Windsor Star

Windsor Star’s award-winning pictures covered the city and county Thursday. Check out the gallery.

LLocal Olympian Noelle Montcalm, second from right, and Rose Wood, far right, along with other walkers are shown on the indoor track at the Atlas Tube Recreation Centre in Lakeshore on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016.

Rose Wood hugs Noelle Montcalm during a news conference on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016, at the Atlas Tube Recreation Centre in Lakeshore. They were encouraging others to run a marathon at their own pace over several days to raise awareness for mental health.

Rose Wood speaks during a news conference on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016, at the Atlas Tube Recreation Centre in Lakeshore. Wood lost her son, John, in 2007 and has been running in the Detroit Free Press/Talmer Bank Marathon in his memory for the last six years

Dianne Moore, left, and Windsor city councillor Fred Francis try out the new concrete ping pong table at the Kiwanis Park in Windsor on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. The Moore family donated the $5,000 table to the east side park.

From left, Doug Sider, Medical director, Communicable Disease Prevention and Control, and Dr. Gary M. Kirk Windsor-Essex Health Unit Medical Officer of Health and CEO speak during a press conference in Windsor on Oct. 6, 2016.

Garbage from flood damage lines the curb in a neighbourhood in Windsor’s East Riverside area on Oct. 6, 2016.

Trash related to flood damage has been piled high in neighbourhoods of Windsor’s East Riverside area on Oct. 6, 2016.

Flood-related garbage awaits pick-up from the curb at residences in the East Riverside area of Windsor on Oct. 6, 2016.

A Green for Life employee picks up regular garbage on Lori St. in Windsor, ON. on Thursday, October 6, 2016. The city is having a special garbage pickup for residents hit by the flood on Friday.

Harmony in Action executive director Elizabeth Esposito leaves the annual general meeting after a heated debate on Oct. 6, 2016.

Harmony in Action president Dawn Melville calls an end to the annual general meeting after a heated debate on Oct. 5, 2016.

The Steelheads’ Michael McLeod, left, carries the puck away from check of Spitfire Jeremiah Addison in OHL action from WFCU Centre October 06, 2016.

Mississauga’s Jacob Moverare looks for room around referee in OHL game against Windsor Spitfires at WFCU Centre October 06, 2016.

Steelheads Michael McLeod, left, tangles with Spitfires Logan Brown in OHL action from WFCU Centre on Oct. 6, 2016.

Windsor Spitfires and Winnipeg Jets first-round draft pick Logan Stanley, left, battles Mississauga’s Nathan Bastian in OHL action from WFCU Centre October 06, 2016.

The Spitfires’ Aaron Luchuk, right, moves the puck against the Steelheads’ Marcus Dickerson in OHL action from WFCU Centre October 06, 2016.

For the first time in 15 years Windsor’s unemployment rate has dropped to 5.7 per cent.

“It’s excellent news,” Matt Marchand, president and CEO of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce, said Friday.

The rate could drop even lower if the region focuses on getting people who have been unemployed for more than six months to a year back into the workforce as well as works on transportation to jobs in the growing manufacturing and agriculture sectors in Essex County, Marchand said.

“We can get even more aggressive and even drive that number lower with the amount of companies that we have now looking for people. We’re probably leaving about $500 million on the table right now,” he said of the estimate of investments Windsor-area companies could make if they knew they could get the workers.

There’s a shortage of skilled trade workers and labourers in general, Marchand said.

The Windsor-area jobless rate fell in September to 5.7 per cent, down slightly from 6.1 in August. The last time it was this low was February 2001.

A year ago in September the rate was 9.7 per cent.

For years the Windsor region held the title of unemployment capital of Canada and now has one of the lowest jobless rates in the country. Victoria, B.C., and Québec City have the lowest rate at 4.7 per cent. Vancouver and Guelph are at 4.9 per cent and Regina, Kitchener-Waterloo and Kingston are just lower than Windsor.

Vincent Ferrao, an analyst with Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey, credits growth in manufacturing. There are about 5,000 more people working in manufacturing than a year ago, he said.

In September there were 40,700 people working in manufacturing in the Windsor area. A year ago that number was 35,900 people and back in September 2010, there were 29,000 manufacturing jobs, he said.

A big part of that growth is Fiat Chrysler Automobiles which has added about 1,200 jobs in the last year. Marchand said it’s important to get people back in the workforce because workers at some of the auto suppliers were able to get better paying jobs when FCA was hiring.

“Wonderful,” Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said Friday of a jobless rate that is back to 2001 levels. “Clearly it’s great news. The unemployment rate continues to drop and I would say that the focus and the investments that we’ve made with respect to economic development are paying off. As well, this is also a big part of Chrysler’s continued growth in the community.”

Transportation has been an issue for jobs in the county. The city and the chamber met with employers in the Patillo Road area in Lakeshore recently to see if there’s a common time to consider adding a bus route.

The national unemployment rate is holding steady at seven per cent and the Ontario rate was 6.6 per cent in September. Calgary has the highest rate at 9.5 per cent.

June Muir, chief executive officer of the Unemployed Help Centre of Windsor, said it’s good to see the rate drop but the centre is still seeing about 550 people a month looking for a job or help with resumes. In 2015 the average between January and September was 638 people a month. “That’s still a lot of people,” she said.

shill@postmedia.com

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A local school board trustee plans to present a partial solution to the problem of secondary school busing for students living in the city.

At the board’s next meeting on Oct. 25 Fulvio Valentinis, who represents Wards 1 and 10 in the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board, will suggest the boards meet students halfway when it comes to covering the high cost of public transportation.

“The boards would purchase, at a discounted rate, passes from Transit Windsor and then there would be cost sharing between students and the school board,” he explained.

