Windsor in Pictures: March 23, 2015

March 23, 2015, 4:00 am

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

Ohio lawmakers are close to agreeing on a plan aimed at reducing farm runoff that feeds the toxic algae in Lake Erie. Sarah Baldo, left, and Mackenzie Porter, water quality technicians with ERCA are shown Monday, March 23, 2015, doing phosphorus sampling in the Mill Creek in Kingsville, which is a direct tributary to Lake Erie. (DAN JANISSE/The Windsor Star)

Ohio lawmakers are close to agreeing on a plan aimed at reducing farm runoff that feeds the toxic algae in Lake Erie. Sarah Baldo, a water quality technician with ERCA is shown Monday, March 23, 2015, doing phosphorus sampling in the Mill Creek in Kingsville, ON. which is a direct tributary to Lake Erie. (DAN JANISSE/The Windsor Star)

Windsor councillor Hilary Payne listens to Sandra Pupatello speak to council on March 23, 2015. (JASON KRYK/The Windsor Star)

Windsor councillor Hilary Payne looks over a prepared presentation by the WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation on March 23, 2015. (JASON KRYK/The Windsor Star)

Windsor councillor Hilary Payne listens to Sandra Pupatello speak to council on March 23, 2015. (JASON KRYK/The Windsor Star)

Sandra Pupatello, CEO at WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation, smiles as she listens to Windsor councillor Hilary Payne speak during council session on March 23, 2015. (JASON KRYK/The Windsor Star)

Crumbling asphalt next to a pothole at Wyandotte Street at Pelissier is seen on March 23, 2015. (JASON KRYK/The Windsor Star)

The Kennedy Cache Robotics Team test a robot during preparation for a Robotics Competition on Easter Weekend. (JASON KRYK/The Windsor Star)

The Kennedy Cache Robotics Team test a robot during preparation for a Robotics Competition on Easter Weekend, on March 23, 2015. (JASON KRYK/The Windsor Star)

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Freezing rain in forecast for Wednesday commute

March 24, 2015, 5:20 pm

≫ Next: Little Hands Kids for a Cause: Children helping sick kids

≪ Previous: Windsor in Pictures: March 23, 2015

Don’t put away those ice scrapers yet, Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Windsor and Essex County.

Freezing rain is expected to move into the area early Wednesday morning creating the potential for hazardous driving conditions.

Conditions could persist for a few hours before rising temperatures give way to rain.

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Little Hands Kids for a Cause: Children helping sick kids

March 24, 2015, 5:45 pm

≫ Next: Windsor in Pictures: March 24, 2015

≪ Previous: Freezing rain in forecast for Wednesday commute

A lemonade stand at a Kingsville yard sale last summer launched a local movement.

It’s Little Hands Kids for a Cause: children helping other children facing life-threatening illnesses.

It has given away $15,000 in the last eight months and is now helping its 19th family. The kids still sell lemonade and the group has added its own line of colourful Hero T-shirts. Every time the group learns of a child with a severe illness, the child receives a special Hero T-shirt and families can get other shirts that say “my son is my hero” or “my daughter is my hero.”

The group has sold about 500 T-shirts and inspired students to hold loonie and toy drives.

And it’s not all about money. Essex County families and children who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, like Kingsville’s Calvin Klassen-Parent, connect and feel support from the community.

“It’s amazing,” said Calvin’s mom Bonnie Klassen.

Calvin, who will have to undergo three years of chemotherapy for his leukemia, was in a London hospital 56 days this year. Little Hands Kids for a Cause made orange T-shirts that said “Calvin is my hero” and Calvin, 5, would repeatedly ask if anyone was wearing the shirts.

“The days that those pictures would come in, it would make his day. Not only for me to know that the whole community is supporting us but just to kind of see my son’s face light up. Someone’s wearing his shirt with his name on it.”

It is awesome to connect with what she calls the secret society of moms with sick kids, she said. They understand what she’s going through and know the medical lingo.

Co-founders Leigh Ann Mastronardi and Aimee Omstead are moms who were involved in fundraisers but didn’t know each other until a mutual friend introduced them. They realized there wasn’t a local organization that would support families with sick children and include all life-threatening illnesses. The group’s Facebook page — with information on its heroes and ways to help such as praying or cooking meals — started to gain attention by the fall. The first lemonade stand at her family yard sale raised $90 in July.

“We honestly never thought it would get so big so quickly,” Mastronardi said. “We just thought we were going to be this little Kingsville group of kids running lemonade stands. We didn’t think we’d raise much. We thought, you know, $50 here, $50 there but it ended up it just grew so quickly and took off.”

There are now about 30 children who volunteer to sell lemonade and shirts at events.

Before the group formed, Omstead had been praying for Maisyn Spencer of LaSalle who had a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The group’s first donations went to his family and although the eight-year-old boy died in November, Mastronardi credits him with inspiring more people to get involved with Little Hands Kids For a Cause.

“There are so many children affected by life-threatening illnesses and we did not realize how many locally that would be reaching out to us,” Mastronardi said. “A lot of our hero families, most of them will say what they appreciate most is just that we’re recognizing their child as a hero, recognizing what they’re going through is hard. It’s a struggle.”

Omstead said there is an amazing camaraderie between the families and their strength and determination is inspiring. “I am not sure where this will go but I can say it has become so much more than I ever thought it would.”

