10-thousand dollars was raised to help pay for meals for those in need.

The Mission serves about 200 lunches a day and 130-thousand meals a year.

To donate, go to www.downtownmission.com

The city has been selected to host the event for the first time in 20-years and it will bring in about one-thousand students from grades 7 to 12.

Sponsors and volunteers are needed.

The event goes next May at the University of Windsor.

It's part of the town's "Community Improvement Plan".

12-thousand dollars will be spent over the next four-years to help property owners with construction costs.      

Grant money will pay for half of the cost of a sidewalk cafe, up to a maximum of two-thousand dollars.

Any restaurant owners who are interested should contact Leamington town hall.

Today, the city is celebrating its 121st birthday with festivities down at the waterfront.

The mayor's annual walk begins at 10:30 and is followed by live entertainment, childrens activities, food, cake and more until 2pm.

Police received a call around 4:30am from a resident in the 600-hundred block of Randolph Ave about a man in the street who looked
"distressed". 

When officers arrived they found a 26-year-old male had been stabbed and the suspect had fled the scene.

The injured male was transported to hospital and is in stable condition.

The investigation into the incident continues.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Windsor Police.

All weekend long 20-percent of all proceeds will go to Transition to Betterness and its 'Rooms to Wings' capital campaign which ensures cancer patients in Windsor receive comfortable end-of-life care.

T2B Event Coordinator, Nadia DiDomenico, says the program helps families and patients - with a focus on creating a home-like atmosphere in the hospital for cancer patients and their families.

The fund raiser takes place at the Cold Stone Creamery locations on Tecumseh Road East, Howard Ave and Walker Road.

Francis is reacting after Paul Godfrey was fired as Chair of the corporation.

He says Godfrey inherited a mess and was brought in to the OLG when everyone else was running the other way.

Francis says he didn't always agree with the changes at the OLG saying you can always do things better.

Godfrey had been chairman of the O-L-G since February 2010.

This is the fourth year for the market taking place on Saturdays at the Malden Community and Cultural Centre on County Road 20.

Amherstburg Manager of Tourism and Culture Anne Rota says there are 14 vendors at the market, all selling local merchandise.

Rota adds the market is committed to the "Buy Local" campaign.

The market will run every Saturday 8:30 to 1:30 until September.

Just after 3:30 Friday afternoon, Chatham-Kent Police officers were investigating a man in the area of Richmond and Byne.

The man made his way to the railroad tracks and was struck and killed by a Via train.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

Multiple break and enters have been reported in Tecumseh in the area of Russel Woods and St Clair Beach - and in Amherstburg in the area of Forest Hill Crescent.

The first suspect is described as a white male,about 60 years old,  approximately 5'6", stocky build with grey facial growth, unshaven, round fat face, wearing a red wool hat with a ball cap over top.

A second suspect is described as being approximately 5 9 tall, black waist length jacket, black pants wearing a black wool cap. 

Witnesses also described the vehicle driven by the suspects as being a dark blue Chevrolet Impala, early to late 2000 model. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

Ontario's Special Investigations Unit is probing the circumstances surrounding the police involved death.

Just after 3:30 this afternoon, Chatham-Kent Police officers were investigating a man in the area of Richmond and Byne.

The man made his way to the railroad tracks and was struck and killed by a via train.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

Nearly $600-thousand will be used to improve services and showcase the organization as a model to be used by other communities across the country.

Barb Holland is the Board President for WETRA and says the work that's done with children is amazing.

"We see great results everyday with our clients that come out here. We have little ones from two years old up on horse back receiving therapy and what we see day to day is real and it's life changing. It gives hope to families, it gives respite to families and give our children and chance to grow and develop," says Holland.

Founded more than 40 years ago WETRA serves 200 local children a week offering them therapeutic horse back riding lessons.

The new formula from the province is based on a share of slots and table games revenue as opposed to the old formula where Windsor got a flat fee.

The change means Windsor is getting more money, which will be used to offset a drop in property assessments across the city at the casino, Devonshire Mall, Chrysler, Ford and other major employers.

The city now gets a total $9.5 million from hosting the casino  which includes $3 million in hosting fees, $1.8 million for extra police officers and $4.7 million in property taxes. 

Under the new formula, Windsor will get  $15. 7 million  which includes $11 million to cover hosting fee and cops plus the $4.7 million in property taxes.

At its peak, Mayor Francis says the casino used to pay $13 million dollars in property taxes.

"Today they are paying 4.7 million dollars and there is a significant gap and these dollars will go a long way to help us make up those appeals and other appeals from Devonshire mall to Ford to Chrysler to other large property," says Francis.

