News Local

Police briefs: His face looked familiar

Barrie police received a call Friday night from a male at a Yonge Street business stating that he had just spotted a male who had robbed him two days ago off his cellphone at gunpoint.

Did you feel that?

Checking his e-mail Friday morning, Steve Davie watched in wonder as the pens on his desk rattled in a cup as an earthquake moved through Central Ontario.

After years of fundraising and a year-and-a-half of construction, Holy Spirit Parish Roman Catholic Church, located on Essa Road north of Mapleview Drive East, will have its first mass on Saturday at 5 p.m. Parish member John Dinis, top, got a hand taking down the scaffolding on Thursday in preparation for the big day on Saturday. All are welcome to attend. IAN MCINROY BARRIE EXAMINER

Cardinal to bless church

Barrie’s newest Catholic church, Holy Spirit Parish, will be blessed by His Eminence Cardinal Thomas Collins during a special day of prayer, celebration and thanks on Sunday.

Ramara Township resident Tim Swan drives sandbags to his neighbours’ flooded doorsteps with an all-terrain vehicle, Monday afternoon. ROBERTA BELL QMI AGENCY

Disaster relief for Ramara

The Township of Ramara, officially declared a disaster zone, has qualified for the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program (ODRAP).

Keith Williams, of the Barrie Kinsmen Club, wants to remind residents that the club will once again be holding their annual May 24 fireworks sale this weekend from a trailer in the Sears parking lot on Bayfield Street. MARK WANZEL/BARRIE EXAMINER

Kinsmen having a blast

The Barrie Kinsmen is having a blast for the Victoria Day weekend helping out local projects. The club's annual fireworks sale in front of Sears at Georgian Mall on Bayfield Street runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Dozens of firefighters from throughout the region, including Springwater, Barrie, Tiny, Oro-Medonte, Clearview and Essa townships, were called into action last night just north of Barrie to battle a massive blaze at a BFI on Bertram Industrial Parkway. MARK WANZEL/BARRIE EXAMINER/PHOTO

Massive blaze causes $500,000 in damage

SPRINGWATER TWP. - Dozens of firefighters were called into action last night just north of Barrie to battle a massive blaze at an industrial facility on Bertram Industrial Parkway, located just off County Rd. 27, south of Horseshoe Valley Road.

Inside the Barrie Molson Centre. (Examiner Files)

Game over?

Is Barrie’s rejection as 2014 Memorial Cup host also the death knell for extensive upgrades to Barrie Molson Centre?

Caroline Grech, of the Canadian Automobile Association is encouraging all area residents to place their vote for the worst roads in Barrie at www.worstroads.ca as the CAA are looking for the worst roads The criteria includes potholes, badly placed traffic signals, congestion and pedestrian and cyclist safety. J.T. MCVEIGH/QMI AGENCY/BARRIE EXAMINER

Roads to ruin

There are two seasons for motorists in Ontario, as the joke goes, winter and construction.

Midhurst resident Kathy Wells places signs outside the Springwater Township office building during a protest Tuesday night against a proposed development plan for Midhurst. MARK WANZEL PHOTO

Midhurst plan sparks talk

She said she wouldn’t have been able to look herself in the mirror if she didn’t speak up at Tuesday night’s meeting.

Sharlene Bosma begged for the safe return of her husband, Tim, at a press conference in Hamilton on Thursday, May 9, 2013. Here Tim is posing with his daughter, who is now two years old. (Photo courtesy the Bosma family)

Sellers beware online: police

INNISFIL — In light of the disappearance of Ancaster resident Tim Bosna, South Simcoe police are issuing advice for residents selling their vehicles online.