The public has been credited with helping Ontario Provincial Police officers collar thieves and vandals in North Glengarry over the Summer. Now citizens are being asked to keep an eye out for illicit harvesters. "It is greatly appreciated," said Sgt. Simon Hardy. "It shows how effectively we can resolve matters when we work hand-in-hand with communities. I would like to thank the community for that." In addressing township council, Sgt. Hardy said police have arrested "several local individuals" and as a result of two separate investigations, apprehended two suspects for "numerous thefts from motor vehicles." [continues 617 words]
About 100 people attended the first day of a two-day conference on gang disempowerment and reduction at Keeshkeemaquah building at Long Plains First Nation's urban reserve on Crescent Rd. W., just outside of Portage la Prairie on Wednesday. This is the second annual conference on the issue facing many First Nation communiites in the local area and across Manitoba. Long Plain Chief Dennis Meeches who spoke during the event said there needs to be more help. "We have a serious challenge and we need to work to come together collectively to find some possible solutions," he said. "This problem we have in our communities is going to be here for quite some time. [continues 229 words]
FORT WORTH, Texas -- Fed up with deadly drive-by shootings, incessant drug dealing and graffiti, cities nationwide are trying a different tactic to combat gangs: They're suing them. Fort Worth and San Francisco are among the latest to file lawsuits against gang members, asking courts for injunctions barring them from hanging out together on street corners, in cars or anywhere else in certain areas. The injunctions are aimed at disrupting gang activity before it can escalate. They also give police legal reasons to stop and question gang members, who often are found with drugs or weapons, authorities said. In some cases, they don't allow gang members to even talk to people passing in cars or to carry spray paint. [continues 776 words]
RCMP Seek To Raise Public Awareness Of Addictive Drug At Public Meeting PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE -- Crystal meth can take away your life. That is the message from the RCMP, which held a public awareness meeting in Portage la Prairie last night. About 30 adults attended the two-hour meeting at Herman Prior 55-plus Centre. During his presentation, Manitoba RCMP division's drug awareness co- ordinator, Sgt. Marc Samson, focused on crystal methamphetamine, an addictive drug, which more kids are using. [continues 458 words]
First Nations Join Together to Raise Awareness of Healthy Living DAKOTA TIPI FIRST NATION -- Members of several First Nations communities in the Portage la Prairie area banded together to walk for sobriety yesterday. In an effort to raise awareness during Addictions Awareness Week, about 34 members of Dakota Tipi, Long Plain and Sandy Bay First Nations came together to participate in the inaugural event. Walkers left from Dakota Tipi Community Gaming Centre, south of Portage la Prairie, at 10 a.m. and headed to Long Plain's Keeshkeemaquah Conference and Gaming Centre on Crescent Road West . [continues 373 words]
Members of Three First Nations Walk, Bicycle in Bid to Prevent Kids From Drinking, Doing Drugs PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE -- A group of First Nations youth had an extra long workout on Nov. 21. They biked 80 kilometres from Keeshkeemaquah Conference on the outskirts of Portage la Prairie to Sandy Bay First Nation Community Complex. The excursion was part of a collaborative effort involving members of several First Nations communities in the Central Plains area. They joined together to walk in a bid to promote a drug and alcohol-free lifestyle. [continues 412 words]
FORT WORTH - Authorities say they are trying to determine whether an undercover narcotics officer followed policy before she was shot by a convenience store owner's son who feared he was being robbed.The officer, who was listed in serious condition Friday, had her gun drawn and was wearing a hood over her head and a police raid jacket Thursday when she and two other officers entered the store, police Lt. Jesse Hernandez said. No one else was injured. "What she said when they entered, I don't know," Hernandez said, adding that undercover officers making arrests often wear hoods that cover most of their faces. "Obviously, we will go back and review policies and procedures." [continues 162 words]
FORT WORTH, Texas -- With trembling hands and sweaty brows, the two men questioned by narcotics officers aboard an Amtrak train Sept. 12 were behaving like typical drug suspects, police said. But when box cutters, hair dye, various passports and nearly $5,600 in cash were found in the men's luggage, officers suspected Mohammed Jaweed Azmath and Ayub Ali Khan could be linked to the terrorist attacks just one day earlier. "These guys were very cordial, polite and consented to a search of any items and their pockets. They were nervous, but I probably would have been, too, if officers came aboard my train," Sgt. Brad S. Johnson said Thursday. [continues 219 words]
DENTON, Texas - Former Dallas Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin was indicted Thursday on a felony charge of possessing less than a gram of cocaine stemming from an arrest last summer. The charge carries a penalty from six months to two years in jail and up to a $10,000 fine, said Lee Ann Breading, assistant district attorney in Denton County. Irvin was arrested Aug. 9 at a North Dallas apartment where law officers said they found marijuana and other drugs. Irvin had completed probation on a no-contest plea to felony cocaine possession less than two months earlier. [continues 250 words]
I refer to your report (Two jailed over 'drug haven' homeless centre, December 18), concerning the sentencing of my sister, Ruth Wyner. Following your earlier excellent article and leader (December 15), it was disappointing that you published such an unbalanced report. You present the judge's view, which certainly should be reported, but with no other information. Overstream House was funded partly to help drug addicts, so it is not surprising that many were there. Indeed, at the trial, a prosecution witness who used the centre said he disliked having the addicts there but Ruth explained to him why it was necessary - it was their remit. [continues 164 words]
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - Some members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe are moving forward with plans to cultivate hemp, even if they have to take the Drug Enforcement Administration to federal court. Hemp has grown wild for decades on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, despite the DEA's repeated attempts - spraying and dousing with chemicals, setting fields on fire - to wipe it out. Growing hemp, a cousin to marijuana, is illegal. The Land-Use Association, a group of tribal members in the small reservation town of Slim Buttes, wants to turn the tall hemp stalks into paper, mats, construction blocks for housing and other products. The group says the moneymaking venture would create jobs and homes in the impoverished area. [continues 457 words]
