LETHBRIDGE: Good news Monday from a presentation in our city by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

They expect continued growth in 2012, with the greatest increase in sales coming from older homes.

Stephen Amonson, President of local branch of the Canadian Home Builders Association stated that there's simply more price options in used homes, with a base number that's generally much easier for families and first time home buyers to go after.

Amonson added that an increase in the number of immigrants moving into Alberta is also helping, coupled with an increase in full time and manufacturing jobs locally.

The Public Safety Communications Centre got a 911-call early Monday, from a man who said there had been a stabbing  at a lounge in the 1800-block of Mayor Magrath Drive south. Police got to the scene and found no such crime had been committed.

The call was traced and a charge of public mischief (reporting an offence not committed) was laid against 27-year old Kelly Thomas Ostafie. He is scheduled to appear in court February 28th

 If you received a tattoo at a residential operation run by Sandra Wiltzen (located at 501-B Stafford Dr. N) you could be at risk for Hepatitis B and C as well as H-I-V.   You need to call the Community Health centre at 403-388-66-64 and arrange for testing. AHS ordered Wiltzen to close on January 5th and provide a list of clients for confidential testing but, she failed to comply, which prompted this advisory.

Dr. Vivien Suttorp, Medical Officer of Health for the South Zone, notes that the big issue is, "equipment used for tattooing must be properly sterilized, are work areas sterilized and is the person doing the tattoo wearing gloves?"

To confirm that any tattoo operation is inspected and approved, individuals can call AHS Environmental Public Health at 403-388-6690.  Closure orders issued by AHS are also posted online at: http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/3150.asp (click on “South” to see those in South Zone).

You are also reminded to ask any tattoo operation for a copy of the facility’s most recent Health Inspection Report. 

 For general health information about tattoos, call Health Link Alberta at 1-866-408-LINK (5465). 

An AHS news release notes Questions to ask when considering a tattoo facility:

-- Is the facility clean and in good repair, with smooth washable equipment and surfaces?

-- Is the tattooing area separate from all dining, washroom, kitchen, lounge or sleeping areas?

-- Does the operator have equipment for sterilization, including an autoclave for reusable items?

-- Are tattoo needles contained in sealed packages, unopened until the time of use?

-- Does the operator use proper containers for the safe disposal of needles?

-- Are all linens changed after every client?

-- Does the operator wash hands thoroughly with soap and water at a separate hand washing sink before and after each client?

-- Does the operator wear clean clothing?

-- Does the operator refrain from smoking, drinking and eating while tattooing?

-- Do you receive written and verbal instructions regarding the care of your tattoo?

-- Does the operator request your contact information for the facility's records?

-- Can the operator provide you with a copy of the facility's most recent Health Inspection Report?

LETHBRIDGE: Lethbridge Regional Police have charged a 41-year old Lethbridge man for a crime that happened 14-years ago.

Troy Mark Dean faces charges of robbery, disguised and unlawful confinement.

November 19th, 1998 police responded to a robbery at Leo's One Stop along the 700 block of 13th Street North. A male had entered the store wearing a stocking over his face and robbed the clerk of an undisclosed amount of cash. No one was injured and the suspect took off on foot. A search of the area turned up the stocking, which contained DNA evidence. It was then entered into the National DNA Databank.

It was then in 2011 that the DNA matched up to a man recently convicted of robbing London Road Market July 31st, 2011. In that case Dean was sentenced to spend the next three years in custody, after pleading guilty to robbing the business. Around 4:30 that afternoon he entered the store carrying a knife and wearing a mask, demanding cash from an employee. After the money was handed over he left the store, taking off his mask in front of a witness outside.

Dean will make his first appearance on the 14-year old cold case February 21st.

It will give landowners the opportunity to learn about some of the issues occurring in the watershed and how they can become more involved.  This years theme is Watershed Stewardship: Where are we headed?

The 6th annual Holding the Reins is open to the public and goes on Tuesday from 9am to 4:30 at the Fort Macleod Community Hall.

You can register online at www.oldmanbasin.org or contact Leta at 403-381-5801.

The cost is $10 for OWC members and $20 for non-members.

It happened Saturday afternoon around 3:00-pm, when the snowboarder lost control and slid into a ditch on a run called Buffalo Flats. 

Its believed he was traveling at a relatively high speed when he tried to avoid other people on the slopes, lost control, slid into the ditch where he hit a stump off the side of the run.

The 30-year old Calgary man was wearing a helmet and chest protector at the time. No name is being released at the request of the family.

RCMP will be doing a full investigation of the incident.

Just before 3am on Sunday morning, fire and EMS were called to a residence in the 400 block of Leaside Avenue.

The fire department quickly put out the fire but the damage is extensive.

Luckily, no one was home at the time of the blaze

Crews continue to investigate the origin.

It happened around 7:00 on Saturday morning.

A 46-year-old man was seen by witnesses to have jumped from the upper-level of the parkade.

An Alberta Health spokesperson confirmed the man was a patient at the hospital but, details leading up to the incident are not yet known and the man's name will not be released.