Wheatley fishing captain fined $3,000

A Wheatley commercial fishing boat captain was fined $3,000 after pleading guilty to failing to safely remove his gill nets from the waters of Lake Erie during February and March in 2009.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Captain Harold Grubb submitted his daily catch report to the MNR on March 9, 2009 which indicated he had retrieved the gill nets that were set in the water for 18 days.

Conditions of a commercial fishing licence permit the nets to remain in the lake for a maximum of eight days during the winter months to ensure excellent fish quality and to prevent gill nets from becoming lost in poor ice conditions.

The case was heard by Justice Stephen Fuerth in the Ontario Court of Justice in Chatham on Oct. 21.

To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your local ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS, to read more go to www.leamingtonpostandshopper.com.

Flyers Down Strathroy 5-2

Posted 55 minutes ago

By C. Scott Holland

Scouts, media and fans had their eyes on both the Leamington Flyers and Strathroy Rockets last Thursday night. What they witnessed was a scrappy game with lots of turnovers and missed chances by both teams. But the end result was the Flyers getting the job done with a 5-2 victory in front of a crowd of 542.

The Flyers clung to leads of 1-0 and 2-0 before surging to 4-0 in the third. The Rockets, to their credit, fought back in the final minutes of the game to make the score respectable.

Rockets' netminder Dalen Kuchmey faced an onslaught of shots, while Flyers' counterpart Darien Ekblad halted 20 shots.

Special teams accounted for two Flyers' goals on powerplays, while the Flyers limited Strathroy to one in eight attempts.

On their first man advantage, it took the Flyers nine seconds to tab the first marker. Nicholas Nicodemo slipped a pass to Matt Ogden who rifled a shot from the top of the slot that handcuffed Kuchmey. That single goal held up through six powerplay opportunities Leamington handed the Rockets.

Late in the second, Dakota Olvin's rebound was flicked into the Rockets' net by Chris Scott and the Flyers went into the third period with a two-goal lead.

While the Flyers dominated much of the second and third, lots of scoring chances were created but they had little to show for it.

Midway into the final frame, while on a powerplay, Mitchell Amante and Nicodemo hooked passes with Alex Seguin who unleashed a bullet off the goal post and bounded into the cage.

At 11:09 Brett Babkirk and Tony Spidalieri assisted on Tyler Quigley's marker.  To read more go to www.leamingtonpostandshopper.com.

Drain to halt sewage in Two Creeks gets approval

by Mike Thibodeau

special/Leamington Post

A municipal plan to finally halt the flow of sewage into Two Creeks has been given the go-ahead by Leamington council.

The first step will be the construction of a storm drain along section of Kent Rd. 1, and then a drain that has become a sewage pipe will be blocked.

Sewage in Two Creeks has been a problem that municipal staff has been wrestling with for over five years.

The basic problem is an old drain running behind about 15 properties just north of Wheatley. One or more of 13 homes involved has hooked a sewage outlet to the drain and effluent then runs under Kent Rd. and into Two Creeks and through the Two Creeks Conservation Area.

Last week a public meeting was held during the Leamington council session and two of the property owners spoke out, both in support of the new drain project.

"The bottom line is, the sewage has to be stopped," said Brad Cobby, one of the residents involved.

Of course plugging the old drain will then force the home (s) which have sanitary pipes connected to it to rebuilt, or at least redesign the septic systems on their property.

Town engineer Alan Botham explained that once the new storm drain has been built then the residents will then be given a period of time before the other drain is stopped up.

According to Mayor John Paterson, the issue has been the municipality has not been able to force the homes to disconnect until another alternative was provided.

The new storm drain, which will provide connections for the homes, will cost about $60,000.  To read more go to www.leamingtonpostandshopper.com.

Aviva Community Fund

One more week to vote for The Bank Theatre

Local residents have one more week to vote for The Bank Theatre and Meeting Place in the Aviva Community Fund online competition.

