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A French Immersion teacher at Hammarskjold High School is getting a prestigious accolade.  Matthias Ruppenstein is the winner of the Canadian Parents for French award.  The award is for teachers who show leadership in promoting french learning.

Leek On Prorogue

The new Liberal Leader will be named in January.  Northern Region VP Anthony Leek says January 25th date works to get business at Queens Park back up and running.  Dalton Mcguinty prorogued the legislature and resigned as Premiere two weeks ago.

OFAH Talks Hunting Safety

This year's hunting season has already taken the lives of four people in the country, including two in Ontario.  The incidents involve firearms that were either accidently discharged or because the hunter was not fully aware of the target.  Arnold Beebe is an instructor with the Ontario Federation of Hunters and Anglers, and has some safety tips. Beebe says all hunting fatalities can be easily prevented by taking the proper precautions.

NOMA On Camping

The local tourism industry has taken another hit.  The Province is cancelling overnight camping in nine Provincial Parks across Northern Ontario, including one in the Northwest.  Ron Nelson is President of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association and says the government is hollowing of services in our communities. Nelson says the area is already reeling from the closure of three Travel Information Centres and possible reductions at Ministry of Natural Resources offices.

Search Is On For Missing Man

O.P.P. and the Emergency Response Team in Fort Frances are searching for a missing man. A 43 year old man from an Aboriginal Community on Rainy Lake went out for firewood Wedneday afternoon and never returned. A search began using Treaty Three Police and a Ministry of Natural Resources helicopter as well. They found his vessel overturned at approximately 9:00 O'clock last night. E.R.T. members and marine officers from both agencies are working with community members to continue the search today.

New Walmart Is Open

The County Fair Walmart is now open!  During a grand opening celebration this morning just over 8-thousand dollars was provided to several community groups.  Assistant Manager Jason Otholt says they're happy to give back.  Some of the recipients of the donations include The Children's Miracle Network, Special Olympics, and the Ontario Native Women's Association.

Increase In Border Traffic For September

More and more people are visiting the United States. Officals with Canada Border Services say officers checked just under 55,000 travellers for the month of Spetember and processed more than 26,000 vehicles at the Pigeon River border corssing. That's an increase of just under 4% in the number of people headed to the U.S. and an increase of just over 3% in the number of vehicles checked from the same time last year.

Thunderwolves Take On Mustangs

The rivalry will be renewed tonight at the Fort William Gardens as the Lakehead university Thunderwolves take on the Western Mustangs in an O.U.A. West Division battle. The Thunderwolves lead the division with a 4-1-1 record while Western has struggled out of the gate going 2-and-2. Interim Head coach Mike Busniuk says special teams will be key. The Thunderwolves and Mustangs play at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Fort William Gardens.

City Hosts Spooktacular Sunday

The City is making use of it's waterfront by hosting a Spooktacular Sunday from 1 until 5.  Organizer Angie Jensen says they want to get all of the City's kids involved in arts.  Jensen says the event is free so everyone can take part.

Police Probe North Side Death

Thunder Bay Police are calling the death of a 52 year old man suspicious. Constable Julie Tilbury says the investigation began after a call to a Belton Street home on Thursday morning.
The Criminal Investigations Branch and Forensic Officers are heading up the probe.

Campbell Launches Back To Work Campaign

Kenora Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is in Thunder Bay today to launch the "MPPs Back to Work Campaign."  The Ontario New Democrats are circulating a petition calling on the Liberal government to put the provincial legislature back to work.  Campbell launched the Northwestern Ontario  campaign today at the local Ministry of Northern Development Office.

Tosca Reno In T.Bay Friday & Saturday

Clean Eating Guru Tosca Reno is going to be teaching people how to eat healthy at an upcoming workshop.  Reno is in the City Friday for a book signing at Janzen's Pharmacy on Bay Street and Saturday for a workshop at the Victoria Inn.  Reno feels anyone, anywhere can eat clean since you can always get access to an apple.  Her book signing is Friday from 2 until 4.

Poverty Reduction Process Underway

  The City is creating a poverty reduction strategy.  The poverty reduction committee held its inaugural meeting recently and Chair Paul Pugh says the strategy has been a long time coming.  Pugh says they hope to have a plan in place by September 2013.

Police Attend Shuniah St. Address

City police are backing off from using the word standoff, but they say that they were sent to a Shuniah Street address to look for a person. Residents were left wondering about an increased police presence this afternoon. Spokesperson Julie Tibury says they ended up finding a distraught person at another address and that no criminal charge is involved.

Zellers Preparing To Close

The Intercity Mall's Zellers store is getting ready to close it's doors. They've started to mark down their merchandise in advance of Target taking over in 2013. Target Spokesperson Tamar Nersesian says renovations will take six to nine months. The Target store is expected to open in the summer of 2013.

NOMA Talks McGuinty

The President of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is looking at the positives surrounding the resignation of Premier Dalton McGuinty. Ron Nelson says this now provides a window of opportunity. Nelson says they will grill the candidates on everything impacting the north including mining, tourism and the forestry sector.

Northwest Kick Start Plan

A proposal for more cost-efficient energy generation in Northern Ontario. At the Ontario Waterpower Conference, the Northwest Kick Start plan was featured which will provide a cheaper power supply to the Ring of Fire and First Nations communities through a grid connection. President and CEO of Imperium Energy Larry Doran says there's no downside to the proposal. Doran says it also allows for the development of hydro-electric generation.

Deadline For Flood Funds October 30th

The deadline to file your damage claim forms from the May 28th flood is this Wednesday. Disaster Relief Chair Wayne Fletcher says there are still some people who haven't submitted their forms because they've been having trouble getting estimates. So far 200 people have submitted claim forms. Application forms will be accepted at the disaster relief office on Donald Street up until 4:30 on Wednesday.

Shelter House Rehab Centre Opens

Shelter House is celebrating the grand opening of it's Alcohol Management Program. The 2 year pilot project is a 15 bed rehab facility that provides housing for homeless people who struggle with drugs and alcohol. Executive Director Patty Hajdu says it's a vast improvement from sending them to a jail cell. The centre opened in March and currently has 11 residents.

Four Charged In Coke Bust

Four people are charged in connection with a drug bust on the 100 block of South Franklin Street.     Police say 16 thousand dollars worth of cocaine was seized in the raid.    Smaller amounts of marijuana, Oxycontin and Morphine were also found.