Iacobucci Fully Immersed In ROF

Frank Iacobucci is fully immersed in his role as the province's chief negotiator for the Ring of Fire mining project.   Just before leaving on a trip from Thunder Bay to visit  area First Nations communities he spoke of how he's been getting himself up to speed on the complex issues he must face.  He says he feels a sense of excitement and challenge about what lies ahead.  Iacobucci says he will be meeting with First Nations negotiator Bob Rae in the coming days

More Forest Fires In Red Lake District

The Red Lake area continues to get hit with forest fires. The Ministry of Natural Resources is reporting one in the district, as well as in Kenora and Nipigon. However, these fires are considered small and pose no problems at this time. The fire hazard is high in the Red Lake and Sioux Lookout areas, while it remains low to moderate in the Dryden area.

Man Charged In Dog Deaths

A 50 year old Murillo man is now charged after last weeks incident which killed two dogs on Poleline Road.   The man is charged with failing to remain after a 17 year old girl told police that someone in a truck struck and killed her two labs while she was walking them.

Dryden Woman Convicted Of Fraud

A Dryden woman has been convicted on 2-counts of fraud from the Shaw Walleye Masters and the Ski Hill. Allyson Dunham has received a conditional sentence order of 2-years, less a day. The sentence results in house arrest, a curfew and other strict conditions. Dunham was charged last March with 2-counts each of theft over $5,000, fraud over $5,000 and criminal breach of trust. Dunham sat on the executive committees of both the Shaw Walleye Masters and the Ski Hill.

New Partnership For Aspenware

Aspenware is back with a presence in northwestern Ontario. Members of the Wabauskang First Nation will soon start harvesting poplar trees and creating veneers for the B.C. based company.  The operation is being carried out in the Whiskey Jack Forest and Makoose Wood Innovations Owner Doug Riffel is also heavily involved in the project. Aspenware President Terry Bigsby says it's a win-win situation for everyone involved and could become a blueprint for future partnerships. Bigsby says this is only the beginning and notes he's already in talks for a similar venture with Grassy Narrows and Lac La Croix. Aspenware produces single-use biodegradable wooden cutlery and at one time was thinking about setting up shop in the Dryden area.

Arrest Made In NWO Death

An arrest has been made in the death of 38-year-old Christopher Lee Jack in Onigaming First Nation, near Nestor Falls. Provincial Police and Treaty Three Police have charged 24-year-old Micheline Nicole Chiefson of Naicatchewenin First Nation with second degree murder. She's in custody. The cause of death isn't being released at this time. Police were called to an apartment last week and found Jack dead inside the residence.

Mining Conference Shifts To Kenora

A mining conference that was once held in Dryden is taking place in Kenora this year.The Ministry of Northern Development and Mines puts on an Exploration Information Session each year, which focuses on activity taking place in the Kenora District. It's taking place July 24th and 25th and will feature a site visit to the Coventry Resources Site near Cameron Lake.

Flyers Stop In Dryden

About 50 private airplanes are on their way east after touching down at the Dryden Regional Airport. John Lovelace is the founder of The Century Flying Club and says they are making their way from British Columbia to Prince Edward Island.He says there are a number of planes, including one worth over $1 million.The club was started in 2009, and Lovelace says it's a great way for aviation lovers from all over to come together and hangout. Their next stop after Dryden is Elliot Lake.

Aboriginal Experiments Cause Controversy

News that nutritional experiments were once conducted on unwitting, hungry aboriginal children back in the 1940s has angered chiefs at the annual meeting of the Assembly of First Nations.  National Chief Shawn Atleo says such details have to come out if aboriginals and mainstream society are to reconcile. Some of those nutritional experiments took place in northwestern Ontario.

Police I.D. Murder Victim

Police are reaching out to sex trade workers in  the city  following the latest murder.  They say the victim was 30 year old Shannon Hogan, whom police say was involved in the adult sex trade.  The cause of her death is being withheld.   Police they have been talking to local street walkers  to see if  they know anything about Hogan's death.  She was found outside a Lake Street residence early Tuesday morning with serious injuries.  She later died.

Tall Ship Coming This Weekend

Thunder Bay is in store for another visit from a tall ship.  The Norwegian ship Sorlandet will be here all day Sunday and Monday for public visits according to event organizer Ashley Priem.   Public deck tours will take place starting at 10 o'clock both days at the Pool 6 dock.

Accident Sends Two To Hospital

Traffic is now moving  at Algoma  and Wolseley following a collision just before 7 o'clock this morning.   Police say it was a two vehicle mishap which sent a man and a woman to hospital with minor injuries. One of the drivers is charged with failing to yield.

Dryden Council Balks At Reduction

Dryden Council has thrown cold water on a suggestion to reduce the number of councilors from 7 to 5. The idea was tossed around during budget discussions as a way to save money and was brought forward Monday by Acting Chief Administrative Officer Debra Kincaid. Council overwhelmingly decided to not investigate the merits of the reduction. Sid Wintle and Brian Collins both stressed that the City has more serious problems to deal with. Wintle adds that five councilors would lead to burn out and would likely result in councilors missing meetings on the various boards they sit on.

Cup Will Arrive August 2nd

 The date is now set.  Patrick Sharp of the Chicago Blackhawks will bring the Stanley Cup to Thunder Bay August 2nd.  The date was confirmed on the Visit Thunder Bay Facebook page.  Details are still being finalized.

Union Pleads For Talks In Treaty 3 Dispute

The pressure continues to save the Treaty Three Police Service. The Public Service Alliance of Canada, which represents the officers, says the board hasn't really changed it's mind on any of the issues raised. Regional Vice President Sharon De Sousa says they're hopeful a solution can be found.  De Sousa is requesting the help of a mediator.

Body Recovered

The body of a swimmer who went missing in the Rainy River in northern Ontario this week has been found. Provincial police say a dive team recovered the body of the 27-year old  Toronto man just before 5 p.m. yesterday

Police Remain At Crime Scene

Police are still protecting the crime scene on Lake Street this morning, 24 hours after the city's second murder of the year.   They have not released the name of the woman who died after being found with injuries outside a residence early yesterday morning.   The cause of her death has not  been released.  

C-Diff Outbreak At TBRHSC

The Regional Health Sciences Centre is dealing with a bacteria outbreak.  They say it involves C-difficile a mainly hospital born bug which has been associated with the overuse of antibiotics.  They say they have restricted  floors 3A and 3B to visitors until the illness goes away.

Diver Dies At Isle Royale

A 55 year old Minnesota man is dead after a scuba diving mishap at Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior.  Officials at the park say the man was with two other divers planning to explore a sunken Canadian cargo ship called the Kamloops.   The man was noticed in distress during the dive, and was sent to the surface, but it was too late, he wasn't breathing by the time they got him in a boat.

Rainy River Search Continues

The search continue for a missing swimmer in the Rainy River near Emo.  A unnamed 27-year-old man went under the water Sunday night while attempting to swim a length of the river with another person. The one person returned safely back to the public docks at Emo. An OPP dive team is expected on scene later today.