MANCHESTER - City officials have shut down three convenience stores that allegedly sold the synthetic marijuana "spice" connected to at least 34 overdoses in the last few days. Han's Food Mart, 353 Maple St., Union Street Market, 621 Union St. and TN Convenience, 90 Bridge St., sold a brand called "Smacked" that city officials said is linked to the overdoses, according to Mayor Ted Gatsas. The city closed the stores and revoked the businesses' licenses "for conducting business activities which endanger the public health, welfare, and safety of local residents," Gatsas said in a written statement. [continues 392 words]
MANCHESTER -- City prosecutor Kenneth Bernard, brother of an accused murderer and brother and uncle of three murder victims, is charged with three counts of possessing marijuana. Bernard, 34, is free on $1,000 personal recognizance bail and is to be arraigned on March 10 in Manchester District Court, where he prosecuted individuals on violations and misdemeanors, including possession of marijuana. Bernard is charged with possessing marijuana on Nov. 30 at his then-120 Huse Road home, and having it in his possession twice on Dec. 4, again at his home. He has not been on the job since Dec. 4, when he was placed on paid administrative leave by the city Solicitor's Office. On Tuesday, he turned himself in to police, who had obtained a warrant for his arrest. [continues 617 words]
As President of Street Health's Board of Directors, I object to the depiction of our organization and its clients as depicted by Sue-Ann Levy and the subject of her article, Kathleen Kelly ("Another crackpot scheme your taxes pay for," Jan. 13). Ms. Kelly is a concerned citizen, who disagrees with what she sees as a misuse of taxpayers' money, when in fact, no tax dollars are spent on this particular Street Health program. Street Health has worked tirelessly since 1986 to address the basic health care needs of Toronto's homeless and other marginalized residents. Such care includes preventative efforts such as the harm reduction strategies unjustly criticized in Levy's column. [continues 338 words]
STATE POLICE acknowledged yesterday that the public could have been in danger when an undercover police officer met with alleged drug dealers in a Manchester toy store parking lot Tuesday afternoon. However, police point out that undercover drug investigations are inherently dangerous and that they had taken steps to ensure as much as possible the safety of both the public and officers. As a result of the seven-month undercover investigation four men, described by state police narcotics detective Bruce Twyon as "dangerous criminals," are in the Valley Street Jail on $500,000 to $750,000 cash bail. [continues 624 words]
