The best of the best are at the University of Windsor this weekend, competing in the Canadian Senior Track and Field Championships, seeking to clear that final hurdle and earn a trip to next month's Beijing Summer Games.

Launched 25 years ago when Chrysler virtually invented the minivan segment, the iconic vehicles rolling off the line at the company's Windsor Assembly Plant have since dominated the market.

TORONTO - Canadian auto retailers have begun following their U. S. peers in using free gasoline as bait, a gimmick they hope will reel in frustrated consumers and boost sales.

QUEBEC - Quebec Premier Jean Charest praised the late French president Charles de Gaulle on Friday, saying he should not be remembered just for his "Vive le Quebec libre!" declaration, but also for his role in establishing close diplomatic relations between France and Quebec.

MAYERTHORPE, Alta. - Prime Minister Stephen Harper again offered formal condolences to the families of four Mounties gunned down three years ago as the town of Mayerthorpe officially unveiled a memorial park Friday and praised the legacy of the slain officers.

CALGARY - With an 82-year-old Stampede queen leading the way, hundreds of thousands of people shouted, waved and packed downtown Calgary streets Friday to watch the kickoff to the 88th Calgary Stampede.

MINSK - About 50 people were wounded early on Friday by a home-made bomb that sprayed nuts and bolts into a crowd at an open-air concert in Belarus's capital attended by long-time ruler President Alexander Lukashenko, officials said.

NEW YORK - U.S. defending champion Joey Chestnut won the annual Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on Friday by downing 64 hotdogs in a competition that stretched into a first-ever overtime.

Officers scoured the city's west end for bodies on Friday as Windsor police extended search efforts for two missing men who investigators now say may have been victims of a double murder.

AMHERSTBURG - One of the area's last surviving log cabins built before Confederation will get a new lease on life.

If you're Windsor's Katie Kerr, you embrace it -- perhaps even flaunt it.

Despite record rainfall in June, there appears to have been only a moderate increase in basement flooding in Windsor.

Windsor cops this weekend are looking to catch children's attention -- hook, line and sinker.

Ten home gardens will be open for viewing when the Belle River and District Horticultural Society holds its Open Gardens Tour on Sunday from 11a.m. to 5 p.m.

Olympic trials Have a look at a photo gallery from Day 2 of the Canadian Track and Field Championships at University of Windsor Stadium. Also, keep on top of the weekend's developments and results online at www.windsorstar.com.

News hotline -- 519-256-5533

CAW Local 444 president Ken Lewenza's lack of experience at the national level is a strike against his candidacy for the top job at the country's largest-private sector union, says opponent Hemi Mitic.

Scandals involving Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and several councillors have left a $75-million tunnel deal with Windsor in limbo.

In high school there were girls who could throw the javelin farther than Scott Russell. Now, he has all but guaranteed his spot on the Beijing Olympic team.

The region's public school board director can add another award to her trophy case.