Valentinis added that his board is a member of the Windsor Essex Student Transportation consortium — which is co-ordinated between all four of the areas school boards — and that the proposal will go before the WECDSB administration first, before being brought before the consortium for further review.

“Hopefully the other boards will look at this and we can get some unanimity on that,” Valentinis said. “If there isn’t I guess it’s up to the respective school boards as to how they’re going to deal with it.”

Currently none of the region’s four school boards offer busing for high school students, but all cover the cost for students living in the county.

Urban students who wish to take a bus are forced to purchase a monthly pass from Transit Windsor for $66 which Valentinis described as “somewhat of a challenge” for some families.

But, the trustee added, covering the estimated $1.3 million it would take to supply school buses in the city is “simply not realistic.”

Valentinis is hoping his proposal could lift at least some of the burden that’s currently covered by the families of more than 1,000 students in the WECDSB.

“I think it’s an inequity,” he said. “You can live on one side of the border busing won’t cost you a penny, but if you live half a kilometre away you’re paying $660, per child, per year.”

dtaekema@postmedia.com

Windsor Star’s award-winning photographers covered the city and county this holiday weekend. Check out the gallery.

Volunteers hand out turkeys and trimmings to those in need outside the Downtown Mission, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016. Andy Jun, owner of ReNu Kitchen Refacing supplied over 300 turkey to hand out.

Cyclists make their way across the Ambassador Bridge during Bike the Bridge 2016 on October 9, 2016.

Cathy Greenwell joins 500 cyclists as they ride across the Ambassador Bridge during Bike the Bridge 2016 on October 9, 2016.

Cyclists make their way across the Ambassador Bridge during Bike the Bridge 2016 on October 9, 2016.

Cathy Greenwell joins 500 cyclists as they ride across the Ambassador Bridge during Bike the Bridge 2016 on October 9, 2016.

Kelly Caruana stands in front of her east Windsor home on October 10, 2016. Caruana’s home fell victim to the recent flood and she lost most of her belongings that were in the basement. Caruana is questioning why people are taking the sewage-soaked goods that she has discarded on her front lawn.

Traffic passes the Windsor Assembly Plant just hours before the deadline in contract talks between Unifor and Fiat Chrysler on Oct. 10, 2016.

Unifor Local 444 strike coordinators prepare picket signs on the night of Oct. 10, 2016, in Windsor, Ontario.

Unifor Local 444 strike coordinators Sandra Dominato, Shawn Bezaire, and Todd Laliberte prepare picket signs three hours before the union’s strike deadline with FCA. Photographed Oct. 10, 2016, in Windsor, Ontario.

Unifor Local 444 strike coordinators Todd Laliberte, Shawn Bezaire, and Sandra Dominato prepare picket signs with only three hours to go until the union’s midnight strike deadline with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Oct. 10, 2016.

Picket signs are loaded at Unifor Local 444 in Windsor, Ontario, as union members await the result of negotiations with FCA on Oct. 10, 2016.

Shifts continue at the Windsor Assembly Plant at 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 11, 2016, after Unifor and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles reach tentative agreement.

Shifts continue at the Windsor Assembly Plant at 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 11, 2016, after Unifor and Shifts continue at the Windsor Assembly Plant at 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 11, 2016, after Unifor and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles reach tentative agreement. Chrysler Automobiles reach tentative agreement.

A Chrysler Pacifica comes off the line at the Windsor Assembly Plant just after midnight on Oct. 11, 2016, with word that a tentative agreement had been reached between Unifor and FCA.

The FCA Canada Chrysler Windsor Assembly plant in Windsor, Ontario just hours before the midnight deadline to reach a deal between UNIFOR and FCA. Workers are set to strike at midnight.

A 20-year-old LaSalle motorist found himself without a ride after Ontario Provincial Police impounded his pickup truck and charged him with speeding faster than 150 km/h on Highway 401 in the Tecumseh area.

According to OPP, the driver of a black Dodge truck was in the westbound lanes of the 401 near the nine-kilometre marker around 11:15 p.m. on Oct. 7.

OPP had their radar unit out and clocked the truck travelling at least 50 km/h in excess of the posted speed limit of 100 km/h.

The driver was pulled over and charged with stunt driving as defined by the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario. His driver’s licence was seized and suspended for a week, as was his vehicle.

Trevor Bondy of LaSalle is scheduled for a court date on Nov. 14.

Windsor Star’s award-winning photographers had you covered yesterday. Check out the gallery.

Windsor Fire Chief Bruce Montone speaks Tuesday at a news conference to kick off Fire Prevention Week.

Ward 5 Coun. Ed Sleiman shows off his firefighting abilities Tuesday during a media conference to kick off Fire Prevention Week outside a Windsor-Essex Community Housing complex on Glengarry Avenue.

Mulenga Kanso, 3, dons a fire chief hat Tuesday during the kick off to Fire Prevention Week outside a Windsor-Essex Community Housing complex on Glengarry Avenue.

Windsor Regional Hospital CEO David Musyj, right, and hospital committee co-chair Dave Cooke talk with the Windsor Star editorial board Tuesday about the $2-billion mega-hospital project.

Dan Stamper, president of the Detroit International Bridge Company, left, introduces himself to David MacNaughton, Canada’s Ambassador to the U.S., during a CUSBA luncheon in Detroit on Oct. 11, 2016.

Dan Stamper, president of the Detroit International Bridge Company, left, introduces himself to David MacNaughton – CanadaÕs Ambassador to the United States of America, during the CUSBA luncheon in Detroit, Michigan on Oct. 11, 2016.

David MacNaughton, Canada’s Ambassador to the U.S., speaks during the CUSBA luncheon in Detroit on Oct. 11, 2016.

Steve Laforet will take over in April as chief of Windsor Fire and Rescue Services.

