NEWS

St. Catharines Plant
A shocker for workers at the New Food Classics plant on Seapark Drive in St. Catharines.

When they showed up for work yesterday, the gates were locked and a security guard told them to contact their supervisor.

No word yet from company officials.

It’s believed up to 50 people were working at the plant.

Feb.22/12

Gas Up
Experts warning motorists, record gas prices of a dollar 50 a litre could be set across North America as the barrel of oil closed at more than 106 dollars.

The average price in Canada is a dollar 24 a litre.

Last year at this time it was a dollar 13.

In Niagara at last report, the cheapest price seems to be in Welland where a litre is going for just under a dollar 20, over a dollar 21 in Niagara Falls and almost a dollar 27 a litre in St. Catharines.

Feb.22/12

Lincoln Humane Society
The union representing 15 employees at the Lincoln County Humane Society has set a strike deadline of this Thursday night at midnight.

Board members, management and volunteers will continue to run operations if there is a strike.

Both sides are still negotiating and hope to avert any labour disruption.

Feb.22/12

Cemetery Arrests
A home on Queenston Street in St. Catharines was searched following thefts of Maple Leaf Markers and Canadian flags from the nearby Victoria Park Cemetery.

Some of the markers, which are placed on the graves of fallen soldiers, were found in the residence.

41 year old Dave Jewers and 36 year old Chris Brisley were arrested and charged with theft.

Brisley is also wanted by Hamilton police on other charges.

Feb.22/12

Arson Squad
Niagara’s arson rate is one of the highest in Ontario and last year only 23 per cent of the 111 arson fires were solved.

With that in mind a united arson task force has been formed.

Niagara Regional Police, the Fire Marshal and all 12 fire chiefs across the region will share information with the goal to decrease the numbers of arsons and increase convictions.

Feb.22/12

Garbage Up
It’s going to cost you more to put out that extra trash.

Right now you’re being charged a loonie to have an extra bag of garbage collected but will be going up to a toonie.

If regional council ratifies the decision, the new price could come into effect April 30th.

Feb.22/12

Wainfleet Taxes
Its still not a done deal but its’ looking like Wainfleet residents will pay on average an extra 40 dollars on the town’s portion of the tax bill.

A budget increase of 3 per cent was reached that included 21 thousand dollars in cuts.

A final decision will be made during the March 13th council meeting.

Feb.22/12

St. Catharines Stabbing
Police called out to Vine Street in St. Catharines for a reported stabbing.

They found a man was stabbed following an altercation.

He was treated in hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

A male suspect was seen running towards Vine Street.

Feb.22/12

Sports

NHL...Buffalo beat the Islanders 2-1 thanks to Ryan Miller who stopped 30 shots.

New Jersey topped Toronto 4-3.
Phil Kessel had tied the game with 44 seconds left but Mark Frayne scored in overtime for the Devils.

Dallas blanked Montreal 3-0.
Kari Lehtonen stopped all 31 shots for the shutout.

Other NHL winners...Phoenix, Edmonton, Chicago, Nashville, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia, Columbus and Pittsburgh.

Junior B hockey...Niagara Falls Canucks defeated the St. Catharines Falcons 5-2.

NBA tonight...Detroit Pistons take on the Raptors in Toronto.