Loonie Days For Flood Fund Start Friday

A variety of businesses are taking part in loonie days for disaster relief this long weekend. Flood Fund Program Manager Kari Chiappetta says it's vital people come out and donate a loonie when they're shopping at local businesses. You can donate a dollar this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at all Metro, Quality Market stores, Walmart, Old Navy, Chatters Salon and a variety of other businesses.

Lac des Illes Strike Vote

Workers at the Lac des Illes mine could go on strike in September. The United Steel Workers Union held a strike vote recently with 94 percent of employees voting in favour of labour action. USW Spokesperson Herb Daniher says there have been some stumbling points in negotiations including bringing a work safety advisor back into the company. A provincial mediator will sit down with the employer and the union for three days of negotiation at the beginning of September.

Body Found Behind Lakehead Motors

Thunder Bay Police have identified the 65 year old man who was found dead this morning in the Intercity area.  Just before 9:00 a.m. people walking in the wooded area at the end of Field Street came across the body and went to a nearby business to alert police.  Detectives are now awaiting the result of a post mortem to determine the cause of the death.

Ornge's Air Ambulance Service Back To Normal In T.Bay

Ornge's helicopter air ambulance service is back to running out of it's Thunder Bay base.  It was moved to Moosonee and Kenora on a temporary basis due to a pilot shortage but Thunder Bay MPP Bill Mauro says the organization has been able to rectify the matter.  Mauro says Ornge has struggled in the past with recruiting helicopter pilots and it's an ongoing problem.

Kia Gives Vehicle To Crimestoppers

Thunder Bay Crimestoppers has a new vehicle thanks to Performance Kia.  The business donated the vehicle to the organization this morning.  Crimestoppers Coordinator Jason Disher says he'll be driving the vehicle around for the next three years.  Disher says it will come in handy since he's following up on tips from Thunder Bay, Nipigon, Red Rock, Schreiber, Terrace Bay, Marathon, Manitouwadge and Greenstone. 

Dryden Donates To T.Bay Flood Fund

Dryden Council has responded to an appeal for assistance issued by Thunder Bay.  The Lakehead is still reeling from a major flood in May and a group has been formed to raise 5-million dollars to help those affected by the water damage.  Dryden Council has agreed to donate 1-thousand dollars to the cause.  The province will match that funding.

College Teachers Reach Agreement

Confederation College teachers won't be going on strike this fall.  Ontario's 24 colleges today reached a tentative agreement with their faculty. It's a two year deal that starts in September and expires in August 2014.  The deal includes no changes to benefits and freezes faculty

salaries.

Neebing Avenue Closed

Neebing Avenue will be closed until early October as city crews work on road and watermain construction. Neebing Avenue has been closed this week between Gore Street and Walsh Street and will remain closed for atleast another five weeks. Gore Street and Walsh Street remain open as detour routes. Other access roads including Rosslyn Road and Broadway Avenue remain open. There will be local access to the area from Mary Street, Francis Street and Frederica Street.

Rafferty Puzzled By Boundary Map

A possible redraw of federal ridings in northwestern Ontario has the M.P. for Thunder Bay-Rainy River scratching his head. The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario proposes Lake of the Woods township be a part of the Kenora riding. John Rafferty is confused as to why it has to be moved out of his riding. Rafferty intends to voice his opposition at upcoming meetings this fall.

Forest Fire Season Not Over

A reminder the fire season in northwestern Ontario isn't over yet. The Ministry of Natural Resources says it reponded to 6 new blazes in the region, including two more in the Kenora area. One was located near Minaki while the other was just South of Kenora on Lake of the Woods. The M.N.R. says all the new fires were the result of lightning strikes over the past few days. With warmer conditions expected over the next few days, fire crews are expecting to see more activity.