Fiat Chrysler employee Mike LaPlante comments on the latest contract outside of the Windsor Assembly Plant in Windsor on Oct. 11, 2016.

Fiat Chrysler employees stream out from the Windsor Assembly Plant in Windsor on Oct. 11, 2016.

International student Beomjum Kim works on his computer at Laval Tool in Windsor on Oct. 11, 2016.

Alex Paulin tests out a VR headset during a class at St. Clair College in Windsor on Oct. 11, 2016.

Students get their first look at cardboard VR headsets during a class at St. Clair College in Windsor on Oct. 11, 2016.

A VR headset is seen during a class at St. Clair College in Windsor on Oct. 11, 2016.

Jason Hicks, right, talks with Jo-Dee Brown at her farm near Harrow Tuesday about the search for a golden retriever that went missing in Harrow during the Thanksgiving weekend.

Jason Hicks, right, brother of the owner of Sasha, a golden retriever who was went missing in Harrow, drops by farm of Jo-Dee Brown near McCormick Road as area volunteers search for the missing dog, Tuesday Oct. 11, 2016.

Rosario Marchese, chair of the Citizens Coalition Against Privatization, delivers a passionate address during the Let’s Talk Hydro event hosted by MPPs Taras Natyshak, left, Percy Hatfield and Lisa Gretzky at St. Mary’s Church Hall in Maidstone on Oct. 11, 2016.

Kayla Reid could have been a suicide or a poverty statistic.

Instead, her story is one of triumph.

The 27-year-old Windsor woman is one of 98 per cent of people who have received counselling through a United Way program and see improvements in their lives.

And she broke the poverty cycle and is not one of 4,000 Windsor-Essex children who won’t escape poverty as an adult.

“At the time, I didn’t know it was the United Way. At the time, it was people who helped me and taught me that it was OK to ask for help,” Reid said Wednesday.

“I was depressed and if I would’ve continued how I was before I had the Family Services counselling, it’s probably a good possibility that I would have succeeded in killing myself because the life that I was living — not knowing how to ask for help, not knowing positive reinforcement or encouragement — I don’t even know.”

Reid shared her story Tuesday night as United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County kicked off its county fundraising campaign at Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards in Essex.

“I made a plea to help us take bold action against local poverty and support the United Way because we need to break the poverty cycle for the 4,000 kids who won’t escape intergenerational poverty.”

Reid, who was bullied at school and physically abused by her mother, tried to commit suicide at age 13 and was living on her own by age 15. She and her mother, who was raising two kids on her own and working as a waitress, learned how to ask for help and now she looks up to her mom.

Reid didn’t realize she was growing up in poverty.

“My mom, she was amazing. She put her children before herself and at times that meant she would have a little bit of soup and the crusts from our sandwiches as a meal. Some days I’m pretty sure I remember her not eating anything.”

After a suicide attempt, Reid got help from a number of United Way agencies: counselling through Family Services Windsor Essex and a female role model through Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

When she left home at age 15, she was living in a rented room and surviving on rice or noodles with butter. She had the courage to ask for help and was able to get her high school diploma and a job.

The United Way upped its fundraising challenge last year so it could focus on reducing the long-term effects of poverty. The goal is to reach $7.5 million in annual fundraising by 2020, a boost of about $2.5 million.

United Way CEO Lorraine Goddard said about 19,000 children in the region are living in poverty and studies show at least a quarter of them won’t get out of that low-income cycle unless deliberate action is taken when they are young.

“Kayla’s just one example of how if you provide the right support at the right time at sufficient levels then people can be successful,” Goddard said. “I call her a shining star.”

shill@postmedia.com

twitter.com/winstarhill

Re: End the strike – I miss my library! letter from Bev Oke, Oct. 7.

I agree with Bev Oke’s letter calling on the library board to end the library strike in Essex County. Not only does the board have a duty to the tax-paying citizens of the county to end the strike, but also they have a duty to set a proper example to the our future taxpayers — the children if the county.

Now that school is back in session, our children need our libraries more than ever. They need access to different books and access to computers when it comes time to doing homework and projects.

What does it tell a child when he or she sees a sign saying “Closed due to labour dispute”? Does that show that we adults care about their education and future?

I call on the reeve and deputy reeve of Essex County to end this silly strike or we taxpayers will remember to turf them out of office for neglecting their duty to our children come next election.

EDWARD TOPOLNICKI, Belle River

Windsor Star’s award-winning photographers covered the city and county Wednesday. Check out the gallery.

A restoration worker surveys the damage to a duplex in the 300 block of Louis Ave. on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 in Windsor, ON. (DAN JANISSE/The Windsor Star)

A restoration worker surveys the damage to a duplex in the 300 block of Louis Ave. on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016 in Windsor.

Richard Wyma, Essex Region Conservation Authority general manager and executive director of the Essex Region Conservation Foundation, is shown on Oct. 12, 2016 in Windsor, Ont., with a sample of the organization’s new “visual identity” material. A media conference was held at the Devonwood Conservation Area.

Beverly Dupuis sprays a cockroach in her apartment at 920 Ouellette Ave. on Oct. 12, 2016 in Windsor, Ont.

Beverly Dupuis displays cockroaches that were trapped in her apartment at 920 Ouellette Ave. on Oct. 12, 2016 in Windsor, Ont. The infestation is overwhelming, she said.

Jasmine Ly from Holy Names lines up a putt during the 2016 OFSAA girls’ golf festival at Roseland Golf and Curling Club in Windsor, Ont., on Oct. 12, 2016.

Kate Latella from Villanova high school hits a shot during the 2016 OFSAA girls’ golf festival at Roseland Golf and Curling Club in Windsor, Ont., on Oct. 12, 2016.

