Ontario president Fred Hahn says the convention opens today with policy discussions, an election for the leadership of the province’s most populous union and set a budget for work over the next year.  The provincial budget and its impact on members’ pensions, along with planned job cuts, is expected to figure prominently in talks.  “Not all of our members enjoy pension coverage and we believe every worker, every last worker, should have the ability to have a pension and retire in dignity.  But the provincial budget, we think, opens up the possibility of a wholesale attack on pensions and retirement income for people.”

The convention is closed to the public today but some events are expected to be open to the public tomorrow and Thursday.  CUPE national president Paul Moist is expected to address the membership Wednesday evening.

On Thursday, the union is planning a rally at Charles Clark Square in downtown Windsor to raise public awareness about the threats to pensions, workers’ rights and planned service cuts.

Story by Adelle Loiselle, Blackburn News.

Jalynn Emon passed away from brain cancer four years ago.  She would have been 13-years-old.  She was a straight A student at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School who enjoyed sports.

The room dedication is being funded by In Honour Of The Ones We Love, a volunteer group that supports children and families affected by cancer.

The room has been painted Jalynn’s favourite colour, “pacific coast blue”.

Story by Adelle Loiselle, Blackburn News.

The tourism guide promotes seven major sectors, festivals and natural and historic sites in the region.  Tourism Windsor-Essex Pelee Island CEO Gordon Orr says this year’s edition is more user friendly.

“It’s based on a new style and that style is editorial writing.  In each of our product clusters, what we’ve done is, we’ve identified different stories. So we tell a story that’s then supported by wonderful imagery and some great partners in the tourism industry that help move this forward,” says Orr.

The booklet also focuses on the events and sites surrounding the commemoration of the War of 1812.

Story by Maureen Regier, Blackburn News.

A lightning strike is the suspected cause of a fire at the school, around 6pm yesterday. Damage was isolated to the north-east corner of the main gymnasium roof, though some smoke and water damage was sustained in the building.

It took crews about two hours to extinguish the fire, and there’s no damage estimate at this point.

Story by Mike James, Blackburn News.

Jalynn Emon passed away from brain cancer four years ago today.  She would have been 13-years-old.  She was a straight A student at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School who enjoyed sports.

The room dedication is being funded by In Honour Of The Ones We Love, a volunteer group that supports children and families affected by cancer.

The room has been painted Jalynn’s favourite colour, “pacific coast blue”.

Story by Adelle Loiselle, Blackburn News.

Walkerville Brewery on Argyle Rd. closed its doors two years ago after it went into bankruptcy in 2007 but it has a history in the area dating back to 1885.  New owner, Chris Ryan, says it could be open to the public by the end of the summer.  “We’re probably going to have some test batches in the brewery going probably in about two or three weeks once this equipment gets repaired and then from there probably about eight to twelve weeks before we have some beer for sale.”

Tonight, the brewery is hosting an important gathering of entrepreneurs.  “There’s a group coming through called Start-Up Canada.  And through the organizations, the Windsor Essex Economic Development Commission as well as WETech.  They brought this group through, I think it’s one of eight stops national stops from coast to coast.  What it is, is a national celebration of entrepreneurs.”

As for the economic environment the brewery is re-opening in, Ryan says he’s not spooked by the city’s high unemployment rate.  “I think business that’s going to turn this city around.  It’s not the politicians that are going to make the decisions.  I think if people keep on taking chances and have faith in what we’re doing we’re going to grow and we’re come out of this snap.”

Story by Adelle Loiselle, Blackburn News.

The 62-year-old man has been upgraded from serious condition to stable.

The man lost control of his bike on Riverview Line Saturday afternoon. A female passenger suffered a broken arm in the crash.

Police are continuing their investigation.

Story by Robyn Brady, Blackburn News.

The grisly discovery was made Sunday morning.

The victim is a middle-aged woman between the age of 45 and 60.

Police are looking to the public for anyone who may have seen something near Riverside Drive and Caron Avenue Saturday night.

Story by Robyn Brady, Blackburn News.

In Windsor, the 311 Call Centre is closed today.  It’ll reopen at 7am tomorrow.  The 211 Call Centre remains open.

Government offices are closed.  There’s no garbage pickup, recycling pickup, or mail delivery.

The Windsor Public Library is closed.  There’s no parking enforcement today and city buses are running on a holiday schedule.

Story by Adelle Loiselle, Blackburn News.

Participants are invited to meet at Assumption park, near the foot of the Ambassador Bridge, at 10am.  The walk starts at 10:30am and ends at Riverfront Festival Plaza where there will be entertainment and food including birthday cupcakes.

The Windsor Endowment for the Arts is holding a fundraising walk starting at in the Odette Sculpture Garden at 10:30am.  The Walk for a Creative City is raising money for an endowment fund to support local arts organizations.

Story by Adelle Loiselle, Blackburn News.