An assault on bus operator Garfield Gilbert (left) changed everything, and though he appears to be recuperating physically, it might be a while before his mental outlook heals. "The more I think about it, the more frightening this thing is," Gilbert said. "How will I handle driving if every five seconds I'm looking over my shoulder?" -- Full story.

Local 4, Charny, P.Q.
The regular monthly meeting for May has been rescheduled for the third Monday of the month due to "Fete de Dollard," according to Secretary and Treasurer Louis-François Garceau, who notes the location and time for the meeting remain the same. For information, call (418) 832-1502, or send e-mail to <yahwe@total.net>.

Local 171, Aurora, Ill.
Active and retired members enjoyed a successful annual holiday dinner, marked by presentations from the Railroad Retirement Board and the UnitedHealth Group, said Local President Roy Coan. Special thanks go to Secretary and Treasurer Richard Temple, who handled the invitations, and to Bill Frenz, Phil Romanchuk and John Bishof of Designated Legal Counsel Yaeger, Jungbauer, Barczak, Roe & Vucinovich, PLC, who sponsored the event.

Locals 262, 898, 1462, Boston, Mass.
Members will be well represented when the puck drops at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 11, at the Zapustas Ice Arena, 240 North St., Randolph, Mass., signaling the start of the Fourth Annual Billy Flaherty/David Fowkes Railroaders' Hockey Game, according to Local President E.B. Radovich (L-1462). All proceeds from the game, named in honor of two beloved UTU conductors, help out New England Division Amtrak employees battling cancer and other diseases. This year, Amtrak employees team up to battle the Boston Bruins Alumni Team, composed of former National Hockey League greats, with Local Chairperson Roger "The Wall" Lenfest (L-898) starting in the net. Gratitude goes to the UTU International, the UTUIA, Massachussets State Legislative Director George Casey, General Chairperson Al Suozzo, Local Chairpersons Joe Motte (L-1462) and Tom Driscoll (L-262), and Secretary and Treasurer Dave Bowe (L-1462) for their continued support and generosity. For information, call (508) 478-4590. More information is posted at <http://www.nesportsnet.com/bfhockey>.

Local 376, Louisville, Ky.
Local officers are making plans for the summer, with a string of events set for August, including the regular monthly meeting on August 9, a golf scramble August 10, and the annual picnic on August 11, according to Secretary Johnnie V. Estes, who noted details would be available when arrangements have been finalized.

Local 469, Madison, Ill.
A check for $1,000 was presented to the Four Square Church of Granite City, Ill., which provides food and assistance to the needy, in the wake of another successful Super Bowl Sunday Poker Tournament, hosted by the local and sponsored by the Midwest Railroaders and Designated Legal Counsel Lance Callis. Winner of the tournament was Don Gaston, a retired switchman from the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis, said Secretary and Treasurer John I. Payer. Among those in attendance were members of Local 1517, Cincinnati, Ohio; Local 1534, Chicago, Ill.; Locals 1388 and 1405, St. Louis, Mo., and Local 1229, E. St. Louis, Ill.

Local 770's Legislative Representative Tommy Robertson (left) and President Charles E. "Rock" Ford, Jr., (right) present a donation to Women's Crisis Center Shelter Manager Cindy Vaughn.

Local 770, Heavener, Okla.
The Women's Crisis Center in Heavener was the winner for the third year in a row when members of the local employed by Kansas City Southern held a food collection at their annual Christmas party, according to Local President Charles E. "Rock" Ford, Jr., and Legislative Representative Tommy G. Robertson.

Local 1470, Edmonston, Md.
The Seventeenth Annual Reunion of PRR Retirees will be held April 16-18 at the Holiday Inn West in Myrtle Beach, S.C., with the banquet to be held on Wednesday, April 18, according to retiree and event chairperson Joe Hollifield. For information, contact Hollifield by writing to him at 250 Maison Dr., Myrtle Beach, SC 29572, or call (843) 280-4140.

Local 1570, Roseville, Cal.
Along with those from Local 492, Sacramento, Cal., members turned out in record numbers for the Eighth Annual Placer County Democratic Central Committee President's Day Dinner. Emcee at the event was California Assistant State Legislative Director Mike N. Anderson, who noted the greatest attendance in 20 years. Also on hand were Local President Jim Feickert, Secretary and Treasurer Walter Wilson, member Ken B. Schaffer, and Local 492's Secretary and Treasurer Daryl Stinchfield, who serves as the committee's treasurer. Volunteer bartenders included retired former Local President Dan Sanford and retired Local Chairperson Wes Berg. The event raised enough money to support the organization's activities for two years.

Local 1594, Upper Darby, Pa.
Contract negotiations for members employed as rail and bus workers on the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) are in the early stages, according to Local Chairperson and President Ron Koran, who remains optimistic about the talks.

Local 1687, Belen, N.M.
Members working for BNSF send best wishes to James D. Morgan, who hired out on the former Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe on June 22, 1959, served as local chairperson for trainmen during the past 10 years, and retired February 1, said BNSF General Chairperson Jim A. Huston. "Your knowledge, experience and wisdom will be missed, not only at the local level, but also on the general committee level," said Huston in a letter to Morgan.

Local 1778, N. Vancouver, B.C.
Employees of BC Rail, along with members of Local 1923, Prince George, B.C., who are represented by the Council of Trade Unions, voted more than 70% in favor of the tentative pact reached in December, according to Secretary and Treasurer David Moorhouse. The contract, which runs from January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002, includes a 2.5% wage increase each year, a raise in weekly indemnity rates and job security travel allowances, and contracting-out language similar to that employed by the Teamsters.