COLLINGWOOD - Officers from Collingwood and The Blue Mountains OPP are investigating the deliberate setting of a fire at a local high school earlier this afternoon.

On the 14th of October 2014 at approximately 1:30pm, OPP along with the Collingwood Fire Department were dispatched to the Collingwood Collegiate High School for a fire alarm. A fire was found to have been deliberately set in a washroom in the school. The school was quickly evacuated as fire crews extinguished the flames, which caused damage to the washroom area.

No one was hurt however police are remaining at the scene to investigate the blaze with the help of members of the Office of the Fire Marshal.

If anyone has information on this incident, they are asked to contact the Collingwood and The Blue Mountains O.P.P. at (705) 445-4321 or Call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477) or submit your information online at www.crimestopperssdm.com if you have any information on this crime or others.

ATV operator injured, airlifted to hospital

CHATSWORTH – On Sunday, October 12, 2014, at approximately 9:06 p.m., Grey County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a report of an overdue ATV operator. The ATV operator left his residence on Concession 6 in the Township of Chatsworth for a ride. When he did not return before dark, another resident called 9-1-1.

At approximately 10:30 p.m., the victim was located, with serious life-threatening injuries, in a ditch at the corner of Concession 6 and Side Road 6 after the ATV had collided with a tree. He was wearing a helmet.

The 19-year old man was air lifted to hospital in Toronto where he remains in critical condition.

The OPP West Region Technical Traffic Collision Investigation Unit is assisting with the investigation.

Hundreds of nails scattered on highway

GREY HIGHLANDS – On Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at approximately 12:50 a.m., Grey County OPP received several calls from motorists reporting there was a large quantity of nails deposited on Hwy. 10, south of Flesherton, in the Municipality of Grey Highlands. One vehicle sustained a flat tire as a result of driving over the nails.

Police attended and cleared the roadway of several hundred roofing and framing nails, deck screws, and several large pieces of wood with nails protruding from both sides. The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) was notified.

Mailboxes blasted by firearm

GREY HIGHLANDS – On Thursday, October 9, 2014, at approximately 12:15 p.m., Grey County OPP received a report of damaged mailboxes on the Osprey-Artemesia Townline in the Municipality of Grey Highlands.

Investigation revealed that an unknown person used a firearm to destroy two mailboxes on the Osprey-Artemesia Townline, causing the mail to be strewn about. The incident occurred sometime after 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 8th.

Pharmacists urged to lock up meds

LONDON – Members of the West OPP continue to investigate a rash of pharmacy break, enter and thefts that have occurred over the past several months. In total, 13 pharmacies have fallen prey to these incidents across the region in 2014.

OPP investigators are asking all pharmacists or store owners to make sure that all medication is locked up, especially narcotics which have been left out for next day delivery. These medications are sought after by these vandals and become easy targets when not secured.

Most of these break-in incidents have occurred during the early morning hours after midnight. Police continue to review evidence that will be helpful identifying those responsible for these crimes.

NOTE: There has been no pharmacy break, enter and thefts reported in Grey County to date. However, precautions mentioned in the release should be taken at all times.

Two perish in driving deaths over weekend

ORILLIA – Two young people were victims in fatal on and off-road incidents over the Thanksgiving Long Weekend as the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) joined its policing partners for Operation Impact, a national road safety campaign that focuses on impaired driving, distracted driving, speeding and lack of occupant restraint.

The OPP investigated two separate incidents that cost a 17-and 20-year-old their lives over the weekend. On Saturday, October 11, 2014 a 17 year-old girl died in a motor vehicle collision in Northwestern Ontario. The OPP investigation revealed that speed was factor in the collision and the victim, who was also the driver, was ejected from the vehicle as a result of not wearing her seat belt.

Speed was also a factor in the second incident on Sunday, October 12, 2014 in which a 20 year-old man in Central Ontario died as a result of losing control of his off-road vehicle.

This latest road death brings the total number of 2014 motor vehicle fatalities up to 222 and the total number of ORV deaths up to nine (as of October 12, 2014). To this point in 2013, there were 221 motor vehicle fatalities.

SOURCE: OPP