The Pickering 20 PAGES ✦ Pressrun 46,600 ✦ Metroland Durham Region Media Group ✦ SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2005 ✦ Optional delivery $6 / Newsstand $1 CROWNED DANGEROUS SPEED HELPING OUT Monarchs take Community efforts Police say driver was tough loss to Trojans impaired at 180 km/h don’t slow down Sports Page 12 Page 3 Pages 2&5 Pickering man charged in PINE RIDGE HAS DANCE FEVER cruiser crash DURHAM — Police in York Re- gion have charged a Pickering man with impaired driving after a crash involving a marked cruiser. York police said an officer going east on Hwy. 407 near Kennedy Road in Markham around 5:30 a.m. Jan. 9, when his cruiser was struck from behind by a silver 2004 BMW being driven by a Pickering man. York officers investigating the collision arrested the driver of the BMW for impaired driving. He was taken to hospital and treated for minor injuries and the officer was shaken up, but not hurt. Charged with impaired driving, driving while exceeding the legal blood-alcohol level and danger- ous driving is Sai Li, 31, of Picker- ing. He is to appear in court in Newmarket Jan. 31. A.J. Groen/ News Advertiser photo PICKERING — The Pine Ridge Secondary School dance department recently presented a dance showcase to elementary students invited to the school. It was a full dress rehearsal for the show, with the public getting a chance to see the show that evening. The cast featured 130 dancers. SUNROOMS • WINDOWS • DOORS WHY MOVE ? IMPROVE WITH Guarding against donor fatigue 905-686-2445 Pickering agencies “Local agencies will struggle United Way Ajax-Pickering-Ux- The United Way funds dozens this year,” said Bill Fry, executive bridge were down $8,000 at the of organizations, including the Blaisdale could struggle with high director of the John Howard So- end of 2004, said Executive Di- Victorian Order of Nurses, Big MONTESSORI demand, officials warn ciety, which helps people across rector Edna Klazek. The United Brothers/Big Sisters and Distress School Durham with housing, counsel- Way Clarington-Oshawa-Whitby- Centre Durham. ling and employment. “Because Scugog-Brock (UWCOWSB) was “When you pull the amount of By Carly Foster people will say, ‘We gave there down $6,000. money from a community that Best Private School Staff Writer already.’” “And the problem is... a num- the tsunami has, there’s going to NEW Pre-Toddler Program DURHAM — While millions of Donations from Canada (not ber of people within our commu- be an effect, particularly to the (12 months - 18 months) donations pour into tsunami-rav- including government donations) nity have lost relatives over there,” local charities,” said Cindy Mur- SPACES AVAILABLE IN AJAX & PICKERING aged south Asia, local charitable to large agencies such as the Ca- she said. “They may be dealing ray, executive director of the UW- Call Head Office 905-509-5005 groups want to make sure people nadian Red Cross and UNICEF with depression and will be rely- COWSB. But she’s hopeful, come 12 mths - grade 8 don’t forget about causes closer have exceeded $135 million. ing on those services within our 5 Campuses in Durham www.blaisdale.com to home. Individual donations to the community.” ✦ See Foundations page 2 A/P PAGE 2 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, JANUARY 16, 2005 durhamregion.com Foundations counting Muslims come together to on donors to dig deeper serve up big plate of relief for fundraising needs Pickering Islamic Charging $20 a plate for adults and $10 for kids, organizers also Centre raises collected donations to the cause. ✦ Foundations from page 1 right on track for a sellout, said $52,000 at dinner The proceeds will boost the Jim Szeman, executive director CMRC’s cumulative goal of $1- the fall when the United Way of the Lakeridge Health Oshawa million for tsunami relief from Is- By Joshua May kicks off its annual campaign, that foundation. lamic centres across the province. Special to the News Advertiser people will donate. “The people in Durham come “We want all Canadians to get Two of Durham’s hospital foun- in here and see the equipment we PICKERING — The Muslim involved (with the relief effort). dations believe people will just need,” he said, adding he thinks community is making its pitch to That is the Canadian way,” said dig a little deeper this year. most people will view contribu- help disaster-torn south Asia. Mr. Ibrahim. “The (PIC) is not just “We’re not seeing any direct tions to the tsunami as a special In a dinner hosted last Sunday a prayer facility, it is a representa- impact at donation. “I’m not worried at all.” at the Pickering Islamic Centre, tion of the community. We should this point, The Canadian Cancer Society Durham Muslims made dona- all get together and