Busy Thursday For OPP

Thunder Bay OPP are reporting a busy Thursday for traffic accidents.  They say that between 7 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon they responded to 14 collisions.  There were numerous injuries, but non were a threat to anyones life.  That included a woman who was 7 months pregnant.  She was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Save The ELA Is The Message

A scientist from Winnipeg is on a mission to save the Experimental Lakes Area near Kenora. During a visit to Thunder Bay, Diane Orihel said she believes there is enough support for her cause to change the Harper government's decision to end the program. She says municipalities across the northwest have been sending formal requests to Ottawa not to shut the ELA down. Orihel says it's frustrating for other scientists like her to make sense of the move.

Youth Action Plan Addition

35 extra youth outreach workers will be added to Thunder Bay and other communities throughout the province as part of the Youth Action Plan. The McGuinty Government formed the plan which sees outreach workers provide one-on-one help for troubled youth and offer valuable mentoring for making better life decions.

Paramedics Kept Busy

Many paramedics in the city are recovering from an eventful day so far.  Superior North Emergency Medical Services says there were so many calls at one point this morning that there was a 10 minute window when there were no paramedics available to respond to 9-1-1 emergency calls. However, there were no calls during that time. 

Medical School Conference Travels The Region

More than 800 conference delegates are learning about healthcare issues facing northern and remote communities specifically as it relates to Northern Ontario. The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is hosting medical professionals from 45 different countries this week in Thunder Bay. Dean, Dr. Roger Strasser says starting tomorrow, some of the conference delegates will begin travelling to smaller communities such as Marathon, Sioux Lookout, Sault St. Marie and also Sudbury for varying learning opportunities.

First Taste Of Winter Wreaks Havoc

Highway 17 from Terrace Bay East to White River is listed as closed by the Ministry of Transportation due to ice and snow conditions. Thunder Bay OPP issued a road advisory to alert motorists to drive with caution on Highway 17 particularly in the areas of Thunder Bay East to Marathon. Snow is falling heavily resulting in several commercial vehicles becoming stuck on hills along the north shore of Lake Superior. In addition, officers are responding to collisions related to snowfall and resulting black ice conditions. Meanwhile, a special weather statement has been issued by Environment Canada for Nipigon, Marathon, Superior North and Wawa saying the first significant snowfall of the season is happening today.

Rafferty Pleased With Boundary Meetings

It looks like the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission is changing its tune. John Rafferty, the MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River spoke to the commission during a pair of meetings this week in Kenora and Thunder Bay. He says keeping the riding as it stands now makes sense geographically and for his constituents, who also spoke to the commission. Rafferty says the commission will likely unvail the new official boundaries next year.

Dryden Water Fund Short

A water operations financial plan shows the City of Dryden is not setting aside enough money for the future replacement of equipment and other assets. The City is currently contributing 375-thousand dollars toward capital replacement in the water budget compared with the recommended level of 1.05-million. Director of Public Works and Engineering Mike Louttit says the situation isn't dire right now. The financial plan calls for 6.7-million dollars in capital spending over the 2013-2018 period.

New Charter Service In Sioux Lookout

A new business is flying high in Sioux Lookout. Northern Skies celebrated the launch of air charter service at a special ceremony this week. Operations Manager Derrick Flynn explains why he decided to launch the service. Flynn says Northern Skies flies day and night and provides red carpet service with free meals and drink.

No Change To Gov't Diabetes Program

The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care says northerners won't see any change in diabetes programs. The Province is no longer directly funding the Northern Diabetes Health Network and has instead transferred funding to the Northwest Local Health Integration Network. Press Secretary Zita Astravas says the diabetes education program in Sioux Lookout will remain in tact, funding will continue to flow and full time staff won't be affected. She says all money saved through the transition of administrative services will be used to enhance or expand diabetes programs in northern Ontario. She is expecting a smooth transition.

Missing Hunter Found

A Windsor man has been found safe and sound in the woods outside of Dryden. Provincial Police received a report on Wednesday of a missing hunter on Passover road off of Century Lake Road. Police say 47-year-old Scott Boorn got separated from his hunting party after walking into a wooded area to chase an animal. The Emergency Response Team was activated to begin a search but the man was located by his party before the team was dispatched.

North Stars Score Big At Home

The Thunder Bay North Stars took over sole possession of second place in the Superior International Junior Hockey League with a 9-4 win at home over the Dryden Ice Dogs. Cody Fraser led the North Stars with a goal and three assists as they improved to 6-2 on the season. Dryden drops to 5-2. Thunder Bay is now a game back of the Minnesota Wilderness for first place.