It’s been over a month since 39-Machinists Union members have been off the job after being locked out just beforre Christmas by three Sault Ste. Marie auto dealerships. They are employees of Superior Dodge Chrysler, Highland Ford and Prouse Motors and Union Representative Rob Thompson says there hasn’t been talks since the lockout began and there’s no sign of when they might resume. Thompson says they are willing to return to the bargaining table. Meantime Thompson says the Machinists Local 23-32 has reached a tentaive deal with Maitland Ford Lincoln which negotiates separately from the other three. The about a dozen union members will get a chance to ratify the deal early next week. The workers are mechanics, body work, parts and office staff.

Linda Gargeau of Spragge recently won $28,000 playing PRO LINE. The winning ticket was purchased at 17 Convenience Store located in Blind River.

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The Sault College Board of governors learned at this week’s meeting that enrollment for the Winter Semester is up by 17.5 % from the same period a year ago. The introduction of nine new programs helped boost first year enrollment by 26% – with fulltime enrollment now listed at 2051. Those attending this week’s Board meeting also saw a proposal for a new Peace and Conflict Studies program – an interdisciplinary two year diploma program that emphasizes peace relations through understanding, education and action. Human Relations, The History of Social Activism and Peace Movements, Canadian Aboriginal Peoples, Indigenous Peoples of the World, Religions of the World, and Conflict Analysis are among the topics that would be studied.

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City Police charged 19 year old Amber Schopp of Arden Street with public mischief after a single vehicle accident in the 400 block of Connaught Avenue yesterday morning – where she stuck a utility pole and failed to report it – and later denied the incident to police. Further investigation revealed otherwise and charges were laid.

77 year old Ronald Dunn of London Street was charged with running the redlight at Elgin and Albert during the noon hour yesterday – where he collided with another car that subsequently ended up striking a utility pole. The other driver was taken to hospital with non life threatening injuries.

63 year old Rita Gionette of Elliot Road was charged with careless driving following a single vehicle accident on Farwell Terrace yesterday afternoon – where she lost control and hit a utility pole. She did not seek medical attention.

27 year old Steven Lacoursiere of Brien Avenue was arrested early yesterday morning on a noise complaint – and for using a false name.

30 year old Tara Siobhan McKinley of Lake Avenue in Prince Township was charged with fraud – for returning an item to WalMart that had not been paid for – in order to get an in-store credit. She too gave a false name and was found to have three outstanding warrants.

50 year old Judy Crack of Peoples Road was charged with assaulting a male and female known to her, at her residence.

A 32 year old female was arrested and charged with assaulting her 16 year old son – by slapping him and throwing a beer bottle at him.

Police are investigating a breakin to a tug boat docked at Purvis Marine. A residence in the 300 block of Cathcart was broken into yesterday with some cash and jewellry stolen and there was an attempted breakin to a home in the 200 block of John. Homes on White Oak Drive and Tadcaster Place were both egged, early this morning. And a vehicle parked on Pleasant Drive was entered overnight and a briefcase stolen.

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On the news that provincial college and union bargaining teams have still not reached a deal, Sault College president Ron Common feels the strike will be avoided. At the same time, Common expressed in a release that he is disappointed that both sides have not reached an agreement. Common added that the students have to come first and that individual faculty members should be given the opportunity to choose to accept the offer or go on strike. He also said that if there is a faculty vote on the college’s final offer and it is favourable, there would be a full collective agreement in place. Both sides in the dispute failed to reach a deal despite five days of meetings after a strike vote on January 13th.

Wikwemikong Tribal Police and the Sudbury O-P-P Drug Enforcement Unit have arrested two people after a traffic stop in Wikwemikong yesterday. Officers seized a quantity of oxycodone tablets valued at around six thousand dollars and a pickup truck that was seized as offence-related property. A 39 year old man and a 36 year old man both face a charge of possession for the purpose of trafficking and are scheduled to appear in a Gore Bay court tomorrow morning. The investigation is part of an on-going initiative by the Sudbury O-P-P Drug Enforcement Unit, Wikwemikong Tribal Police and the U-C-C-M Police to address the increase in crime.

Sault OPP have a few tips for motorists with the recent cold and snowy weather in the area. Drivers are reminded to slow down, anticipate having to stop or drive on slippery conditions and to make sure their vehicles have good winter tires. Police say these are the three key strategies to avoid experiencing an accident in winter weather. The advice comes with the OPP investigating motor vehicle collisions since yesterday afternoon.

There could a long-term future for the Huron-Central Rail line between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury. An agreement in principle has reportedly been reached between the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Domtar, Essar Steel Algoma and Huron Central Railway. No details were immediately released — according to a release from the city, the parties say working with the senior levels of government and Canadian Pacific will result in a final agreement for long-term sustainability of the H-C-R line. An interim agreement was reached last year to keep the line operating until mid-August 2010.

The provincial government has provided $20,000 in funding towards the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, which gets underway in the city this weekend. The money to be used towards coordinating volunteer services,

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Algoma University recognizes it’s top students and major donors at it’s annual Student Awards ceremony this evening at the Water Tower Inn’s Pavilion – beginning at 5.

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