The members of the CAW 444 reached the agreement with Helliger after turning down an earlier one.

The four year deal includes wage increases, improved pensions and more vacation time.

Local 444 President Dino Chiodo says the new agreement will be presented to workers for a ratification vote today at 4 o'clock.

Chiodo is hoping workers approve this deal to avoid a strike set for tomorrow morning at 12:01am.

He says the tentative agreement was reached early this morning.

"We are able to come to a few resolves, understanding where the position of the company was in these economic times, in some of the challenges they are experiencing," said Chiodo.

He says the union is recommending acceptance.

A tentative agreement reached earlier this month was voted down by 52 per cent.

The first agreement was the voted down included a wage increase of 8 per cent over 4 years for some workers and as high as 20 per cent for other workers.

The membership will vote on 3 declared candidates for the nomination Thursday, June 27th.

The meeting takes place starting at 6 PM at the Serbian Centre.

Riding Association President Walter Benzinger says the people seeking the nomination still have some paperwork to do, they have to submit their papers to the nomination commissioner Tuesday June 25th.

The deadline for getting into the nomination vote has passed, names had to be on the nomination plan passed Monday evening.

Benzinger says the membership will only vote once, using a preferential system.

The members will list their second choice along with the first, if no-one gets 50-percent they go to the preferential.

The 3 people who have indicated they're seeking the nomination are Remy Boulbol, Jeewen Gill and Micheal Duben.

Benzinger says the party constitution does not allow for a nomination from the floor during the meeting, so the nominations are closed.

The 20 full and part-time workers are members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada.

The ratification vote takes place at the airport from noon to 2 PM Monday June 24th.

The pact with Your Quick Gateway was reached in talks last Thursday.

Police were called just before 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon to the Tilbury Enroute Service Centre.

The incident began because of a driving dispute between the two men while driving into the service centre in their tractor-trailers.

The OPP believe this crime may have been racially motivated because of the slurs said by the suspect toward the victim.

The suspect is described as a white man, 30 to 35 years old, about 5'7, stocky build, with short brown hair, wearing a ball cap with a purple t-shirt.

He left the scene in a tractor trailer westbound on the 401.

The victim was seen by paramedics at the scene but refused treatment.

Anyone who may have witnessed the assault, is asked to call crimestoppers or Chatham Kent OPP.

It happened on Eugenie Road Sunday morning at 10.

A male suspect broke into the business and stole a number of electronic devices.

Anyone who recognizes the man below is asked to call Windsor Police or Crimestoppers.

In an article published by WardsAuto, analyst Haig Stoddard is predicting the minivan will continue to be produced here, and a new crossover luxury vehicle will be added.

He also suggests the next generation will no longer include a Dodge branded vehicle.

All the changes are predicted to be implemented for the 2016 year.

Haig Stoddard says a new product at the Windsor plant would be closer to the kind of vehicle the previous Pacifica was, a 3-row passenger oriented utility crossover.

He says eliminating the Dodge version of the minivan shouldn't hurt the production numbers because the Chrysler version and the new crossover would make up the difference keeping all 3 shifts operating.

He believes the Town and Country minivan range would include a lower trim level to fill the gap left by the elimination of the Dodge version.

All the changes are predicted to be implemented for the 2016 year.

Stoddard says Chrysler has not commented about the information he published in the article.

The 14 year old is now listed in good condition at London Health Sciences Centre.  She had originally been in critical condition.

Sunday morning around 10:30, Windsor Police were called to the 800 block of Victoria Avenue where a mother and daughter had been struck.

The mother is listed in fair condition at Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital.

Two people, 20 year old Laing Chit and 20 year old K'Paw Ku, are charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm, leaving an accident scene involving bodily harm and obstruction of Justice.

This is day three of the search. The latest tip about Hoffa comes from reputed Mafia Captain Tony Zerilli who says Hoffa was buried alive under a concrete slab in a field.

The former Teamsters boss was last seen in 1975.

Acting CEO Chris Woodrow says it covers everything from staff and customer behaviour to where food and drinks can be consumed on library property.

The new code also allows staff to search a customer's bag if there's a suspected problem.

Woodrow says the new rules clear up many of the grey areas that were a problem with the previous code.

Starting in September of next year, boundaries are being changed to more evenly distribute the student population.

Superintendent of Accommodations, Terry Lyons, says the moves are designed to ease overcrowding at Lakeshore Discovery school. With full day kindergarten starting there in September of 2014, as many as 19 portables would be required.

Also starting in September of 2014, French Immersion students will go to Belle River Public School.

