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1195 SteelesAve East, Milton ON L9T2X8 289-627-1800 or 1-866-620-3248 www.achillesmazda.ca • info@achillesmazda.ca GT model shown GT model shown GT model shown Achilles Mazda of Milton GT model shown Time to Move? Call Derek CallDerek.ca 905-877-8262 Derek Dunphy Sales Representative Thursday, December 18, 2014 Halton Hills' award-winning newspaper serving Acton & Georgetown 64 Pages 50 Cents (+HST) Gift Guide, 4 pages insideVisit us at www.theifp.ca facebook.com/Independent&FreePress Twitter: @IFP_11 State of the Town Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bon- nette delivered the State of the Town address at the Chamber of Commerce's Christmas Lunch. See page 3 WINTER BEGINS Willow Park Ecology Centre in Norval will celebrate the be- ginning of winter at a Solstice Ceremony on Sunday. See page 27 Two youths are facing charges in connec- tion with the robbery at Choi's Variety last Wednesday (Dec. 10). The robbery occurred about 12:10 p.m. when two armed suspects entered the Main St. N. store and demanded cash. They received a quantity of cash and left the store. The clerk wasn't harmed. Police executed several search war- rants at various Halton Hills locations, which resulted in officers recovering evi- dence relating to the robbery. Police re- covered replica handguns, clothing and some stolen cash. The youths, aged 16 and 17, whose names weren't released under the provi- sions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, were arrested Tuesday and have been charged with robbery with a firearm, use firearm in the commission of an indict- able offence, point firearm, wear disguise and weapons dangerous. They were held for a bail hearing Wednesday. Youths charged after armed robbery DASHER AND DANCER-- THEY'RE NOT: Etobicoke's Zahida Meghji (left) and Christina Agostino of Toronto were in a festive mood during the 32nd-annual Georgetown Runners Club's Egg Nog Jog held Sunday in Terra Cotta. Andrew Yorke of Guelph was the race's winner by a comfortable margin. In total, 521 athletes completed the grueling 10.8-km course. For more, see sports page 37. Photo by Sue Sitki After a significant increase in theft incidents in rural Georgetown recently Halton Police are re- minding residents to Lock It or Lose It. Police say thieves are targeting residential areas and entering unlocked vehicles and ga- rages overnight to gain access to the vehicles parked inside. In the rural areas they can easily avoid being seen by passing vehicles, especially if they're on foot. They ask people to lock their cars and ga- rages and urge rural Halton Hills residents to be extra vigilant by securing their property and reporting any suspicious persons or vehicles to police. Police: Thieves are targeting Halton Hills Continued on page 4 REFINANCING? PURCHASING? BOBWOODS, Broker (905) 877-1490 360 Guelph St., Georgetown Five Year Variable FSCO #10259 Division of 1490845 Ont. Ltd. 2.3%