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Vol. 133 No. 38 PORT PERRY - TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1999 Good crops, POOr prices Low market prices create concern for area farmers By Jeff Mitchell Port, Perry Star Continuing depressed market prices have some area farmers worrying about the return they'll get on their crops this year. While growing conditions have for the most part been good, grains, beans and other crops are fetching | low prices on commodity markets. And other sectors, such as hog producers, continue to endure low returns on their investments. While low prices are a concern, the picture in Durham and area isn't as grim as elsewhere in the country, however. The situation is so bad for some western farmers -- who have been battered by bad weather and shaky markets -- that the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, which is calling for a resumption of federal farm subsidies, is saying they haven't endured such hard times since the Great Depression. The diversity of farming in Ontario mead that farmers aren't hit as hard when a particular market, such as grain, sags, said Joel Bagg of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) in Port Perry. "There's such diversity; some sectors are doing fairly well, and others aren't," he said last week. "There's some people who are making money, and some aren't." Still, there is concern about low prices, Mr. Bagg admitted. Cash crop prices are low, as are corn and soybean markets. And hog farmers have endured a long spell of low returns, during which many of them were actually losing money on hogs they raised and sent to market. Those low prices are mitigated somewhat by what looks to be a good growing season for most crops, he said. "It's a long way from being in the bin... but yields Please turn to page 19 : TTR PREPARING THE BIG TOP - A worker with the Kelly- Miller Circus ties together sections of the large cir- cus tent which arrived in Port Perry last Sunday morning. Hundreds of area families enjoyed one of the two performances which took place at the fair- grounds during the afternoon. Kids were thrilled by trapeze artists, elephants, clowns and of course filled themselves with candy floss and popcorn. See page 4 fons more photos. Ea ag Eg ET I Te pp oa 55 a, cnr -- LE Ss Aad Li tore "JEFF 4 POR ['F PERF Assault suspected to be work of local street gang By Rik Davie Special to the Star Police are investigating the assault of a Port Perry youth during a house party on Scugog St. last week that may be linked to a self-styled street gang. Investigating 'officers were told that the assault began after an 18-year-old male asked four males to leave the party. It is alleged that the suspects began pushing the victim, and when a phone was used to attempt a 911 call it was ripped from the wall. It is reported that the victim was pushed, shoved and hit in the head with an object believed $0 be a fry- ing pan. e victim was taken to hospital in Port. Perry by ambulance with head injuries around 2 a.m. last Tuesday morning. He was later released after treat- ment for cuts and bruising. Constable Al Robins of Port Perry's 26 Division said that an investigation is under way, and that Durham Regional Police are investigating four suspects in rela- tion to the incident. Howevet, police could not comment on whether any Garage Sale Continues... of the suspects belong to a street gang that calls itself the Port Perry Crew. No proof of the gang's existence has surfaced beyond rumours and spray paintings con- taining the letters CRU on buildings around town. There has been a rash of what is termed "tagging" - - the spray painting of walls with symbols, names and sayings -- around Port Perry recently. The letters CRU are included in some of the graffiti. Rumours amongst youth around town include the fact that the so-called "crew" use the fairgrounds, which has been "tagged," as a meeting place.