Prescription drug walk ends in T.Bay

The Pensai Walk for Prescription Drug Abuse is making a stop in Thunder Bay Thursday.  It's led by Thunder Bay resident and Bearskin Lake First Nation member Lyle Fox.  The walk started August 22nd in Sioux Lookout and wraps up at the Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School today.

MNR continues to fight fires

The Ministry of Natural Resources says its making good progress on several forest fires still burning across Northwestern Ontario.  There are now 41-forest fires considered active.  4-new fires have been discovered in the past 24-hours.

Credit Union strike continues

The Northern Lights Credit Union strike continues in the city. It's day three and CEP Spokesperson Renne Lindquist says they hope to speak with management soon. The Westfort branch is closed, and a picket line is set up at the Amber Drive location. Lindquist says they want better wages and the same benefits employees at other branches in the Northwest receive.

East-West corridor agreement signed

Four Northern First Nations are working together towards creating an east-west corridor in the Ring of Fire. They signed the collaborative agreement in Thunder Bay today and Fort Hope Chief Harry Papah says it will mean they'll have a common voice.  A working group has been established and will consult with residents throughout September.

Fatigue may have been the cause of fatal accident

OPP say the driver in a fatal collision may have fallen asleep at the wheel.  Staff Seargent Dan Dawson says the collision happened near Wawa yesterday morning when a car crossed into the path of a transport truck.  Dawson says unconfirmed reports suggest the driver may have fallen asleep.  Two other passengers in the car suffered non life threatening injuries.

Local student earns national scholarship

A Fort William First Nation woman is a recipient of an RBC Aboriginal Student Award.  Diane Bannon won the 4 thousand dollar scholarship and was among 10 winners across the country.

Fednor money goes to T.Bay company

A Thunder Bay based geological consulting firm is 27 thousand dollars richer thanks to Fednor funding. The money will be used to hire a youth intern to help Fladgate Exploration Consulting Corporation expand into the international market.

Transport Minister meets with CEDC

Minister of Transport Steven Fletcher is wrapping up a three day tour of Thunder Bay.  Fletcher met with mining stakeholders, members of the Airport and Port Authority and Economic Development Commission.  Fletcher says his visit was a fact finding mission.  CEDC CEO Steve Demmings says Thunder Bay needs to make the most out of its transportation infrastructure in order to capitalize on emerging industries.

Mining Matters in Thunder Bay

Over 30 First Nations youth living in the area of the Ring of Fire are learning about the emerging mining industry. The group are taking part in a mining matters camp. Spokesperson Barbara Green Parker says the teens are learning hands on. The teens are talking to mining industry professionals and teachers from Confederation College and Lakehead University.

Habitat for Humanity is looking for Volunteers

Habitat for Humanity is launching a volunteer recruitment campaign.  CEO Diane Mitchell says they are looking for volunteers for the restore, build sites and fundraising. She says new regulations with Revenue Canada require 9 people to volunteer at least 40 hours a year at the restore. Mitchell says everyone is welcome to volunteer and can by calling Habitat or going online. 

Contract talks continue

If a contract isn't in place by midnight Wednesday, support staff at Confederation College will hit the picket line. Spokesperson Adair Conlon says their bargaining team will be at the table today and tomorrow. Conlon says they've set up their strike headquarters and they're prepared to walk out.

Fatal plane crash Sioux Lookout

A small plane crash on Abram Lake has claimed the life of a Sunfish Lake, Minnesota man. Sioux Lookout OPP say the aircraft crashed in the water south of the chutes near Reese Island around 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon. Police say a pilot and his dog were in the plane. The pilot was transported to hospital, where he was pronouced dead. His name has not been released. A post-mortem examination has been scheduled for today in Kenora. Transport Canada has been called in to help in the OPP investigation.

Dryden upset with MTO

The Mayor of Dryden is fuming after learning that the City would be on the hook for the full cost of paving Highway 17 through town.  The Ministry of Transportation is planning on paving both sections of the Highway up to the City limits.  Craig Nuttall says he's prepared to play hardball and put up a toll booth. Nuttall says quote "there's no bloody way that citizens of Dryden should pay 100-percent of the project."



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City embarks on 4 year strat plan

The City is working on its four year strategic plan.  Administration has set timelines for implementing the living document.  The first 120 day report will come before council in November.

Fatal collision closes Highway 17

OPP are investigating a tragic 2 vehicle collision that has claimed one life.  Officials say one person was killed and two other people were injured after the collision just before 7:30 this morning south of Wawa.  Details are sparse at this time but officers say a car collided with a transport truck. 

Ignace Saw Mill to reopen

Great news for the Ignace job market. AbitibiBowater is promising to pump 32 million dollars into the idle saw mill to restart the project.  The company will be upgrading the facility with an eye for reopening in 2014.

Hay is new Deputy Chief

Thunder Bay has a new Deputy Police Chief.  Andy Hay is taking over the position left vacant by JP Levesque.  Hay says he's excited to get down to business.  Hay was confirmed as the Deputy Chief at the Police Services Board meeting.

City works with Service Ontario

Thunder Bay City Council is entering into a memorandum of understanding with Service Ontario.  The two parties will look at ways they can improve Provincial Government and Municipal services.  Councillor Andrew Foulds is wary of working with Service Ontario noting its mostly automated.  City Spokesperson Karen Lewis says an example would be paying parking tickets while you renew your drivers license.

City decreases debt

Thunder Bay City Council is reviewing its audited financial statements for 2010.  According to the fiscal document the City is 170 million dollars in debt.  Councillor Andrew Foulds notes that's 12.2 million dollars less than in 2009.

Humanities 101 bus pass request

A Lakehead University Professor wants the City to continue its support of the Humanities 101 program.  The program is for students with disabilities and Dr. Christina van Barneveld wants enough passes to transport twenty students to 15 classes.  Councillor Iain Angus asked if they would consider holding the course in a downtown location; but van Barneveld says the students wanted to take a course on campus so they could get a feel for University life.  The students don't pay tuition so the bus passes are not included in their course. Council will decide on September 12th whether to provide the free passes or not.