So far Little Hands Kids for Cause, with its new website, littlehandskids.org, has not received charitable status.

The group has its first five-kilometre walk/run/cycle for Rare Disease Awareness Sunday at 11:30 a.m. at Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens. There is no registration fee but donations will be accepted. The children, their lemonade and shirts will also be at Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens April 3 for its Easter event and the group is planning its first Little Hands Walk of Heroes May 30.

shill@windsorstar.com

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Windsor in Pictures: March 24, 2015

March 24, 2015, 4:35 am

≫ Next: Essex man arrested for attacking ambulance with baseball bat

≪ Previous: Little Hands Kids for a Cause: Children helping sick kids

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

Garbage lies strewn about an alley in the Walkerville area. Representatives of Windsor police, firefighters, and city council are holding a neighbourhood watch meeting on Mar. 25 to address ‘fires of opportunity’ and the crime of arson’s relationship with trash. (Tyler Brownbridge / The Windsor Star)

A discarded mattress in an alley in the Walkerville area on Mar. 24, 2015. (Tyler Brownbridge / The Windsor Star)

Bags and boxes full of garbage in an alley in the Walkerville area on Mar. 24, 2015. (Tyler Brownbridge / The Windsor Star)

Pieces of wood, discarded furniture, and dry leaves line an alley in the Walkerville area on Mar. 24, 2015. (Tyler Brownbridge / The Windsor Star)

A discarded sofa in the Walkerville area on Mar. 24, 2015. (Tyler Brownbridge / The Windsor Star)

Students line the sidewalk in front of Walkerville High School in Windsor as the body of teacher Robert Baxter passes by enroute the cemetery on Tuesday, March 24, 2015. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)

Many students are overcome with emotion after lining the sidewalk in front of Walkerville High School in Windsor as the body of teacher Robert Baxter passed by enroute the cemetery on Tuesday, March 24, 2015. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)

Some students become overwhelmed with emotion after lining the sidewalk in front of Walkerville High School in Windsor as the body of teacher Robert Baxter passed by enroute the cemetery on Tuesday, March 24, 2015. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)

Clockwise from top: Teya Mastronardi, Noah Egglezos, Mateah Egglezos, Nataliah Egglezos, Micah Egglezos, and Cole Mastronardi lay in a pile of Little Hands for a Cause t-shirts. Little Hands for a Cause was founded last summer by their mothers, Leigh Ann Mastronardi and Aimee Omstead, and has raised thousands of dollars for children with life-threatening illnesses. (Courtesy of Gabrielle Smith)

University of Windsor assistant coach Dan Lumley, right, watches quarterback Tommy Robertson during spring practice Tuesday. (JASON KRYK/The Windsor Star)

University of Windsor quarterback Josh Baird throws the football to a receiver during a team workout on March 24, 2015. (JASON KRYK/The Windsor Star)

University of Windsor assistant coach Dan Lumley during a team workout on March 24, 2015. (JASON KRYK/The Windsor Star)

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Essex man arrested for attacking ambulance with baseball bat

March 25, 2015, 5:26 am

≫ Next: OPP crackdown on distracted driving leads to dozens of charges in Essex County

≪ Previous: Windsor in Pictures: March 24, 2015

An Essex man is in custody after he allegedly attacked an ambulance with a baseball bat early Tuesday morning.

Ontario Provincial Police said paramedics responded to a residence for a medical call in the 100 block of Prado Street in Essex around 6 a.m.

Police said the paramedics were approached by a man with a baseball bat when they arrived on scene, who subsequently damaged the ambulance.

The 65-year-old Essex man is facing charges of mischief under $5,000.

He will appear in a Windsor courtroom in May.

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OPP crackdown on distracted driving leads to dozens of charges in Essex County

March 25, 2015, 7:40 pm

≫ Next: $244M economic impact shows importance of Lake Erie commercial fishery

≪ Previous: Essex man arrested for attacking ambulance with baseball bat

A weeklong blitz by provincial police against distracted driving has resulted in dozens of charges across the region.

Essex County OPP is reporting that the campaign — which lasted from March 14 to 20 — finished locally with a tally of 60 distracted driving charges and six careless driving charges.

Under a 2009 amendment to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, no person can drive a motor vehicle while holding a hand-held wireless communication device, or any other device capable of receiving or transmitting telephone communications, electronic data, mail or text messages.

Chatham-Kent OPP laid 35 distracted driving charges and three careless driving charges during the March blitz.

Lambton OPP —who patrol the Sarnia area — laid 46 distracted driving charges over the same period.

Despite these figures, provincial police said they were gratified by “strong support from the public” on the campaign. They emphasized the importance of education on the issue.

Deputy commissioner Brad Blair, OPP commander of traffic safety, expressed thanks to the public for “working towards making distracted driving a socially unacceptable behaviour on our roads.”

There were 288 fatalities on OPP-patrolled roadways last year. Of those deaths, 73 were caused by driver inattention.

According to OPP, driver inattention was a factor in more fatal accidents last year than speeding, lack of seat belt use, or impairment.

So far this year, OPP have investigated 51 fatal collisions — 12 of which involved driver inattention as a causal factor.

