The Judge had allowed Sabhi (Alex) Bakir to return to Tunisia.

   Bakir faces multiple charges from the investigation of Big-3 Pre-owned Auto Sales.

   Another man charged in the same case -- Jamal Hazime -- had been allowed to travel to Lebanon, but has not returned.

   The 8th annual Cancer System Quality Index has been released.

   The Vice-President of Cancer Services for Windsor Regional Hospital -- Claudia Denboer-Grima -- says we're better than the provincial average in some areas.

   But she says some improvements are needed including wait times for radiation.

   Khaled Khatib, from Palestine is doing the march in honour of his 11-year-old brother.

   The boy was accidentally killed by an Israeli soldier...and his organs saved 5 other children.

   Khatib is travelling to 75 communities in Ontario is now heading across the county to Essex and Leamington

   Windsor Crossing has unveiled the region's first public system.

   Operations Manager Earl Pulleyblank believes many people will take advantage of the service.

   The station in front of the Ardene store is free to use for customers at Windsor Crossing.

     Investigators are continuing forensic processing at 123 Marlin Court. No arrests have been made and a weapon has yet to be discovered.

     On Tuesday, police were called to the Countryside Village Trailer Park around 4am. A man was rushed to hospital but died a short time later.

     50 year old Richard Lemmon died from a stabbing.

     Windsor Police say the "Diamond Switcher" has still not "passed" the stolen stone.

     He remains in a dry cell at Windsor Police Headquarters until the diamond passes through his intestinal tract.

     The man was x-rayed Monday afternoon. The x-ray showed a couple of stones.

     Last Thursday, a man walked into the Precision Jewellers on Howard Avenue and asked to see some diamonds, one of which was the 1.5 carat stone worth an estimated 20 thousand dollars.

     It's believed the man then switched the expensive diamond with a fake one and swallowed the real one.

     Police say 52 year old Richard MacKenzie Matthews is wanted in other jurisdictions across the country.

     He has been charged with breach of court conditions, and when he passes the diamond will likely be charged with possession of stolen property.

     Patrick Persichelli says the plant became aware of the issue last night and has since resolved the problem.

     He says repair work that should have been done indoors was being done outside. Persichelli says employees were repairing a wind tower. 

     The loud noise could be heard in East Windsor and Tecumseh after 9pm.

     Company CEO Sean Moore says the company will hire 10 full time staff members immediately.

     He says the new staff is needed after a partnership was launched with Kingsville Golf and Country Club.

     Moore says his company will install 125KW Rooftop Solar Panels on a utility building and the pro shop at the golf club.

     The golf club will lease the rooftops to the solar company and it will generate funds through the lease revenue.

     Moore says he is collecting resumes. You can drop them off at the plant's headquarters on County Road 42 or visit www.unconqueredsun.com.

    The Clean Team plans to 'sweep' the neighbourhood every Friday for about half an hour, collecting litter in hopes of instilling pride in the Ford City neighbourhood.

     The group has received $1500 in funding for the project from Security One Alarms.

     The union representing guards is worried the closure of prisons in Kingston and Montreal will delay the transfer of inmates to the federal system.

     OPSEU Local 135 President, Randy Simpraga,  says that could lead to health and safety concerns.

     Prisoners are transferred from provincial jails to the federal system if they're sentenced to more than 2 years.

     The new provincial jail, with 315 beds, is expected to be ready by early 2014.

    Right now, it's $7.46 a day per resident. As of June 30th, that drops to $7.33.

    Amherstburg councillor, Diane Pouget, says it's unfair and embarrassing. Homes will be forced to use cheaper quality, less nutritious food .

     A letter is being sent to the Ministry of Health and Long term Care.

    Acting Board Chair, Hilary Payne has received a medical certificate stating that Barry Holmes will be unfit for work until May 24th.

     Holmes was first  granted leave last month in the wake of the Al Maghnieh library board credit card scandal.

     Payne says library staff members are now reviewing credit card expenses incurred by Holmes. Expenses dating back to January 1st of 2011 are being reviewed.

   50-year-old Richard Lemmon of Marlin Court died from a stabbing early this morning.

   Officers were called to the Countryside Village Trailer Park around 4am.

   The Major Crime Unit is still on scene and residents are co-operating.

   Ron Lapointe and Rob Tymec  want to re-name the River Canard bridge after 2 War of 1812 British soldiers.

    Lapointe says the first battle of 1812 occurred at River Canard when James Hancock and John Dean were attacked by 275 invading U-S soldiers July 16th, 1812.

   Tymec says he wants to commemorate the significant event with a plaque July 16th, 2012 -- the 200th anniversary of the bridge standoff.

   Amy Angelini with the OSPCA says all are eating and drinking.

   One cat was found dead at the home at 6715 Malden Road.