Mayor Francis says the extra money is already earmarked.

"The reason I say it's not a windfall is that drop, and we have been holding the line on taxes, that drop in assessment has to be made up.  Its part of the operating levy and we have established a reserve and we have been funding that drop out of that reserve."

City Council will have to sign off on the agreement which is expected sometime next month. 

Crews were called to 859 Assumption Street around 2:30 this morning and found a vacant house fully involved.

Fire Prevention Officer John Lee says the flames quickly spread and were shooting through the roof within minutes.

 The house has been destroyed and will be demolished.

 Lee says the fire appears to have started at the back of the house, and the cause has been listed as undetermined

Ward 7 city councillor Percy Hatfield has won the party's nomination and he's confidence he'll soon be the M.P.P. for the riding of Windsor-Tecumseh.

He believes now that Dwight Duncan is no longer in the picture, voters will follow their federal preference and vote NDP.  The riding is represented by New Democrat Joe Comartin at the federal level.

Hatfield credits his political experience, including 6 years on city council, for his support.

His nomination was challenged by Laurie Komon.

Essex OPP Sergeant Ed Meroco says officers will also be on area waterways and checking off-road vehicles.

Police are also reminding drivers about Ontario's 'move over' law. Drivers are required to slow down or move over when passing an emergency vehicle on the shoulder of the road.

Fire crews arrived about 2:30 this morning to find one side of the building fully involved and the flames quickly spread.

The cause of the fire has not been determined but Windsor Police have been called in and the location is now considered a crime scene.

No injuries are reported and a damage estimate hasn't been determined.

The Liquor Control Board has reached a tentative contract agreement with its 6700 employees averting a walkout set for midnight last night.

No details have been released but an LCBO spokesperson says the agreement is fair to both taxpayers and workers.

OPSEU's executive is recommending acceptance.

During contract talks, the union had complained that too many employees were restricted to part-time work with some getting just 2-hours a day.

He won the party's nomination Thursday night against Laurie Komon.

The 120 members of CAW Local 195 ratified the deal by a slim margin of 60-percent.

The new deal includes a one thousand dollar signing bonus, a small wage increase and health benefit improvements.

Union President, Gerry Farnham, says bargaining was tough.

Workers rejected a previous tentative deal in April and a 'no board' report was issued.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and Mynt Nightclub have reached an agreement in connection with incidents in March and April.

The AGCO says Mynt will have its liquor licence suspended for 30 days.  It began on May 2nd when the interim suspension was issued and will expire on June 2nd.

The owners have also agreed to a series of measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

AGCO spokesperson Lisa Murray says the owners of the bar must submit a "safety and security plan" by May 24th for approval.  She says the plan must set out specific steps, measures, procedures and policies to prevent breaches of the Liquor Licence Act in the future.

Murray says the owners and all staff must also take an education seminar put on by the AGCO and Windsor Police.

In an agreed statement of facts, the owners admit intoxicated minors were allowed into the bar on March 17 and 18, the night a 16-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted in the washroom.  18-year-old Ben Johnson of the Windsor Spitfires is charged in connection with that incident.

The owners also agreed that on April 27 an intoxicated male left the bar and then was allowed to return and remain.

The following night, a male patron was allowed to pour liquor from a bottle directly into the mouth of a female patron.

Around 8:30 Tuesday night, a 23 year old female cyclist was stopped at a red light at Wyandotte Street West and Sunset.

When the light turned green, the cyclist moved ahead but a car turned in front of the bike causing the cyclist to hit the passenger door of the vehicle.

The cyclist fell causing some scrapes.

The vehicle is a red sports car with dark tinted windows.  It had a single black stripe in the centre of the entire vehicle and it may have some damage to the right side passenger door from the accident.

Anyone with information should call Windsor Police or crimestoppers.

On May 7th, a business owner on Erie Street North contacted police to report graffiti to the rear door overnight.

Surveillance video captured two suspects and the OPP are  looking for the public's help to identify them.

The first suspect is between 16 and 26 years old wearing a flat brimmed ball cap, white high top running shoes, medium to heavy set with reddish shoulder length hair.

The second suspect is the same age, bald with a goatee with a square chin wearing a t-shirt and jeans.

Anyone with information is asked to call Leamington OPP or crimestoppers.

City Engineer Mario Sonego says work is progressing very well, with all of the smaller buildings now down.

Budget Environmental Disposal began work about three months ago after winning the $4.1-million contract.

