A 19-year-old man was arrested after breaking into one of the Friendship Festival trailers near the carnival midway and stealing pay envelops Sunday night. continued . . .

A nearly year-long strike at the former Inco refinery in Port Colborne may be over as both sides announced they had reached an agreement yesterday. continued . . .

Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her other Realms and Territories, Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, reached out to shake the hand of Fort Erie trainer Nick Gonzalez after the horse he conditions, Big Red Mike, won the 151st running of the Queen’s Plate at Woodbine Racetrack, Sunday, July 4, 2010.

The winner’s share of the purse is more than $600,000 for the first leg of Canada’s Triple Crown. Also included is the traditional 50 guineas and, of course, a silver plate, the Queen’s Plate.

Big Red Mike wins Queen’s Plate.

The first day of thoroughbred racing under the management of the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium will take place Sunday with top managers meeting and greeting fans and handing out free Daily Double wagering tickets to the first 500 fans who purchase a racing program.

Consortium chief executive officer Jim Thibert and chief operating officer Rick Cowan will meet with patrons at the Fort Erie Race Track from noon until post time for the first race at 1:30 p.m.

Sunday is also the U.S. Independence Day holiday and celebrations will include $1 food specials and live music. Children’s activities include free pony rides, clowns and a bouncy house.

The Consortium is a non-profit corporation formed by the Fort Erie Economic Development Corporation, which Thibert also heads, the Town of Fort Erie and the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.

It is funded partly by a $16.8 million commitment from the provincial government over three years and a $1.5 million contribution from the Town. The provincial financing is in lieu of a 10 per cent share of revenues from the slots casino, and the Town’s portion is funded from its municipal share of approximately 3 per cent.

Racetrack managers and the HBPA are betting that a change in the post time from 1:30 pm to 4 pm will stem “double digit” declines in thoroughbred wagering at Fort Erie Race Track.

The Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium (LRC) has applied to change the post time on Tuesdays during the month of August.

“If this proves successful, we would consider applying for more twilight post times in 2011,” wrote Jim Thibert, head of the LRC, to the Ontario Racing Commission which is considering the application. continued . . .

Fort Erie mayor Doug Martin was elected chairman of the Niagara Regional Police Services Board Thursday.

As vice-chairman, Martin acted as interim chairman when the provincial government opted to not renew the appointment of Larry Iggulden to the board in April.

The board cemented his chairmanship which will last until the municipal election in October. continued . . .

A very large and powerful storm system is heading for the Windsor area and is expected to track north of Lake Erie tonight.

Environment Canada has issued a tornado watch for Windsor, Leamington and Essex County. This is the lead of a massive system to the south and west of Lake Michigan.

A tornado touched down in Midland late this afternoon and its associated storm system is tracking eastward with warnings issued for a swath stretching to the Peterborough area.

Nick Gonzalez, first on left holding banner, is congratulated on his 1,000th win as a thoroughbred racing trainer. The milestone took place at Fort Erie Race Track June 21. (Photo by Laurie Langley)

Trainer Nick Gonzalez notched his 1,000th career win when Boca Pass charged to victory in the eighth race at Fort Erie Race Track Monday.

“I’m more relieved than anything else,” said Gonzalez. “I kept thinking to myself, I did go 0 for 20 not long ago and sure didn’t want to re-visit that with just one win to go.”

With 29 stakes wins to his credit, Gonzalez may earn the biggest title in Canada in the Queen’s Plate when he starts Big Red Mike July 4 at Woodbine.

The 54-year-old horsemen saddled his first horse at Commodore Downs in Erie, Pennsylvania 34 years ago.

The native of Niagara Falls, New York, has also collected 809 second place finishes and 710 thirds and his horses have earned nearly $17 million in purses.

“It’s always been a team effort,” said Nick. “My wife (Martha) and I have worked very hard over the years and we’ve always had a great team that includes my son Nick. We couldn’t have done this without each other.”

Fort Erie town council set aside $100,000 to defend the Bay Beach condominium project at the Ontario Municipal Board.

Should the town’s legal costs exceed that amount, the Molinaro Group has agreed to make up the difference in addition to their own costs which will include fees for expert witnesses as well as lawyers.

Costs for both sides could mount because of the large number of appellants who will have the right to state their cases and cross-examine witnesses, and the lawyers will have to listen to it all. continued . . .

A small marijuana growing operation was broken up by Niagara Regional Police Wednesday morning at a Ridge Road property near Teal Road. continued . . .

Niagara Region has distributed a question and answer sheet with more complete information on the diesel fuel spill into the Welland Canal in Port Colborne. continued . . .

Water restrictions in Port Colborne were lifted Wednesday morning.

Niagara Region officials say tap water is safe to drink after tests showed there is no contamination following a diesel fuel spill in the Welland Canal Tuesday afternoon.