Prescribed Burn In NWO

The Ministry of Natural Resources is preparing to ignite a prescribed burn in the Horse Lake area in the Sioux Lookout District. Officials say the burn will renew almost 700-hectares within the Lac Seul Forest which suffered severe weather damage between 2001 and 2007.  The burn is scheduled for today.

NPI CEO Has Big Plans

The independent think tank the Northern Policy Institute is embarking on a number of projects.  They've been up and running for 13 months and CEO Charles Cirtwell says one of the first things they've done is commission a review of the Federal Aboriginal Education Act.  NPI is also looking to create an online community consultation tool that will poll Northerner's thoughts on Provincial Government policies. Cirtwell addressed members of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Conference in Thunder Bay yesterday.

NDP Press Matthews On Hospital Overcrowding

The provincial government continues to plead for time in fixing the overcrowding problems at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.  In the legislature NDP leader Andrea Horwath pressed the health minister on the issue and Deb Matthews said it's a work in progress.  She says the regional health authority, the Northwest LHIN, is working hard to resolve the problem.  Matthews points to the new 544 bed seniors complex being building in the city by St. Joseph's Care Group.

Dryden Boys Honoured By OPP

The OPP are recognizing several Northwestern Ontario civilians for their brave actions.  Dryden's Kale Greer, Christison Maua and Koen Taylor were honoured for saving the life of Kale's four year old sister while they were playing at the Big Eagle Lodge tourist camp.  The young girl disappeared when the boys thought to see if she had wandered off to the dock.  That's when Christison says he saw her in the water and they decided to scoop her out with a fishing net.  The boys were given an award today in Thunder Bay by the OPP Deputy Commissioner.

Humperdinck Cancels Again In Thunder Bay

Health issues have forced British crooner Engelbert Humperdinck to scrub his Thunder Bay appearance at the Community Auditorium. He was scheduled to sing Saturday night, but  Humperdinck's Facebook page says he called off the performance  because of "a trapped nerve in his neck." His website, www.engelbert.com , says his Thunder Bay show is postoned.

Canfield Says NOMA Frustrated

Members of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association are telling the Minister of Northern Development and Mines that they are frustrated.  Several municipal leaders spoke today with Michael Gravelle about their growing concerns about the future of the Thunder Bay Generating Station and the Ring of Fire development.  NOMA President Dave Canfield says they're understanding but something more needs to be done to help speed up the process.  The comments were made during the annual NOMA conference in Thunder Bay.

City Roofer Fined

A Thunder Bay firm has been fined 50-thousand dollars for violating Occupational Health and Safety Act. Lakehead Roofing and Metal Cladding was charged May 2012 after a worker was injured while working on a roofing project in Sault Ste. Marie. The worker suffered serious leg injuries after falling 14 meters before a piece of safety equipment engaged to stop his fall.

Police Nab Driving Suspect

City police have their man.  They say they've have captured the person they were looking for yesterday following a car chase in Westfort . Police say the officer involved in the incident was able to identify the suspect.   A 27 year old man is scheduled for a video court appearance on charges of dangerous driving.

TBRRI New VP

Thunder Bay's Regional Research Institute is welcoming a new Vice President of Corporate Services and Operations.  The hospital has hired Peter Myllymaa from the local health authority.  Myllymaa will also act as the hospital's new Chief Financial Officer.

NOMA Ready For Conference

The annual Northwestern Ontario Municipal conference  is underway in Thunder Bay.  NOMA President Dave Canfield says they will bring municipal leaders from the region up to speed on a number of important topics.  Canfield says energy concerns surrounding the Thunder Bay Generation Station, mining and forestry will also be on the agenda. 

Culture Days Are Here

The City is celebrating it's fourth annual "Culture Days".  A flag raising ceremony is being held this  morning at City Hall to kick off the four day event.  Over the next couple of days you can check out belly dancing demonstrations, and learn how to Ukrainian dance in 60 minutes.

OPP Honour Officers & Civilians

Members of the OPP from across Northwestern Ontario are being honored today in Thunder Bay.  A Pickle Lake officer is set to receive the Commissioner's Citation for Lifesaving for rescuing a man from a burning building.  A Thunder Bay civilian is receiving a bravery award for pulling a quadriplegic man to safety from a burning vehicle.  Meanwhile, three young Dryden boys are being honoured for saving the life of a young girl.

Investigation Closed

City Police are closing the book on the case of a woman who was found dead in an Archibald Street home.  A post mortem exam was conducted yesterday and the death is no longer considered suspicious.  Police responded to the home early Tuesday morning following a 911 call.  The name of the woman has not been released.  

Mauro Wants To Expand Bear Hunt

Thunder Bay MPP Bill Mauro is trying to expand the province's northern bear hunt.    Mauro says his private members bill at Queens Park is designed to help reduce the nuisance bear population.  He says there has been an increased concern about nuisance bears and the dangers that poses.  Mauro hopes other parties support his proposal so it can pass into law.

NAN Releases Residential School Curriculum

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is out with its school history curriculum which focuses on the residential school experience in Canada.  Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler says they hope that the local school boards decide to teach it to their students.    NAN also hopes to touch base with the Ministry of Education in an effort to have the curriculum taught across the province. Fiddler adds when you teach students the full history of residential schools, you can't go wrong.

Licence Renewal Now Available Online

Motorists in Northwestern Ontario will now be able to renew their drivers licences on the Internet. Now by going to ServiceOntario.ca, you can use your existing photos on your licence for an additional 5-years. Drivers can also get licence plate stickers, driver abstracts and other products in the same transaction. Ontario becomes the first province in Canada to offer the online-service.

Manhunt In Westfort

We have a developing story to report ...Police are searching for a man in the Westfort area following a short car chase this morning.  They say that a driver wanted for questioning about an earlier accident sped off when police spotted his vehicle in westfort.   That resulted in the vehicle crashing at the corner of Mountdale and Gore.   Police are still looking for a suspect.

Students To Sample Local Food

Public high schools students in Thunder Bay will be getting local food in their cafeterias.  It's a pilot project to allow students the chance to sample the food that is grown and produced at local farms.  The experiment runs four times at each public high school until November 7th.   After that the results will be assessed.

Stabbing In Dryden

A Dryden man has been treated for multiple stab wounds following an attack last night in that city. Police were called to deal with a domestic dispute around 10:15.  They say the 21-year-old woman stabbed her partner four times.  She is being held in custody and no names have been released.

Local Students Score Well On Literacy

Thunder Bay's high school students can hold their own compared to their provincial peers when it comes to reading skills.  The latest literacy test results from the province's Education Accountability Office show the catholic school board students who successfully completed testing scored an average of 88 per cent compared to the province wide standard of 82 per cent.  Public board students scored an average of 80 per cent on testing.