Andrea Almeida-Pasko from Barrie St. Joan of Arc high school hits a shot out of a bunker during the 2016 OFSAA girls’ golf festival at Roseland Golf and Curling Club in Windsor, Ont., on Oct. 12, 2016.

Victoria Gates from Huron Heights high school during 2016 OFSAA girls’ golf festival at Roseland Golf and Curling Club in Windsor, Ont., on Oct. 12, 2016.

Brianna Whitson from Sudbury Lasalle secondary school competes during the 2016 OFSAA girls’ golf festival at Roseland Golf and Curling Club in Windsor, Ont., on Oct. 12, 2016.

Olivia Morasutti from Villanova high school competes during the 2016 OFSAA girls’ golf festival at Roseland Golf and Curling Club in Windsor, Ont., on Oct. 12, 2016.

Rachel Cote from Holy Names Catholic High School competes during the 2016 OFSAA Girls Golf Championship at Roseland Golf and Curling Club in Windsor, Ontario on October 12, 2016.

Jasmine Ly from Holy Names Catholic High School during the 2016 OFSAA Girls Golf Championship at Roseland Golf and Curling Club in Windsor, Ontario on October 12, 2016.

Gioia Diococco from Leamington Cardinal Carter competes during the 2016 OFSAA Girls Golf Championship at Roseland Golf and Curling Club in Windsor, Ontario on October 12, 2016.

Arrington Bard from Centennial CVI competes during the 2016 OFSAA Girls Golf Championship at Roseland Golf and Curling Club in Windsor, Ontario on October 12, 2016.

University of Windsor engineering student Sujitha Vejella is photographed in her lab at the Centre for Engineering Innovation in Windsor on Oct. 12, 2016.

Kayla Reid, who benefited from the help of the United Way, helped kick off the annual fundraising campaign in Essex County.

The latest edition of the From the Vault Volume II: 1950 to 1980 are on display at Biblioasis in Windsor on Wednesday.

Authors Sharon Hanna, left, and Craig Pearson show the latest edition of the From the Vault books at Biblioasis in Windsor on Wednesday, October 12, 2016.

Verna Whelan, left, and her sister Tina said Wednesday they’re worried internal issues at the Harmony in Action could impact the organization’s programs.

The LaSalle Vipers Michael Ruttinger gets caught between the Leamington Flyers Nicolas Mainella and teammate Liam MacDougall (right) at the Vollmer Centre in LaSalle on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016.

The LaSalle Vipers Nathan Savage checks the Leamington Flyers Jaydon Fetter at the Vollmer Centre in LaSalle on Wednesday, October 12, 2016.

The LaSalle Vipers Liam MacDougall tries to steal the puck from the Leamington Flyers Broden Meloche at the Vollmer Centre in LaSalle on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016.

The LaSalle Vipers Jack Bowler carries the puck around the net ahead of the Leamington Flyers Broden Meloche at the Vollmer Centre in LaSalle on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016.

The LaSalle Vipers Cale Allen shields the puck from the Leamington Flyers Scott Florence at the Vollmer Centre in LaSalle on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016.

When a crisis occurs in Essex County, Dan Metcalfe will answer the call.

The former paramedic was hired as the area’s new emergency management co-ordinator on Oct. 3.

“I’m thrilled to be working in this new role,” said Metcalfe. “I’m excited to be partnering with local municipalities and organizations to ensure there’s ongoing education and preparation surrounding emergency management.”

While working with Essex-Windsor EMS for more than 25 years, Metcalfe served on a number of safety committees, volunteered with the county emergency team and participated in training exercises with the OPP and Canadian Coast Guard.

He said his new role will involve identifying hazards, completing risk analyses, overseeing emergency exercises and planning, and organizing response groups.

“It’s a lot of collaboration and networking before things happen,” he said. “We need to know the faces and the people we need to talk to when a storm hits us and we need to know everybody around the table, which will make it easier to solve problems.”

Metcalfe said the recent tornado that ripped through parks of LaSalle and Windsor and last month’s flooding, which swamped thousands of basements, show the added urgency and challenges of his new role.

“Now these hundred-year events are happening on shorter timelines,” he said. “But it’s an exciting time for emergency preparedness — the alerting tools are getting better all the time.”

Among Metcalfe’s primary concerns will be ensuring that in the event of a disaster, the county’s important trade route won’t be compromised.

“With the huge border crossing and shipping through the Detroit River, we’ve got a potentially great economic impact if the roads or marine routes are affected — we’re talking billions of dollars,” he said.

Metcalfe said every person in Essex County can play a part in making the area safer by putting together an emergency kit.

“Sometimes the first people who do rescues are your neighbours,” he said. “We saw that in the tornado, we saw that in the flooding, so it’s important for people to be prepared. It’s not a matter of if, but when something will happen.”

dtaekema@postmedia.com

Windsor Star’s award-winning photographers covered the city and county Thursday. Check out the gallery.

Ontario Environmental Commissioner Dianne Saxe speaks to a group of local residence at the Ojibway Nature Centre on Oct. 13, 2016.

A sign is seen at the back of the room as Ontario Environmental Commissioner Dianne Saxe speaks to a group of local residence at the Ojibway Nature Centre on Thursday, October 13, 2016. Saxe was invited to speak about the Environmental Bill of Rights.

The Windsor Spitfires Julius Nattinen is seen on the ice while taking on the Flint Firebirds at the WFCU Centre in Windsor on Thursday, October 13, 2016.

Windsor Spitfire Julius Nattinen returns to the ice against the Flint Firebirds at the WFCU Centre in Windsor on Thursday, October 13, 2016.

Windsor Spitfires Logan Brown (21) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring his third goal of the night against the Flint Firebirds in OHL action at the WFCU Centre in Windsor on Oct. 13, 2016.

