The discovery of a handgun and ammunition inside a plastic bag in the area of a Shantz Avenue park on Saturday has Brantford police seeking assistance from the public.

Police say a resident was walking his dog around Hickory Park when he saw a plastic bag next to a garbage can.

The resident found an unloaded .22 calibre high-standard Derringer firearm and seven bullets inside the bag.

The man brought the gun to the Brantford Police Service station. Police say the resident assured reception staff that the gun remained locked in the trunk of his car.

The major crime and forensic identification units continue to investigate.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Det. Const. Jason Nagy at 519-756-0113 ext. 2206.

The Bank of Montreal has dove into the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre fundraising campaign by donating $25,000 toward an electronic timing system for the centre’s new 25-metre pool.

“I have a lot of passion for this building and have worked with (Gretzky centre manager Sandy Jackson) over the last couple of years waiting for this to be done,” Suzanne Paulins from BMO said during a funding announcement at the pool on Tuesday morning.

Paulins, who is also president of the Brantford Aquatic Club, said the new pool is ideal for hosting club swims and competitive events. Some 900 swimmers will test out the pool during a provincial meet in July before the centre hosts a major Swim International meet in November.

“It’s just a phenomenal facility and we’re so excited to be part of it,” Paulins said.

To date, the Gretzky centre fundraising campaign has collected just over $500,000 of its $5 million target, said fundraiser Susan Campbell from KCI.

Campbell said more announcements are forthcoming, including a donation from SC Johnson to be revealed next Thursday. The campaign is also seeing increasing interest in sponsorship for the Sports Hall of Recognition, she said.

TimCo Foods processing plant in St. George will soon resume operations after a Ministry of the Environment tribunal accepted a new biofilter design to control odours emanating from the business.

MOE spokesperson Kate Jordan on Monday said the environmental review tribunal accepted a settlement agreement that will permit the edible oils processing plant to resume operations under the terms of an updated environmental compliance approval, which is expected to be issued shortly.

Jordan said the MOE conducted a detailed review of the new biofilter design and the company’s application to amend its environmental approval, which was suspended by the ministry late last year, forcing the company to cease operations.

“The ministry fully expects TimCo to comply with these requirements,” Jordan said. “The new biofilter design can effectively manage odours from the facility.

“The approval will be one of the most stringent environmental approvals the ministry has issued for an odour-control system. Conditions will be put in place to make sure the biofilter is constructed as designed and that the start up of the facility and continued operation does not result in impacts to area neighbours.”

TimCo Foods opened in the summer of 2011 on Prospect Street in St. George. St. George residents have expressed concern about odour from the operation.

Three Cambridge residents are facing drug production charges after Brant OPP raided a marijuana grow-op at an Industrial Boulevard business in St. George on Friday.

Officers with the OPP’s organized crime and enforcement bureau assisted county OPP officers with the execution of a search warrant at the facility and located pot plants in various stages of growth inside the building.

Police say the plants have an estimated street value of about $230,000.

A 69-year-old Cambridge man, a 49-year-old Cambridge man and a 49-year-old Cambridge woman are charged with production of cannabis.

Local organizations are being invited to “take a seat and extend a life” during the 20th annual Heart and Stroke Foundation Big Bike fundraiser.

Every seven minutes, a Canadian dies from heart disease or stroke, conditions that also hospitalize more than 3,100 people in Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk and surrounding areas each year, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

“Events like Big Bike allow the foundation to continue funding world-class heart disease and stroke research, advocacy and health promotion that is improving the lives of all Canadians,” said Pam Brown, area manager for the foundation. “We’re helping give Canadians longer, fuller, healthier lives.”

The annual fundraiser, taking place throughout the summer at various locations, invites groups of 29 people to ride together on a two-kilometre route through the city on one large bike.

“It’s something different and it’s not too much of a time commitment,” said Heart and Stroke Foundation area co-ordinator Caitlin Morrow. “It’s a great way for a company or memorial team to get 29 people involved and have fun while raising money for heart and stroke research.”

Last year’s ride raised $90,000 for automated external defibrillators in public spaces throughout the region, the Brantford General Hospital stroke clinic and research projects. This year’s goal is even bigger, with organizers hoping to bring in $120,000.

Groups will take a ride on the big bike on Tuesday, June 18, Saturday, June 22, and Monday, June 24. Space is still available for rides on Thursday, Aug. 15.

The event is open to local businesses and corporations, as well as memorial or tribute teams.

“This fun, team-building event is a great opportunity to increase employee morale and your organization’s visibility in the community and all for a good cause,” Brown said.

Call 519-752-1301 for more information or to sign up for the Big Bike.

Two champion aerobatic pilots and a Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 demonstration team will take to the skies during the 2013 Rotary Brantford Charity Airshow, set for Aug. 28 at the Brantford Municipal Airport.

American pilot Mike Wiskus, Canadian national aerobatic and air racer champion Pete McLeod and the Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team will join the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and SkyHawks Canadian Military Parachute Team when the charity air show makes its return to Brantford after a two-year hiatus.