contribute for and the hopes personal services such as tions in support of the Canadian “I was astounded we could raise so causes such as these.” donations volunteer drivers and emotional Muslim Relief Council (CMRC), a much funds in such a short period The CRMC also plans to con- continued support are considered valuable fund designed specifically to aid of time,” said Iqbal Ibrahim, chair- tribute $10,000 every year follow- to flow in enough that people will still open the victims of the recent tsunami man of the fundraising committee. ing its $1-million donation to pro- through the their wallets. tragedy. With a gathering of more “We have a very good relationship vide continued relief to the people holiday sea- The Durham Region Humane than 200 guests, including Ajax with the Ajax-Pickering mayors, of South Asia. son,” said Society, like the cancer society, and Pickering politicians at all MPs and councils, and they did an For more information and how Debbie Mc- also has a unique group of donors levels of government, the centre outstanding job in helping us put to donate to the CMRC, visit www. Garry, pres- that its manager is sure will come raised $52,000, as of Friday. on this relief effort.” pickeringislamiccentre.com. ident and Edna Klazek through. CEO of the “Most people still want to help Rouge Valley Health System foun- the animals that are here,” said dation. “The experience usually Ruby Richards. “It’s these ani- demonstrates that people usually mals that will need homes in this dig deeper when extraordinary area.” events occur.” Many people who regularly do- She cited September 11, 2001, nate to the Humane Society have as an example. also been donating to animal res- Cash for Cancer lottery ticket cue efforts in south Asia. sales — which will raise funds for — With files from the Durham cancer centre — are Torstar News Service YOUR CARRIER IS PAID THROUGH COLLECTIONS! 100% is kept by the carrier as payment for their delivery. You could WIN a $1,000.00 Shopping Spree! You RECEIVE Valuable coupons. SERVICE WORTH PAYING FOR If you don’t receive “Service Worth Paying For” or have any questions or delivery concerns please call The News Advertiser at: 905-683-5117 CARRIERS COLLECT EVERY THREE WEEKS COLLECTIONS ARE FROM JANUARY 12 - JANUARY 16 durhamregion.com THE NEWS ADVERTISER, JANUARY 16, 2005 PAGE 3 A/P Driver hospitalized Icy roads cause havoc for local drivers Ten times as many due to a jack-knifed tractor trailer damage, four times the average on after high-speed and icy conditions. The road re- a normal day. accidents as normal opened early in the afternoon. Police were responded to two Durham Regional Police were accidents in which drivers failed police chase through DURHAM — Wednesday morn- also dealing with numerous colli- to remain at the scene, Sgt. Mc- ing’s icy conditions caused hun- sions on icy roads. Curbin said. dreds of accidents on Durham’s “We’ve had over 106 (acci- Meanwhile, conditions in some roads, according to police. dents) between 6:10 and 10:10 this areas meant delivery of mail by Ajax and Pickering There were about 30 accidents morning,” said Sergeant Paul Mc- Canada Post letter carriers was by 10 a.m. on roads patrolled by Curbin. sporadic Wednesday. Officers feared The driver finally abandoned Whitby’s OPP detachment. “On a regular day we would re- “Some (letter carriers) are the vehicle at Fletcher Street and That’s “about 10 times a nor- ceive reports, on average, on about going out and some are not,” said alcohol poisoning Epps Crescent, in a residential mal morning,” said Sergeant Harry six motor vehicle collision person- a spokeswoman at Canada Post’s neighbourhood just south of Ross- Carrigan. al injury accidents. Today we have corporate office in Oshawa late By Jeff Mitchell land Road. The suspect fled on Whitby OPP covers the 401 at least 20,” Sgt. McCurbin said. Wednesday morning. “The trucks Staff Writer foot through back yards until he from Rougemount to Newtonville, The most serious accident in- can’t get around (to deliver mail to PICKERING — A driver clocked was nabbed by officers, Const. Ed- north on Hwy. 12 from Brooklin to vestigated by Durham police was a boxes along routes).” at more than 180 km/h during a wards said. Gamebridge, and Hwy. 115. collision between a car and a trac- Letter carriers were held back pursuit was taken to hospital be- Police found an open bottle “It was mostly fender benders, tor trailer at Thickson Road and from their routes waiting for the cause police feared he may have of liquor and almost five grams cars in the ditch — minor stuff, Victoria Street in Whitby around weather to improve, one carrier alcohol poisoning, according to of crack cocaine in the vehicle, nothing major at all,” said Sgt.