Windsor Spitfires Logan Stanley (17) checks Flint Firebirds Kole Sherwood into teammate Cole Purboo (26) in OHL action at the WFCU Centre in Windsor on Oct. 13, 2016.

Windsor Spitfires Mike Baird (11) is checked by Flint Firebirds Luke Kirwan in OHL action at the WFCU Centre in Windsor on Oct. 13, 2016.

Windsor Spitfires Hayden McCool (27) tries to deflect the puck past Flint Firebirds Connor Hicks in OHL action at the WFCU Centre in Windsor on Oct. 13, 2016.

The Windsor Spitfires Aaron Luchuk checks the Flint Firebirds Jack Phibbs at the WFCU Centre in Windsor on Thursday, October 13, 2016.

The Windsor Spitfires Luke Boka, Hayden McCool and Austin McEneny (left to right) try to retrieve the puck that is stuck under the Flint Firebirds Ryan Littlejohn at the WFCU Centre in Windsor on Thursday, October 13, 2016.

The Flint Firebirds Ryan Moore skates against the Windsor Spitfires at the WFCU Centre in Windsor on Thursday, October 13, 2016.

The Windsor Spitfires Mike Baird chases the Flint Firebirds Mathieu Henderson at the WFCU Centre in Windsor on Thursday, October 13, 2016.

The Windsor Spitfires Jeremiah Addison is taken down by the Flint Firebirds Dennis Busby and teammate Kole Sherwood (left) at the WFCU Centre in Windsor on Thursday, October 13, 2016.

The Windsor Spitfires Logan Stanley is checked by the Flint Firebirds Nicholas Caamano at the WFCU Centre in Windsor on Thursday, October 13, 2016.

Dan Metcalfe, the new emergency management coordinator, is photographed in his office at the Essex Civic Centre in Essex on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, left, and FINA executive director Cornel Marculescu discuss the FINA world swimming championships, to be held in Windsor from Dec. 6-11, 2016.

Windsor International Film Festival director Vincent Georgie shares a laugh at a press conference on Oct. 13, 2016, announcing the film lineup and other features of this year’s edition (Nov. 1 to 6).

Deema arrived at the Windsor/Essex County Humane Society in August with severe medical issues. Her ears were so badly infected that within days they came off, despite medical treatment attempting to save them. Deema is all fixed up now though and is ready for adoption.

Sergio Mannina sits in the control room of the Little River Pollution Control Plant in Windsor.

Sergio Mannina, manager of the Little River Pollution Control Plant in Windsor, is shown near the facility’s pumps, on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016.

Sergio Mannina, manager of the Little River Pollution Control Plant in Windsor, ON. is shown on Thursday, October 13, 2016 near the facility's pumps.

Sergio Mannina, manager of the Little River Pollution Control Plant in Windsor, Ont. is shown on Thursday, October 13, 2016 near the facility’s pumps.

Soo Dong Han, deputy mayor for the city of Guro, South Korea, second from left, and WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation chief executive officer Stephen MacKenzie, second from right, sign a memorandum of understanding to promote business and trade between the two regions.

Soo Dong Han, deputy mayor for the city of Guro, South Korea, left, and WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation chief executive officer Stephen MacKenzie sign a memorandum of understanding to promote business and trade between the two regions.

Hannah Prieur of Lajeunesse high school hits a chip shot during the OFSAA girls’ golf festival at Roseland Golf and Curling Club in Windsor, Ont., on Oct. 13, 2016.

Calista Zeng of St. Theresa high school in Richmond Hill hits a shot out of a bunker during the OFSAA girls’ golf festival at Roseland Golf and Curling Club in Windsor, Ont., on Oct. 13, 2016.

Hailey Katona of Tilbury district high school her a drive in OFSAA girls’ golf festival at Roseland Golf and Curling Club in Windsor, Ont., on Oct. 13, 2016.

Jasmine Ly of Holy Names lines up a putt during the OFSAA girls’ golf festival at Roseland Golf and Curling Club in Windsor, Ont., on Oct. 13, 2016.

Jasmine Ly of Holy Names competes in the OFSAA girls’ golf festival at Roseland Golf and Curling Club in Windsor, Ont., on Oct. 13, 2016.

Jasmine Ly of Holy Names competes in the OFSAA golf championships at the Roseland Golf Club in Windsor, Ont. on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016.

Hailey Katona of Tilbury District High School competes in the OFSAA golf championships at the Roseland Golf Club in Windsor, Ont. on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016.

Jasmine Ly of Holy Names competes in the OFSAA golf championships at the Roseland Golf Club in Windsor, Ont. on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016.

These roofers had a bit of a chilly day to work on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in Windsor, Ont. as they are shown at a home on Kennedy Drive.

County police are investigating after a number of guns were stolen from a residence in Maidstone Thursday.

Ontario Provincial Police responded to reports of a break and enter in the 300 block of Talbot Road. Officers determined that sometime between 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., suspects forcibly entered the residence and removed a number of rifles, shotguns and other valuables.

Anyone with information is asked to call OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477.

Provincial police have arrested an alleged drug dealer after raiding a house in Leamington.

The Essex County OPP drugs and street crimes units executed the search warrant Oct. 6 on Talbot Street East.

Police said they seized several marijuana plants and some cocaine with a combined street value of $5,500.

Nicholas Drouillard, 42, of Leamington, is charged with two counts of possession of drugs and one count of possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking.

he Windsor Craft Beer Festival kicked off on Friday, October 14, 2016 at the Willistead Manor. Silviu Pascalau is shown with his “pretzel necklace” during the event. He eats one between beers to cleanse his pallet.

The Windsor Craft Beer Festival kicked off on Friday, October 14, 2016 at the Willistead Manor. Austin Badeau and Jordan Larocque, both 20, are shown at the event.

The Windsor Craft Beer Festival kicked off on Friday, October 14, 2016 at the Willistead Manor.

