A Windsor surgeon at the center of a mistaken mastectomy scandal will be allowed to return to work. A panel at Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital has ruled Dr. Barbara Heartwell's surgical privileges will be reinstated. But her elective oncology cases will be reviewed by another surgeon before any operation takes place. Dr. Heartwell voluntarily withdrew her surgical privileges in late February, after it was revealed two women without cancer had their breasts removed. Three days later she changed her mind.

     Leamington looks to be in pretty good shape in 2010.  That's the message delivered this morning at the "Mayor's Breakfast" at Colasanti's.  John Adams says infrastructure spending has been a boost and he says the recession did not hit Leamington as hard as other municipalities. 

  Top marks for a group of University of Windsor students. The school's SIFE team -- Students in Free Enteprise -- has been named regional champions of a business entreneurship challenge across Canada.  President Aaron Mailloux says they set up projects for local businesses and aspiring business people at no cost.  Students in the program across Canada logged 260-thousand volunteer hours last year and generated over 40-million dollars in economic activity.

    Three Windsor men face charges after police seized a large supply of unstamped tobacco in Lakeshore.  Provincial police swooped down on a vehicle on the 401 yesterday afternoon.  Officers found more than 20 cases of illegal tobacco and some Canadian currency.  28-year-old Robert Dali, 50-year-old Al Shadood, and 25-year-old Rivon Dali have been released on a promise to appear in court next month.  Police have also seized a 1999 Ford Windstar.

     Two Windsor Men are among those charged following a 7 month OPP-led investigation.  "Project Folkstone", has resulted in 22 arrests and over 250 criminal charges. The investigation also led to the recovery of over 15 illegal guns, a large quantity of drugs (including over $400,000 of cocaine and $75,000 of marihuana), cash and other property obtained by crime. 39 year old David Barker, of Windsor, is charged with possession of marihuana for the purpose of trafficking, Weapons trafficking, and Commission of an offence for a criminal organization.  35 year old Jason Tompkins, of Windsor, is charged with Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, Commission of offence for a criminal organization, Import firearms, and Trafficking weapons.

  The search for suspects is underway after 2 men tried to grab a purse from a 7-month pregnant woman. It happened in a parking lot at Central Avenue and Tecumseh Road about 6 last night. Police say one of the suspects rode past the woman on a bicycle and tried to grab her purse. She hung on and was knocked to the ground, suffering some minor scrapes and bruises. The suspects then fled empty-handed.

      The arguments have been made but a decision has not.  After a 6-hour, closed-door hearing yesterday by the Medical Advisory Committee at Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital, we still don't know if Dr. Barbara Heartwell will have hospital privileges reinstated. There's no word when a decision will be announced.

     Heartwell voluntarily withdrew from surgery February 23rd after 2 unnecessary mastectomies were revealed.   She changed her mind 3 days later and was then suspended by the hospital.

     A Windsor man faces several charges after a surprising discovery at his apartment.   The landlord entered his unit at 605 Mill Street yesterday to investigate a leak and found more than just water. 11 long guns, 3 hand guns and 35 hundred rounds of ammunition were discovered. The tenant - a man in his 60's - is in custody on weapons charges.

         Windsor's 2010 operating budget has been finalized and it calls for a property tax decrease of 1% or about $26 less than last year on the average tax bill.  The budget includes $450 thousand for the Art Gallery, the same as last year. Handi-Transit gets a $760 thousand grant.   Debate over the Capital budget continues next week.

     A jury in New York has awarded more than 2 million dollars in damages to three members on board a bus carrying the Windsor Wildcats women's hockey team that crashed 5 years ago.  The two players and one assistant coach will share the amount.  Back on January 29, 2005, the bus carrying the 22 players plus some parents and coaches hit a parked transport truck near Rochester, New York.  Lawyer John Holland says the people of Rochester New York haven't forgotten about this crash and he's pleased with the outcome of the case.   Windsor Coach Rick Edwards, his 13 year old son Brian, hockey mom Kathy Roach died in the crash along with the driver of a transport truck.  19 people were taken to the hospital.