It says people claiming to be with its Border Information Service are calling Canadians and asking for personal information and payment over the phone.

The agency says it's not authorized to do that and its border information service is free. 

Victims are advised to call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre @ 1-888-495-8501.

 

The lawsuit seeks to compel the US Coast Guard to grant a permit for the Ambassador Bridge to build a second span and to stop a new government owned bridge from being built.

The Washington Bureau of the Detroit News says the Obama administration has asked a federal court judge to throw the lawsuit out.

But court filings show the matter won't be resolved for some time.

A revised version of the lawsuit was filed in May and the judge in charge has given the 2 sides until the end of August to respond with a decision not expected until the end of the year.

The shortfall will be covered by operating reserves accumulated in past years.

Superintendent of Business, Penny Allen, says cost increases surrounding staff absences made balancing the budget impossible.

The board's total operating budget came in at just under 397-million dollars.

The Owen Sound Transportation Company which runs the ferry operations has indicated dredging is now complete in Kingsville Harbour.

The ferry firm says they'll continue to operate out of Leamington until the beginning of August, which is their regular schedule.

In the event of a weather issue, the ferry will deviate to Kingsville if needed.

Last October 11th the ferry became stuck on a shifting sandbar in Kingsville Harbour.

There were concerns the Jiiman may not be able to operate out of Kingsville if the dredging was not completed.

Trustees reviewed the document and have given their provisional approval.

But the final say on the $245-million document is up to provincially appointed Supervisor Norbert Hartmann.

Superintendent of Business Mario Iatonna says the supervisor has been a part of the budget process all along and he doesn't anticipate any changes.

Iatonna says they've had to tighten their belt by $10-million because 1000 fewer students are expected next year.

He says the budget is balanced and also eliminates some of the historic shortfall, with the accumulated deficit to be eliminated by the end of the budget year.

Iatonna says the board will deal with its capitol expenditures such as the proposed new Catholic Central in a report due in August.

Supervisor Hartmann is expected to give his stamp of approval to the budget before the end of the week.

The entire caucus has come to the city to visit a few locations and hold a regular caucus meeting.

NDP leader Andrea Horwath spoke with reporters outside the temporary caucus room at the Holiday Inn and Suites.

She says her party has kept the focus on achieving results for the average Ontarian by pressuring the Premier to include items in the budget like the financial accountability office.

Horwath also hammered the Liberals for their record of scandals, saying they're more interested in delivering for their well connected friends like with Ehealth and Ornge or delivering for their own political opportunism such as with the cancelled gas plants.

Horwath says her party is ready to get into the campaign for the 3 by-elections at any time.

She also took a jab at the Tories saying they've been sitting on the sidelines and commenting that if they want to run attack ads...that's their business.

Around 10:30 Sunday morning Windsor Police responded to a call in the 800 block of Victoria Avenue where a mother and daughter had been struck by an SUV.

The mother, 35, required reconstructive leg surgery and is listed in serious condition at Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital.
 
The daughter, 14, suffered a lacerated liver and was air-lifted to a London hospital where she remains in critical condition.

Police say the driver and passenger of the car fled the scene, but returned a short time later.

The Great Canadian Flag Project has been approved in principle by Windsor City Council. It calls for the installation of a giant Canadian flag 30 feet by 60 feet atop a 150 foot pole at the foot of Ouellette Avenue.

Project Chair Peter Hrastovic is thrilled but says there's still a lot of work to do to raise the $350,000 needed for the project.

The goal is to have the flag flying by the 1st of July, 2014.

Mayor Ron McDermott, for example, says as long as smoking is legal, there must be room for smokers. Others are concerned about the cost of enforcement if such a bylaw is implemented. They argue that, because it falls under healthcare, it should be a provincial responsibility.

Supporters of the ban say it should be imposed to protect the health of young people.

A draft bylaw is being put together for debate at an upcoming council meeting .

444 President Dino Chiodo says there's been some good dialogue recently between the two sides. Wages, pensions and pay classifications are the main issues.

A strike deadline has been set for Thursday morning at 12:01.

A total of 224 charges have been laid following last weeks targeted raids in Toronto, Windsor and Alberta.

42 year old of Orlando Hollinshed, 51 year old Brett Kersey, 26 year old Terry Mauldin, 21 year old Abukar Mohamed, 25 year old Sandra Sayegh, 32 year old Allyson Steil and Corey  Peterson, all of Windsor,  are charged.

43 year old Jerry Pope of Detroit, is also charged.

Charges include conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, trafficking restricted weapons and participating in a criminal organization.