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$244M economic impact shows importance of Lake Erie commercial fishery

March 25, 2015, 7:43 pm

≫ Next: Windsor in Pictures: March 25, 2015

≪ Previous: OPP crackdown on distracted driving leads to dozens of charges in Essex County

Lake Erie’s commercial fishing and processing industry has an economic impact of more than $244 million and includes the world’s largest freshwater commercial fishing industry in Wheatley.

Yet few realize that, industry leaders say.

“Most people in Windsor don’t even know there’s a fishing industry here in Lake Erie,” Tony Giacalone, president of fish processor La Nassa Foods in Kingsville, said Wednesday. “There is a lot of politicians who don’t even know we exist.”

The Ontario Commercial Fisheries’ Association wants to change that. It has a new study done by the B.C. business consulting firm MNP with the numbers to show the industry’s significance.

The study says Ontario’s commercial fisheries and related processing industry have an economic impact of about $305 million and $244 million of that was Lake Erie’s share. The commercial fishing boats on Lake Erie have a $50-million economic impact and the fish processing industry has another $194-million impact.

The combined industries have 913 direct jobs, 1,490 jobs overall and an estimated tax revenue of more than $20 million.

“It’s been long overdue,” Tim Tiessen, president of the Ontario Commercial Fisheries’ Association, said of the analysis.

The impact is more than double earlier ballpark estimates which didn’t include things like equipment purchases, transportation expenses and associated jobs. Tiessen said the report will be given to local politicians.

Jane Graham, the association’s executive director, said it will help the industry tell its story.

“We need to be on the radar screen,” she said. “We’re producing a good, healthy product and we need to get out there and be talking about how important we are.”

Giacalone said the industry faces similar pressures of the farm or food industry yet lacks recognition and funding opportunities with upper levels of government. Although the industry has consolidated from more than a dozen processing plants in the early 1980s to six in the Kingsville to Wheatley area, it is still significant for the small towns and a region that needs a diversified economy, Giacalone said.

2015 Catch Limits:

This year’s commercial fishing quotas announced Tuesday will be about the same for local commercial fisherman.

The overall Lake Erie quota for walleye/pickerel will be 4.114 million fish, down slightly from 4.027 million fish in 2014. That’s for both Ontario’s commercial fishing industry and sport anglers on both sides of the border.

The yellow perch quota is decreasing about five per cent this year overall.

That means similar quotas for Essex County commercial fishermen, a 20 per cent quota increase for Chatham-Kent fishermen and a 20 per cent drop in Elgin County where most of the perch fishery is based, Tiessen said. “We’re pretty disappointed with the 20 per cent cut in Elgin County.”

The quota is set by fishery managers in Ontario, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

By the numbers:

$50M: Lake Erie’s commercial fishing industry is worth $50 million and employs about 715 people including 581 direct full-time equivalent jobs. The industry is estimated to contribute more than $6 million, directly and indirectly, in federal, provincial and municipal taxes.

$194M: Lake Erie’s fish processing industry employs 775 people including 332 direct jobs and has an economic impact of $194 million. The economic impact model calculated the processing industry contributes more than $14.7 million in taxes.

$31.8M: In 2012 the value of the commercial fish catch in Lake Erie was $31.8 million.

84: Walleye, yellow perch and lake whitefish made up 84 per cent of the 2012 commercial catch in Ontario.

shill@windsorstar.com

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Windsor in Pictures: March 25, 2015

March 25, 2015, 4:30 am

≫ Next: Ojibway bioblitz finds 12 new species to Canada, seeks world record in July

≪ Previous: $244M economic impact shows importance of Lake Erie commercial fishery

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

Art Gallery of Windsor director Catharine Mastin introduces Andrew and Noah Tepperman during the unveiling of a new wall of art at the AGW in Windsor Wednesday, March 25, 2015. Tepperman’s is donating $45,000 to the project that go towards bringing students in to the gallery. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)

Andrew Tepperman, left, and Noah Tepperman take part in the unveiling of a new wall of art at the AGW in Windsor Wednesday, March 25, 2015. Tepperman’s is donating $45,000 to the project that go towards bringing students in to the gallery. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)

Tim Tiessen, president of the Ontario Commercial Fisheries’ Association, is pictured at the Kingsville Harbour on Wednesday. (GABRIELLE SMITH/The Windsor Star)

Windsor Star reporter Ted Whipp is seen in his home in Windsor on Monday, March 12, 2015. Whipp survived a recent battle with cancer and complications and is now enjoying a second shot at life. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)

Marshalls located on Syndey Avenue near Devonshire Mall is set to open March 26,2015. Photo taken Wednesday March 25, 2015. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

Sandi Bertram with her Tutti Mangia food truck March 25, 2015. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

WINDSOR, Ont. (25/03/2015) – Shaun Miller, left, Nathan Mcnevin and Dane Roberts, three out of four members of local band Siera Slave, perform an acoustic set at the Windsot Star News Cafe on March 25, 2015. (Gabrielle Smith/Special to the Windsor Star)

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Ojibway bioblitz finds 12 new species to Canada, seeks world record in July

March 26, 2015, 6:07 pm

≫ Next: Windsor in Pictures: March 26, 2015

≪ Previous: Windsor in Pictures: March 25, 2015

One earthworm can look pretty much like another but even to an expert a greenish worm that moves like a snake was a shock to see in Windsor.

Two of the 12 new species to Canada discovered during the June Ojibway Prairie Complex Bioblitz were 10 to 15 centimetre-long Asian earthworms that have made their way to the United States and now to Canada.