The Windsor Craft Beer Festival kicked off on Friday, October 14, 2016 at the Willistead Manor. Nicole Myers is shown during the event sampling one of the many beers.

Students from Belle River District High School take part in the

Kerri O’Neil a recruiter with Mucci Farms speaks with job seeker Giovanni Higuera during the Job Day event at the WFCU Centre in Windsor on Friday, Oct. 14, 2016. It featured 50 booths of employers and training resources.

WINDSOR, ONTARIO – OCTOBER 14, 2016 Students from Tecumseh Vista Academy take part in the UWindsor Science Olympiad, at the University of Windsor on October 14, 2016. Students in 32 teams from 18 Windsor-Essex High Schools tested their science knowledge, teamwork and critical thinking skills in 10 different hands-on, minds-on competitive events organized by Faculty of Science faculty, staff, and student volunteers. (SEE STORY BY DAVE WADDELL)

The USS Detroit arrives in Detroit, Mich., on Oct. 14, 2016 to start a two-week visit to Detroit and Windsor.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, left, battles former star of the 70’s TV series The Incredible Hulk Lou Ferrigno during the opening ceremony for Windsor ComiCon at Caesars Windsor on October 14, 2016.

American actor, fitness trainer, retired professional bodybuilder and star of the 70’s TV series The Incredible Hulk Lou Ferrigno celebrates his arm wrestle victory over Windsor mayor Drew Dilkens during the opening ceremony for Windsor ComiCon at Caesars Windsor on October 14, 2016.

Windsor Star’s award-winning photographers covered the city and county this weekend. Check out the gallery.

Runners participate in the Detroit Free Press Talmer Bank Marathon in Windsor Sunday, October 16, 2016.

A young girl provides some comic relief for the runners participating in the Detroit Free Press Talmer Bank Marathon in Windsor Sunday, October 16, 2016.

Runners participate in the Detroit Free Press Talmer Bank Marathon in Windsor Sunday, October 16, 2016.

Runners participate in the Detroit Free Press Talmer Bank Marathon in Windsor Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016.

A Windsor Assembly Plant employee looks over details about Unifor’s new deal with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles at the St. Denis Centre on Oct. 16, 2016.

Unifor Local 444 president Dino Chiodo addresses Windsor Assembly Plant workers at the St. Denis Centre on Oct. 16, 2016.

Workers at the Windsor Assembly Plant attend a Unifor union meeting at the St. Denis Centre before voting on a new contract Sunday, October 16, 2016.

Connie Arpan dressed as Fiery from Jim Henson’s Labrynth at Windsor ComiCon at Caesars Windsor, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016.

The Arpan family arrived at Windsor Comic Con dressed as characters from Jim Henson’s Labrynth, from left, Connie Arpan dressed as Fiery, Peter Arpan dressed as Jareth the Goblin King, and Morgan Arpan as Sarah, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016.

The Hulk arrives at Windsor ComiCon at Caesars Windsor, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016.

Marco Carnevale takes a photo of his children, Graham Carnevale, 9, and Stella Carnevale, 7, as they pose with Batman at Windsor ComiCon at Caesars Windsor, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016.

Jeremy Bensette, dressed as a pirate, takes a selfie with the Hulk and Spiderman at Windsor ComiCon at Caesars Windsor, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016.

An excited Charlie Bechard, 3, gives high fives and hugs to Paw Patrollers at Windsor ComiCon at Caesars Windsor, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016.

An excited Charlie Bechard, 3, hugs a Paw Patrollers at Windsor Comic Con at Caesars Windsor, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016.

Actor Sean Astin greets fans at Windsor ComiCon at Caesars Windsor, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016.

Comic Book fans browse through comic books at Windsor ComiCon at Caesars Windsor, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016.

A scene from Windsor’s Comic Con is pictured Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016.

Stephanie Cragg, left, and Sjann Johnson, pictured Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016 at Wilistead Park, both live with Turner’s Syndrome and are working to start a local chapter of the Turner Syndrome Society of Canada.

Roman Kosarev, viola, and Benjamin Downs, piano, perform Dmitri Shostakovich’s Sonata for Viola and Piano, Op. 147 during the Windsor Symphony Orchestra’s Shostakovich: A Russian Tale, at Capitol Theatre, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016.

Windsor firefighters work at the scene of a kitchen fire at 350 Church Ave., Sunday, October 16, 2016.

A desperate week-long search for an autistic boy’s beloved companion dog ended in sorrow Sunday when the golden retriever was found dead in a ditch.

“We’re devastated,” said Jackie Brown who bought the dog for her son Alex. “We hoped, we tried, everybody was out trying. We just didn’t find her in time.”

Sasha ran off while her Ottawa family was in the Harrow area over the Thanksgiving weekend. The three-year-old dog suddenly bolted when Brown’s father took her outside. The family has no idea what caused Sasha, who was always uneasy when not around her people, to run off.

Brown said her 13-year-old son Alex has been heartbroken since his best friend went missing.

Sasha wasn’t a registered service dog but she was a therapeutic and calming influence for Alex. The two rarely left each other’s side. The night that Sasha disappeared was the first time in three years she didn’t sleep with Alex.

After Sasha disappeared, Essex County OPP issued a media release asking people to keep an eye out for her. Volunteer search parties fanned out across the Harrow area.

The Brown family had to go back to Ottawa after Thanksgiving, but returned to Harrow Friday to continue the search. The bad news came around 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Brown said friends and volunteers had been out searching and putting up flyers.

After spotting a collar on the Arner Townline near the Heritage Village, one of the searchers found Sasha’s dead body at the bottom of a deep ditch.

“Somebody saw a red collar on the side of the Arner, and they said it had been there on Saturday as well,” said Brown. “They went and they found the collar, and then found her. They would never had found her if we didn’t know about the collar.”

