LOCAL BRIEFS

Sherkston Shores jet ski collision results in charges for N.Y. man

A New York resident is facing charges after a jet ski collision near Sherkston Shores in Port Colborne on Thursday evening. Niagara Regional Police have charged a 21-year-old male with operating a vessel in an unsafe manner. NRP spokeswoman Stephanie Sabourin said because it is not a criminal charge, his name is not being released. The collision happened at about 5:55 p.m. according and involved two men, police said. Sabourin said one Sea-Doo was returning to shore when the other collided with it, throwing one of the men from his vehicle. Port Colborne Fire and Emergency Services Chief Tom Cartwright said when firefighters arrived on scene, everyone was already ashore. The man thrown from his jet ski was said to be complaining of being unable to feel from his waist down, and Ornge Air Ambulance was called to the scene. Cartwright said the air ambulance was called off after the man regained feeling and firefighters assisted in loading him into a regular ambulance, at which time he was taken to local hospital. Police said he had minor injuries as a result of the crash. A Welland man was arrested Thursday and charged with drug possession and trafficking. John Hibbert, 49, was taken into custody after an investigation conducted by the Niagara Regional Police Welland street crime unit. The investigators looked into the alleged sale of drugs by a man, who was found with suspected cocaine and crystal methamphetamine valued at more than $4,800. There was also indication he was trafficking the substances, police allege. Hibbert was charged with two counts of possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000 and two counts of fail to comply with recognizance.

Welland man charged with drug possession New HR director for Region

Niagara Region has appointed a new director of human resources. Peter Wadsworth will assume the role on Sept. 5, filling a vacancy left by Fiona Peaceful earlier this year. Wadsworth comes from Canadian Niagara Hotels and Entertainment Group where he was vice-president of human resources for 4,000 union and non-unionized staff. He’s also worked with the Ontario Labour Relations Board, City of Toronto, Maple Leaf Foods and Kimberly Clark. As Niagara Region’s head of HR, he’ll responsible for recruitment retention efforts, collective agreement negotiations, health and safety, managing organizational planning, compensation and benefits.

Commercial vehicles target of traffic blitz

Heavy commercial vehicles, dump trucks and roofer and landscape vehicles were the target of a police blitz in Grimsby Thursday. Niagara Regional Police working with the Ministry of Transportation gave 14 vehicles complete safety inspections during a short, localized blitz in the urban areas. Two vehicles were removed form the road and 12 provincial offence notices were issued for various offences, including insecure loads, major and minor defects and document offences. Police said one vehicle had tires so worn that they required immediate replacement onsite. Police and the ministry are reminding drivers to keep items tied down, strapped and secured in their pickups and trailers so they don’t become a danger to others. The inspection blitzes will continue throughout the summer.