Amalgamation Talks Worry School Board

There are renewed fears in the Fort Frances area that the Rainy River District School Board could be caught in another amalgamation. Board Chair Mike Lewis says a merger is identified in the Provincial budget. Lewis says the only board it could merge with is the Keewatin-Patricia School Board, an idea rejected in 1997. Lewis is also urging residents and communities to speak up in opposition.

First Nation Agreement With Rainy River Resources

Rainy River Resources has a key agreement in place with six area First Nation communities. It sets out a series of benefits the communities will receive out of the company's gold mining operations north of Barwick. President Raymond Threlkeld says it ensures ongoing cooperation and communication. First Nations will also get employment and training opportunities through the company, as well as shares in the company.

Fire on Hazelwood Dr.

Thunder Bay's Fire Department spent several hours battling a brush fire that started on a hydro line yesterday in the City's rural area. Platoon Chief Dave Long says around 5 o'clock Saturday they were called to a fire just off of Hazelwood Drive north of Dawson Road. Long says it was a stubborn fire to put out simply because it was off-road and difficult to get equipment in. Friday night there was a brush fire on Mission Island.

7 Year Old Fine After Accident

A 7 year old boy is in good condition with only a scratched knee after he was hit by a van yesterday afternoon. The incident happened on River Street and Police say it was a very minor accident.

Local Sports Round-up

They will play a sixth game in the Superior International Junior Hockey League Final. Last night the Wisconsin Wilderness posted a 3-1 win over the Fort Frances Lakers. Fort Frances still leads the best of 7 series 3 games to 2. Game six is set for tomorrow night back in Fort Frances. The winner of that series advances to the Dudley Hewitt Cup.

Former Lakehead University Thunderwolves hockey star Jeff Richards scored a natural hat trick in the second period propelling the Kenora Thistles to a 6-1 win over Dundas yesterday. The Thistles now advance to the Allan Cup which will be played starting April 16th in Lloydminster.

The Ontario Hockey League held its draft yesterday and Thunder Bay Kings netminder Mackenzie Blackwood was the highest player selected out of Northern Ontario player selected. Blackwood was taken 99th overall by the Barrie Colts in the fifth round.

Band Still Taking Government to Court

The Attawapiskat First Nation is welcoming the news that Ottawa is removing the third party who has been handling the reserve's finances. They are however pushing ahead with legal action against the Federal Government, launched last year, to try and block the initial appointment. The band wants courts to refute Prime Minister Stephen Harper's allegation that the Northern Ontario band mismanaged federal funds during their housing crisis.

Seniors Want to Save Pensions

They're mad as hell and they aren't going to take it any more. A group of seniors in Northwestern Ontario is organizing to help protect their hard earned pensions. Allan Bedard is spear-heading the move and says the issue started up a couple of years ago surrounding the fate of the pensions of Abitibi workers. Bedard says they are also upset that the Federal Government has decided to increase the age of eligibility for Old Age Security to 67 from 65.

New Health Care Network Innitiative Launched

Greater cooperation! That's what the Kenora Chiefs Advisory is hoping to accomplish with a new health care blueprint introduced last week by the North West Local Health Integration Network. Executive Director Joe Barnes says he's excited about the future. Barnes says for too long, heath care groups have been working on their own.

N.W.O. Fire Hazard Grows

The fire hazard is growing in Northwestern Ontario with the recent, warm, dry weather. Ministry of Natural Resources Information officer Debbie McLean says crews will be on alert this Easter Long weekend. She is urging people to use extreme caution with flammable materials in the wilderness. A fire in Lac Lu on the Minaki Highway on Thursday destroyed an old abandoned log home. Its estimated the log cabin was more than 130 years old.

Brush Fire on Mission Island

Thunder Bay's Fire Department spent it's Good Friday dealing with a brush fire on Mission Island last night. 9 crew members were called to the blaze just after 11 o'clock and were able to put it out. A fire spokesperson says the fire was a good size when they arrived and the wind helped to keep it contained.

Feds pull financial manager from Attawapiskat

Ottawa says it's pulling the third-party manager who had been handling the finances of the troubled Attawapiskat First Nation.  The federal government says there's been an improvement in reserve management, so it's withdrawing the third party manager.  It stems from when the First Nation declared a State of Emergency in the fall over a lack of housing. 

L.U. Basketball Adds Three Players

The Lakehead University women's basketball program announced the addition of three players to the roster for the upcoming year. Rachael Bland of England, Gabrielle Robin of New Brunswick and Thunder Bay's Jessica De Haan have all formally announced their commitments to join the Thunderwolves.

School bus accident in Oliver Paipoonge

A motorist is charged in an accident yesterday involving a school bus full of children.  Police were called to Harston Road in Oliver Paipoonge after a bus was hit by another vehicle and went off the road.  The kids and bus driver were uninjured, with only some minor scratches being reported. The driver faces a charge of careless driving.

Fire kills over a hundred cows

A barn fire in Olver Paipoonge has left a large amount of cattle dead.  Farm Owner Peter Aalbers says over 120 cows were killed in the fire that destroyed his barn.  Aalbers says by the time they noticed the fire black smoke was coming out the windows and nothing could be done to save the animals.  No word on what the cause of the blaze could be.

Oliver avoids protest, talks EAP

Local protesters are disappointed they didn't get to greet federal Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver when he arrived for a speech at the Valhalla Inn. Oliver managed to make it through a back entrance saying he wanted to avoid the demonstrators, who were upset over various Harper government policies. Meantime, while in Thunder Bay, Oliver defended the Harper government's decision to streamline the environmental approval process in Canada. He says it will help to get many important projects on track without the long wait. Earlier in the day Oliver toured a mineral testing lab.

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Mauro demoted

Sgt. James Mauro is going to be demoted to the rank of first class Constable.  The demotion will last twelve months.  The verdict came down this morning in the Police Service Act hearing being held at the Valhalla Inn.

Possible DMTS Tbay Tel team up

The City of Dryden is speaking with TBay Tel about a possible deal to purchase the municipal telephone service.  Mayor Craig Nuttall has confirmed that the two have been in discussions.  However, Nuttall notes that they are keeping an open mind.  Nuttall says they are looking at the best possible deal for the citizens of Dryden and they want to make sure their telephone service is still operating.

Racing crash update

Thunder Bay Police are charging the driver involved in a drag race around North James Street yesterday afternoon.  The driver of a blue Volkswagen lost control of the vehicle as it took the corner and collided with a tree on the boulevard. The 17 year old driver and his 20 year old passenger were treated for their injuries and are reported to be in good condition.  Six charges are being laid including racing, careless driving, driving while suspended, operating a motor vehicle without insurance, failing to notify a change of address, and using an unauthorized license plate.  Police are still looking for the other vehicle involved in the race.

Jobless rates released

Thunder Bay's jobless rate is on the decline.  March's rate went down point 3 percent to sit at 5.3.  The national unemployment rate was 7.2 per cent in March.

Garage fire on Regina Avenue

Police are looking for a suspect in a case of arson this morning on Regina Avenue.  Fire Crews were called to a shed fire just after 6:50 this morning.  A snow blower and lawn furniture were damaged.  Fire Fighters were also called to a grass fire around four this morning in the same area where witnesses say they saw a suspicious male leaving the area.  The suspect is described as being a 20 year old man, 5'9" with a thin build and dark hair.  He was wearing jeans and a dark coat with a hood and white running shoes.