Sonego says the company has until September to complete the project, but he says crews are well ahead of schedule.

Work could begin within two weeks on the main building, but Sonego says all of the asbestos and other designated substances have to be removed first.

Before demolition begins, Sonego says there will be a final inspection and tests will be conducted and the "all clear" must be given.

The province is paying the cost of the demolition.

Essex MP Jeff Watson made the announcement Thursday morning at Crystal Beach.

With the town's investment of $214,000, the total amount of money being spent is just under $322,000.

Mayor Tom Bain say 10 shoreline parks will be upgraded, and the town will reach out to residents to see what they want in those parks.

Bain hopes the work will be completed in six months.

The money comes from the federal government's Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund in Ontario.

The OPP says the ban is in effect 10 days prior to the holiday Monday, and it's a "zero tolerance" policy.

Police say anyone found with alcohol at provincial parks may face charges and eviction from the park.

Police say 21-year-old Dustin Allen has been charged with impaired driving and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm.

A car crashed through a fence and burst into flames near Thomas Road and Alma Street early in the morning on May 2nd.

Police say the passenger in the car remains in hospital with serious injuries.

Sgt. Jason Bellaire has received the "Chief's Citation of Merit" for his work to solve a murder in Kitchener.

Nadia Gehl was murdered in February 2009 at a bus stop near home.  Her husband became the prime suspect.

Bellaire went undercover and worked with the suspects at a furniture store in Kitchener for five months.

He earned their trust and eventually got a confession.

Waterloo Regional Police say Bellaire's testimony was key to the prosecution getting first-degree murder convictions for the victim's husband and two accomplices.

Community Development Coordinator, Maureen MacFarlane says just one crash victim can require up to 50 units of blood.

While all blood types are welcome, there's a special need for O-negative donors because that blood type can be given to anyone.

The clinic is open today, tomorrow and Saturday at 3909 Grand Marais Road East.

Finance Minister Charles Sousa says he's confident a deal can be reached and a strike set for midnight tonight won't be necessary but the union must realize there's no money for pay raises.

The L-C-B-O says negotiations are continuing, and there is cautious optimism a walkout can be avoided.

Lakeshore Mayor Tom Bain says he and his team are trying to comply with all provincial requirements but are meeting roadblock after roadblock put up by the Ontario Racing Commission.

He says it'll be at least another two weeks before the group's application is considered by the ORC which is going to make it extremely difficult to start racing in Leamington in June as hoped.

Bain has also just been informed that $3 million of $7 million in local funds left over when the Windsor Raceway shut down has been given to the raceway in London.

Teams from both sides of the soccer field stopped halfway through last night's game in Tecumseh to remember Aja Chandler, the 11-year old Belle River girl who died while playing the choking game in March.

Her father, Joe Chandler, says he's pleased with efforts to keep Aja's memory alive.

After a moment of silence at centre field, each player presented a rose to Aja's parents.

A web site has been set up to promote awareness of the choking game in hopes of sparing another family from having to cope with a similar tragedy. The web site is www.rememberaja.org.

Officers clocked a vehicle at 143 kilometres-an-hour in an 80 kilometre zone on Highway 40 just south of Fairview Line Wednesday morning.

Investigators say the driver told the officer that he had just washed his vehicle and was trying to dry it.

52-year-old John Corriveau is charged with stunt driving and faces a fine of up to two-thousand dollars if convicted.

In the next few weeks, work will begin to renovate Meadowbrook Optimist Park.

A new sports court, new pathways, new play equipment and trees will be added to the four acre neighbourhood park.

Landscape Architect Heidi Baillargeon says it will be a major upgrade.

The park is located on Meadowbrook Lane and Lauzon Parkway.

BASF Canada in west Windsor donated 12 thousand dollars towards the games.

The money will be used on environmentally friendly "Hydration Stations" and five thousand re-useable water bottles.

Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis says the hydration stations will be located at different venues throughout the games.

The hydration stations feature multiple fountains and spigots.

About 16-hundred of them packed the Caboto Club to hear keynote speaker Dave Coles (photo below), President of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union.

Coles says called the retirees "working class heroes" but added the manufacturing industry is under threat and is being decimated.

He blames corporate policies at the federal and provincial level, designed to make the rich richer.

He says retirees are losing their pensions and benefits while the unemployed are having a tough time finding a decent job. 

"This system sucks, it ain't good, the rich are getting richer and the rest of us the quality of our lives and incomes are being reduced," said Coles.

Coles says the benefits and perks enjoyed by CAW local 444 retirees are gone for future generations.  

