Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis has accepted the invite.  Francis will be in the labour day parade in Windsor on Monday but will not be on stage for the speeches during the festivities at the fogolar furlan club.  Last year, the Mayor and council were banned from the event because of the 15 week long Cupe strike.  This year, the union extended the invite to try and move forward.

An 18 year old Harrow man accused in a fatal hit and run is out on bail.  Peter Martens Schmitt was released on 10-thousand dollars bail following a court appearance in Windsor today.  Schmitt is charged with failing to remain at the scene of a crash, criminal negligence causing death and dangerous driving causing death.  Tuesday night, 15 year old Kyle Peters of Leamington was struck and killed by a vehicle while he rode his bike on County Road 34. The driver fled but later turned himself in.  A publication ban has been issued in the case.

The deadline is looming to file nominations papers for the upcoming municipal election.  Friday September 10th at 2pm is the last day to do so.  So far, 75 people have filed to run in Windsor.    That's up from 61 in the last election.

Chatham-Kent police are searching for a woman who went missing this morning.  66-year old Elaine Travis left her home around 8:30.  She suffers from Alzheimers disease and is known to try and hitch-hike to Windsor.  Travis is white, five foot five, weighing 120 pounds with long brownish-grey hair.  She also has no teeth and was wearing blue jogging pants and a red plaid jacket.

Real estate numbers are down in Windsor-Essex.  The number of homes sold last month dropped 11.7 per cent compared to August of 2009.  385 homes switched hands.  The number of houses put on the market is up eight per cent at 819.  The average price is 167-thousand dollars.

      The former General Manager of the Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority, Todd Pepper, is suing for wrongful dismissal. When he left the post almost a year ago,  there was no public explanation given. Authority Chair, Eddie Francis, claims Pepper wasn't fired but left of his own accord.  Pepper alleges years of harassment and is suing for $850,000.  Eli Maodus has been General Manager since mid-June.

        It's a sure sign that fall is just around the corner. The 156th edition of the Harrow Fair is underway. One of the highlights takes place tomorrow morning. The Harrow Fair parade starts at 11:30. Also on the agenda are live entertainment, livestock competitions and a tractor pull. The fair runs through Sunday.

       An 18-year old Harrow man appears in court today on charges stemming from a fatal hit and run. Peter Martens Schmitt is charged with criminal negligence causing death, dangerous driving causing death and failing to remain at the scene of an accident. He surrendered to police Wednesday night after a crash  on Tuesday  in Leamington that killed cyclist Kyle Peters. Leamington police have located the vehicle involved - an older model black Audi.
 

     The cause of a fire in Leamington is listed as accidental.  It started late yesterday afternoon in a two-storey farm house in the 300 block of Talbot Street East. There were 3 people home at the time. All got out safely. Damage tops $70,000.

   A Harrow man has been arraigned on charges in connection with a fatal hit and run in Leamington.   18-year-old Peter Martens Schmitt is charged with criminal negligence causing death, dangerous driving causing death and failing to remain at the scene of an accident.   15-year-old Kyle Peters of Leamington was riding his bike on County Road 34 Tuesday night when he was hit by a vehicle.   Police say the driver fled the scene.   Schmitt turned himself into police last night and has been remanded in custody.   He returns to court tomorrow morning.

   The Provincial Women's Softball Association has launched an investigation into an ugly incident at the Eastern Canadian Championship.   President Debbie Malisani says there was a confrontation between the Windsor Wildcats and the Napanee Express in the Novice girls gold medal game last weekend.   Malisani says she hopes to complete her investigation within two weeks, adding both teams could face disciplinary action.

  Talks are continuing between the province and the management company for Windsor Crossing.  At issue is how much of the outlet mall is needed to make way for the 1.6-billion dollar parkway.   Bentall L-P Senior Vice-President of Retail Sales John St. Onge says what's left of the shopping centre must be viable for it to stay open.

  A fire at a downtown Chatham landmark is under investigation.   17 firefighters from two stations battled the blaze at the Retro Suites on King Street into the early morning hours.  Guests managed to get out unharmed.  The fire started near the roof, but investigators are not sure if it actually started in the hotel.   The Ontario Fire Marshall has been called to investigate.   Damage has been set at half-a-million dollars.