Moth expert John Reynolds. (Courtesy of John Reynolds)

“I never dreamed that I find these. It was a real, real surprise. They’ve never been recorded in Canada,” Kitchener researcher and earthworm expert John Reynolds said Thursday.

Most experts at these bioblitzes where volunteers try to find as many species as they can in 24 hours don’t know exactly what they have until they analyze the specimens in a lab. Reynolds said there was still some dissection and identification involved but he knew right away they were worms from Asia that get transplanted around North America because people buy worms by the pound for composting. He had found amynthas agrestis and amynthas hilgendorfi which had previously been found as north as Vermont.

On their first try, volunteers at the Ojibway Prairie Complex Bioblitz found 1,120 species including the two worms, eight spiders and two beetles that had never been recorded before in Canada. As if that wasn’t wild enough, organizers want to do it again in July and aim for a world record for most species.

“It’s very exciting,” said Tom Preney, vice-president of the Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club which held the blitz. “I think it’s one of those things where it just goes to show you how biodiverse this region is when there’s new species still turning up.”

He said volunteers still could find some new species to Canada and need fungi and fly experts to come for a July 18 and 19 count.

“It’s basically like a living snapshot of the biodiversity found in this region,” said Preney who is a naturalist at the Ojibway Nature Centre. “Twelve is a number that we’re very excited we accomplished it because no other bioblitz to date in Ontario has discovered so many new species to Canada.”

Plants topped the list of Ojibway species found at 483 and volunteers collected 351 insects and 129 spiders including eight new ones for Canada.

The two beetles that had never been found here were identified by Bruce Gill of Ottawa who is a past president of the Entomological Society of Ontario. He said one is a native longhorn beetle from the United States and the other is a small chafer beetle called nipponoserica peregrina. It came from Japan to the United States before 1937 when it was first believed to be a native species and is much less troublesome than the European chafer and white grubs that damage lawns.

moth called a straight-lined mallow which is the first of its kind found in Ontario and only the second time the moth has been found in Canada.

“Over a 24-hour period when you pull together a bunch of biologists we’re still uncovering things we didn’t even know we had in our own backyard,” Gill said.

The 1,120 total is still rising. The latest was a moth called a straight-lined mallow which is the first of its kind found in Ontario and only the second time the moth has been found in Canada.

The Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club will be inviting volunteers to meet at Ojibway July 18 and 19 to try to set a record or at least beat the Canadian record of 1,791 species at Rouge Park in Toronto. They had 500 participants and 200 experts and Preney said the Ojibway count had 100 volunteers and 30 experts on its first try.

The record could be a bioblitz done with the National Geographic Society and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy last year with 2,304 species.

shill@windsorstar.com

twitter/winstarhill

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Windsor in Pictures: March 26, 2015

March 26, 2015, 4:29 am

≫ Next: Here are last year’s money-makers

≪ Previous: Ojibway bioblitz finds 12 new species to Canada, seeks world record in July

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

Mary Spencer, a Canadian Olympic boxer and Pan American gold medalist, will be the Windsor community torchbearer for the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay. (JASON KRYK/The Windsor Star)

Derek holds an excited Reno at the Windsor/Essex County Humane Society, Thursday. Reno’s health transformed with the help of the Humane Society, and he is now ready to start again happily and healthily with new dad Derek and dog brother, Jaxson. (Gabrielle Smith/Special to the Windsor Star)

L’Essor’s Stephen Holland, right, lays a hit on Lajeunesse’s Anthony Difranco at Tecumseh Arena Thursday. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)

L’Essor’s J.F. Brule, right, checks Lajeunesse’s Dershaha Stewart at Tecumseh Arena Thursday. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)

L’Essor’s Chris Ferris, right, is checked by Lajeunesse’s Dershaha Stewart at Tecumseh Arena Thursday. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)

L’Essor’s J.F. Brule, left. fires the puck at Lajeunesse’s Dershaha Stewart at Tecumseh Arena Thursday. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)

South Cameron wetland complex was designated wetland last year by the province which prevents all development. (JASON KRYK/ The Windsor Star)

Anthony Ennis walks along the foggy downtown Windsor waterfront, Thursday, March 26, 2015. (Gabrielle Smith/The Windsor Star)

Windsor’s Ryan Anderson, left, has the ball slapped away by Brampton’s Zane Johnson in the first quarter Thursday at the WFCU Centre. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

Windsor Express Kirk Williams Jr. is fouled hard by Brampton A’s Marques Oliver in first quarter of NBL Canada playoff action at WFCU Centre May rch 26, 2015. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

Windsor Express Tony Bennett dives for a loose ball against A’s in first quarter of NBL Canada playoff action at WFCU Centre March 26, 2015. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

Express Ryan Anderson loses the ball against A’s Thomas Granado in first quarter of NBL Canada playoff action at WFCU Centre March 26, 2015. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

University of Windsor Lancers running back Tarrence Crawford, left, has some fun with fullback Nate O’Halloran during warmups at Alumni Field March 26, 2015. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

Express Kevin Loiselle ducks under A’s Thomas Granado in first quarter of NBL Canada playoff action at WFCU Centre March 26, 2015. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

U of Windsor Lancers womens basketball head coach Chantal Vallee receives a rose from Express Quinnel Brown before NBL Canada playoff game against Brampton A’s at WFCU Centre March 26, 2015. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

Express Kevin Loiselle is fouled by A’s Theo Davis, left, in first quarter of NBL Canada playoff action at WFCU Centre March 26, 2015. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

Canadian champion University of Windsor Lancers women’s basketball team were honoured at Windsor Express game against Brampton A’s in NBL Canada semi final basketball action from WFCU Centre March 26, 2015. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star) For photo gallery only.