'Project Traveller' investigated the Dixon City Bloods also known as the Dixon Goonies.

They were hurt when a Mazda sedan turning from Elliot Street West to Victoria Avenue Sunday morning left the roadway and struck them.

Police say both victims were struck by the front of the car.

The 35-year-old mother required reconstructive surgery to her upper and lower leg and for a crush injury to left foot.

She is listed in fair condition at Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital.

The 14-year-old daughter suffered a lacerated liver and has been air-lifted to London for treatment where she remains in critical, stable condition.

Police say witnesses told them the driver exited the vehicle and fled and a second male was seen fleeing the scene as well.

Both returned and told police they ran because they were scared.

The investigation continues.

Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Windsor-Essex.

A Severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Chatham-Kent and Sarnia-Lambton.

Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms late this afternoon and evening.

Severe thunderstorms have already begun to develop in Michigan and are moving southeast.

Environment Canada says the main threats are expected to be large hail and damaging winds.

There's also a risk of an isolated tornado.

Stay tuned to AM800 for the very latest.

Windsor Police say the suspect was spotted by officers on patrol in the downtown early Saturday morning.

The 27-year-old was recognized by the officer in the 300 block of Ouellette Avenue at 1:20 AM.

On checking his identification, it was found the man had an outstanding warrant from Project Traveller.

None of the names from the massive raids in Toronto and several other communities last week have been released, but are expected soon.

The guns and drugs related raids last Thursday led to the arrests of 28 people, the confiscation of 40 firearms and the seizure of more than 3-million dollars worth of illicit drugs.

The tick was found on a person who had been at Point Pelee National Park in April.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Allen Heimann says the black-legged tick was sent to the National Microbiological Lab in Winnipeg, where it was confirmed to have Lyme Disease.

Dr. Heimann says places where there's long grass are where ticks tend to live such as forested or bush areas.

He recommends you take the proper precautions such as wearing long sleeved shirt and long legged pants.

Dr. Heimann says insect repellant with DEET will help prevent ticks from getting on you.

He says the best way to remove a tick is to use tweezers and pull the insect out carefully and slowly.

Once you have it out, put it in a container like a pill bottle, so it can be sent away to be identified and tested for Lyme Disease.

The event this year will benefit the In Your Jeans Campaign through the Cancer Centre Foundation, The Windsor Spitfires Foundation and the Sherron Hogan Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Dan Hogan says they enjoy putting the event together each year because it allows them to carry on their father's legacy.

The tournament takes place at 3 area courses Thursday September 12th.

More than 400 golfers are expected to hit the links at Ambassador, Roseland and Sutton Creek.

Brothers Dan and Doug Hogan joined by Spitfire Coach Bob Boughner, player Ty Bilke and Kerri Hill of the Cancer Centre Foundation.

In 16 years the tournament has raised more than half a million dollars.

Some 300 former employees of the company owned by the same family as Falcon Tool had their benefits and pensions slashed.

A closure agreement for National Rad was recently reached for the CAW Local 1-95 members.

Herman Marlovitz speaks for the National Rad retirees and says they have gotten a raw deal compared to other firms that have also gone under like Fabco and Windsor Bumper where the retirees still have benefits.

He says they want to keep the Rodzik family name in the news, pointing out what they did. 

Marlovitz says it's a shame and the government is letting them get away with it.

Back in early June,  CAW Local 1-95 negotiated a closure agreement for about 350 people who were both retirees and current employees of National Radiator.

The retired workers will retain their pensions, but after 18 months will lose their benefits.

The award, named in honour of former CKLW 'Big 8' News Director Byron MacGregor, was presented in Toronto on the weekend by his widow, Jo Jo Shutty-MacGregor.

The honour follows a similar presentation to AM800 News for the best newscast in central Canada back in April.

Legal action is being considered as the clock ticks toward an end of June closing date.

The University provides $150,000 a year in funding for the Centre and lawyer, Victoria Cross, says it's all about money.

Cross says closing the centre destroys an important element of why many people choose to go to university in the first place.

The proposal calls for a ban on lighting up on all municipally-owned sports fields, playgrounds and trails.

Councillor Bill Baker is expecting a full house at tonight's council meeting. Several delegations are scheduled to speak including the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit.

The next step is development of a draft bylaw.

A similar ban is being considered in Leamington where Deputy Mayor Charlie Wright says most residents seem to be in favour. He's hoping a bylaw will be approved tonight.

It happened about 10:30 yesterday morning in the 800 block of Victoria Street. Police say a 35-year old woman and her daughter were walking along the sidewalk when a car jumped the curb, hit them and pinned them under the vehicle.

