constable Vu Pham. Seventy-year old Fred Preston of Burk's Falls remains in critical condition in a London hospital. He was shot eight times during an exchange of gunfire with police north of Seaforth after police pulled his pick-up truck over. The SIU says two other officers were on the scene with Pham at the time of the shooting. After Pham was shot, the suspect and officers were involved in a shootout. Witnesses say as many as 20 shots were fired during the exchange of gunfire. Sargent Dave Rektor says the force has lost a good friend, a great colleague and a very good officer. A full police funeral for OPP Constable Vu Pham will be held in Wingham Friday afternoon on the arena floor of the North Huron Wescast Community Complex at 1pm. http://www.cjcsradio.com/news/newsitem.php?id=11235 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:45:33 GMT Today marks the official launch of artsVest. It's a matching grant initiative for area arts organizations, created and administered by Business for the Arts. The city Stratford, the town of St. Marys and Perth County are taking part in the event. Speeches kick off today's activity at Factory 163 on King Street in Stratford followed by an interactive roundtable discussion. Tomorrow a series workshops will be held with a variety of local arts organizations. Stratford-Perth is one of five Ontario communities to be awarded the artsVest matching grant opportunity in 2010. http://www.cjcsradio.com/news/newsitem.php?id=11234 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:22:26 GMT All is set for this year's parade of the swans in Stratford. On April 4th, the Stratford Police Pipes and Drums will lead the swans from their winter quarters behind the Allman Arena to the Avon River. Hundreds of onlookers are expected to line the route. The parade will get underway at 2:00pm sharp. http://www.cjcsradio.com/news/newsitem.php?id=11232 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:18:22 GMT Stratford City councillors have re-affirmed their decision to have online and telephone voting in this fall's municipal election. The motion was passed at a previous meeting, but last night Councillor Paul Nickel asked Council to reconsider. He expressed concerns for seniors and those who are intimidated by the Internet. After a brief debate, Council rejected the motion by a vote of 8-3. http://www.cjcsradio.com/news/newsitem.php?id=11228 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:20:50 GMT A Huron County OPP oficer has died from injuries received in a shooting incident this morning north of Seaforth. Thirty-seven-year old Vu Pham died in a London hospital late this afternoon. Pham was a 15-year veteran of the force, married and a father of three boys. OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino stated "I am deeply saddened by the loss of this young brave officer who was committed to protecting the citizens of Ontario." Pham was responding to a call just after 10am on North Line, between Seaforth and Walton. He tried to stop a vehicle and was confronted by an armed suspect. Eyewitnesses say 15 to 20 shots were exchanged between the officer and a suspect. Constable Pham was critically shot and incapacitated during the confrontation. Additional OPP officers closed in on the scene and located and confronted the suspect who was shot during the incident. The male suspect, believed to be about 70-years old, was taken to hospital in London. Both the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch and the Province's Special Investigation Unit are investigating the shooting. http://www.cjcsradio.com/news/newsitem.php?id=11227 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:37:08 GMT A 26-year old Listowel driver ran afoul of the law at an OPP RIDE check Saturday night. Officers smelled liquor on the breath of a driver and gave him a roadside test. He passed the breath test, but a criminal record check showed he was on probation ordering him abstain from the consumption, possession or purchase of alcoholic beverages. The driver now has a court date in Listowel to answer to a charge of failing to comply with probation order. http://www.cjcsradio.com/news/newsitem.php?id=11224 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:32:25 GMT The City of Stratford received a five-star rating in the Circle of Excellence category of the 2009-2010 WinterLights Celebrations program. The annual awards ceremony was held in the City of Charlottetown in Prince Edward Island Saturday. Stratford was awarded the Winter Pleasures Award for its community inolvement in hosting the 10th edition of Tim Hortons Hockey Day in Canada. The events took place at the Allman arena and new Rotary Complex with over 400 volunteers devoting their time for this event that was broadcast throughout Canada. http://www.cjcsradio.com/news/newsitem.php?id=11226 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:32:02 GMT Perth County OPP officers are investigating the theft of some power and hand tools from a company in St. Marys. Sometime between 7 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m. Sunday thieves broke the rear window of a company van and removed the tools. Two of the company's construction trailers were also entered after the locks were broken off. Tools and plumbing supplies were taken from inside the trailers. http://www.cjcsradio.com/news/newsitem.php?id=11225 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:17:42 GMT The Stratford Shakespeare Festival's 57th season was hailed as an artistic and financial success at the annual general meeting held in the Festival Theatre on Saturday. The 2009 season attracted more than half a million patrons and achieved a surplus of just over $172,000. Total revenue for 2009 amounted to $59-million. Expenses totaled $58.8-million. By year-end, box office and other earned revenue remained the largest contributor to the bottom line while corporate and individual donors contributed a record-setting $12.1-million. The Festival's economic impact for Stratford in 2009 is estimated at more than $135-million. The 2010 season begins on April 10. http://www.cjcsradio.com/news/newsitem.php?id=11217 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 17:17:02 GMT Local residents can get their fill of Spaghetti on Monday for 15 dollars at the Black Angus Restaurant in Stratford. There will be an All You Can Eat Spaghetti Fundraiser for the Victim Services of Perth County. Tickets can be pre-ordered by calling 519 271-9998.