Referee Paul Carter, left, watches as Express Gary Gibson switches hands against Brampton A’s in NBL Canada playoff action at WFCU Centre March 26, 2015. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

Windsor city councillor John Elliott shakes the hand of A’s Cavell Johnson, left, just before ceremonial tip off with Windsor Express Quinnel Brown in NBL Canada semi final basketball action from WFCU Centre March 26, 2015. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

University of Windsor Lancers fullback Nate O’Halloran and quarterback Casey Wright during drills at Alumni Field March 26, 2015. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

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Here are last year’s money-makers

March 27, 2015, 7:15 pm

≫ Next: Weekend In Pictures: March 28-29, 2015

≪ Previous: Windsor in Pictures: March 26, 2015

Ontario’s sunshine list gives us another peek into the pocketbooks of Windsor’s highest paid public sector employees. From hospital CEOs to the firefighters, we take another look at the men and women getting the most taxpayer dollars in 2014.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Municipalities throughout Essex County have about 700 employees who made the sunshine list. Windsor has, by far, the highest number with about 550 people making more than $100,000 in 2014. Of those, 53 employees were new to this year’s list.

CAO Helga Reidel once again brought in the largest amount at $267,225. She was followed by police chief Al Frederick, who earned $200,251.

COUNTY

LaSalle had 44 people on the list, including chief administrative officer Kevin Miller who earned $183,966, while Amherstburg had 27 people.

FIREFIGHTERS

Windsor’s fire department went from having about 60 employees earning more than $100,000 in 2013 to more than 220 employees bringing in that kind of cash.

Fire chief Bruce Montone said more than 160 firefighters made the list due to retroactive pay going back to 2010. Montone, who earned $146,925, says the number will fall next year once the salaries return to regular annual income levels.

POLICE

There were 111 constables, 24 detectives, 64 sergeants and 19 staff sergeants making over $100,000 this year.

Al Frederick, chief of police, said many of those constables earn overtime for court appearances that fall at times they’re not working. He added some police work special events such as proms or charity walks that are paid for by the organization, not tax dollars.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

The highest paid principal among both school districts was Victoria Houston, earning about $153,951. The previous year she was listed as acting superintendent of education, which bumped her higher than most secondary principals.

THE COURTS

Crown attorney Natalino Bernardon earned $211,252 in 2014, while 20 assistant crown attorneys earned anywhere from $100,000 to $200,000. Justices of the Peace in Windsor made about $130,000. Judges made about $292,000.

HEALTH CARE

Primary care physician Darin Peterson fell out of the top-salary slot this year. Working with the Windsor Family Health Team, he brought in $326,200, which was a drop from the $380,174 he earned in 2013.

Terry Shields earned $220,109 as CEO of Leamington District Memorial Hospital.

POST-SECONDARY

Hoda El Maraghy was the top-paid professor at the University of Windsor, earning about $258,969. The engineering professor also acts as Canada Research Chair.

- With files from Carolyn Thompson

dspalding@windsorstar.com

twitter.com/Derek_Spalding

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Weekend In Pictures: March 28-29, 2015

March 29, 2015, 4:30 pm

≫ Next: Interactive Viz: 2014 Windsor and Essex County Sunshine List

≪ Previous: Here are last year’s money-makers

The Star’s photographers covered Windsor and Essex County on Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29, 2015. Check out the gallery.

Pariza Shah, 10, holds a Pakistani flag while wearing a traditional Pakistani dress during a flag raising ceremony celebrating Pakistani Day at City Hall, Sunday, March 29, 2015. (DAX MELMER/The Windsor Star)

Children watch as a cluster of green and white balloons flies up towards the sky during a flag raising ceremony celebrating Pakistani Day at City Hall, Sunday, March 29, 2015. (DAX MELMER/The Windsor Star)

The Caesars Windsor video display and logo remain temporarily powered down in recognition of Earth Hour, Saturday, March 28, 2015. (RICK DAWES/The Windsor Star)

Yoga practitioners have class by candlelight in recognition of Earth Hour, Saturday, March 28, 2015 at Blossoming Lotus Yoga in LaSalle. (RICK DAWES/The Windsor Star)

Windsor fire crews work on a house fire at 2497 Everts Ave., Sunday, March 29, 2015. (DAX MELMER/The Windsor Star)

Runners take part in the Running Factory’s 22nd annual Spring Thaw 5k run in Olde Riverside, Sunday, March 29, 2015. (DAX MELMER/The Windsor Star)

Children take part in the Kids Dash at the Running Factory’s 22nd annual Spring Thaw 5k run in Olde Riverside, Sunday, March 29, 2015. (DAX MELMER/The Windsor Star)

A shopper walks back to his car after reading a sign at the entrance of The Future Shop on Walker Rd. in Windsor that states the store is permanently closed, Saturday, March 28, 2015. (DAX MELMER/The Windsor Star)

A sign at the entrance of The Future Shop on Walker Rd. in Windsor informs shoppers the store is permanently closed, Saturday, March 28, 2015. (DAX MELMER/The Windsor Star)

Robin Dresser, and her granddaughter, Savana Dresser, 9, discover The Future Shop on Walker Rd. is closed permanently, Saturday, March 28, 2015. The Windsor location is one of 66 Future Shop stores across Canada that closed abruptly. (DAX MELMER/The Windsor Star)

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Interactive Viz: 2014 Windsor and Essex County Sunshine List

March 30, 2015, 6:04 am

≫ Next: South Woodslee couple wins big with LOTTO 6/49

≪ Previous: Weekend In Pictures: March 28-29, 2015

Check out the top wage earners in the public sector in Windsor and Essex County for 2014.

