Swimmers Beware...Again

Once again you swim at your own risk at three local beaches.   The Health Unit says high E-coli bacteria levels have forced officials to issue swimming advisories for Sandy and Sunny Side Beaches at Boulevard Lake along with the Main Beach at Chippewa Park.

Shoppers Drug Mart Calls A Scam

A northwestern Ontario Shoppers Drug Mart manager says another scam is targeting their customers in the market. Cory Pyykka  says someone is calling peopel saying they have won a trip on behalf of Shoppers, and then asks for financial information.  Pyykka says this is completely fake and that the company is not calling anyone and would never ask for financial info. Pyykka says they have been receiving a number of calls from customers.

Fire Season Remains Quiet

An unusually quiet summer for forest firefighters with the Ministry of Natural Resources. August has been especially quiet as cool and wet weather has overcome the area. There are now only 17-active fires in the region. Sioux Lookout has 8-fires currently burning, while Red Lake and Kenora each have one each.

Horizon Refutes Opposition Claims

The war of words continues in the Big Thunder wind farm dispute.   The group opposed to Horizon Wind's plans to build wind turbines on the Nor'Wester Escarpment says the company is cutting down trees and building a road on that property.  Horizon's Kathleen MacKenzie says they are conducting soil testing on the site and it requires equipment to be brought in and some tree trimming or clearing has taken place. MacKenzie  refutes an opposition claim the company is building a road saying there are known trails on the property.

Suspect Surrenders

The Thunder Bay man who was wanted on a Canada wide warrant in a sexual assault investigation is now back in police custody.   Police spokesperson Chris Adams  says that 62 year old Arthur Lyons gave himself up peacefully to police yesterday.  He is facing sex related charges after an investigation police say involved a child victim.  

Ron Bottos Dead At 71

A long time local radio and TV personality has passed away.  Ron Bottos, who hosted the "Reach for the Top" show, was 71.  He died Saturday at St. Joseph's Hospice.  Bottos was also a musician who played in the band StoneRidge and also hosted the annual Cystic Fibrosis Telethon.   Funeral arrangements are pending.  

City To Save Lyceum Theatre Building

The city is going to save the Lyceum Theatre building.  The structure,on Cumberland Street, has been deemed to be sound by engineers and will be saved from the wrecking ball.  The city could end up paying for the repairs if the current owner doesn't comply with the work orders.  The property has outstanding taxes, which could lead to the city taking it over and then selling the 103-year old building.

Pet Limit Proposal Nixed

City councillor Aldo Ruberto is not getting his wish.   His plan to get the ball rolling on limiting the number of pets a person can own was torpedoed by his fellow councillors,  even after his plea for support.  Ruberto says he has spoken with health and city officials who liked the plan.  Mayor Keith Hobbs mocked the idea asking if the city would start limiting the number of children a family could have.   He called it waste of time.

Homeless Housing Initiative Supported

City lawmakers are backing a so called "housing first" program to help get more homeless people off the street.   The plan makes  giving the homeless a place to stay the first priority before getting a job.   Council's support gives the coordinators of city's Drug Strategy the extra leverage when it comes to get money from other levels of government.

Councillors Give Support To Smoking Ban

City council is on its way to giving some legal muscle to the regional hospital's plan to ban smoking on its property. Councillors have asked City Hall staff to make the necessary by-law changes to make it happen.  Development Services Manager Mark Smith told councillors  it could happen by next month. The hospital will have the total smoking ban in place at the end of September.