Atleo wants leaders to attend Treaty 5 ceremonies

Canada's top native leader says government leaders must attend the upcoming Treaty 5 celebrations in Northwestern Ontario. Speaking in Thunder Bay, Shawn Atleo the Chief of the Assembly of First Nations,  says it would show a respect for past actions.   He says that's critical  because the Crown is the treaty partner and needs to take full responsibility for those errors, but it has yet to happen.  So far no government officials have indicated they will be attending the ceremonies.

LRCA upgrades low water warning

We may have received a lot of rain, but the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority says drought conditions in the area are getting worse. For that reason the organization has upgraded its low water condition warning from Level 1 to Level 2. The LRCA says that means that the overall precipitation hasn't been enough to ease water supply problems especially for those who rely on wells for their drinking water.

Fonteece escapes jail time for wife's suicide

A Waterloo man is not going to jail for his wife's suicide in Thunder Bay. 48 year old Peter Fonteece pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing death in connection with the incident in a city motel room in February of last year. The court was told his wife Yanisa took 40 sleeping pills and asked Peter not to interfere. He then tried numerous times to take his own life but failed. Fonteece says he's pleased he didn't get anymore time in jail than what he has already served. He adds he's grateful for the understanding of Madam Justice Helen Pierce. She called the case unique in Canadian law. Fonteece will be on probation for a year and must stay in the care of The John Howard Society.

Hundreds turn out for Dunnill funeral

Father Michael Dunnill has said his final farewell. The Thunder Bay Police Service Chaplain was given a full police funeral Thursday complete with an honour guard at St. Paul's Anglican Church. Hundreds of people turned out to pay their last respects to the man who served as Chaplain since 1988. He died on the weekend at the age of 77.

Paras steps away from NOSTA

There is one less member on the board for the North of Superior Tourism Assocation. Lori Paras has announced she is resigning from NOSTA. Lately the board has been plagued by infighting among its members over who is legally on the board and who is not. This appears to be the reason Paras has stepped down.

Get ready for some rain

If you're still hoping to see some more rain you're in luck. Environment Canada's Peter Kimble says we could see as much as 20-30 millimetres of rain by tomorrow morning. Kimble says it will cool off tonight, dropping to 3 degrees but will rebound to 20 for the weekend.

Collision closes the Expressway

A portion of the expressway was closed for a few hours this morning after a transport truck collided with an SUV. OPP Constable Diana Cole says it happened at around 7:30 when the SUV crossed the centre line and collided with the truck. The drivers were taken to the hospital with non life threatening injuries. The investigation continues.

LU and Con College collaborate

Students of a science program at Lakehead University are benefiting from a new agreement with Confederation College. LU President Fred Gilbert says students in the water management program get to use resources at the College. He calls it the future of post secondary education and says for too long most Universities and Colleges have operated in their own world.  Gilbert says he'd like to think both insitutions in the city are trend setters.   College President Pat Lang says the program creates job opportunities for students in Northwestern Ontario.