     There will be no criminal charges laid in connection with incidents involving an emergency room doctor at Hotel Dieu/Grace hospital.  Windsor police were investigating alleged 'inappropriate comments' made by a doctor to a nurse and a clerk last week.  The doctor was not on duty at the time of the alleged incidents.  The doctor has been reported to the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and voluntarily withdrew his privileges while the investigation was underway.

     Autopsies have been completed on the bodies of a Leamington couple found dead on the weekend.  The cause of death is listed as "edged weapon" injuries.  71 year old Mohssen Tannous and his 64 year old wife Hinda Tannous were found at their home at 18 Worchester Avenue Sunday morning.  The husband was found on the driveway while the wife was found inside.  A neighbour says they saw a knife lying on the driveway where the body was found.  Police says there is no concern for public safety and there aren't any suspects.

     A Windsor man is among 35 people across Ontario arrested in a child porn bust.  30-year-old Daryl Skreptak faces two charges including one count of possessing child porn and one count of distributing child porn.  He's been released from custody on a 10-thousand dollar surety.  As part of the province-wide probe, 44 search warrants were executed.  In all, 122 charges have been laid.  OPP Commission Julian Fantino says in one case, 6-million imagines were stored by one of the suspects.

     Time is ticking down to prevent a 13 year old Windsor boy from getting rabies shots following a dog bite.  It happened Monday afternoon near Labelle on St. Patrick's.  The boy's father David Vojvodin says his son is upbeat but still hoping the owner of the dog will come forward.  The boy says the owner of the dog told him the dog had been vaccinated, but they need to see proof by 5 o'clock this afternoon to prevent the shots.  The dog appears to be a pitbull-boxer mix, brown in colour, the owner was a 40 year old woman with blond shoulder length hair.  Anyone with information can call Vojvodin at 257-7147.

     Windsor surgeon, Dr. Barbara Heartwell,  may learn her fate today.  A hearing into her possible re-instatement of  privileges at Hotel Dieu Grace hospital takes place. She voluntarily withdrew from surgery February 23rd after word of two unnecessary mastectomies but changed her mind 3 days later and was then suspended by the Hospital.  A hearing into that suspension takes place at 5 o'clock this afternoon.

     A major expansion at the Vollmer Recreation complex gets underway this spring.     The project includes 8 baseball diamonds, a skateboard park, a mountain bikers' park, a festival theatre and stage and 540 new parking spots. The price tag is $7.2 million. The expansion should be complete by October.

     Five people arrested after a bank robbery in Windsor last week are no strangers to police.  They were being tailed by officers from Toronto where they're known as the 'Over the Counter Bandits'.  Since December, they're suspected of 9 bank robberies -- 5 in Toronto, 3 in York Region and last Friday's at the CIBC in the 700 block of Tecumseh Road East in Windsor. The suspects were taken into custody a short time later when officers rammed their car.  Three men, a woman and a teenager are in custody but no names have been released.  They're expected to be returned to Toronto next week after appearing in court in Windsor.

     Doggie doo everywhere and no one stoops to scoop. Tecumseh's  Deputy Mayor, Tom Burton, says anyone who's walked through LaCasse Park recently has to be horrified.  He's calling for stiffer fines for people who don't clean-up after their pets -- $200 for a first offence, $500 after that.  Administration is drafting a report for council to consider.

     Dr. Barbara Heartwell is looking to be re-instated at Hotel Dieu-Grace hospital.   The surgeon voluntarily gave up hospital privileges after it was reported that two former patients had mistaken mastectomies.  3 days later, she withdrew her voluntary agreement and the Chief of Staff then suspended her privileges.  The hearing will be held Wednesday at 5pm at the hospital. 

