More Options for Lakehead Students

A collaboration between Lakehead University and Barrie's Georgian College will see more opportunities for students. The two schools signed an agreement earlier today that will include international recruitment for students, new programs designed for Aboriginal students and more videoconferencing. Lakehead University President Dr. Brian Stevenson says one of the goals for this agreement is to make it simpler for students to transfer from college to university and vice-versa. Stevenson also added that the move will save students money in the long run.

Deal Doesn't Affect NWO Safeway Stores

Northwestern Ontario Safeway Stores are not going to be sold as part of Sobey's takeover of Canada Safeway.   Sobey's spokesperson Andrew Walker says a government regulator approved the takeover, but ordered Sobey's to sell 23 Safeway stores across the country but not in the Lakehead or in Kenora, Dryden or Fort Frances.

Youth Respect Campaign Launched

Hammarskjold and Dennis Franklin Cromarty High Schools are the creators of the new Youth RESPECT slogan.  "Show some respect - be the change" was unveiled in three promotional videos at City Hall Wednesday.  Leadership Thunder Bay Spokesperson Ashleigh Quarrell says the videos will be used as an educational tool in elementary and high schools.  The two high schools received a cheque for over a thousand dollars each from Leadership Thunder Bay.

More Tree Calls To City Line

Call it the tamarack effect.  The city has been receiving more complaints about trees since city council voted to remove nuisance trees on Mohawk Crescent.  Spokesperson Darrell Matson says the phones are ringing off the hook.  Matson says they're getting new complaints as well as ones from property owners who have called before about tree removal.  The number to call for tree issues is 625-2195.

School Board Considering More Video Cameras

It may not be long before all school buses in the city will be fitted with video cameras.   Public school board official David Wright says right now about half the buses in the system have the cameras installed.  Wright says the next round of tenders from the local bus consortium is expected to go out in the next two years and that's when the requirement may be included in the Request For Proposals.

Request Coming After Smashed Windows

More reports are coming in of business windows being smashed in the Fort William Business District.  Chair Jim Hupka says they're sending a request to the Police Services Board asking for beat officers to patrol in the evening hours.  Hupka says they've had several meetings to discuss broken windows and notes there's not an easy solution to the problem.

OPP Nab Drugs

Nipigon OPP are charging a man with several drug related charges.  It comes after officers seized 11 morphine pills, just over 7 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of marihuana.  He'll appear in Nipigon court on December 3rd.

Entrepreneurs On Campus

Confederation College and the Northwestern Innovation Centre are teaming up to offer a new lunch time program called "Entrepreneurs on Campus".  College President Jim Madder says the innovation centre has moved onto campus and their free session will help boost college entrepreneurs.   The first entrepreneur class will be held on Tuesday November 5th.

New Mine Shaft In Operation

It's all smiles for the shareholders of North American Palladium now that the company's new mine shaft is in operation at Lac des Iles north of the city.   CEO Philip du Toit says the new shaft will allow the ore to be removed faster and will result in considerable savings.  He estimates those savings to be as much as 10 to 15 per cent per tonne.   Du Toit says the platinum and palladium mine will be in operation until at least 2019 and possibly beyond.

Fatal Accident Results In Drug Bust

A 31 year old Ottawa man is dead following an accident on Highway 11 between Longlac and Hearst early yesterday morning.   Police say it was a two vehicle mishap between a car and a pick up truck.   Police say that the dead man was a passenger in the car.  Meantime the car's driver is facing a drug charge after a kilo of cocaine was found in the vehicle.

NDP Frustrated Over ROF

More frustration with the delay in the development of the Ring of Fire.  NDP Northern Development and Mines Critic Michael Mantha says it's ridiculous that the government keeps misleading everyone.  Mantha says this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and the provincial government has chosen to sit on the sidelines.

Students Pitch Ideas

The Northwest Innovation Centre is getting Confederation College and Lakehead University students thinking about what they can do to better the world.  Spokesperson Terry Smith says they had students pitch their ideas in 30 second videos.  Smith hopes the contest will get students thinking about becoming entrepreneurs.  The creator of the winning video entry will get 500 dollars.

Infrastructure Meeting Tonight

A public information session is being held tonight on the City's upcoming infrastructure projects.  City Manager Tim Commisso says they want feedback on their three year plan that includes basics such as storm sewers and roads. The meeting will be held at the Community Auditorium starting at 6.

More Ring Of Fire Concerns

Cliffs Natural Resources is again threatening to pull out of the Ring of Fire mining development.   The company is repeating its threat that it may give up on the project altogether if it can't get proper road access to its property.  Spokesperson Jason Aagenes  says they are throwing it in the province's court .
Cliffs doesn't believe any one company should have restricted access to the Ring of Fire. Meantime Mines Minister Micheal Gravelle repeated the governments message that they are committed to the Ring of Fire.

Ambassadors Wanted

The local Canadian Cancer Society wants more women to talk about getting mammograms.  Manager Maria Cabral says the "Women to Women" movement enlists women to become breast cancer ambassadors.  To sign up click here.

Attempted Robbery @ Safeway Pharmacy

Police are investigating an attempted robbery at the Safeway Pharmacy on West Arthur Street.  A man armed with a knife approached the pharmacy counter just after 8:30 last night and demanded drugs. Officers say he appeared nervous and left the store without any prescription pills.  The suspect is described as 5'8 to 6 feet tall with a thin build, scruffy appearance and no facial hair. He was wearing a grey baseball cap and a black windbreaker jacket.

Con College New Cafeteria

Confederation College is unveiling its new Ryan Hall cafeteria.  They revamped the space in just under nine weeks.  Vice President of Student Services Bob Backstrom says the new eating area includes a custom made fire brick pizza oven from Washington State.  The new Ryan Hall also boasts recycled aluminum can chairs.

Tobacco Prevention Grant

The Northwest Tobacco Control Network is giving away a thousand dollar grant.  Schools and community groups can apply for it up until November 15th.  The money will go towards youth engagement projects with a focus on tobacco prevention.

OLG Pays City

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation is giving it's second quarter payment to the City.  This time around the City is getting just over 611-thousand dollars for hosting the OLG Casino.   The money comes from slot machine revenue.

Highway 11 Open

After a 9 hour closure, Highway 11 is now open in both lanes from Long Lac to Hearst.  OPP say a traffic accident early this morning forced the closure.