Threats Lead To The Arrest Of A Welland Man

NRPS Media Release

On Tuesday January 29th, 2008 police responded to a Niagara Street address for a threatening phone call complaint. Upon arrival police learned that a male was threatened to be killed by another male. A suspect was subsequently identified, which lead police to an address on Connaught Avenue in the City of Welland. Police learned that the suspect was in possession of several firearms in his residence and therefore the Niagara Regional Police Tactical Unit attended. Shortly before midnight police made contact with the suspect, who agreed to surrender himself. Members of the tactical unit arrested the suspect without incident.

Charged with one count of uttering a death threat is 61-year-old Eric Beatty. Beatty will be attending a bail hearing on Wednesday January 30th, 2008 at the St. Catharines courthouse. Police searched Beatty’s residence where several firearms and ammunition were seized.

STC Man Arrested in Child Pornography Case

NRPS Media Release

On Tuesday November 27, 2007, after a month long investigation on the Internet, members of the Child Abuse Unit, the Technological Crime Unit and the St. Catharines Uniform Branch executed a search warrant at a George Street residence and seized a quantity of computer components and other evidence. Forensic Computer analysis has subsequently been conducted on the seized materials.

On Tuesday January 29, 2008 a St. Catharines man was arrested as a result of the investigation. It is alleged that the suspect possessed and distributed child pornography on the Internet.

Ireneusz “Irek” IWANOWSKI, 52 years, of George Street is charged with one count each of Possession of Child Pornography and Making Child Pornography Available. IWANOWSKI is being held for a January 30th appearance in bail court at the St. Catharines courthouse.

The Niagara Regional Police Service conducts investigations into Internet Child Exploitation offenses in partnership with numerous Ontario Police Services. This investigative initiative has been made possible with financial assistance from the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services and the Ministry of the Attorney General.

Members of the public can report suspicious Internet activities relating to children to the Niagara Regional Police Service, or at www.cybertip.ca. Internet safety tips for parents, children and Internet users are also available on the Cybertip website.

The Many Faces Of The Niagara Floral Clock

According to the Niagara Parks Commission, the face of the Floral Clock is changed twice per year. Here are 14 different images of the Floral Clock face.

Trade Secrets Beauty Salon Robbed

NRPS Media Release

On Monday January 28, 2008 at approximately 7:15 p.m. a lone male entered the TRADE SECRETS beauty salon. He was wearing a bella clava over his face and had one hand under his jacket indicating a firearm. The two employees present in the salon, upon seeing him enter the store, fled out the back door. The male then took an undisclosed amount of cash out of the cash register and fled on foot out the front door. He was last seen running eastbound in the Plaza.

The white male suspect appeared to be in his late twenties with a slim build. He was wearing a black hoodie with a zipper front and a black shirt underneath. He also wore black pants. The black bella clava had eye and mouth holes.

Anyone with information concerning this incident is encouraged to contact 905-688-4111 ext. 4272 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Man And His Dog Break Ice In Fort Erie

NRPS Media Release

On the 28 of January 2008 at 4:36 P.M. A 52 year old Fort Erie man was walking his golden Labrador dog on the lake Erie Shore Line at Windmill Point, Fort Erie. At that time the dog fell into a ice and slush filled hole and was unable to escape. The male attempted to assist his dog and climbed into the hole but was unable to extricate the dog. The male also suffered the effects of hypothermia and was unable to escape.

His cries for help were heard by another Fort Erie man and his wife who were checking cottages in the area. The male stayed with the victim and his dog while his wife called the Niagara Regional Police for assistance.

Upon arrival the officers were able to get the victim out of the water and he was transported to the Douglas Memorial Hospital for treatment of hypothermia. Police were able to rescue the dog. Both man and dog are expected to make a full recovery.

The Niagara Regional Police would like to take this opportunity to warn our citizens to exercise extreme caution around any bodies of water or ice at this time of year as the fluctuating temperatures can rapidly change the conditions, making it very dangerous to walk on.