    Angelini says they're still investigating whether to lay charges from the incident.

   The site on County Road 18, between Albuna Townline and County Road 34, has been deemed a "high hazard" because of its flammable contents.

   Chief Building Official Mike Arthur says the owner has 30 days to bring the property up to standard - and if the owner does not comply -  the town will have the building boarded up.

     As part of the expense approval procedure, Acting Chair Hilary Payne has directed library staff to prepare a complete analysis of such reports for the period since January 1st, 2011.

     This will supplement the KPMG audit findings report previously released.

     Officials from the Michigan department of transportation officially opened a new truck route that will move transports from the customs booths on the U.S. side of the Bridge - right onto freeways.

     It'll take them off surface streets in Detroit.

     It's part of the work being rushed through by M-DOT after it was given the job of finishing the plaza work that wasn't completed by the Bridge company.

     50 year old Richard Lemmon, of Marlin Court, died from a stabbing early this morning. No weapon has been found.

     Police are asking anyone with information to come forward.

     They're going up around the perimeter while the interior is being preserved as green space.

      The Vice-President of Development at Amico Properties, Cindy Prince, says her company has been accused of destroying historic buildings like the former Boblo Island zoo but she says it's being demolished because it poses a safety concern.

      Prince says her company is working closely with the Ministry of Natural Resources.

     Construction is expected to start in about a year.

     A recommendation calls for St. Theresa school to close. Those students would move to St. Bernard which would undergo renovations.

     The Board would maintain Stella Maris school and consider a future boundary review.

     Parent, Ken Broadfoot, is asking the Board to wait for 3 to 5 years to see how the demographics change, however, trustees are to vote on the closure June 26th.

     Mayor Nelson Santos says it's the first increase in 5 years and it's unavoidable.

     The increase will add about $8.50 a year onto the average homeowner's bill.

     Horseshoe Casino has opened in Cleveland. The $350 million facility includes 2,000 slot machines and 60 gaming tables.

     A casino in Toledo opens in 2 weeks followed by casinos in Cincinnati and Columbus next year.

   The first broke out around 3:30 this afternoon in the 600-block of Memorial Drive, just east of Howard.

   A vehicle and a nearby home were damaged with a cost of $50-thousand.

   Around 5 PM a house in the 600 block of Parent Avenue caught fire.

   Windsor Fire officials estimate $70-thousand damage from the blaze caused by a careless cook.

   Police say the man arrested after an alleged switch of a $20-thousand 1.5-carat diamond from a Howard Avenue store will be checked.

   52-year-old Richard McKenzie Matthews is already charged with breach of court conditions.

   If the diamond is discovered charges of possession of stolen property could be laid.

   Patriarch Al Rahi of Antioch and the Holy East has spent 3 days here visiting St. Charbel Church in Oldcastle, as well as St. Peter's in Windsor and St. Anthony's in Leamington.

   He's been travelling with Archbishop Paul Sayah...who says the Patriarch has enjoyed his time in Windsor.

   The Patriarch has now headed to Michigan and will then travel to St. Louis before returning to Lebanon.

    The adult pair that have been nesting in Windsor for 6 years had 4 eggs this year and all 4 have hatched. 

     They are poking their heads out over their cement ledge, 70 feet above the ground under the Ambassador Bridge.

(2011 - Lady Gaga falcon chick)

    The  fireworks take place on June 25th.

     The OPP will be watching for impaired, speeding and distracted drivers.

     The man has been charged with driving while passengers under 16 fail to occupy a position with a seat belt.  If convicted, the driver faces a 240-dollar fire and the loss of two demerit points.

     Emergency Management Co-ordinator Phil Berthiaume says the scenario is a weather-related emergency.

     The exercise runs from today through Wednesday.

      The board's administration has recommended the closure of St. Theresa School.

     Board Chair Barb Holland is expecting a full house at tonight's meeting which starts at 6:30 at Villanova High School.

     A final decision is expected at the board's June 26th meeting.

     Scott Troup heads to Toronto today to collect  the money he won in Friday night's Lotto Max draw.

     He plans to pay some bills, make some investments and take his family on a vacation.

     A man walked into Precision Jewellers around 4:00 Thursday afternoon, asked to see some diamonds, one of which was a 1.5 carat stone worth $20,000.

     The real stone was then swallowed and switched with a  fake that had been brought into the store.

     Police say the man is wanted in jurisdictions across the country.

     52 year old Richard MacKenzie Matthews is charged with breach of court conditions as well as a pending charge of possession of stolen property.

Windsor Fire reports a fire at 260 Thompson Blvd started in the chimney and spread to the rest of the home.

Crews were on scene for about three hours just after midnight.

Nobody was injured.

     But Mark Bartlett, president of the CAW Environment Council and member of the Windsor-Essex Environment Committee, says the province's Green Energy strategy is still a great plan.