Both suffered what police describe as 'internal injuries'. The mother remains in a Windsor hospital.

The 20-year old driver of the car and a passenger were arrested and face several charges, including dangerous driving.

Watson was adopted when he was an infant and recently he and his wife adopted a little girl.

He says adoption changed his life for the better and he hopes to do the same for his adopted daughter Beatrice.

One dollar from every Frosty product sold today (and yesterday) at any Wendy's in Canada will go to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption Canada.

Today is Father's Day and many local butcher shops are anticipating a busy day.

Ted Farron is owner of Farron's Gourmet Meats in South Windsor and says Father's Day weekend is one of the busiest times of the year for his business.

He says steaks, ribs and burgers are the hot sellers this year.

The butcher shop is located at Dougall and Cabana.

The Windsor Elvis Fest will now be known as the Windsor King Fest.

Event Co-ordinator Richard Rosenthal says the three day event kicks off next Friday at the Chrysler Centre and features Elvis impersonators, competitions and an Elvis Gospel show.

For more information visit www.windsorkingfest.com.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Centre for Seniors.

Roughly 800 people attended the auction on the Teutonia Club yesterday.

Over 200 items were up for grabs including 100 bicycles, jewellery, electronics and other confiscated items.

Property Room Manager Lois Reaume says all the proceeds from the auction goes to the Windsor Police Services Board - and they use it for Crime Stoppers rewards and other investigation costs.

Lewenza received an honourary doctorate at the University of Windsor's Law Convocation Ceremony yesterday,

He says he talks to students all the time - but being recognized in front of them means a lot.

Lewenza took a few moments to address the graduates on the importance of the labour movement.

It is looking for people to volunteer to be "Team Ambassadors" for the upcoming International Children's Games.

Eighty-four cities will be presented at the games and some of the athletes will not speak english.

Director of Programs and Operations for the Multicutural Council Lisa Kolody says there will be athletes knowing 29 different languages at the Children's games in mid-August.

People who are interested should go to the Children's Games website at www.icg-windsoressex2013.com.

The Windsor-Essex Economic Development Corporation met with officials from the Amherstburg Farmers' Market at Capri Pizza yesterday (Fri), which is now offering local food.

The Corporation also just launched the "10-dollar Local Food Challenge."

Executive Director, Sandra Pupatello says the idea is to support local growers by encouraging consumers to spend a little extra money on local food.

For more information you can check out "Grown Right Here" on Facebook.

As part of  $10 million in provincial funding announced back in December, all elementary schools with the Greater Essex County District School Board will have controlled access on their main doors with a video camera and intercom.

Work has begun on the installation and by September, all public elementary schools will have the "Safe Welcome Program"

The system has two-way-audio/video communication from the main door to the office with an electric door release.

As a result, all visitors to the school will have to be identified and request entrance during school hours.

28 people were arrested yesterday as part of Project Traveller. 9 them were in Windsor.

The investigation centred around a Toronto gang that had associates in Windsor.

Toronto Police say more arrests are coming.

Toronto  Staff Superintendent Jim Ramer says hundreds of charges have been laid.

"The alleged offenders have been charged with 300 assorted offences like participating in a criminal organization, murder and attempted murder, numerous drug related charges and trafficking in firearms."

The raids in Windsor yesterday morning took place on Riverside Drive East, Ouellette Avenue, Central AVenue, Labour Crescent, Scarsdale, Partington, Raymo, University Avenue West and Stoney Brook Crescent.

Back in 2010, Sam Burgio was charged with 28 fraud-related charges.

The RCMP says there are 25 alleged victims in the cause involving one-million dollars.

According to Police, victims used Burgio's firm to submit applications on their behalf to help them get into the country, but allegedly no such applications were processed.

Burgio's lawyer Ken Marley asked the courts to remove him as counsel because of a breakdown in the solicitor-client relationship.

Burgio told the court this morning, he was prepared to plea but now has to find another lawyer.

Burgio says he has spoken with lawyer Brian Dube but Dube has not been formally retained.

The bill has been stalled in the senate for about 15 months that would allow provinces to move ahead with single sports betting.

More than 200 people attended a rally this morning at Charles Clark Square.

Caesars Windsor President Kevin Laforet says single sports betting would protect the current jobs and create 20 to 25 jobs to manage it.

 Laforet says single sports betting would be another tool to give Caesars an advantage over the casinos in Michigan.

There are close to 3000 people who work at Caesars and about 10 000 people visit it every day.

Transit Windsor is moving ahead with a system that allows riders to log-on to a web site and get real time information on where a bus is and when it'll arrive at a particular stop.

