Police employee testifies at trial

Two days of testimony are now in the books at the Michael Kelly murder trial.  On Wednesday the jury heard from the Thunder Bay Police employee who took the original missing persons report on Judie Thibault  November 21st of 2000.   Pamela Whissel testified that someone who identified himself as Michael Kelly told her on the phone that his common law spouse Judie Thibault was missing.  He told her that the day before Thibault had been sitting at their kitchen table upset over something and then got up, left the house and drove away in a car.  Kelly is charged with First Degree murder in her death.   The trial continues Thursday.

Operation Red Nose is a huge success

Almost double the amount of rides were given by this year's Operation Red Nose crew.  Spokesperson Diana Sustawenko says over 650 rides were handed out and over 22 thousand dollars were raised.

OFIA has signed on to use Ontario Wood Logo

The Provincial Government is happy to announce the first organization to sign up use the Ontario Wood Logo.  Forestry Minister Michael Gravelle says the Ontario Forest Industries Association is the first organization to be licenced to use the logo that ensures the product is produced, grown and designed in the province.

Jury in murder trail hears of letter

An anonymous letter to the OPP in 2001 is causing some interest at the Michael Kelly murder trail. Court was told by a forensics expert, that the letter was sent to the OPP in Toronto in 2001. It was in an envelope that had the letters OPP cut out in clippings which were then taped on the front. He testified that in the envelope was a map of the Dorion area where the body of Judie Thibault was found in August of 2004. On the map someone had put the word "bodies". The expert says there was no way to determine from the map, the exact location of any bodies, let alone Thibault's.  Kelly is facing a first degree murder charged in connection with Thibault's death

Forensics can't link Kelly to murder: Expert

The Michael Kelly murder trial is into its second day of testimony.  An OPP forensic expert was cross examined by defence lawyer Gil Labine.  Sgt. Scott Hlady admitted there is no forensic evidence of any kind to link Kelly to the death of Judie Thibault.  The 65 year old Kelly is charged in the death of Thibault who disappeared in November of 2000 and whose body was found in August of 2004 in the bush in the Dorion area wrapped in a carpet with a bullet in her head.  

Koulton on the job

The City's top lawyer is settling into her new gig.  Nadia Koulton started in January as the city's legal advisor.  Koulton is already working on the city's proposed deer feeding by-law.  Koulton is replacing Rosalie Evans while Evans is on a year sabbatical.

Rafferty reacts to defection

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty is no fan of switching parties mid-term.  Rafferty say he can't comment on the reasons behind Quebec MP Lise St. Denis leaving the NDP for the Liberals, but doesn't support how she did it.  Rafferty doesn't think her defection will have a big impact on the party that still holds down 102 seats in the House of Commons.

Inquest into Northern accidents

A northern Ontario politician is calling for a coroner's inquest into a series of fatal highway collisions in the North.  Nipissing M-P-P Vic Fedeli also says there appear to be problems with road clearing in Northeastern Ontario. Fedeli says an inquest is needed into the deaths of 10 people in collisions in late December and early January.

NAN on Pikangikum School

The Deputy Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation says Ottawa must do something about the teachers living quarters in Pikangikum.  Terry Waboose says the teachers need to return to Pikangikum as soon as possible so students don't lose the entire school year.  Pikangikum leaders say nearly all of its non-local teachers have left the community because of mould in the teachers' residences.  And they say that's jeopardizing the school year for hundreds of students.

Fatal accident near Kenora

A fatal collision has forced the closure of the Trans-Canada Highway.  OPP say the crash occurred early this morning near the Highway 71 junction, about 30-kilometres east of Kenora.  Police say it may take up to 8-hours to investigate. A detour is available by using Highway 11.  Poor road conditions are to blame.