Health Unit Investigates After 61 Fall Ill

61 people are said to have fallen ill after eating or drinking at "This Old Barn" restaurant in Murillo this past weekend. Emergency officials at the Health Sciences Centre first alerted the Health Unit about a potential problem after recurring cases were reported. Manager of Environmental Health, Christopher Beveridge says the owner of This Old barn is working cooperatively and that preliminary results point to water being contaminated with E. Coli but they are looking into it further.

Company Facing Charges In Workers Death

Teranorth Construction of Sudbury is facing seven charges in connection with the fatal industrial accident at the McKenzie River Bridge in June of last year. Matt Blajer of the Ministry of Labour says the charges are under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and relate to the platform lift that tipped over killing a 24 year old employee.  The company will make a first court appearance on June 22nd

Anglers & Hunters Will Have Info Stored In States

A Tennessee-based company now operates an automated licensing system for Ontario for hunters and fishers, and stores the personal data it collects in the United States. Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle says Active Outdoors signed a contract with very specific terms to abide by Ontario law to protect personal information. The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters says its 100,000 members are ``deeply concerned'' Homeland Security will use the Patriot Act to access the personal data of Ontario residents.

Free Dental Services For Local Youngsters

If you're a young teen and you don't have access to a dentist, the local health unit wants to help.  The health unit will be providing free check ups, fillings, x-rays and cleanings to youth under the age of 17 who come from low income families.  The Provincial Government is providing the Thunder Bay Health Unit with funding to offer the program. To apply call 625-5900.

Six Con College Grads Get Jobs

The first six graduates from Confederation College's Firefighter program are now employed.  Confederation College President Jim Madder says they've been hired by Thunder Bay's Fire Department.  Fire Chief John Hay says the program helps the students compete for tough to get jobs within his department and nationally.

Police Report Fewer Insecure Loads

City Police say we are getting better. Last week they conducted spot checks of the vehicles taking loads to the Mapleward Road city landfill site. They say out of a total of almost six thousand vehicles checked, close to thirty drivers were given tickets for having an insecure load. That compares with the almost 40 tickets handed out last year.

Anti Poverty Guru Likes Local Strategy

Anti poverty crusader Mark Chamberlain is visiting the city today teaching local activists what he learned trying to reduce poverty in Hamilton. Chamberlain believes we are heading in the right direction with our Poverty Reduction Strategy. He says without a strategy you don't have the advantage of listening to the ideas of many people with innovative solutions.  

                                                            Chamberlain Interview 

Bombardier Employees Help Charities

Bombardier employees in Thunder Bay continue to give back. Employees contributed more than 60-thousand-dollars to 25 charities in 2011. George Gasbarrino, Director of Human Resources says "The Employee Fund is making a significant difference in the lives of thousands of families in Thunder Bay."

OPP Release Name Of Kenora Fatality

Provincial Police in Kenora have released the name of the man found dead on the Canadian Pacific rail crossing in Keewatin early Sunday morning.  The victim has been identified as 22-year-old Justen Kroeker of Kenora.  Police are awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination.  Foul play isn't suspected.

Dryden Debates First Nation Student Residence

Dryden Council is expected to debate the re-zoning of Pinewood School at next Tuesday's open meeting. A public meeting was held yesterday into the re-zoning of the property to facilitate a First Nations school and residential facility for up to 72-students and 8-supervisory staff.  Sally Ledger pleaded with Council to give Northern kids a chance to gain an education but notes that the KO Northern Chiefs led project comes with other benefits.

Dryden Welcomes Familiar Face To Council

Sid Wintle says he's anxious to get started on Dryden Council.  The former Mayor and Councilor was elected in Monday's bye-election for the one vacant Council seat.  Wintle says cleaning up the City's finances is his number one priority.

Canfield To Talk To Gravelle

The Bear Wise program isn't living up to its name.  That's the feeling of the Vice-President of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association.  Dave Canfield says the Ministry of Natural Resources shouldn't be allowed to download the responsibility of nuisance bears onto municipalities.