     It's still a few years off, but talks are underway toward a regional pool complex for use in the 2013 International Children's Games. Possible locations include the University of Windsor  and  the Vollmer Complex in LaSalle.  The estimated cost is $20 to $25 million with help from the federal and provincial governments. The next step is to put together more detailed plans and a business case.

      There's still no word if Mayor Eddie Francis will take part in this year's Labour Day celebration.  He and members of city council have been invited by Labour Council President, Dino Chiodo.  Francis appreciates the gesture and wants to meet with Chiodo.  The offer is an about face from this time last year when council was told to stay away from Labour Day festivities amid anger over last summer's CUPE strike.

      Turtle Island Recycling, the company taking over garbage collection in Windsor, is buying the city's fleet of 18 garbage trucks. The purchase price is just over $1 million.     The city is financing the sale with payments to be made over the next 3 years.

     An 18 year old Essex County man has been taken into custody after a fatal hit and run in Leamington Tuesday night.  Police say the suspect turned himself in shortly after 10 p.m. Wednesday. No name has been released. More information is expected after the suspect is arraigned in a Windsor courtroom. The arrest comes after 15 year old Kyle Peters was struck while riding his bicycle Tuesday night. The vehicle then sped off.     Peters suffered massive head injuries and was rushed to hospital where he died yesterday morning.

Chrysler Canada has released its sales numbers for the month of August and for the ninth straight month, they're up.  The automaker reports total August sales up 12 percent compared to 2009.  It was the best August for the Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Journey, Ram pick up, Dodge Challenger and Jeep Patroit.  The Chrysler group also announced that minivan sales hit 13 million worldwide in August. The first minivan rolled off the line in Windsor, on November 2nd, 1983.

Kingsville OPP are investigating reports of a suspicious man in town.  On Sunday (Aug 29) afternoon around 5 o'clock, the OPP were called to Pulford Street after receiving two complaints of a man driving around making lewd comments to young girls.  The suspicious man is described as a white man, between 19 and 25 years old, clean shaven, short buzz cut style sandy brown hair, wearing no shirt. He was alone in the vehicle which was described as a silver four-door cavalier.  Anyone with information is asked to call Kingsville OPP.

September is Big Brothers Big Sisters Month.   John Sutton is the organziation's executive director in Windsor-Essex.   He says there are currently 100 boys and girls waiting for matches.   Several events are planned throughout the month to raise awareness.

A 15 year old Leamington boy who was struck by a vehicle last night while riding his bike has passed away.  Kyle Peters, a grade 11 students at Cardinal Carter High School died from his injuries this morning in hospital.  The incident happened around 9' o'clock last night in the 500 block of Talbot Street East in Leamington. He was riding his bike west on County Road 34 between County Road 21 & 37 when he was struck by a west bound vehicle.  The driver left the scene of the crash.  Police were at the scene until 4:30 this morning collecting evidence and debris.  Police discovered a large piece of what appears to be black fiberglass left behind at the scene (see below).  Officers are working on what type of vehicle the piece came from.  Anyone with information is asked to call Leamington Police or crimestoppers.

      Longtime Maidstone area councillor, Len Janisse, is running in Lakeshore's Ward 1.  A shortage of ambulance stations is among his main concerns.  Janisse ran for Mayor in the last election but was defeated by incumbent, Tom Bain.

       In Lakeshore's Ward 2, there's now a 3rd name on the ballot. 42-year old Dave Monk has filed his nomination papers and says transparency in taxes is among this main concerns. Along with Monk, incumbent Al Fazio and newcomer, Garth Boggs,  are also running in Ward 2.

     The 2010-2011 budget has been approved at the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board. It's $252 million,  $14 million more than last year. The document eliminates a deficit that has plagued the board for the past several years. More than half of the budget - $135 million - goes to salaries and benefits for staff.

     If you plan to drive during the Labour Day weekend, Provincial Police want you to know they'll be watching. A long weekend blitz is planned targeting aggressive drivers and boaters.  So far this year, 205 people have died in traffic-related crashes on OPP patrolled roads. That's 6 more than last year at this point.  Marine fatalities stand at 17, down from 27 for the same period in 2009.

