Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Another teen goes missing

There's another missing teen in the city.   Police say 14 year old Miranda Ritchie was last seen Sunday when she was dropped off at Churchill Pool.  They say she contacted her guardian later that night saying she wouldn't be coming home.

Brown seeks all avenues to save AFP

The province says there's simply no wood to give but that isn't deterring Atikokan from finding resources that would help re-open the idled Atikokan Forest Products mill. Mayor Dennis Brown says it includes talking with AbitibiBowater.  He says there used to be an arrangement with the company for supplying wood chips, and hopes it's an arrangement which can be resurrected. Brown says he plans to meet with the potential buyers of the Sapawe mill in the near future to discuss other options.

Addiction issues dominate AFN gathering

Fort William First Nation Chief Peter Collins is back from the Assembly of First Nations Conference hopeful there's a start to address native drug abuse. Collins says that seemed to be a prevailing topic at the conference. As evidence Collins pointed to the killing of a 5 year old boy on a reserve in Alberta, a death he says was related to drugs and drug addiction. The conference is being held in Moncton, New Brunswick

Industrial accident results in police charges

The Ministry of Labour and the OPP are continuing to probe  the circumstances surrounding an  incident on the Trans Canada Highway east of Shabaqua Corners.   Police say it involved a loaded log truck pulling down some wires on a construction worker.    The truck driver is charged with height and load violations.

Evacuated residents set to return

Deer Lake residents are expected to begin returning home today after being evacuated last week due to area forest fires. Sandy Lake, Cat Lake, North Spirit Lake, Kee-way-win and Koocheching remain on evacuation alert and continue to monitor the situation.  There were four new fires in the Northwest Region reported last night, with two in the Kenora District, one in the Red Lake District and one in the Sioux Lookout District.

New Chief Sworn in

After 24 years of policing JP Levesque has taken the top job with Thunder Bay Police.  Levesque was officially sworn in as Chief this morning and says he looks forward to getting to work and will start by doing some consultation with members of the force.  Levesque says he has some ideas on how to change the way policing is done in Thunder Bay wants feedback from his officers.  The 47 year old has spent his entire career in the city and has held almost every position within the force.

No nukes for Lac Seul

Lac Seul says it will not support any nuclear waste initiatives by regional municipalities within First Nation territory. Several communities including Sioux Lookout, Ignace and Ear Falls have been exploring the possibility of becoming a host repository site. Chief Clifford Bull says Lac Seul doesn't want to create an impossible problem for future generations to struggle with. Bull says they don't want to consult with municipalities on the issue, noting they are strongly opposed to the idea. Bull adds that Grand Council Treaty 3 and the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation are both on his side.

Police issue plea for driver and witnesses

Thunder Bay police are looking to speak to  the driver of a vehicle that may have been involved in a chain reaction accident on May Street yesterday.  They say it took place at the intersection of George Street.  There were only minor injuries.  Police also are asking any witnesses to the accident to contact them.