POLICE ARREST ALLEGED PURSESNATCHER

COLLINGWOOD -- OPP officers have arrested a 21-year-old Collingwood man in connection with two pursesnatchings.

The thefts took place in the Loblaw Great Food parking lot on Nov. 27 and 28th; both victims had their purses stolen as they were loading groceries into their vehicle.

In one case, the suspect went into the victim's car to steal the purse.

Witnesses in both cases gave similar descriptions of a suspect; in both cases the suspect was able to get away with the purses and their contents.

The man has been charged with theft under $5,000, theft under $5,000 from a motor vehicle, and use of a stolen credit card. He is scheduled to appear in Collingwood court on Jan. 25.

CLEARVIEW FIREFIGHTERS HOLD FOOD DRIVE

NOTTAWA-- Firefighters with Clearview Fire Hall No. 6 in Nottawa will be holding their annual food and toy drive on Saturday, from 10 a.m. until 4 p. m . in the Leon's parking lot (on Hwy. 124 between Collingwood and Nottawa).All donations will be delivered to the Collingwood Salvation Army.

APPOINTMENT PUT OFF

The Blue Mountains council has delayed naming a member to the board of a local environmental organization over concerns of a possible conflict of interest.

Council voted to put off assigning a representative to the Blue Mountain Watershed Trust until the summer after Coun. Robert Gamble noted the foundation has appealed town bylaws and official plan amendments dealing with setbacks from wetlands to the Ontario Municipal Board.

Gamble said any town representative named to the board would run into a conflict of interest if they voted on matters related to the decisions.

Council made other appointments at its inaugural meeting.