   Police are investigating a hit-and-run involving a cyclist in Leamington. It happened around 9pm in the 500-block of Talbot Road East. The cyclist suffered what is being described as massive head injuries and has been rushed to the hospital. Police are looking for a vehicle with damage on the front-passenger side.

Local seniors are getting some help to stay at home.  The Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network has announced 15.4 million dollars for the "Aging at Home" strategy.  It provides supports and services for seniors to help them lead healthy and independent lives at home.  This is the third year of the strategy which will fund 32 programs this year in the region.  Ontario's senior population will double within 20 years.

 The Miracle League in Amherstburg is going ahead, despite a delay in construction of Canada's first barrier-free, fully-accessible baseball diamond for disabled kids.   The diamond was supposed to be ready by September 18th, but league officials were told it's been delayed a month.  Spokesperson Michele Vigneux  says the league will go ahead at Centennial Park until the park is ready in October. 

Concerned with the town's rising debt, former Amherstburg deputy police chief Bart DiPasquale has entered the race for town council.   The 56-year-old DiPasquale says the town's debt level needs to be addressed quickly.   There are six other candidates running for the five seats on council.

     Something doesn't add up according to at least one vendor at this year's Tecumseh Corn festival. Organizers have set attendance at about 100 thousand, the same as last year.  But food vendor, Margaret Cichoz-Grzyb, has been at the festival for 15 years and disputes that. She says the numbers were down dramatically and she blames a $5 admission fee charged for the first time this year on Friday and Saturday. Cichoz-Grzyb says several other vendors noticed a drop in business as well and are debating whether or not to return next year.  

     Organizers have said that admission will be reviewed for next year's festival.

    Foul play has been ruled out in the death of a 20-year old man in Leamington last week.  An autopsy has determined that Mark Toek's death is consistant with drowning.   His body was found at Seacliff Beach on Friday.

      The search for a suspect continues after a hit and run on Chrysler Centre Drive near Grand Marais last night.  It happend about 9:30 and involved a pick-up truck, a car and a minivan.  After the crash, the driver of the truck fled the scene on foot. Damage is extensive but no one was hurt.

      A crash involving a car and a motorcycle has left a 41-year old man in hospital with serious leg injuries. It happened shortly before 6 o'clock yesterday afternoon in the 500 block of Wyandotte Street West between Bruce and Janette. Police say both vehicles were westbound when the bike slammed into the back of the car. The bike's driver was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery but police say his injuries are not life threatening.  No name has been released and there's no word yet on charges.

   An Amherstburg man is back behind bars for allegedly violating his parole and release conditions. 35-year-old Scott Renaud was sentenced in February 2009 to two years in prison for a crash that killed 22-year-old Jessica Ondejko. Renaud had been drinking and snorting cocaine prior to the early morning collision.

    A University of Windsor researcher is getting a boost from the Canadian Cancer Society.   Dr. Andrew Swan has been given a 100-thousand dollar grant to study the genetic changes that lead to cancer.  Swan is studying fruit flies, which at the cell level are the same as humans.

Caesars Windsor has issued layoff notices to 23 full-time security guards.   C-A-W Local 4-44 financial secretary David Cassidy says the casino is heading into a slower period.   He says some of those workers could bump into part-time positions.   The union opens contract talks with Caesars in the new year.  Cassidy says maintaining the workforce will be a top priority in talks.

A group of parents is wondering if they got stiffed.   They pre-paid 100 dollars for a week-long camp for their children.   But, when they tried to drop them off at Kid Fit Incorporated on Dougall Avenue this morning, the doors were locked and no one was there.   Calls to Kid Fit by AM 800 News have not been returned.

     Two men are being hailed as heros after an incident at the Kingsville Dock.     A Windsor man was fishing off the end of the dock on Saturday afternoon when he accidentally fell in.  He'd been treading water for about 30 minutes when passers by finally heard his calls for help. Sam Maksoud and Deputy Conservation Officer, Corey Robertson, ran about a kilometer to the scene and were able to throw a rope to the fisherman and pull him in.  He was treated at the scene by EMS and was tired but alright. 