Coles told the crowd there is a need to build a new labour movement starting with a new union made up of the CAW and CEP.

It covers 46 full-time and part-time inside workers and full-time outside workers, members of CUPE Locals 702.1, 702.2 and 702.5.

The four year agreement includes an average of 1.88 per cent wage increase each year and phased-in health benefit improvements.

The agreement was ratified by union members May 13th and approved by town council last night.

The previous agreement expired in December 2012.

It is that of 44 year old Christopher Magro who went missing 10 days ago after he didn't return to the Marentette Rest Home last Sunday afternoon.

He took a cab to the area of Riverside Drive East and Eastlawn.

Then yesterday afternoon, a body was spotted in the water in that area.

Police says through an investigation, no foul play occured.

This time at Bazzi Produce in the 1,000 block of Wyandotte Street East.

Firefighters arrived shortly after 3:30 this morning to find a stack of wooden pallets on fire.

Damage is pegged at $10,000 but no one was hurt.

Two similar incidents last week prompted firefighters to issue a warning about the storage of materials near buildings.

Interactive tablets have been placed in more than a dozen convenience stores in Windsor and Tecumseh. Customers are being asked to send a letter to the province urging a crackdown on the sale of illegal smokes.

Dave Bryans, the CEO of the Ontario Convenience Stores Association says the government needs to do more to tackle the problem. He estimates 35% of all cigarettes sold in Ontario are contraband, costing the gov't $1 billion a year in taxes.

A growing population has prompted at least one town councillor to ask for a review of the speed limit along Belle River Road south of County Road 42.

Linda McKinlay says there are 18 new homes in the area and speed limits should reflect that. She's asking the county to be proactive and not wait for a tragedy.

Residents want the limit cut from 80 kph to 60 kph.

Charges of deceit and discreditable conduct have been laid and the defence attorney for Constable Dorothy Nesbeth is claiming there was not full disclosure.

Pat Ducharme says he was not given all evidence at the start of the hearing and learned of the undisclosed evidence when the defence filed a stay application to halt the proceeding.

Lawyer Ed Posliff is arguing the public has a right to know.

He's been hired by a number of media outlets including AM-800 to keep the proceedings open.

A decision is expected in a week.

A woman entered a home on Forest Hill Drive in the town and began to take items from the home.

She was confronted by the homeowner and there was a struggle.

She managed to escape out the front door and jumped into a waiting car.

Police are looking for a 2011-2012 Royal Blue Chevy Impala driven by a balding man with a mediterranean complex.

The female passenger is in her late 50's to early 60's, about five-foot-four, short hair that has red dye in it.  She is wearing a black hoody, blue jeans and runners.

Vehicle was last seen eastbound on Forest Hill Drive.

Police are asking anyone who spots the vehicle to give them a call.

It covers 120 workers represented by C-A-W Local 195.

President Gerry Farnham says no details will be released until workers vote on the agreement later this week.

A ratification vote is set for Thursday at the union hall beginning at 2 p.m.

The body was spotted just after 12:30 this afternoon near the pumping station between Lauzon Road and Eastlawn Avenue.

Police, fire and the coroner attended the scene.

The body has now been removed.

No I-D has been released yet.

The program is called "Wake Up, Get a Working Smoke Alarm" and it involves firefighters going door-to-door in neighborhoods checking smoke alarms and educating residents about fire safety.

Chief Fire Prevention Officer Lee Tome says he's shocked at the number of homes that are not protected.

Tome says 40 per cent of the homes they have visited over the past few years have not had working smoke alarms on every level as required by the Ontario Fire Code.

The provincial average is 20 per cent.

Under the program, fire staff will visit homes in neighborhoods on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons. 

If a home does not have a working smoke detector, Tome says one will be installed outside the sleeping area.  The homeowner will then be given coupons to purchase smoke alarms at a reduced rate.

The program will be in place for the next five years.

The O-H-L has announced London will host junior hockey's premier championship event next spring.

The Spitfires and Barrie Colts had also made submissions to the league's site selection committee last month.

O-H-L Legal Counsel Gord Kirke says the committee determined that while all three clubs possess sufficient elements for a suitable host city, it is the projected quality of the London Knights Hockey Club next season that is the decisive factor.

Spits Director of Business Development Steve Horne says the outcome is unfortunate.

"I mean it is a disappointing day to hear any time that you are not successful at bringing that prestigious event to the city of Windsor and that's the initial reaction," says Horne.

The Knights have won back-to-back league championships..and hosting next season's tournament will mean three straight appearances at the Memorial Cup.