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South Woodslee couple wins big with LOTTO 6/49

March 30, 2015, 5:54 pm

≫ Next: Windsor in Pictures: March 30, 2015

≪ Previous: Interactive Viz: 2014 Windsor and Essex County Sunshine List

It paid to play Ontario’s Lotto 6/49 for a South Woodslee couple last week.

Christine and Daniel Springer won $84,150.30 from the March 25 draw.

The winning ticket was purchased at the Petro Canada on Manning Road in Maidstone.

As of March 21, 2015, there have been 3,252 Lotto 6/49 draws rewarding more than $10 billion in prizes.

The Lotto 6/49 logo. (Handout / The Windsor Star)

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Windsor in Pictures: March 30, 2015

March 30, 2015, 4:22 am

≫ Next: Another tough winter leaves wildlife rehab centre running low on food supplies

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

Mark Trudel is pictured outside of the Ontario Court of Justice in downtown Windsor, Monday, March 30, 2015. (DAX MELMER/The Windsor Star)

Kristian Neill, co-owner of the Dominion House and the Fork and Cork Festival, pictured Monday, March 30, 2015, is concerned that an amended provincial bylaw regarding smoking on patios may hurt summer festivals. (DAX MELMER/The Windsor Star)

Sara Westbrook, motivational speaker and creator of UPower, presents her interactive program to a group of JK-Grade 3s at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Elementary School, Monday morning. Westbrook has designed numerous versions of her motivational program for different age groups, but respect and resilience is the fundamental message she aims to get across in every presentation. (GABRIELLE SMITH/Special to the Windsor Star)

Emergency crews tend to a motorist following a collision at Milloy Street and Francois Road on March 30, 2015 (Dax Melmer/The Windsor Star)

Emergency personnel work at the scene of a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Milloy St. and Francois Rd., Monday, March 30, 2015. (DAX MELMER/The Windsor Star)

A hydro pole lies on the road at the scene of a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Milloy St. and Francois Rd., Monday, March 30, 2015. (DAX MELMER/The Windsor Star)

Emergency personnel work at the scene of a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Milloy St. and Francois Rd., Monday, March 30, 2015. (DAX MELMER/The Windsor Star)

Fabio Costante (R), founder of the Our West End initiative, and Barry Horrobin, director of planning with Windsor police, stand in an alley in the city’s west side on March 30, 2015. (Tyler Brownbridge / The Windsor Star)

LaSalle’s Luke Willson, right, talks with Mary Caton at the Windsor Star News Cafe Monday. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)

University of Windsor Lancers David McDuffie stretches for the pass during drills at Alumni Field Monday March 30, 2015. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

University of Windsor Lancers Gilbert Stewart, right, offers his opinion with head coach Joe D’Amore during practice at Alumni Field Monday March 30, 2015. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

University of Windsor Lancers Jayden Gauthier takes in a pass during football practice at Alumni Field Monday March 30, 2015. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

University of Windsor Lancers Jayden Gauthier focuses on the football during spring drills at Alumni Field Monday March 30, 2015. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

University of Windsor Lancers Jayden Gauthier hauls in a pass during football practice at Alumni Field Monday March 30, 2015. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

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Another tough winter leaves wildlife rehab centre running low on food supplies

March 30, 2015, 2:34 pm

≫ Next: Alcohol cited in two Essex County crashes

≪ Previous: Windsor in Pictures: March 30, 2015

Harsh winter conditions for a second straight year have left food cupboards a little bare at Wings Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.

“It’s a little skimpy,” said Nancy Phillips who runs the Amherstburg rescue facility. “We’ll have to do a little more fundraising.”

Phillips said the high volume of starving animals and birds that came through the door forced staff to dip into the spring food reserves.

Among other critters, she said the centre cared for 22 opossums suffering from frostbite and more than 45 frozen ducks and swans.

They won’t release anything for a few weeks yet, until the weather warms up and the trees begin to bud.

Spring will bring still more hungry mouths from an influx of baby birds, squirrels, raccoons, opossums and fawns.

Jennifer Dalley, Wildlife coordinator at Wings Rehabilitation Centre handles a red-tailed hawk on March 31, 2015 in Amherstburg, Ontario. The wildlife rehabilitation centre is looking for donations of food or money to help offset the costs. (JASON KRYK/The Windsor Star)

Jennifer Dalley, Wildlife coordinator at Wings Rehabilitation Centre cares for a goldeneye duck on March 31, 2015 in Amherstburg, Ontario. The wildlife rehabilitation centre is looking for donations of food or money to help offset the costs. (JASON KRYK/The Windsor Star)

A red-tailed hawk seen at Wings Rehabilitation Centre on March 31, 2015 in Amherstburg, Ontario. The wildlife rehabilitation centre is looking for donations of food or money to help offset the costs. (JASON KRYK/The Windsor Star)

The baby formulas the centre uses are purchased in the U.S., which means an unfavourable exchange rate has pushed the price up by more than 30 per cent.

