OPP Crack Down On Speeders

OPP are cracking down on speeders.  Last week an officer from the Upsala Detachment found a driver going west bound on Highway 17 at an excessive speed.  In the end the Police officer charged the driver for going 55 kilometres an hour over the already 90 kilometre speed limit.  The 44 year old man's vehicle was impounded for seven days, and he was charged with speeding.

Police Aware Of Possible Witness

Thunder Bay Police are reacting to a news report of an unconfirmed eye witness sharing his account of an alleged abduction and sexual assault case.  Police are aware of the release of information from a possible witness to the ongoing investigation.  Police are currently investigating the information and attempting to work with the source to obtain evidence that may be associated to the investigation. The witness has not yet come forward to police.

OPP Respond To 6 Collisions Today

OPP are reminding motorists to use common sense when driving in slippery conditions.  Police have already responded to six motor vehicle collisions so far today.  The first incident occurred on Highway 102 when a west bound van tried to pass a transport but lost control.   Several other accidents were reported on Highway 11/17 today as well.

Norovirus Hard To Track

Health officials in Thunder Bay says it's hard to know if there is a major outbreak of the Norovirus. The District Health Unit says while the virus is widespread in the United States it's not as easily tracked here.  Spokesperson Darlene Binette says  it's not a reportable disease unless it's in a home care facility.    She says that it's possible there is an outbreak in the Bethami Nursing home, but the tests aren't back yet.  The latest confirmed cases were at recent catered function handled by a local deli

Rotary Gives Out Cash

Port Arthur's Rotary Club is dishing out 6 thousand dollars to six local charities.  Members of the club presented the charities with a cheque at an event this afternoon in the City.  Laurie Tulloch says they'll be giving money to Habitat for Humanity for their build on Mary Street.  Tulloch adds they'll also give some money to Leadership Thunder Bay to offset the costs of people taking their leadership courses.  Other charities sharing in the Rotary donation include St. John's Ambulance Youth Summer Camp, the St. James School Youth Program and a youth alcohol prevention program.

Anonymous Releases Essay

Thunder Bay Police have yet to respond to a lengthy internet posting by the group Anonymous.  The essay was released early Tuesday morning on the site Wordpress hours after the hacktivist group said they would release embarrassing information about the local police force.  It's a follow up to last week's video threat demanding more action on a local sexual assault against a First Nation's woman. While the document mocks the police investigation it backs off from spilling any internal information.

Make The Pledge

Thunder Bay's Health Sciences Centre wants men across Northwestern Ontario to get screened for colorectal cancer.  A group of local men will be gathering at the hospital tomorrow to make the pledge to get tested.  Hospital Spokesperson Janine Chiasson says when colon cancer is deteced early, there's a 90 percent chance it can be cured.  The Thunder Bay men will be taking a group picture that will be uploaded to Cance Care Ontario's Facebook page and will join other photos of men from across the province.

2013 Budget Meetings Start Next Weekend

The 2013 budget is expected to be in the hands of City Councillors sometime later this week.  The draft budget is available to the public on Friday afternoon on the City's Website.  City Clerk John Hannam adds the public can also have their say on the budget at 5:30 at City hall this Tuesday.  Council will then review the budget on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week and again on February 12th.

NW LHIN Reappoints Chair

The North West Local Health Integration Network will have a familiar face chairing it's board.  Joy Warkentin was recently reappointed Chair.  She first sat on the LHIN board in 2010.

Rickford Hoping For Good Year

The MP for the Kenora Riding is hoping for a prosperous year, now that the House of Commons is back in action.  Greg Rickford says that a main priority is work on financial transparency and accountability for First Nations leadership.  He adds there's another key focus.  Rickford says they will also continue to work on Canada's Economic Action plan for this year.

New JOP In Dryden Area

The Provincial government has selected a Dryden resident to become the latest Justice of the Peace to the Ontario Court of Justice in the Northwest region.  Danalyn MacKinnon has been appointed to the position, effective February 6th.  MacKinnon will be working primarily in the Dryden area.

Report Says Mining Is A Big Deal For NWO

The Conference Board of Canada says northern Ontario's mining output will expand by 66-percent from 2011 to 2020.  Anja Jeffrey is the Director for the Centre of the North and says Ontario is in a good position to grow.  Jeffrey notes the current setbacks include inadequate or non-existent infrastructure and skilled labour shortages.

Campbell Says Bigs Tests For Waynne

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is congratulating Kathleen Wynne on winning the top post for the provincial Liberals. Campbell says how she handles the numerous scandals facing the Liberals will serve as important first tests for the Premier-elect. The NDP member says Wynne can't ignore the problems at Queen's Park and must work with the opposition to make the government work. Campbell notes Wynne voted in favour of the controversial bill for teachers, Bill 115. Campbell says MPP's are expected back at Queen's Park on February 19th.

Mac's Robbed-Photo Released

City police are looking for a person who is responsible for an overnight break-in at the Mac's Convenience store on Beverly Street. They say that access to the store was gained by breaking a glass door.  Police say they were alerted by the burglar alarm.  They say a video shows the male taking cigarettes and then leaving. 

Teachers College Disciplines Local Principal

The Ontario College of Teachers is disciplining the former Principal of Algonquin Avenue Public School.  In a letter to the College of Teachers, the Lakehead Public School board alleged that Andrea Morency mismanaged money from an Anti-poverty fund and didn't provide proper receipts.  It's also alleged that she used school money to purchase items through a gift registry for a friend's wedding shower.  As part of the disciplinary action, Morency has agreed not work at a teaching job for nine months, and refrain from assuming any financial responsibilities for at least 2 years.

NAN Wants To Work With Wynne

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is looking forward to working with Premier Designate Kathleen Wynne.  Grand Chief Harvey Yesno wants to see the Premier's Office work with First Nations on resource development investments and establish an agreement on resource revenue sharing.

Flu Outbreak In Nipigon

Thunder Bay's Health Unit is declaring an influenza A outbreak in the Nipigon Hospital's Long Term Care unit.  Admissions, transfers, discharges and social activities at the facility have been cancelled until further notice.  Visitors are restricted to family members and caregivers only.

Hyer First Question Since Tongue Surgery

Today is the first day back for Members of Parliament.  It was also MP Bruce Hyer's first question after his tongue cancer surgery.  Hyer received applause after standing up in the legislature.  The Independent used his question to talk about the Northern Gateway Pipeline.  Hyer is supposed to be resting but he didn't want to give up his speaking time during Question Period.

Sizeable Drug Bust In Fort Hope

Nishnawbe-Aski Police continue to crack down on drug traffickers.  Four people have been arrested after they were caught trying to smuggle drugs into the remote community of Fort Hope.  Police say the arrests stem from four separate investigations.  In total, officers seized 11-thousand dollars worth of marijhuana and over 10-thousand dollars worth of oxycodone.

Police Warn Of Traffic Delays

Thunder Bay Police want to let motorists know there may be traffic delays around City Hall this afternoon.  Idle No More will be walking to and from City Hall starting at 4. Thunder Bay Police, Naps, APS, and OPP will be present to provide a safe environment for the community and participants while traveling along the designated route.