     Bartlett doesn't see this as a trend, He says former U.S. Vice President Al Gore says the Ontario program is one of the best Green programs in the world.

     Participant Josh Rene lost his father, Jamie Barker 12 years a go after a painting scaffold he was on collapsed under the Ambassador Bridge.

     He says he wanted to raise awareness about workplace safety.

    Money raised will benefit the Threads of Life Organization.

     Chatham-Kent Police, Guelph Police, Waterloo Regional Police and the OPP have arrested 27 year old Thomas Patrick Russell of Ilderton.

     He is also known under the alias of Jim Edwards.

     In March, Chatham Kent Police received information that an Ilderton man was attempting to lure a 14 year old Chatham Kent girl through the internet for sexual purposes.

     Russell has been released pending a future court date.

      Union Administrative Vice Presdient Dave Moffat tells AM800 news they are happy with the deal.

     He says workers will start voting on Tuesday and they expect to have results some time on Wednesday.

     Windsor Police tell AM800 News, a man swallowed some jewellery including diamonds.

     Police say it's a scam the man, who is also wanted in Toronto has been pulling at jewellery stores.

     The man spent the night in the hospital and is back in police custody this morning.

     It happened around 3:30 this morning in the 1600 block of Rooney. The home owners were home at the time and called police who arrived to make the arrest.

     The suspect is charged with breaking and enter, breach of probation and resisting arrest.

     Police say the suspect is well known to them.

     21 cats, including a dead one  were removed from a house at 6715 Malden Road in Lasalle.

     Neighbours have been dealing with the smell for at least 10 years and want the house demolished because it smells like cat urine and feces.

     Amy Angelini tells AM800 News the ammonia levels were the highest she's ever seen and agents had to wear HAZMAT suits and masks before entering the home.

     The investigation continues and charges are pending against the homeowner who doesn't live at the house.

     The search warrant was triggered by a public complaint.

     Hallie Ganderton lives with cerebral palsy and is hoping to win a wheelchair accessible van in an on-line contest..

     One of her former respite providers, Lindsay Jones has entered Hallie in the contest sponsored by the "National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association."

     You can find the website to vote by going to the Afternoon News section of the AM800 website.

     Enter promo code 535 abd 935 to give five extra votes

   The corporate entity  "Caesars Entertainment" is apologizing for the Total Rewards program mailouts that tried to lure Windsor gamblers to the new Horseshoe Casino in Cleveland by offering incentives.

   But customers in the U.S. were not being persuaded to come here.

    Caesars has apologized.

   Corporate programs involving Windsor will now have to be approved by local casino officials.

   Siliken has shut its doors putting 53 people out of work.

   Francis says he feels for the employees.

   The Mayor Francis is frustrated because the potential customers of the solar panel maker weren't able to connect to the power grid.

   He says that's a provincial issue that should have been anticipated as the Green Energy Act was rolled out.

   A search warrant was executed in the 6700block of Malden Road.

   One cat was found dead while  two others needed medical attention.

    A bylaw in LaSalle restricts anyone from owning more than four cats.

   Charges are pending against the homeowner.

     A 52 year old man had arrived home from work around 11:30 Thursday night in the 13-hundred block of Church Street.

     Police say he was getting out of his car when he was attacked by two men.  He was pushed back into the car and the victim was struck several times in the face with an edged weapon.

     The pair fled with the man's wallet.

     Police say the victim was taken to the hospital to have surgery to repair the cuts to his face.

     The suspects are both white, about 25 years old.

     Police say one was wearing a red-hooded sweat shirt and the other was also wearing a hooded sweat shirt.

     Investigators are checking to see if the same suspects may be responsible for a similar robbery earlier this week on Bruce Avenue.

     Dignitaries, including Mayor Eddie Francis and Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan, gathered at the site for a ceremony this morning.

      The Family Aquatic Complex, with a price tag of $77-million, will include a 71-metre pool, dive tank and family water park.

     The project will create 50 construction jobs and should be completed by December 2013.

     It's inside the Liz and Gino Marcus community centre and is aimed at helping the Ford City neighbourhood with health care.

     Nurse practitioner Desiree Gobbo and registered nurse Laura Fay are treating patients in a more familiar way that other clinics and emergency rooms. They learn the patient's background before admitting them to the clinic.

     Siliken has announced it will be ceasing all operations in Ontario.

      The company has a solar manufacturing plant in the city and had laid off 40 employees earlier this month. 53 workers on one shift had remained at the plant on St. Etienne Blvd.

      Employees are receiving letters regarding the closure today.

       Finance Minister Dwight Duncan says he is disappointed.

     This is opening day for provincial parks in Southern Ontario, including Wheatley, Rondeau, Ipperwash and the Pinery.