“There are no Canadian products,” she said. “We just paid almost $3,000 for a shipment and that’s not going to be enough.”

One 22-pound pail of baby raccoon formula costs more than US$200. She anticipates they’ll care for 100 raccoons in the coming months and last year they took in almost 500 squirrels.

She said each type of animal requires a specific formula and the centre only uses quality products because “they need all the vitamins and minerals to give them the best start possible.”

As the animals mature, the centre can mix cheaper food products with the good stuff to stretch it further.

The centre will care for some 1,200 songbirds this season and, ironically, they eat dry cat food.

Phillips has been calling humane societies throughout Southwestern Ontario looking for donations.

“I hate to beg,” she said. “But the way things are today, you have to to survive.”

Phillips said the community was quite generous in response to the need from the winter of 2013-14 but it dropped off substantially this past season.

“I think it’s old news,” she said. “They think somebody else is going to do it.”

The spring newsletter will be distributed shortly, outlining the centre’s wish list for donations. The list is also available on the website at wingsrehab.ca.

Phillips said staff members are also happy to answer questions by phone at 519-736-8172.

mcaton@windsorstar.com

twitter.com/winstarcaton

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Alcohol cited in two Essex County crashes

March 31, 2015, 6:35 pm

≫ Next: Windsor in Pictures: March 31, 2015

≪ Previous: Another tough winter leaves wildlife rehab centre running low on food supplies

Two different motorists are facing impaired driving charges related to two separate crashes that happened in Essex County last weekend.

Casey Blokker, 30, was arrested after a collision on Queen Street in Kingsville at around 1 a.m. March 29.

Provincial police said Blokker was behind the wheel of a silver Pontiac that smashed into a parked vehicle.

The Pontiac then left the scene. The automobile was found a short distance away with extensive front end damage.

Blokker suffered minor injuries. No one else was hurt.

OPP said the accused was showing signs of impairment at the time of his arrest.

Blokker faces charges of impaired operation of a motor vehicle, having blood alcohol content exceeding 80 milligrams, and failure to stop at the scene of an accident.

He’s due for a court appearance in Windsor on April 14.

The previous night, around 8:55 p.m., provincial police were called to a crash scene in the 1300 block of Tecumseh Road in Lakeshore.

Brandon Sylvestre, 37, of Lakeshore, was found at the scene showing signs of impairment.

Police believe Sylvestre was driving a black Ford vehicle eastbound on Tecumseh Road. The vehicle crossed the centre line, entered the oncoming lanes, then left the roadway.

The vehicle went into a ditch, struck a culvert, and also struck a hydro pole before ending up on the front lawn of a residence.

Sylvestre suffered minor injuries in the crash. He’s been charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle and having blood alcohol content exceeding 80 milligrams.

He’s due for a Windsor court appearance April 16.

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Windsor in Pictures: March 31, 2015

March 31, 2015, 4:38 am

≫ Next: Strawberry Festival music lineup to be announced Thursday

≪ Previous: Alcohol cited in two Essex County crashes

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

Jakov Novak, Christian D’Agnillo and Jacob Schwab (left to right) are seen with their drone at Assumption High School in Windsor on Tuesday, March 31, 2015. The trio have started a business doing drone photography and are entered in a contest run by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)

Zaheem Riberdy holds up a shoe he is working on at Assumption High School in Windsor on Tuesday, March 31, 2015. Riberdy has started a business customizing shoes and is entered in a contest run by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)

Windsor police senior constable Shane Renaud gives a safety presentation to over 70 west end community members at the Life After Fifty senior citizen centre Tuesday March 31, 2015. The crime prevention forum was a community initiative designed to help residents of west Windsor keep their homes and neighbourhoods safe. GABRIELLE SMITH/Special to the Windsor Star

Jennifer Dalley, Wildlife coordinator at Wings Rehabilitation Centre handles a red-tailed hawk on March 31, 2015 in Amherstburg, Ontario. The wildlife rehabilitation centre is looking for donations of food or money to help offset the costs. (JASON KRYK/The Windsor Star)

Jennifer Dalley, Wildlife coordinator at Wings Rehabilitation Centre cares for a goldeneye duck on March 31, 2015 in Amherstburg, Ontario. The wildlife rehabilitation centre is looking for donations of food or money to help offset the costs. (JASON KRYK/The Windsor Star)

A red-tailed hawk seen at Wings Rehabilitation Centre on March 31, 2015 in Amherstburg, Ontario. The wildlife rehabilitation centre is looking for donations of food or money to help offset the costs. (JASON KRYK/The Windsor Star)

Maya Novakovic catches her jumping nephew, Kaiden Angel, 4, at Great Western Park, Tuesday afternoon. (GABRIELLE SMITH/The Windsor Star)

Amherstburg council delegates Rick Meloche, centre and Mike Henry, right at podium, of Libro Centre, answer questions regarding recreational facility fees during Town of Amherstburg special council meeting March 31, 2015. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

