THOMPSON PICNIC

State Senator Antoine Thompson holds his fourth
annual free outdoor cook-out from 5 till 7 tonight
at the Oasis at Hyde Park in the Falls. We're told
there'll be music and food for everyone and you should
bring your own lawn chair for comfortable seating.
Thompson also announced he will hold his monthly
free public breakfast Saturday from 8:30 till 10 at the
John Duke Senior Center. Mayor Paul Dyster, Deputy
DPW Director John Caso, and North Star Project
Director Kevin Cottrell are slated to speak. There'll be
a representative from the police department there as
well.

FIELD TRIPS

The Lockport Department of Youth and
Recreation is offering a Thursday afternoon
field trip to a Bisons game this week. It's only
$8 including the cost of transportation. The
bus will leave at 11:45am and return about an
hour after the game. Children under 12 must be
accompanied by an adult and those under 18 need
a parental permission slip. The department will also
sponsor field trips to the Aquarium of Niagara and
the Fort Niagara pool on July 29, the Buffalo Zoo
on August 5, and Fantasy Island August 12. They won't
take reservations over the phone, but you can call them
for information at 434-3071.

COCAINE

A 21 year old Falls man plead guilty in federal
court Monday to conspiracy to possess with
intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack
cocaine. Aarmon Askew jr of Packard Court
promised to cooperate with authorities in
prosecuting other drug and gun cases. He
has been identified by prosecutors as a leader
of the local chapter of the Bloods. He faces a
minimum of ten years in prison and a maximum of
life in prison when he's sentenced November 9.
Askew was among 24 people arrested in a joint
federal, state, and local crackdown on narcotics
trafficking in the Falls on March 11 of last year.
It's leader, Sean McIver, plead guilty June 25 to
engaging in a criminal enterprise.

NEWFANE POOL TO BE CLOSED TUESDAY

Newfane Athletic Director Doug Ames says the
high school pool will be closed Tuesday for
repairs. He said they would be replacing a
pipe that acted up last week. All the
swimming activites that take place at the pool
starting at 7am will be cancelled Tuesday. The
pool is open today.

NEW POLICE OFFICERS

Falls City Administrator Donna Owens says the
16 new officers that'll be joining the police
department soon will reduce overtime costs and
increase police prescence. The recruits are
currently in the Police Academy where they'r
learning how to be patrol officers by riding with
experienced officers during their work hours.
Superintendent John Chella said they would be
assigned to accompany the veterans for ten weeks
before they're sent out alone. He hopes they will
produce a more visible police presscence in the
downtown tourist area making visitors feel safer
and cutting down on the recent rash of car break-in's.

CANAL FEST

County lawmaker Pete Smolinski was among those
attending Sunday's opening festivities for the 28th
annual Canal Fest in the Tonawanda's. He started by
warning Tonawanda Mayor Ron Pilozzi they won't
have an easy time of it in the annual Tug of War between
the two cities. He said NT Mayor Rob Ortt has a bad
back and urged the rest of the team to take up the slack.
Canal Fest President Larry Denoff said more than 500
people donated 20,000 hours of work to make the yearly
event a reality. The opening featured remarks from the
mayors of the two cities, the introduction of the Canal
Fest queens, the raising of the flag, and a ceremonial
cannon shot from the Rennaisance Bridge, where the
ceremony was held. The theme of this year's parade is
Sports Spectacular. It starts at 6:30 Tuesday night at Main
and Minerva in Tonawanda. It'll go down Main Street and
pass over the bridge onto Webster Street in NT.

WYNDHAM LAWN

A female resident of Lockport's Wnydham Lawn Home
allegedly punched, kicked, and bit another girl Saturday
night after they argued about the use of a bathroom. The
Sheriff's Department said the two had been seperated by
personnel, but one broke lose and found the other. One of
the girls was treated at ENH-Lockport. The alleged
assaliant is due in Family Court Friday for previous
incidents that recently happened at the facility.

FIGHT AT ALDI'S

Lockport police arrested a 41 year old man around
7:15pm Saturday following a disturbance in the
parking lot of the Aldi's store at 601 South Transit.
Phillip Dearborn of 144 Grant was arrested at his
home after he left the scene. He was charged with
assault and menacing. Police said the victim told
them he was loading his car with groceries when
Dearborn struck up a conversation with his son.
He said he was concerned for the boy's safety and
asked Dearborn to leave. He said at that point Dearborn
began to swear at him and allegedly came at
him in a threatening manner. Police reports said
the victim suffered scrapes on his leg and he said he
had been kicked below the waist. Dearborn could not
tell police why he left the scene. He said he was on
anxiety medication.

LOCKPORT MAN CHARGED WITH DWI

A 23 year old Lockport man was charged with driving
while intoxicated last night after he allegedly sideswiped
a car parked in front of 178 Erie Street. Raul DeSantiago
of 326 South Street was also charged with improper lane
use in the accident that happened at 10pm. Both vehicles
suffered minor damage.

APARTMENT BURGLARIZED

Two pieces of jewelry worth an estimated $3,500
were taken from an apartment on Sweetwood Drive
in the Town of Lockport overnight Saturday. The
29 year old victim said a white gold ring and a
white gold tennis bracelet were taken in the break-in
that happened between 6pm Saturday and 4:15am
Sunday. Sheriff's deputies reported two bedrooms
were entered and clothing and other items were thrown
about. Entry was made by breaking the molding on a
window on the front door.