Double fatality in the Northwest

A Pikangikum man and woman are dead as the result of a traffic accident 60 kilometres north of Red Lake on Thursday afternoon.  They say the two were the passengers in a pick up truck that rolled several times. Two other people were treated in hospital.

Police investigate Red Lake death

The OPP in Red Lake are probing the death of a 46 year old woman. Police say she was found unconscious in that community and was flown to Thunder Bay where she was pronounced dead at the Health Sciences Centre early Thursday morning. They aren't saying anything about the cause of death. The woman was from Pikangikum but was residing in Red Lake

Tory's northern platform unveiled

The Progressive Conservatives are targeting First Nations and our natural resources in their northern election platform.   Leader Tim Hudak unveiled the platform in Thunder Bay today.  The platform includes a promise for the premier to meet with First Nations leaders two times a year  and to hold cabinet meetings in the north. There's also a promise to make better use of natural resources and to create jobs.

Matawa makes it's move

More area First Nations are holding their ground when it comes to development on their traditional territory.  This time the Matawa First Nations have signed a declaration to stand together to protect their natural resources.  The declaration states that they are asserting their treaty right to require that  all nine communities give written permission before any development activity take place.

Goldcorp stung for 50 K

Goldcorp Canada says it's guilty of violating the provinces Occupational Health and Safety act at it's Musselwhite Mine.  On November 14, 2009, a Ministry of Labour inspector visited the mine. After reviewing the mine's training records, the inspector determined that one of the mine's workers was not registered as fully trained in all of the prescribed training programs for work in a hard rock underground mine.  The mining giant was fined 50 thousand dollars for failing to ensure that a worker was fully trained.

Hobbs keeps mum on possible apology

Mayor Keith Hobbs says he will "absolutely not" comment on a report that he's about to publicly apologize to former Police Chief Bob Herman to end Herman's defamation lawsuit.   Hobbs says more will come out at a news conference Wednesday at noon.  The suit is in connection with comments Hobbs made at a March news conference. 

Hospital entrance could get traffic lights

Lakehead University students may get their wish for traffic lights on Oliver Road at the entrance to the Regional Hospital. City Engineering Manager Pat Mauro says he's asking councillors to consider it as a budget item next year.  He says if approved then the lights could be up in about a year or so.  The issue comes before councillors on Monday.

City to contribute to overpass work

The city is doing it's part to help with the construction of the overpass at Hodder and the Thunder Bay Expressway.  Rick Harms of the city's engineering division says the work mainly involves watermain relocation and says the city is obliged to do it.  City councillors will be dealing with the three quarter million dollar contract at Monday's meeting

Caribou Coach pressuring the province

A local transportation company is pleading with the provincial government to consider local companies.  Caribou Coach President Sandy Smith says the province is sponsoring Pacific Western to provide services to patients in the Northern Health Transportation Grant program, which could cut out a third of his ridership. 

City pool in line for renovations

Volunteer Pool is in for a face lift as city councillors prepare to award a contract worth almost half a million dollars towards the improvements. The city's renovations manager Gerry Boere says it's mostly interior work which was recommended by their engineers.   Boere says he will be recommending the lowest bid for the project Monday evening.

Another teen goes missing

There's another missing teen in the city.   Police say 14 year old Miranda Ritchie was last seen Sunday when she was dropped off at Churchill Pool.  They say she contacted her guardian later that night saying she wouldn't be coming home.

Brown seeks all avenues to save AFP

The province says there's simply no wood to give but that isn't deterring Atikokan from finding resources that would help re-open the idled Atikokan Forest Products mill. Mayor Dennis Brown says it includes talking with AbitibiBowater.  He says there used to be an arrangement with the company for supplying wood chips, and hopes it's an arrangement which can be resurrected. Brown says he plans to meet with the potential buyers of the Sapawe mill in the near future to discuss other options.

Addiction issues dominate AFN gathering

Fort William First Nation Chief Peter Collins is back from the Assembly of First Nations Conference hopeful there's a start to address native drug abuse. Collins says that seemed to be a prevailing topic at the conference.  As evidence Collins pointed  to the killing of a 5 year old boy on a reserve in Alberta, a death he says was related to drugs and drug addiction.  The conference is being held in Moncton, New Brunswick

Industrial accident results in police charges

The Ministry of Labour and the OPP are continuing to probe  the circumstances surrounding an  incident on the Trans Canada Highway east of Shabaqua Corners.   Police say it involved a loaded log truck pulling down some wires on a construction worker.    The truck driver is charged with height and load violations.

Evacuated residents set to return

Deer Lake residents are expected to begin returning home today after being evacuated last week due to area forest fires. Sandy Lake, Cat Lake, North Spirit Lake, Kee-way-win and Koocheching remain on evacuation alert and continue to monitor the situation. There were four new fires in the Northwest Region reported last night, with two in the Kenora District, one in the Red Lake District and one in the Sioux Lookout District.

New Chief Sworn in

After 24 years of policing JP Levesque has taken the top job with Thunder Bay Police.  Levesque was officially sworn in as Chief this morning and says he looks forward to getting to work and will start by doing some consultation with members of the force.  Levesque says he has some ideas on how to change the way policing is done in Thunder Bay wants feedback from his officers.  The 47 year old has spent his entire career in the city and has held almost every position within the force.

No nukes for Lac Seul

Lac Seul says it will not support any nuclear waste initiatives by regional municipalities within First Nation territory. Several communities including Sioux Lookout, Ignace and Ear Falls have been exploring the possibility of becoming a host repository site. Chief Clifford Bull says Lac Seul doesn't want to create an impossible problem for future generations to struggle with. Bull says they don't want to consult with municipalities on the issue, noting they are strongly opposed to the idea.  Bull adds that Grand Council Treaty 3 and the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation are both on his side.

Police issue plea for driver and witnesses

Thunder Bay police are looking to speak to the driver of a vehicle that may have been involved in a chain reaction accident on May Street yesterday. They say it took place at the intersection of George Street. There were only minor injuries. Police also are asking any witnesses to the accident to contact them.

Missing teen

Thunder Bay Police are looking for a missing 14 year old Thunder Bay girl.  Kelsey Loon has been missing since June 28th.  Loon has a history of running away and her guardian is concerned for her welfare. Loon was last seen by her guardian in the Blucher Avenue Area.

Sharp lets his agent do the talking

There's still lots of talk about Thunder Bay's Patrick Sharp getting a contract extension with the Chicago Blackhawks, but he wouldn't say if they're close to reaching a deal or not. He says it's just a matter of time before the issue sorts itself out adding, "that's why we have agents". Sharp still has one year left on his contract with the Hawks.