Local aerobatic pilots Danny Richer and Martin Mattes round out the bill, along with aircraft from the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum.

The air show will return for its 12th edition following a two-year wait while the City of Brantford repaired the airport tarmac to meet RCAF requirements.

Despite the break, marquee acts such as Wiskus and the Snowbirds were eager to return, said air show chair Melissa Minshall.

“We have developed quite a reputation as a fantastic show,” Minshall told city councillors during a presentation at Monday’s committee of the whole meeting.

Minshall was joined by Rita-Marie Hadley and Sherry Kerr from the Rotary Club of Brantford, who said the air show has raised more than $400,000 for local charities. Originally organized by the United Way, the air show now generates funds for the Boy and Girls Club of Brantford and Lansdowne Children’s Centre.

“The community has been beyond generous and that’s why we’re able to present a show like this,” Minshall said.

Kerr expects the free show to draw thousands of onlookers, who this year can take advantage of free shuttle bus service to the show, paid for by the city.

Councillors also approved covering insurance for the air show and donating the use of city-owned tables, chairs and garbage cans to help Rotary keep costs low.

An island-themed fundraiser gave four business experts a taste of what they are in for this fall as the 30 Days of Progress Tour embarks on a journey to St. Lucia.

Caribbean music, food and festivities took over Club NV on Saturday night.

Brantford’s Doug Radkey, his wife Jennifer Radkey, Ron Louch and Robert Lavigne are all headed to the Caribbean island as part of a business development project in partnership with the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce.

“This is our first fundraiser, but is also an awareness tool for us,” Radkey said. “All the proceeds from the door, drinks and raffles will go toward the youth in St. Lucia.”

In addition to sharing group member’s individual skills in different areas of business and marketing, the foursome also intends to dedicate much of its time on the island to volunteering in elementary schools.

After departing on Nov. 1, the team will spend a month in St. Lucia working with three to four businesses identified by the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce.

“We will help them with strategy planning, social business strategies, personal development, website development and online marketing,” Radkey said. “All those things that can help get them to the next level.”

The idea is to bring the sort of expertise in new business that is easily accessible in Canada to the small business community of St. Lucia.

As the departure date moves closer, Radkey said the team will be ramping up fundraising and awareness efforts as it seeks sponsorship and support.

“We are still finalizing dates for a five-city, five-day local tour,” Radkey said. “We are going to be emulating what we will be doing in St. Lucia in one business that is struggling and embed ourselves for the day.”

Radkey said the five-city tour will help the group raise awareness in other municipalities, help five area businesses improve and give the group a chance to test their plans for St. Lucia.

The dates for the tour are tentatively set for September and cities may include London, Kitchener, Brantford, Hamilton and Burlington.

While Doug has taken on planning for the five-city tour, his wife Jennifer is tackling a youth leadership project that is part of plans for the Caribbean trip.

Mentoring and encouraging young adults in St. Lucia has always been part of the plan, but Jennifer now plans to pilot the project in Brantford before the group leaves.

“It will be a group for teenagers who have an interest in starting their own business eventually,” she said. “We will teach them financial skills, leadership qualities and help put together business plans. We will get them involved in the community and help promote that entrepreneurial spirit.”

To connect with the team or follow its progress, visit www.30daysofprogress.com.

The Brantford Bisons junior varsity team bounced back from losing a game and its starting quarterback in London last week to pick up a victory at home on Saturday against a tough Guelph Bears opponent.

With starter Matt Krason on crutches after tearing a knee ligament against the Forest City Thunderbirds, running back Michael Cooper was in at quarterback at Bisons Alumni Field on Saturday.

Despite allowing a punt return touchdown to the Bears after Brantford’s first series, the Bisons locked down their defence and found a way to score in the 25-12 victory.

Cooper would score one touchdown, Alex McClure another and running back Julian Kalin scored two. Luke Saunders converted one extra point.

The Bisons are now 2-2 in the Ontario Football Conference and are home next on July 6 at 5 p.m.

Pickleball players took over the Doug Snooks Eagle Place Community Centre last weekend during the Brantford Pickleball Club’s first-ever open tournament.

Featuring elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong, pickleball is a fast-growing sport, especially among the senior population.

The game is played on a doubles badminton court with a net about the same height as a tennis net. The rules are an amalgamation of other racquet sports.

Players use hard plastic paddles to hit a whiffle ball. The ball travels about one-third as fast as a tennis ball, which is what makes the sport popular among seniors.

“It’s a bit easier on the body than tennis because of the smaller courts,” Brantford pickleball ambassador Jane Kemp said. “But don’t let that fool you. We had a tennis player recently come out to join us who said this was a much better overall workout than a tennis game.”

The Brantford Pickleball Club meets four times a week at Doug Snooks to play competitive games. The club has been active in the city for almost a year and a half.

Pickleball is part of the Ontario Senior Games. Kemp said the Brantford club has several athletes in the running for the regional games in August.

Visit www.brantfordpickleball.com for more information.