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.