Director of Corporate Services, Tony Houad, says the technology will be implemented on a gradual basis. He hopes to have the system fully implemented by late next year or early 2015.

The next step is to dig up the foundations, backfill the lot and remove the driveways.

City Engineer Mario Sonego says, except for a few unexpected pockets of asbestos, there have been no major snags. He expects the lot to be level and unfenced by the end of July. That's about two weeks ahead of schedule.

There is no word yet on possible future uses for the property.

A tentative agreement has been reached between the company and the CAW just before a strike was set to begin at midnight last night.

No details have been released.

The agreement covers 2,000 customer service, on-board service, and maintenance workers. Ratification votes are being scheduled. 

Mike Cervini is using the release of his new single 'What Would You Do' to raise awareness about domestic violence.

He says he was inspired to write the song after watching a show about domestic violence on T-V.

It can be heard at www.mikecervinimusic.com.

Cervini is donating the proceeds from a release party held last night to help in the fight against domestic violence.

The county was drenched with overnight Thursday rain but the City of Windsor was mostly spared.

City Engineer Mario Sonego says the city only received 4 calls about basement flooding and 50 calls about backyard and road flooding as of Thursday afternoon.

Sonego says south Windsor got most of the rain in the city.

Sonego says there was a lot of water in places like ditches and lakes but it's not the highest level he's seen.

He also says the city's sewer system handled the volume well.

As you heard on AM 800 News Wednesday, 28-year old Dana Lee was wanted on more than 100 charges and was known to travel to Windsor.

She was arrested but police officials don't say where.

Authorities say the charges stem from an incident last September when a 42-year old man was abducted, pistol-whipped, blindfolded, tied up, robbed and assaulted over 3 days.

 The year-long investigation centred in Toronto began in June 2012.

It focused on a gang called the "Dixon City Bloods" or "Dixon Goonies".  The gang had been networking with associates in Windsor since 2006.

This morning, 39 search warrants were executed including 11 in Windsor and 9 people were arrested in Windsor.

40 guns and more than $3 million worth of drugs were seized.

 Toronto Police Chief William Blair says the crimes centred around a Toronto apartment complex.

"The impact of their activities ranged far beyond that neighbourhood and they involve serious crimes of violence, gun importation and drug trafficking across Toronto, Windsor and Alberta," said Chief Blair.

"The organization which we have disrupted today is alleged to have been involved in the importation of firearms across the Windsor border."

Chief Blair says this morning's raids cut off that pipeline of guns and drugs into Ontario.

Names and charges will be released tomorrow.

Windsor fire crews were called to the building in the 3500 block of Sandwich Street around 9:15 this morning.

The fire was contained to the one unit on the third floor and started in the living room near a sofa.  The cause is undetermined.

Chief Fire Prevention Officer Lee Tome says everyone got out safely.

"The entire building was evacuated and heavy smoke on the third floor," says Tome.

Damage is pegged at $50 000. 

No one was hurt.

Details are expected soon on three new investments coming to Windsor-Essex.

The Chief Operating Officer of the Windsor-Essex Economic Development Corporation, Rakesh Naidu,  says new investment means new jobs with hundreds created in the area over the past year. More are expected in 2013.

Naidu says the new investment follows years of laying the groundwork.

The Corporation has worked on more than 50 investment files with 40 of those still active.

Efforts are underway to educate local business owners about growth in the bicycle tourism industry.

Director of Marketing, Chris Racine, says a major event called 'The Great Waterfront Trail Adventure'  is coming to this area in August and he wants businesses to be ready.

Workshops are being held on how business owners can become involved. The next one runs from 9 to 11:30 this morning at the Holiday Inn and Suites on Huron Church Road.

A registration event was held in Essex last night by the Katelyn Bedard Bone Marrow Association which is named after a 3-year old Windsor girl who died of Leukemia in 2005.

Katelyn's Grandmother, Melba Bedard, says more than 2600 people have signed up over the past 4 years. She encourages everyone to register but says there's a special need for men aged 17-35 from various ethnic backgrounds.

There's more information at www.givemarrow.net.

ERCA warns there are regions where flood waters may not crest until later this morning or early this afternoon. Those areas include River Canard in LaSalle and Amherstburg and the northshore waterways in Lakeshore.

Extensive flooding is reported at Lucier Estates in McGregor. Provincial Police have now closed the entrance to the trailer park.

Flooding has also resulted in the closure of several area roads including the 401 westbound at Manning Road, Laurier Parkway in LaSalle and  County Road 27 south of Woodslee.