     The number of visible minorities is growing across Canada including in the Windsor area.  Stats Canada is projecting that by the year 2031, about one-third of Canada's population will be a visible minority.  The projections suggest that the face of Canada will continue to be dramatically altered over the next 3 decades.  In Windsor, the proportion of visible minorities will rise from 16 percent in 2006, to 33 percent in 2031

     Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has turned himself in to authorities in Detroit on a probation violation.  Kilpatrick owes the city a total of one-million-dollars in restitution from a plea agreement last fall which led to his resignation from office.  He was ordered to pay 79-thousand dollars toward that recently and pay another 240-thousand dollars by April.  Kilpatrick has said he is unable to make those payments in full. Instead, the former mayor, family and friends gathered money orders for just over 40-thousand-dollars.  It is expected that Kilpatrick will be arraigned today, released on bond and given a date for a court hearing.  Kilpatrick moved to Dallas, Texas after being released from a short jail term.

     The OPP and Leamington Police have now released the names of two people found dead on the weekend.  They are 71 year old Mohssen Tannous and his wife 64 year old Hinda Tannous.  They were found dead early Sunday morning at their home at 18 Worchester Avenue.  Autopsies are on-going in London and the cause of death hasn't been determined.  Police say there is no concern for public safety at this time.  Police are asking anyone with information to call Leamington Police or crimestoppers.

     An employee of the LaSalle Police Service is free on bail after being arrested on the weekend.  42-year old Todd Sloan is charged with one count of assault after what police described as a 'domestic dispute' early Sunday morning.  Police in Amherstburg are investigating.

     People in the Amherstburg area will have more choice this summer when it comes to buying produce.  A farmer's market is being set up at the Malden Community and Cultural Centre. It'll run for 22 Saturdays starting June 5th.  The Town has put up $18,000 dollars to get the market started. The money will be used for a parking lot, electricity and water upgrades.

     Attendance figures for Windsor city councilllors will soon be just a point-and-click away.  Roll call is being taken at all council and committee meetings. The results  will then be posted on the City's web site for voters to see.  The move follows a council meeting that nearly had to be cancelled last month because of a lack of attendance.

      A Windsor father is hoping to spare his son the painful ordeal of  rabies shots.     The boy was bitten by a dog yesterday on St. Patrick's near LaBelle and they don't know if it has had a rabies vaccine.  It was being walked by a blonde woman about 20 years old.  David Vojvodin says he just wants to know it the dog has had its shots or if his son needs to undergo treatment.  He can be reached at 519-257-7147.

   Windsor is losing another automotive plant. Butcher Engineering is closing in June. The work is being moved to the U-S. The closure will impact 107 employees. The CAW is now working on a closure agreement with the company.

  The Fraser Institute is out with its annual look at elementary schools across Ontario.   The Institute uses Grade 3 and 6 EQAO testing results in reading, writing and math to compile a ranking of schools.   The top local school this year is Bellewood Public School in Windsor. It scored a 9.6 out of 10. The lowest in the public system was HD Taylor with a 2.7  The top Catholic Elementary School is St.Rose with an 8.9 and St.John in Windsor was the lowest with a 2.8.  Assistant Superintendent of Education with the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board Emelda Byrne says the most important comparisons are of schools with comparable student bodies, and socioeconomic backgrounds, but she adds it's all helpful data used in improving.    Click here for more:  www.fraserinstitute.org

     Windsor Police have confirmed it is conducting an investigation into an incident at Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital.  The Special Victim's Unit is looking into alleged "inappropriate comments" made by an emergency room doctor to a nurse and clerk.  It happened early Thursday morning between 3 and 4am.  Sergeant Brett Corey says the incident does NOT involve anything physical The doctor was not on duty at the time.

     Meanwhile, Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital says it is taking the matter seriously. The doctor has been reported to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and the doctor has agreed to voluntarily withdraw privileges while the investigation is under way.  No names are being released.

     Still no closing date for the GM Transmission Plant in Windsor.  It had originally been scheduled to close in June but Plant Chair Ken Bruner says it appears that has been pushed back to the end of July but he says it's a moving target.  There are 502 people working at the plant, down from 1150 a year ago.