    Which Sylvester is which? It's a question that voters in Lakeshore may face in the October 25th election. While the current Deputy Mayor, Bob Sylvester, hasn't yet filed his nomination papers, Robert Sylvester has and is running for Deputy Mayor. Robert is a 59-year old retired autoworker from Stoney Point and says how money is spent is among this main concerns.

     The victim of a fatal accident in Tecumseh has been identified as a 28-year old man from Ohio.  It happened about 11:30 Saturday night.  Police say Victor Wiecek fell about 20 feet down an embankment in the 3000 block of the 12th Concession.  When he was found, face down in about a foot of water, he had a pulse and was rushed to hospital where he later died of his injuries.

     An investigation continues but foul play is not suspected.

A Windsor man has died following a boating accident on Mule Lake.  73-year-old Robert Gauthier disappeared Friday afternoon, 90 kilometres north of Sudbury at his family's remote cottage in Tyrone Township.  Family members called provincial police after finding his overturned boat when he didn't return.  Mister Gauthier's body was found by OPP divers late Saturday.  Police say Gauthier was not wearing a life-jacket.  An autopsy is scheduled for later this week.

There is some movement in contract talks involving 30-thousand Loblaw store workers in Ontario.  The union says there's been enough movement by the supermarket giant on significant issues during negotiations this week to warrant returning to the bargaining table.  UFCW Canada hopes talks scheduled from September 8th until the 11th can produce a fair settlement.  Otherwise, the union says a strike deadline will be set if a deal isn't reached.  Negotiations have been underway since April with Loblaws, Zehrs, Real Canadian Superstores, Great Food and Fortinos.

It'll be business as usual for Ontario's electricity transmission sector on Monday.  A province-wide strike was averted when the Labourers' International Union of North America and the Electrical Power Systems Construction Association reached a settlement.  The association represents the owners of Hydro One and other electricity system contractors.  Wage parity between the generation and transmission sectors was a key issue.

A local M-P-P continues her quest to attract business to Ontario.  Sandra Pupatello will accompany Premier Dalton McGuinty for a 3rd trade mission to China this fall.  Pupatello says it's important to develop strong relationships to attract economic development to Ontario.  Ontario and Chinese officials will discuss clean water technology, financial services, international education and tourism during the 5-day visit beginning October 30th.

Sunday is the last day to enjoy the 35th annual Tecumseh Cornfest.  The 4-day event featured live entertainment, a pageant, rides, a dog demonstration and tons of corn.  It also included a parade.  Hundreds lined the streets to enjoy the parade and as AM-800 News found out...this year's edition attracted many newcomers.  The park closes at 10-pm Sunday.

The male body that washed up on Seacliff Beach in Leamington has been identified.  The body of 20-year-old Mark Toek of Leamington was found Friday afternoon.  An autopsy is being done in London on Sunday to determine the cause of death.  Foul play has not been ruled out in this case.  Call Leamington Police, the OPP or Crimestoppers if you can help with the investigation.

Weapons dangerous charges will be laid Saturday against a man arrested during a high-risk takedown in west Windsor Friday afternoon.  The man, in his 20's, was taken into custody in a parking lot in the 1000 block of Felix Avenue.  He's believed to be connected to a Thursday night shooting in the 3400 block of Peter Street.  The targets of the shooting were not hurt and aren't co-operating with Windsor Police detectives but witnesses are stepping forward telling officers what happened.

Chatham-Kent Police officers are investigating a home invasion.  Authorities say 3 armed suspects wearing disguises entered a home in Howard Township Friday night and beat 2 people inside.  Both victims were treated and released from hospital.  The suspects were armed with a sawed-off shotgun, a bat and a steel pipe and are still at large.

   Charges are pending against a Windsor man arrested in the west end this afternoon.  Police took the man in his 20's into custody from a vehicle in a parking lot on Felix Avenue.  Police are investigating a shooting incident last night on Peter Street. 

   Leamington Police are investigating after a body washed up on Seacliffe Beach this afternoon.  Few other details are yet available.