CJCS 1240 Radio - Local and Community Events in Stratford Ontario

The Perth County OPP wrapped up its 2012 Festive R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign on January 2^nd.

This was part of a province wide campaign to create visibility and increase awareness about drinking and driving throughout the holiday season.

The campaign started on November 24^th and was highly visible and successful within Perth County.

Over the course of 39 days, police conducted 205 R.I.D.E. spot checks at various locations throughout the county.

Over thirteen thousand drivers were spoken to at these spot checks.

Perth County officers arrested seven motorists for impaired driving while six received Warn Range and Administrative Driver's License Suspensions.

These R.I.D.E. checks also netted, nine liquor licence charges, one drug charge, two no insurance charges and forty Highway Traffic Act charges.

The total number of impaired drivers charged in 2012 stands at 62.

This compares to a total of 56 impaired driving charges laid by the Perth County OPP in 2011.

Motorists are reminded that regular R.I.D.E. programs will continue to be conducted throughout the year in Perth County.

Nomination forms are now available for the 2013 Stratford & District Chamber of Commerce 17^th Annual Business Excellence Awards (BEA).

The organizing committee of the BEA is relying on public input to join the search for business excellence.

Any business or entrepreneur who you feel has exemplified any of the following: leadership, customer service, determination and creativity is eligible to be nominated in any of the 8 award categories.

Nominees must exist within the geographical boundaries of the Stratford & District Chamber of Commerce, which includes the City of Stratford, Town of St Marys, Townships of Perth East and South, and the Municipality of West Perth.

The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 1^st and the winners will be announced at the awards gala held at the Arden Park Hotel on Thursday, May 2^nd.

For more information, call Sheri Maguire at (519) 273-5250 or visit the Chamber's website.

The Stratford Salvation Army has done it again.

The annual Christmas Kettle Drive has surpassed its fundraising objective thanks to the work of many volunteers and the generosity of local citizens.

This year's goal was $90,000 for the needy in our community.

The Salvation Army has been waging a war on poverty and hopelessness in Stratford for 128 years.

It anticipates a tough year due to rising economic hardship and factory closures.

Fire and Ice will come together in perfect unison later this month in the city.

It's the theme of the annual Stratford Winterfest set to go for January 18^th to January 20^th.

Organizer Carys Wyn Hughes outlines some of the events planned for this year.

Everything is in place but Wyn Hughes says they still need lots of volunteers.

People can also call Carys Wyn Hughes at 226 921-1428 to volunteer or you can register online at the Stratford Winterfest website.