Amherstburg councillor Leo Meloche holds his head while discussing recreational facility fees during Town of Amherstburg special council meeting March 31, 2015. Councillor Jason Lavigne, right, and Mayor Aldo DiCarlo join in the debate. See Thompson story. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

Amherstburg councillors Rick Fryer, left, Diane Pouget, deputy mayor Bart DiPasquale, behind, finance director Justin Rousseau and CAO John Miceli, right, during council meeting March 31, 2015. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

Essex’s Tyler Scott, right, is checked by Coleton Madge of the Ayr Centennials in the first period of the Schmalz Cup semifinal Tuesday in Essex. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

Essex 73’s tyler Scott crashes into the boards while being checked by Coleton Madge in first period of OHA Schmalz Cup semi-final hockey action from Essex Centre Sports Complex March 31, 2015. Madge drew an Interference penalty on the play. Essex won, 4-2. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

Essex 73’s Daniel Slipchuk against Ayr Centennials in first period of OHA Schmalz Cup semi-final hockey action from Essex Centre Sports Complex March 31, 2015. Essex won, 4-2. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

Essex 73’s Phil Janikowski holds his midsection after being checked by Ayr Centennial player in first period of OHA Schmalz Cup semi-final hockey action from Essex Centre Sports Complex March 31, 2015. Essex won, 4-2. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

Windsor Police are investigating a six-vehicle pileup on Wyandotte Street East near St. Rose Avenue where an eastbound Jeep lost control and collided with a Volvo, Ford F-150 truck, Ford Fusion, Jeep Liberty and Chrysler Sebring parked on the south curb, March 31, 2015. Patrons and staff at Sandy’s Bar and Grill had a bird’s eye view of the wreck which landed on their doorstep. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

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Strawberry Festival music lineup to be announced Thursday

April 1, 2015, 8:22 am

≫ Next: Knit cocoons for monarch butterflies, urges David Suzuki Foundation

≪ Previous: Windsor in Pictures: March 31, 2015

The lineup for one of the area’s most beloved summer festivals will be announced tomorrow.

The 28th annual LaSalle Strawberry Festival kicks off June 11 and the musical acts that will grace the stage will be revealed at the Windsor Star News Cafe.

Local favourites The Walkervilles will provide the musical accompaniment to the 1 p.m. announcement.

The announcement and performance are open to everyone. Admission is free.

The Strawberry Festival runs from June 11 to 14.

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Knit cocoons for monarch butterflies, urges David Suzuki Foundation

April 1, 2015, 6:05 pm

≫ Next: Windsor in Pictures: April 1, 2015

≪ Previous: Strawberry Festival music lineup to be announced Thursday

Yarn bombing for monarch butterflies?

The David Suzuki Foundation called on Canadians to knit cozy cocoons for vulnerable monarch butterfly caterpillars and hang them in trees Wednesday.

“Now that scarf, tuque and mitt season is (we hope) over, you can give monarch caterpillars a leg up this summer by creating cozy chrysalises, in move-in condition,” claimed the foundation’s website which includes a video of David Suzuki knitting, pictures of knitted chrysalises and a Twitter campaign at #knit4monarchs.

The foundation had two dozen emails from knitters asking for the chrysalises pattern Wednesday morning.

It was, of course, an April Fool’s Day joke to raise awareness about monarch butterflies.

Claire Ferris of Windsor was fooled, briefly.

“I watched the video and it seems cool and I’m like, ‘Hey, can caterpillars actually live in these things?’ I thought it would be great if they could.”

Ferris said she still may knit some because they are adorable.

Jode Roberts, manager of the foundation’s Got Milkweed campaign, said April 1 press release and video was meant to raise awareness about the plight of monarch butterflies.

“The monarch butterflies do not need us to create cocoons although they’re really cute,” Roberts said.

Monarch butterfly populations had become so low in the last few years experts were wondering if their spectacular migration might come to an end. Roberts said there has been an estimated 95 per cent drop in the past two decades in the population.

The David Suzuki Foundation called on Canadians to knit cozy cocoons for monarch butterfly caterpillars and hang them in trees as an April 1 joke to raise awareness about monarch butterflies.

Knitting is a trendy way to raise awareness, he said. In Windsor, yarn bombs had caught on when knitters intentionally left knitted scarves, hats and mittens in trees for people who needed them.

What monarch butterflies really need is milkweed, Roberts said.

The foundation has a Toronto campaign to get people to plant more milkweed. He encourages people to plant three varieties of milkweed and call their local garden centres to create a demand for milkweed plants. He said milkweed has been taken off the noxious weed list in Ontario. It is vital food for monarch caterpillars.

Ferris is planning to sell milkweed seeds by donation at an April 19 meeting. The 25-year-old is part of the Blue Dot Windsor movement which is part of the David Suzuki Foundation and will be asking city council to support the right to live in a healthy environment. The first meeting is April 19 at the Foundry Pub on Ouellette Avenue at 3 p.m.

Knitter and Leamington-based naturalist Sarah Rupert said she got sucked into looking at the colourful cocoons but thought “Hmm. That sounds weird.”

Rupert said it was a clever idea that will help the monarch cause.

“Over morning coffee I clicked on the video and had a really good chuckle,” said Rupert who may knit some as Christmas tree decorations.

shill@windsorstar.com

twitter/winstarhill

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