Yesterday Thames Students Incorporated, the Chatham campus body announced it has started legal action over the change.

Strasser says he wanted to the two groups “to get together, work out what works for everybody and move forward as one student government.”

The Chatham group was set up in 1978, and Strasser says there may have been good reasons for separate student governments then, but he doesn’t believe there are now.

Story by Simon Crouch, Blackburn News.

Deputy Fire Chief Ray Stone says that includes tools and a load of beans inside at the time, and the building itself.

He says there were some explosions but nothing unexpected for a repair shop. “ You’d have propane tanks in there, acetylene tanks, those type of things.”

Right now he puts the cause down to spontaneous combustion of oily rags.

Story by Simon Crouch, Blackburn News.

As expected, one is in Chatham-Kent. Zone SW6 surrounds Chatham and encompasses an area heading north, including Wallaceburg and Dresden.

It calls for a maximum number of one facility, with up to 300 slot machines and table games to be decided. OLG notes the Slots at Dresden Raceway as an existing facility.

However, officials have said if, and when, private sector operators are chosen, they will have a chance to expand or move facilities within a zone.

Story by Bruce Mills, Blackburn News.

Nicholls says the Legislative Oversight of Regulations Act aims to eliminate red tape for business owners. ”There are close to 400,000 or so regulations in the Legislature right now,” he says. “We find that it’s extremely burdensome to small businesses.”

Nicholls says easing the burden of government paperwork is something all parties should be willing to support.

Story by Robyn Brady, Blackburn News.

The meeting is set for the seniors centre at 7pm.

Leanne Segeren-Swayze, the Director of Customers services with the municipality says the first meeting in Wheatley went well. “They were disappointed with the reduction of service in their community,” says Segeren-Swayze. “They wanted to know how we came up with a 50% reduction in Wheatley specifically.We identified it was based on volume in each of the municipal centres.”

The final report is due to council on the 28th of this month.

Story by Trevor Thompson, Blackburn News.

Authorities say the culprits cut through a fence on the Raleigh Township property some time late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.

Five locked utility trailers were forced open, with about $500 worth of brass and copper fittings stolen.

Story by Robyn Brady, Blackburn News.

The First Nation decided to surrender land that had been set aside for it along the banks of the St. Clair River in Moore Township. It was legally handed over so this is not a vote on territorial rights.

However the Crown promised that when the land was sold to settlers, the First Nation would get full market value, something the Walpole band members believe didn’t happen.

If accepted by band members the $28-million settlement, to be held in trust, would compensate the First Nation for the missing money, interest over the years and the cost of pursuing the claim.

Story by Simon Crouch, Blackburn News.

Chatham Pride will be hosting the Pride Flag raising at noon.

A dinner is also planned for 6:30pm at Mamma Maria’s.

Story by Trevor Thompson, Blackburn News.

Jennifer Laevens, organized the local event and says respect on the road is a two way street. She also says some drivers exhibit some pretty bad behaviour, including yelling, swearing and swerving at bicyclists.

While in its third year in Chatham-Kent, the worldwide event was founded a decade ago.

Story by Trevor Thompson, Blackburn News.