General
OPP Investigating Bridgenorth Concerns
(SELWYN TOWNSHIP, ON) - Recently, the Peterborough County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a call from a concerned parent advising that their daughter had been approached by a vehicle while walking.
On Sunday May 4, 2025, at approximately 2:15pm, the Peterborough County OPP received a report that a twelve-year-old had been walking on Chemong Road when a vehicle made an abrupt U-turn and approached the youth. The driver spoke to the youth offering them a ride. The youth declined and returned to their residence. The vehicle made another U-turn and proceeded towards Bridgenorth.
The vehicle was described as a silver or gold minivan however a licence plate was not able to be provided. The driver was described as a man of Middle Eastern descent, approximately 40-50 years of age with a beard and wearing a blue turban.
The investigation is ongoing, and the OPP would like to speak with the driver of the vehicle. We ask parents to be cognisant of their children's whereabouts and report any suspicious activity to police. For tips for parents and children on stranger safety, visit the Canadian Safety Council website at www.canadasafetycouncil.org/
Anyone with information or dashcam footage related to this interaction is asked to call the Peterborough County OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or you may submit your tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.stopcrimehere.ca.
To serve our province by protecting its citizens, upholding the law and preserving public safety.
Peterborough County OPP values your contribution to building safe communities. If you have information about suspected unlawful activity, please visit Crime Stoppers at: stopcrimehere.ca or call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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Media Contact:
Provincial Constable Dan Gay
Peterborough County OPP
Work - 705-742-0401
Cell - 705-760-2337
Minden Hills Ends State of Emergency
Township of Minden Hills
– Media Release Date: Monday, May 5, 2025 Time: 1:00 PM Media Release # 25-58
Re: Minden Hills Ends State of Emergency The Township of Minden Hills is terminating the state of emergency following the March ice storm and ongoing high-water levels.
As recommended by the Community Emergency Management Coordinator, Fire Chief Don Kruger and the Emergency Operations Commander, CAO - Cynthia Fletcher, the Township of Minden Hills has officially terminated the state of emergency effective May 5, 2025. The Township of Minden Hills declared a state of emergency on Monday, March 31, 2025, following an ice storm that caused widespread damage to power and communication networks. “After 36 days our current situation is stable, the initial ice storm had a significant impact on our power and communication networks across the municipality followed by extremely high-water levels posing a flood watch/warning for our area” said Mayor Carter. “We will continue our recovery phase and will be addressing the effects of the emergency for some time. Clean up of tree debris on our road allowances will occur over the next few weeks and fees for brush drop off are currently waived at the Scotch Line Landfill. As well, we are pleased to work with the County of Haliburton on a Community Clean-up for the pick-up of Ice Storm Brush. Our thanks to County and Township staff for organizing this program” stated Mayor Carter. Mayor Carter also said “I would like to thank the provincial government and our local elected officials for all their support during this emergency”. Mayor Carter also shared “My appreciation to the community who came together and helped neighbours and those in need – it is such an honour to witness the community spirit with the acts of care and kindness that occurred across Minden Hills. I humbly say thank you.” Township Facilities and Services: • All facilities are operating per their regular schedules. • With the ongoing roadside clean-up, our Public Works teams will continue efforts for clearing roads and culverts, as well as regular spring maintenance. • Brush is being accepted at the Scotch Line Landfill, fees are currently waived. • Community Clean-up for the Ice Storm, program to be announced by the County of Haliburton this week. Page 1 of 2 • Questions related to the Ice Storm, you are encouraged to email icestorm2025@mindenhills.ca or call 705-286-1260 ext. 2025. We would also like to remind everyone that per Provincial legislation, there is no daytime burning permitted in the County of Haliburton. Residents can burn from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Emergency Assistance Funding - Residents in extreme financial hardship due to storm impacts may be able to access emergency assistance through Ontario’s Social Assistance Programs. An online application form is available and can be found at the following link: https://www.ontario.ca/page/apply-emergency-assistance . The Township of Minden Hills Emergency Operations Centre will stand down and staff will resume normal operations as the recovery efforts continue. For updates and information visit www.mindenhills.ca and follow our social media channels. -END- Township of Minden Hills 7 Milne St., Minden Email: admin@mindenhills.ca Telephone: 705-286-1260
Drug Trafficking and Firearms Charges Laid in Haliburton County
(HALIBURTON COUNTY, ON) - Members of the Haliburton Highlands Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged several individuals following an investigation involving firearms, drugs and stolen property.
As a result of an ongoing police investigation, members of the OPP Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU), executed a search warrant at a residence on County Road 121 in the Township of Minden Hills on April 22, 2025. Firearms, ammunition and suspected drugs were among items seized as follows:
· 68.61g of fentanyl
· 70g of crystal methamphetamine
· 14.04g of cocaine
· 303 British Lee-Enfield long-rifle
· .22 calibre Cooey long rifle
· 303 British Mark 3 long-rifle
· 4 pellet guns
· 4 BB guns
· 9 rounds of .303 ammunition
· 20 rounds of 30-30 Winchester ammunition
· 5 operating scales
· 3 cellular devices
· Various power tools including table saws, chainsaws, drills and batteries, industrial lights, fan, generator, yeti cooler and an electric bike
As a result, a 33 year old, of the Township of Minden Hills has been charged with:
· Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - three counts
· Breach of firearms regulation store firearm or restricted weapon - three counts
· Possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order - thirteen counts
· Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
· Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm - three counts
· Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition
· Fail to comply with probation order - two counts
The accused was held for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Lindsay Ontario.