The Bank Theatre is in the large project category and survived round one of voting, to advance to the second round. Voting for this round ends on Nov. 9 at 12 p.m. and voting for the semi-finals begins on Dec. 5 at 12 p.m.

The theatre's committee is hoping to win up to $150,000 to help in its conversion of the former Bank of Montreal building in uptown Leamington to the new home for Sun Parlour Players Community Theatre.

To date, the group has raised about $100,000 of its $800,000 goal.

According to Aviva Insurance's website, the purpose of the competition is

"to help make a positive impact in Canadian communities — whether that's through providing new opportunities for at-risk youth, education, helping the environment, or cultural activities — by funding local and national initiatives for change".

To vote, visit www.avivacommunityfund.org.

Council raps decision to shelve new hydro line

by Mike Thibodeau

special/ Leamington Post

There may be a downturn in some areas but greenhouse construction keeps on growing and it needs hydro.

And that's one of several reasons Leamington council will press Hydro One to complete a second transmission line here.

Several years ago Hydro One completed the studies and detailed the route for a new line and transformer station into the northeast corner of the urban area.

Town council was told last week the proposal has now been "indefinitely shelved" in a report from its economic development officer, Anne Miskovsky.

"....A lack of demand in the region due to a decline in the economy," she said, of Hydro One's reasoning.

Hydro supply in the area "is becoming a serious matter," said Mayor John Paterson.

He indicated there are issues with the old transformer station in Kingsville and "our (supply) system is so old," he added.

Deputy Mayor Charlie Wright said it is difficult to push development in many sectors "without and adequate and dependable power supply."

Council agreed with Councillor Rick Atkin that the town should also seek the support of Essex County government.

Hydro One initiated a proposal for a new transmission line and station here about five years ago and in May 2010, got approval from the ministry of environment to proceed and was scheduled to be in service in 2013.  To read more go to www.leamingtonpostandshopper.com,

CK Police seek public’s help in Tilbury robbery

Chatham-Kent Police are continuing their investigation into a robbery, late Friday afternoon in Tilbury.

According to police, a female clerk at Kara's Rose Garden Florist store was physically assaulted by a man who entered the store about 6 p.m. The thief then took a small amount of money from the cash register, before leaving the store.

The clerk, who was alone at the time, didn't suffer any physical injuries.

Police said the suspect is a male in his 20s, wearing a white baseball cap with a flat brim, with an embroidered emblem on the front similar to the letter 'M', wearing a black jacket with a hood, a white t-shirt and baggy jeans.

He was described as about 5'9", skinny with a sunken face, weighing about 140 lbs.

The suspect has an earring in his left ear, a plug-type that stretches the earlobe.

His hair is short, dark brown

Police are asking the public's help in identifying this man and are urged to call police at (519) 436-6600 or Crime stoppers at 1-800-2222-8477.

Kelcom hosting wireless event

Kelcom Wireless is hosting their 4th annual Wireless Expo at the Ciociaro Club on November 29 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The event will have leading cell phone companies and industry experts under one roof for that day, including some of the biggest names in the cellular industry: Apple, Samsung, RIM, Android, HTC, Windows Phone 7, Sony, LG and Motorola, to name a few.

The event has been deemed a success in the past, with many participating attendees and vendors, as well as lots of prizes and giveaways.

The expo will showcase the latest products and emerging technology, with vendors demonstrating their products one-on-one with consumers.

Several Telus learning specialists will be on hand to offer free one-on-one training sessions to consumers. Any smartphone owner who wishes to learn all how to get the most out of their smartphone will be encouraged to speak with one of these specialists.

"It's always been Kelcom's mission to provide our customers with the best products, offers and services available," said Reiner Neumann, president of Kelcom's Wireless division.

The Ciociaro Club is located at 3745 North Talbot Road in Oldcastle.

More information is available by calling 519-250-5070.