     The uncertain future of some company pensions has prompted local labour leaders to host a forum on the security risks of retirement.  The Windsor & District Labour Council and the Canadian Labour Congress are inviting everyone to a forum tomorrow night (Tuesday) to discuss what needs to be done to secure pensions and retirement funds.  Debbie Fields, CAW Windsor-area director says companies shouldn't be able to take much of the surplus that can build up in the pension fund:   The free pension forum will be held tomorrow night, from 7 to 9pm at the Caboto Club. It's sponsored by the CLC and the Labour Council. Ken Georgetti, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, will be there to speak to the crowd.

     It's been an expensive weekend for dozens of drivers on the 401 westbound in Chatham-Kent and Essex Counties.  Provincial Police say 37 speeding tickets have been handed out in what was dubbed 'Operation Baby Jack'.  Most drivers were doing between 130 and 140 in a 100 kilometer an hour zone.

  The newly formed Ward 10 in Windsor has its first candidate for next fall's municipal election.  Richard Tarte is the father of two and an early childhood educator. He tells AM800 news he's decided to run because families in Windsor have been put on the back burner.  He says the announced closure of city-run daycare centres by September convinced him to enter the race.

     An investigation is underway into what's being described as 'a serious incident' at Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital.  A spokesperson will only say it involves a doctor in the Emergency Room and that he has voluntarily withdrawn his privileges at the hospital while police investigate. A statement from the hospital says the matter is being taken very seriously. The doctor has been reported to the College of Physicians and Surgeons but the he has not been identified and specifics have not been released.

     The incident falls on the heels of an investigation into two unnecessary mastectomies performed at the hospital -- one last fall, the other in September of 2001.  The hospital, the surgeon and the pathologist involved are all named in a $2.2 million lawsuit filed by a Leamington woman.

     Two people found dead in Leamington.  The address -- 18 Worchester Avenue.      The body of a 71 year old man was found in the driveway yesterday.   A 64 year old woman was found dead inside the home a short time later. The victims names and the cause of death have not been  released.  Provincial Police have been called in to help with the investigation.  More information is expected today.

Leamington Police and the OPP have a home in Leamington surrounded.  The home on Worchester Avenue is also cordoned off for an investigation.  It's not clear what kind of investigation it is but AM-800 News has a reporter on scene trying to get details.

A provincial bill calling for the amalgamation of small water operators like Tecumseh is causing a stir with small municipalities, especially those that have maintained and invested in their systems.  The bill wants to amalgamate water operators with 10-thousand customers or less and Mayor Gary McNamara says there's a better way to get full cost recovery for those who are in deficit without penalizing thriving operators by lumping them all together.  Mayor McNamara hopes Bill 237 never sees the light of day because it adds immediate costs and takes away control.

It looks like the Ambassador Bridge is in for a facelift.  Bridge company spokesperson Phil Frame says the deck or driving platform will be replaced and he expects the work will create some local jobs.  Mister Frame says the multi-million dollar project will take about 2 years to complete but no more than one lane will ever be closed at any one time to reduce traffic disruptions.  Bids are going out asking for contractors.

The annual summer job fair at HMCS Hunter drew hundreds of people looking for work and curious about a career in the navy.  Petty Officer Second Class Amy Rooney says it's an excellent opportunity for all those who are interested.  Several positions are available to those 16 to 56 including cooks and naval communicators.

An Amherstburg girl missing since February 25th has been found safe and sound.

15-year-old Mariah Sickles was found at a home on Wellington Avenue in Windsor.

The investigation is now closed.

The Ambassador Bridge is forging ahead and re-submitting an apllication to twin the current crossing between Windsor and Detroit.  The U-S Coast Guard rejected the application earlier this week saying there's property issues.  A judge has ordered the bridge to tear down duty free shops and toll booths on land owned by the city of Detroit but bridge spokesperson Phil Frame tells AM-800 News that an appeal has been launched over that land.  Mister Frame says the bridge has already secured 95-percent of all the necessary property rights for the twinning of the Ambassador Bridge.

Fire destroyed a house in east Windsor Friday night.  Assistant Fire Prevention Officer Sean Boutette says the blaze at 1719 George Avenue started in the kitchen around 8-pm and  caused 100-thousand dollars in damage.  Nobody was home at the time.

