Crash Survivor Issues Statement

A woman who survived the fatal crash in Red Lake is offering her condolences to the families who lost loved ones. In a statement released by the Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre, Julie Dayholos says:

" Words cannot describe the overwhelming feeling of love and support that I have received over the past few days. I want everyone to know that I am doing well and on the road to recovery following the accident on November 10th. During this time, my thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost their loved ones.
I would like to thank everyone who has sent prayers my way and especially my family who has been at my side every day. I would also like to thank the staff at Red Lake Hospital and Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg for taking such good care of me, and for helping me through this journey.
I hope everyone understands my need for privacy at this time as I focus my energy on my recovery and healing.
Sincerely,

Julie Dayholos”

Global News is also reporting that the other survivor has been identified as 29-year-old Keith Hoffman.

Horwath Chats With Mayor About Local Power Plant

NDP leader Andrea Horwath says it's time for the province to act on the conversion of the Thunder Bay generating station to natural gas.   Fresh off a meeting with Mayor Keith Hobbs, Horwath again called on the Wynne government to take action.  Horwath says the north needs to have a reliable source of power generated in the north.

Poverty Free Rallies For Better Minimum Wage

Poverty Free Thunder Bay and the Labour Council are joining forces to ask the Provincial Government to raise the minimum wage.  Poverty Free Chair Terri Carter says they want it raised to 14 dollars.  Members of both the Labour Council and Poverty Free Thunder Bay rallied in front of Thunder Bay MPP Michael Gravelle's office on Thursday afternoon.  Poverty groups from across the Province are rallying today outside their MPP's office in a hope the Province will increase the minimum wage.

Thunder Bay Expressway In For A Face Lift

The provincial government is making plans to improve the Thunder Bay Expressway.  A contract for preliminary design work for the 13 kilometre stretch between Arthur and Balsam Streets has been awarded to URS Canada. In making the announcement MPP Bill Mauro says improvements will include widening to a four-lane divided roadway and building new interchanges.  The study is expected to be completed by 2015.

Victim's Names Released

The three passengers who died in Sunday's Bearskin Airlines crash in Red Lake have now been identified.  64-year old Sharron Taylor, 53-year old Anna Johannesson and 53-year old Peter Struk all perished when Bearskin Flight 311 crashed on its landing approach.  All three victims are from Red Lake.  

CN Rail Will Repair Bridge

CN Rail says the James Street Bridge will need to be fixed but that's all they know for now. Spokesperson Lindsay Fedchyshyn says experts are still reviewing the engineers report on the structure.  The bridge is still off limits to pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

More Smoking Sanctions

There could be fewer places to smoke in the near future. Ontario's Health Minister Deb Mathews says she intends to introduce legislation that will prohibit smoking on playgrounds, sports fields, and restaurant and bar patios.  Smoking is already banned inside eating establishments. The proposed legislation will also ban the sale of flavoured tobacco products and increase fines for those caught selling tobacco to youth.

Wesley Sentencing Process Continues

A Thunder Bay man from the Cat Lake First Nation is undergoing the sentencing process after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the death last year of 65 year old Adam Yellowhead.   Thirty four year old Joseph Wesley admits to putting Yellowhead in a headlock but in evidence read into court, says it the death was accidental.   His lawyer Chris Watkins is asking for a sentence of 3 to 5 years along with time already served.  The prosecution is asking for a sentence of 10 to 12 years.   The judge will deliver the sentence at a later date.

Anti-Bullying Week

Students across Northwestern Ontario are marking Anti-Bullying Awareness Week.  Here in Thunder Bay, St. Pius School created anti-bullying slogans and messages that were included in a short slideshow.  The slideshow video was unveiled at the school Wednesday.

Chamber New Board

The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce is electing a new Board of Directors for a three year term.  Jeff Busniuk, Barb Courte-Elinesky, Irene Kozlowski, Mark Mikulasik and Dianne Miller will start the new term on December 1st.  Uli Walther will officially be sworn in as the 2014 Chair of the Board at the Chamber's annual general meeting in January.

ORBA Wants You To Slow Down Near Snow Ploughs

The Ontario Road Builders' Association is asking local drivers to let snow plow operators lead the way on area highways.  Executive Director Geoff Wilkinson says it's against the law to pass a snow plow with its flashing blue light on.  Wilkinson says there are provincial fines in place for passing a snow plough.

Dryden In Red...Gets New CAO

The City of Dryden has found its man.  Andre Larabie has been hired as the new Chief Administrative Officer.  Larabie brings with him over 36-years of experience in management and finance in the government and private sectors. Meanwhile, The City of Dryden continues to bleed red.  The Municipality is projecting a roughly 2.3-million dollar deficit for 2013, about 190-thousand dollars higher than expectations.  The City Treasurer says they are closely monitoring the situation.

DSSAB Unveils New Playgrounds

The neighbourhoods of Windsor Street and Limbrick Place are getting new natural playgrounds.  The Social Services Board unveiled the new green spaces on Wednesday afternoon.  The new spaces include a bike track, climbing walls, boulders, trees, cedar post seats, an art wall and other natural elements.

Council Considering Veterans Affairs Resolution

City Council is considering a resolution calling for the Federal Government to keep the Veterans Affairs office open in Thunder Bay. Council will tackle the topic at their meeting on Monday.  The local VA office is set to close in 2014.

Pair Of Overnight Stabbings

Two people are in hospital after two early morning stabbing incidents on the City's south side.  Just after 3:30 Wednesday morning, a man was stabbed multiple times inside the Odd Fellows Hall apartment building. Police then responded minutes later to a south side house where the homeowner found a second man in the bathroom suffering from multiple stab wounds to the neck.  Police say the two men are known to each other and alcohol played a factor in the incident.  Officers are trying to determine the sequence of events.

Engineering Fair At LU

Lakehead University is looking to advance the careers of their engineering students.  An Engineering Fair was held on Wednesday to help students explore their future.  Career & Employment Specialist Christina Buzzi says there's a big need for employees in this field.  Students visited with 14 employers.

Gravelle Makes More NOHFC Announcements

The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund is giving over a million dollars to several companies in the Greenstone area.  A million dollars is going to Havilah Holdings a new manufacturing plant in Geraldton.  Meanwhile, 125-thousand is going to First General Services, 100-thousand to the Municipality of Greenstone to finish a mining plan, and another 40-thousand to a Lake Nipigon First Nation.  Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle made the announcements this morning.

Fatal Collision In Kenora

OPP are charging a 59 year old woman with failing to yield to a pedestrian after a fatal collision in Kenora on Monday.  Two women crossing First Street South were struck by a southbound vehicle turning east onto the street.  79 year old Marlyn Lowes died from injuries sustained in the accident.  The other woman an 83 year old Kenora resident was treated and released from hospital.

Cinevate Launches Kickstarter Campaign

A movie industry company in Thunder Bay is launching a kickstarter campaign to raise funds for it's new product called "Morpheus". Cinevate Owner Dennis Wood says it's a product that will change the way you capture video.  Wood says they want to raise 25-thousand dollars in a months time.  For more information on the kickstarter campaign and the product click here.

Horwath In Thunder Bay Today

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is going to be in the City today.  She's meeting with the Regional EMS Chief and later holding a town hall on the Northern Economy in Nipigon.