Chatham Kent Police executed a search warrant at a Wallaceburg home where they found a man "actively watching and simultaneously downloading child pornography."

It follows an investigation last month and this month by the Internet Child Exploitation Units from Chatham Kent Police and Windsor Police.

51 year old Denny Raymond McGee was arrested and charged with accessing child pornography and possessing child pornography.

Three computers and numerous external storage devices were seized.

Windsor's Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee is recommending approval of an incentive program that Ward 2 councillor Ron Jones says has been in the works for several years.

The program, which still needs city council approval, calls for funding of up to 70% for approved projects.

It was started after the death of Rocky Campana last August. His organs were refused because he was gay.

On the advice of Windsor-West M.P. Brian Masse, the deadline has been extended until September because Parliament is about to break for the summer.

Rocky's mother, Nancy, says the extra time can be used by voters to contact their Members of Parliament.

The new deadline is September 15th.

The petition is available on-line at  www.allhealthycanadiansshouldbeabletodonate.com.

Town council has given the okay for refreshment vehicles to set up shop in municipal parking lots despite fears of unfair competition for existing businesses.

Councillor Carolyn Davies says tourism has grown considerably over the past couple of years and there are parts of town that are under-serviced.

Food cart operators will still need all the necessary certificates and approvals to set up shop.

A tenant agreement has been signed between the municipality and former Kingsville Comets which have yet to be given a new name.

Director of Recreation, Dean Collver, says the team will be ready for action in the upcoming season.

The town is spending $44,000 to upgrade the arena with larger dressing rooms, a press box and laundry facilities. That will eventually be paid back through user fees.

The Town and Country has been ranked ahead of all other minivans for quality in the 2013 Best Total Quality rankings.

The annual listings from Strategic Vision use responses from owners of vehicles to assess their quality.

The Town and Country was one of 4 Dodge and Chrysler vehicles that earned top place in their category in the Total Quality Index.

The building is listed for 250-thousand dollars.

Ward 2 Councillor Ron Jones calls it a sad sign and says he's shocked at the sorry condition of the building.

Jones says he's aware of one private investor who wanted to take over the old post office but backed away when he saw the poor condition of the building.

Canada Post closed the building last month.

Canada's own, "The Sheepdogs" will hit the stage on Thursday September 5th.

Festival Director Kelly O'Rourke says the Saskatoon band is awesome.

Tickets are now on sale for the show.

They can be purchased by visiting www.soewinefest.com.

The Amherstburg wine festival runs from September 5th until the 8th.

The province's Special Investigations Unit was called in to look at the April 18th crash because it involved a police pursuit.

The final report from the SIU details what happened leading up to the rollover.

Shortly after midnight an officer began following a car near Manning Road and County Road 46.

The car sped away and the officer followed, activating his lights to pull the vehicle over.

The car reached speeds of 155-kilometres an hour during the pursuit.

Just north of the 401 overpass the driver of the car lost control, it rolled several times and the driver was partially ejected.

The 39-year-old man was pronounced dead at hospital.

SIU Director Ian Scott has concluded there are no reasonable grounds to lay charges against the officer from the incident.

Crews were called to the 12-thousand 900 block of Lemire Street around 3:15 this morning.

No one was hurt and the cause is being listed as "undetermined."

The meeting is taking place, to determine the provincial NDP candidate in the riding.

Windsor councilor Percy Hatfield and Laurie Komon, a 20 year member for the NDP are the two candidates vying for the position.

The meeting is being held at the Serbian Centre starting at 7pm.

Manager of Inspections Rob Vani says the bylaw helps ensure a safe environment around the pool and says it's in compliance with the law.

He says both in ground and above ground pools need to be fenced in and the enclosure around the pool needs to be a minimum of 1.2 metres or four feet.

Representatives from municipalities across Ontario are meeting at the St. Clair Centre for the Arts to discuss issues related to hosting a post secondary institution.

The opening panel discussion included Mayor Eddie Francis, College President Dr. John Strasser and University President Dr. Alan Wildeman.

The 3 detailed the development of downtown campuses for both the college and the university.

Dr. Wildeman says putting a large number of students in the core area daily makes a huge difference.

Francis says a decade ago the core area was dominated by kiddie bars...now its entirely different....and the total investment is close to a billion dollars.

Dr. Strasser explained how the college made use of the former Cleary and has since added the Mediaplex.

Dr. Wildeman told the audience about taking over 3 different buildings in the downtown and the process of re-developing them to university programs.

Once the university students begin taking classes in the core there will be about 3000 students in the downtown.