Snowmobile Safety Tips

Northwestern Ontario Police Officers are giving some safety tips for snowmobilers. Community Service Officer Kevin Hildebrand says while it may be tempting to go fast, it's better to be safe then sorry. Always know where you can and can't drive your snowmobile, inspect the snowmobile before using it, and let someone know of your destination. Hildebrand adds that it is also important to follow the speed limit.

Strike on Monday For Rainy River District

Elementary teachers and support staff within the Rainy-River District School Board are staging a one-day strike on Monday. Earlier this week, elementary staff in the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board held their one-day strike, and protested at the Government Building in Dryden. As time goes on, more school boards across the province are taking action, protesting Bill 115.

Stuff a Cruiser Event

The OPP, Nishnawbe Aski, City Police, and Anishinabek Police forces are partnering this weekend to offer the City's first ‘Stuff a Cruiser’ event. Police vehicles will be parked at the Real Canadian Superstore, Safeway on Arthur Street, and all Metro Stores. Officers will be collecting canned food for the Regional Food Distribution Association. The event will run from ten until 4 today.

NDHN CEO Speaks Out

The CEO of the Northern Diabetes Health Network says the Ontario Auditor General's report needs to include more context over allegations her agency spent provincial dollars where it shouldn't have.  CEO Susan Griffis says the report took issue with the 40 thousand dollars in travel expenses.  The report also says the organization spent money in ways that contradicts the rules for public sector expenses.  Griffis says as soon as the Ministry of Health alerted them of this fact they made immediate changes.

Northern Industrial Electricity Program Extended

The Provincial Government is extending it's Northern Industrial Electricity Rate. The program will now be available for another three years and will provide a lower costing electricity rate to mining and forest industry companies. Resolute Forest Products Spokesperson Roger Barber says things would be grim for his company if the Province didn't decide to extend the program. The province is putting 360 million dollars into the three year program.

FWHP Gets Observatory

The Fort William Historical Park is now home to a new Observatory.  Park General Manager Sergio Buonocore says the observatory is open every night from 7:30 to 9.  Buonocore adds the new attraction will boost tourism to the park and the city.

Rafferty Makes Motion For Legions

A Northwestern Ontario MP wants to give the Royal Canadian Legion easier access to funds for repairs to their buildings. Thunder Bay-Rainy River's John Rafferty is proposing the federal government set up an infrastructure renewal fund that would match whatever dollars Legions' can raise for upgrades. Rafferty made his request in a motion put forward in the House of Commons earlier this week.

NOTO Restructuring

The executive director of Nature and Outdoor Tourism in Ontario is stepping down.  Doug Reynolds says that the outdoor tourism industry is taking quite a hit, and that NOTO is going through a restructuring process.  Reynolds adds that times are tough.  Reynolds will remain as director until the end of January.

Hospital Moves Up In Rankings

A year after making their first appearance on the list for Top 40 Research Hospitals in Canada, Thunder Bay's Health Sciences Centre has moved up in the rankings. Last year was the first time the hospital appeared on the list, at #40. This year, it moves up to #37.

Bombardier Getting Back To Full Employment

The labour news is good coming from the local Bombardier plant. Union spokesperson Dominic Pasqualino says that the company should be operating with a full workforce of 14 hundred now that recent issues have been settled. He says probationary workers should be back in the job early in the new year. He says all laid off workers should get a notice in the mail from the company in the next day or two to confirm their status.. Supply problems and a labour dispute in Quebec forced the company to layoff the workers

More Teacher Walkouts In NWO

Elementary teachers in the Rainy River district are the last of the northwestern Ontario teachers to hold a one day strike. They will be off the job on Monday. They are protesting protesting Bill 115, which allows the province to impose a contract on them and stop them from striking.

Armed Robbery At Cumberland Mac's

Another Mac's Robbery in the city while you slept. Just after 3 this morning police say 2 young people with their faces covered entered the Mac's location at 185 Cumberland each armed with a knife. No one is hurt and the young thugs got away with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Medical Student Reception

Around 100 medical students and health professionals are expected at a special reception next Friday at the Superior North EMS Station.  Organizer Cheryl Armstrong says they like to change the location of the reception every year to highlight new health care facilities.  The reception will run from 12 until 2 at the Superior North EMS Headquarters.

Stuff A Cruiser This Weekend

The OPP, City Police, Nishnawbe Aski and Anishinabek Police forces are partnering this weekend to offer the City's first ‘Stuff a Cruiser’ event.  Police vehicles will be parked at the Real Canadian Superstore, Safeway on Arthur Street, and all Metro Stores.  Officers will be collecting canned food for the Regional Food Distribution Association.  The event will run from ten until 4 Saturday. 

Two Local Charities Get Money

On the charity front in the city.  The local United Steel Workers Union gave 2-thousand dollars to Shelter House on Thursday to help fight child poverty.  Meanwhile, City employees donated over 252-thousand dollars to the United Way's annual fundraising campaign.

HAGI President Fears Council Decision

HAGI Transit President Cal Rankin is worried council is going to decide to takeover their handi transit service.  At Monday night's meeting staff are recommending the City not renew it's contract with HAGI Transit when it expires next December and bring the service in house.  Rankin says if council goes forward with the recommendation it could mean less service for his clients.  Rankin feels the city's proposal will make it harder for people to gain access to ride handi transit buses.

Longer Operating Hours At Marina Park?

A report on keeping Marina Park open past the 11 o'clock curfew is coming before Council in the New Year.  Parks Manager Paul Fayrick says it makes sense to allow people into the waterfront area past 11 because of the new restaurant Bight which is open well past the park's closing.  Councillors will consider the recommendation at its January 14th meeting. 

HAGI Transit Contract Is Up For Discussion

Council is going to decide Monday night whether or not to bring handi-transit services under the umbrella of City Transit. Staff are recommending the City not renew it's contract with HAGI Transit when it expires next December. Transit Manager Brad Loroff says if council approves the move they would take over in 2014. The Amalgamated Transit Union President and the HAGI Transit President are expected to speak about the issue as well at Monday night's meeting.

Dog Attack Case Back In Court

Frank Vantroba

The man who is charged in connection with a dog attack in Tarbutt Park last month is looking for a lawyer. 57 year old Frank Vantroba appeared in court this morning and will be back again on December 20th.  Vantroba is charged with criminal negligence in the incident in addition to charges laid by the city's Licencing and Enforcement division.   The attack seriously hurt an 11 year old boy. 

Firefighters Save Deer From Kam River

A text from a student riding the bus across the James Street Swing Bridge this morning helped to save the life of a deer.  That text to his parents alerted the Fire Department of a deer that fell through the ice on the Kam River.  Platoon Chief Joe Grzelewski says they put a rope around the deer and pulled it to safety. He adds the deer was pretty tired from treading water and holding onto the edge of the ice.  Grzelewski adds the deer was alive when they released it and stands a better chance of survival now that its out of the water.