Niagara’s wineries, restaurants and some retailers have had a busy December, crediting the federal government’s GST holiday for their increased sales. Henry of Pelham president Paul Speck said although Christmas season sales this year began slowly, they quickly increased as the holiday grew closer. “VQAO wine sales are up and wine in general,” Speck said. “That’s good to see. We think people will kind of stock up, especially when something’s on sale.” In some cases, he said consumers are saving $5 a bottle for some popular wines his company sells, when the sale price and GST break are added up. “It’s a pretty good deal, and why not get a couple extra bottles?” he said, laughing. “I think any savings, especially right now when the economy is tough, is very much welcome.” Speck said it’s also an opportunity for people to “maybe even experiment a little bit, with wines from Niagara that they may not have tried before because they’re a little bit cheaper.” Niagara wineries, restaurants and some retailers are crediting the temporary GST holiday for increased sales. For two months, a list of items including children’s toys, snacks, wine and restaurant food are exempt from the federal Goods and Services Tax. Smaller wineries like Black Bank Hill in Beamsville saw a slight sales increase, too, likely as a result of the tax savings, said owner Taylor Emerson. “People have noticed ... and bought wine because of it,” he said. “It’s an added incentive. It does make it easier.” Emerson called it a “quiet December” for many wineries as customers have less money left over to spend on wine, due to inflation, but the tax break likely helped bring customers through the door. “It hasn’t hurt for sure,” he said. Pierre Kountouris, who owns Joe Feta’s in St Catharines, said his restaurant is one of many that have seen significant increases in sales in the weeks since the GST break began Dec. 14. “I don’t think there’s any food service operation that hasn’t seen an increase” in sales. “We found that people are spending a little bit more, because you’re getting a 13 per cent break. Typically, that’s how it goes,” Kountouris said. He said this December has already been busier than last year, and he expects it to be even busier during the last week of the month. “I can see people are spending a little more money and I think the GST holiday has something to do with it. It makes a big difference when you’re not paying the extra 13 per cent.” Large corporate catering orders have also increased for his business, with taxes no longer being included in budgets, he said. Kountouris expected increased sales to continue for the weeks to come, until the GST break ends on Feb. 15. “All in all, especially in our industry it’s been a good thing,” he said. Although Albert Zappitelli recently stepped away from most of the day-to-day operations at the Niagara Falls restaurant he founded, Zappi’s Pizza and Pasta, subletting the restaurant to his employees, he said the GST break is a massive opportunity for restaurants. “This is the biggest bonus you’ll ever see,” he said. “Something like this in December, January and part of February, you’ve got to take advantage of this because this is massive. Do you even know what it feels like to buy a $15 lunch and pay $15?” Some retailers, too, are reporting increased sales. Vincent Fattore said his Port Dalhousie business, Thistle Bookshop and Café, is definitely busier than usual. “We’ve definitely seen quite the increase in sales over here,” he said. “We’re definitely seeing an increase in people coming down to Port Dalhousie and definitely have a lot more customers in the store too.” Fattore said the tax break applies to most of the items he sells, including books, games and puzzles, and the suppliers he works with helped sort out any products where taxes would still be charged.
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But after the girl replied asking Gary Bisset if he was the man who served her in the store, he continued to send her messages on Facebook in the coming months. Newcastle Crown Court heard that they were considered to be generally of no concern. But, shortly before Christmas the tone of the messaging changed and, in the words of the girl, they became, “creepy”. Nicoleta Alastari, prosecuting, said Bisset suggested she should visit his shop more often. (Image: Child Online Safety Team (COST)) Ms Alastari said the girl told her father who was concerned due to the age difference, and he told her to block the defendant online. But Bisset set up different accounts and continued to message the girl. Advised by her father, she made her age clear to Bisset and told him she was still at school. But, in January 2023, she asked Bisset if he fancied her and he replied that he did. Miss Alastari said the girl made it clear which year group she was in at school and asked if he was bothered. Bisset told he she was “pretty” and suggested they should “hug”. Two days later she asked him when they should meet and it was suggested they should go to the cinema. Miss Alastari said after this Bisset turned the conversation to sexual matters and also asked her to send him a picture of her lying in bed. After she sent him a message asking to meet he said he would like to do so and to kiss her. When the girl’s father became aware of the nature of the messaging he alerted the Child Online Safety Team (COST) and gave them details of his daughter’s account. A member of the paedophile-hunting group made inquiries into Bisset and located his address, while on February 1, last year, another COST member and the girl’s father attended his property and confronted him. The police were then informed and the defendant was arrested, making no comment when interviewed. In her victim statement, the girl said it has had a significant impact on her since the defendant’s arrest. She said she did not like to be alone at home when her parents are out, while she is conscious using public transport, and she has serious trust issues. The episode has also left her doubting whether she should use social media, and worried about going to shopping centres as she feels the outcome could have been more serious. Her father said his daughter is worried about going to the shopping centre where she first encountered the defendant as she is worried about seeing him. The court heard the victim has an adhd diagnosis and since events involving Bisset she has increased her medication. The 43-year-old