For Motorcyclists:

• Dress to be seen and protected. Wear approved helmets, gloves and jackets, and consider wearing bright colours that are easily seen by other motorists.
• Slow down. Respecting the posted speed limit and adjusting your speed in response to changing weather conditions will allow you time to respond safely.
• Drive defensively. Consider that other motorists may not see you and try making eye contact with vehicles that might pull out in front of you.
• Take it to the track. The street is no place to test the limits of your sport bike. Take a lesson at a local racetrack or sign up for a track day.

For Motorists:

• Look twice at intersections and when changing lanes. Motorcycles are small and easy to lose in a blind spot. It is also easy to misjudge the speed of an approaching motorcycle.
• Back off. Having a rear-end collision with a car is one thing, but having one with a motorcycle could have fatal consequences.
• Give them room. Leave yourself time to react when motorcycles are around. If a rider were to fall off, could you avoid the downed rider?
• Give them space to swerve safely. Motorcyclists often need to be active in their own lane to avoid obstacles such as potholes or roadkill. Hitting any of these could cause an issue for the rider.

The OPP is dedicated to road and pedestrian safety, especially with the increase of tourists enjoying the Haliburton area during the nice weather. The Haliburton Highlands OPP remind the public – residents and visitors alike – to be cautious of the increase in traffic and pedestrians by obeying speed limits, being patient and sharing the roads. Let’s work together and prioritize safety to ensure a memorable summer for everyone.

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On September 6, 2023 at approximately 12:11 pm OPP, along with Minden Hills Fire Department and Haliburton County Paramedic Services (HCPS), responded to reports of a swimmer that had failed to resurface. The person was located, and CPR was initiated. The patient was transported to a local area hospital where they were later pronounced deceased.

The deceased was identified as a 17-year-old person from Oshawa.

Haliburton Highlands OPP want to remind people to be vigilant of their safety on the water. Wear a PFD, never swim alone, know your limits and stay within them.

The post OPP Investigating Drowning In The Township Of Minden Hills appeared first on Muskoka411.

Police have recovered property that may be connected to these thefts.

Reporting these incidents will assist the OPP in their investigation and ensure the property is returned to its owners.

There is an ongoing investigation into multiple thefts from unlocked motor vehicles, which occurred between midnight and 3:00 am on July 13, in the areas of Victoria Street, Sunnyside Street and Pine Ave.

The suspect has been described as six feet tall, slim build, wearing a black coat with white reflective stripes.

Residents are encouraged to lock their motor vehicles and keep valuables out of sight.

Anyone who may have information that might assist with this investigation is asked to contact Haliburton Highlands OPP at 705-286-1431 or toll-free at 1-888-310-1122. You can also provide information anonymously by contacting Kawartha Haliburton Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at https://www.khcrimestoppers.com.

The post Haliburton OPP Looking To Identify Owners Of Recovered Stolen Property appeared first on Muskoka411.

On July 13, between midnight and 3:00 am, a number of unlocked motor vehicles were entered and valuables taken.

These incidents occurred in the areas of Victoria Street, Sunnyside Street and Pine Ave in Haliburton.

The suspect is described as six feet tall, slim build, wearing a black coat with white reflective stripes.

Residents are encouraged to lock their motor vehicles and keep valuables out of sight.

Anyone who may have information that might assist with this investigation is asked to contact Haliburton Highlands OPP at 705-286-1431 or toll-free at 1-888-310-1122. You can also provide information anonymously by contacting Kawartha Haliburton Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at https://www.khcrimestoppers.com.

The post Haliburton Highlands OPP Warns Of Theft From Vehicles appeared first on Muskoka411.

Drivers are encouraged to use the following tips to reduce their risk of being involved in a collision with wildlife.

• When driving, scan the road ahead from shoulder to shoulder. If there is wildlife beside the road, slow down, stay alert and pass carefully. Animals can be unpredictable.

