Oliver Paipoonge Road Closed

Harstone Road is closed from 8-6 today. The rural road is closed to allow an inspection of the Kaministiquia River Bridge. Officials apologize for any inconvenience this may pose to motorists.

Rae Confirmed As ROF Negotiator

It's now official.   Former Ontario Premier Bob Rae  is  the chief negotiator for the Matawa First Nations in Ring of Fire negotiations with the province.  Rae is expected to tour all nine  of the regional First Nations communities in the next few months.

Inquest One Step Closer

A coroners inquest into the tragic deaths of 7 First Nations teens in Thunder Bay is one step closer to reality.  The regional coroner has now set the date for a hearing on who will have the legal right to take part in the inquest proceedings.   That hearing takes place at the Red River Road government building starting June 11th.

Minor Injuries In Morning Mishap

Morning accident victim

Three people are recovering from injuries sustained following a 3 vehicle mishap on the city's north side.   Two people were taken to hospital following the collision at Cumberland and River just before 8:30 this morning.  Police say the injuries are minor.  One person was treated at the scene.  The 40 year old driver of one of the vehicles is charged with careless driving.

Serious Injury In Hilldale Rd Crash

City police say  two motorcycles crashed on Hilldale Road last night at around 10:15 and sent two men in their 20's  to hospital. The driver of one of the motorcycles suffered a serious injury and remains in hospital. The other man was treated for minor injuries.  

Mayor's "Cesspool" Comment Disputed

The head of city's Heritage Advisory Committee doesn't agree with the mayor's comments that the Royal Edward Arms is a cesspool.   Andrew Cotter believes the May Street building is worth keeping after its social housing lease expires. He admits he hasn't seen the inside of the May Street building but doesn't believe "cesspool" is an accurate description.  The mayor says it would take 10 million dollars to make renovations to the building

Evacuees Head Home

Kashechewan First Nation evacuees are returning home today.  They've been in Thunder Bay for over a week and flights will be scheduled throughout the day to transfer the remaining 150 evacuees.  The City notes they still are on alert as a host community for other evacuations should the need arise.

Johnson To Bring Up REA At Council

Word the Royal Edward Arms will no longer be a social service board run housing unit is making the rounds of City Council. Councillor Rebecca Johnson says she's going to ask City staff on Monday about the DSSAB's decision to not renew their lease for the rental unit. Johnson notes its a balancing act saying they need affordable housing in the City but it should be in better condition than the Royal Edward Arms.

Campbell Cautious About ELA Deal

Kenora-Rainy-River MPP Sarah Campbell isn't convinced with the latest announcement about the Experimental Lakes Area. Sarah Campbell says the Memorandum of Understanding really only means that negotiations will continue. Campbell adds she doesn't know why the government hasn't made any financial commitments or time frames during the 7 months of negotiations.

Missing Teen Found

Thunder Bay Police are reporting they've found the 15 year old boy who was reported missing earlier this week. Police say he has been returned to his parents.

Ash Tree Owners Being Warned

City Hall is trying to educate homeowners with ash trees about a dangerous insect.  City Forester Shelley Vescio says there will be an information session this weekend to warn residents about what could happen with the potential arrival of the emerald ash borer.  The session takes place at 1 o'clock Saturday in the Water Garden Pavilion at Prince Arthur's Landing.

ELA Saved For The Summer

The immediate future of the Experimental Lakes Area, west of Vermilion Bay looks brighter today. The Harper government and the International Institute for Sustainable Development have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Kenora MP Greg Rickford says it's a great step forward. Rickford says the provincial government will continue talks with the ISSD.

Mayor Calls Royal Edward Arms A Cesspool

The days are numbered for the Royal Edward Arms apartments on May Street.   Mayor Keith Hobbs says the District Social Services Board will not renew the lease with the city when it expires, and you aren't hearing any complaints from the mayor who calls it a cesspool which will cost 10 million dollars to fix up.   Hobbs says there will be other housing found for the current tenants when in closes by 2015.

Local 10 Mile Runners To Remember Boston

Organizers of the annual 10 Mile Road Race on Victoria Day will pay respects to the Boston Marathon tragedy.   Ralph Hibbert says what form that tribute will take isn't known, and that it's still in the planning stages.   Hibbert says about 1 thousand runners are expected to participate.

Wunnumin Lake Fire Kills Three

Nishnawbe Aski Police are confirming a fatal fire in Wunnumin Lake First Nation 360 km northeast of Sioux Lookout. Sergeant Jackie George says three people are dead following a house fire early yesterday morning. All three are reported to be girls and aged 1, 6 and a 21 year old woman. Officials say the community of roughly 600-people is devastated.

CBSA Releases Border Stats

Canada Border Service Agents are being kept busy at the Pigeon River border crossing.  Last month a US resident tried to enter Canada and was referred to immigration where they discovered the traveler had been convicted for delivering LSD in the States.  She was turned away and returned to the US.  Meanwhile, in the Spring, two US residents crossing the border claimed they didn't have any firearms or weapons in their vehicle. Upon further examination it turned out they had a .38 calibre handgun in the centre console of the vehicle.  The driver was charged for failing to report his handgun to agents and paid fines over 3-thousand dollars.

Highway 593 Open

The Ministry of Transportation has crews working on Highway 593 today after water flooded the highway near the Highway 588 intersection.  The water has receded.  Highway 593, 7.8 km south of Highway 588 has now been re-opened to traffic in both directions.

Campbell Raises ELA Issue

The government may have said it will save the Experimental Lakes Area but the fight is continuing.  Speaking in the Legislature, Kenora Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell said that the Ontario government has failed to re-open the facility.  In response, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Laurel Broten says the ELA remains in control of the federal government and work on a deal is continuing to re-open the facility.

Treaty Three Vote To Be In PSAC

The Public Service Alliance of Canada is looking after the Treaty Three Police Service.  PSAC Regional Vice President Sharon DeSousa says majority of employees have voted YES to union protection.  DeSousa says the service still wants to fall under Provincial Jurisdiction, instead of Federal and number of issues will be resolved once the jurisdictional challenge has been rolled on.

Careful With That Axe...

A Dryden man's quest has resulted in some trouble with the law.  City Police were contacted on Monday regarding a man, who appeared to be drunk, wandering around Wilson's Trailer Park carrying a long handled axe.  Police arrived, and say that the man told officers he was looking for someone and was " going to chop them up into little bits".  As a result, police have charged 24-year-old Richard Halverson with uttering threats to cause bodily harm.