She suspects someone ran over Sasha Friday night.

“If they knew they hit her and they left her there, that really saddens me,” said Brown. “Maybe they looked and didn’t find her. But it saddens me to know that happens, that anybody could hit an animal and then just leave it on the side of the road.”

Despite the sad conclusion to the search, Brown said she was inspired by all the kind people who spent days searching for Sasha.

“I’m so grateful to everybody in Essex County and Windsor who helped, who had her in their thoughts,” said Brown. “It’s nice to know there’s community out there, a community that cares.”

Windsor Star’s award-winning photographers covered the city and county monday. Check out the gallery.

City of Windsor parking enforcement officers conduct a blitz in front of Bellewood school in South Windsor on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016.

City of Windsor parking enforcement officers conduct a blitz in front of Ecole Bellewood in south Windsor on Oct. 17, 2016.

Striking support staff with the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board delay cars from entering Assumption College Catholic High School on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016.

Windsor Orchid Society president Deb Boersma looks over her orchids in her greenhouse near Harrow on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. The society is hosting its annual orchid show this weekend.

Windsor Orchid Society president Deb Boersma looks over her orchids in her greenhouse near Harrow on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016.

Sheri Rueda leaves the Superior Court of Justice during a break from the trial of Kenneth Kormendy on Oct. 17, 2016.

Family and friends of Sheri Rueda leave the Superior Court of Justice during a break from the trial of Kenneth Kormendy on Oct. 17, 2016.

A flag raising ceremony was held at Windsor City Hall on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016 to commemorate the Windsor Regiment’s 80-year history of service to the country. Regimental Sgt. Maj. Jamie Micallef, left, and Lt.-Col. Nick Maroukis, commanding officer of the Windsor Regiment were on hand to raise the flag.

A flag raising ceremony was held at Windsor City Hall on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016 to commemorate the Windsor Regiment’s 80-year history of service to the country. Lt.-Col. Nick Maroukis, commanding officer of the Windsor Regiment, left, and Sgt. Maj. Jamie Micallef were on hand to raise the flag.

A group of protesters outside provincial offences court on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016, demonstrate against animal cruelty offences allegedly committed by Candace Kwasnicki.

A woman is arrested by a Windsor police officer in the 3500 block of Sandwich Street on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016, in relation to a child abduction.

A woman and a man are arrested by Windsor police officers in the 3500 block of Sandwich Street on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016, in relation to a child abduction.

A woman is arrested by a Windsor police officer in the 3500 block of Sandwich Street on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016, in relation to a child abduction.

A woman, not shown, and a man are arrested by Windsor police officers in the 3500 block of Sandwich Street on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016, in relation to a child abduction.

Doug Boughner, third vice-president at Unifor Local 444, shown on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016, in Windsor, will be leading contract negotiations with Integram Seating.

Emily Stadder from the University of Windsor competes in the OUA Golf Championships at the Ambassador Golf Club in Windsor, Ont. on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016.

Graham Byrne from the University of Windsor competes in the OUA Golf Championships at the Ambassador Golf Club in Windsor, Ont. on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016.

Dan Ludwick from Carleton University hits out of a bunker during the OUA Golf Championships at the Ambassador Golf Club in Windsor, Ont. on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016.

Graham Byrne from the University of Windsor competes in the OUA Golf Championships at the Ambassador Golf Club in Windsor, Ont. on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016.

Andrew Pearson from McMaster University hits out of a bunker during the OUA Golf Championships at the Ambassador Golf Club in Windsor, Ont. on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016.

Jason Buliga from the University of Windsor competes in the OUA Golf Championships at the Ambassador Golf Club in Windsor, Ont. on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016.

Graham Byrne from the University of Windsor competes in the OUA Golf Championships at the Ambassador Golf Club in Windsor, Ont. on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016.

Nurses Steve and Colleen Bacon are photographed at their LaSalle home on Oct. 17, 2016. The two are working at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

City of Windsor engineer Mark Wnterton, left, and director of operations Dwayne Dawson answer questions regarding the narrow section of Dougall Avenue at the CN Rail bridge on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016.

City of Windsor Ward 10 councillor Paul Borrelli listens to the debate over the Dougall Deathtrap.

City of Windsor councillor Hilary Payne, right, questions the Bike Windsor Essex delegation during debate over narrow section of Dougall Avenue at CN Rail bridge on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. Councillors Ed Sleiman, left, and Fred Francis, partially hidden, and Chris Holt, not shown, and most other councillors added to the debate.

Stephen Pitman, left, and Jennifer Escott, both of Bike Windsor Essex, discuss their concerns over the narrow section of Dougall Avenue roadway near the CN Rail bridge on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016.

Provincial police say charges are pending after a three-vehicle crash Tuesday morning in Lakeshore.

One of the vehicles flipped onto its roof in the middle of the road, blocking lanes and causing traffic delays.

Essex County OPP said shortly before 9 a.m. they were investigating the crash on County Road 22 just west of West Pike Creek Road. The three vehicles involved were all headed west. There were no injuries.

Police said lanes would be reduced and drivers should expect delays as crews cleaned up the mess.

Deb Boersma waits until her husband is out of earshot before divulging she spent $325 on an orchid from Colombia two years ago.

It’s not that much considering orchid aficionados can pay $5,000 for one tropical beauty.

“It just becomes an obsession, I guess,” said Boersma, president of the Windsor Orchid Society which is hosting its annual show and sale this weekend. “Some people refer it to being like cocaine.”

The St. Clair College chemistry teacher said her orchid obsession started with a store-bought plant about 20 years ago. That grew to more orchids in a sun room and then four years ago the Amherstburg couple added a greenhouse which now is bursting with about 300 plants.

