The federal government is investing in an innovative pilot project being undertaken by a Brant County firm that could teach other farmers how to diversify their income, decrease their energy costs and make their farm more environmentally friendly.
The investment of up to $100,000 goes to Shelegy Organics.
They will install solar panels and sell solar electricity to Hydro One.  By installing the solar panels, this will also decrease the amount of energy that is carbon (fossil fuel) based being generated on the farm.
Installation of the equipment will be completed by a local contractor and the manufacturer of the panels is also located in the Sand Plains region, with the funding coming from a special fund that was established to help community based inititatives that support regional development.

A legal action launched more than a year ago by Brick Brewing Company of Waterloo, against company founder James R. Brickman has been settled.
The parties agreed to keep the terms confidential.
Among other things, the 23-page statement of claim filed in Ontario Superior Court alleged that Brickman had his wife on the payroll without her doing any work for the company.
It also accused Brickman of abusing his position.

The federal prison Ombudsman is using harsh words in his report on the Correctional Service's response to deaths in custody.
In the wake of the 2007 death of 19-year-old Ashley Smith, who choked herself with a strip of cloth at a prison in Kitchener, Howard Sapers recommends mentally ill offenders never be locked up alone for long periods.
Sapers says there is a recurring pattern of deficiencies in monitoring prisoners with signs of suicidal behaviour.

As part of a program divesting itself of certain assets, the federal government has turned over its facilities at Port Stanley to the municipality of Central Elgin.
Included is approximately 64.5 hectares, 52.8 of which are part of the harbour bed.  The property also includes two breakwaters, two piers and a building.  In addition, the transfer agreement includes a contribution of $13.6 million from the government of Canada to be used exclusively to cover operational costs and maintain the port’s infrastructure.
Mayor Tom Marks says as the new owner and operator of the harbour, Central Elgin can make and encourage new investments to reclaim the waterfront.