Highway 11/17 Closed At Mapleward Road

OPP are confirming one person is dead at a fatal two vehicle collision this afternoon on Highway 11/17 at Mapleward Road. That section of highway is closed while Police investigate.OPP are expected to release more information shortly.  City firefighters assisted.  Fire Captain Mark Zigman says his crew rescued one of the drivers.  Police are asking that motorists use the alternate route of Highway 11/17 west on Arthur Street to Highway 130. 

Great Lakes Legislation Re-Introduced

The Provincial Government wants to protect the Great Lakes and is hoping for all party support on its re-introduced legislation.  Thunder Bay Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle says if the legislation passes; a council will be created to identify priorities.  Debate on the re-introduced act will happen in the coming weeks.

OFAH Worries About Sea Lamprey

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters are worried Sea Lamprey will get into Lake Superior's Black Bay.   The province is considering removing a Dam on the Black Sturgeon River, which flows into Black Bay as away to allow walleye, sturgeon and coaster brook trout to migrate to their historical spawning areas upstream.  OFAH Spokesperson Dawn Sucee says removing the damn will let the invasive species in as well.  Sucee would like the MNR to consider a different method for improving spawning.

LU Hires New Vice Provost

Lakehead University's new Vice-Provost for Aboriginal Initiatives is Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux. Vice President of Academic's Rod Hanley says she'll be the lead advisor for aboriginal initiatives.  She starts her new job on July 1st.

Virdiramo Calls Good Roads Productive

Thunder Bay's Good Roads Delegation is fresh from lobbying Provincial Cabinet Ministers in Toronto.  Councillor Joe Virdiramo says it was a productive conference and says the Mining Readiness Strategy was well received.  The delegation also spoke with Health Minister Deb Matthews about the critical shortage of long-term care beds.  They also spoke to new Energy Minister Bob Chiareli about keeping the Mission Island Power plant open beyond 2013.

Mauro Talks Highway Clearing

The Tories and N-D-P say Ontario's highways are not being cleared of snow as fast as they should be and say this sometimes leads to fatal results.  Liberal M.P.P. Bill Mauro says he too has some concerns about how highways are plowed following a snowstorm in his riding of Thunder Bay-Atikokan. Mauro says he's written the Ministry of Transportation on many occasions expressing concern for his constituents driving on Northern Ontario highways.

OFIA Holding AGM

The Ontario Forest Industries Association is painting a rosey picture heading into its Annual General Meeting.  Three new members will be introduced today, all from northwestern Ontario.  Jamie Lim is president of the OFIA and suggests there is a lot of promise in the forest sector.  Lim says they are looking forward to meeting with the province's new Natural Resources Minister, David Orazietti today at their AGM. 

Sleeping Giant Sprints

The clock is ticking on the registration for the third annual RBC Sleeping Giant Sprints, a sudden elimination racing competition hosted by the Kamview Nordic Centre. Event spokesperson Marianne Steward summarizes the event as a high speed dash for cash. While all men's postitions have been filled, registration is still open for the women's division. Every sprint completed by athletes will earn them cash, starting with ten dollars and eventually reaching the grand prize of $320.

$2.85 Million Technology Plan Approved

The Lakehead Public School Board aims to keep up with technology. At last night's meeting, members of the board approved a $2.85 million plan over the next three years to upgrade technology available to students in the classroom.

NOMA Talks With Murray About Roads

Infastructure minister Glen Murray is ready to work with Northwestern Ontario.  Murray says he had some good meetings with the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association this week.  Murray says that his ministries do have funding ready to go to twin parts of highway 17 and 11.