Thursday, July 14, 2011

Double fatality in the Northwest

A Pikangikum man and woman are dead as the result of a traffic accident 60 kilometres north of Red Lake on Thursday afternoon. They say the two were the passengers in a pick up truck that rolled several times. Two other people were treated in hospital.

Police investigate Red Lake death

The OPP in Red Lake are probing the death of a 46 year old woman.    Police say she was found unconscious in that community and was flown to Thunder Bay where she was pronounced dead at the Health Sciences Centre early Thursday morning.    They aren't saying anything about the cause of death.  The woman was from Pikangikum but was residing in Red Lake

Tory's northern platform unveiled

The Progressive Conservatives are targeting First Nations and our natural resources in their northern election platform.   Leader Tim Hudak unveiled the platform in Thunder Bay today.  The platform includes a promise for the premier to meet with First Nations leaders two times a year  and to hold cabinet meetings in the north. There's also a promise to make better use of natural resources and to create jobs.

Matawa makes it's move

More area First Nations are holding their ground when it comes to development on their traditional territory.  This time the Matawa First Nations have signed a declaration to stand together to protect their natural resources.  The declaration states that they are asserting their treaty right to require that  all nine communities give written permission before any development activity take place.

Goldcorp stung for 50 K

Goldcorp Canada says it's guilty of violating the provinces Occupational Health and Safety act at it's Musselwhite Mine. On November 14, 2009, a Ministry of Labour inspector visited the mine. After reviewing the mine's training records, the inspector determined that one of the mine's workers was not registered as fully trained in all of the prescribed training programs for work in a hard rock underground mine. The mining giant was fined 50 thousand dollars for failing to ensure that a worker was fully trained.

Hobbs keeps mum on possible apology

Mayor Keith Hobbs says he will "absolutely not" comment on a report that he's about to publicly apologize to former Police Chief Bob Herman to end Herman's defamation lawsuit.   Hobbs says more will come out at a news conference Wednesday at noon.  The suit is in connection with comments Hobbs made at a March news conference. 

Hospital entrance could get traffic lights

Lakehead University students may get their wish for traffic lights on Oliver Road at the entrance to the Regional Hospital. City Engineering Manager Pat Mauro says he's asking councillors to consider it as a budget item next year.  He says if approved then the lights could be up in about a year or so.  The issue comes before councillors on Monday.

City to contribute to overpass work

The city is doing it's part to help with the construction of the overpass at Hodder and the Thunder Bay Expressway.  Rick Harms of the city's engineering division says the work mainly involves watermain relocation and says the city is obliged to do it.  City councillors will be dealing with the three quarter million dollar contract at Monday's meeting

Caribou Coach pressuring the province

A local transportation company is pleading with the provincial government to consider local companies.  Caribou Coach President Sandy Smith says the province is sponsoring Pacific Western to provide services to patients in the Northern Health Transportation Grant program, which could cut out a third of his ridership. 

City pool in line for renovations

Volunteer Pool is in for a face lift as city councillors prepare to award a contract worth almost half a million dollars towards the improvements. The city's renovations manager Gerry Boere says it's mostly interior work which was recommended by their engineers. Boere says he will be recommending the lowest bid for the project Monday evening.