Argueta Inquest Jury Deliberating

The jury in a coroner's inquest into the death of Gustavo Argueta is in deliberations.  The 24 year old was killed while inspecting a bridge over the Mackenzie River.  The jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths.

Hospital Looking To Fill Positions

Thunder Bay's Health Sciences Centre continues to work towards filling the roles of two key executives who left the facility recently.   CEO Andree Robichaud says they hope to fill Scott Pott's corporate services position by the fall. The job posting closes on Friday and interviews are expected to take place shortly after.  Robichaud adds that Lori Marshall's previous job has been brought under the umbrella of another hospital department and a new position is being created to deal with communications and aboriginal affairs.

Collision At Algoma & Clavet

City Police are on the scene of a two vehicle collision at the intersection of Algoma and Clavet.  They say one person was sent to the hospital.  Officers have Algoma blocked off from Clavet and Monroe and expect it to be open by two today.  

NWO Resident On Species At Risk Panel

Added responsibility for Wabigoon's Brad Maggrah.  Maggrah has been apointed to the National Aboriginal Committee on Species at Risk.  The Committee was created with the mandate to provide the Minister of Environment with advice on the handling of the Species at Risk Act.  His term will last 3-years.  Maggrah is the current President of the Ontario Coalition of Aboriginal People.

More ELA Speculation

A report in the Globe and Mail says the Ontario government will pay to keep the Experimental Lakes Area operating in the long term.  The province and the federal government continue to negotiate the transfer of the research station to the Winnipeg-based International Institute for Sustainable Development.  There have been concerns that the provincial involvement would only be one-time funding.  Ontario Natural Resources Mininster David Orazietti tells the Globe and Mail that the money will be below 2-million dollars but isn't commenting on a specific number.  The exact funding formula hasn't been determined.  A tentative transfer agreement expires at the end of August.

Hospital Looking To Rent More Space

Thunder Bay's Hospital is considering renting out the fourth floor of the former McKellar Hospital to ease overcrowding.  Spokesperson Dr. Mark Henderson says before that can happen they have to formally ask the local health authority and Provincial Government for support.  Henderson says the hospital is overcrowded and the extra rooms at McKellar would house patients who know longer need emergency care but can't go back to their homes.

ELA Fate Still Up In The Air

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says the Liberals are all talk, no action.  Speaking specifically about the Experimental Lakes Area, west of Vermilion Bay, Campbell says there's been no word as to what the next step is.  Campbell says once she heads back to Queens Park in September, she is going to ask Premier Kathleen Wynne herself where things are at.

OPP Investigating Infant Death

Provincial Police are investigating the sudden death of a six-week-old baby girl in Big Trout Lake.  Officers were called to the nursing station Monday morning, and the child was pronounced dead.  Police say the deceased is Shantelle Sainnawap.  A post mortem is being done in Toronto.

Fire Crews Busy With 2 Fires

City firefighters were called to the scene of a house fire at 937 Home Avenue around 8-o'clock last night.  Crews had cut open portions of the roof to get at the fire that may have started in the attic. There were no injuruies and the investigation continues.  Meanwhile...there was heavy smoke damage after a small fire at an apartment on McTavish Street.  The blaze appeared to have started in the kitchen when boxes were left on a stove that was accidently turned on. There were no injuries.  

Collision At Expressway

Commuters late yesterday afternoon had to deal with delays at the intersection of the Thunder Bay and Harbour Expressways. A transport truck tipped over spilling part of its load which may have shifted causing the unit to roll.  The driver of the rig was not injured.  

Car Hits Pedestrian

Thunder Bay Police are looking for the public's help in completing their investigation into an auto pedestrian collision in Oliver Paipoonge.  On Monday afternoon a green sedan struck a 17 year old man walking at the intersection of Rosslyn Road and Queen Street.  Police say the driver stopped and asked if the pedestrian was ok but left without leaving a name or contact information.  Officers are looking for the driver or any witnesses.

OPP Investigate Death

OPP are investigating the death of a 55 year old woman in Strange Township.  Staff Sgt. Jim Graham says they were asked by the family to check in on the woman who resided alone on Northside Road.  Police found the woman dead on Monday and says the death doesn't look suspicous.  A post mortem exam is taking place in Toronto on Wednesday.

Swimming Advisory For Chippewa Park

Thunder Bay's Health Unit is issuing a swimming advisory for the Main beach at Chippewa Park.  The advisory doesn't close the beach or stop anyone from swimming there it just lets swimmers know about the water conditions.  Swimming in water with high levels of E. coli can cause skin, eye, nose and throat infections, as well as stomach illness. 

E-Bingo Approved

Thunder Bay Community Bingo is getting its wish and is joining forces with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation to offer electronic bingo.  Councillor Rebecca Johnson says it's good news for the local community groups that depend on bingo as a fundraiser.  Johnson notes e-bingo will help cut down on the number of volunteers that are needed to run a bingo. Council gave it's approval at last night's meeting.

MNR Reports No New Fires

It seems like everyday there's a report of new forest fires in Northwestern Ontario.  However the Ministry of Natural Resources says there hasn't been any new ones for a couple of days. There are 35-fires active in the region, 32 of which are being monitored.

Fraud Warning

A scam in Northwestern Ontario, but this time the warning is out from the Financial Services Commission of Ontario.  The Commission says people claiming to be with Sental Insurance have been targeting mostly Royal Bank of Canada clients.  They are asking for personal information in an effort to sell identity theft protection insurance on behalf of the bank.  But the Commission says the firm is not associated with the bank nor is it licensed to do business in Ontario.

LU Alumni Golf Tourney Sold Out

Lakehead University's Alumni Golf Tournament is sold out.  The 30th annual event will be held on Tuesday August 6th at the Whitewater Golf Course.  Organizer Mark Tilbury says money raised goes towards student financial aid.  They hope to raise over 45-thousand dollars from this year's event.

Research Conference Coming To T.Bay

Thunder Bay is going to host a major Canadian Research Conference this fall.  Organizer Rhonda Koster says it's the first time the Rural Revitalization Foundation has held a meeting in Northern Ontario.  The October conference will focus on finding ways to help grow rural Canada and will see 200 delegates take part.  

Crowded Jails

Dryden Police Inspector Kevin Glenister isn't surprised with a new statistic regarding Ontario's jails.  The Ministry of Community Safety and Corrections shows that almost half of the province's jails held more prisoners than they were designed for.  Glenister says they send majority of their prisoners to Kenora.  Glenister says all prisoners under 18-years-old either go to a facility in Kenora, Thunder Bay or Sault Ste. Marie.

Ribfest Is Back!

Ribfest is back for another year, August 23rd to the 25th.  The Waterfront District BIA is bringing back the event to Court Street and Park Avenue. This year's event includes a best local rib competition as well as a competition between four out of town ribbers.  Over 20-thousand people turned up in droves to last year's event and even more are expected this August. Celebrity Chef Corbin Tomaszeski will also be on hand to talk about entertaining and cooking. BIA President Suzan Cooper Rochon says a portion of the proceeds from the beer garden will go towards Our Kids Count and the Dew Drop Inn.