Body Found On Tracks Near Kenora

Ontario Provincial Police are saying little about a death in Keewatin.  A body was found on the railway tracks in the Kenora area near Portage Bay early Sunday night.  The Northwest Mobile Command Unit was on site yesterday, along with a number of investigators. More information is expected later today.

Float Plane Incident On Lake Superior

The pilot of a float plane is not hurt after his aircraft lost power to its engine yesterday as it was flying over Lake Superior. A spokesperson at the search and rescue centre in Trenton says the pilot landed the plane safely about a mile outside the habour breakwall just before 10 o'clock in the morning and was towed by a coast guard vessel to a seaplane base. The cause of the engine failure isn't known.

LU Conference Talks Sustainable Energy

Delegates attending a conference at Lakehead University this week will talking about sustainable energy. The conference is open to people from across Northwestern Ontario and discusses how we can use wood pellets, municipal waste and peat to generate power.

Suspicious Car Fire On East Empire Avenue

Thunder Bay Police are investigating a suspicious car fire this morning on East Empire Avenue.  Police say the act of arson occurred at four this morning.  The car is completely ruined and is considered a write off.  Officers are looking for the person responsible.

Beardy To Run For Ontario Regional Chief

There's going to be a race for the Regional Chief of Ontario.  Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy will be going up against incumbent Angus Tolouse.  Beardy says he's been thinking of running for sometime. Beardy will continue to be NAN's Grand Chief up until the election which takes place at the end of June at the Chiefs of Ontario Conference in Toronto.

Mauro Calls NDP Auto Insurance Bill Bad Deal

An NDP private members bill on auto insurance premiums isn't sitting well with Thunder Bay MPP Bill Mauro. Mauro says the bill would drive up our premiums to subsidize the rates paid by southern Ontario drivers. He's calling on Northern Ontario NDP MPP's to vote against the proposal and call for auto insurance reforms that will help all drivers in the province.

OPP Re-open Section Of Highway 17

OPP are reporting Highway 17 east of Highway 614 is open again after being closed yesterday afternoon. Police closed the highway down because of a forest fire that was burning four kilometres west of White River. OPP reopened the highway around 8:30 last night because the fire was put out and it was safe to travel again.

OPP Close Section Of Highway 17

A section of Highway 17 east of Highway 614 towards White River is closed Sunday.   OPP closed the highway down because of a forest fire that's burning four kilometres west of White River.  A detour is available at Highway 11.

NAN Grand Chief Running For Regional Chief Spot

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy is throwing his hat into the ring for the upcoming election for Regional Chief of Ontario.  He'll be going up against incumbent Angus Toulouse.  The election for Regional Chief will take place at the Chiefs of Ontario conference at the end of June in Toronto.

Occupy Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay's local Occupy group gathered in front of City Hall yesterday. The protesters were hoping that the warm weather would draw a larger crowd than previous protests. Those that did attend believe that it is important to show solidarity with the larger movement. The protests are meant to bring awareness to economic inequality, greed, and corporate influence in government actions from local to international levels. The Occupy movement began last year in New York City.

Foulds Rink Request Back

Hockey rinks are on the list of topics to discuss at Monday's Council meeting. Current River Ward Councillor Andrew Foulds wants his fellow members to agree to spend more money on staff supervision. Foulds believes young people are becoming less active and wants to make sure they have recreational opportunities. Foulds says closing popular rinks for 2 days during the week prevents an opportunity to put on skates or even use the facilities.

Delegation Heading To Japan

There's an eleven person delegation from Thunder Bay heading to Gifu, Japan Sunday morning. City Clerk John Hannam says it's part of the city's ongoing commitment to the Sister Cities Program and an opportunity to promote exchanges between our two communities. Hannam says the Japanese plan a return trip here in July.

Road Construction Set To Start

The City has unveiled its plan for road construction for the upcoming season. City Engineer Rick Harms says this Summer's construction schedule will impact residential areas more than major routes. Harms adds that the biggest traffic headache will likely occur near the new courthouse building. That project starts before the end of May.

City Puts Hope In Proposed Mining Strategy

The city is putting together a Mining Readiness Strategy to take advantage of the Ring of Fire and other Northwestern Ontario mining developments. Mayor Keith Hobbs says the strategy will be detailed and well thought out. He says they will try to get togther about half a million dollars from affect parties and put a plan together that covers housing, education and job creation.  A draft plan of the Strategy is expected to be ready by the fall.

Alarm Bells Over Program Closure

A local Aboriginal program for school children  is closing down because there is no more government funding.    The Biwaase'aa program has been serving about 500 children a day with what organizers say has been education, nutritional and emotional support.   Officials call it bad news for children in the city, some of whom they claim will be left in a vulnerable position.

More Nursing Positions Available

The Provincial Government is rolling out cash for hiring nurses in Northwestern Ontario. 66 new nursing positions will be made available through the Northwest Local Health Integration Network.

City And CN Try To Bridge The Gap

The city and CN Rail plan to continue talks about the future of the James Street Swing Bridge. CN spokesperson Lindsay Fedchyshyn says the decision follows discussions this week about the safety of the railway owned bridge. She says engineers from both the railway and the city will meet again to talk about how the matter should proceed. Fedchyshyn says while CN considers the bridge safe, it will be repairing or replacing any broken planks or metal plates.

Arbor Day Saturday

It's Arbor Day. The City is doing its part and is planting over 100 trees at Boulevard Lake's Birch Point as a way of improving the urban forest. Over 200 shrubs will also be planted along the Boulevard Lake shoreline to help stabilize the bank and reduce erosion.

LU Signs New Volleyball Player

Lakehead University's Thunderwolves women's Volleyball program has signed a new player.  6 foot Attacker Stephanie Green has committed to the team.  She comes from St. Ignatius high school and has chosen Sociology to study.

Injured Workers Protesting Today

Members of the local Injured Workers group are holding a protest at MPP Michael Gravelle's office today. It's over their disappointment with the appointment of Elizabeth Witmer to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. Spokesperson Steve Mantis says they also feel the Liberal Government rejected the Arthurs' report on how to improve the WSIB and save money.