Orchids on the floor, orchids crammed on tables and the four-foot roots of orchids hanging by her head.

The greenhouse will be at its flowering best in January and February but there are blooms that look like slippers and spiders, and pops of orange, yellow, purple and pinks. She admits she has too many orchids but there’s room enough for her to sit inside with a glass of homemade wine.

“You walk into the greenhouse and it’s your own little paradise,” Boersma said.

It’s easy to get sucked in, she said. There are 30,000 different species of orchids and, unlike roses that pretty much look the same but come in different colours, orchids are all different. Some look like monkey faces. Some, like her favourite Cattleya or corsage orchid, have brilliant blooms eight inches wide. Some are fragrant while others smell like rotting flesh.

Thank the Victorians for the orchid craze, Boersma said.

Orchid explorers collected plants out of jungles. The plants rarely survived the trip or their care in England which made orchids for the elite.

“I think that was the mystique and the fascination with orchids is they’re from the jungle,” she said. “We sent out these orchid hunters.”

Now they’re affordable. Most of the orchids for sale this weekend will be in the $20 to $40 range.

The fourth annual Windsor Orchid Society Show and Sale is Saturday and Sunday at the Columbus Centre at 2401 Columbus Dr., off Northwood Street. The cost is $6 for adults and children 12 and under get in free. The show runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Windsor Orchid Society president Deb Boersma looks over her orchids in her greenhouse near Harrow on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. The society is hosting its annual orchid show this weekend.

Tips on keeping an orchid

You’ve probably bought a phalaenopsis or moth orchid at the store and the biggest mistake is to over water or give up on it when it’s not flowering, Boersma said. Water it and let it dry out completely before watering again. Don’t put three ice cubes on the roots, as some directions suggest, since the tropical plants wouldn’t see ice in the wild, she said.

Add fertilizer every week but only at a quarter of what is recommended, she said. Don’t put your plant in direct sun and if possible move it somewhere cooler at night so it gets a temperature difference between day and night. You can get these orchids to flower nine months out of the year, she said.

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Windsor Orchid Society president Deb Boersma looks over her orchids in her greenhouse near Harrow on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016.

Essex town council got a primer on how to craft bylaws surrounding off-road vehicles at Monday night’s meeting.

OPP Const. Gord Keen from the Highway Safety Division at OPP headquarters in Orillia, an expert on the issue, explained how provincial laws surrounding ORVs have changed as of July 1, 2015.

Keen said an incorrect impression of ORVs being free to travel on all roadways was created in some media.

“They cannot operate on every road,” Keen told council.

In fact, the law change allowed municipalities to create bylaws specific to their areas to regulate where and when ORVs can operate.

“Municipalities can dictate when the roads can be used, specific roads,” said Keen. Municipalities can regulate specific roads to be used to gain access to frozen water for ice fishing and can implement specific lower speed limits for ORVs.

“It’s very important when you’re looking at a bylaw that you don’t encourage people to break the law,” Keen said.

Off-road vehicles are not allowed on Class A highways such as Highway 401 or other divided highways.

Keen said since the impression was created that ORVs had free reign on provincial roads, the number of fatal accidents has increased.

There were 14 fatal accidents in 2011, 12 in 2012, 20 in 2013, 11 in 2014, 14 in 2015 and so far in 2016 there have been 16 deaths.

Keen said 41 per cent of ORV collisions occur on highways, frequently when the vehicle is trying to cross, and 37.6 per cent of the crashes occur on municipal or township roads.

Of all the ORV collisions across the province, 24 per cent occur on private property.

Keen said speed is the primary cause of 19 per cent of ORV collisions and lack of control was a factor in 38 per cent of collisions.

Alcohol has been a factor in 52.6 per cent of all accidents thus far in 2016, compared to the previous rate of 20 per cent.

Keen also said that 69 per cent of people in fatal ORV accidents were not wearing a helmet.

“Head, neck and crush injuries are the primary cause of death, especially among youth,” Keen said.

“People tend to view these vehicles as toys, but they are not.”

Ward 3 Coun. Larry Snively asked Keen how municipalities deal with local roads in built-up areas.

Keen said some municipalities, such as Wasaga Beach, have allowed ORVs on all roads.

“They are starting to regret that decision,” said Keen.

Keen said some municipalities have allowed specific roads to be open to ORVs only between January and March to facilitate access to frozen lakes for ice fishing.

“Different municipalities are doing different things,” Keen said.

“You really have to tailor it to your community.”

Keen said the number of calls coming in complaining about ORVs has increased since July 1, 2015.

“We’re getting calls across the province for ORVs being on the roadways,” Keen said.

“There’s a huge education component here and I really suggest any municipality think it through.”

Windsor in Pictures: Oct. 6, 2016

Updated: Windsor unemployment rate falls to 5.7 per cent, lowest in 15 years

WECDSB trustee to make city busing proposal

Windsor Weekend in Pictures: Oct. 8-10, 2016

LaSalle pickup driver charged with stunt driving in Tecumseh area

Windsor in Pictures: Oct. 11, 2016

United Way kicks off Essex County campaign with life-changing story

Library strike sets bad example for kids

Windsor in Pictures: Oct. 12, 2016

Essex County hires new emergency management co-ordinator

Windsor in Pictures: Oct. 13, 2016

Rifles and shotguns stolen from residence in Maidstone

OPP seize cocaine, weed in Leamington raid

Windsor in Pictures: Oct. 14, 2016

Windsor Weekend in Pictures: Oct. 15-16, 2016

Missing companion dog found dead after being hit by a vehicle

Windsor in Pictures: Oct. 17, 2016

Three-vehicle crash causes traffic delays in Lakeshore

Orchid obsession 'like cocaine': Windsor Orchid Society show, sale this weekend

Essex council gets primer from OPP on off-road vehicle bylaw