And further, a 43 man of the Township of Minden Hills has been charged with:
· Possession of schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - three counts
· Breach of firearms regulation store firearm or restricted weapon - three counts
· Possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order - thirteen counts
· Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition
· Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
· Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm - three counts
The accused was held for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Lindsay Ontario.
And further, another 43 year old man, of the Township of Minden Hills as been arrested and charged with:
· Possession of a schedule I substance
· Unauthorized possession of a firearm
· Failure to comply with undertaking
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Minden at a later date.
If you have any information about illegal firearms or the trafficking of illicit substances in Haliburton Highlands, call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or should you wish to remain anonymous, you can call the Kawartha/Haliburton Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward up to $2000.
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Media Contact:
Provincial Constable Rob Adams
Media Relations Officer
Haliburton Highlands
(705) 528-9417
State of Emergency Update from Mayor Bob Carter
State of Emergency Update from Mayor Bob Carter, - April 29, 2025 Today is Day 30 of our State of Emergency due to the ice storm at the end of March. Municipalities declare States of Emergency for several reasons. It enables us to gain access to Provincial resources, equipment and services. As an example, it allowed us to gain access to EMS Services from Renfrew, York Region, Lanark and Frontenac for as long as they were needed. The declaration also allows us to apply for Provincial funding related to extraordinary expenses we incur as a result of the emergency. Other programs allow our constituents to apply for funding if their insurance does not cover their losses from damage. These are the main reasons to declare an emergency. You may have seen on the news that Peterborough and others have lifted their State of Emergency. Why is Minden still in a State of Emergency? Our response - water. This has been an unusual spring. We had significant snow this winter and have had a higher than usual amount of precipitation through April. We started to work with Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and Parks Canada well before the ice storm hit. Significant amounts of water were moved through the Gull River system to try to create capacity in the lakes above Minden in case of unusual weather patterns. However, the constant rains and the freshet (snow melt) have filled the lakes faster than we can move it downstream. The Burnt River system has peaked and is receding to normal levels but the Gull River system is basically full. The lakes above Minden are at capacity or over capacity. Another complication is that the ice storm has left us with a fragile environment. There are many branches and trees which are easily disturbed. The streams and culverts are being blocked by debris from these trees causing washouts and local flooding. The weather forecast includes high winds and thunderstorms early this week and, significant precipitation later in the week. Therefore, we need to be especially vigilant to react to any consequences due to the weather and to be prepared for anything. We are still meeting three times a week with the MNR and Parks Canada and will continue to do so in the weeks ahead until we are through the threats due to the weather. Please take note of the Media Releases from Minden, The County of Haliburton and the OPP. Be extremely cautious of trees and fast-moving water. Stay safe! Page 1 of 2 As we transition back to normal, we will embark on a cleanup. We have started to clean up the road allowances and ditches and as you have seen. We will be announcing, with the County of Haliburton, a program to assist residents in removing debris. Not everybody was affected equally by this storm. I ask for your patience and a continued spirit of generosity to assist your neighbours. Many hands make light work, and we will need many hands to clean up this mess and get Minden back to normal. Sincerely, Mayor Bob Carter April 29, 2025 For more information, please visit www.mindenhills.ca/newsroom
Haliburton Highlands OPP urges County residents to stay safe during State of Emergency
FROM/DE: Haliburton Highlands Detachment
HALIBURTON HIGHLANDS OPP URGES RESIDENTS TO STAY SAFE DURING STATE OF EMERGENCY
(HALIBURTON COUNTY, ON) - Members of the Haliburton Highlands Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are urging residents to stay vigilant and safe following the recent ice storm, which has created some hazardous conditions across Haliburton County and surrounding areas.
These include downed power lines, fallen trees, and the potential for high winds that could cause further damage. Residents are advised to avoid these hazards and never approach downed power lines, as they may still be live. Caution is also urged when walking near trees, or when clearing brush, as many of which remain damaged and unstable.
High winds are forecasted for April 29, gusting from 30 to 50 km/h at times, which could lead to additional falling trees and debris from ongoing ice damage. Residents should exercise caution when outside and remain aware of their surroundings. For non-emergency downed power lines, contact Hydro One directly at 1-800-434-1235.
Past rainfall and snowmelt are contributing to higher water levels across the county. The Haliburton Highlands OPP would also like to provide some flood safety tips:
· Avoid driving through flooded roads. Even shallow water can cause vehicles to become stranded.
· Stay away from fast moving water, including rivers, streams, and creeks, which may rise rapidly.
· Keep an eye on local advisories for updates and evacuation notices.
· Prepare for emergencies: Ensure you have an emergency kit with essential items such as flashlights, batteries, medications and important documents.
Residents are encouraged to monitor local news, weather updates, and the official social media channels of their municipality and emergency services for the latest information. Your patience is greatly appreciated during this time and your safety is our priority. If you encounter and emergency, please dial 911. For non-urgent concerns, contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
Members of the Haliburton Highlands OPP are committed to public safety, delivering proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our communities. Officers value your contribution to building safe communities. If you have information about suspected unlawful activity, please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.khcrimestoppers.com.
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