CHCH 11 Sign Off 1979

Signing off for another day is CHCH Channel 11 in Hamilton.

Blue Ghost Tunnel Part 5

Part 5 of a series about the Merritton Train Tunnel that runs under the 3rd Welland Canal.

St. Catharines Standard - Jan 3, 1903
No.4 Express Collides with a light Mogul Near Merritton Tunnel

On the Grand Trunk rail line near Merritton a serious and fatal accident occurred near the Merritton Tunnel today. The accident occurred around 7:03am at a point about 100 yards from the tunnels western entrance. Engine Number 975 was an 80 ton mogul train to leave from Niagara Falls at 6:00am each morning and run through to Hamilton.

Engine Number 4 express train was one of the best and fastest trains on the G.T. R. and was scheduled to arrive in Merritton at 6:28am. The Engineer’s name was Duke and the fireman that manned the boiler was Abraham Desult both from Sarnia. As nearly as can be learned it was 7:03 am when the ill-fated express train passed a small telegraph station near the tunnel,

A few moments later and almost one third of a mile down the track the engine of the express train and the light mogul train met with a terrible crash. Both engines at the time of the collision were in full steam when they met head on. The accident happened on a sharp curve where both engineers could not see each other for a distance of 200ft. The estimated speeds of both trains were about 22MPH at the time of the collision.

Both engineers escaped with only broken limbs and minor cuts to face and arms while Mr. Charles Horning (firemen) for the express train was killed instantly. The reporter described the condition of the body as being jammed between the boiler and tentler, his body was horribly mangled. When rescuers went to pull on the limbs of the man to try to free him they broke off. When some of the remains were taken away, his mid section was so tightly wedged between the tentler and boiler that his remaining body could not be pulled free. It was even noted that his watch on one of his arms was still working……

The other firemen (Abraham Desult) from the mogal train was smashed into the boiler of the train, and received burns to 90% of his body. He was rushed to the St.Catharines General Hospital where he died 5 hours after the accident.

The People’s Press - Jan 3, 1903
Another Wreck For The Grand Trunk
The wreck on the Grand Trunk at Merritton tunnel this morning has added greatly to the general uneasiness regarding the condition of affairs on the Grand Trunk system, which has caused four wrecks in a week—Wanstead, Victoria Bridge, Toronto and now Merritton. Some of the Grand Trunk men lay the blame for the accidents to the indroduction…… (sorry this is all I have of this news article)

A Cloudy Day Down By The Falls

I took these photos on one of my many outings down in the tourist district by Niagara Falls. It was a cloudy wet day in the summer of 2005. I just recently found them on a disc and I thought I would share them with you.



This next one is of a girl and her mother receiving a traffic violation. Please excuse the poor focus.

Welland Kids Fighting In Park

Heres a short video I found today of kids fighting in Chippawa Park in Welland.

Public Assistance Being Sought In Lincoln Arson Investigation

NRPS Media Release

Detectives from the Niagara Regional Police Service – No. 8 District Criminal Investigations Unit are seeking public assistance in identifying the person(s) responsible for placing an incendiary device inside a vehicle in Beamsville on January 26th, 2008.

On Saturday January 26th, 2008 at approximately 12:50 a.m. a resident of Lincoln Avenue in Beamsville heard strange noises outside and looked out to see a white 2007 Ford pick-up truck parked in a driveway on fire. Town of Lincoln Fire Services and the Niagara Regional Police responded to the scene and the fire was quickly extinguished.

Investigation revealed that an incendiary device had been placed in the vehicle and the vehicle had purposely been set on fire. The device inside the vehicle had the potential to cause heavy property damage and endanger life had it ignited further.

Police are requesting that anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area of Lincoln Ave. in Beamsville on January 26th, 2008 around midnight, or anyone who has any information regarding this crime, contact police at 905-688-4111 at extension 5411, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.