• Deer and many other wild animals are most active at dusk and dawn.

• When driving at night, use high beams where possible and watch for glowing eyes of animals.

• Watch for the yellow wildlife warning signs that indicate areas of increased risk. Slow down when travelling through these areas. Slowing down gives you more time to react.

• If an animal jumps out in front of your motor vehicle, brake firmly to slow down safely. Stay in your lane and never swerve suddenly. Swerving could cause loss of control and result in a more serious collision.

• Never assume the animal will move out of your way. And remember, if one animal crosses the road, others may follow.

If you are involved in a motor vehicle collision, stay calm and pull off the road safely and turn on your hazard lights. Check for any injuries to yourself or your passengers. If the collision resulted in damage or personal injury, contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or 9-1-1 if there is an emergency.

Being aware and taking precautions can reduce collisions, save lives and protect wild animals. The Ontario Provincial Police is committed to public safety, delivering proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our communities.

The post Slow Down For Wildlife Says Haliburton Highlands OPP appeared first on Muskoka411.

On Nov. 12 at approximately 12:21 a.m., Haliburton Highlands OPP responded to a report of a male that had entered through a window of a residence on Harvest Moon Lane. The male left prior to police arrival and the single occupant of the residence was unharmed.

The OPP Emergency Response Team and Canine Unit attended, but were unable to locate the male. The suspect is described as a male, approximately 6 feet tall with a medium build, wearing dark clothing.

This investigation is ongoing. Local residents are asked to be vigilant, and lock all doors and windows. Residents are also asked to check security cameras and report anything suspicious to police.

Investigators are asking anyone with information to call Haliburton Highlands OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

The post Haliburton Highlands OPP Investigate Break And Enter appeared first on Muskoka411.

On October 14 at approximately 9:07 p.m., officers from the Haliburton Highlands Detachment were dispatched to a call reporting an altercation between two males involving a firearm at a residence located on County Road 503 in the Township of Highlands East, Haliburton County.

As a result of the investigation, Jody Graham, 43 years old, of Gooderham, was charged with:

• Pointing a firearm
• Possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose
• Possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order
• Mischief under $5,000
• Failure to comply with release order – three counts

Graham is being held in custody pending a bail hearing.

County Road 503 was temporarily closed between the hours of 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. for the police investigation. The OPP Emergency Response Team, Tactics and Rescue Unit and Canine Unit attended the scene. There is no threat to public safety.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Haliburton Highlands OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

The post Charges Laid After Police Respond To Weapons Call In Highlands East appeared first on Muskoka411.

On July 15, 2021, just after 3 a.m., Haliburton Highlands OPP responded to a drug overdose at an address on County Road 121 in Minden Hills Township. When officers attended the scene a male party was located in possession of a significant amount of drugs and stolen property. With the assistance of the Haliburton and City of Kawartha Lakes Community Street Crime Units (CSCU), a warrant was executed on a trailer for further investigation.

Police seized a quantity of controlled substances, including fentanyl and methamphetamine, with a street value of approximately $14,000, and a loaded firearm.

As a result, Carter McInnis, 27 years-of-age, of Minden Hills Township has been charged with the following:

• Unauthorized possession of a firearm
• Breach of firearms regulation- store firearm or restricted weapon
• Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm
• Occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was a firearm
• Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking
• Unauthorized possession of a weapon
• Possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose – two counts
• Possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to Prohibition order- two counts
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
• Theft over $5000

The accused party was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on July 16, 2021.

The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act became law in Canada on May 4, 2017. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act provides some legal protection for individuals who seek emergency help during an overdose. The law does provide protection against charges for possessing drugs and violating conditions of a court order for a simple drug possession charge. It does not, however, provide protection against charges for trafficking illegal drugs, outstanding arrest warrants or violating conditions of a court order for an offence that is not simple possession.

The post Minden Hills Township Resident Charged After A Drug Overdose appeared first on Muskoka411.