defendant of Daffodil Close, Winlaton, Gateshead, who is of previous good character, admitted a single count of sexual communication with a child. (Image: Child Online Safety Team (COST)) Chris Baker, in mitigation, said a psychologist’s report prepared for the court indicates that the defendant, who he described as, “clearly a very a basic man”, suffers with a borderline learning difficulty. Mr Baker said the Probation Service believes it can work with the defendant to address his issues. “Society would be probably better protected in the long run if Mr Bisset’s issues are dealt with rather than subject him to punishment. “He would be very vulnerable if sent to prison. “He also has long-term medical issues which require a significant amount of medication.” Judge Penny Moreland said over the space of about a month the defendant communicated in a sexual manner with the girl. “There had been sporadic contact for some time and from December 2022 the communication became what the girl described as ‘creepy’. “You admit it was sexual communication for sexual gratification. “She blocked you, but you set up the new Facebook and Snapchat accounts and kept on contacting her in a persistent way. “You were asked if you were bothered that she was 15 and you said: “No”.” It was only when matters were brought to her father’s attention and he sought assistance from the Child Online Safety Team that it brought Bisset’s activities to an end. Judge Moreland said it has affected the victim’s college attendance, made her mistrustful of men, while she has had to increase her medication for adhd and sought help for anxiety. “This was sustained and persistent communication involving use of different online profiles.” Judge Moreland said she accepted that the defendant may not have been aware of the girl’s vulnerabilities. “You have reached 43, been married a number of years and held down a number of jobs, but I accept you have a low IQ which has an impact on your capabilities and you have health issues. “Most importantly, the Probation Service takes the view there’s the prospect of rehabilitation and, so, it’s just possible to suspend the sentence.” (Image: The Northern Echo) She imposed a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, during which the defendant must attend 50 rehabilitation activity days working with the Probation Service. See more court stories from The Northern Echo, by clicking here Consett sex offender breached court order within weeks Peterlee sex offender jailed for series of court order breaches County Durham man breached Sexual Harm Risk Order by messaging girl Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. Click here. He was made subject of restrictions under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and notification as a sex offender, both for ten years. A restraining order also forbids any contact or approaches with the victim, also for ten years. Judge Moreland warned Bisset that any breaches of the court orders would bring him back before her, with the risk of custody of up to 12 months as a starting point.US Ambassador Blome starts farewell activities ahead of his departure next month US embassy spox says, "Ambassador is immensely grateful for hospitality he experienced in every corner of Pakistan" US Ambassador Donald Blome signs the second US-Pakistan bilateral agreement on September 30, 2022. — APP ISLAMABAD: US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome has announced his intention to depart from Pakistan inJanuary 2025, and his transition, according to the US government, comes as part of the normal US Foreign Service rotation process. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1700472799616-0'); }); Ambassador Blome leaves as the new administration of President-elect Donald Trump gets ready to move into the White House. On his departure, Deputy Chief of Mission Natalie Baker will assume the duties of chargé d’affaires. Ambassador Blome, a career diplomat and the 31st US ambassador to Pakistan, has started his farewell activities in Islamabad. He took charge in May 2022 and became the first full-time ambassador to Pakistan after a gap of three years. The position had been vacant since August 2018. Nominated by President Joe Biden, Ambassador Blome came to Islamabad following the withdrawal of American troops in Afghanistan. He had served as a political counsellor at the US Embassy in Kabul in 2012-2013. “The ambassador is immensely grateful for the warmth and hospitality he has experienced in every corner of Pakistan throughout his tenure and will have more to say about his deep appreciation, the highlights of his time in Pakistan, and his hope for Pakistan’s future in the days and weeks ahead,” a US Embassy spokesperson told The News, confirming the comping departure of the ambassador. Ambassador Blome came to Pakistan in very challenging times when PTI leader Imran Khan had accused the US of a “regime change”. In September 2022, in an interview with The News, the ambassador had commented, “We want to see an independent, prosperous and strong Pakistan. That’s what we believe is in our interest and in the interest of the region.” When asked specifically about the “regime change” allegations, he had responded, “The United States has spoken to the Pakistan government here and in Washington. I am hopeful that we can get past this regime change accusations and get back into important work that we have to do, to work together on some issues right now facing the world and our two countries.” The US Embassy spokesperson, commenting on the time that Ambassador Blome had spent in Pakistan these past few years, said, “Under Ambassador Blome’s leadership, the US-Pakistan relationship entered a new chapter focused on shared goals and challenges – partnering with Pakistan to promote economic growth and deepen the connections between the Pakistani and American people.” Some of the issues that the ambassador focused upon were strategic investments in affordable energy, clean water, and smart agriculture. “He made economic reform and strengthening the US-Pakistan trade and investment relationship top priorities. And he worked tirelessly to expand access to quality health care and education, combat Pakistan’s severe, acute malnutrition crisis, and bring the best of American technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship to Pakistan to create jobs and uplift the Pakistani people,” added the spokesperson.