LU Introduces New Law School Course

Lakehead University's Law School is offering a new course that will enhance the school's first year curriculum.  Management feels the proposal will address the demand of students staging a sit-in outside the University President's Office.  The course Aboriginal Perspectives, would be a mandatory half-credit component of the curriculum to complement Native Canadian World Views & Law, which has already been approved by Lakehead University Senate.

OFL Budget Meeting Thursday

Thunder Bay residents get to add their ideas to a province-wide consultation on the Ontario budget tomorrow night.  The Ontario Federation of Labour is holding a series of "People's Budget" consultations across the province and they'll stop in Thunder Bay Thursday.  OFL VP Irwin Nanda says they've heard some common themes.  Input collected will be made into a report that will be sent to the Government.

Westmount Students Vie For Votes

The Grade 8 students at Westmount Public School are looking for your online vote.   They have entered an advertising contest with the opportunity to win a trip for the entire class to Cape Breton.  You can vote for the local entry from now until March 22nd by going to this LINK

Truck Goes Through Bank

Dawson Road TD Bank officials are busy cleaning up their store front after a pick up truck plowed into the building this afternoon.  Fire Spokesperson Brian Duichko says an elderly man driving the truck wasn't hurt.  Duichko says it looks like he mistook the gas pedal for the brake.  It's the second time in less than six months that a vehicle has gone through this bank.  No one in the bank was hurt.

International Women's Day Thursday

Lakehead University is celebrating International Women's Day Thursday.  Dr. Treena Orchard from Western University will be speaking about her social justice work with women in India and Canada.  Orchard says it's extremely important to mark International Women's Day.  She'll be speaking at the LU Faculty Lounge at 6:30 Thursday night.

Special Olympics Gets Kids Playing

Special Olympics Thunder Bay continues to promote sports to kids with intellectual disabilities.  Spokesperson Ashlegh Quarrell says besides getting more kids involved in sport they also strive to offer more sport offerings to their athletes.  125 local elementary and high school students are taking part in a multi-sport festival today.

Health Unit Launches Nutrition Month

Thunder Bay's Health Unit wants you to eat healthier.  They've launched nutrition month which will highlight the importance of planning your meals before you hit up the grocery store.  Dietician Karling Zaporazan says you can also sign up for tours of local grocery stores by calling the Health Unit.

Concert Move Has Many Implications

City staff are ready to come back with a report to council should they approve a suggestion by Councillor Larry Hebert.  Hebert is asking his fellow members to consider moving the Summer in the Parks Series from Wednesday night to Tuesday or Thursday.  Cultural Services Supervisor Leah Bayly says there are already events planned for Tuesdays and Thursday's on the waterfront.  Council will vote on Hebert's idea Monday night and if it's approved staff will come back with a report on April 15th.

MPP Supports Dryden Cat Petition

A Dryden animal activist has the support of Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell. Camille Cox from the Second Chance Pet Network has put forward a petition to ban the declawing of cats. Campbell says "declawing" is actually the amputation of a cats toes. Campbell read the 600 signature petition at Queen's Park on Tuesday.

Hiring Numbers Released For Mining Boom

The Kenora District is facing a severe shortage of workers, especially if the mining industry takes off as expected. The Northwest Training and Adjustment Board released its statistics in a 10 year mining hiring requirement forecast in Dryden yesterday. Labour Market Economist Jamie Wolcott says this forecast will help those in education, industry and government make decisions. The report indicates the Kenora District will need nearly 3,300 workers by 2022, 1,700 in the trades industry alone.

Hyer Impressed With Efforts To Save ELA

Lots of Praise to the people of the Kenora riding by an MP from Thunder Bay. Thunder Bay-Superior North MP Bruce Hyer says he was impressed by the people who attended the Save the Experimental Lakes Area forum last night in Kenora. Hyer spoke on his efforts to keep the facility open and offered words on behalf of Kenora Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell. An information session was held in Sioux Lookout yesterday.

Wilson At Helm Of Humane Society

Thunder Bay's Humane Society will be run by its former President Glen Wilson.  Wilson says he's holding down the fort after Executive Director Maryanne Klynendorst stepped down.  Wilson wants to provide the best service for the animals at the best lowest cost.  Wilson signed a one year part time contract. 

Applebee's Undergoing Renos In April

Applebee's is undergoing three weeks of renovations starting April 8th.  Manager Ryan Syroid says it was high time for a fresh look.  During renovations the restaurant will be closed.

Hospital Adapting To New Funding Policies

Officials at the regional hospital are relieved now that cataract surgeries are taking place again.  However spokesperson Lori Marshall says the whole spectacle of the facility cancelling then reversing the decision was a valuable lesson  about new government funding policies. She says they are now in a new era of  funding and they are continuing to learn more and more all the time about how that will unfold into the future.  Marshall says the procedures were reinstated  because the local health authority and the Health Ministry managed to find the money to fund them for the rest of the budget year.

Snowmobiler Found Safe

A missing snowmobiler is safe and sound after OPP helped rescue him from Lake of the Woods.   The man called 911 after his snowmobile got stuck in snow and slush but couldn't tell them his exact location.  A helicopter flew over and found a fire on Bigsby Island where they found him cold but in good health.

OPP Crack Down On Drunk Driving

OPP continue to crack down on drinking and driving.  Over the last couple of days they've conducted RIDE Checks and nabbed two regional residents with impaired driving.

Today Marks Save The ELA Day

Today marks Save The Experimental Lakes Area Day across the region.  Dryden and Sioux Lookout have made the declaration and the Legion in Sioux Lookout will play host for an information session tonight at 7 o'clock.  S.L. Organizer Anne Saltel encourages anyone who's concerned about the water-research facility to come out.  Kenora Organizer Peter Kirby says morale at the ELA isn't very good right now.  Kirby says Canada has given notice to Ontario that it wishes to terminate the agreement between the two levels of government effective September 2013.

Sousa Asks For MPAC Review

The Ontario government is promising to review a decision by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation to order the town of Espanola to repay four million dollars in taxes to Domtar. Finance Minister Charles Sousa says he's asked officials to look into the situation, which is also happening in other northern communities. The New Democrats want Sousa to freeze the tax assessment decisions until the review is completed.

Fort Frances To Pay Off Mill Tax Rebate

The town of Fort Frances won't be putting any money in reserves this year. The million dollars it had set aside, will now go toward off-setting the $1.7 tax rebate to Resolute Forest Products. The town had already set aside $575,000 towards the company's assessment appeal.

Red Lake Scam

An old scam has hit the Red Lake area. A number of residents have been contacted by someone claiming to be from Microsoft, requesting personal information. O.P.P. say it's a scam, and the public is reminded to never ever give out personal information to someone you don't know over the phone.