Blues Festival to entertain thousands

About 15 thousand people are expected to attend the 10th annual Blues Festival at Marina Park this weekend. Over two dozen acts are expected to entertain the crowds starting Friday afternoon at 3:30 when the gates open. It all wraps up Sunday night with Blue Rodeo.

Ontario wood products get a new brand

A new Ontario wood logo is supposed to make it easier for consumers to see if the wood they buy is manufactured in this province. The Executive Director of Ontario Wood Works,  Marianne Berube, speaking  in Thunder Bay,  said the new branding is needed because until now people couldn't tell at a glance where the wood was brought in from.

From one T Bay to another

Thunder Bay's Tom Pyatt has been signed by the Tampa Bay Lightning.  The 24 year old spent last season with Montreal.  The free agent was signed on Wednesday.

Update on Current River Power Outage

Police say a drunk driver is responsible for taking out the power to Grenville Avenue near Adelaide Street on Tuesday night.  A Pontiac Sunfire hit a hydro pole causing extensive damage.  A 43 year old woman is charged with Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle and Impaired Driving.

Two fatalities on NWO Highways

A fatal morning on local highways.  The OPP are currently investigating two separate motor vehicle accidents that have claimed two lives.  The first collision took place just after midnight, after a vehicle drove off of Highway 17 east of Kenora and into a rock cut.  Police say one man was killed in the accident, which took place about 10 kilometers east of the Highway 71 junction.
The highway was closed overnight, but was finally re-opened to two way traffic around 7:30 this morning.  The name of the deceased has not been released.

Deer Lake Residents Evacuated

Nearly 500 residents of Deer Lake are being evacuated because of a nearby forest fire.  The province is co-ordinating with federal and defence officials to evacuate residents whose health is most at risk.  It is expected that about 480 residents will be immediately airlifted by Canadian Forces aircraft to Greenstone.

Highway 17 east of Kenora Open

Traffic is moving again on Highway 17 east of Kenora.  The Trans-Canada was closed for about four hours overnight due to a single vehicle accident.  The OPP say there was a rollover just east of the Highway 17 junction.  The accident took place around 1:00 this morning. So far there has been no indication whether anyone was injured in the accident.

Kenora Power Outage Lengthy

Two and a half days and counting.  That's how long some homes southwest of Kenora have been without power.  Hydro One says there are still about 100 customers waiting to have their electricity restored following Monday night's vicious thunder storms.  Crews are still working in the area and its expected power will be back on to most homes and cottages by 4:00 this afternoon.

Young Driver Joy Rides in Pikangikum

A 12 year old girl faces a number of charges after going for a joy ride in the remote community of Pikangikum.  The OPP say they were notified about a pick up truck driving in an erratic manner around 5:00 in the morning.  Officers tried to pull the vehicle over, but the driver refused to stop.  Because the driver appeared to be quite young, the OPP gave up the chase.  A short time later, the vehicle ran into a hydro pole, knocking out power to the entire community.  Police say there were 14 passengers in the truck at the time, including three ten year olds, four 12 year olds, three 13 year olds and three 14 year old youths.

Thunder Bay man found dead in Illinois

Police say the search for 69 year old Ed Spakowski of Thunder Bay has ended tragically.  They say that Illinois State Police confirm that both Sapkowski and his dog were found dead.   The circumstances surrounding the death aren't know but police do not suspect it was foul play.   Spakowski disappeared last week after he picked up an RV in Elkhart, Indiana to drive back to Thunder Bay

Company hit with more work orders

The Ministry of Labour is still investigating a tragic scissor lift accident at a highway construction site in Shuniah Township. The ministry's Matt Blajer says they've issued 5 more work orders on the company that was involved that's in addition to the 8 original orders.  The accident last month resulted in the death of a 24 year old worker

KI votes to protect it's watershed

The KI First Nation says it's making a stand with the results of a referendum in the community. KI spokesperson John Cutfeet says they have voted almost a 100 per cent to have their watershed protected from the results of industrial development. Cutfeet believes the referendum holds legal clout when it comes to development on KI's traditional lands.

City man charged in bizarre accident

A 27 year old Thunder Bay man is charged following Tuesday's accident at Camelot and Court Streets.  That's where police say a stolen van landed on an SUV in a grocery store parking lot after rolling down an embankment. Just prior to that it hit a pedestrian and sent the 52 year old man to hospital.

Drowing confirmed in divers death

Police are confirming that it was drowning that caused the weekend death of a 21 year old man in the MacKenzie River in Shuniah Township. They say Dau Huston was cliff jumping at High Falls just prior to his body being pulled from the water.

Still no sign of missing 69 year old

Police in Elkhart, Indiana are helping in the search for Edward Spakowski from Thunder Bay who was last seen there last week. Thunder Bay Police spokesperson Chris Adams says the Americans have been provided the information in the case of the missing 69 year old.  There is still no indication of where Spakowski might be.

NOSM Student Research

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is awarding 36 thousand dollars to six of its students.  The money will be used for student research projects.

Cultural Database launched

A cultural database is now in place for the Kenora District.  The regional cultural initiative was led by the Dryden Development Corporation.  Economic Development Manager Vicki Kurz says they worked with 6-communities to gather an inventory of all our assets.  Kurz says the communities will use the information gathered to better promote the area.

Boating accident in Kenora

A close call for three teens on Lake of the Woods west of Kenora. OPP say the girls were in a boat heading to camp when the 16-year-old driver lost control. A 15-year-old was thrown into the water and was struck by the prop of the motor. The operators managed to get the boat under control and rescued the girl. They got her back to mainland where they met police and ambulance. The girl was transferred to Hospital with injuries to her neck and head. OPP say that although life jackets were in the boat, none of the girls were wearing them at the time.

Waterworks changes in Atikokan

There is a Red Lake based operator of Atikokan's water and sewage treatment plants.  Northern Waterworks has taken over from Ontario Clean Water Agency.  Atikokan Mayor Dennis Brown says it wasn't because the town was unhappy with OCWA.  Brown says the town will save 90-thousand dollars a year by the move.

NW LHIN expanding programs

The Northwest Local Health Integration Network says it wants to expand its Home First program for seniors in the Region. CEO Laura Kokochinski says the program is targeted at people who are currently taking up beds in hospitals and trying to get them back home. She says the plan has been in place for 3-years and is showing some signs of success.