This may not be news for some of you, but the following press release was issued the other day on the Niagara Regional Police Service website: “Vehicle Driven Into Front of Fallsview Casino At approximately 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009, a lone male drove his vehicle into the front of the Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls, following a series of incidents in the city. Earlier, the male had been involved in a dispute at a residence in Niagara Falls. The dispute resulted in the male assaulting a male and a female with a weapon and fleeing the residence in his vehicle. Police encountered...

Written by Karl Ritter,Malin Rising, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS . STOCKHOLM, Sweden – The World Anti-Doping Agency launched new guidelines Wednesday on how to monitor athletes’ blood profiles for evidence of cheating. During a two-day meeting in Stockholm to mark the organization’s 10-year anniversary, the WADA executive committee ratified the guidelines for the “athlete biological passport” system that has been under consideration since 2002. The guidelines provide advice to anti-doping agencies on how to implement programs to collect and store athletes’ blood samples...

Prepare to be inspired… Nathan Srigley is a 24-year old Niagara cyclist who has just ridden his mountain bike over 2,000 km across Ontario from Kenora on the Manitoba border (Departure: September 10, 2009) to Niagara-on-the Lake (Arrival: October 3, 2009). His objective was to raise awareness and funds for Wells of Hope (www.wellsofhope.com). “Wells of Hope has successfully drilled many deep-water wells in Guatemala. However, drilling projects are currently at a standstill, because the drilling rig that was in use is worn out, obsolete, and no longer functional. A modern, versatile and...

Hi All, I saw this in the news today (Oct 23) and I just couldn’t help but to be affected by it. What an absolute shame that this young man’s life has ended so violently. As a youth football coach (and the father of a young football player with NFL dreams) it really concerns me as to why this sort of thing would happen. Without knowing anything about Jasper Howard, it is certainly plausible that this young man had brought this misfortune onto himself. . Then again, what shocks me the most about this is just how senseless of a crime it would appear to be. Jasper Howard helped his football...

Dear Mr. Smith, I am a College Professor and a youth football coach in Ontario and I was reading on the TSN report that you are planning on “renting three billboards near the Eagles’ stadium blasting the signing of Vick” in protest to his recent signing with the Philadelphia Eagles Football club. As a life-time pet owner, the father of a young, impressionable football player, and also as a College Professor who works regularly with ‘Youth-at-Risk’, I would just like to ask that you please reconsider your perspective on this matter. Many people in this life make mistakes....

In this past weekend’s news report, a local martial arts instructor from Grimsby, Ontario, by the name of Shane Weaver, was officially charged with sexual exploitation of a 16-year old girl (one of his students). Unconfirmed rumours have additionally speculated that Mr. Weaver may have been blackmailing the girl. Pretty serious charges. Without knowing all of the details, it’s best not to pass any sort of judgment too soon. On the surface, Shane Weaver certainly talks the talk. He is a lifetime martial artist who over the years, has continuously preached about character building and strong...

Grimsby martial-arts teacher faces sex charges – accused of sexually interfering with female student July 27, 2009 written by DANA BROWN GRIMSBY – Niagara police have charged the owner of a martial arts studio (Shane Weaver’s Red Griffin Martial Arts Studio) with sexual exploitation in connection with an underage female. Police said the 35-year-old man Grimsby man is also an instructor at the studio, which they are not currently naming because the investigation is ongoing. They said the girl is under 18 and the incident is alleged to have occurred while she was a student. The man...