     There's an alcohol ban at the parks for the next 11 days,  until after the May 24th weekend.

     You can book a site either on-line or on the phone.

     It happened just before midnight. Police say a man had just arrived home from work in the 1300 block of Church Street when he was attacked by 2 men who stole his wallet.

     The victim suffered cuts to his face.

     A description of the suspects has not been released.

    The town bought 65 acres two years ago and is looking for ideas on how to use it.

     Ideas range from golf to walking trails to a dog park.

     Two public meetings are planned.  The first takes place June 22nd at Tecumseh Town Hall between 6:30 and 9-pm. The second is June 23rd at Lakewood Park South from 9-am until 1-pm.

    As AM800 News reported yesterday, Alex Cameron claims he quit as a board member only when he tendered his letter of resignation last month amid the Al Maghnieh credit card scandal. He still considers himself Chair of the board's finance committee.

     Acting board Chair Hilary Payne says the finance committee is part of the board structure and, therefore, Cameron has relinquished all involvement with the board.

      Payne says he's not about to spend taxpayers' money on a legal battle over the issue.  It's up to Cameron to provide legal justification for his position.

   The chair of the library's Finance Committee says he did  resign from the library board...but not the finance committee.

   Alex Cameron says he still holds that position as far as he's concerned...and he sent an email to the acting CEO earlier today.

   Cameron says he is willing to go before Windsor Council to answer any questions about the KPMG audit and provide full disclosure.

   Jameison Laboratories started here in the 1920's making Halibut Oil and Concentrated Orange Crystals...and has remaind in the city ever since.

   The company has 200 employees at its local plants and distributes hundreds of products around the world to about 50 countries.

   Company President and C-E-O Vic Neufeld says their growth has taken off in the last 20 years.

   It involved Michigan Govenor Rick Snyder, U-S Ambassador to Canada David Jacobson and federal Transportation Minister Denis Lebel.

   It was focused on a new border crossing but no details are being released.

   Windsor West M-P Brian Masse says its not unusual for ministers and high ranking officials to meet without a news conference as work is still being done to get the project moving.

     Constable Chris Bernardon has been demoted to a second-class constable for one year for four counts of discreditable conduct, one count of insubordination and one count of damage to equipment for failing to keep notes for five years.

     The charges stem from two separate incidents, including a domestic dispute where Bernardon shoved his wife.  He was convicted of one charge of assault.

     The other incident involving Bernardon happened in March 2011 where he escalated a police situation in the downtown that was already under control.

     Bernardon will lose $8,500 in pay for his one-year demotion.

       20 layoff notices were issued a week ago to library technicians.  But Superintendent of Business Mario Iatonna says more notices are on the way.

     Iatonna expects in the coming weeks, a total of more than 130 (including the 20 for librarians) will be issued to elementary and high school teachers, janitors, clerical staff and other groups.

     He says with fewer students, the board needs fewer staff.

     But, Iatonna adds the notices do not necessarily mean 130 people will be out of work.  He says the board will have a firm number in June.

     28 year old Kent Morton of Garden City fell 140 feet into the Detroit River while painting the bridge back in January.

     The Michigan Authority found that three employees were moving the scaffold deck when a cable shifted causing one end to tilt down and Morton fell..

     He briefly resurfaced and then went under water.

     The four companies including Seaway Painting are facing 29 orders.

     The investigation found that the employer did not erect the suspended scaffold properly and didn't ensure employees were protected while dismantling the scaffold.

     Each company has 15 days from receiving the citations and notices to comply or contest the violations and penalties.

     Negotiations had broken off last Friday but the CAW turned to Chrysler to see if it could play a role in reaching a tentative deal.

     Third Vice President of CAW Local 444 Dave Larue says talks with Chrysler were positive, so its back to the bargaining table with Oakley.

     The 44 workers at Oakley makes rims for Chrysler minivans.

     Homeowners, especially seniors, are cautioned to be aware of  scams.

     Police say people should be wary of sales reps who call or appear the door unexpectedly.

     The  ADCO-2 was stopped by the U-S Coast Guard 150 yards inside American territory yesterday.

     Her gill nets and net anchors have been seized. 

     Charges are pending after the same vessel was caught in U-S waters last Thursday.

     Councillor Sherry Bondy says the reptiles are an important part of the eco-system and are listed as a species of special concern by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

     Bondy says snapping turtles help to cleanse marshes and create habitat.

     Drew Dilkins says it's taking too long to implement traffic calming measures that, in some areas, were promised 4 or 5 years ago.  Areas that have been identified include Conservation Drive near the South Service Road, Shepherd and Hall near Ottawa, Totten near Northway, Dominion near Norfolk and McKay.

     Measures include lower speeds, improved signage and speed bumps and cushions.