Pensions will be the hot topic around Windsor-Essex this coming week.  A meeting will be held at the CAW office on Central Avenue Monday morning to raise awareness about what the federal government needs to do to ensure pensions are properly funded and protected.  A pensions forum will also be held at the Caboto Club Tueday night to get a better understanding of why retirement savings have been put at risk and what can be done to create a better pension system in Canada.  The federal government is also set to launch public consultation on the future of Canada's pension system.  The government will ask Canadians what it will take to get them to save more for retirement and what should be done to keep those savings safe.

   Arrests have been made in connection to a daylight bank robbery in Windsor. Friday afternoon, three armed men robbed the C-I-B-C at 710 Tecumseh Road East. Five suspects were arrested shortly after by members of the Toronto Police Service, operating here in the city. Windsor Police continue to investigate, but are releasing few details.

   Two suspects have been arrested in an assault in the city's east side earlier this week.  Wednesday night, a 20 year old man suffered facial injuries after being attacked by three men..one carrying a hammer.  It happened after the victim answered a knock at his door in the 200 block of Pratt Street.   18 year old Trenton Goguen and 24 year old Regan Goud, both of Windsor have been charged with assault causing bodily harm and being unlawfully in a dwelling.   Police are still searching for a third suspect.

   Work continues on improvements around the docking space for the Windsor-Detroit truck ferry. The ferry, which takes trucks hauling hazardous materials across the Detroit river, closed in late November for major upgrades.  It was originally scheduled to resume in February - but there have been some setbacks in the work. It could resume sometime this month, but there's no confirmation on a date. Senior levels of government approved 9 million dollars to improve the west-end site.

  About 300 people turned out for a march and rally in downtown Windsor today. They were rallying in support of child care - and against the closures of Windsor's city-run day care centres.  Dozens of union members were meeting at the casino and they joined in the march that began in back of the casino and headed to Fred Thomas park on Wyandotte for a rally.

     Ontario's Revenue Minister John Wilkinson spoke to a full-house today at a breakfast in Windsor defending the upcoming merger of the PST and GST.  Wilkinson says the economy is changing and as a result tax changes are needed.  He admits the HST is controversial but necessary because it will save businesses money and make Ontario more attractive for investors.  He says 17 per cent more items will be taxed and that includes energy, gas and some services but he quickly adds that 83 per cent won't change.  He says for consumers, any extra costs will be off-set by income tax cuts and rebate cheques scheduled to begin later this year (in June, then dec then june 2010)

     Windsor Regional  is celebrating a milestone.  It's been 4 straight months since a single case of central line infection has been reported.  They're common among patients on I-V and the average infection rate at most hospitals is 25%.  Windsor Regional's rate is the lowest in North America.  Karen McCullough, the Vice-President of Acute Care at the hospital,  says the infection-free record is no accident.  The key is the careful and vigilant handling of I-V lines in a sterile environment.           

     The Ontario Racing Commission is looking into allegations of  horse race fixing at tracks in Michigan. State Police and the Michigan Gaming Control Board are also involved. Search warrants have been executed at several Michigan homes. The allegation is that as many as 30 harness drivers, trainers, owners and gamblers conspired to fix races.

     The investigation is focuses on 3 Michigan tracks -- the Hazel Park Harness Raceway, Northville Downs and Sports Creek Raceway near Flint.

     Windsor Regional Hospital has completed an investigation into cases involving Dr. Olive Williams.  She's the pathologist named in a $2.2 million dollar lawsuit filed by a Leamington woman who underwent a needless mastectomy last fall.  Hospital CEO, David Musyj, says Williams was involved in 171 cases while she worked at a hospital for a short time last year but a review fo those cases hs turned up nothing of clinical concern.   Investigations continue by Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital, The College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Ontario Government.

     The new federal budget gets a thumbs up from the Mayor of Windsor.  Eddie Francis is pleased the government has decided to continue its stimulus program for one more year.    The regional Chamber of Commerce is also pleased.  The budget reduces tariffs on equipment brought across the border.

     The document contains few new spending measures as the government struggles to all but eliminate a $54 billion deficit within the next 5 years.